benpals

Very confused seeking guidance and inspiration.

was looking at a normal exec car with back doors for kid, leather, cruise control good mpg. There is nothing that i can feel any excitment for passing over my valuable money over for so thought get a fun car instead.

Looking at sub £10k for a WRX, the cheaper the better but rather pay upfront for reliabilty than save it and pay it at a repair garage.

All must be pre 25 March 2006 to avoid higher Co2 tax.

Leaves me either 2005-2006 new shape 2.5l Wrx

Or
2003-2005 Bugeye or "old shape" 2.L wrx.

My brain says always buy the later models but I read the 2.5L engine woes in fear.

Then Mileage - around 30k full history or few around with 17k for sale for same money on 2.5L models. Should i be worried, or look for anything. is there an independandt way to check valaidity of dealer stamps, servicing...

Finally model- hatchback or saloon. Is the handling and performance any different. I am not a pro and just want to wizz around to nursery to pick up my daughter and smile. Maybe try to drift in a car park one day, never had a rwd/awd car before... I am nearly 40 and passed racing Rs turbos off the lights .

Mpg - probably shell out for Lpg conversion if only to feel better at the pump, ignoring the cost of conversion. Am based in middlesex and see a few around.

any inspiraiton or thoughts very welcome.

looking forward to joining the fun

Billet

iTrader: (60)

if you want reliability and fun then go for a 55 reg blobeye 2.0l sti. has extra goodies and if left in standard form, pretty much indestructible. the blobeye is a saloon and is quite practical.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Anything JDM STI from 2003 onwards will be your best bet, best engines etc, the list is too long

Tony

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

I would say my05 jdm if you can get one I bought one for less than 10k 7 months ago mine luckily is plg road tax as well but if your worried about mpg costs already then think long and hard before you get one, LPG been done a few times but costs a lot to get done properly and adds weight to the car, I am yet to see any true evidence that it is ok in the long run

CHOLTON

Uk Blob STI is an awesome car too if you don't fancy an import !

benpals

is the 2.5l - 2006 model not reliable.... is it really better to get an older model, ie 55 bugeye. very surprised .

can anyone impart some wisdom..?

cannot really do an sti - insurance and a little too "in your face" look with giant fin.
tempting though but pretty sure stock wrx will still be fun.

topman2180

55plate on a 2.0 is a blobeye

The STI have alot more to them over the WRX - power , handling , styling , etc , The JDM's have even more!

If you dont like the big finn how about the Spec D?

As for Insurance have you tried a specialist's like Keith Michaels ask for Gary Moulson

or maybe A plan?

Take an STI for a test drive when I went to buy mine I did it blew me away, so I had to get one.

dantastic

As mentioned above the spec d would fit the bill, you get all the performance but its not so in your face as the normal sti and has leather seats, the down side is all that performance comes at a price, and to be honest if good mpg is that important to you i dont think a Subaru is the car for you.

benpals

spec d - sounds perfect if i can find it.
I/wife have a beetle 20v turbo and enjoy the stealthy look and surprise when we floor it every now and again. Spec d sounds just the ticket.
Else blobeye - thanks for correction.. only just figured out the 2.5l is the "hawkeye". honestly whole new world of abbreviations.

kid in me says if you going to get one dont compromise and go STI.
thanks for insurance tips also
the search starts .
tks all

CHOLTON

Go STI and then remove the spoiler for a small one