finalzero

Hi,

I am in the market to buy a 2004/2005 STi Type UK Impreza. I am specifically after the ones with the PPP fitted as the idea of 305 bhp without any mods (bar the prodive) sounds great and also due to having driven one a few times I am hooked.

I wanted some advice on what I should look out for on the car, the type of things that I should check when viewing the car and what I can expect from it when I get it home.

I have set myself some targets like making sure its below 35,000 miles, has full Subaru warranty, preferably 1 or 2 owners max and with full service etc and has to be a UK model (due to insurance). I wanted to know the kind of things to expect at that mileage and if I should be looking to service the car at any point beyond that mileage.

I have been looking around and I think I will probably get one from a Subaru approved dealer simply for piece of mind.

And finally, I plan to keep the car for a while so as and when my warranty runs out, what kind of sensible mods can I do to the car to get beyond the 305 bhp prodrive mods (e.g. exhaust etc) or am I looking at more serious work to go beyond the prodrive kit?

Oops one more question, do 18" rims fit straight on? If so anyone know what spec I should be looking for (width, offset etc)?

Thanks in advance,

Fz

COLZO

Hi mate
Had my 05STI PPP for around 15 months now with no problems to date (replaced my 03STI). If its on OE Bridgestone RE070 tyres be wary when cold in the wet and be cautious in the snow, in the dry they`re amazing. Upgrade to 18s and the size is 18x8.0 ET51, tyres on the wider track 04/05 MY are 235/40. If you find a PPP car make sure it has the Certificate to prove it. For a period of time Subaru were giving the PPP for free and some Insurance companies I`ve came across count this as standard, so no extra premium to pay for that particular MY!

bmac800

Get a MY05 STI rather than the MY04 one - the newer one has revised suspension and DCCD.From March 2005 they came with three years free servicing which is worth a fair bit and from April/May 2005 they came with a free PPP.Got mine in March 2005 and was pissed off to miss out on the free PPP.MY05 STI also has a different wheel stud pattern to the older cars.There is still brand new MY05 STIs sitting in some dealers - just do a search on Autotrader you may get a bargain.

paul2070

I am in the same position as you at the moment.

After selling my Classic Turbo,i have now decided to upgrade to an STI PPP,and think you will be very pleased.The cars i have been looking at come with the (expensive)optional Prodrive 18's,so you have no worry about them not fitting.

My only real advice,other than to check all things as you would anyway with a second hand car(hpi/accidents etc),is to be aware of the dealer mark up on these cars at the moment.

A 2003 car that i looked at with PPP and 18's and just 24k was valued at the dealer at 10k,with 11k being top(trade) book.................this is a car i am sure they would retail at possibly £16,995 looking at others this dealer had in,and that car could be bought privately for around 13k,so even after checks,an independent RAC style inspection(if you were that worried),and costing a service into it it would probably only owe you around 14.5k....................a significant saving!!!

PCM

My advice to both of you is..........BUY A JDM CAR and come and see me

scoobydooooo

if it's 2005 the studs are 114.1mm and the wheels will only fit that model car !! as the rest are 110mm .i think it was to clear the brembos

D00

I wish I could buy one for that price!

finalzero

I have no worries about the price, I work for a global automotive company so I am a lucky git in that I can buy any vehicle from our dealer network at dealer prices.

Will take a bit longer to source a good example but I am going to wait, currently we have a large selection of WRX STi's but no prodrives in 2005 reg but I have been told they do turn up often.

I did come across a fare few WR1's while I was querying our database so that is a possible option however I am not keen on the colour :P

Its 50/50 as I got a feeling by the time I get round to drumming up the finances I may well have to source a private sale to ensure I get the PPP variant.

Haha I wish I could get the JDM version, I know its a superior car but the insurance premium's would kill me.

So now I am down to 2 choices:

1. Colour, black or sonic blue?
or
2. WR1 model

I hate choices hehe

PCM

Insurance is the same if not cheaper from specialist like keith michaels and A plan.

I have my type ra insured against a wr1 with one of the major insurers.

eves

hi there, i was in the same position as you until 2pm today when i got myself an 2004 STI PPP hehe..........

Got her for £15000 24000 miles fssh, cant wait to pick her up monday now!!

marmski

Insurance isnt always. I went for a MY05 STi from a Subaru Dealer... and got it with just 11miles on the clock for 2nd hand money (was well impressed and am continuously everytime i drive it!!).

I couldnt get insurance from A-plan or Keith Michaels for less than 2k. Tesco on a Type UK is £1200 which is why i got mine.

Good luck on the search... the Impreza (and Evo) really show you what a car can achieve in terms of usuable performance.

paul2070

Well,look on the internet then like i did,there are plenty to choose from,especially if like me,you do a national search to get the best car available,and as the dealers are offering the sort of money they are at the moment,people are understandably willing to do a deal.

cw42

iTrader: (1)

Bear in mind PPP is considered by even subaru's own insurers as a modification to a standard car, and therefore atracts a hefty premium in some companies.

Like PCM says, you might be better off going for a standard jdm spec car if you can. Better in so many ways, and same if not cheaper insurance.

scuba_doo

I paid 18k for december 2004 sti ppp with dccd wider wheel track version and 4500 miles on it with a few other bits and pieces a year ago , click on view my scooby for pics . Dealer wanted 22k for same car but no wr1 grills or tints , turbo timer etc . But travelled 800 miles in total to collect the car ! but well worth it .

jayltee1

Have a look at Elephant - my premium was the same on a WRX with free PPP or the standard WRX. Even better was the fact that the STi and UK300 were even cheaper premiums! I know it depends on personal circumstances in the insurance lottery but worth a look.

Chelspeed

And the WR1 came with the 320ps engine mods as "standard" so often cheaper to insure than a PPP'd STi with 305ps.

COLZO

My 05 STI came with free PPP and Priviledge count this as standard, Actually got it cheaper than my standard 03 STI!

STEVECHAPS

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...-etc-sale.html

Mileage now shot up to 4700, open to offers, don't have to sell but would still like a diesel estate.

scooby-stu2

so which shape is the uk300 (sorry in advance for sounding dumb, there is just too many variations for me)

Bug Eyed Peas

Bugeye model.