David26

Hi,
Im off to view an 02 plate sti tomorrow. Interested to hear peoples views on a 3 yr old sti. Anything i need to be aware of? It has ppp and the colour is named as blue black metallic. Is this an actual subaru named colour or are they just trying to make it sound abit more appealing? It maybe my imagination but i've seen a pic of a 03 plate sti and it looks like it has a bigger scoop! Is this the case?
Cheers for your help people!

David.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Colour is a genuine one.
03 MY have different headlights and bigger scoop.

ProdriveSTI

Are you going to look at the prodrive style version?(the 1 with the larger boot spoiler & differenct bumpers etc..?
Blue Black Metallic is a really nice black colour with a blue metallic flakes..
How many miles has it got?
price etc....

robsta

How much is the seller asking?

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Blue black is the official Subaru name for what appears to be black .In strong light you can see it's not actually black, but very very dark blue.

For insurance reasons, make sure it's a UK car: on the top back of the intercooler it should say "Type UK". If not, it may be an import and your insurance might (but might not) suffer. Just to confuse the issue, UK STIs are often flagged up as imports by insurers anyway, but you still tell them it's a UK car!

Check for stone chips along the leading edge of the bonnet. There will be some, but it will give you some idea of how hard it has been driven. Also see how many of the intercooler fins are bent: on a car that new it should be almost none. If lots are then it's been abused.

Make sure the intercooler spray works - look through the scoop as the seller presses the button - one 2-second spray per button push.

Find out what fuel the owner used: if he says Optimax then he's probably looked after it. Super unleaded is OK, supermarket unleaded means he didn't care (or was ignorant...)

If he takes you out for a drive (or lets you drive) watch to see if he lets the engine warm up before he really boots it or tells you to do so. Watch also to see if he leaves it running for a bit before turning it off. Again, this shows he cares.

Most of the rest applies to any car. FMDSH is vital! Or a reputable specialist.


M

David26

Thanks for the info guys. The car is stunning, did'nt get to drive it but will be going back at the weekend. It's at a dealership called the turbocentre and they are asking 16995. It's had two previous owners and has covered 31000 miles. It has a few stone chips on the bonnet, nothing major though. It has a full subaru service history but only comes with 3 months warranty. How often do these cars have to be serviced? What sort of price is a standard service? I'm seriously considering buying this car, does it sound like a good deal to you guys?

Thanks again!

David.

barrybudden

The dealer has to warrent the vehicle free from defects for 6 months under the sale of goods act. Maby it has 3 months manufacturers warenty left?

Make sure it has the certificate for the PPP install.

Trashman

Just bear in mind that if you were to buy similar from a Subaru dealer, it would most likely be a "Proven" used car with 12 months warranty. Probably for much the same price and probably with a fully up to date and stamped service book. Just a thought.

barrybudden

David26
There is one for sale here http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=415403 sorry cant do clickies.

Mouser

I would go with what Trashman advised.

Darren 01

Thats top doller David!!!

I bought an WRX STI (TypeUK) with PPP with only 6900 mile on the clock. 53 plate and is mint.
The remaining Subaru warranty has been transfered into my name and has 18 months left on it.
£18500 private sale. 3 weeks ago

Italian Jobber

17K does seem an awful lot of brass for an 02 bug eyed STI.

I would agree with Darren... it's a safer bet to buy privately from the 1st owner - at least you'll be able to see for yourself what they are like and have an appreciation how they have treated the car.
Bear in mind the bug eyed model will have **** poor trade in value if you ever decided to sell it back to a dealer.
I would go for a test drive anyway just to simply have a good tear around in it - if you like it then look seriously for a cracking 1 owner private car.
Another thing to remember is if the car has FMD service history you can extend the manufactures warranty for another 2 years for around £500 I think (well worth it IMO especially if the engine does a bottom end).

urban

iTrader: (1)

**** poor trade in value?

Don't think so.
I traded in an MY02STI prodrive style car with PPP against a brand new MY05 STI and it cost me 8K to change!
It had 29K on it, had subaru boost guage fitted, type uk mats and mudflaps.

So not that **** poor trade value then.

Shaun