Sfakman

Hi everyone,

I have a question. Looking to purchase and Impreza next March. Firstly, I'm not an Impreza expert but it sounds like mostly everyone else here is

I nipped into my local Subaru garage the other day to find out some more info but they weren't very helpful and (as usual) I think the chap working there didn't really take me very seriously.

What I wanted to know, and perhaps someone here could recommend to me... I'd like a WRX, however, the normal 2 litre turbo sounds like it's pretty damn rapid too, in fact (correct me if I'm wrong) there's not a lot of difference in 0-60 times. I'll be 25 years old and at present the insurance is looking at about £1300. Is it worth me paying the extra for the WRX or shall I just stick with the standard turbo?

Also, whats a good price for either one of these. I think my budget will be about £12k - does that sound reasonable?

Thanks in advance,

Georgio

cryptwalk

The early WRX is a japanise import therefore the insurance is going to be a lot dearer that that what you have been quoted I Know the WRX (import) is group 20 insurance. Subaru will not sell you parts or service your car (unlike mitsubishi) this can be a pain as i found out when I needed inlet gaskets. (they slammed the phone down on me). Wrx imports supposedly come out with 260bhp to 280 bhp dependent on model (most 280bhp versions tend to be sti, dearer ins again) but after you take off our weak fuel etc etc there really isnt much in it between import and UK spec.

I belive the standerd turbo impreza is group 17. Subaru will gladly help you with any needs and they can be made as quick as most import models about.

I'd go for a english spec as it isnt worth the extra for an import IMO unless your talking sti models.

Good luck and dont let the dealers with attitude gring you down.

12k should see you with a tidy example.

MartinM

Welcome..and I'll get this in first and assume you haven't seen it

http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm

This should help....

hail-hail

Fair comment crypt. But i would say don't be put off by the imports, there are loads of places to get parts, servicing etc. usually cheaper than a Dealer anyway. 12K should get you a v tidy STi4/5.
Check out servicing and running costs before you buy any scoob, it aint cheap.

cryptwalk

yeah but dude he's only 25 the insurance will be a killer also it's finding someone to service your car that you can trust. For the difference in performance it isnt wort it IMO.

cryptwalk

Just waiting for Mellow or Mr Falstead to come on now saying "it is if its a Sti type RA v limited" yadda yadda yadda.

True enougth though.

Devil's Refugee

Welcome

I've got a 2000 model (MY00) euro-import (basically UK Spec) with some added lovelies (ss straight thru zorst, ITG panel filter, 17 OZs) and I'm really pleased with it. It's my first Scoob and personally I'll be buying another once I'd had my fun of this one in a few years.

I looked into the Jap scene and the insurance was pretty mental (and I'm and old codger at 30!)
Also, the importers where I am didn't have a clue what they were selling, just basically a warehouse punting cars. Put me off that route in a way.
Avoid dealerships however unless you want to pay through the nose.

I bought mine through a Scoobynetter here.
£12k should get you a good piece of kit.

You'll be wishing March was round the corner soon

hail-hail

Again fair comment, I meant the Scooby specialists like ScoobySport etc for servicing. Incidently I took my Sti to Subaru in Baldock and they would have serviced it without a problem, they had a 4wk waiting list though and I went else where. I think the dealers are letting up a bit now with imports. I hope they have relised we ain't going go away, so they might aswell make some money from us.
Insurance is the real killer, I was £1400, i'm 27.
I also believe you will get a better car if you go import. i.e. UK Turbo, 80K, 8 grand or WRX import 20K 7 grand.
It's all personal opinion but I wouldn't swap my STi for the world...

555-Shaggy

I bought mine this April and went through the same old thing.. Import or UK... What did it for me was the servicing issues and the insurance was over £500 cheaper for a UK car.. I got a spot on car from a main dealer all the usual stuff for under 12k. Stick with UK cars its easier and cheaper in the long run.. And they are pretty quick anyway..

Sfakman

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies - thats really useful.

Well, I was thinking of doing one of those passport schemes where I probably wont ever own one outright but can upgrade it every couple of years or so. I tend to get bored with a car after 2 years so it's an ideal payment plan for me.

As my age is a factor, I'll probably go with the UK Turbo, probably one of the slightly older models 99/00 and then in 2 years, upgrade to the newer model. I read in another post the 0-60 times are very similar (about .6 secs in it). I have to admit, I'm a 0-60 freak - not too bothered by top end - need acceleration! I took out a Alfa Romeo GTA 3.2 v6 a couple of weeks ago. Lovely car and I beleive that does 0-60 in about 6 secs which was a very pleasant feeling My current car (don't laugh) is a 306 1.8 16v and does it in about 9-10 secs - obviously a big difference!

Thanks again

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Just read your thread, and normally wouldn't have bothered replying, as it's all been said.
Thought you might be interested in my experience as I went for a test drive in a 306 GTi6. When I'd finished I was not too impressed as it's not faster than a SaxoVTS.
Salesmanager then tells me to go test drive a Scooby, but "don't test drive one unless you can afford it, as once you do, other cars are out of the question!"
BTW, I drive a'98 UK turbo, slightly modded, and love it. I'd have another now, but wifey has just spent our savings, (and the rest) on a house in france!!!!

Moles Dad

Welcome, having now signed up to Scoobynet you will be bitten by the 'bug', have you actually been in a Scooby?

I would suggest that you meet up with one of your local scooby owners (uk turbo?), and go for a wee run

I have a UK only because when I purchased mine it was via, (long story), a company car 'allowance', If it had been my money alone I would have looked very seriously at a Jap car...very nice....mmmmmmm Jap car!

I spose at 38, my concerns on insurance are somewhat less than yours

Anyway, welcome and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Sfakman

Hi

Well, unfortuanatly I haven't been out in one yet. I've sat in many, but I've been too scared to ask a salesman if I could take one for a spin (feel like Im wasting their time), knowing that I will enjoy it too much, buy it, and then not be able to afford it!

A friend had an STI WRX Type R and that went like stink! I never went out in it though, just never got round to it. He has since sold it for a Boxter - why is anyones guess?! Really regret not asking...

So whats the correct way to refer to the UK Turbo's? Not really "moded" a car before so can you boost the power much on these?

Thanks again!

RichS

Welcome to Scoobynet

Do bear in mind that much of the Impreza's 0-60 prowess comes from it's 4WD transmission.

You can leap off the line at traffic lights, which is nice but for a better comparison look at the in gear times or 0-100 times.

I would say that the Impreza is a good all round performance package rather than a straight line acceleration monster.

I'm certainly not trying to put you off. I've had my MY00 UK from new and I love it



[Edited by RichS - 7/12/2002 5:53:44 PM]

fdpxfunix

Welcome.

I bought my standard MY99 wagon in September 2001. I was lucky enough to have a test drive in a friend of a friends about year before that.

I took the car I bought out for a long test drive and was hooked. The cornering ability and acceleration just blew me away. The sales guy said "it gets better when the engines warmer" ... and it does. Get that Turbo red hot and it'll fly.

I used Bell & Colvill in East Horsley, and they were more than helpful, tho I've used Gatwick Subaru for all my servicing.

Now the downside.

a) You drive these cars hard and it'll cost you 'mucho dosho'.

b) The bodywork is made of tin and dents as easily.

c) If your young, then expect to pay a bit for insurance.

d) You will want to mod it. I said 'I'm not interested in any of those mod things'. Wrong ... the sound of a decent exhaust system on a 'Sccob' is music to my ears :-) Then theres air filters, P1 spot lights, bigger rear spoiler, 18" wheels, colour code this colour code that etc etc etc.

My only advice for you is ...... do it. I was thinking about a Vectra GSI before the 'Scoob'. I'm so glad I did'nt.

PS. I'm moving to West Sussex in a couple of months (Storrington) If your near, then let me know.

J.

[Edited by fdpxfunix - 7/12/2002 6:38:29 PM]