Thought id say hello whilst im trawling through looking for info.

Decided i want an impreza, not sure on the spec yet (still dont understand half the models) but got a budget of around £7.5k and im based in cheshire.

Its going to be a daily with the need to put kids in now and again.

Any recommendations on things that are desirable or things to avoid?

 

1st thing you'll be told on here is avoid Cheshire/Clives performance if buying a car.

2nd is you'll have the wrx vs sti debate based on your budget.

If I had your budget and was after a daily I'd be looking at blobeye STI's.

7.5k means you fall into several categories with pro's/cons.

Your budget will get you a hatch wrx, great as a daily but question marks over the 2.5 engine and tax costs. Likewise with 2006 onwards Hawkeyes.

It will also get you a minter of a wrx blobeye 2.0 with cheaper running costs and a bucketload of change, but an older car.

Sti wise, you fall into mint Bugeye STI money (stronger 2.0 engine than wrx, better engineered than a wrx but over engineered as a daily) or cheap Blobeye STI money (better looking than Bugeye, hold value better).

WRX 2.0 and 2.5 come with 5 speed gearbox, basic 4 pot brakes, TD04 turbo and are a good all round car.

STI 2.0 come with harder suspension, brembo brakes, 6 speed gearbox and additional interior and exterior styling. Standard STI is around 270bhp compared to the wrx 220/225 but a basic remap on an STI will see it over 300 without stressing anything.

You'll get replies (depending on who can be arsed on this forum) from STI and WRX owners pleading their case but ultimately the decision is yours. You have a healthy budget so spend wisely

 

Thanks for the reply, is mileage an issue? Seen a few example I like the look of with around 80k miles

 

Hi. Mileage is always a factor, but service history, oils used, petrol used, timing belt changes, and general mechanical sympathy shown towards the car are much more important considerations. As TypeR99 said, the 2.0L engines are much stronger than the 2.5L engines. A well-maintained, not-too-abused 2.0L Newage car (Bug or Blob) with 80,000 miles on the clock SHOULD still be reliable for many more miles... although obviously $h!t can happen.

 

mileage isn't an issue, as long as it has been serviced and not ragged from cold.

I have a blob wrx with 108k and it runs spot on. I have changed a few parts and it is now running 330bhp.

As a daily and with kids, the sti might be a bit hardcore, but you'd be best having a test drive and see for yourself.

the wrx get's better MPG, cheaper to insure, newer model for same money as an older sti.

the sti will hold it's money better (as long as you look after it), big bhp is cheaper/easier/more reliable to achieve

I would guess more sti's have been ragged on a track than wrx's

 

Going to look at an STI type d tonight, then a wrx at the weekend. Hopefully ill make my mind up and join the club soon

 

can i ask why?is he a muppet

also good advice

 

Also Subaru hatches from 2007-2013 have never been very popular, so not really sort after and can't see them holding there valve very well.

 

hatches dont hold value but i see lots of stories about blown engines?

 

Do a search on here for cheshire/clives performance and read all the horror stories

 

give me some links dude i am lazy

love a good old read

and yep seen loads of there cars on autotrader and the bay

 

Is it a 'spec D'? there isn't a type d
should be crystal grey, 2006 reg, 'hawkeye' shape. The 'D' stands for 'discrete' (small rear spoiler, dark interior), full STI spec with about 300bhp, but higher tax band and the 2.5 engine

there will be a big difference in handling and performance to the wrx,

what age is the wrx that you are going to look at?

 

Yes the chocolate pistons.

 

 

Steer clear of the 2.5 engines unless it's forged .....