badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Hi there,

Put a deposit down on an 05 STi today. Haven't seen the car in the flesh but the photos/description seem ok! Only problem is, it is in Sheffield and I am in Scotland. Popping down on Saturday to have a peek and hopefully do a deal. This will be my first Subaru and though I have done a lot of searching over the years I've got to say I am a bit of a virgin. I have had several demo cars in the last 3 - 4 years but ultimately have always gave up on the idea of owning one - until now!
I can now look at this car as a "toy", serious though it is, as I don't have to rely on it as our families main mode of transport.
So, the inevitable questions, to hopefully allow a sensible decision to be reached on this particular car, coz if I said is it fast mate? and he said yes sir I'd just pay up!

1 What impreza/sti specific problems should I look out for/be aware of? The car has done 26K - Subaru history and one(maybe two) owners

2 Given the mileage (high for an sti?) will I have to look forward to anything nasty soon? Service? Clutch? etc. or is as the car is still under warranty can I rest easy - 1yr warranty left.

3 It ain't PPP'd. Is this the thing to have or are there better alternatives?
Obviously there will be different opinions and I respect that but whats the Scoobynet boost of choice?

4 How does everyone feel about fully stickered cars? I feel that there is no getting away from what the car is. It is the closest road going car to any top level motorsport car. It is already in yer face, so why not give it a good prod? I am pretty sure I am going to get mine fully done as I think it deserves to be!

5 Any advise, comments, thoughts most welcome. Look forward to sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Is this Scooby Live thingy worth a look?

Thanks for reading and look forward to bombarding you all with a million questions.

SPEN555

Oh Yes! Be some interesting cars there.

GazTheHat

Hi & welcome to the group!

There's a scotland section here too.

1) Clonking rear struts. Can be changed under warranty no worries.

2) Nerr, that's not high at all. Can't remember what's on the 30k, as i'm only 24k myself. I don't think it's anything major though. Other services (S&S - Ayr) have been around £180-220 IIRC.

3) I personally wouldn't bother, there are much better alternatives. Check out Powerstation's website, they have customised packages there that will give you an idea of cost, changes and figures to achieve. Circa £1300 for Stage 1 Power (320bhp)

People generally got the PPP to retain warranty. Although there are other dealers who do no mind non-PPP mods (as long as it's not engine!! )

4) Just read as much as you can on here to get clued up. Use the search function - very handy for regular questions/answers. And ignore some of the idiots who seem to hang around.

scoobchrissy

iTrader: (1)

Hi mate and welcome

Firstly just make sure there's no knocks coming from the back. (strutts)
no major service yet.
if bothered about warranty then get it pppd, if not then get it mapped.
if you like stickered cars then thats your choice mate, just drive it and enjoy

bob r

iTrader: (46)

Ok mate, good choice of car.: nono::l ol: :roll eyes:

rob2006

iTrader: (1)

Rear strutts, open the boot and bounce each side. if it clonks then you could have a problem.

Not a clue whats involved there as i have an 03 STI and i'm over that millage. 50K is the big one tho!

I have PPP on mine, it was like that when i bought it so cant comment on standard power, but i think its rather good Saying that i am saving a few £££ for an andy forrest remap!!

In your case with a years warrently left i wouldn't bother with PPP as you may as well just get it set up at a local specialised outlet.

I dont think you should personally... thats all i'm gonna say on this matter

Get it HPI'd... only 24.99 from the RAC

I dont even know what that is... maybe i'll investigate myself. although i dont see the point as its going to be somwhere in england and i cant be a*sed with the 12hour drive each way.

Look forward to your new toy... you'll love it

bmac800

If you are lucky there may be free servicing for three years on the car - Subaru were doing a deal on all new cars at the start of 2005.Got PPP on mines a month ago and does make a big difference.

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

It's a parallel import!

What to do - does anyone know - should I leave alone?

The car is about 2.5k cheaper than it maybe could be and they are giving me 2 years warranty - for what it may be worth.

I maybe should just leave it be - or would there be a load of you who would say it doesn't matter a bit - go for it!

HELP!

SivMY05Sti

Just had 30K service - £460.......just for info, probably be cheaper from an Independant specialist if needed.

If your gonna keep it for 3/4 years I would'nt think the import thing is a major issue - they all depreciate madly anyway...

PPP is quality, but loads more Options for less money, although probably cost more to insure..

TNE

Welcome.

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Own business with trade insurance already - so insurance doesn't enter into it!

More thoughts on the parallel import - whats the negatives over a UK car?

There must be loads of parallels on here with tales to tell - need help - I'm leaving at six in the morning to go and see it!

Thanks again!

Prasius

iTrader: (1)

From what your saying about the price I will make the assumption that its an EU import - and all I can say is that there seems to be plenty of people buying EU imports on here at the moment.

Can't see why it would be anything to worry about myself.

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Can anyone point out a realistic price for the car - 2 years old to the day, 05 sti, is wide track, cccd model, 26k, two owners, subaru history, import from cyprus - british forces originally - it is NOT however registered with Subaru UK. Is this a big prob? Looking at paying 14.3K with two year independant warranty and gap insurance for policy term? Who says yeah?

scoobchrissy

iTrader: (1)

Seems a decent price altho i would try them cheaper £13,750 What colour is it + where abouts in sheffield are you going for it???? i might have seen it..

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

It's in Mitsubishi Dealer, WR Blue - will just have to take it on merit tomorrow and decide - may try to take in a few dealers on the way!

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

After a 500 mile round trip - the deal is done

Not, however on the aforementioned vehicle. Sat up to 1am last night searching for STi's between me and Sheffield, and as you do, just that little bit further, to check out along the way - anyway decided to head straight for Beechdale in Derby (cue - Oh my god not them ) to gain a fair idea of what was available as opposed to the "cheap" import.

Left there an hour later as the very excited owner of this:



It's sept 05, 55, 14kmiles, 1 owner, seems absolutely mint, has new tyres all round (something to do with other wheels I think he said) and it cost - well - maybe I should ask what you all think I should or could have paid - that would be a better laugh!

Then I trundled over to Sheffield to get my deposit back - the car was pretty rough and had been registered to Motor Depot for all it's days - no Subaru history, Cypriot car just a dissapointment and not for me.

Overall absoutely delighted but with seven or more sleeps till collection I am going to struggle! Still, plenty of time to research, talk to you guys and generally learn all about my new TOY

Prepare to be bombarded with questions

mattblue

Looks great, im on the look out for the same spec, im going to guess at £16,995

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

****!

Busted - £17000, you're not the salesman by any chance?

I thought it was a good price given what is on the Subaru website - There are a few 05 plates for £20k

Good luck with the search - you may have to travel to get what you want,

I can't sleep - gonna have to wait at least a week, my little girls birthday is next Saturday and Subaru dealers don't do Sundays Never mind been awake since 5am this morning and can only hear the flat four throb in my head.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

I'll be dead by next week.
I want my Mummy!

mattblue

nope not the salesman lol, just been looking at the same places as you have probably lol....it is quite funny looking on the subaru uk website, with the differences in prices... some places are 17k for a 03 plate, some are it for a 55 plate...i've til the end of may for mine, so will definately choosing wisely.

scooby222

excellent choice of car mate,looks very similar to whats on my driveway
my first recomendation would be a set of prodrive(or other) springs and a geometrty set up. a uk car at that age will be either ppp or free servicing but of you want more ponies an aps induction kit and full 3" exhaust system and remap by andy forrest in port seton will give you all you ever want.
go for the graphics,they always come off!
have a look at the scootish section of the sidc.co.uk and finally,enjoy!

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Thanx 222,

What mods did you have done?

Warranty issues?

Stickers are doubtful, I have friends who are big time vinyl manu/fitters and very professional. He will not duplicate the graphics for copyright reasons unless I get written permission from each and every one - not bloody likely!

Is the STi standard suspension that bad?

Are the Brembo brakes adequate?

So much to take in and still over 7 sleeps to go until collection.

I am hoping the dealer can pick me up from East Midlands Airport as it's only £30 to fly down - cheaper than driving down and back!

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Finally, all sorted - had to pay £67 to fly down Friday morning - can you believe they don't do Sundays or Bank Holidays - when do they sell cars??

Only 3 sleeps and the third one is doubtful - can't wait - like a child - in mind at least! They're gonna pick me up from airport - nice chaps - get the tax on then it's unfortunately 240 miles of motorway before the fun begins. Tbc . . .

GazTheHat

I know how you feel, i was the same.

I also took a one way flight down to buy the car and had a nice drive up, not believing i had and was driving the car.

reano

iTrader: (2)

We were all the same but to answer some specifics

1) No the suspension is not that bad (compared to a normal family car) but you have a Subaru and you are now cursed like the rest of us so next up will be at least the Powerstation stage 2 (whitelines, springs, etc) or similar and you will think your driving a different car. hehe now I've said it will be on your mind ...
2) The Brembo brakes are fine compared to a normal sports car or family saloon but your driving a subaru and you will want to feel that extra stopping power at some stage. At minimum try getting better pads like the ferrado (or whatever) 2500 and brake hoses upgrade and 5.1 fluid. Next stage is Bigger disc's, AP Racing 6 pots
3) The Power as standard is just fine (but your not just fine) you've got an incredible driving machine with at least another 80bhp just from the standard internals (inc turbo) just waiting to be unleashed. To get this unleashed forget PPP go to TSL, Powerstation, etc and get the exhaust changed, induction sorted and a remap and if you have the two points above you will be laughing!

Now when you first get the car you ask yourself what was this guy talking about but then the weeks will go by and you get used to the power (unbelievable but yes) and then the upgrades start. Plenty of others too

Noisekiller, auto cooler spray, better stereo, 18" wheels, upgrade suspension AST, Tein, Clifford anti jack alarm, reverse indicator, short shift gear lever, engine management readers, ....... too late for me save yourself ......

badbaz

iTrader: (17)

Haven't even picked the car up yet, and feel the need already!