madfiddler

Well it's been a long time coming - I wonder if I held the record for the longest non Scooby member (joined October 2000).

Have wanted once since around '98 and it's really taken this long. I was gutted two weeks ago when some bloke drove into my ZS180 at 50, whilst I was at a standstill waiting for passing traffing, to get into the works car park... but now, apart from the back ache, I think I'm actually thankfull.

Picked this beaut up this afternoon, dream colour and all. 21k on the clock, full history, 2 previous owners, and an additional 12 months Subaru warranty.







My Grandad bought a Subaru in 1981, 2 weeks before he passed away, so the next thing to do is try and get hold of his original number plate.

How chuffed am I

Scoobydudey

iTrader: (4)

Jesus mate you are patient great looking car congrats

Alan Jeffery

Hey, good on you mate. I still remember the thrill of buying a new car, even though I'm a bit jaded now, driving so many of them every day.
I once bought a P1 from Guernsey, sight unseen, and flew over to fetch it back on the ferry. When I came out of the airport, it turned up, gleaming in the sun, and absolutely pristine. Dog with two tails or what!

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Excellent mate, and the best colour IMHO. You realise that from now on your ruined, no matter what happens, you'll slowly start modding...............bit by bit little by little. And even if you flog it, you'll always go back to one, they are so evocative. It happend to me. over the last 8 years, but i finally broke away and behind the wheel of an Escort Cossy now. Enjoy.


WEBBY.

corradoboy

You got me beat I drove my first in '95 and it took 'til '04 for me to get one, so nine years to your ten. I joined SNet in '03, so only one year on here before buying

Enjoy

madfiddler

Hehe - thanks Got 290 posts on here w/o having one too, lol.

Yeah, she's completely standard now.. I think I'll stick like that for a bit... and let the bank balance recover.. oh.. and we had our first child earlier this year... not exactly the family car... but... it's been a long time coming...

Am over the moon!

morpheus1870

Good for you mate! enjoy and be safe!

madfiddler

Thanks, and yes - very true!!!. It's going to take some getting used to from the 190hp of the MG. I'll be taking my time with that one for sure!

haroldhettaturbo

iTrader: (2)

Nice 1st scoob m8

enjoy, what did u think when u booted it for the 1st time??

Wagon Gaz

iTrader: (18)

nice car mate, well done!

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

Nice looking car & the best colour!

Many happy miles ahead

simpsons !

Fantastic looking first Scoob, Really pleased for you

I fell in love with them around '96 and was way out of my league, First seriously looked at them in '2000 and still out of my league financially, 2004 come on

You have been on here long enough not to require a lecture. Treat it with respect and it will look after you and your new family.

Enjoy.

Simpsons !

madfiddler

Well, I've been driven around in a Scooby WRC and a load of other modded cars and rally cars due to the job (sound designer for video games) but, that's being driven around.. not driving around.... I think that one time one the journey back, coming out of the toll on the M6, I thought

"christ!!!"........ without wanting to offend anyone...

It was kinda like, I needed to change gear way before it was time for me to think about changing gear

Happy to take lectures/hints and tips - I've a lot of learning to do now!

m

SPEN555

Enjoy

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Vast patience, LOL. I got my classic in 97 and my bug in 2002, and good choice of colour.

The best value mod on my car is the Whiteline adjustable rear ARB and drop-links.... once used to the car you may prefer to dial out some off the understeer the factory give them to feel safe in the hands of numpties !

Enjoy the burble.

dunx

simpsons !

Don't ask for lectures you fool

Treat it with respect and when you get chance SLOWLY explore it's potential, It will blow your socks off performance wise, but when they bite back it's usually a disaster because of the amount of traction they have when they let go the chances are you will be going some.

Enjoy

Simpsons !

turboDean

iTrader: (4)

Looks like a very clean example, Enjoy

Sosbanite

Ahhhh, bless ya
Congratulations!
Enjoy and be safe

madfiddler

Lol - forgot the size of forum I was on

But yes. The diff will remain on auto for a long time yet that's for sure.

So the STi still needs a replacement Arb? Mind I guess, everything can be replaced if need be... Maybe I'll go for another record of keeping an unmodified car... having said that... I'd like some dials at some stage... ooo.. and a tad more Scooby roar.. but not too much...

Kinda strange. I remember going to a meet down in Sussex, in my Rover.. just for the fun of it.. and finally, I'll be able to go and not hold my head in shame!

Just thought of the 1st mod... the Ciggie lighter is missing, will have to get a replacement, lol.

Does anyone know how I can get the alarm codes? hopefully not too costly...

corradoboy

A thicker Whiteline (usually 22mm adjustable for average drivers, 24mm if you're smooth) rear ARB will reduce rear end roll in corners helping keep the front tyres aligned properly with the road surface and thus increasing grip which will then increase available cornering speeds. Standard Scoobs understeer, but this cheap and easy mod helps redress some of that. Fit it along with better solid drop-links as the increased forces can snap the OE plastic items. There are cheap bent steel ones which are perfectly adequate, and pretty alloy ones if you must splash cash on something no-one will see.

For a better sound find a secondhand Prodrive back-box. There's usually plenty come up for sale on here and eBay. For even more sound, add a de-cat centre pipe, and for even more still a de-cat AND de-resonated.

http://www.scoobyweb.co.uk/Sigma_M30_Manual.pdf

http://www.scoobyweb.co.uk/sigma_m30_codes.pdf

madfiddler

Haha - talking mods already Thanks for the info. That makes sense to me! Would that void the warranty? API are simply around the corner from work.

One of the other guys at Codemasters has a classic with a complete decat and I swear you hear it a mile away. I don't think I want that myself, probably a 2nd had back box would do. I had a Piper back box on my 180 and that was enough for me on a long journey.

Thanks for the alarm info.. It's the existing pin code I don't have atm. Will email the dealer.... just seen on the Subaru website that I should have got 12 months free warranty (had to contribute £150 towards it) and European assistance (nope) so want to question that.

corradoboy

WRT to warranty, an ARB and links cannot void a claim on say an engine or gearbox as it would be highly unlikely to cause a failure of such parts. They may however say it could contribute to rear suspension failure. TBH, as long as any claim is below £1k or so, most dealers will turn a blind eye to any mods as they would much rather have a lucrative warranty repair than no work at all. If the value gets high (engine or whatever) then Subaru UK/IM may dispatch an investigator to assess the car and he may decline the claim, but that's very unlikely. They can't deny you a Prodrive BB either, as it's a part that dealers/SUK/IM/Prodrive supply and fit complete with warranty anyway.

I'd source a Prodrive BB, fit it and see how it sounds/feels. If you want more, maybe a de-cat centre, but retain the resonator.

As for the alarm code, visit SIDC and ask for Sigma Sam. The code should be on a small metal tag attached to your spare key or in the manual folder. If it is lost then the dealer may be able to find out the original code, but any subsequent owners can change the code to one of their choosing. I don't know if there's a reset facility, or whether it would need a new control module at IRO £80.

madfiddler

Thanks for the info corradoboy! The warranty stuff is useful to know

As for the alarm code - no metal tags on either of the keys so I would expect the dealer to find the code to be honest. I'll mail them.

Cheers,

m

Kosy

iTrader: (2)

Congratulations! Cracking looking car and a good story. I know what it feels like. I joined here in 2001 when I was at uni having loved subarus since about 1998 too. Been to a few meets and days at Knockhill and been out in various turbos, P1s and even a 22b on track! Driven an 05 sti PPP. Now since uni I have been working in a hard job for over 3 years which on paper is decently paid. Every year I have set goals to get one but instead was sensible and got a flat when 24. Finally now I think I am almost ready to take the plunge. Looking for either an 05 sti or hawkeye sti but part of me feels nervous splashing the cash - guess this is what cold feet feels like!

It's funny watching scoobynet evolve and I remember seeing members buying 99 uk turbos and working up to 22bs, evos, newages and then back to classics again! All while I've had none! Here's hoping I get one in the not too distant future

corradoboy

Prodrive 100 cell high flow sports cat

Prodrive BB and another

Learn how to use 'Advanced Search'

madfiddler

lol - hold off - just bought the car, haha - need to wait a bit before explaining why I need to replace things, hehe.

What I didn't mention about Grandad is he started teaching me the violin - he was a Polish concert violinist before WW2, and I'm now playing his violin and owe him everything. We all think he knew he was going to die (he had 4 heart attacks previous to the one that got him), but his dream was to own a new car - the Subaru. Dunno what he would think of his classical tuition turning into playing with bands like Massive Attack (not for long, but it did happen) but the violin is the violin.

This was the last photo I have of him, with his new Scooby. I know it's a tad sentimental etc... but there we go. He looks about 70 but he was only 60.

corradoboy

Ooh, a famous person

Always enjoyed a well played fiddle I used to love Steve Wickham's playing with The Waterboys (and Hothouse Flowers occasionally).

madfiddler

lol - oh no, not famous at all, and I think I'm grateful for that.. although I'd kill to be earning a living playing the violin - my best attempt at being a famous lar de lar is playing fiddle on the "Come on England" single in 2004 for the Euro football championships - no.2 in the UK charts. Wickham is awesome - where is he now?

Sad - just went out and had a sit in the car, lol.

If you like a well played fiddle, this is my best

http://www.tricksupontravellers.co.u...ocker_Boys.mp3

or this

http://www.madfiddler.co.uk/audio/Si...Fiddle_Mix.mp3

N-joi

m

dottystu

Excellent first Impreza mate. I am being patient too, waiting to sell my CTR before I can take the plunge.

corradoboy

The first one is very 'Levellers' if you don't mind the comparison. You can certainly play

According to Wiki, SW is doing a bit of his own stuff and still tours and records with The Waterboys. The folk scene seems to be a bit quiet right now, but every now-and-again it surfaces to popularity. Artists like Kate Rusby seem to be keeping it ticking over, but TBH I've stopped following music like I used to. I don't have the time to search out artists and recordings. I used to love listening to radio shows and trawling reviews for new material, but mostly now I just pop Radio 2 on and enjoy whatever they play without needing to rush out and buy anything for repeated listenings