I-Roboto-san

Since I first saw McRae (94/95) take the Subaru to new heights I have listed it as the car of my dreams. Now as a mature man in a good job I can finally consider owning one myself.

I have a full clean DL and a good insurance history (ie. never had a single claim). the only detractor is the area I live in.

The advice I seek is this...

I have about 10K to spend on a Subaru (can stretch to 11.5 if needs), and have been looking at Sti models from dealers so I at least have some recourse if things go wrong.

My main requirments are that the car has been well maintained and that I could expect a good 3 to 5 years of trouble free driving. By that I mean not having to make any big repairs, so the main outlay would be regular servicing (oh yea, and fuel ).

I have been looking at black Sti's of various flavours and specs and have seen a few that made me consider busting open my piggybank but I am just too nervous at the thought of parting with 10k for a car I know little about in a technical sense.

I know alot about electronics, networks, chemistry, entomology and quite a few other things, but I am a retard when it comes to the mechanics of a car.
All of my friends tell me I am mad to think of buying a Subaru (even madder when I say Sti). They say things like "people who have Sti's spend ages with the hood up perving over their baby, tinkering with this, adjusting that" or "you need to be a petrol head to own one of those cars".
I am neither a competent engine man nor a petrol head, just an avid admirer of the philosophy behind the car and the beast itself.

I so want to own a subaru but I am getting so many detractors telling me I could get a BWM this or an Audi that, That the BMW has all of these features (then list hundereds of toys) and an Audi can do this and has that for the money you are spending.

Pffffffffffffffff I dont know what to do!

Any advice would be more then welcome.

ATB.

Marc.

andy.downes

iTrader: (1)

I think everybody who thinks about getting scoob gets grief from everybody about why NOT to get one. It usually falls into these catagories;

1) they are expensive
2) they are expensive to run
3) they are expensive to insure
4) they are expensive to service
5) you'll kill yourself in one

I bought my first scoob when I was 23, ownership is a little expensive but you've got to remember. Most people who own one do it as kind of a hobby so its only as much as spending thousands on Golf.
Ownership is not as expensive and racked with misery as everybody who DOESN'T own one make out. Lets face it, people who don't own one have NO idea how it runs, how expensive etc etc.
Just get one mate, if you can't afford it, ebay it. The only killer for me in ownership is the six monthly service intervals which I get done at a Subaru garage to keep up the full subaru service history.

Andy

I-Roboto-san

This is what I kinda thought. The guys making the comments have never been behind the wheel and more then not have been passed a few times.

If I get the car I want then I expect sm1 with alot more experience then me to be servicing it.
I would be expecting to be spending around 1k pa on keeping the car in good order with the right fluids and boots.

I guess I will need to create a to do list of things that need checking on at weekly/monthly/yearly intervals. and that most problems with these cars are due to neglect of such things.

haroldhettaturbo

iTrader: (2)

Eyup m8

iv had a cav sri, astra gsi and a calibra turbo.


I absoulty love my scoob its only a my99. If you can only have one for a year its worth.

running cost ect are only like any other quick car. Spent far more on my others than the scoob.

my m8 who i bought it of just bought a 24000 m3 to get the same buzz

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

do any of your friends have an impreza if not how can they say you'll spend all your time tinkering about with the engine i expect all they have seen is the jap car mags with the high powered imprezas from people like Zen performance and Andy f (just 2 examples).
As andy.downes said people who don't own them don't know how expensive they are to run, yes they are thirsty cars if pushed and can go through tyres.
Servicing a scooby is just like servicing any other car and as you said if you neglect the car it will break.
So bollocks to the people who say buy a beemer or audi and buy what you want.
If say what area you're from people can point you to where the best subaru specialists are.

I-Roboto-san

Thanks guys, The more I hear from you guys the more secure I feel about the decision to go Subaru.

To let you know how bad i've got it, I just saw a wrx on my way to the diy store. I had to stop and look at it. Even got out my phone and took pictures! I have never done that with any other car.

My nearest scooby world is fox subaru in orpington. I think it may be a good idea to visit them and see if I can swat up on my scooby education.

Q. Is there anything I should keep clear of. ie, certain mods, models, years ect. where there is a known problem?

atb

Marc.

I-Roboto-san

Let me answer andy.downes questionare.

1) they are expensive
2) they are expensive to run
3) they are expensive to insure
4) they are expensive to service
5) you'll kill yourself in one

1. Yes I have 10k in cash to treat myself.
2. The other option I had in mind was a Jag sport, and that drinks some.
3. I have clean DL and never made a single claim. I am over 35.
4. I would rather pay for a service then a large mechanical failure.
5. This would be my preference in coffin chic.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

If you're looking to buy an import imo best to avoid one that has got an aftermarket ecu or has lots of electronics like fuel cut defenders, boost controllers unless they have been put on the car in this country so you can check up on the history of who did it and why.
check www.sidc.co.uk for the faq on classic shaped imprezas

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

lol, only time i have the bonnet up is to clean under it

you've got to expect to spend over £500 a year on services and there's a few big ones to get ready for.

i've been driving scoobies for over 6 years now (on my third now) and the most they've ever cost me, aside from normal wear & tear things, is £80 for a MAF sensor and £120something for a cambelt tensioner. that's it.

only tinkering is done by yourself putting new toys on i know jack about how the car runs and yeah, if a problem does arise i'll be throwing myself at the mercy of a dealer, but my neighbour's bmw has spent more time in the garage than mine has.

buy it, drive it, keep it serviced up to date and you should enjoy many miles trouble free motoring

I-Roboto-san

Yes, I have read some of the arguments for and against imports on this forum.
I dont think I would go with an import for my first scoob, I would consider looking at this option when I am in a better position.

-----------

cheers hoskib

Marc.

corradoboy

With £11.5k you're squarely into MY02 STi (7) and MY03/04 WRX (with PPP) territory. The 03 car is the better looking [flame suit on] and with PPP I believe is a little more powerful than the 02 STi (265PS vs. 245PS IIRC). Stay away from aftermarket dump valves (BOV) as they add nothing to performance and can cause running and reliability problems. Chav body mods are best avoided too, including Lexus style lights. Most cars will have had some mods, but only time on here and experience will tell you what you think is worthwhile. My preference is for handling mods as, contrary to popular opinion, the Scoob isn't a great handling car. It's a car with massive amounts of grip that will catch you out with either rampant understeer or brake failure. A few quid spent wisely on the chassis, suspension and brakes will make for not only a safer car, but a faster one, with better reliability.

CONSIDER