twintracks

I need to drive it 45 miles round trip to work every day, so that has to be a consideration

I'm not up to date with the new shape models at all, but looks like about an 02 plate wrx sti would be possible ?
again , not sure what variations of the sti there is, so any info appreciated

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Only with starship mileage....

A UK 300 or WRX would be in reach, the only STI I could find that cheap needs a gearbox !

HTH

dunx

zs_phil

iTrader: (1)

wrx's are better on fuel than sti's are . on my03 wrx i got 400 miles out of 1 tank on the motorway going to newquay from hull .

buy mine for 5k if you like -2003 wrx

Ste98Turbo

Get a classic WRX STI Type RA or a Type R

JonnyA

iTrader: (1)

If you are going to do a lot of miles I suggest finding the lowest mileage car you can find to start with. That way the value won't disappear down the plug hole too fast.

For 5k you can get a very clean classic of whatever sort most floats your boat. Is it 45 miles on main roads, through town or cross-country?

twintracks

about 43 miles of it is motorway

how much for a newer shape wrx sti ? maybe I was abit out with 5k, seen a few on autotrader for 6k though

JonnyA

iTrader: (1)

I must admit I don't know how old (or expensive) the first 6-speed STi's are, but presumably one of those would be best for motorway miles?

Someone more knowledgeable then me will surely be able to help on this one.

C_RHYS

My WRx Classic sits at about 3.5k RPM @ 70MPH so a 6 speed sti would prob be better for fuel.

twintracks

is it only the sti's that have the 6spd box ?

thinking a wrx may be a better option now, well, not a better option but will still be fast enough...what are the main differences between the wrx and sti ?

Mifo

iTrader: (10)

maybe a bugeye sti would be possible.
Personally Id get something else to go to work in, as you'll be using a tank a week doing 45 miles a day.

twintracks

thought about having 2 cars before...something stupid fast, but the time i pay tax and insurance, and any maintenance on another car it wouldnt save much money
dont think so anyway...

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

The 6 speed box is fitted to all of the newer shape STIs, and no other models (unless you get one where someone's done a gearbox transplant, but very few people do)

In my experience, all Imprezas return low 20's mpg, and there's not a great deal of difference between models - certainly not enough to warrant getting the 'wrong' model over.

The WRX (01- onward) is designed to be a fairly compliant, everyday sort of car, and you may well prefer it if you're doing a lot of miles. The STI has more power and a bigger turbo, which is great at higher rpm but I found a standard one sluggish around town. It also has a firmer ride and a whole host of cosmetic differences that you'll see straight away.

Do also look at the classic shape, it's lighter and many people (myself included) prefer it. Here the choice is more between the UK spec 'Turbo 2000' (208 or 215 bhp depending on year) vs the import-only STI (276 bhp). STIs cost more but are quicker, £5k should get you a decent STI 3 or 4 ('97-'98) which has a fantastic engine (until the bottom end lets go). There's also the classic (again, import only) WRX which is almost as powerful as an STI but more like the UK spec car in terms of handling, equipment and appearance.

Look at plenty of cars, drive a few, and be choosy. A good one will have you grinning from ear to ear - a bad one will be expensive and leave you miserable.

twintracks

thanks mate, that sounds like really sound advice

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Best scoob for 5K????

Mine

reeperb5

£5k will get you an RB5 nice car imo and its a my99 model so face lifted looks .. and with change in current climate


personally id go for a uk car considering your doing that kind of mileage and you more likely to get a decent history as aposed to an import....

ive heard to many horror stories about imports letting go around 50-60k....

mine (RB5) started knocking @ 121k...

but for fun imo cant go wrong with any sti imparticular the RA

robl

iTrader: (30)

hi, the right car will come up if you look hard enough as i found a nice example. I picked up a newage jdm year 2000 bugeye wrx for £3500 with 50,000 miles and immaculate condition off ebay a few weeks back. so you would have some money left over to do any personal upgrades etc if you found something similar.

twintracks

based on 20 mpg i calculated doing 240 miles a week, £1 per litre would cost just short of 60 quid

is that about right ? not in theory...people that actually do that sort of mileage

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Reckon on about 23-24 mpg for a typical Impreza - 240 miles burns about 10 gals = 45.4 litres = £45.

Depends on the roads and how you drive, of course. Smiles are expensive

twintracks

I remember looking in to getting a classic sti import a while ago, I believe they are designed to run on 100? ron, the fuel sold in japan
are the 2002 models (blobeye?) the same, or are they designed to run with out fuel (UK) ?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Hi TT ! My 2002 STI does 23 mpg average, mostly urban mileage, but the gearbox is a red herring, the 5th and 6th gears on an STI are the same as 4th & 5th on the WRX. No fuel saving to be had there....
2001 on WRX is easily going to manage 30 mpg if you are sensible. More family friendly too as the suspension is more cushty.

HTH

dunx

P.S. Only JDM imports will need high spec fuel, most cars aren't.

corradoboy

At £5k you should be able to bully yourself an 03 WRX. Try and find one with PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack) or similar aftermarket mods which bring it to 260-280bhp. Ask on here whether the particular mods are good IMHO these cars don't need any more power than this as long as you sort out the handling. Click to view my Scoob in my garage for one way of making the humble WRX into an STi killer Don't go for an STi replica, or even consider doing that yourself later as it's sad, but an STi spoiler is often desirable. Stay clear of induction kits, dump valves and other silly mods. Check out the for sale forums on here and other Subaru forums to find cars owned by enthusiasts which may have been better cared for, serviced, modified and driven, and you can check out some history using the forum tools

Happy shopping.

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

Low mileage UK classic; MY99 or MY00. You could find a good one for £5k.

eg, Subaru : RARE UK IMPREZA 99 LOW MILES **PRICE REDUCED**

Not mine I might add. Just did a quick search

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

or

Subaru : Subaru Impreza 2000 AWD Turbo UK (27000 miles!!!)
Subaru : SUBARU IMPREZA TURBO UK PPP 32k FROM NEW.

EddScott

I just bought one these

Subaru : SUBARU IMPREZA STI TYPE RA

The add is wrong its not an STi its a WRX Type RA.

I paid more but mines got a few choice mods on it. Its flippin brilliant!!

Its rare WRC edition with those lovely blue seats which look stunning but a bugger to keep clean. Its still a 4 door so quite practicle. Its insured as a WRX so cheaper than an STI and has a VF29 turbo the same as a V6 STI so I assume just as quick as an STI but being an RA it has lower gearing so I reckon a little bit quicker.

I've not driven loads of Imprezas (UK turbo, V4 Type R and a P1) but mines the quickest I've ever driven. Its taken a good couple of weeks to get used to it.