Alfa to Subaru....advise.
20 April 2008, 09:14 AM
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Alfa to Subaru....advise.
Hi all,
This is my first post here so go eassy on me.
I have always like subaru`s but not enough to purchase one till now, as I have been madly into Alfa`s. I have owned a GTV, 156 SW a GTA
and at the moment a GT 3.2 V6.
But with 3 children the 2 doors is really a problem.
Not only ythat but to be honest I am getting bored with Alfa`s, having owned the best models I have nothing to go for now.
Realiablility is really P155ing me of as well.
That enough of that as there will alway be a part of me that loves tha Alfa`s.
Time for a change and need advise on a 54 plate STi PPP.
What to look out for, serviving cost and fuel ecomony. What colours are the most resaleable....and are they quick....
.
.
.
That was a joke!!
Cheers . Kev
This is my first post here so go eassy on me.
I have always like subaru`s but not enough to purchase one till now, as I have been madly into Alfa`s. I have owned a GTV, 156 SW a GTA
and at the moment a GT 3.2 V6.But with 3 children the 2 doors is really a problem.
Not only ythat but to be honest I am getting bored with Alfa`s, having owned the best models I have nothing to go for now.
Realiablility is really P155ing me of as well.
That enough of that as there will alway be a part of me that loves tha Alfa`s.
Time for a change and need advise on a 54 plate STi PPP.
What to look out for, serviving cost and fuel ecomony. What colours are the most resaleable....and are they quick.....
.
.
That was a joke!!
Cheers . Kev
20 April 2008, 10:22 AM
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My advice would be to try and stretch to an 05 plate. They come with DCCD, better wheels and better looking centre console
Do you want a PPP? I would buy an STI cheaper, then spend it on mods.You will have around 300BHP with a PPP but if you got an sti then modified it, your looking around 330bhp
Running costs are quite expensive, Fuel you should use V-Power around 118p a Litre costs about £65 to fill and you will get about 220miles on a tank. Servicing is every year or 10k miles. Parts are expensive but they are good quality and reliable.
Its a buyers market out there at the minute with fuel being expensive and new tax brackets (£440 tax for next year) so choose the right car at the right price. You should be able to get them to sell at a good price as they are not shifting currently!
Do you want a PPP? I would buy an STI cheaper, then spend it on mods.You will have around 300BHP with a PPP but if you got an sti then modified it, your looking around 330bhp
Running costs are quite expensive, Fuel you should use V-Power around 118p a Litre costs about £65 to fill and you will get about 220miles on a tank. Servicing is every year or 10k miles. Parts are expensive but they are good quality and reliable.
Its a buyers market out there at the minute with fuel being expensive and new tax brackets (£440 tax for next year) so choose the right car at the right price. You should be able to get them to sell at a good price as they are not shifting currently!
20 April 2008, 10:51 AM
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Black or the WR Mica Blue (common blue) are the colours people tend to go for. Dealers would be interested in any colour but you would get considerably less if you had a colour other than the two mentioned above - official subaru dealer told me this! To be honest I would't go for any colour other than the two anyhow.
20 April 2008, 10:56 AM
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Yep totally agree an 05 IMHO is a lot more up to date as most of the lntrior carries through to the 06- 07 models.
And going for a standard STI again IMHO would be the move to make! You can mod up and tinker till you hearts content or your wallets empty
All wellllllllllll worth it though!
And going for a standard STI again IMHO would be the move to make! You can mod up and tinker till you hearts content or your wallets empty
All wellllllllllll worth it though!
20 April 2008, 12:18 PM
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Thanx Clarkie & Island for the quick advise,
is the 05 the 2.5 litre engine then and what is DCCD. Then one I am looking at is a 9 serise and the guy said it had limited slip on both front & back and you could drive it in FWD, RWD or 4WD....as I know nothing about scoobies it this good?
is the 05 the 2.5 litre engine then and what is DCCD. Then one I am looking at is a 9 serise and the guy said it had limited slip on both front & back and you could drive it in FWD, RWD or 4WD....as I know nothing about scoobies it this good?
20 April 2008, 01:10 PM
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Hi Kev,
You need to drive a few Imprezas before deciding.
I bought first Impreza Sti WR1 (2004 Petter Solberg special edition) after looking at a few others. There was one for sale here recently WR1 Owners Club :: View topic - For Sale WR1 - £16,995.
The WR1 is an STi with Prodrive mods to suspension/wheels/fueling/mapping etc. 315bhp
The one I drive, which is std, needs driving all the time on 'B' roads as the bumps and camber changes tend to move car around a bit, it doesn't let you relax, although ok on smoother roads. mpg 15-21. If you really boot it expect lower figures, although presence of family is a good regulator of speed.
30k service £480.
You will notice also the steering is not as direct as the Alfa and there is little steering feel from the road but they corner as if on rails.
The four wheel drive system has a DCCD - driver Controlled Centre Differential. Try this link WR1 Owners Club :: View topic - Subaru WRX STI DCCD Explained
Imprezas are noisier inside and out than an Alfa. The PPP gives more power but will make it boomier inside, and there are threads on soundproofing which can help, see 'noisekiller' website.
I drove an Alfa 156 GTA before Impreza and really liked it in particular very direct steering, and great style, but was a bit concerned about reliability. Be interested in your views of GTA.
One guy summed it up for me. 'The Alfas are Drivers cars and the Imprezas are Performance cars.
Do lots of research and check out JDM Japanese Domestic Market imports which many guys here own.
Enjoy,
Mike
You need to drive a few Imprezas before deciding.
I bought first Impreza Sti WR1 (2004 Petter Solberg special edition) after looking at a few others. There was one for sale here recently WR1 Owners Club :: View topic - For Sale WR1 - £16,995.
The WR1 is an STi with Prodrive mods to suspension/wheels/fueling/mapping etc. 315bhp
The one I drive, which is std, needs driving all the time on 'B' roads as the bumps and camber changes tend to move car around a bit, it doesn't let you relax, although ok on smoother roads. mpg 15-21. If you really boot it expect lower figures, although presence of family is a good regulator of speed.
30k service £480.
You will notice also the steering is not as direct as the Alfa and there is little steering feel from the road but they corner as if on rails.
The four wheel drive system has a DCCD - driver Controlled Centre Differential. Try this link WR1 Owners Club :: View topic - Subaru WRX STI DCCD Explained
Imprezas are noisier inside and out than an Alfa. The PPP gives more power but will make it boomier inside, and there are threads on soundproofing which can help, see 'noisekiller' website.
I drove an Alfa 156 GTA before Impreza and really liked it in particular very direct steering, and great style, but was a bit concerned about reliability. Be interested in your views of GTA.
One guy summed it up for me. 'The Alfas are Drivers cars and the Imprezas are Performance cars.
Do lots of research and check out JDM Japanese Domestic Market imports which many guys here own.
Enjoy,
Mike
20 April 2008, 01:17 PM
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I think you are making a good choice. Reliability compare to an Alfa is going to be a big improvement.
MPG I would imagine would be similar and the car is alot more practical for a family.
MPG I would imagine would be similar and the car is alot more practical for a family.
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20 April 2008, 01:42 PM
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Everyone who claims to be an enthusiast MUST own an Alfa, if only briefly LOL
Avoid PPP as the more performance can be had for less cash ! Your 05 car will be almost out of warranty anyway, so no point in paying over the odds.
DCCD varies the amount of torque front to rear, good on track (?)
As a grown-up I get 270 to a tank full of V-Power, with about 340 bhp after a re-map.
HTH
DunxC
Avoid PPP as the more performance can be had for less cash ! Your 05 car will be almost out of warranty anyway, so no point in paying over the odds.
DCCD varies the amount of torque front to rear, good on track (?)
As a grown-up I get 270 to a tank full of V-Power, with about 340 bhp after a re-map.
HTH
DunxC
20 April 2008, 03:18 PM
#9
Thanx Clarkie & Island for the quick advise,
is the 05 the 2.5 litre engine then and what is DCCD. Then one I am looking at is a 9 serise and the guy said it had limited slip on both front & back and you could drive it in FWD, RWD or 4WD....as I know nothing about scoobies it this good?
is the 05 the 2.5 litre engine then and what is DCCD. Then one I am looking at is a 9 serise and the guy said it had limited slip on both front & back and you could drive it in FWD, RWD or 4WD....as I know nothing about scoobies it this good?
The "Not being a true enthusiast until you've owned an Alfa" is nothing but an urban myth! Twaddle! If laying in bed at night worrying about what might go wrong with the thing next, equates to being a "true enthusiast" then yes, it may be true!
My daughter has a GTV and I fear the phone ringing with "Pa, Marios' got a little problem"
Having said all that, I actually love them. It's just that the Alfa design team should work for Honda or Subaru!
JohnD
20 April 2008, 05:59 PM
#10
Also - a different comment about PPP.
If your buying a used car - and its a choice between an STI and an STI PPP, go for the STI PPP; the difference in price would be near nil between them from what I've seen in the market recently, and £500 for a remap would see you hit 320bhp.
I would agree that buying a used STI that is out of warranty and *then* paying Subaru to fit PPP wouldn't be the best idea financially or from a performance perspective though.
If your buying a used car - and its a choice between an STI and an STI PPP, go for the STI PPP; the difference in price would be near nil between them from what I've seen in the market recently, and £500 for a remap would see you hit 320bhp.
I would agree that buying a used STI that is out of warranty and *then* paying Subaru to fit PPP wouldn't be the best idea financially or from a performance perspective though.
Last edited by Prasius; 20 April 2008 at 06:02 PM.
20 April 2008, 07:08 PM
#12
[QUOTE=dunx;7822284]Sorry ! JohnD, you have no soul....
Sounds like it doesn't it! But as I said, I love 'em but I sometimes have difficulty in equating enthusiasm with aggravation!
Jennies GTV is 8 years old now but has an aggravation factor I find unacceptable in a modern car. Believe me, the list of problems makes "interesting" reading!
I loved mine till it rusted to death !
A few years ago that would have meant 4 years?
Joking aside, they're great cars with character.
JohnD
Sounds like it doesn't it! But as I said, I love 'em but I sometimes have difficulty in equating enthusiasm with aggravation!
Jennies GTV is 8 years old now but has an aggravation factor I find unacceptable in a modern car. Believe me, the list of problems makes "interesting" reading!
I loved mine till it rusted to death !
A few years ago that would have meant 4 years?
Joking aside, they're great cars with character.
JohnD
20 April 2008, 07:10 PM
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Everyone who claims to be an enthusiast MUST own an Alfa, if only briefly LOL
Avoid PPP as the more performance can be had for less cash ! Your 05 car will be almost out of warranty anyway, so no point in paying over the odds.
DCCD varies the amount of torque front to rear, good on track (?)
As a grown-up I get 270 to a tank full of V-Power, with about 340 bhp after a re-map.
HTH
DunxC
Avoid PPP as the more performance can be had for less cash ! Your 05 car will be almost out of warranty anyway, so no point in paying over the odds.
DCCD varies the amount of torque front to rear, good on track (?)
As a grown-up I get 270 to a tank full of V-Power, with about 340 bhp after a re-map.
HTH
DunxC
20 April 2008, 07:50 PM
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No you're just young and stooopid....
Sorry, as you grow up you will learn to be more relaxed about giving large everywhere.
On the last club run some people had to stop for fuel, whilst a few of us had barely used half a tank....
Having loads of torque means not having to rev the nuts off the car to keep up !
And I'm very old and VERY boring...
LOL
Duncan
Sorry, as you grow up you will learn to be more relaxed about giving large everywhere.
On the last club run some people had to stop for fuel, whilst a few of us had barely used half a tank....
Having loads of torque means not having to rev the nuts off the car to keep up !
And I'm very old and VERY boring...
LOL
Duncan
21 April 2008, 07:57 PM
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glad i stumbled on this thread as i am planning to do the same thing buy a 05 STI seens loads with the PPP but wondered if they were worth it or not as plan to tinker with the car anyway.
Also helped on running costs etc, now to try find one
Also helped on running costs etc, now to try find one
21 April 2008, 09:58 PM
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21 April 2008, 10:01 PM
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Also - a different comment about PPP.
If your buying a used car - and its a choice between an STI and an STI PPP, go for the STI PPP; the difference in price would be near nil between them from what I've seen in the market recently, and £500 for a remap would see you hit 320bhp.
I would agree that buying a used STI that is out of warranty and *then* paying Subaru to fit PPP wouldn't be the best idea financially or from a performance perspective though.
If your buying a used car - and its a choice between an STI and an STI PPP, go for the STI PPP; the difference in price would be near nil between them from what I've seen in the market recently, and £500 for a remap would see you hit 320bhp.
I would agree that buying a used STI that is out of warranty and *then* paying Subaru to fit PPP wouldn't be the best idea financially or from a performance perspective though.
22 April 2008, 10:02 AM
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I've recently gone from a 156 v6 (with a lot of chassis upgrades koni's Eibach bits and bobs and brembo 4-pots) to a pretty std 02 wrx. I found that the interior design of the Alfa far nicer (did have lovely red momo leather) and of course the fuel ecconomy... The subaru is far quicker but not as fast top end, wrx being a brick with wheels. Leg room for the driver is crap in both cars - my MK2 golf was better! The noise the v6 made was as nice - but different- as the wrx when they've had their pipes opened up a bit. Handling wise in the dry and once I'd stop fiddling with the konis, the alfa was good but the Impreza feels more 'planted' Running costs I don't think are that different, the cambelt change on the 156 was twice as much as the wrx. And try changing an oil filter on a v6 without the arms of an alien...
I've had two alfas, three if you include my wife's 147 and have loved them all - the 155 espically. But I am really enjoying the Subaru too.
I found there is less of a 'stigma' attached to Alfa ownership - might even be sympathy
I've had two alfas, three if you include my wife's 147 and have loved them all - the 155 espically. But I am really enjoying the Subaru too.
I found there is less of a 'stigma' attached to Alfa ownership - might even be sympathy
22 April 2008, 06:37 PM
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22 April 2008, 07:54 PM
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LOL !
Made me smile Chantelle XX, which bit makes sense being OLD ?
Or being boring ?
DunxC
P.S. 258 miles and the light hasn't come on yet, and I've been playing a new game.... Make the Defi's dance, I love record and playback, it's SO COOL !
Made me smile Chantelle XX, which bit makes sense being OLD ?
Or being boring ?
DunxC
P.S. 258 miles and the light hasn't come on yet, and I've been playing a new game.... Make the Defi's dance, I love record and playback, it's SO COOL !
22 April 2008, 08:01 PM
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Hi bigvern !
Nice Alfas....
I remember my last dealer service, they also sold Alfa's so while I'm waiting for my Scoob.... salesman smarms up and offers a run out.
Waffle, waffle, 4wd, blah, blah, so off we go....
Two roundabouts and a dual carriageway later I'm done. Head back to the show-room and he's ready for me to sign....
I decline, and offer him a ride in mine. Same route half the time and he looked like he was about to throw up !
I politely said I didn't think an Alfa could withstand the kind of punishment my Scoob could, he walked away....
Still love 'em tho'.
Duncan
Nice Alfas....
I remember my last dealer service, they also sold Alfa's so while I'm waiting for my Scoob.... salesman smarms up and offers a run out.
Waffle, waffle, 4wd, blah, blah, so off we go....
Two roundabouts and a dual carriageway later I'm done. Head back to the show-room and he's ready for me to sign....
I decline, and offer him a ride in mine. Same route half the time and he looked like he was about to throw up !
I politely said I didn't think an Alfa could withstand the kind of punishment my Scoob could, he walked away....
Still love 'em tho'.
Duncan
22 April 2008, 08:26 PM
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From beauty to the beast about sums up that transition.
I also get decent mpg from my car since getting it remapped, but I have tons of torque and the ability to use 6th gear being the wrong side of 30.
I also get decent mpg from my car since getting it remapped, but I have tons of torque and the ability to use 6th gear being the wrong side of 30.
22 April 2008, 09:04 PM
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24 April 2008, 08:09 AM
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Wow...nice alfa`s Bigvern, and so many replies.Thanx
Really not sure wether to go for a subaru now, with the high servcicing costs and the fuel consumption, didn`t think the mpg would be worst than my V6 3.2. the misses is saying about the Dark Side(BMW) for you that have not owned an alfa.
I really need a car for every day use and one thats not going to punch me in the face every time I see a garage forecourt! But I really want to own a Subaru, but as the wife drives it more than I do I have really got to pursade her on this.
Want to get down and see this at the weekend. She might change her mind when she drives it.
Autotrader - Subaru Impreza 4 Door Saloon 1994 cc 2.0 WRX-STI PPP
Really not sure wether to go for a subaru now, with the high servcicing costs and the fuel consumption, didn`t think the mpg would be worst than my V6 3.2. the misses is saying about the Dark Side(BMW) for you that have not owned an alfa.
I really need a car for every day use and one thats not going to punch me in the face every time I see a garage forecourt! But I really want to own a Subaru, but as the wife drives it more than I do I have really got to pursade her on this.
Want to get down and see this at the weekend. She might change her mind when she drives it.
Autotrader - Subaru Impreza 4 Door Saloon 1994 cc 2.0 WRX-STI PPP
24 April 2008, 08:20 AM
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That looks a nice car, albeit quite expensive. I paid around that price a year ago for my 05 STI PPP, in white (hence rare) with only 9k miles. I would check it has the full service history before going to see it (it should have four stamps) as this isn't mentioned in the ad.
A friend at work has had a 3.2 Alfa (not sure if this is the GT or the GTA? It's the one with the big red Brembo calipers) from new. It's now around 4 years old and he does about 20k miles a year in it, including driving to Italy once or twice a year. It's a very nice subtle looking car, the only thing I don't like about it are the cloverleaf wheels. He reckons he gets around 28mpg on average, whereas I get around 20 in the Scoob...
A friend at work has had a 3.2 Alfa (not sure if this is the GT or the GTA? It's the one with the big red Brembo calipers) from new. It's now around 4 years old and he does about 20k miles a year in it, including driving to Italy once or twice a year. It's a very nice subtle looking car, the only thing I don't like about it are the cloverleaf wheels. He reckons he gets around 28mpg on average, whereas I get around 20 in the Scoob...
24 April 2008, 09:25 AM
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You can pick up a hawkeye (last of the saloon models) STI up for £16k these days, so I think that is too expensive. I don't like gold wheels on a silver car either.
You also get the 2.5ltr engine in the hawkeye which I think helps with fuel consumption due to the increased torque. You don't have to rev the **** off it to get the power and there is less lag.
You also get the 2.5ltr engine in the hawkeye which I think helps with fuel consumption due to the increased torque. You don't have to rev the **** off it to get the power and there is less lag.
24 April 2008, 09:45 AM
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Try this one the JDM cars are somewhat better equipped than the uk cars, the twin scroll turbo engines are a dream 
lots of torque low down and it doesnt really feel like a turbo, more like a big v6 engine but it has more than enough goodies (including the A-DCCD and quick rack steering) to keep you happy
https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...dm-import.html
Tony
the JDM cars are somewhat better equipped than the uk cars, the twin scroll turbo engines are a dream lots of torque low down and it doesnt really feel like a turbo, more like a big v6 engine but it has more than enough goodies (including the A-DCCD and quick rack steering) to keep you happy https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...dm-import.html
Tony
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