Yakker

Dear All - first post - so be gentle with me ;-)

The Mrs has it into her head that she would like a new motor. She currently has a Mk2 golf 16v - which is in reasonable nick, is secure (cat 1 cobra), can be left anywhere (not new enough to steal), and can be driven as hard as you like (goes well, Koni Top Adjustables all round, good tyres, only costs 1500 to replace with a new one if stuck into a hedge, and 200 quid a year to insure - yes 200 notes - read it and weep ).

Her previous runarounds were M3 Evo, VR6, Mk1 Golf Rivage (the dogs danglies of golf cabs) and a TVR 350i. She likes some oomph in a ve-hick-ule ....

Anyhow - she now thinks she wants a Scooby Wagon, but my only real fear is how much grief / cost will one of these things be to run ?

Can anyone provide estimates on how much a toy like this costs to own on a monthly basis ?


Currently looking at getting a classic wagon - circa 50K on the clock - how much would one be ?


I have had an Impreza as a company car (I inherited it from a Marketing bod - thankyou very much), and used to get 30ish to the gallon (outside lane M4 - 8--85 mph all day), and really enjoyed it - especially when damp - ooh er missus. Would be more than happy to get another toy like this - just need to know how much grief it is - are classic wagons still a target for stealing / keying etc etc etc

Cheers - and sorry if these are numpty question that can be sorted by STFA [1]
Chris

[1] search the feckin archive ;-) (ixion stylee references)

tonybooth

Didn't think they made a diesel version

Seriously, they cost a fortune to run and insure. Servicing is every 7500 miles, brakes are crap, headlights are crap, build quality is, yes you guessed it, crap.

But once you have had one it becomes more addictive than Crack or Kylie's bum

Just go and buy her one!

TONY

Yakker

I dont know how got the fuel economy out of it - I really dont - mostly by keeping away from the turbo I suppose......

7500 service intervals ? I get my haircut more often than that.....

P1Fanatic

The servicing intervals are costly on the classic. 2 a year, one minor one major but best part of £500. Petrol is pretty bad so if doing high miles think very hard. Insurance not too great either.

Id definetly do your homework on ownership costs before buying one.

Simon.

tonybooth

MPG varies from 6 on track to 25 on M/way if you are steady. Average is around 20.

As for theft, it can still be a problem but common sense and a garage help.

TONY

Mickle

Maybe you had a non-turbo wagon before?

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

I drive from Portsmouth to Guildford 5 days a week.

My average fuel bill is £120 - £150 weekly

Insurance is the best part of a bag of sand,

servicing has cost me (in 6 months ownership) 2 x £125 plus Im due a £700 anyday now

Tyres are a "wunner" each, dont underestimate the decimation of tyres as its inversley proportional to turbo useage (2nd set in 6mths)

I am skint but I wouldnt get rid.

Purchase is easy, its servicing and maintaining that cost, and at least you`re looking sensibly at it.

NACRO

Just triple the costs of the Golf for the Impreza wagon running costs. I have both and found it costs roughly 3 times as much to run the Impreza, still relatively cheap for what it does though. Interesting others get such poor MPG, cruising at around 80-5-ish I get around 28-30mpg from my non standard turbo wagon.

cinders

I've always owned MK2 Golf GTI's from my first car, got sick of spending money on doing bits on the last one, sold it and bought my Impreza - best thing I've ever done.

I thought that going from a sold German car like the MK2 Golf to the Impreza I'd notice a lack in build quality and comfort, however I was pleasantly suprised, I can honestly say my MY98 UK car is built (or feels) just as good as any of my old Golf's.

As for running costs, so far I've spent about £600 which included a full 60,000 mile service and the replacement of the rear diff and front drive shaft oil seals. I spent £400 on some 4-pots, disk and pads and thats it now. Haven't had any other problems with the car and it goes great, stops well and handles well as std.

As for fuel, it isn't to bad as long as you don't thrash it everywhere you go, I used to thrash my mod'd golf's everywhere, but with the impreza you don't really need to (unless being challenged by something worthy of a race... - up to 70mph mind)

Buy one, honestly, you won't regret it!

Mick

iTrader: (1)

Excellent cars!

I don't agree with the snobs who moan about build quality and interior trim - numpties! - I don't know what else they are used to driving but it's way ahead of my previous cars Rover 216, Vaux Cavalier F reg, y reg fiesta
The 2 pots work fine on a normal driving basis - can turn the disks blue and set of the ABS quite easily - I have now upgraded to the later 4 pots though to see what all the excitement is about - not sure if they stop any better than my old setup but the goodridge lines give much beter feel. They certainly look better with the suaru logo showing behind the wheels.
Lights - morrettes are brilliant give superb light - haven't driven a Scoob without so cant comment on Std setup.
Insurance just under £700 pa me & missus inc business useage. Fuel low 20s enthusiastically to & from work on country roads, motorway at steady 80 28 mpg - never seen any better economy than that. Had the car 4 1/2 years now & don't want to part with it. I just add s/h uprated bits as the old bit wear out or a bargain appears

Mick

fatsteve

I agree with this. Also got a '98 Wagon. Its only worth 5K so TPFT insurance is sufficient. 26mpgs by driving steady (95% of the time). Tyres £70 a corner. Servicing by independant specialist.

I appreciate that it can be expensive, it just doesn't need to be and £/performance it's a bargain.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

I would say that although they are fantastic cars they still carry quite a high risk in terms of aggrevated theft.

Since having a gun stuck in my face by a gang of car-jackers on a busy city centre street, I no longer let my missi drive the car...

...in fact it was a close decision as to whether I wanted to drive it again.

The cars are still are favourite for ram-raiders and bank robbers as getaway cars.

Was reading on here just the other day that a female school teacher was car-jacked outside her school.

Personally I wouldn't recommend it.

cinders

Yeah - but you can't worry about **** like that! There's no point worrying about something until it happens...

A lot of people have their houses broken in to (whilst they're in!) to get the keys - I don't spend each night hiding under my bed in fear of someone breaking in to get my keys.

Don't worry about stuff like that, and certainly don't let it put you off.

I can understand having a gun stuck in your face is quite scarey, as it happened to me in Laos about 2 years ago.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

...I managed to escape...don't think me missi would have though!

It only has to happen once. I dread to think what would have happened had my missi been driving.

SiPie

If you dirve the thing properly then the above costs are the least of your worries.

Clutches, engines and gearboxes galore.

My repairs bill was over £8,000 last year and that did not include consumables

Guess I was just unlucky

PS average of 16.7mpg over the year as well

bobbyh

did you escape with the car too BOB, or just your life if not undies intact?

SlowBoy

iTrader: (1)

Insurance just under £900, petrol 22mpg, servicing - last two services combined cost me <£250, but this will depend on what point you're at on the schedule and finding a specialist garage that isn't involved in daylight robbery.

The big one comes in at 45k miles or 60k miles, depending on the year. So if you're looking for one around 50k, great if it's an earlier (pre 2000) that's had a belt change, but not so great if it's a post 2000 that will need the big service soon. Taking it to a specialist helps keep the cost down, but won't maintain the warranty.

In my experience, pretty trouble free and very highly recommended.

willy

I agree with what others are saying(MY95 wagon 75k)
I`m getting 160-200 miles on 32quid of Optimax and it needs a couple of services a year, just get into any other car afterwards and they dont feel safe never mind quick...
Driving is what sets the Scooby apart from other cars..
You dont get summat for nowt!

Bubba po

As far as fuel goes, motorway driving at a steady 80ish, you should get 30 to the gallon out of a wagon- I do. Different if you're continually speeding up and slowing down, it's that that knocks hell out of it. My tyres are lasting really well, and the MY99 brakes are fine. If you're doing loads of miles a week, the fuel bills will kill you. I have the benefit of being related to a local specialist so servicing and repair prices are cut to the bone accordingly. Even so, parts like a cambelt are the thick end of £200 to buy before you start fitting them. It's great, though- the exponential acceleration you get from the turbo is addictive!

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

got away with the car...was the only way

wasnt bothered about the car though.

Rather not go into details.

Bubba po

Cos there's nothing happening in muppets.

16vmarc

I dont know how got the fuel economy out of it - I really dont - mostly by keeping away from the turbo I suppose......


Youll get better economy with the turbo running.

Yakker

Ok

The insurance is not too bad - been quoted 575 - which is do-able.

The Mrs wants a wagon, so will be out shopping in January. Are there any independents who sell Imprezas in the South ? Hants/ Wilts/ Dorset etc ?

MPG - 20 - 30

Security - cat 1 alarm at least - fierce dog - one trained to put fires out as well

Costs - servicing round 500 a year, set of tyres a year, brake pads - 70quid a pair for the front


- seems to be sorted - just need to work out how to get it into my garage now - with everything else jammed in there

Cheers
Chris