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Old 11 August 2001, 12:06 AM
  #1  
Gordon Shek
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Scooby-Doo

It is the one in Ayr that I was looking at. I know it's not a WR spec but John Spicer from S & S said that he'll send the car to Prodrive to get the conversion done. What really concerns me is the price of the car - don't you think £20,000 is a bit steep? i suppose not as you paid £21,000 for a smiliar one a few months ago.

Can you tell me what the difference is between a RB5 and a RB5 WR so that I know what to look for?

Cheers

Gordon
Old 11 August 2001, 12:15 AM
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Andy W
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The WR came with a STI V type rear spoiler with prodrive embossed on the side and the PPP, these are the only differences.


Andy W (non WR RB5 with PPP in pipeline)
Old 11 August 2001, 12:22 AM
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Sideways
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MichelleWRX1994:
<B>Depends what you want...........given a choice of them I know what I would choose....

Do you like rear wheel drive madness?

Or 4wd power?

Michelle[/quote]

Sorry Chelle but the Escort is 4 wheel drive...
I have owned an escort and now have a UK turbo. They are very different cars but the RB5 IMHO isn't really worth the extra cash when compared to a standard uk impreza.

Why not put in an order for a Focus RS front wheel drive I know but limited number will guarantee very strong resale values.
Maybe even exchanging hands for over list price for a while.
Delivery should be March ish

Jason

Old 11 August 2001, 07:09 AM
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Gordon Shek
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Question

Folks

It has come to a time that I will be selling my Terzo. I've had a look at loads of interesting cars and have shortened my "must have" list to 2 cars.

First one is the RB5 WR spec. Nice low mileage car on a T reg. Asking price is £19,995 .

Second one is a M reg Escort Cossie. 320 BHP and in Aurlis Blue (I think). Nice looking car with 18" Rondells. Cheaper at a price of £17,000.

Now I can't decide but I hope you guys aren't biased and give me a honest opinon on the pros and cons of these cars.

Just now I think it's going towards the Cossie because they are getting rare but I think the RB5 is a close contender.

Please help!
Old 11 August 2001, 07:47 AM
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Smile

Also depends on whether you can live with having to duck to see out of the rear view mirror, what with that bloody great big wing on the back!!!!

My experiences with Escorts haven't been very favourable, BUT in all honesty, I've never driven a Cossie. If it's a good 'un, to still be worth £17 after 7 years..... that must tell you something....
They're also much happier when seriously tuned, unlike the Scoob. Everyone slags off Ford, but the engine design has stood the test of time - shame they didn't put the same amount of thought into the rest of the car!!

Having said that, if you've got a family, then the Scoob's the way forward!! I have, and wouldn't change it for the world!
Subjectively, perhaps the Scoob is slightly less nickable?? (no flames pleeze!)

RB5 though....hmmm. Pricey. For that sort of dough, how about an STI import?

All views IMHO...

Dan (MY95 5dr and proud of it!!!)
Old 11 August 2001, 08:09 AM
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Gordon Shek
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Thanks for the input.

No, I wouldn't go for an import. My brother bought an import once and he got nothing but hassle from it. In the end he virtually gave it away!

Ideally, I would like to hear from someone who has driven/owned both cars mentioned and would like his/her experiences on them.

But thanks for the input, much appreciated! Keep it coming!
Old 11 August 2001, 10:15 AM
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ChrisB
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Question

I do like the RB5 but...

What about a V plate MY00 - starting to appear at £14k privately.

That leaves six grand for getting it PPP'd, 17" wheels, a few other mods and insurance.

Just a thought.

ChrisB.
Old 11 August 2001, 10:37 AM
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Gordon Shek
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ChrisB

That is a thought but I forgot to mention to you that I've already had a MY'00 Turbo with 17s' PPP etc, etc.

The Terzo that I've got now is my second Subaru. The way it's sitting now is standard apart from a SS exhaust and a Induction kit.

It's my local Subaru dealer that's trying to convince me to go for the RB5.

What should I do?
Old 11 August 2001, 10:54 AM
  #9  
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I have an RB5 WR and paid just over 21K a few months ago with an extended warranty, the car is fantastic and can't fault it at all. Hopefully it will retain a higher resale price !!! I have driven a Sierra Cossie but prefer the scoob to that particular model can't comment on the escort. Rear vision in the RB5 isn't great as the rear spoiler is right in your vision (6ft).

Good luck and happy motoring.
Old 11 August 2001, 10:58 AM
  #10  
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If its the one for sale at Subaru AYR, this is an RB5 NOT an RB5 WR.
Old 11 August 2001, 11:11 AM
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ChrisB
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>That is a thought but I forgot to mention to you that I've already had a MY'00 Turbo with 17s' PPP etc, etc<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Doh! He heh!

ChrisB.
Old 11 August 2001, 01:03 PM
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Gordon Shek
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Sideways

Can you tell me a bit more about your experiences with an Escort Cosworth - i.e. servicing, reliability, insurance etc etc
Old 11 August 2001, 01:24 PM
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If you get the PPP, only the spoiler is the difference, although £700 to get a prodrive original. If you look at Subaru.co.uk there are some WR's going for £20-£21k if you don't mind traveling. I paid IMO 1k over the odds but the particular car I purchased had no marks inside or out (until I owned it!!!) I looked at two other examples that were cheaper but had dent's and ripped interiors. Its all about what your happy spending. Certainly a MY99 with PPP is far cheaper but do you want to be unique-ish on the road ? For the money I was very close to an EVO VI but the MRS refused to be driven around destroying her spine !!!
Old 11 August 2001, 01:55 PM
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DMB
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Cool

Never driven a cossie but i do have a rb5wr - fantastic car can't recommend it highly enough - i paid 19k for mine (bit steep i know but if thats what you want )

Old 11 August 2001, 01:58 PM
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ozzy
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Exclamation

Gordon, you have mail.
Old 11 August 2001, 02:07 PM
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Gordon Shek
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And now to make matters worse.............

I'm now considering upgrading my Terzo to MY'00 Spec and use all that money I had spare to enhance the performance - rather than buying another car.

How does that sound? I'm just scared that I'll ruin the "Terzo" uniqueness if change the look of the car.

What should I do?
Old 11 August 2001, 02:47 PM
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kryten
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Andy W:
<B>The WR came with a STI V type rear spoiler with prodrive embossed on the side and the PPP, these are the only differences.

Andy W (non WR RB5 with PPP in pipeline)[/quote]

What about the 'WRSport' on the rev counter?!

Gordon, you haven't said why you want to go for an RB5 after all its not that much different to the MY00 with 17s and PPP.
Old 11 August 2001, 03:12 PM
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Gordon Shek
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Kryten

When I had my MY'00 Turbo, it was just a "normal" Turbo. But I thought the RB5 is different. I thought there were suspension changes and all that stuff but I guess wrong.

Besides all that, I don't tend to keep my cars long - usually 1 year max. I mean I've only done 3000 miles on my Terzo since I've had it!
Old 11 August 2001, 04:04 PM
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IanF
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Buy an Evo VI and be done with all this debate.

You'll easily pick up a grey VI now for less than £17K and you should just about get a private Ralliart car for less than £20K.

Whatever you decide, they are all great cars.

After two Imprezas (UK) I went for an Evo, firstly for a change and also because they are rarer than Imprezas.

Regards
IanF
Old 11 August 2001, 04:11 PM
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ozzy
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Gordon,

The RB5 is based on a std MY99, but had 17" Speedlines/Pirelli-clad wheels, steel-blue metallic paint, alacantra seats, air-con, map-reading lights, quickshift, RB5 mats (don't laugh), PIAA driving lights, and solid rear bulkhead added.

The WR-Spec car added the PPP, WR spoiler and a nice little WR logo on the rev counter.

It didn't have any suspension upgrades as standard.

I guess it's all in most people's perception of what the RB5 is. You could easily upgrade any MY99/MY00 to the same spec as an WR RB5, but I don't think it would stand out from the other Sccobs around.

My own personal experience is people know my car's an RB5 and not just a MY99 with bits added, even though that's all it actually is. This is probably due to all the press coverage since it was launched.

It's the same with any other special editions and probably more so with the later P1. After all it's only an STI with some of the bits changed.

As to whether the RB5 is worth the extra money - well that's been running for the last 2 years since the car came out.

What do you feel is lacking with your own Terzo to make you want to change it? Why don't you get some nice big wheels and the PPP and save yourself a whole lot of money.

Stefan
Old 11 August 2001, 04:16 PM
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ozzy
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IanF does have a point.

If a PPP isn't enough of a difference over a std MY99/MY00 even if it's an RB5, Terzo then an EVO should be on your list.

They are great looking cars and a big performance difference over a normal Impreza. For your money, you'll get better performance, better suspension, better brakes and they are a bit of a rarer breed here in Scotland. Although, I only saw an average of 1-2 Turbos a week after spending 6 years driving in/out of work in Glasgow.

Now I work in Livingston and I'm lucky if I still see 1 a week.

Stefan

[This message has been edited by ozzy (edited 11 August 2001).]
Old 11 August 2001, 06:03 PM
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Gordon Shek
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Stefan/Ian

Thanks for the info. I would probably shy away from grey imports after all the hassles my brother got from his.

And as for the Terzo, you do have a point. The MY'98 looks a bit dated compared to the MY'00. I know I can change the Terzo to MY'00 spec but as I said before, it would probably change the uniqueness of the Terzo.

I do like the EVO6 but if it was a EVO it'll need to be a EVO5 (in yellow). I think they look alot more aggresive than the EVO6.

I think after all that I'm convinced that a RB5 isn't worth changing to because I don't see it as an upgrade to my existing car.

But who knows, I might wake-up tomorrow and want to buy something else!
Old 11 August 2001, 10:57 PM
  #23  
dougies549
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lo gordon

How goes it m8

My view- My dream car is a escort cossie,i nearly had 1 but the dealer was squabeling over £100 so it was ta-ta.seem's the cossie is alright for price,are u sure it's aurils blue? didn't think that colour came out till late n and p plate's,dose it have the big brake upgrade,suspention upgrade?.Is it leather or cloth?How many miles?

Rb5- saw 1 at S+S a while back,always fancied 1,till i saw up close personaly i don't think it's worth the extra money(P1 in the same braket as well) but it's every 1's choice at the end of the day.how many miles on it?I do love the colour of the rb5 though

Out of the 2 my choice would be the cossie as i have been in 1 that had the work's,wheels,350bhp,big brakes,uprated suspention,they just hug the tarmac

Why not go the link route with your terzo? or get a bug eyed 01 and lower it?

Dougie+Diana

[This message has been edited by dougies549 (edited 11 August 2001).]
Old 12 August 2001, 07:02 AM
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Gordon Shek
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Dougie

How's it going? I've been looking at the RB5 at S & S Services (www.sands.subaru.co.uk). I know it's not at WR spec at the moment be will be if I go ahead with the deal. The Escort Cossie is not far from the spec you mentioned - 322 BHP, 18' Rondells and I'm sure it's Auralis Blue . It's at Junction 28 (www.jct28.co.uk)under Escort Cosworth Lux. I think they've got 4 and it's the last one on the list.

Have a look and tell me what you guys think of it!
Old 12 August 2001, 12:36 PM
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JKJ2
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Gordon,

That £17000 is far too much for the Cossie at that age, they really are at rock bottom prices at the moment and unless its something really special you should be looking at £13000 max, (it is an old car remember). Have a look at the RS site to get a better idea.

The colour also will not be Auralis blue as my N reg RS was specified in this colour, but I changed to white,(when I realised that this is the only correct RS colour), this colour would not have been an option on this plate, (unless its been resprayed!!!!). The milage might be a decider as well as with an extra 100 odd bhp that engine will require alot more TLC than a standard car, although they are strong regardless.

The main problem I found between the two was the reliability, the Scooby generally is and the Cossie tended not to be. The cars were/are in my opinion a generation apart.
Old 12 August 2001, 11:43 PM
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dougies549
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Lo gordon

it's defo auralis blue though!!!! still not sure about that colour on that year of car,i would defo get it checked to see if it's been sprayed.

See it has the bigap 6 pots though(nice) but no mention of suspention???

I think it's maybe to high priced for the money though.Is it cloth or leather,i always prefered cloth in the cossie.

I am going to S+S shortly so will have a look at the RB5.

Douige+Diana
Old 13 August 2001, 12:19 PM
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Gordon,

Just had as quick look at the Cossie and can also confirm that it is Auralis blue and on a '95 reg this colour was available, apologies for the confusion.

It does look superb on the larger alloys and if it is the Lux spec will have everything on board. Still think its too pricey though with that mileage although its looks and spec will carry the price a bit higher. There was one in my area exactly the same which had had the engine work done by Castle Performance. The car was a VERY good example and extremlly well looked after. See if it was owned by anyone in the West Cumbria area.
Old 13 August 2001, 12:48 PM
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Talking

hi Gordon! Depends how much money you want to loose if you change your car every year, i was like you chop n change all the time, this scoob is the longest in the 3 years, 9 month! bought it last oct, got aircon 6 stack cd and had it colour coded ad 555 mud flaps in blue mica, paid abot 20750 for it then 7 months later and 17500 miles got offered 14500 trade in at 3 different car dealers, never had much luck private. my mate is a salesman at subaru and they took 2 rb5 scoobs in against uk 300 both T reg, immaculate, one 10000 miles the other 17000 miles, they give 16500 and 15500 for em, both tried to sell private without success. by the way im keeping mine now!!! Lee.
Old 13 August 2001, 04:48 PM
  #29  
Dragon
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Escort Cosworth

Easy to modify and get big BHP
Reliable at high BHP if built properly
Cheaper maintenance
Parts easy to get hold of
Looks good - even with the coffee table on the back
Less of them

Subaru

Newer for simular money
Limited modifications - no big BHP option
Sound awesome with a decent exhaust
Also have MFI rear spoilers
Expensive maintenance
Expensive insurance
Expensive to run in standard form let alone modified form

These are only my opinions.
Old 13 August 2001, 05:04 PM
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Gordon Shek
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dragon:
<B>Escort Cosworth

Easy to modify and get big BHP
Reliable at high BHP if built properly
Cheaper maintenance
Parts easy to get hold of
Looks good - even with the coffee table on the back
Less of them

Subaru

Newer for simular money
Limited modifications - no big BHP option
Sound awesome with a decent exhaust
Also have MFI rear spoilers
Expensive maintenance
Expensive insurance
Expensive to run in standard form let alone modified form

These are only my opinions.[/quote]

Expensive Insurance for Subaru Impreza????
I thought the Cossie is a lot dearer I got quoted in the excess of £2,000 for the Cossie - just now I'm paying about £500 less than that for my Terzo!

"Coffee Tables" and "MFI spoilers".......I like your sense of humour Dragon .


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