Hi all

I have finally save up some money to buy an impreza! I got around 6k to spend for a used 4wd 2.0 turbo. The only reason i chose this because its cheaper on tax then the new virsions. As am buying used, is there any thing to look out for? How can you tell if the engine was abused ect ect.... I was looking at a 2005 with 50k on the clock for about 6k is that worth it? Expansive? Cheap? It also has the STI kit and was remapped to 270BHP.

I am 23 and the insurance is luckily cheapish (1600) considering my age, thats 5 year driving and 2 ncb...

Any advice will be much*appreciated. Thanks

 

Hi and welcome matey

Personally go with STi,you will save money on longer run and mainly WRX will never be STi if you are adding there STi bits

With right remap you will should be have 330-350bhp on STi,on WRX you should be have 270-280bhp

Post the link of advert and this sometimes help to decide



Jura

 

Is it an STI or WRX with sti styling?

I just recently bought a 05 WRX on 40k for 4k. All decent blog eye sti's were atleast 6-7k starting.

 

This is the Link on the autotrader..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../200?logcode=p

Its a WRX with STI kit? Am sorry am a newbi but how can you tell the diffrence? (if you dont know what you looking at)

 

Best advise I can give is to take someone with you who really knows a scooby well. I was in the trade for 5 years and paid a person to look at it for me. He saved me in the region of £3k and made sure I got the right car. It was the best few quid I ever spent.

 

Car in the link is WRX

Difference between the WRX and STi,STi have 6speed,Brembo front and rear,STi TMIC(Top mount intercooler),better suspension, and many other bits

WRX have 5speed,Subaru 4pot and rear 2 pots which are not the best and on heavy New age are poor, suspension is there not the best


Jura

 

Hi, Looks a nice car.
Also, cosmetically you can tell its not an STI as STI's have larger bonnet scoops, foglight covers and wider rear arches (an extension from the rear bumper reaches round the arch as they have a wider rear track)
Inside they all have Blue seats too(unless its got the leather option (i.e spec D)
Plus that ones advertised as a WRX LOL!!

I personally think that one is overpriced. I paid similar for a Hawk. Having driven numerous examples i couldn't believe the difference in the 2.5 model over the 2.0. Far smoother and more torque. Nows its remapped too
Viewing is essential. S+Condition of them varies. They look good on pics but are often untidy in the flesh! FSH a must too!

 

Thanks for the help jura. I think il stick with the wrx for now as the inurance for the sti is £2400 for me which is expansive and also cant afford a good sti :S

For now finding an unabused wrx is the hard bit...

 

I know the feeling, but it pays off in the end. You inevitably end up going over budget though!

I originally had budget of 5k for a blob. But just couldn't find one i liked in good nick. I even viewed a 35k mile one which i thought looke dmint in the pics. Turned out its front bumper was hanging off, it had a noisey dump valve and made lots of noise but had no poke! Scratches all over it too!

So many dogs out there. Thats why i went for the hawk in the end! I thought sod the tax!

 

Il give it a week or two... If i cant find a decent ride i might consider a hawk..

Is there a major diffrence between the two?

 

I love the front end, looks modern! Has Xenon lights as standard. Otherwise same!
Engine is far more torquey at low revs compared to 2.0l models i drove on the same day. Just that big hike in road tax too! But i decided it was worth it!

 

The thing about people being put off by the extra tax, does make me laugh, because if the extra 60p a day puts a person off then subarus are not for them, i understand that we all like to save the odd penny or two where possible but i'd never let it stop me owning a car i wanted.

To the O/P there is nothing wrong with a WRX, they are a better everyday car and a remapped one is as quicker than a standard STI in most situations, where the STI wins is on strenth of components and brakes, as well as greater tuning potential.

Bear in mind that you MUST tell the insurance company about any mod's otherwise your insurance is VOID and if you have a crash you will be in the brown smelly stuff big time.

Most on here shout STI all the time, with good reason, but not everyone can afford one, and not everyone likes hard suspension on a daily driver.

 

After haggling over the WRX/STI route I eventually purchased an '05 WRX in Dec 2011 with a Prodrive Performance Pack fitted. Too be honest it's fast enough (mature owner) for me as I did not want a car full of mods but one that was standard with a bit extra pulling power.
If a car has been modded you need to be aware because it depends who has done the mods (DIYer, Enthusiast, Professional) so it is worthwhile asking someone who knows Subaru's too accompany you.
Also any mods to the car need to be highlighted with the insurance company. Mods are classed as anything that is not standard factory fitted so this could bump your insurance up so be aware of some potential pitfalls.
Take your time, don't rush in as purchasing the wrong car can be expensive as with any car I might add.
Make a list of what you want with the car & stick to it because it is too easy to compromise if you are impatient & then you may regret it at a later date.

Happy hunting mate!

 

I would look at hawkeye Wrx over blob/ bugeye Wrx cars as the 2.5 Wrx engine offers much better drivability and power especially after a remap.

 

Thanks for the useful infor guys...