Hubby wants an MY99 - but is there a scooby that is a comfortable family car as well?? Had a test drive - WOW - but with kids?
Loopylu

 

If lack of room in the back is a concern, buy a Legacy. The UK ones are good but the quickest only have around 150PS, so not a patch on an Impreza Turbo for speed, but the Japanese-imported ones (RS/RSK saloon or GT/GT-B estates) have twin turbos and 280PS (automatics have 260PS) so you can have the best of all worlds.

 

I used to have a Citroen Saxo VTS, which was cramped to say the least, with 2 adults and 2 kids in the back. Went to a Mondeo ST24 for around 6 months, and it was pretty cool. Then started looking for a scooby. If it was not for the arrival of a doggie we would have gone for a 4 door, but we had doggie, thus needed 5 door.

So I got a MY94 WRX 5-door. It's very practicle, and quick.

Family fits in fine.

Think you'll find that quite a few people on the BBS use their scoobies as family cars.

Personally, and I might be a little silly, I'd say it was a safer family car than most as it has 4wd, and that helps it stick to the road a bit better. You don't have to drive it like a loony, and as we all tend to drive sensibly it's a great car.

Go for the scooby, you won't regret it.

 

Dear Loopy,

We use our 4-door MY98 Turbo as our 'family' car with no problems from the practicality or comfort point of view. The power and good grip/handling are a positive factor from a safety point of view.

The five door model is very practical - I had one on loan, and my wife thought it was great.

Depends on the age of the kid(s) though - rear seat space is a little limited compared to Mondeo / Passat sized cars (next class up size-wize). On the other hand, it would have great 'cred' with their mates assuming they all own a Sony Playstation!. Boot space is pretty good for a car of this size - no problems with the supermarket shopping etc.

Cheers,

Alex

 

Loopy,
I use an STI5 everyday for work and then at weekends as the family car - it takes 2 adults, 1 2 yr old and 1 baby plus all their gear and still goes like f$%k. If you can live with the running costs i.e. fuel and insurance then you'll enjoy it much more than a real family car. Get the wagon for added practicality.

ChrisW.

 

We had a 5 door WRX Sti for 2 years, came from a Golf Gti so a big step up in power. Once your used to its fine, I took our 2yo daughter to work creche every day in it for those 2 years. Great in the wet and Snow if you drive it like a normal car. 5 Door looks to be more practical but no experience of 4 door.

cammy

 

Loopylu,

If you want a recommendation then keep an eye out for Chuckster on the BBS. He, and his wife, drive a UK 22B with kid seats in the back for their two youngsters

Yex

 

same here, 4dr with 2 kiddie seats in the back.

no probs whatsoever!

 

I've got a 12 year old daughter and a 15 year old son and we have no trouble with the RB5. Beeing able to use it as a family car is one of the things that makes the Scooby turbo such a great car.

 

5 door MY99 turbo, is used as my everyday car, wife finds front and back seats comfortable and supportive, 6'1" son does not complain about room in the back ( well no more than everything else in his life but he is 16yrs old) but prefers the front.
The suspension is firm but not too hard for comfort - Go for it.

Murray

 

My MY99 5 door is the height of practicality.

Use it everyday in the traffic ques and full of people at the weekend. No body has anything bad to say about space or comfort.

You dont have to take it up to the red line and it can be driven in the traffic ques and when the road opens up....well it will keep you grining for years

 

If the turbo is a little too quick for you then try the sport, 123bhp rather than 218, same handling and if you get one of the limited my00 ones (14k) then all the turbo interior too!!

 

Try a grey turbo Forester (stb or ttb 240 bhp).
All the fun of the fair when on your own, but with family on board it is "nice".
Doesn't attract plod and "surprises" most other cars on the road

 

Markus,
"BUT WE HAD DOGGIE"
Freudian slip?
Not surprised you needed a family car

 

i've got 3 of the buggers and have had a 4 door uk99 for 1 1/2 years.i make sure that they stay away from the paintwork.
picking up my P1 on friday.
may turn out to be a bit of a pain as only two door but worth the hassle.
i will use the wifes rover 620 for as much kiddie ferrying as poss.

 

Have two sprogs 8 and 5 in my00 5dr ( following 3yrs in my97 5dr ) no problems at all, now also have a roofbox for hollidays , too much space! oh and I almost forgot we often have "arthritic Doggie" in the boot
OOER!!!!!