Real world running costs?
 

Hi all,

I'm in the market to replace my ageing 172 and a WRX is on the shopping list. I've got <£5k to spend so I'm looking at 2003-2005 models. I only do about 12k a year, and am averaging 35mpg in the Clio.

Everything I'm looking at is going to involve a hike in expenses and fuel etc - but I would like you hear some of your real world running costs etc (i.e. fuel, tyres, repairs etc).


Cheers :)

Starter for 10 would be 20-24mpg if you don't rag it everywhere.

Yeah I get between 20-25 mpg with mixed driving in an 02 WRX wagon in standard trim, repairs and tyres aren't costly really

i got 68 mpg from my 2004 sti and get it fixed at kwik fit.

seriously this thread appears daily now, just use search

Sorry, I had searched but couldn't see what I was looking for.

I challenge you to find 7 threads which cover this subject from the last seven days :thumb:

£70 to fill the tank will give you 250 miles aprox

Tyres 15-20000 miles will cost £320 -£450 depending on meals
Small oil change specialist £120 every 6k miles
Major service £300-£400 every 10-12kmiles
Cam belt £300 Every 3 years
Car tax £240
Insurance varies £300+++++++++++

i may have exaggerated slightly but this thread covers it.

https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...y-at-work.html

:lol::lol1::lol1: And tyres are cheaper if you buy remoulds

just because the search button is there it doesnt mean that it works perfectly all the time ;)

seriously though they are expensive cars to run, low 20s mpg in real world driving,high insurance, tyres are ok and dont need replacing to often and specialists garages are reasonably priced.

the biggest cost is fuel, i get 70 miles to £20 on my 04 sti and that taking it easy

To be honest mate having recently just sold my own first scooby after just around 7 months off ownership have to say the petrol alone was the killer, I mostly only do local stop/ start type driving and am sure I was not getting anymore than around 22-23mpg on a 2005 wrx- is obviously winter and the car was not getting a chance to even warm up so you may get slighly better figures around town if driving it slightly further once warmed up but not a lot.

insurance - £600 full comp- 41 years old, full ncb, driving since I was 17, 3 points.
road tax- £240 a year - soon comes around again !!

repairs ?? depends, a lot off knowlegable members out there who are only too willing to help out with fixing these cars but some jobs may require garaging which is never cheap !!

if after all that you still want one then have a good look around and dont jump at the first one you see, so many have hidden stories and that relativly cheap to purchase car may cost you a fortune in the long run- sometimes just worth paying that extra £500-1k extra for a lower mileage, less owners, more servicing receipts etc type one !!

would I get another ??- if I could afford two cars yep most deffinattly I loved the thing, if petrol was cheap I would have never been out off it !! but owning a car that I felt I could just not afford to run on petrol is so frustrating especially with paying so much for insurance / roadtax in the first place. I know a lot do but personally would not attempt to try use one as an everday commuting car and think £600 insurance / £240 road tax + mega petrol bills is a lot to spend on a weekend toy !!

couldnt agree more, if my subaru was my only car it would have been sold ages ago, far too much to run as an everyday car to make any sense.
its more off a toy now and i wouldnt part with it due to used prices dropping like a stone because of fuel costs.
a lot of people buy these cars unaware of the actual fuel costs to run them.

there just expensive cars generally arent they. my only issue would be the petrol price and insurance, im a dab hand with the spanners so getting raped at a garage for stuff wouldnt happen so ill save moolah there. i think alot of these questions are coming up because imprezas are becoming pretty cheap now and people see that and think oh yeah i fancy one of those and then they start digging and thats when theres a change of heart..
my brother didnt do his research when he bought his.. needless to say he only had it a few months after he decided to sell it because he 'got bored' apparently..

if your only issues are fuel and insurance, then your looking at the wrong car as these are the imprezas major issues.
these are the issues that are driving down second hand costs also.

I had a mk2 v6 mondeo. mpg was about the same around town as the scoob and insurance was the same. Parts were cheaper though. Scoobs more fun.

i see where your coming from but for me personally these arent issues, theres plus sides for being single and living at home with the rents and a decent job :) but yeah your totally right generally speaking :thumb:

??? quote from you in post #14

my only issue would be the petrol price and insurance

so your only issue is petrol and insurance but for you personally there not issues!
your not from desborough are you as this would explain a lot of your confusion.

What do you think will happen to the Hawkeyes in a couple of years when they are the ones in the cheap spotlight. Exactly the same but with double the road tax, probably over £500 a year then as well. At what price do you think they will be unsalable and need to be driven into the ground or scrapped? £3000? Not long now.

thank god i got a blob with lower tax band,

im not looking at either buying or selling but yes it will happen to all the imprezas no doubt.

Thank goodness I part exd my Hawkeye last November for £5000

ha im not from desborough but my brain is mashed, its past my bed time... i cant be arsed to explain my life story but in the short of it yes there issues but not major issues like it would be for most potential owners.

so what is the issue (car not life story)

These cars are expensive to run but when i was 18 i wouldve loped of my right nut for an escort cosworth, yet a newage STi in general is a faster car ( as standard) .
Everyone once in there life should own something that makes no sense and is special, this is mine, sod the costs. No point being the richest man in the graveyard

yup always wanted one thats why i keep mine.
its more of a toy now but i love it

Exactly which is why I dont think Ive bought a 'normal car' in my life.

edit.
I bought a 4 year old VW Polo 1.2, Id rather forget about, that was utter rubbish, boring, fell apart and cost a fortune to run - due to the kept falling apart bit. The Subaru was so much cheaper to run, more expensive on petrol and insurance yes but I didnt need to spend nearly £2000 in a year putting it right.

Are you sure you want a WRX after you have had a clio? Clio's are very nice sharp little cars, and the straight line performance will not differ that much between the two cars. However, the scoob will cost more to run.

I would suggest you look at an STi. By all means it is your choice, but I would advise driving both before you make your mind up. You may find the WRX is a bit slow, a bit podgy and not really worth the extra cost compared to your clio...just my opinion....

Amen to that :thumb:

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. The first time a friend took me out in there impreza years ago I just thought this car is totally bonkers I need to get one. And if someone wants something bad enough they get it regardless of its cost.

so if you want it regardless of cost whats with the running cost questions?

there fast, expensive to run an insure and you look a prick driving one.(this is my personal opinion of course) but if you want one buy it.