bigfarlz

iTrader: (9)

Just been to a local forecourt and test drove an 03 plate wrx. Looked nice, tidy condition inside and out totally standard. 47k on the clock fsh £4995. Test drove it and felt really sluggish compared to my00 Uk classic. Also after 5 mins there was White smoke under the bonnet, took it back and asked if there was oil in as I could hear a tapping sound. There was oil in and he said it was probably because it had been standing for over a month. Bit sceptical as to why the car had also had 3 owners and only done 47k?
I phoned Adrian flux and they quoted me £1200 quid! WTF?! I'm 26 with 3 points and 8 yes ncb! Only paying 850 on my classic! All in all very disappointed tbh!

dnc

Assuming your classic is standard (along with the WRX) then the WRX will have an extra 10 or so bhp, but an almightly 150 kg additional weight. This is probs why it feels sluggish.

As for the noise and smoke.............steer well clear IMO. Plenty of decent ones out there.

dnc

blackcountryboy

iTrader: (3)

when you bought it round to me on the test drive it did look mint but there was def a knock low down, and that burning smell wasnt good, def leave that one alone mate!!!!

markietay

Seems a little cheap from a dealer??? stay well clear

scooblee

run, theres loads out there, looked at a few myself but have decided to keep my faithful classic

mgcvk

A standard heavier '03 probably would feel slow compared to a classic. With the other issues leave well alone. Why not look for a bug Sti or a sensibly modded wrx with lots of receipts. Loads of cars out there, buyers market etc.

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

A standard WRX isn't going to set the world alight performance wise.

bigfarlz

iTrader: (9)

When I say sluggish, I mean didn't feel like the turbo was doing anything, if anything felt like a non turbo! Lol

I'd like a bug Sti but my budget is £5000 plus whatever I can get for my classic!

djc1

i was and am still very dissapointed by the performance of my bugeye .
i stilll bought it as it was a good car and am hoping itl be transformed with a decat and remap next year .

i had a fiat coupe 20v turbo and this was alot quicker

vash

I would also look at a Bug or Blob STI over the WRX if your looking for a bit of go! Much better cars for not alot more money!

Also Adrian Flux I always found expensive..

Check out some of the companies on the insurance section here.

I bought a brand new 2003 STI when I was about your age and I went with APlan and it was about £800 I remember.

Good trick is to put your excess up as high as it can goes and then dont crash. Takes a good chunk off your policy, just more expensive "IF" you have a mishap!

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Just the difference in power to weigjt ratio and how the power is delivered.

Best solution is to test drive a hatch WRX and then the 03 plate will feel like a rocket ship and look way better too

wigsworld

I think the 03 plate is slightly heavier than the hatch to be fair, and the 2.5 engine has more grunt than the 2.0.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

lol my WRx STi felt sluggish compared to my previous classic with only 270bhp

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Hatch 1505kg
03 WRX 1395kg

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

£5000'plus value of your classic will get you a tidy bugeye sti, much better base cars don't waste time or money on the wrx

scooby L

+1

I used to have an 03 WRX courtesy car when my 03 STI was in for service.... no where near the feedback/driver experience the STI offers

Then again... with smoke coming out from under the bonnet, it sounds like it's sh#gged anyway... go try another and walk away from that one for sure.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Jesus if i had 5K for a scooby turbo the LAST one i'd be looking at is a standard 03 plate WRX!

Splitpin

You might want to check the source of those figures. Hatch WRX is lighter than a GD, not the other way round.

scooby L

I get

Hatch WRX 1428kgs
2003 WRX 1399kgs

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like you got a poorly example.

Even a WRX feels turbocharged - there is s noticeable step in toque when the turbo kicks in. Of course, it's not going to set the world on fire as others have pointed out, but if should feel brisk. Certainly hot hatch quick!

Buyers market mate, walk away and find a fit one. Better still, go for a nice classic STi!
Ns04

wigsworld

I got my figures from Subaru's webiste, WRX hatch weighs 1395kg, STI weighs 1505kg.

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

See no reason to get rid of my classic. Would rather spend the money on rebuilds that get a newer one

Bigbob3000

iTrader: (18)

I alwasy thought it was the way the car uses the power, i drive my mates classic every now and again, and the way the turbo comes on in one huge lump. My 03 STI just gets faster at a smoother rate....but thats just my 2 cents...

paulbu

I've had both a 97 classic and an 04 blobeye and you couldn't tell one from the other in terms of performance. The classic has a meagre 10 bhp per ton advantage which can often be eroded by factory tolerances. However with two spot on cars, I doubt whether any driver can detect a 5% difference in performance between the two.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Which sort of concurs with what I found elsewhere

BTW the classic is lighter than both of them!!!

gallois

agreed, it would never feel 'slow' or sluggish in comparison if it was running properly.

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

huh? agreed with what? the consensous is a wrx will feel and is slower than a similarly powered classic, regardless of how shagged it might be.

scooby L

So the hatch IS lighter than the Blob...... so your dig WAS incorrect... go figure!

But no one is allowed to build a car that light/lacking in safety systems anymore... so knocking the newer cars is hardly fair...