Scrappy9

Would like opinions please.

I am considering returning to Subaru ownership and am thinking of getting a WR1.

I typically tend to keep my cars for a couple of years and do 12-15,000 miles a year.

Would a WR1 costing around £13/14,000 be a good buy?

I would aim to buy one with a FSH and in original condition, I would expect to keep it standard and maintain a subaru service history.

Do people think a buying a limited edition would reduce my depreciation losses over my ownership period?

Thanks

eck

Have a look on here www.wr1oc.co.uk they a decent bunch

For what it's worth i wouldn't want to put that many miles on my wr1 yearly (6k max) but on the plus side from a seller/owners view prices of a decent 1 haven't moved much in a year and there are a good few less of the 500 made from last year also

Mikkel

As stated above, a good example of a WR1 has just about hit it's bottom price now and will probably stick around that mark (give or take a grand) for the next couple of years. The problem you have is the mileage you do as special editions are for collectors and the good ones referred to are usually standard low mileage examples. The price drops dramatically after that.

You are talking about putting approx 30k miles on a car that many would expect to be no more than 40k miles despite it now being a 6 year old car.

Have you seen the colour too? Sorry if you are a girl as the last comment is not appropriate

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

are you wanting one for the build number / limited edition or because you like the colour?

as if i were you i would buy a 2005 UK STI as subaru revised the interior (nicer) and also widened the rear running gear to help sort out the handling issues the 03/04 suffered from. you can tell as the later cars had the arch extensions. also you could probably get one around 9-10k now, leaving you 3-4 k to leave in the bank or pop 2k on a walbro fuel pump, induction kit, full decat and a remap (simtek) which i would make for a all round better car. then with the rest a decent set of disks and pads (performance friction) and if you are lucky depending on what is left either a set of BC coilovers (group buy on at the min) or a set of prodrive springs, whiteline anti lift kit, rear anti roll bar and rear alloy drop links. thats the way i would go

or pop the whole budget in finding a nice 2.5 uk sti hawkeye and over time do the above and you will have a very capable road car

just my opinion

Scrappy9

Thanks for the replies.

The query was more around potential resale value in a couple of years time. I always try to minimise the amount of money I lose in depreciation. Doesn't always work but can but try.

I don't really mind the colour to much and the fact it doesn't have gold wheels is a bonus


Not really interested in modding cars, can't be bothered with them being in and out of the garage to be tinkered with and in truth they are quick enough for me as standard.

vash

Hi

My 2cents worth..

For Circa 14k You could probably pick up a decent enough Hawkeye JDM

Better all around car..

Or as said previously.. Spend 10k on a solid 05 plate.. and 4k of mods.. which give you a great car!

Coilover Suspension
ALK and Swaybars
18" Alloys with Quality Rubber
Remap
Exhaust
3port, Fuel Pump, Airfilter
Dials Pack

Winner!

verdasco1

Lucky chap if you are in the market for a limited ed. My opinion... get the extra cash and get a super low milage rb320 for 20k then sell in before it gets 30000miles on the clock for the same maybe a year later. If you cant get the extra then spend a little more on the wr1 so that you get one with under 10k miles then again sell it before 30k for maybe the same or very minimal loss. If money is an issue you can def find a regular sti with most of the mods completed for a lot less cash, thats what i did, but in a way i wish i spent spent the extra on a ltd ed coz im gonna lose more when i sell, but then again i didnt pay that much for it! Swings and roundabouts! Cheers

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

well if you dont want to spend the time modding a car and you want it straight out of the box then i would be looking at a jdm blob or howkeye, better spec out of the box and most would of had a remap for the fuel so will be running decent power. or if you want a bit more hardcore get yourself a SPEC C.

i would not bother with a wr1, bit too heavy, sluggish in my opinion but i guess it is your choice so get test driving a few cars to see what you like

speedking

IMO, after about 3 years, outside of the cognoscenti no-one really knows what the special editions are.

When I was looking for a Spec D some dealers had them advertised as 'normal' STi's. Now a superspecial like a P1 is a classic. But most special editions (not just Subaru) are to shift an end of line. Quite often the later cars are better developed and cheaper.

Ordinary punters won't pay over the norm for stickers, special colour etc.

I would say your depreciation, considering the mileage, will be less on a standard car than a special edition.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

No Scoobs are immune (perhaps 22b?) so don't buy it for that reason ... IMHO you'd be better with a Jap car of same age.

TX.

Mikkel

Impreza is generally not the car to buy not to lose a load of money on when resale time comes. Special editions limit the damage but only slightly as only if they are mint, standard low mileage cars. As mentioned the only real classic Impreza that holds it's value and could possibly increase in time is the now collectors 22B.

I think Evos tend to hold their value better than Imprezas. Considered an Evo IX?

Scrappy9

Appreciate the replies thanks

No I hadn't really thought about an EVO might take a look.

The question was triggered more by the way WR1 prices seem to be holding up, but is a fair point that I would need to keep the mileage down.

After speaking to a 22b owner many moons ago I have the impression that they wouldn't be a 12,000 miles a year daily driver. Also I wouldn't feel happy spending 20k+ on a car.

zedder17

get yourself an rs escort cossie if you dont want to lose any money lol!!