v8voodoo

Having recently returned from another trip back home to Wales from Dover, I think I'm falling out of love with my Scoob.

I've done around 8000 miles in her now, but still can't seem to make >smooth< progress. I'm still finding the throttle very switch like and that's with wearing thin soled trainers and being gentle too. As soon as boost comes in it really shoots forward, with this happening at 2500-3000rpm, it's getting to be something of a yo-yo ride, making it tiring to drive a long way in even normal traffic. I could indeed drive off boost, ie under 2800rpm, but I'd like to make reasonable progress and without snapping mine and my passengers heads backwards and forwards and giving us all headaches..lol!! Is it my driving style or is it the car..? I never had this issue with my 03 wrx, so I'm wondering if it's just a charcteristic of the STi..?

Stopping for fuel every 200 miles and searching for what seems to be slowly disappearing SUL is also starting to bother me. Why didn't they fit a bigger tank..?!!

Next issue I have [flame suit on] is the ride. It's so bumpy and crashy it's driving me mad. On the motorways if it's a bit bumpy or one of those god-awful concrete roads I just want to turn off, park up and walk away. It makes passengers feel sick and gives me neck ache. Has anyone tried to put their head back to rest their neck on a long motorway drive..? Don't do it..!! Again, not an issue I had in the wrx, but solely in this current car. I told myself it would get better over time with the shocks and springs bedding in nicely, but it still hasn't happened. I'm on standard everything still, RE070's included.

So, I've sort of reached a point in my car driving "career" where I think I'm p*ssed off with my car. When I go out for a hoon in it, I love it. When I try to use it for all round stuff, I'm beginning to not like it any more. My thoughts include this:

1. Fit prodrive springs and normal tyres to the existing car in the hope it changes the ride beyond comprehension (F1's or Vredestein Ultracs) and get the dealer to check the electronic throttle scaling. (Could be throwing £ away if it doesn't work).

2. Test drive the new STi to see if it drives and feels better over longer distances and if it does, p/x my spec d and blow all my savings on it and convince myself it's a nice looking car.

3. Buy a used 535d (blowing all my savings) and revel in the economy, comfy ride and still reasonable performance and buy some slippers and a pipe to match.

4. Buy an almost new 123d (blowing all my savings), let people think I'm a rep, wear a paper bag on my head and revel in the economy, performance, cheap tax and err...other things.

5. Buy a nearly new S3. Don't know what the performance and ride is like yet though.

I have an old snotter I run about locally in, so I don't use it for that. I only really use it for trips over 30 miles, a nice run out to a restaurant or something in the week, the odd hoon on a weekend and for the run back to Wales every couple of months.

What are your thoughts snetters...? Have I lost the plot..?

Confused and upset Nige.


ETA: I'm only 34 and a 110% petrolhead.

djmisio85

Seems like your driving the wrong car mate.....how old are you by the way?
The best subaru is a raw car, hard shocks, harsh acceleration loud (just my opinion)

As for not being able to drive off boost comfortably, i think thats just your driving (no offence meant)
When I first got my car, i used to hit boost without realising, but now that I understand what boost is, and along with a boost guage, I can drive off boost all day long, whether it be 3000 or 5000 revs. If you slam down the the gas pedal, of course its gona boost, if your gentle, then no problemo. Just gota let ur driving flow......

mike

Elmer Fudpucker

I was never very keen on my 07.Infact at first I hated it with a vengeance.
Never have I stalled a car so much,due mainly to the fly-by-dire throttle I'm sure and as you say motorway driving wasn't too clever at all with such a tall 6th gear.(which must give a 70-100mph time of about 15 minutes!)

I had Eibach springs and 18'' wheels fitted from day one so can't comment on the std ride,altho from past experience with RE070's I think it would be more comfortable to ride around on just bare rims

Eventually I plumped for the PPP,it's certainly transformed the car for the better.Much more flexible mid range so you'll no longer be playing tunes on the gearbox to make progress in higher gears like when on the motorway.

No more stalling woes and with the extra torques it makes the car a lot easier to drive slowly like in heavy traffic etc

I'd prolly also have to admit,not being much of a petrol head,that I bought the wrong car for me....as I'm just of to work in me pick-up truck now,the Impreza hasn't seen the light of day for nearly 3 weeks.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Sounds like maybe you would be better suited to a WRX

davedipster

The std sti needs ppp/remap, cos it's so laggy as std and can be painful as std.
Also get some michelin ps2's, I wore out my re070's and went for the michelins-much better ride and still great wet/dry grip.

All sorted, and now a great mile muncher.

dipster.

madisonmonkey

iTrader: (4)

Sounds to me like you bought the wrong car. STI's don't do refined, even if they are spec D.

I sold my 03STI for similar reasons to yours and bought an M5. Loved it, kept it two years, sold it to buy something sensible. Bought a spec C

I came back because I love Subaru's. You have to love them or you wouldn't put up with the;

bad ride
shocking fuel cosumption
high insurance costs
high servicing costs
massive depreciation
flaky interiors
poor image

Sell it and get something sensible. But be warned, if you've an ounce of petrol in your veins (and haven't won the lottery ), you'll be back.

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day....and for the rest of your life.....Well maybe not the rest of your life but you get the idea

monkey.

escott

iTrader: (1)

Go back to a WRX and get one with PPP or some sublte mods/remap so you dont miss out on the performance too much. Also saves you a bit of money.

Maybe go for a Wagon? They are miles better after all :-)

Paul3446

It all depends what you buy, I've got a standard MY00 classic and I have to say:

bad ride - I find the ride is just about right
shocking fuel cosumption - 23 mpg
high insurance costs - £400
high servicing costs - £180 for a main service at a specialist
massive depreciation - bought for £12,995 5 years ago, now worth about £5,500
flaky interiors - I've never been bothered by Japanese plastic, still looks pretty much like new and everyone comments on the nice seats
poor image - I'd say about 95% of people say they love my car, but then it's not loud and covered in add-ons and stickers

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

FFS dont fit Prodrive springs or shocks -I've got them on my classic and you might as well just have four scaffolding poles as shocks - they arent ideal for ride comfort !

It might be worth considering some adjustable shocks - the sort you can set really soft for normal driving, but can firm up if you are going for a blast and want better handling.

The jerkiness does sound like a setup problem though, either that or your right foot is a bit heavy. Lots of Imprezas jerk like mad from cold, but once warmed up should be smooth ( unless you are just booting it everywhere and trying to do fast gear changes - maybe try slipping the clutch more when you change to smooth it out ? ).

cster

As above.
You need to get PPP or similar mod for torque.
Ditch the RE070s - I run Michelien PS2s and save the 070's for track days.
I got Prodrive springs which were a bit better, but recently changed to the type 25 package from Powerstation which totally (unbelievably) improves the handling, but crucially gives a much softer ride (strange but true) and you can adjust the stiffness!
On the downside these mods will cost you about 3k.
I don't know if Subaru are doing half price on the PPP yet - they normally do when a newer model comes out. As it is just a backbox and a remap you could use a different exhaust and remap for cheaper.
20 - 23 mpg seems about the norm for these beasts so not much to do there I'm afraid.
Hope this helps.

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Nige,
I can echo the issues with the throttle and ride on my Spec D and I'm coming up to 20K miles in a year, mostly motorway travels.
The thottle issue has been eased with a remap, but the main bug is still in slow traffic crawls.
There is quite a lag between the pedal sensor and the throttle servor opening seen on data logging.
The remap has really transformed the car with 5th gear the equivalent of 3rd gear on a 5 speed box and 6th gear a good mix of cruising with some good poke for overtaking.

The ride is getting worse as the RE070s wear. Thinner tread (only down to 4-5mm though) with colder tyres in winter are making tramlining a permanent worry.
The suspension seems to be wearing but top improve anything. I am getting a choppy resonance on certain roads, almost as if the rear dampers can't quite control the springs. If you've ever been on a water bed, you'll know the feeling.

However, out of all the Subarus I've owned, this one is the better package and its going to stay.

I see the Forester STi isn't on the list? It would make a great long distance traveller, be a bit quirky and still have some great performance.

nick

mike2.5subaru

| agree 100% with v8voodoo's post, I waited 6 months for the delivery of my Blue STI Hawkeye, from Keith Price @ Abergavenny, nobody could have wanted to love their car more than my family. The first one was presented to me and on inspection "I" found a dent in the bonnet and the climate system not working, so I rejected that one One month later and I Collect No2. A dent in the door and the climate system not working What was I paying a PDI charge for FFS Anyway, I accepted it after the repairs were carried out and after 15 months and 8000 miles of hell, I got shot of it, (I will never reveal the reg no to protect the unlucky new owner, I P/X it) but not until it had a repaired and then replaced Gearbox @2500miles for no reason,I found that they all have the same noise, even the ones whose owners will say that "theirs is silent" have it. The warrenty attemp list was endless, Rain Water leak, Tracker, Battery, Brakes,Squeeky Seats Rear Struts @6500miles Rattles, Rattles, Rattles, and all the other common complaints. Except for trips for repairs the car would have only been in the rain once (It always rains on Rally Day) and damage caused by the garage, scratch on caliper and dash during repair was the only visual defect, not one stone chip. The car was going to be kept in show condition for the long term. Anyway I have a Rav4 now and a year on after NO faults, if the RAV was stolen today I would buy another tommorrow
This is not a Slagging at your Scoobies I love them Just as much as You do

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I felt much the same about my '05 JDM STI. I bit the bullet and changed it for a BMW 330D Sport and have been much happier since.

I did also pick up a '96 STI v2 eighteen months later, mind...

chris1scouser

You would be mad to buy a 535D. The 530D is a far better car. performance is nearly the same, and economy is far superior.

escott

iTrader: (1)

If you look in the uncatagorised for sale section there is a 2005 WRX PPP SL and a GB270 wagon. Buy either and I will be very jealous!

markGT

I've being going through a bit of crisis with my STI its an MY05 PPP with all the Prodrive extras. My wife has an Integra type R DC2 which is a great car and I've been driving it a lot. So much so that I came to the conclusion that the scoob may have to go. Anyway one of the main reasons for this is every time I drive the scoob which isn’t a lot to be fair I always have my wife with me so I don’t drive it as I would if I was alone. Anyway this morning with the roads a little damp and the DCCD set fully to the rear (first time) I set off (sans wife) on some of the greatest twisty roads in Europe. I live in rural France. Well I just couldn't stop laughing the car was amazing drifting around corners and turning in much sharper and bloody hell its quick.

So in short for me the STI is going nowhere, I'm in love again. However for me the rawer the car the better, not interested in comfortable cars. However the STI and Teg are just toys, we have a boring bog standard car for work.

mikey-r

I can relate to what you say about the 'hard work driving it' as that's the main reason I went for a PPP'd WRX ('05). I test drove an STi and found I was constantly changing gear and bouncing all over the place. The WRX, being only 5 gears, suited my relaxed style better and it seemed softer and more comfortable. But my 'hoon to cruise' ration is only about 20% - maybe if I was a little more hardcore I'd go for the STi?

M.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I agree it depends a lot on the roads. The only time I was ever 100% happy with my '05 STI was on a driving holiday which included mountain passes in Switzerland. For a couple of hours, it was amazing.

But, my regular commute to work is on 12 miles of badly surfaced, straight dual carriageway - and for that journey, my 330D is in a totally different league.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Too true. I went from STi V to a 330d Sport & then back to current car ... Spec C! It's a drivers car as is the STi so it will be all the things that the OP mentions above & more!!

If the OP feels like he does I agree that he should sell the car on & get something more "sensible"

TX.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Eh, 535d is twin turbo

TX.

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

My experiences couldn't be more different to those of original poster. I have an 03 STI with the AST Type 25 suspension package on it, and am running over 400bhp with an uprated turbo and supporting mods. The car handles like a dream and is far more comfortable and smooth than standard suspension. It's amazingly far more grippy too and beautifully balanced even on the roughest B roads. The engine mods and mapping make for a fantastic wide powerband - it's so easy to drive, both slow around town and flat out. None of this 'on-off' sensation. I would look at getting the suspension sorted (AST or Exe-tc) and then a decent remap - it will transform the car

RobinSherwood

There is a mod for the fly-by-wire throttle to reduce the lag........... which is seperate to a remap

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Type UK STI's ehh..!

MattW

Try the S3, not missed my Sti one bit.

marmski

Ye, a cable!!

GarethE

iTrader: (1)

I also run an 06 Spec D which has just done over 36000 miles and I can understand some of your concerns. I don't seem to have a problem with throttle response, but perhaps I'm just lucky or have adjusted my driving style to suit.

The tyres were the big problem - I'm running the new F1 Asymetricals and have done for the past 5-6000 miles, and they make a big difference. I hated the original RE070 with a passion and changed to the F1s which improved things a lot - the new F1A moves the game on again, a lot smoother and quieter.

The ride can still be a bit crashy, but I'm only really aware of it when I have passengers in the car - but even a mate who drives a V70R didn't think it was too bad.

Interesting comments about the PPP improving response - but I'm not sure about spending the cash on PPP when I'll be out of warranty in a year. I've been looking at the Powerstation upgrades which are cheaper and seem to provide more power (340 ??) - anyone have any experience of this.

I have had thoughts about changing the car, I'd love an RS4, but its not practical with the amount I'd loose on the car, and the running costs on a high mileage RS4 I don't want to think about.

Gareth

slipstream_uk

iTrader: (1)

I've got a standard MY96 classic and I have to say:

bad ride - I find the ride is just about right, slightly on the hard side, but thats expected with beefed up handling
shocking fuel cosumption - 18 > 25 mpg, depends on the foot
high insurance costs - £280 renawel with 1 speeding point left
high servicing costs - £250 for a specialist every 6 months
massive depreciation - bought for £6500 july 07, dont know its worth now
flaky interiors - I've never been bothered by Japanese plastic
poor image - I'd say about most of people say they love my car, but its not covered in your face poxy stickers



I looked for a scoob for about 6 months, read up everything I could find on them good & bads points. So it wasnt a shock to me about the cost of having one.
Im one of the lucky ones, where I live, I have some of the best roads around. Just perfect for scoob to play.

53

iTrader: (41)

Nige. why don't you come and have a sit in mine ? I can't remember where you are but I have the Prodrive Springs, 18" wheels Vredestein Tyres and a remap. I get 28mpg with little effort and crusing doesn't hurt ? Since the remap it pulls well and smoothly in 6th which is exactly what you want for the M4. We are a similar age and have the same car and have both come from 03WRX's, the only difference is I don't have to go to see the welsh Mother-in-Law anymore

I know you have already changed some parts on the car so it might be worth considering a remap not for all out power, just drivability. It would be worth test driving a prodrive MY07, although that will probably still have STI springs and REo70's which give an unforgiving ride in themselves. The STI springs didn't even make it out the showroom on my car they were rubbish and I picked my car up having had the PD springs pre-installed. From the dealer I went to mocoms where they put the 18's on and Vredesteins and full geo. I also changed the centre section a week later to allow the engine to rev more freely, which in turn makes 2nd gear pull offs easy and makes the drive smoother and less lumpy.

The WRX was easier to drive because you had to drive it to get the best out of it. The STi is always on top of you whispering in you ear to go faster ! In the WRX it was easy to forget what lay behind the 2ltr when normal driving. You also sit lower in the WRX which I found more relaxing. That said the STi is a better car and I wouldn't go back, you just need to have a look and see what other people have done to make it more suited to how they use the car. One thing I do have is a CGLOCK which keeps my **** firmly planted in the leather seats by locking the lower belt around the legs.

During the week I also have an old snotter I run about locally in. Its worth about £50 and it doubles in value everytime I fill it up ! Its a great car and is perfect for all the crappy places it gets parked, but at the end of the day the only reason I can drive such a sh1tbox is cause I know at the weekend I get to drive the scoob. If I didn't have the scoob anymore I know I would feel like I lost more than a car.

Lets us know how you get on and if you are near Essex, gis a shout.

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Prodrive springs and 18 inch tyre and wheel upgrade make the world of difference to the handling. I know what you are talking about concerning ride only on smooth motorway was it acceptable.

I didnt notice any huge power surges but upgraded to PPP anyway, then threw away centre resonator for a striaght through pipe. I have power everywhere, i am aklways checking to see if i am actually in 6th gear and not 4th.

I wouold like to try the AST suspension as the dampers rumble a bit with the prodrive springs, but ride quality is far superior to my MY99 or MY97 Imprezas.

Now the RB320 suspension upgrade is available i would try that or try the typre 25 kit (AST) as i feel the prodrive springs and STi dampers could be improved upon. The RB 320 kit looks a bit bouncy at the back end from videos i have seen. All IMHO

SineSTI

Definitely wrong car for you. Buy BMW and you'll be happy!