darrens_here

Hi all,

totally newbie to this site, and first post is asking for your advise !!! bloody cheek of it !!!

Anyhow, looking for a new car this weekend, was looking at S3's / GTI golf's etc etc, never really liked imprezas (gets booted off after first thread !!!) anyhow, came across a red WRX 2004,,, and absoultely fell in love !!! Dont know what it is, but loved the red.... guess its a bit different from the blue / gold etc that I normally see.

Anyhow, came away SERIOUSLY thinking of getting it, but wanted to do some research first, and scoobynet was my first prt of call..

Just need some pointed , thats all.

Its a 2004, WRX, 15'000 miles, clean , no scuffs on wheels of anything, immaculate inside, and up for around £10500.....

So, would it be a good deal ?
What should I be looking out for, and will it cost a ortune to run ?!?

Any advise would be gratefully recieved. No doubt this has been asked before, and I will be trawling the threads later in the day, when I get a spare moment.........
thanks
Darren

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

I fell in love with a red 04 WRX myself, they do look great in red, but i ended up doing a little saving and buying a new one.

Most important thing is the full service history. The price seems about right to me but if you have an extra 3-4k in the budget you can get a brand new hawkeye version.

As for running costs, i cant explain how much fuel these things use!! 28MPG is an average for the WRX if you take it easy, push it and your looking at 15MPG or even less. What i have found though, is that i dont feel the need to boot it everywhere, unlike other cars i have owned, as it has power on tap as and when you need it.
The other issue may be insurance, there are some good insurers but check out what it will cost you before you pay out any money. Keith Michaels may be a good company for you to try.

Hope this helps,
Ian

darrens_here

Ian, thanks for quick response.

Im struggling to justify anymore in the budget. I have a "play thing" at home in the shape of a 636 ninja, so cant really justify another 3-4K unfortuantly, budget is 10K !!

Im pretty relaxed about driving (well at the moment) and probably wont be needing to drive the nuts off it, just the thought of having the power there is usually enough...... (wink wink !!) yeah right !

The car is untouched in terms of mods, and standard, which is just how I like to keep things, insurances isnt to bad in fact, not that much more than the Audi I was looking at ... so no problems there.....

Can someone give me a quick run down of the models ?!?!?!?!? Im a lazy b'stard !! lol

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

I got a 2003 WRX for £9k nearly a year ago, Red, FSSH, 19k miles with 5 months Subaru proven warranty remaining. It was a private sale so £10.5k from a dealer sounds about right.

As for the running costs, the car has never let me down mechanically, new front discs and pads and a full service has cost me about £500 in the time I've had it.

MPG wise I get about 18 - 21 commuting, on a run I once managed 29.6 and that was at a steady 80-90mph.

They are a great car and once you get used to the power it has, easily modified to do a whole lot more

Go and buy it, that's my advice

evilpob

I recently bought a WRX with PP pack for 13k..

and have to say i love it...

the sound, the drive...

i would say test drive one and your end up buying it...

WRX Blues

I am another red WRX owner. This is scooby number seven for me but my first red one. I think it looks better than all of the others. Price sounds about right - go for it - you shouldn't be disappointed and they are easier than most to keep clean and shiny!

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

It sounds like a great car to be honest . Worth getting it HPI'd though for peace of mind since its only done 15k you want to know it hasnt spent 6 months at a breakers waiting for someone to fix it up. Its not too likely though as many scoobs are only used on weekends.

As for models, there is the WRX 2.0 turbo, WRX SL 2.0 turbo with leather and sunroof, WRX UK 300 limited edition with some cosmetic mods and PPP, WRX Sti and a variety of other high power low weight limited versions of the Sti. All the above can be fitted with PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack).
Standard WRX is 225 hp, with PPP is 260hp and Standard Sti is 260hp i think and closer to 300hp with PPP.

Wow, i didnt know i had learned so much, i was like you when i first came here

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Haggle for £10k and get it re-mapped. The difference is pretty impressive and the fuel consumption on the three I have had to date have gone up!

You will now be filled with some serious tripe but filter it out and you will get some good advice.

As stated Insurance is an issue, shop around and you will get some top deals. I now pay less for my Legacy import than I did for my UK WRX Wagon.

Welcome to the bottomless pit of "oh what next?"

darrens_here

Guys, thanks a lot, good info indeed. Have been thinking more and more about it, and will probably book a test drive sometime this week.......

To be honest, Im not that interested in modifying the car... have never been one to modify cars or bikes, and not really that interested in gettng it chipped to increase performance (or is remapping a differnet thing altogther ?!?!?) , as my bike satisfies my "urges"......... that said, bike is in the garage most of the winter, so who knows.......

having just flicked through the site, I have noticed one of my best mates is on here, (he owns an STI - and I always said I didnt like impreza's!!!! ) wonder if he will realise !!!! lol.

IF i do buy it , will put it in for a professional valet / detail , do you know of anyone local to me (south east essex?!?!). I dont mind keeping a car clean, but im fooked if im spending 8 hours polishing, spend enough time cleaning the bike , need to spend more time riding / driving !!!

darrens_here

Also, what should I be looking for when inspecting the car? Anything in particular?

bluenosewrx

iTrader: (2)

I am also a Red car owner, But of a Spec C(View my Scooby), i had a WRX before and although the performance is like chalk and cheese i did love the WRX, fantastic car and with 4 doors and a boot you could lug loads about, i traded it in and got a 350Z, cracking car but i missed the Scooby, i then got the Spec C,Un fuc*ing beleivable performance.

I say go for it, but be prepared to get little things done even though you say you wont,i bet within 6 months you will have got the bug,lol.

Good luck anyway.

Mac

redragon

have got a wrx in red too get it m8y

escott

iTrader: (1)

I was in a similar position to you, was looking for my first good car, main criteria were it needed to fit the family in, be quite quick and handle well. Initially I was looking for a manual BMW 325/530/535/540, with a budget of 8 grand. Couldn't quite find what I wanted for the money though so started thinking about alternatives.

I got talking to a fellow car nut friend who had just bought a 2003 WRX Wagon and that got me thinking. I'm not a big fan of the normal saloon, but the Wagon looks really nice (in my opinion). Like you, I wanted a completely standard one - remember this was my first nice car.

In the end I tracked one down at Monty's Subaru in Sheffield, a 2002 Silver WRX Wagon with 47 on the clock, for £8k. Even though it's 200 miles away from me, I knew this was the right car - as it's through Subaru proven it comes with a years Subaru warranty.

It does have one modification - a Subaru WR Sport exhaust, which makes it sound better without being loud, and supposedly improves throttle response a bit, although I haven't driven one without it.

The verdict - I LOVE IT! I'm so glad I got this instead of the BM. It really is great to drive, and although the interior isn't up there with BMW/Audi etc, it really is much better to drive than the equivalent price German saloon.

As an introduction to fast cars, I don't think I could have chosen better. Your car for that money sounds great, as long as it all checks out. I would recommend that you check out Subaru proven - a 1 year Subaru warranty gives real piece of mind, they usually know the owner so can tell if it's been cared for or not.

Not sure where you are, but I would highly recommend Monty's in Sheffield - a really nice honest bunch.

escott

iTrader: (1)

A few more things which might help.

Insurance - intially looked scary, until I got a quote from Privilege - £500 including protected no claims, 5 years no claims, 3 points, parked on the road in London (I'm 33). I did need to get a Tracker fitted though.

So far getting 27mpg from it - sounds like I drive like you, sensible most of the time but like putting my foot down occasionally.

Make sure the tires show a lot of tread - a new set is expensive. Same goes for disks. Make sure the dealer has checked supension bushes.

Take it for a good test drive. Make sure you have a chance to accelerate hard uphill - if any lights start flashing this can indicate an emissions problem.

See how it pulls away - make sure the clutch feels smooth.

Of course, insist on full service history, this is very important with these cars. Ideally from a Subaru dealer, if not then make sure they are a Subaru specialist.

Lastly - if you want to listen to music in the car replace the rubbish standard radio and speakers!

Hope this helps.

darrens_here

Thanks all, and scott (twice!).

I shall be calling them tomorrow, to arrange a test drive on saturday, so will be looking closer then. Its not with a subaru dealer, but the details say it has full service history.

Have checked the insurance online quote, seems pretty reasonable (im 35, 9year ncb so it should be!!!) lol). will be checking with my insurance company tomorrow (no doubt get ripped off for the remaining year !!!)

I'll let you all know how it goes........ maybe I'll post a piccie if it happens on saturday !

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

If you havnt driven one yet you will be hooked after 10 min and be begging the dealer to take your money.

Hope you enjoy it mate

DavidJohn

Having had my black 52 plate WRX for just over 2 months now I can agree with everything everyones said so far.Especially the fuel consumption! but its a performance car not a Nissan Micra. I bought private for £8500 with 30k on the clock. I will say I got it inspected by the AA just to be sure. As far as insurance Im now paying less than I did for a 1995 Golf GTI 16v with some body mods. Tried the Golfs insurers but Adrian Flux werent good to say the least. Went with Privelege in the end as they matched everything I had on the Golfs insurance and still saved me a few quid.Im 38 with 12 years no claims and garaged.
But Ive enjoyed every minute of owning it so far and I regularly get a wave off other owners which is more than I did when I was with other car clubs.

Flaps

iTrader: (1)

I had the same experience, they wouldn't even insure me on the WRX! I ended up loosing 10 months no-claims and going for A-Plan listed on here. Have a browse through the insurance section and make a few calls, you might save even more money.

darrens_here

My No1 toy is a Ninja 636r, so I get a fair few nods and waves on that from other bikers.......

Its funny, because I always said that the bike gives me more than enough thrills, and I dont need a "flashy" car, but now the winter is coming, and the bike is being put away for hibernation I need something else to play with (yes Iam a fair weather biker - so what!!!) , also as I said previously, Imprezas have never really floated my boat,,, but for some reason, I was drawn to this red one, and couldnt walk away.................. anyhow, booking test drive for the weekend, have monies sorted, and insurance at the ready, so who knows...............

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Nothing wrong with being a fair weather biker. My brother is into bikes in a big way and ran his first bike, CBR 600, through summer and winter and swears he will never do it again. Salt got into everything, and bits he couldnt reach to clean and maintain started to rust, mostly cosmetic but still a pain in the ****!
I almost convinced him to get a WRX a few months ago ready for the winter but he went out and spent the few quid he had going spare on a bike upgrade, a Limited Edition GSXR 1000 TT Model. Bloody crazy bike !!! He drives a battered TD Mondeo through the winter and the thought of the bike seems to get him through. Dont know if i could do it myself.

ScoobyMaz

iTrader: (1)

Didn't think you was serious about turning to the dark side and buying an impreze, especially after the grief you gave me when I got mine. Welcome aboard, you will enjoy it.
I have taken a couple of bikers out in mine and they feel the acceleration is more exhilerating than that of a bike. I wouldn't know as I haven't ridden a bike.

As for the detailing, send a pm to mneame (Matt), nice guy who is starting out in the detailing world, comes highly recommended, and I want him to do mine before hthe tunnel run.

darrens_here

Maz,

Ive said for years, the offer is there for a go on the back of the bike,,,, albeit you could never get the feel of the full accerlation as its slower two up, but still,,,,,, the thing flies - scares the crap out of me !!!!

As for "turning to the dark side"... lol...... I still not that keen on them, just the red one does look very sexy !!!! was looking at the Audu A3 of Golf GTI, but just cant stretch that far to get a low milegae one,,,,, BUT this is about on budget and low miles..... hopefully be able to do the deal tomorrow !! Will no doubt let you know !!

ScoobyMaz

iTrader: (1)

The STi is no contest for a standard golf GTI or Audi S3, not too sure about a WRX though. Hope the test drive goes ok tomorrow, if you fancy coming along to the cruise tomorrow night let me know. Me and Brad are going, then we have a little mission to do after the meet (Tunnell Run Commitee memebers only )

darrens_here

oh, and already spoken with Matt about cleaning the car, depends on what deal I strike, as to how much I have spare, and what i spend it on........ cleaning or ICE.....

The car is pretty clean itself, a few stone chips a little scratch on the bumper, and probably needs a good going over to reach Matts standards, but its ok for now........ mind you, getting it done now, will protect it fo the winter I guess...