just brought my first scooby very happy with it (silver wrx imported) im 22 insurance was a pig but worth it i think

just looking for advice on common problems to look for and good mods etc if anyone has any views they would like to share

 

Welcome to SN

Insurance must have been high

Most common problem to look out for is the lack of MPG

 

yeah insurance was high to embarrased to say how much anyway its done 67k miles on a P plate anything i should be looking for at this stage problem wise?

any advise on mods would be great and where to get them and the price, the only thing it has on it atm is a blitz exhaust

 

I'd have another word with your insurance about mods. Some companies don't take too kindly to it and hike the prices up, even for PPP.

It may be a stretch too far.

 

i would check its had the cambelt done.

 

not to sure on models and stuff yet

but i now its a wrx version 3 if thats any help and as for cambelt im gunna get a kit and change the lot

 

Good choice mate, my priority with it would be to ensure its been chipped for UK fuel, the ecu is in under the passenger footwell on the version 3 I think, get it out and have a look if a piggy back board been added inside.

If not get it done, you can do it yourself, some decent enough chips on ebay for £250.

 

As u can tell im a complete newbie and all help is much appreciated

 

No worries bud

In Japan these cars run on 100 octane fuel.

The engines control box cant adjust to uk fuel, so you have to have a remap done, or in your case I believe version 3's just need a chip with a new map installed.

Id find a local tuner who can do this for you buddy, save you the hassle.

As I say it shouldnt to expensive and will certainly save your engine.

For the moment, run the car on V-Power and a bottle of Millers octane boost into every tank

 

Basics really.
Change the cambelt, you probably dont know when it was done, not cheap but cheaper than an engine rebuild
Keep it serviced, every 6 months or 7.5k, whichever is first, the intermediate services are oil changes (on a 97 your going to be on either 2 year service probably, 1 year service is an intermediate, 6 month is an intermediate, 2 year is gearbox fluid, engine and filter, 3 year is cambelt, 4 year is BIG, pretty much everything fluid wise, 6 is a 2 and 3 together), dont take this to granted, ive probably missed out something on the 2 year service but the 3, 4 and 6 will cost you about 4-600 quid from a speciallist.
Check for smoke on startup, keep the oil level topped up (should be running a semi synthetic 10w40 oil normally), 97 year cars can suffer from piston slap (you will notice that from cold), and running costs can be pretty high
Apart from that, just enjoy the car

Tony

 

Thx for the help guys anymore tips or hints i would be most greatfull

 

With regards to mods and insurance, I found greenlight really good for my first scooby.. Even though it's fitted with PPP the price didn't change, and whilst expensive it was definitely cheaper than anywhere else.