scooby_dobby_doak

Hey forum, this is my first message. I am hoping to pay a deposit on my first wrx tomorrow and i'm wanting some advice.

I'm currently looking at a 54 plate on 74k miles with 4 previous owners or a 55 plate (revamped interior) with 6 previous owners on 62k miles (both with fsh stamped). They are both fairly standard, the 54 plater seems totally standard in blue whereas the 55 plate has a new bov, upgraded stereo and prodrive exhaust again in blue. I understand that the only real difference between the two appears to be the interior (dash and steering wheel) and wanted to know the thoughts of those who count, past and existing drivers!

I have literally viewed loads of the them (theres a lot of abused dogs out there) and i'm wanting ideally a 2005 or 2004 model. I did almost go for a 56 plate 2.5 but finally decided that the £440 tax per year is a little steep when i can get pretty much the same bang for my buck (as standard) from the 2litre.

I look forward to your comments and being a part of the club! Cheers, Shaun

madmerlin

iTrader: (14)

Imho pay the extra and buy the STi version, worth every penny!!!

scooby_dobby_doak

I wish I could mate but i've set myself a budget. Basically the gf will be using it during the week (to and from work) and this is her first performance car.....I don't want her killing herself!

The WRX's are nice.....had i budget it would certainly be an STI...impossible to justify though when i'm already running a 2010 320d for my everyday car.

madmerlin

iTrader: (14)

Haha, fair point, only i must say the speed is only in direct proportion to the weight of your shoes, so tell her to wear slippers

scooby_dobby_doak

Trust me mate, even with slippers she'd still find a way! She may only be 8 and a half stone but all of that weight is in her right foot

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

The later car has inverted struts

H2o-uk

iTrader: (1)

Just to expand on what S70RJW said, regarding the rear struts. On post 05 cars the struts on the suspension are inverted and have a tendency to get muck up them, and then pack in. This causes them to knock and groan and they are around 700 quid a peice to replace plus labour. However the pre 05 cars were not susceptible to this problem. Other than that I would think its personal preference as they both have the same engine, the only difference was the slightly revised interior.

scooby_dobby_doak

Cheers for that, I wasn't aware of this. Something to keep in mind though right.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

At that sort of age plump for the one that is in the best nick.........failing that buy on colour, white being the fastest but rare |

Seriously I'd buy on condition

Cheers

Shaun (Bug WRX owner........couldn't afford an STi when I bought mine)

scooby_dobby_doak

This is what i'm thinking, both are in good nick - the paint on the 2005 is better and seems thicker than the 2004 and its done slightly less miles. The bov and the prodrive exhaust are nice little touches that i'd have done anyway, its the 6 owners from new that puts me off a little if i'm honest.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

When you count up the cost of insurance, petrol and running the damn thing you will realise that people get their fingers burnt and chop them in.......Mine costs me £200 a month in fuel just pootling to and from work

if you buy the later one you need to factor in the cost of putting the proper BOV back

Shaun

scooby_dobby_doak

Yeah i hear you, they all seem 4 owners as a minimum. How many miles do you do on the £200 a month? Also, why would i put the orginal BOV back on the 2005 plate, surely its better with an aftermarket BOV than the stock?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

My car is a bit modded and generally turns around about 20 MPG, even so compared to a 1.6 Mini diesel at a claimed 70 MPG the impreza eats fuel LOL

The OEM recirculating BOV is actually a very good piece of kit and keeps the air metered by the MAF where it should be. Subaru have commited many crimes of design, cheapness and shockingly thin bodywork but they have actually come up with the odd winner, for example your intake system (with a change of filter) is good for 350 BHP with ease......and so it goes with the BOV

Shaun

scooby_dobby_doak

I ran an r33 that I heavily modified and it used to get around 12-15 miles to the gallon....great car but it was painful to watch the needle just continue to drop. Are you saying that you would recommend removing the aftermarket BOV and replace with the stock one then?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I'm old..........hence the midlife moniker and I would suggest you replace with the original....I'm sure very soon you will be bitten by the modding bug and can take advice from your mapper re using a VTA BOV (which I assume is the one fitted), if it's recirculation BOV then ignore the above LOL

Shaun

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

I would have the 2005 if condition similar as the upgraded interior is a nice touch only issue is the rear shocks but not a big enough issue to put me off buying one

scooby_dobby_doak

The 2005 is lower mileage and the paint seems thicker and in almost showroom, the 2004 has a tiny flaking on the passenger door and will require a little patch spraying and blending. The only thing that is sticking at the back of my mind is the 2005 has a bov and prodrive exhaust (suggests it may have been thrashed more than normal?).

C8 DHC 04WRX

iTrader: (13)

I wouldn't buy either if Im honest - too many owners.

scooby_dobby_doak

Really? How many owners would you go with? Its never really put me off before providing the service stacks up etc.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Same here... As long as the car has been looked after and all the paper work is all correct there should be no problem with how many owners IMHO

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

It's nice to have low owners but it doesn't mean there is something wrong with it, often people have always wanted a car then when they buy it realise how impractical it is for their needs so they drop it and go back to a normal car, the sierra rs500 was a bit like that and some had loads of owners

scooby_dobby_doak

Cheers, both have full service history and the 2004 (standard) has been owned by two older guys with the last two owners (both have "priveledge car insurance"). But like i said the 2005 bodywork and interior is mint and it runs well. I think im going to cover my backside and get the cambelt done at scoobyworld in leicestershire straight away with service and get comp warranty on the whole car (its around £30 per month).

scooby_dobby_doak

The skyline was like that too, mine had loads before i got it and it never let me down!

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

Have you got links for these cars so we can look at them??

scooby_dobby_doak

Yeah, the better condition one is:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../wrx?logcode=p

Like i said it looks clean. Shaun

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Changing the cambelt is a good idea, however if the service history is available, why not contact the garage who serviced it to confirm whether or not it was done. If its a main dealer history, some will give you a printout of all the work done, including warranty claims etc. You're wise doing your homework now.

scooby_dobby_doak

At this rate i'll be chaning my mind last min and going for a 2005 (only 1 owner from new) Civic Type-R, lol!

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Have you looked under the bonnet of this car yet? The Prodrive backbox was not available to buy new other than as part of the PPP.
Check for a blue intercooler hose with Prodrive embossed in white. Also a silver sticker at the bottom of the B pillar, drivers side.There may be around £1600 of upgrade by way of PPP on that car. 2005 cars came with the option of PPP or 3 years free servicing from the factory for a large chunk of the year.

scooby_dobby_doak

Cool, i have read that but didn't check as it wasn't listed as having the PPP package. Cheers, i'm second viewing it tomorrow am so i'll double check. Whats the "b pillar" and yes i have looked under the bonnet. All i could see was the upgraded BOV but i will take a closer look again in the am. Thanks for that

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

The 6 owners would put me off really, 6 in 6 years, whats up with the car?!
Also on the MY05 wrx's there was a special offer, PPP or 3 years free servicing for no extra cost, worth checking on as most went for the ppp

Tony