f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

I personally have never had a problem on any of the 3 MY99/00 turbos I have owned and I do think it is one of those things that gets a bit blown out of proportion. Not saying it isn't an issue, but I think relatively few engines have failed just because of the MAF. You are right though that if you want peace of mind you will need to go the Simtek route to eliinate the MAF.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Sorry I also dont agree with you, the new age cars were better built, didnt have the scratch unrestistant plastic (damn put a finger near it and it scratched), they suffered clutch judder as standard, stiff/notchy gearboxes, totally useless brakes for the car they were (my prior 306 gti had better 2 pots than the subaru's 4 pots and my astra cdti stops better than any classic i know), but what i do agree with you on is that the bug sti's were gutless low down, but only the UK ones without the PPP.
But then you seem to have missed something, a td04 turbo is quite small to say the least, it starts coming in at oh, 2k rpm and runs out of steam at about 5.5-6k rpm, the VF35 doesnt come into its own until 3-3.5k rpm, and goes on until 7.5k when it starts to run out of steam (or is that rpm )
The suretrac front diff was always an interesting issue, most people didnt like the feel of it, but you had to put your faith into the fact that it did its job better than most people would give it credit for, it was and still is a better car over a classic uk turbo, they handled better (after the geometry was sorted, as per any subaru from the factory over here, the geometry was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of the window unless you had it done), and yes, the suspension was a little harder, the prodrive springs sorted that out, in the same way that the prodrive springs improved the uk turbo's a fair bit.

Out of the 3 subaru's ive owned (2 being brand new) the best one is still the JDM new age STI by far, bottom of the list is the UK turbo, though i loved that car the inprecise and over assisted steering wasnt as good as it should have been, a fast rack would have suited the car more, thats how it should have been in the first place, the brakes really sucked (I upgraded them to a 308mm ap/brembo setup which was much better and how they should have been in the first place!) and mine had (as per all of them) the dreaded clutch judder (annoying to say the least).

My JDM V5 STI type R is great but its still no where near as good as the new age JDM STI spec c I owned and god i wish i still did own that car, fantastic machine

Back to the OP, you wont go wrong with a new age STI PPP'd car they are just alot better in every way over a classic UK turbo

Tony

PS, Grant, geometry setup

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

As long as you dont mess with the air filter/intake, then you shouldnt have any serious issues, and these MAF's are only 100 quid, if you replace one every year (doubtful you will need to replace one every 5 years) but if you did, thats 6 years that you didnt need a simtek ecu.
Anyway, with the "P1" issue, it doesnt just look like MAFs are the problem.

Tony

RS Grant

T'was done... to fast road settings, which I admit did help a lot, but didn't feel quite as planted as the Classics and so didnt give as much confidence when 'on it' in the twisties. Part of that will be due to me feeling that you sit a fair bit higher in the Newage and never really being comfortable behind the wheel because of it.

....and Tony, come on now, are you implying the 6-spd isn't a notchy gearbox!!


Cheers,
Grant

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Tony,

It's all opinion though isn't it. I know the classics have pretty horrid interiors and yes the standard brakes are a bit iffy and the clutch judder is an issue, but for me (and this is just for me I stress) the late UK classic is a better car than my 03STI could ever be. It may not be as quick on paper, but I just know I would be faster A to B on the UK roads in it than the STI as the car gives me more confidence on the road than the STI ever could.

I tried the Prodrive suspenson on the STI and 3 sets of new shocks (as the model has a long running suspension fault where it starts knocking from the rear - take note please OP) and geometry, but I could never get it to feel predictable and I would say on the limit it was damn near scary. A mate of mine who is a pretty accomplished rally driver took it out and he felt the same.

The low down power delivery was woeful, yes I know it has a bigger turbo than the clasics but really it was beyond bad. It was actually an art form to get it up a steep hill without a run up.

I also feel that despite being better finished it was not as well built as the classics I have had. In my 4.5 years of ownership I had 1 new alarm, 3 sets of rear shocks, 1 set of front shocks, 1 oxygen sensor, 1 heater matrix, 1 rear diff, 1 water pump, 1 set of rear top mounts (one snapped)..... in 64K Hmmmmm.

The classic interior may rattle, but the important bits are screwed together properly. The 4 pots can be greatly improved with better disks and pads, the clutch judder by replacing the clutch with an Exedy or the likes and with a de-cat exhaust and a re-map it's quite a car for the money. All my opinion of course.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Grant, going from a UK turbo to an MY03 JDM STI, no the gearbox wasnt notchy or it could just be JDM gearboxes are better

F1 fan, maybe you just had a friday car but my JDM STI would wipe the floor with pretty much any classic (well every classic) even on UK roads, it was just an awesome point to point machine, but it didnt suffer the low down lag issue, and it probably handled a fair bit better yet still out of the box it could take on M3's (E46's) and put them quite happily in their place behind the scoob, damn my MY00 turbo had problems outpacing 1.8 vtec honda civic's in standard form (and lowish miles) but tbh, a uk classic isnt one to go back to (unless its a P1 or a 22B type UK).
So I went the JDM route again for my Type R but the only reason I bought it was because it was well priced (and i had put some money aside for work to be done) and it was a JDM car over a uk one, otherwise I would have bought another JDM new age STI (a better all round car i think over a UK STI but thats just me )

I think the OP should give both a shot, but it has to be a PPP'd car, and if you can stretch to an 05 plate with the dccd, do it!

Tony

85rob

my99uk, the maf has been replaced twice so its not that a big deal imo.

GlesgaKiss

Thanks everyone who's contributed.

Maybe this thread was a bad idea: so much to think about now! Lol and to be honest I'm still pretty torn between the two. I know that a newage Sti is going to be quicker in every way(although maybe not in a straight line once I've modded the UK Turbo), but I still fancy the classic because of the ease of picking one up and running it without breaking the bank!

GlesgaKiss

Oh, and Tony - No chance of picking up an 05 unless it's accident damaged for my budget.

GlesgaKiss

The car I had spotted on Pistonheads is sold. Should have known not to hang about!

I'm definetly looking for a late Classic UK Turbo now, so anyone selling one please get in touch.

I have a thread in the wanted section too.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Good man

Don't know where you are based, but this is in Devon. Aside from the wheels (IMO) it's a nice car (low mileage and the right colour too )

Subaru : SUBARU IMPREZA 2000 TURBO

GlesgaKiss

Yeah I've spotted that. It's a really tidy car, but a bit expensive in my opinion - I've seen MY00 cars like that for around £4000. Distance within the UK is no object though, so if you come across anything, let me know.

I spotted this one on the AutoTrader website - Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA Turbo 2000 4WD 4dr Saloon

It may sound daft, but I'm not sure about it because I'm not keen on the silver. Silver cars just don't do anything for me, although it does seem stupid to pass up a good car because of colour.

I'm about 10 miles from Lanark, if you did the Mcrae Gathering and know where that is!

JRFRACE

That one looks quite nice, if you mod it as you want to, keep its standard looks then silver like that it'd be pretty stealthy which might be a laugh!

silver cars always do have a bit of a fleet car look to them though, i know where you are coming from

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

That red one is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced for what it is....

This one from a dealer is 500 quid less
Auto Trader UK - SUBARU Impreza Turbo 2000 4WD

This one (ok its a wagon) is much newer for less money
Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX AWD Turbo 5dr Sportwagon

Red and much cheaper

Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA Turbo 2000 4WD 4dr Saloon

Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA Turbo 2000 4WD 4dr Saloon

Auto Trader UK - SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX 4WD 4dr Saloon

Bucket loads out there that are better look for the extra's like PPP or aircon (1600 and 1k quid extra's) and if it doesnt have 18-20 stamps, it doesnt have fsh.

Tony

PS, still look at the new age wrx's, total bargains!

GlesgaKiss

Thanks Tony, very helpfull.

I spotted that Blue Type RA earlier. What do you think about that? Am I right in saying it has a closed deck block, so should be able to withstand Sti power?

Also, in fairly standard form it should be cheap to insure? Is it not classed as a WRX?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Alan, same engine as a turbo, have it mapped and she should just run like a dream at 280-300bhp with a stronger gearbox possably
You will probably need speciallist insurance but it shouldnt rob you that much

Tony

GlesgaKiss

Have just phoned my insurer - Computer says no. Lol

Think I better stick to the UK cars. As I said above, that silver one seems like a bargain, but I'm not keen on the colour. Tempted to enquire about it though.

chrisUK300

iTrader: (10)

sports and value cars : 02 sti uk low miles, fsh.may swap px
Id look at something like this personally. Depends if you like Bugeyes I suppose.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Know what you mean about silver. had two silver classics, done the silver thing by now myself

As for price take no notice of the rice as advertised. Offer them book and you should get your car. Thatw as why I posted the link above. I wan't actually intending you pay £5K!!!!

Service history is a must if only to warrrant the mileage. Plenty of the ones on Autotrader mention nothing about service history.

Also make sure you get one with air con as not all the UK classics had aircon. unless of course you are happy to live without it ... lighter