Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Well, I went and test drove a blobeye '05 WRX (UK Car) this morning. I think my car has sold, so have the funds to buy a scoob. Was going to buy a late classic, but was tempted to go and test drive a newer model. Must say I was quite impressed. It's been a long time since I owned my '93 WRX (10 years exactly) and now in the position to have another scoob as a second car. Not sure if it felt as quick as I expected (seem to remember the old WRX classic to be a bit more 'raw', plus was about 240bhp?) but maybe it is just me getting older and wiser. Really not sure what to do, the dealer wants £8500 and its got just 17800 miles on it with FSSH. It will prob only do 2500-3000miles a year max, so keep telling myself to buy a slightly older model '03/'04 with 40/50k on. Hmmmm decisions decisions.........

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jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Any Chance you could stretch a little to an STI, as they're going for silly money too..?!

I have an 05 WRX (from new) and TBH as standard they're OK, but by today's standard, nothing special and can be expensive to run. I've spent A LOT on mine and it's now a different animal.. With hind sight I'd have been better off starting with an STI, just couldn't afford one at the time (my WRX is an EU import and cost £16k new) but then again I've enjoyed and continue to enjoy modding it..

It depends what you want at the end of the day, but most people who buy std WRX's (even those who claim they'll keep it standard) end up getting drawn into modding it and once that starts....£££!

The Dogs B******s

Just like me

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

If you're only going to use it for a few thousand miles a year then surely you could spend the same amount of money on a slightly older version STI with a few more miles on the clock, if the car has been looked after well it will feel like new even with 30 or 40,000 miles on the clock. As you wont be using it much you wont be piling up the miles

I use my car everyday, owned it for a year and done 13,000 miles in it, it now has 36,000 miles on the clock and still feels as solid as ever. I have spent about 3.5K getting it to where I am now (basically STI spec) Like Jason said above with the STI you will have a better starting point, If I had spent 3.5K on an STI I would be so much further ahead than where I am now!

dunx

iTrader: (3)

One word Timwinner !

Bug-eye STI plus plenty of change for sensible mods.

But I would say that !

LOL

dunx

Mark'sWRX

And me, too!

I agree, if its a weekend toy, then get an STi.

adehook

is that price about right then?

phil_wrx

iTrader: (2)

seems a little high but i would get an older sti

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, an STi may be the way to go. I will keep looking and see what I can find. Good news is I sold my other car so have £££ cash now to find the perfect scoob. Really not a fan of the bugeye look, but don't look too bad with headlight conversion.

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Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Right, little update:

Round 1: Been out today and test drove another '05 plate WRX. What a nail, made me appreciate the one I drove yesterday. It felt so 'loose' and 'woolly' I can't believe it had only done the 39000 on the clock, but had history to show it. It picked up a lot better, but did have a stainless exhaust of some type on it so maybe allowing the engine to breath better really makes this much difference? He said no other mods. Does the engine check light stay on when a car is decatted? He gave this as the reason for it being on, but I needed to check. The general condition was bad though, many parking dints (I know it happens, but jesus, it looked like someone had walked around it with a walkers toffee hammer) the back bumper had damage, the wheels were kerbed badly, all 4 tyres shagged and the O/S wing looked dull, even thought the panel gaps looked fine. Needless to say I walked away.

Round 2: Also been and test drove a 2002 bugeye STi. :-) I can't believe what an animal it was. Such a difference. Had a couple of minor things wrong, the one rear electric window does not work and there is a very small amount of paint flaked on the corner of the rear spoiler. I think the wheels have all been refurbed (either that or one careful prevous owner!), got Sti mudflaps but apart from that it seems all standard. The dump valve sounded really loud, but not been in an Sti before so don't know what standard is like, and there was no sign of a VTA under the bonnet. The seats look a little grubby on the bases, but can these be specially valeted or cleaned being suede?? All in all I was impressed.
Now, the guy has only had the car for 5 weeks and he has lost his job, hence the reason for selling it. It came from Shaks Specialist Cars in Huddersfield, where it still has 5 months warranty (Prob from independant warranty company I guess). I'm going to phone about insurance tomorrow, then throw some more figures at him. Without me revealing figures what do you guys think it's worth. It's MOT till SEPT and only has two months tax. It has 49K on clocks and previous MOT's to prove. Service history is evident, although at first mostly Subaru, it changes to someone I've never heard of, and can't remember the exact name (will phone him and find out) but invoices state oils/fluids done AND cambelt at 47700 ish miles. Any tips on what to look for if I go for a second viewing?

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