MY03 wagon mini review
16 March 2003, 06:55 PM
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Just picked up my new MY03 wagon yesterday from Crossroads garage. Yes, a UK car supplied by a UK dealer - strange for someone who set up a mailing list to import imprezas, I know... 
300 miles later... In short, the car is simply wonderful. The quality change from an MY00 is nothing short of stunning. Doors go "thud" rather than "bdddrrrrr"... Plastics are better. Hell, the boot has actually got a trim in it rather than some strange effort with paper mache and furry stuff 
"Refined" is the first thought. The steering is good and communicative, IMHO, better than my old MY00. At first, it feels light but everything's there and more than before. Very impressed with this.
Brakes: the initial bite has improved. This could be placebo effect, as I know the callipers are the same (but the master cylinder does look bigger...) As I'm running in, I couldn't say what fade is like, but I can't see it being any worse than before. Pedal feel is notably better too.
Suspension: wow! Seems to be less body roll when pressing on, but the car is *much* happier over the lumpy stuff. Nothing seems to phase the suspension, but none of the dynamics have been lost. Apparently, the chassis is a hell of a lot stiffer - perhaps this also helps with the handling...
Handling: much more adjustable than my MY00, and that's only after 300 miles. Seems more throttle adjustable - like the STI. Initial turn in has improved too, and the more communicative steering seems to let on more of what's going on.
Engine: dunno yet, running in, but seems to pull well.
Noise: bloody silent. Sitting at "cruising speed" on the motorway, all you can hear are the tyres.
Economy: 280 miles and I still have a quarter of a tank left, apparently. Ok, I'm running in, but...
Very, very, very, very impressed. Very pleased with the new purchase. More to come as and when I get to drive it more. Looking forward to the first service, and already considering PPP. Even my wife said it was "too quiet"!
Cheers,
Nick.
300 miles later... In short, the car is simply wonderful. The quality change from an MY00 is nothing short of stunning. Doors go "thud" rather than "bdddrrrrr"... Plastics are better. Hell, the boot has actually got a trim in it
rather than some strange effort with paper mache and furry stuff "Refined" is the first thought. The steering is good and communicative, IMHO, better than my old MY00. At first, it feels light but everything's there and more than before. Very impressed with this.
Brakes: the initial bite has improved. This could be placebo effect, as I know the callipers are the same (but the master cylinder does look bigger...) As I'm running in, I couldn't say what fade is like, but I can't see it being any worse than before. Pedal feel is notably better too.
Suspension: wow! Seems to be less body roll when pressing on, but the car is *much* happier over the lumpy stuff. Nothing seems to phase the suspension, but none of the dynamics have been lost. Apparently, the chassis is a hell of a lot stiffer - perhaps this also helps with the handling...
Handling: much more adjustable than my MY00, and that's only after 300 miles. Seems more throttle adjustable - like the STI. Initial turn in has improved too, and the more communicative steering seems to let on more of what's going on.
Engine: dunno yet, running in, but seems to pull well.
Noise: bloody silent. Sitting at "cruising speed" on the motorway, all you can hear are the tyres.
Economy: 280 miles and I still have a quarter of a tank left, apparently. Ok, I'm running in, but...
Very, very, very, very impressed. Very pleased with the new purchase. More to come as and when I get to drive it more. Looking forward to the first service, and already considering PPP. Even my wife said it was "too quiet"!
Cheers,
Nick.
16 March 2003, 07:28 PM
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Must say in silver and being a wagon and the new lights it looks a much bigger car. I love blue cars but the silver would be the only other colour I would consider. Looks good, enjoy.
16 March 2003, 07:48 PM
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You must get PPP as soon as possible ! I drove a MY03 with PPP on Saturday and it was superb compared to my MY02. Sounds awesome and drives as good as it sounds. There is no turbo lag whatsoever the car just pulls and pulls, especially in 5th. Was so impressed I have ordered PPP for my car. I am doubting whether it will be as good though, as the MY03 packs a little more punch and has a revised exhaust manifold to increase throttle response. 
I am doubting whether it will be as good though, as the MY03 packs a little more punch and has a revised exhaust manifold to increase throttle response.
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16 March 2003, 08:38 PM
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Nice one Nick
I Agree those sills need colour coding though.
If the petrol gauge is the same in the 03 as it is in the 01, that last 1/4 of a tank will just disappear. The first half of the gauge on my car lasts for 150 miles the bottom half about 80
Nathan
I Agree those sills need colour coding though.
If the petrol gauge is the same in the 03 as it is in the 01, that last 1/4 of a tank will just disappear. The first half of the gauge on my car lasts for 150 miles the bottom half about 80
Nathan
16 March 2003, 08:53 PM
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You must get PPP as soon as possible
The rear of the car is sooooooooooooooooooo much more adjustable. I wasn't expecting this at all! It's fappin' fan-bloody-tastic. It wants to be hustled along b roads, and it'll be wonderful once run in.
Sills - yes, I do regret not getting them sprayed up from day 1, but as it was rather a rush job, I'm just very grateful to pick the car up so soon! Many thanks to Jon at Crossroads for all his help. Apparently there's a waiting list forming again
I have a massive grin on my face right now. I can't believe how good this car is; I wasn't expecting it to be this good! (And yes, I did order it without test driving
)Cheers,
Nick.
[Edited by chiark - 3/16/2003 8:54:24 PM]
16 March 2003, 09:18 PM
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Looks good and sounds pretty much like my own experiences as an MY03 owner. First scooby for me and I certainly think I made the right decision too. PPP next :P
17 March 2003, 06:17 AM
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I know exactly how you feel, picked up my my03 wrx last wed. with ppp fitted and also went from an my00. As for build quality it feels more like 10 years apart not just 3. Not run in yet but after test driving a standard model, mine with ppp feels ( and sounds ) soooo much better on that short burst to 4k revs.
p.s. get the skirts done too...
p.s. get the skirts done too...
17 March 2003, 09:43 AM
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So why did you pay more in the UK rather than import?
Look at the continental price of the 03 wagon (23221 euros including delivery to Dutch dealer and metallic paint), then add alarm (£400), transport (£200), insurance for the Dutch portion of the journey (£100), 3 years subaru assist equivalent (£300), transport back to Holland to get PPP done to retain warranty (future - £300 quid). Plus road fund license (155) and first registration fee (25 quid).
Exchange rate 1.45? makes the base cost of car is £16014 + VAT, which is £18,817. Add extras listed above of 1080 quid (excluding transport for PPP), and that £19,897.
UK list of wagon = 20,500 OTR + extra for paint.
Speak to your dealers to find out what deals they might be able to do for you.
I'm sorry to say that it really isn't worth importing. Gutting for me to say that, but that is the honest truth as the numbers above show pretty clearly. Plus I'd have had to wait for 5 months, which would have been a bind.
I daresay there's savings to be made on the 4 door, but "do the math" (as the Americans would say) and it doesn't work out.
Things have changed!!!!!
Cheers,
Nick.
[Edited by chiark - 3/17/2003 10:47:01 AM]
17 March 2003, 10:28 AM
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Chiark - I figure you looked at Lichfields, as you mentioned
them on the other thread. Other than the 5mnth wait, was there
any reason for not using them?
Nice motor BTW, hearing so many good things about the MY03, I'm
getting really itchy hands!
Woz
them on the other thread. Other than the 5mnth wait, was there
any reason for not using them?
Nice motor BTW, hearing so many good things about the MY03, I'm
getting really itchy hands!
Woz
17 March 2003, 10:33 AM
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Iain was very helpful with my questions, so there's no reason why I wouldn't use them at all; I have to compliment them on their speed of response, politeness and enthusiasm.
I managed to cut an excellent deal for exaxctly the car I wanted with the Subaru dealer mentioned, hence I went with that. That's the long and short of it, really
Cheers,
Nick.
I managed to cut an excellent deal for exaxctly the car I wanted with the Subaru dealer mentioned, hence I went with that. That's the long and short of it, really
Cheers,
Nick.
17 March 2003, 11:46 AM
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so where's my visit then! Tiled until 4pm yesterday and then had to take the Westie out!!
>> I'm sorry to say that it really isn't worth importing.
Yup I found the same thing when I got my Audi. Saabs were worth importing, was talking £7k saving on a £29k car
regards,
greg
>> I'm sorry to say that it really isn't worth importing.
Yup I found the same thing when I got my Audi. Saabs were worth importing, was talking £7k saving on a £29k car
regards,
greg
17 March 2003, 11:50 AM
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Will try to nip around sometime this week...
Glad to hear u got the westie out - I wouldn't have been tiling at all!
I was suprised how the figures worked out for importing; shows how much things have changed in 4 years.
Glad to hear u got the westie out - I wouldn't have been tiling at all!
I was suprised how the figures worked out for importing; shows how much things have changed in 4 years.
17 March 2003, 12:07 PM
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Wagon Club, just need to make it more "responsive" Not quite along the lines of "**** me" acceleration like you described my car, but you know what i mean.