TEH NOOB

hey everyone, i must confess off the bat i know bugger all really about scoobs, im just after some sound advice.

i currently drive an 03 Civic Type R, however, since i bought it i have covered just 1 thousand miles since the late summer becuase of my job and so forth, rather than have it depreciate like a b**ch i want to sell it, and get something cheaper, but fast.

now what reliability issues am i going to get on an 80K miler R~ reg??? how much for majour services, how much if the turbo goes bang etc?

essentially what im asking is: are the high milers sheds to be steered well clear of and are going to cost me thousands to keep on the road, remeber i do do low miles so consumables aren't a particular issue

catherines car

As long as it's well maintained and serviced by someone who knows what they are doing it will go and go. Do you know who's been driving it? You need to be careful it hasn't been too badly ragged. Where are you based? I can recommend a fabulous import/UK used scooby seller. He does all the work and upgrades on nearly all the Scoobies I know locally. Great guy on the south coast. Reasonably priced. Has recently upgraded my Scoob and perf. packed a friends, who runs an Evo 6 Tommy Makkinen limited edition no.14 aswell as his Scooby. He wouldn't let anyone but the best deal with his Evo or Scooby. Remember most of us pay a huge amount upgrading etc these cars and they are generally looked after very well as a matter of pride and joy. hence the websites!

ricardo

Ok, I'll have a go at answering. Mine is a 98MY UK Turbo, on 72k miles. I guess you are looking at cars of around that age.

I've had it since it was 8 months old. During that time the main cost has been fuel, then tax+insurance and finally servicing. (Actually the biggest cost of all was depreciation, but you won't get nearly so much of that !)

It has had the inevitable brakes, plus a new battery, but nothing else of note apart from a new short engine at 46k or so due to piston slap (warranty job).

Now, does that mean that all manner of bearings, seals, shafts, cogs, diffs and valves are all on their very last legs, or will they happily continue for umpteen thousand more miles ? No idea ! If I was to keep it (or for the sake of argument you were to buy it) I really don't know whether the wear and tear would suddenly make itself felt as big bills or not. There is no indication of anything being on the way out, but it is inevitably noisier and sloppier (wear and tear) than a few years ago.

Knowing the full history of anything you buy is important but at the end of the day there is a certain gamble involved in taking on a 8 or 9 year-old car. Or keeping one for that matter... (Brain fade - mine is a 7 year old)

TEH NOOB

thank you both for your replies, very useful.

its interesting, becuase being into my hondas i am always pleasantly suprised at how bullet proof the engines are, recently went for a spin in my mates CTR that has done the big 100K and it feels just as smooth and fast as another guys 60Ker, my 11K feels tight and restricted compaired to both of these! but i know that is the strong point of the honda against its interior build and so on.

im not the most mechanically minded but i can appreciate that the scoob engine with the turbo and related stress and the fact that these cars are driven like they are meant to be, means that problems can manifest themselves in expensive bills.

the 90K service can be had for 600 pounds which is alot of dollar, but still reasonable for a turbo car of that many miles.

at the end of the day i doubt i will put more than 5,000 miles on it, and i will only own for 12 months absolute maximum, i just want an easy driving experience in that time...

catherines car

My Scooby is now 7 years old, and apart from upgrades, and standard servicing I've spent about £1500 over the past 2 years keeping it running sat top level. Recently I had a glitch with my dump vavle that cost about £150 to treat and my turbo arm broke off costing £75. To be honest I have spent far more than that on exhausts, airfilters etc getting it to perform how I want and sound how I want. If you are just buying it to have a play for a year and sell it on without upgrading or playing with the engine then a Scooby will do you right. Check out Triton Motors in Bournemoth. Speak to Andy. He has a low mileage gorgeous Skyline import up for grabs at the moment if it hasn't gone yet. Well worth the price tag. 01202 571564
Triton Motor Services


Building 461, Aviation Park West, Bournemouth International Airport, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 6NW
Tel: 01202 571564

TEH NOOB

catherine, thanks very much for more info about this much appreciated, and for your PM too.

i will call up andy and see what he has to say for himself, again cheers for that.

catherines car

no problem if you mention Catherine, Rob and the little boy Ziggy to Andy he'll more than likely know who you mean. He spent a couple of weeks trying to conviince me to buy the Skyline. I nearly did but I spent £1300 on my Scooby instead! Right off to the gym. Enjoy your evening.

ricardo

For cars of that age the 90k service is already done, since it is really a 7.5k OR 6 month interval. Mine had the 90k (super duper everything, cambelt and kitchen sink) service just recently, for about £700, at 72k miles due to it being on the date basis rather than the mileage basis. That's the BIG service, I was toying with the idea of selling it before that, now I've spent the money keeping it. Then I put four new tyres on...

Make sure you get one that has really had the big service, most important part of the history 'cos you don't want to fork out for that yourself.

willy

I had an 18 month old 206 xsi from new and sold it to buy a 73k miles 1995 uk turbo.
Its been more reliable and feels better engineered.
Only upgrades have cost me money.
Its a bit more in running costs ie 2x services a year and drinks fuel... but I intend to keep it for a long time yet.

*****

Bubba po

My 99S has over 90k on it now. It doesn't feel tired, sloppy or remotely clapped-out. Choose well and be rewarded.....

stevie_c

I had a £15k scoob bought from Subaru main dealer,'slight' upgrade,but not running excessive power.
Snapped conrod which punctured engine casting,cost me circa £3500 to repair as 12 month warranty ran out 4 weeks earlier!
So its not all good news.
You pay your penny and take your chance.

eric Scofield

My MY00 has 115k on it and it feels as tight as ever ... (Have just reluctantly traded it in for an 02 with 50k pick it up Sat)
Im sure it was just paranoia but I had convinced myself something was bound to go bang simply because of the mileage, but the car drives literally as if just run in (I took the 24 hour test drive in a 54 last weekend and actually preferred mine in some ways ... ) as long as they are serviced and driven respectfully 200k is probably not out of the question ...

lostboysaint

I haven't read the whole thread (sorry!!) but I must ask, why not import one or buy an import?

My 94 Legacy GT was just over £4k with 55,000m, full JSH and having been checked over by a mechanic at time of purchase and then by Len @ Subaru 4 You when I took it for a cambelt service is in very good nick. The standard of the car is significantly better than ANY UK car of that age, (you'd never find a UK car with that mileage!) and with Jap MOT requirements being so much more onerous you can buy with relative confidence.

Would wholeheartedly recommend Andy @ Autolink UK (Swanmore, near Southampton) www.autolinkuk.co.uk of just get yourself a copy of Jap Performance and speak to anyone in the adverts there and make your own mind up.

Good luck. I would do it all again!!


PS. Having now read the thread I can wholeheartedly agree with the support for Triton. I haven't used them but have spoken to them on a number of occasions and found them very helpful. Mine is currently fettled by Len at Subaru 4 You who edges it because he is a Subaru specialist rather than a "global" motorsport/import mechanic!

EXSCOOBY

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have a look at my car
its been cherished and has just been motd (yesterday)
it is immaculate and is i think the best possible example of a performance classic

i will take 5,200 for a quick sale!!!!!!
you will not see a better unmodded 96 WRX
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385754

MY98PAUL

I've just bought a MY98 its had a bit of work done before I got it(new brakes, Suss, down pipe and back box). Paid £5000 for it of a friend who has had it from new (it was a prodrive spec). It's done 123000 miles and runs like a dream. The mate I bought it of passed on a service history like the bible. I can only say like everyone else the service history is so important.

If you buy the right one you will be simling every time you put that pedal down. Best thing I've ever bought............. addictive.