Help!...first Scooby...which one to buy?
28 October 2001, 11:49 PM
#1
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mmm...decisions, decisions....
I have already decided to opt out from my Company's car scheme and to buy a scoob. The question is which one?
2 weeks ago I test drove a new UK WRX and was really impressed with almost everything about the car....except the performance was not quite up to the level I expected (not that the car was slow of course). No problem I thought, a PPP should make a big difference. £17K for an imported UK spec WRX and I can still afford £1600 for a PPP as this is still only £18600. Then I read (from this bbs) that a PPP will invalidate Belgum warranty (which is 3 years) and owners of imported vehicles may also have some difficulty getting their hands on a PPP. Therefore an new imported UK spec WRX + PPP is not really a viable option for me.
The remaining possibilities for me as I see them:
A new UK sourced WRX + PPP approx £23500 (to expensive for me so not an option)
An Imported UK spec STI approx £23500 (better value option but still too expensive for me and insurance costs around 50% more than standard UK WRX - not an option)
An new imported standard UK spec WRX £17000 (This is probably the most sensible option - new car with warranty and many improvements over the previous version I understand, but not quite the supercar performance I hoped for).
A MY98/99 STI approx £15-17K (Much quicker car I understand but never actually driven one. I have no idea what the car is like to live with long term. I do 16K miles/year of which 30% is motorway. I have no knowledge of parts costs or delivery times of parts for grey imports. Insurance is around 50% more than UK spec WRX and I assume fuel costs will be more too, but I think I might still be able to afford to run one).
A MY98/99 STI Type R approx £15-17K (Really quick I understand...otherwise I have the same concerns as listed above for MY98/99 STI, with additional concerns about refinement due to gear ratios and even greater concerns about fuel costs).
I would really appreciate advise from people with experience of owning these cars (particularly in the areas where I have highlighted concerns) to help me make a decision.
Regards
Spoons
I have already decided to opt out from my Company's car scheme and to buy a scoob. The question is which one?
2 weeks ago I test drove a new UK WRX and was really impressed with almost everything about the car....except the performance was not quite up to the level I expected (not that the car was slow of course). No problem I thought, a PPP should make a big difference. £17K for an imported UK spec WRX and I can still afford £1600 for a PPP as this is still only £18600. Then I read (from this bbs) that a PPP will invalidate Belgum warranty (which is 3 years) and owners of imported vehicles may also have some difficulty getting their hands on a PPP. Therefore an new imported UK spec WRX + PPP is not really a viable option for me.
The remaining possibilities for me as I see them:
A new UK sourced WRX + PPP approx £23500 (to expensive for me so not an option)
An Imported UK spec STI approx £23500 (better value option but still too expensive for me and insurance costs around 50% more than standard UK WRX - not an option)
An new imported standard UK spec WRX £17000 (This is probably the most sensible option - new car with warranty and many improvements over the previous version I understand, but not quite the supercar performance I hoped for).
A MY98/99 STI approx £15-17K (Much quicker car I understand but never actually driven one. I have no idea what the car is like to live with long term. I do 16K miles/year of which 30% is motorway. I have no knowledge of parts costs or delivery times of parts for grey imports. Insurance is around 50% more than UK spec WRX and I assume fuel costs will be more too, but I think I might still be able to afford to run one).
A MY98/99 STI Type R approx £15-17K (Really quick I understand...otherwise I have the same concerns as listed above for MY98/99 STI, with additional concerns about refinement due to gear ratios and even greater concerns about fuel costs).
I would really appreciate advise from people with experience of owning these cars (particularly in the areas where I have highlighted concerns) to help me make a decision.
Regards
Spoons
29 October 2001, 08:34 AM
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Or, since we're on this note, you can have my 320 BHP Lancer Evo4, for thousands less.
All the performance (and more) you want, but you can service it at UK dealers..........cos Mitsubishi aren't as **** as Subaru UK on such matters.
All the performance (and more) you want, but you can service it at UK dealers..........cos Mitsubishi aren't as **** as Subaru UK on such matters.
29 October 2001, 09:07 AM
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SPOONS,
How long ru thinking of keeping the car if more than a year, u could always enjoy the standard WRX (as an import) for a year, then PPP it after the manufacturers warranty has expired and then see if you can buy the 2nd and 3rd yrs from UK dealer. Your not paying any more for the extended from belgium, so same as those who've imported from holland, or import from holland.
Dont know what the UK dealers view is on sale of extended warranties to import owners, worth a thought though.
Boultsy
How long ru thinking of keeping the car if more than a year, u could always enjoy the standard WRX (as an import) for a year, then PPP it after the manufacturers warranty has expired and then see if you can buy the 2nd and 3rd yrs from UK dealer. Your not paying any more for the extended from belgium, so same as those who've imported from holland, or import from holland.
Dont know what the UK dealers view is on sale of extended warranties to import owners, worth a thought though.
Boultsy
29 October 2001, 09:37 AM
#7
g1ts!! 
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29 October 2001, 10:52 AM
#8
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Spoons,
I have a 1998 STi IV (which I'm not selling by the way). It is a superb car, no problem on long journeys, great fun on short ones.
Servicing is no problem at all - there are plenty of specialists around, some of whom post on here.
With all the extras it has as standard it makes sense over modifying a UK car as it's built for the purpose. MPG etc. is no different to a UK car (may even be slightly better).
Go for it, you won't regret it.
I have a 1998 STi IV (which I'm not selling by the way). It is a superb car, no problem on long journeys, great fun on short ones.
Servicing is no problem at all - there are plenty of specialists around, some of whom post on here.
With all the extras it has as standard it makes sense over modifying a UK car as it's built for the purpose. MPG etc. is no different to a UK car (may even be slightly better).
Go for it, you won't regret it.
29 October 2001, 04:48 PM
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I have a July 99 Sti5 type R and am well pleased with it. I have also added all the exhaust mods and eibach springs, nylon bushes, 17inch wheels, toyo tyres etc etc. Services are avaialble from SGT in Maidenhead (Subaru Dealer) , Scoobysport or Power Engineering etc etc.
You can buy an extension of warranty in Belgium but may have to go back there for a fix. Or fight it out in court as these are meant to be EEC wide contracts!!! I imported a BMW recently from Germany and then got a UK BMW main agent warranty extension for under a grand from Coopers. So it could be possible... Our minister should sort these conniving *******s out once and for all after all its the same car involved as it was ordered for UK spec...
Spares for Sti's seem to be OK in the UK. Most parts seem to be inter-exchangeable. So far i have had no grief and even so the names mentioned above can source parts for non UK cars.
cheers, Den
You can buy an extension of warranty in Belgium but may have to go back there for a fix. Or fight it out in court as these are meant to be EEC wide contracts!!! I imported a BMW recently from Germany and then got a UK BMW main agent warranty extension for under a grand from Coopers. So it could be possible... Our minister should sort these conniving *******s out once and for all after all its the same car involved as it was ordered for UK spec...
Spares for Sti's seem to be OK in the UK. Most parts seem to be inter-exchangeable. So far i have had no grief and even so the names mentioned above can source parts for non UK cars.
cheers, Den
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