Chesters WRX

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking on here a while now as i've wanted an Impreza for years, ever since watching them fly through the rally stages on TV as a kid!

A bit about me and my cars, i've had the same car since i was 18 just after i passed my test, a slightly chavy little 106 (a bargain from a relative). Looked fairly smart, no big exhausts or silly boy kits just a set of nice alloys and set of springs and dampers, nice and clean.


The cars been great fun to own however at just under 120k it's getting on a bit and is worse for wear. In the past 6 months i've had to change a clutch + cable, 2 driveshaft, the rear beam, an engine mount and new brakes all round, i thought this might be the end of the troubles for a while.

Alas no in the past month or so there are signs of a possible headgasket failure and the sunoof seal is leaking like a sieve and a fortnight ago the gearbox let go. So the time has come to move on as i'm now sick of fixing it and braking down every other week and throwing money at it, i also feel i have grown out of it at the age of 22 with an office job, it doesn't really look too respectable!

Along with the 106 i also have a mk4 Escort that i was converting to RS Turbo running gear from my rotten RS Turbo. I've had thoughts about running this as my daily driver however i feel being a 20+ year old car running MFI i'll be opening myself up to the same problem of braking down every 5 mintues again and i really can't be bothered with the hastle or stress of wondering whether i'm going to make it to work or not!


Also everything is minty mint and restored so i'd be scared to drive it in the rain which is very sad i know
For example here's my fuel metering unit which i spent a fair few hours buftying:
Went from this:


To this:

http://passionford.com/forum/restora...nus-build.html

So both cars are going to get sold/broken for parts and i'm looking to buy one newer car, preferably something reliable (japanese?) which is also pretty quick. Although the cars listed above are a little boyracer, i'd like to stress that i am not! I am a sensible driver and im just looking for a smart car that i could also potentially do a few track days in.
I have been looking at the bugeye Impreza, in particular an unmodified UK300, however after phoning my insurance company thismorning they are wanting £3200, which i am not sure if i'm prepared to pay. Is this a fair price? Considering i live in a very good area (group A) and have 4 years NCB (5 in Feb when i turn 23).
How would a classic compare?

Could anyone recomend me something that may fit the bill, i have around £5.5K to spend.

Sorry for rabbiting on a bit and thanks for any help, i'm just keen to move up the car ladder and preferably into a Subaru.

James

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Start in the insurance section, there are a few good companies that will no doubt get that figure down for you but are you intending to modify or keep standard?

Nice project on the escort btw

Tony

awdx4

Hi, and welcome. I hope you find the right combination of insurance and car. I'm on my second Subaru, yep it's quick but as I'm also a musician I'd say that my Impreza compared with similar spec cars, is like the difference between playing a real piano and a digital one. The real piano might play a dud note from time to time and need tuning, but it's got that little something that the digital one will never have.

Regards

Tim

Chesters WRX

Cheers for the comments fellas, i'll take alook in the insurance section and give a few places a call tomorrow.

Thanks, I've spent many hours on her, cleaning, painting and restoring and rebuilding parts.
Real shame that i probably won't see her finished but i don't think my hearts in it anymore and a new car beckons.

I'm looking to keep it standard to be honest, at the most the odd aesthetic mod & maybe suspension. Powerwise around 200 bhp is plenty enough for me for now and keeps it reliable - so the engine won't be touched.

It's all down to insurance too i suppose, if it's significantly cheaper to insure on a no modification policy i'd rather do that and fight back the moding bug!

James

sharpy2010

iTrader: (1)

Hey James,

At your age you might struggle to get an amazingly cheap insurance policy, so that may be a bit of a stumbling block (but lets hope not).

Good luck getting the Subaru you want, I wish you all the best!

Cheers,
Chris

Richie856

Heard that before!
Welcome to the forum.

AudiMan

Hi James,
Insurance is certainly a good place to start, you will be surprised at the range of quotes you will get, but to keep it realistic I think you need to look for an unmodded car.
Reliability wise they (well mine has been) are pretty damn good, I've run mine for nearly 10 years now with NO major issues at all, and have loved every minute.
You will need to look at a fair number though before you find a 'good' one, there are a llot of dogs out there. You should also take into account the running costs, these are not cheap cars to run, fuel ecomony is not brilliant and road tax can also be steep, servicing is also something to be budgeted for.
Good luck with your search - You wont regret buying one !, best car I've ever owned by a mile !!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2205284.htm
Only selling as I've moved house and dont use it enough now.

Ian

Probein

At 22 insurance will likely be pretty steep. I think I had my first impreza at around 22-23, and that was around £1400 fully comp (best I could find). Once you're over 25 you'll have an easier time, and you'll be able to approach companies like Keith Michaels (who won't touch you unless you're 25+) - who'll do much better deals.

Pink_Floyd

I'd check the comparison sites. I know a lot of people don't find them any use but they've given me my best quotes.

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

give bell a call they covered me at 22 in a brand new WRX. 1200

coupe_20vt

iTrader: (2)

Hi James,

For £5.5k you can have my 02/52 Bugeye STI. Mind you the insurance will be more than for a WRX.

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-fo...2-bug-sti.html

Good luck with whatever you decide to do