wilb

Hey up, you lot seem a reasonable bunch so I thought i'd get registered and ask you a few questions.

I'm thinking about getting a Scooby and have seen I can pick up a 03 WRX for just over 10k, which is within my price range (I can go up to about £11k but can't go older than a 'W' for private plate reasons). Insurance isn't a problem either as it's coming in about £900 (i'm 27, 4 years no claims).

I just want a few questions answering before I apply for the bank loan (rather than getting finance at a dealers).

I have tried the search option but didn't find anything.

1) I've heard a few horror stories about servicing. When are they due and how much does a typical one cost? One post I read related to a £700 service?!?!?!?!?!?!

2) MPG, what would I be looking at roughly?

3) What is the difference between the WRX and the STI apart from 0.4 seconds? Is it worth the difference in money?

I'm sure there are a few other questions, but i'll leave it at that for the moment.

Thanks

[Davey]

1) Parts are over priced and so is labour, shop around.
2) If you have to ask then you shouldnt be buying one.
3) STi is the tuned version of the WRX.

Best advice I can offer is to shop around, there are loads of over-priced cars waiting for mugs to buy them. Make sensible offers and wait for the right car at the right price.

Spoiler

OK, firstly, reasonable bunch.. your having us on...

Services are about £150 per 10k with the 30k service about £350.

MPG, if you are sensible about 25mpg ish....

WRX v's STI , STI has lots of different bits on it, better by far(but more expensive). About 50php quicker as standard(ish)

Just my little bit...

mctwistuk

iTrader: (2)

How many miles is on the clock?

i paid £13.5k for my 03 WRX with 35k on the clock.

Your looking at about 27-29mpg.

Servicing. My next service is gonna cost about £150 and thats at the dealer.

I have had my car for a couple of weeks now and dont regret buying it.

My bank balance is rapidly depleting with the mods i have planned.

I would recommend the car to anyone.

wilb

Not really answered any of my questions there have you Davey?

What is the difference in the WRX and STI apart from the power (I already know which is faster and put that in my first thread). E.g. seat style etc...

Stainy

Don't believe 27-29 mpg unless you live life on a motorway. I don't go mad but only get 22-24 around town (13 mile drive to work but no really open roads, so lots of stop/starts)

Servicing isn't too bad if you don't use a main dealer. Use a specialist and you'll be in the price range of taking a 'normal' car to the dealer.

The STI is a more tuned version of the WRX. I wont list everything but basically it has stronger engine internals which means it can take more power. It has different gearbox (6 instead of 5 speed) different turbo (remember the power thing I mentioned?) and a trick diff which you can play with to adjust front/rear bias. It has a more honed suspension set up which makes handling a bit better but makes for a harsher ride.

The WRX is fine for everyday use. Buy the STI if you a) can afford it b) are happy with the overall harshness that is the result of a 'purer' car.

I bought the WRX, then played with the engine. and have a comfortable car with (standard) STI performance. I like it!

tath

Extra power of the STI is (IMO) the least imortant plus - far superior car

wilb

Servicing doesn't sound too bad then, apart from the 30k one. What exactly do they do for that?

Price wise, one on autotrader.co.uk 27,000 miles, WRX 2003 £10,650 and in black too They have a few at that price.

Stainy

I don't dispute that it's superior, I just (IMO) didn't/don't think it's £5k superior.

If I had been willing to spend that much more money, I would have spent some more and got the car I really wanted at the time, a 350z. Then again for a few grand more than that.......you can go on forever.

As it happens, mr head beat my heart and I got a WRX (EU import), which can still be bought new for £15k performance bargain me thinks.

mctwistuk

iTrader: (2)

i run my car on a 3 mile round trip to work every day and get 27mpg.

Sure putting your foot on the fun pedal does decrease this but you dont buy an impreza to worry about mpg.

The thrill you get when the turbo spools up outweighs the poor mpg when you do it.

Sport160

Thats amazing, I run mine on a 4mile trip to work (8m round trip) and am lucky if I see anything over 21mpg. Over the last 7000miles my average is 21mpg this includes a few long runs to Europe.

Martin2005

Hi Wilb

Iain at Litchfield Imports is selling my old car(trade in), it might be what you are looking for... details below

52 Plate WRX
Black
38K Miles
PPP (261 bhp)
Defi Guages x 3
FSH
2 Owners from new
£8,995

I think it is a bargain at that price, and I can personally vouch for it.

PS it's not mine anymore so I've no axe to grind

wilb

Sounds quite good that Martin! Might have a look on their site (if they have one) Only possible problem might be insurance with the PPP. Does it normally bump the insurance up by much?

wolfie28

Hi Wilb, welcome to Scoobynet.

I've got a 52 plate UK WRX and the servicing so far has been:
10,000 = £160 all in from a main dealer (Engine oil change + general inspect).
20,000 = £190 all in from a main dealer (Engine oil change + general inspect).
30,000 = £390 all in from a main dealer (Engine oil, spark plugs, air filter, diff oils, AC recharge + general inspect).
40,000 = £135 from a scooby specialist (as 10,000 service).
50,000 don't know yet but I think its the cam belt so it will be the most expensive.
Also every other servicing is a body wax treatment (£130) to keep your paint warranty valid .

MPG approx 20-28 dependant on driving.

Sorry can't help with the STI question (can only just afford the WRX) but if you can afford it get one, not much more to run than a WRX.

Get one you won't regret it . Use a scooby specialist for all your work though, they are so much better than the main dealers.

Enjoy, Wolfie.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

1) They MUST be serviced according to the manufacturers advice; neglect them at your wallet's peril! Interim services are only about £80-90 (every six months) Major ones are a bit eye watering. I'd suggest you go to a specialist's website and check out their servicing prices as a guide. Pretty much any specialist will be significantly cheaper than the dealers. If you look after them though, they are VERY reliable cars, so that has to be taken into account.

2) Low-mid twenties driven carefully. Low-Mid teens if you put your foot down regularly. I've heard people suggest as low as below 10 under extreme conditions (e.g. at a trackday). If you're worried about economy, a scooby isnt the car for you.

3) Much bigger difference than the figures suggest. I drove both back to back and was VERY surpirsed. The STi feels significantly faster than the WRX, (although the 0-60 time is a poor guide) and is the one to go for if excitment is your priority. But it'll be a noticably less civilised companion when you're not playing. The WRX feels fast rather then mental, but is a superb all rounder. The WRX can be taken to STi levels of power fairly inexpensively and over 320bhp is also relatively inexpensively acheived from the STi. Both upgrades should not affect said car's reliability too. If you don't mind paying a bit extra, look for a car with the Prodrive Performance Pack, which are the official and warrantied performance add ons for the cars. Check with your insurance first, though. Even as std these can be difficult and expensive cars to insure; especially if you're under 25.

ns04

Martin2005

I paid about an extra £75 per year on my insurance for PPP

wilb

Thanks for the welcome and advice

corradoboy

Get quotes from A-Plan, Greenlight and Keith Michaels (Gary Moulson (Moley WRX)). These companies are very aware of Scooby mods and do not use them as an excuse to remove your trousers.

The £700 service you may have heard about probably included the cam-belt (60k on new-age) and maybe some other bits (brakes )

Many of the differences between WRX/STi are covered HERE. Bear in mind that a WRX PPP is actually quicker to 60 than an STi because it doesn't need a change to 3rd, has slightly less weight and almost the same power.

The comments on mpg are correct. Expect 22-24 av. 27-30 motorway (kept under boost) and below 20 in the twisties.

Rajaman

iTrader: (3)

"Your looking at about 27-29mpg."
I am Gobsmacked !!!

Ar you sure that your not PSLewis, I thought only he could achieve that kind of economy
I have had 3 new ages, 1st was Wrx PPP bugeye wagon ( written off in non fault accident ), 2nd was Standard blobeye Wrx which I started modding then got rid, Now got a 400 BHP Sti 7 which is heavily modified
There is a massive difference between the wrx, wrx ppp and sti, but I never saw more than 20mpg out of either of the wrx's, & I average less than 13 MPG now.
Sti new age have suretrac front and rear lsd's, a 6 speed box, Brembo brakes all round, engine is around 70% different + more
If you can live without all these go for a WRX PPP, but I could never go back to a WRX now after my STI
Hope this helps

GaryCat

I have a 03 WRX with PPP and regularly get over 30mpg on a motorway cruise at 80 or more.

The PPP is essential on the WRX as it is just too heavy for the standard 225bhp.

buckybri

i totally agree , i bought a wrx on a 02 plate standard 215 bhp it feels fast at first but u get used to it,and u want more ,so im having a full decat exhaust and a re map and hope this makes me smile a bit more ,but looking back i wish i had bought a sti.

C2forWRX

sounds like a bargain for 10k if its in good nick. 50 miles for £10, 100 miles for £20 I find for mine

wilb

0-62 in 5.9. How can that feel slow after a while?????

Went to have a look at the new shape wrx's today. Can get an import for £15,202. Very very tempted!

I thought it was weird how they all came with a cd and tape player! Do they all do this?

Also, warrenty, is it just the same on an import?

Thanks

tath

It will feel slow approximately 4.4 seconds after being out in a classic STI

powerman1

Just sold my 03WRX and got a 2.5 STI and i still cant believe the 0 to 60 is only 0.4 sec quicker than my old WRX The STI feels Bl00dy quick and never stops pulling and I know that an extra gear change at 57MPH is the reason but even so I still cant believe it...2.5 is a fantastic engine if only sounded a bit louder..
powerman

bugeyeandy

I've had my 01 WRX now for about six months and to answer your questions.

Servicing - £150 for a standard dealer six monthly service but anything on top rapidly increases that cost. Better going to a specialist with a lower labour rate for the bigger jobs.

Fuel economy - I easily get 25-30 mpg average including the slow commute to work so long as I don't give it the lead foot everywhere. A good blast will see that drop below 20mpg. I run mine on either standard unleaded or optimax depending on where I am and to be fair it adjusts quick enough for the difference to be negligable. Seems as soon as you tune it (PPP or tuning company) the fuel consumption ramps up to ridiculous levels.

It does feel slower now than when I first got it but after a long line of performance cars I can say this is the same for all of them, you just get used to it. An overtake from 50mph in 3rd will soon remind you of the grunt it's got though!!

Can't see me changing this car for a long, long time now.

p.s. The only other cost you might have to factor in is a tracker. My insurance insisted on one and many of the other insurers I contacted were the same.

wilb

Done the insurance quotes, best one came in at £912, so i'm now on the look out for a low mileage wrx under £13k (idealy not a blue one!). Best one i've seen so far is an 04 plate 1/2 leather interior (anyone got any pics of this interior) and only 13,000 miles, £12,750 or £10,000 ish with my part-ex
Just need to take my plate off my current car and get the loan applied for
If anyone else knows of any good deals, let me know please. £13k really is the maximum I can spend at the moment though.
Ta.

st3v3

try privelidge for your ins i pay£450 full comp,full ncd,tracker,no conv or accidents, on drive at night.

wilb

This was just a random 'confused.com' reply. I might give them a go. Thanks.