330dan

Right I need some advice. 100% DEFINITELY going to get a Scooby at the start of 2010. I think I know plenty about newage scoobys around the 10k – 14k mark as I was looking to buy one as my 1st car. However, I have realized that it will not be suitable for the sort of driving I do. I also want to get into trackdays with a view to then doing sprints / hillclimbs. As I have never done any of the above I want to get a road legal Scooby and get some experience doing track days and then do more if I like it.

Ive not got too much experience mechanically but willing to have a go and do what I can and learn.

I want to keep the budget low so that is not an added burden. Therefore I reckon my absolute max for the car is 3k. I haven’t got much knowledge on the cars at this price.

Even though the top end scoobies have been hit hard by the Credit Crunch I don’t seem to be able to find any good deals at this price range. No WRX’s, No STi’s, just Impreza Turbo’s.

Can anyone give me some advice on what they think:

- is it worth starting off with an impreza turbo and upgrading if I like it
- will I regret not just getting the sti to start with as a better base to upgrade
- will the impreza turbo feel fast enough round the track
- which age is best and what to look out for
- can you drop sti engines into the turbos?
- What mods do you recommend for trackdays – absolute musts, such as suspension etc.
- Seen somebody on the projects forum here got a mint wrx for 1500! Ive seen nothing like that!
- Ive driven newage and classic sti’s – am I going to be a bit disappointed by a turbo or wrx?!?!
- Do want to carry out engine mods at some point, is the turbo a poor engine to base any serious upgrades on?

Cheers

ScoobLou

iTrader: (21)

I'd go for a 2 door scoob. Ideally one which has just had its engine rebuilt by a known specialist with receipts to prove.

I bought my Type R with the engine gone and got it rebuilt.

I believe they would be a good track car.

Tidgy

sti type ra is by far your best option, well looked after should be reliable and once stripped out go very well indeed

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You need something like this:- I would forget the UK cars unless your desperate tbh

Subaru : Subaru Impreza STI RA * bargain*

Tony

Tidgy

thast the type of thing, although to me that seems too cheap for what it is?

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

I think getting an STI for 3k is gonna be pushing it now. I got a minter almost a year ago in the high of the slump, now similar ones are going for 5-6k.

STI RA is the one to go for if using for track i think. You want one with quick rack, DCCD and possibly short ratio gear box for the sprints.

Be warned cos your buying a cheap car, it will still cost a fortune to run, especially for track..

330dan

cheers for the help, i would love a type ra. that one for 2800 has gone. the thing is, although i would probably regret not getting a better car to start with before modding, i dont want to have much money in it, that way i wont be as bothered about stuffing it, i wont be as worried about carrying out work myself, and if i love trackdays etc i can sell it and get something better, so i really want to keep the cost down. good ra's especially 97 ish onwards are out of my price range, please any advise on the original questions???

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

If I was you, and not just because im selling one, I would find a good solid honest WRX for that money.
If its going to be for hill climbs as a start point a WRX will still be very very fast. A solid base has got to be best for a track/race project. As I am sure you know with any motorsport tyres, clutches etc etc will keep you hands in your pockets, the last thing you want is an old dog that needs welding too.

330dan

leaning towards wrx's around the 1997 mark now. cant believe how expensive everything is! It looks fairly easy to get them up to circa 300 bhp! and if im upgrading all the suspension and tyres i cant see it being too bad?!?!?!