Hmm. 2006 Outback, with a swap to a JDM turbo engine? Sounds like a tempting summer project.
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Yeah I'd personally just leave everything stock to be honest, if you ever wanted to sell it on a fully stock car will sell much better and will fetch more money. I know modifying cars is all the rage these days but unless you want to do motorsport, modifying normal road cars for the street just isn't worth it.
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Eh, I'm not worried about resale value. Though, honestly, even it being a modded car, I'll get more than I put into it when I do sell it.
Cost of stock engine, high mileage, plus rebuild kit $2,500
Cost of head gasket repair $2,400
Complete car from Japan $2,800
The cost of the Japan swap car is minimal, plus any additional parts that I might need will be available, and I can sell off a great deal that's left over to recoup some of the cost of the vehicle (transmission, brakes, tail and headlights, wheels, etc). The rear bumper I want, from Japan, is $1,400. If I get it from a wreckers, it's $225, and can be tossed into the car so shipping is free.