BYRON M

Hi Everyone.

Quick introduction - My name is Byron, im 22 years old and have a keen interest in all things car related.
Im currently driving a mercedes sports coupe, but its boring, and I like the idea of owning a Subaru Impreza, so I am exploring the possibility of getting one.
I have previously owned vauxhalls, and recently sold my mk4 astra turbo. See attached picture.
[img=http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7582/byron29sk.th.jpg]

As for the Merc... its a blip that needs seeing to!

I have seen a few MY03's (52 reg) for reasonable money, all with low mileage, and this is the shape I most prefer - are they referred to as version 8?

Firstly, what should I be looking for when veiwing a car? I know the usual routine, but is there anything specific to a scoob that I should be aware of?

What are the servicing intervals?

Obviously many of you own this type of scoob on here, so general ownership feedback is appreciated.

Rgds,
Byron

stilover

Before buying yourself a Impreza STI, you need to ask yourself one question.

Do I have deep pockets ?????????

I only average about 15-17mpg, which is quite expensive on top of mortgage, bills, etc. It could of course be better than that, but that's the way I drive, so thats my choice.

As your only 22 you may still live at home with Mammy & Daddy, so this shouldn't be a problem to you, just a long as you have a decent payed job. Go for it, you won't be dissapointed.

Remember though you'll need to buy 4 tyres at a time. Servicing costs are no more than most other cars.

Just one more thing. Get ready for the Modding bug to bite you right on the Ar*e. It happened to me. I never thought I'd ever mod a car, didn't see the point, but one day I felt a pinch in the ar*e, and that was that. New Alloys, Spring kit, and that on top of the PPP, which luckly I got free.

MattW

Sti or Wrx?

At your age, insurance will be the heaviest expense, especially on an Sti. If you want power go Sti rather than Wrx with PPP as this will be cheaper, insurance wise.

Sti adds Stronger engine, Brembo brakes, Gold wheels, Blue trimmed seats, Big wing, 265ps standard. Wagon comes as Wrx only.


Servicing is every 10000 miles, prices comparable to mercedes I would imagine. Lots of specialists about who may be cheaper.

Things to look for, usual smoke, gearbox niggles, kerbed alloys, on Sti check for knocking rear shock absorber. Make sure intercooler fins look straight, and most importantly that service has been completed at the right times.

MattW

Why would you ever need to do that?

scoobydooooo

insurance will be an albatross !! tell us what you are going to pay !! please

ScoobyDoo555

not 4 tyres (urban myth) - out of good practice, I change tyres 2 at a time.

Usual things though - insurance (biggy on an STI owner @ 22)
Fuel, pads, discs, (remember they're Brembos) servicing......

As others have said, pretty standards things (also look at a HPI & RAC check)

Dan

BYRON M

Hi All, thanks for the replies so far

My pockets can stretch to STi ownership...I still live at home and my job pays well enough for someone in my position - thankfully.

My astra used to average 18-22mpg, so essentially my pocket is already adjusted for this aspect, although what does it cost to fill the tank on super?

As for modding...I bought my astra as a car I wasnt going to mod. £10k later and it had the UK's very first turbo transplant, full custom leather, ICE etc.
Im not sure I would mod the STi too much from the outset, although famous last words eh?

Insurance is very affordable - £1250 fully comp @ 22 (just). Which is another reason why im exploring the route further.

Hpi is a must, although I have facilities here at work to carry out a HPi for free

Servicing intervals are good too, I was expecting 6k or so like Evos.

Thanks again.

MattW

6k on Pre-01 cars (clasic shape) Evo service intervals are 4.5k

scoobydooooo

where the hell did you get that quote from ??? that insurance for a 22 year old is amazing !!!

sgcooby

Service intervals are 10,000 miles. Fuel consumption is bad when giving it some but acceptable when driving normally. If being careful, round town i can get from 23 - 25 mpg. Sitting at 75 -80 mph it isnt too bad either. To fill my tank in my 03 WRX costs about £48 for optimax.( From light on to full ). Insurance. Mine is good only £8 / month more than my Audi A4 previously but it really depends on where you live etc. The tyres arent particularly big, only 17's at 215 / 45 so you can get them pretty cheap and it only eats tyres if you rag it all the time the same as any car would. Service costs are OK, but then ive been used to Audi service costs so its all relative. All in all when considering all the running costs its not nearly as bad as people make out and by the sounds of things you are used to it anyway so no need to worry. Just buy one and you will love it.

BYRON M

Providing I can convince the rents that it is Ok to spend a fair amount on a scoob, and not really save for my own place, then potentially the plan is a goer.

I phoned the insurer twice to confirm the premium. I will phone again once I have a reg number to provide them with just to make really sure of the premium. lol

lordretsudo

Bloody hell! Are you sure that's for an STI? That's a seriously good quote if so...

I haven't really got anything else much to add; as others have already said the knocking rear suspension is the main fault on 2003 STI's, though it's not too big a problem as it will still have warranty remaining.

The main thing I hadn't appreciated when I bought mine (until I washed it) was how chipped the side skirts and the lower part of the front doors nearest the wheels were - mud flaps are a must have IMO.

If you can afford the car, the petrol (around £40 to fill up with Optimax from when the red lights has just come on, get around 200 miles from this), the insurance and the servicing costs then go for it

HowiesPreza

I'm paying £870 on a Sports Special - with full no claims @ i'm 24!
Who's ur quote through?

DonnieDarko

evo VIII's are 4.5k too - or so the salesman told me

BYRON M

That quote is from admiral. I confirmed with them, its for an '03 (52 reg) WRX STi.

Almost too good to be true?

scoobydooooo

that's what i think !! how many miles per annum is that for ?? 450 ??

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Is it their 10 month accelerator scheme though? If so, ask for a 12 month quote!!

NS04

BYRON M

My current policy is a 10 month accelerator, so this would be based on that too.

Just phoned to confirm - I used a reg number from a STi off autotrader.
They confirmed that there would be an additional payment of £592.64.
The policy expires on July 17th, so in theory my renewal would probably be around £1800-£1900.

As it stands, if/when I pay that £592.64 this years total premium will be £1281.19

Excess is £350 and an additional £150 because I am under 25.

BYRON M

edit. see above post

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Problem with those 10 month schemes is that often no other insurance companies will honour all the NCB. For example: you have 20 months with Admiral i.e. 2 claim free insurance renewals , you want to shop around. Admiral say that as far as their concerned you have 2 years, everyhwere else says, sorry sir, in point of fact you have 20 months, we can only credit you with one year NCB!! Rip off!

Speak to Gary Moulson at Keith Michaels mate, see what he can do for you.

As for your general question: they are expensive cars to run - relative to normal 4 door saloons - and you must not scrimp on the servicing and consumables. That said, for the performance, you can't really complain.

NS04

paulhsti

What do to you feel is reasonable money for an 03 52? - the values of 04 54 are quite low so always worth looking around and getting another years warranty. I have been thinking of selling mine for a while now so could be tempted to let it go!! September 04/54 black sti with 13.5k on clock.
Anyway as already said 190 to 250 miles will cost you about £50 a fill
tyres last about 12K on front (although my tracking was out) some get through tyres much quicker. tyres are not too expensive (£220+ pair) I went for toyo's - much improved over originals. first service was £180 quid so very good - no idea on 2nd and 3rd year costs??
geniune brake pads for Brembos are very dear so I have heard.
I insure with Admiral they seem to be very competitive old or young.
Good luck
Paul.

BYRON M

We use CAP value here at my place of work and and a 53 reg STi with 34k books in at £11k cap clean. this is not a true reflection of the market place, But £12.5-13k for a 52 plate was pretty reasonable I thought?

Thanks for the input about running costs too. Its all appreciated.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

I'm 34 and Pay £850 for a 03 STi PPP. That quote for a 22 year old takes the Pish

PPPsteveo

yup i'm 31 and mine is £940 protected on a sti-ppp 53 plate....fuel goes quick but who cares

ex-webby

Jeeesus - You lot getting about 200miles from full to reserve on these cars??!!!???

I get that on my Spec C, which has been modded and only has a 50litre tank! Plus it gets driven like it was meant to be!

Must be all in the mapping then!

Regards,
Shaun.

Mark_S

Yeah but your car weighs **** all Shaun. 200 miles sounds about right for a 'normal' STI this time of year for round town

fitzscoob

In Byrons other post he said he had an additional payment of £600 or so to make his total premium for 10 months £1800 ish.

Thats how I read it anyway.

That still seems to be a pretty hot quote for age + car.

BYRON M

Fitzscoob, if it was a 12 month policy and not a 10 month accelerator, then your quite right, the premium would be about £1800-£1900 quid fully comp.
As I am looking to change my car half way through my 10 month policy, I need to pay an additional £590 on top of what I have already paid (£690)...
So total approx £1250 for 10 months.


Hope that makes some sense - lol!

fitzscoob

Makes complete sense mate

At the end of the day, see what other quotes you can get just to make sure that next years premium will be affordable. As I wouldnt have thought that the premium would change much from being 22 / 23.

Speak to the people that are recomended in the insurance section, Gary Moulson, A-Plan (thatcham) etc, they seem to be the most competitive. I have a personal bad experience with Admiral and would never use them again - but thats just me.

MattW

All Evos are.