I hope I can post here without getting totally flamed for not being too genned up on Suburu's.

I would like to move to a performance car with some practicality.
Whatever I get needs to be able to tow a trailer from time to time so that rather discounts 911’s and TVR’s.

I have been a passenger around Donington in both a Scooby and a Evo, both were very impressive although I have to say the Evo did put in better lap times.

Anyway I wanted to ask about the new (bug eye) verses old style scoobies. My budget is about 12 to 15k. I would like something very quick without throwing shedloads of money at it or having it rebuilt every couple of thousand miles. To give some idea of the car use my millage consists of Mixture of 40% duel-carriageway driving, 30% fast country lanes, 25% town driving and 5% offroad (tarmack). I would like something I could use on the track from time to time, probably just equipping the car with slicks.

So do you think a Scooby is suitable for me, should it be old or new and where should I look for a good second-hand buy. I would appreciate information on what to avoid or those models with reliability problems etc.

 

I would buy a classic scoob, and as you want really fast and for track days!...i would be looking @ WRXs. These are all imports but can be picked up for around 5k upwards. Only downside is the insurance will be dearer, but as your budget is around 10k that shouldnt b a problem for you!. Thats what i would get anyway!.

 

To be honest, your choice in the price range you stated is very varied, so shop around.

Is warranty important to you? If so then buy a UK car from a UK dealer. Ensure it has a FSH and is standard and away you go.

Do you need lots of space? then go for a 5 door. Apart from a minor difference in top speed they are pretty much the same as a saloon.

IMHO You best bet is probably a UK MY02(02-03 plate) 5 door with the prodrive performance pack fitted. I suspect it'll have around 30K miles on it.

More exotic cars, like the import STI's will be faster and more furious, but will need to serviced outside of the Subaru Dealer network and will require super unleaded with octane booster.

If you see a car you like, why not post on here and see what the general concensus is

 

I'm a little concerned that I don't know much about Scooby's, is there a place to gen up on the various models.

I definately would go saloon not 5 door, two door would be my preference. MY02 I take it that would be the new bug eye design.

Insurance aint really a big problem with full NCB and now over 40.

 

Lots of reading here to help you decide http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm and here for someone's personal view on the various types
http://www.iwoc.co.uk/contents.html

[Edited by Neil Smalley - 8/29/2003 5:33:37 PM]

 

I've had my first Scooby for almost a week now. It's a 2001 UK WRX with 22,000 miles, Prodrive backbox and Morette headlamps. Purchased in the Lake District as it was almost £2500 cheaper to buy up North than from my local dealer in Aylesbury. I am smitten with the thing. I usually ride a bike (Triumph Triple, glourious noise!), so I was not expecting much of the car, how wrong could I have been? Go on do it, it's cheaper than a new Ford.
As for towbars, I've got a Diesel Citroen with one fitted.

Cheers,
Gary

P.s. Only downside of having a new car was I had to take the wife to the Garden Centre, shoot me now.

 

Gary that sounds great - can I ask what you paid for the 2001 WRX and how you found out its availability up north?

Funny you should mention bikes, that’s how come I got interested in getting a Scooby. I race Ducati's (that’s what goes in the trailer) and it was whilst at Donington recently during a test day that the cars had the circuit for the afternoon. I was blown away by the fact that the Scooby and an Evo were faster around the circuit than a 911 or a 308/350 Ferrari. I bagged a ride in the passenger seat of both vehicles during the afternoon and whilst it wasn’t quite as quick as my bike around the circuit it was a brilliant laugh. Especially since the Evo visited the gravel after about 10 laps. No damage thankfully. In fact with a track full of performance cars including race prepared 911, it was only a Radical sports car that did quicker lap times than the Evo or Scooby, and thats not road legal!

I think I want/need a 1999 or 2000 WRX. I need to now find out what that would cost me.

 

Get yourself a trader m8, theres always a few in there. Or look on their website.