I`m thinking about taking the plunge and going for a 2004 wrx model.

I`m not that interested in modding it as these days are over (getting too old ) - much better than the 206 gti i have the now anyway.

I also like the idea of cheaper roadtax and insurance figures but would interested on what sort of real world costs i would be likely to incurr ?

what is a rough mpg figure and are there many things that are likely to prop up as common faults ?

any thoughts on the above or general scooby ownership would be appreciated.

also is the timing belt changed every 4 years ?

 

Not being funny, but if you are asking these questions then running costs must be a concern and therefore the Impreza aint for you. They cost a lot to keep on the road, make no mistake.

Admittedly the WRX may be slightly cheaper than my STi but not by much.

Rough mpg is 30-35 but that can be as low as 15-20 if you welly it everywhere.

 

If its cheaper road tax and insurance your after your talking about the wrong car on the wrong forum

 

oops - missed out the bit "costs compared to the sti "

realise they are a bit dearer to keep than what i have the now.

 

WRX vs STi in running costs there is virtually nothing in it. MPG is probably about the same given the STi has a 6th gear, but depends on where and how you drive of course. Insurance is about the same I think, the STi is group 20, not sure about the WRX.

The WRX does get a better road tax band, you can't get worse than an STi lol

 

Expect to be paying alot for Petrol. I had an STI and was averaging 23mpg. Spirited driving would have it well below that. Don't think the WRX is that much better TBH. Not compared to running a 206GTI anyway.

Think you might be quite shocked.

 

I would say I get 20 - 25 mpg and easy do £50 per week.
A service will set you back £300 - £500 notes.
Road tax £210 for a WRX and a bit more for the STI.
Parts are not cheap for both models.
Insurance - Group 20 for both WRX and STI but if your getting on in life......
The WRX and STI will make your bones hurt at an old age due to the ride.
Your hearing aid will also play up due to the noise of the engine and exhaust.

 

You're asking all the wrong questions! Miles per gallon? Insurance? Road Tax? Running costs? The difference between running a wrx not sti and your 206 gti will be thousands and that's just for the fuel alone! Brakes, tires, oil. Scooby's may be cheap to buy at the moment but don't be fooled into thinking they're cheap to run!

 

Nice one you lot,lets put people off bying a Subaru

 

Dont think mine costs much more to run than the Vectra I had before, I have a 99 uk turbo wagon by the way that I use every day doing the work and school run, it all depends on what you want from it, if you want to use it on a track etc then it will cost you otherwise as Ive already said

 

Thats what I was going to say!

Get an STI and have done with it old chap. Long time dead and all that

 

an idea for running costs for STi
discs £200 + VAT each from subaru + £100 for pads. rear shocks £250 each from subaru. None he less you can get parts cheaper but the STi is more expensive to run than a WRX make no mistake.

 

As with putting people of peolpe should have a good idea of how much they cost. But let me assure you the driving experience far out weights the cost.

 

Sorry Iknow what your saying mate! But he was asking all the wrong questions. Instead of saying how fast is it? What does the noise of a flat four sound like when you have a proper exhaust etc.....I love my scoob but don't think it's really his thing!

 

Just paid £75 for a set of oe front discs and pads for mine, all be it a classic uk turbo( not from the stealers ) and you can buy uprated shocks cheaper than that, why is an sti more expensive to run then?

 

Better than buying it then finding out
I would think that running costs matter to most people and asking the questions before you buy seems sensible to me.
These cars can be run on a budget if you can do the servicing etc yourself.
Who buys anything from a dealer

 

STI brake discs for instance on the front range between 3-400 quid a pair because they are brembo, servicing is about the same as a wrx as both have similar intervals, though a few things may need more regular changes (gearbox oil for instance) and fuel costs will be higher along with road tax.
If you want a nice daily driver then go for the wrx, its a nicer everyday car

Tony

 

Ok point taken. A wrx is a fantastic upgrade from 206 gti. Get a proper exhaust fitted and enjoy.

 

£75 for discs and pads for a car with over 200bhp! How much do you value your life? Please people we are taking about brakes! Don't cheap on brakes!

 

Nobody is trying to put anyone off. We are simply stating facts.

Imprezas are expensive to run, but it's a cost worth paying for most on here. If you still buy an Impreza armed with the facts then it's the right car for you.

 

2004 WRX cost me £4500 over 20k miles (fuel, insurance, servicing, tax) last year, that did not include any new tires, brakes or other periodic big expenses! Admittedly £3k of that was fuel but if worried about cost of running it don't buy it!

Stair

 

cost a fortune but i wouldnt give it up for the world

 

I had a pug 206gti before I got my bugeye... and to be honest I didn't find it too bad.
But then I suppose this is because I use the Impreza on the weekends so fuel costs don't worry me so much... as a daily car it could be quite expensive.

But I've never looked back since upgrading from the pug


Obviously road tax etc was a little bit more but as said they are worthwhile costs

 

Scoobs cost what they cost, And i think we all just get used to it, If someone offered me a Daiwoo that does 500 Mpg i'd say very good but it's not for me!
I have just done a deal trading in a MY04 WRX for a 06 Sti at Robinsons in Rochdale, The car is stunning and i don't want some **** wit to buy it and ruin, I paid a lot of money for that car and no expense was spared... It's a WR Blue, STi Scoop, Sti Spoiler, quick shift, Strut brace, FSSH, Over a grand in hifi, and a big swoosh on the boot. When this car comes up for sale in a few days bite there arms off! I'm gonna put my mobile number in the instruction book for any questions in case any one here buys it.

Simpsons!

 

Have bought OE spec brakes and as the car is standard and as I dont drive at 100+ all the time I think that the standard 4 pots with standard discs and pads are fine, thanks for your concern

 

I find my Impreza better on fuel than my ST220 I had previously. Now that was very poor on fuel. I average probably 30mpg at the minute where the Mondeo was returning 22mpg average

 

moved from my 1.2 clio to my current wrx, love the speed dont like the money i spend on petrol
wiley

 

Cost a fortune, but who cares cos they are so much fun and you soon forget about cost when you here that scooby burble. scoobs were never ment to be sensible cars after all good luck mate

 

Very similar to me, i had a 206Gti 180, did you ever get on Peugeot Sport? Got tired of kids on there talking about unrealistic tuning upgrades for the 180 for little or no gain, so i thought enough of this bull, so i went out and bought a proper performance car and now i look back and think why did i waste all that time, should of bitten the bullet and got the Impreza years ago.

 

Jeeso ... I had an MY05 wagon with PPP for 2 1/2 years from new and it didn't cost me any more to run than my previous Audi A4.

I did about 21K miles in the 2 1/2 years. On the free servicing plan though

Nothing went wrong or wore out, did not need pads/discs/tyres just routine servicing. Insurance was about £450 a year and could see about 30 mpg on long runs (especially with PPP).

Sure if you thrash it to death all the time it'll eat tyres/fuel/pads/discs but you can't drive like a numpty all the time

Can't say for me it was expensive to run considering it was a 260 bhp, 4WD car. Depreciation was the worst part, ownership was pretty pain free

Avalyn.