Panda82

Alright peeps thought I'd say hello.
Joined up as I'm in the Market for a new motor and thought id try a scooby as I've always wanted one since I was a teen. I keep hearing horror story's of the eating gearboxs thou and it's scarring me a little as I'm not mechanically minded in the slightest (luckily my little bro is and fully qualified).
So yeah sorry to start by asking questions but behind the obvious crash damage and numbers what should I be looking out for when view an impreza???
Is it just the older gearboxes that are the weak ones forgive me if I'm wrong but I understand the bid was changed around 2002 for a 6 speed. Is this stronger???
I've got roughly £5k to speed can anyone recommend any cars for sale???
And finally I've seen a 2003 wrx for sale from a trader near me couldn't have a proper look round it as no one was there but it says it has the performance pack and it had k-spec iirc front calipers and discs with yellow stuff pads it's up for £5800 which I thought was a bit pricey but maybe his up for a deal.
Anyway sorry for the long **** first post and cheers in advance for the help.
My cards behind the bar so what you all having.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Hello buddy and welcome.
There are some real bargains to be had at the minute so look around. STI's can be picked up now for very reasonable money and from bug onwards they got the fantastic 6 speed box.
If you can, opt for an STI. Much better car all round.
And a 2003 WRX for nearly 6K, don't even call him, lol.

bigsinky

the *** has dropped out of the impreza market so plenty to be had if you take your time and look. don't jump in and buy the first one you see.

WRX will have the 5 speed. the STi will have the 6 speed. go for the STi if you plan to do any modifications as it's a better base to start from. the 6 speed is a much stronger box. do the usual check and make sure there is plenty of paperwork. full service history is a must. please be aware these are not cars you can run on a budget, they are money pits. servicing, fuel, insurance will drain your wallet faster than a hooker in prague.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Also, have a good flick through the for sale section on here. You would be better off buying one from one of us 'enthusiasts'...

wrx fifer

iTrader: (34)

welcome along buddy, if i was you i would have a look around the subaru forums etc and try and get one thats been owned by an enthusiast, but agree with the above the prices they are going fr these days there really is no need to be looking at wrx's

Grant

Panda82

Cheers for the replies chaps I thought the one I see was rather steep.
I'll keep on my with search and look for an sti.
Can anyone recommend any other good scooby forums to look around the for sales on???
Cheers again.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Check to make sure you can afford to insure it first!
They may be a lovely car and go like stink, but the insurance companies know this and I think that is why there going so cheap atm Sorry, the smile is becasue I just got a bargain and pick it up on Saturday but its a pre-facelift classic but I like them a lot.
If you look after the cars, they will do you well.

Happy hunting

Pramas

as said check insurance but STI all the way, its not more to insure and you will regret getting a wrx , i did, its a much better car. Had a play with a r32 and it did suprise me a little in straight line but no match for a STI

Panda82

Yeah I've already checked insurance got quoted £5k+ at first but found somewhere that'll do it for £2kish (just got 3 points and have a pending claim going through) I'm sure I gan get it a little cheaper and it's only £500 more than they wanted for my old derv passat. Lol. Apparently scoobys are the most crashed cars in the uk according to the broker.
Oh yeah if anyone see any of these bugeye sti's going for around the £2k Mark send the link my way I can't find any.

Panda82

Yeah I've already checked insurance got quoted £5k+ at first but found somewhere that'll do it for £2kish (just got 3 points and have a pending claim going through) I'm sure I gan get it a little cheaper and it's only £500 more than they wanted for my old derv passat. Lol. Apparently scoobys are the most crashed cars in the uk according to the broker.
Oh yeah if anyone see any of these bugeye sti's going for around the £2k Mark send the link my way I can't find any.

wr pete

iTrader: (1)

I dont think you will find a bug sti for 2k mate, maybe 4.500 but def not 2

Pramas

check out keith micheals for insurance, good guys

Camoscooby

iTrader: (5)

Welcome to the exciting (and very expensive) world of Subaru ownership bud

Where abouts in Kent are you?

Panda82

Cheers again for the replies gonna give Keith michaels a call today for a quote.
Camoscooby I'm a little further north than you not to far from bluewater.

monkfish2

You really need to be looking at the blob-eye as they will sell on a lot better than the bug, plus they look a lot better. I wouldn't write off getting a wrx as they will be in your price bracket for a decent one, the insurance is cheaper and the ride doesn't break your back on long journeys (my mate is now regretting replacing his wrx with the sti). Don't get me wrong, the sti is a good car but unless you want to start spending £1000's modding it to around 360bhp, I wouldn't bother. Plus sti drivers are up there own **** !! Ha ha.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

^^^^^^
You obviously couldn't afford an STI then,,, lol.

monkfish2

True.
I did buy it new though, which is a lot better than an old second hand sti banger !! Ha ha.

dpn

Take it you've got a WRX then. Envy is a horrible thing!

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I'd take a 10 year old STI over a new WRX every time fella. It's all about driving experience for me and an STI beats a WRX hands down.

I do appreciate that some people favor the WRX for certain reasons (running costs etc) and especially if its a daily drive but for me it just doesn't cut it. It's like taking a 330 petrol over an M3..

monkfish2

Only winding you up guys, I'd be happy with most Impreza's, apart from the sport obviously.
I'll probably get abuse from sport owners now !!

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Lol, you can never win buddy. There is always someone you'll upset.
End of the day, if a WRX meets your needs then game on, it's just not my preference that's all.

monkfish2

My wrx is faster than my mates sti, which is always a bonus.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Now you are winding us up, lol.

monkfish2

The magic of re-mapping and mods.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Unless you have to dig it out of the ditch yourself!

I have just got a quote down to £401 fully comp, protected, girl friend on there too. I know its not anything amazing like some of them but its a 95 wagon, with lots of non standard bits And when I get the model number from the alarm system I could get it even lower

Roll on tomorow

Panda82

No longer a soon to be owner as I picked my scooby up yesterday.
Its a red blobeye wrx with 55k and a few nice sensible mods.
Decided to buy the cleanest car I could find be it a wrx or sti without searching for ages as I need one ASAP as the bus pass was doing nothing for my street cred. Lol.
settled on this one as it is very nice with loads of history and cheaper to run and own that an sti. Will post pics up when I have some intermaweb takes ages on me phone.

zayd

iTrader: (1)

Congratulations Panda82, I owned a Blue Blob WRX PPP for 2.5 years and I absolutely loved it. It really does feel like an everyday driving car, which you can also explode into a bat out of hell when called for.

I have just upgraded to the Sti, but I can say its not really an everyday driving car, as it's somewhat harder on the suspension.

The Zohan

Hi and welcome - speak to Keith Moulson (Molexwrx on here) at Keith Michaels re insurance and at least get a quote from them. They usually always come up trumps.

Panda82

gave them a call but they said that they would not be able to my current £2200 quote as i am under 30 with 3 point and a very recent claim so looks like i'll be skint for a while with insuranc eand petrol cost on the scooby. oh it aint half worth it thou.