SeanS

Guys looking for some info once again, so am here to bug you all and bow to your expertise.

Currently I have got a 2007 Focus ST (Orange) with modifications to around 320bhp. Again, I have an interest in a GB270 Saloon (STi is out of the question for insurance reasons).

So am looking to pick your brains.

I can only model costs in comparrison to the Focus as this is the most powerful, expensive car to run i have owened to date. So i will show some numbers and hopefully someone can run a comparrison.

Focus MPG - 25. Mostly motorway driving
Insurance Cost - £500 per year (Group 17, GB270 is 20)
Tax - £260 per annum (GB270 is about £470)
Service Cost and Tyres Per Year - Around £800

Reason for change is my Focus is now going on 60,000 miles and has served its time well. But I have always wanted an AWD Subaru Saloon. And now I have seen a GB270 that i like the look of.

Has anyone moved from an ST to an Impreza?
Can anyone offer any advice on the GB270 - baring in mind I cannot go for the STi?
What are the service costs like etc...?
Anything to look out for - (Notice the car is well cared for and comes with 1/2 leather seats, front splitter and Subaru touch screen)

The way i have been looking at it, and quote me if am wrong. But running a Focus ST and running the GB270 should be almost on par with running cost (Excluding Road Tax and Insurance)

What do you think.

Again thanks in advance for any advise Guys n Gals

chief-long-shin

Don't hold me to this but you may get a little more mpg, maybe 28 and I dont think you'll be needing tyres as much as they are generally good. Don't worry to much about insurance, people seem to get good deals from Keith michaels , brentacre and a plan insurance.

SeanS

Cheers mate, some good info there.

I would have thought with AWD i would need tyres alot more, so i guess thats a good thing.

Hoping the dealer will come back to me tomorrow, soon as i see prices I will get onto my insurance to see what the cost is.

Hearing and seeing alot that the speakers in the GB270 are shockingly bad is this true, as i have to confess to being a music fan.

Do you have a GB270 chief-long-shin?

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Running costs will be very similar between the two excluding the tax and possibly insurance. I have a GB270 wagon and a friend has a Focus ST and they are very similar in costs.

I'd speak to some specialist insurers and comparison sites/run of the mill insurers as they can sometimes be cheap on unmodified cars. Check the insurance of the STI against the GB270 as there maybe little difference between a WRX with PPP and a standard STI.

Do you plan on future mods to the car? If so familiarise yourself (if not already done so) with the differnces between the WRX and STI.

The standard speakers and stereo are worse than useless in all the Hawkeye's.

The standard discs and pads on the GB270 are not great so I'd factor in new discs, pads and braided hoses. Several decent brake choices on here at good money.

Also how old are you as the speciliast insurers are usually 25 minimum and some of them want 30 plus. All require similar performance car experience so might want 4WD experience.

Best of luck.

SeanS

good info there again.

i am 28, insurance is not a problem aslong as its reasonable and under £700 per year. Really do like the GB270. But again it will all come down to the dealer. As i will not pay the £12,500 he wants for a 57 plate car. He has my offer so its up to him.

I am assuming the grip of the awd is good in all weather conditions?

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Grip/traction is good. Traction is great even in the snow and have never got stuck even in 8-10 inch deep snow - the usual sensible/careful/not invincible driving note here. Decent tyres are a must.

Have you driven the GB270? I would strongly recommend driving a Hawk STI as well to compare and compare insurance. I needed a Wagon hence no STI but the STI is a better platform if wanting future performance mods.

Have you thought about a standard WRX for half the money you mention and then mod yourself/specialist to match/beat the GB270? I say this as I'd recommend having a GB270 remapped for driving pleasure and some performance/fuel economy increase - the PPP is not the best for performance or smoothness.

Not trying to put you off just consider your options now rather than after you have bought.

SeanS

again i appreciate all this.

really am not looking to mod again. Been there done it, and i think the gb270 has the originality and brand extras am looking for (if that makes sense)

highlandflyer

Hi mate,
I currently own a 2005 wrx ppp and have owned several fast fwd cars though not a focus st.
insurance unknown st v gb270 though i got tesco quote for wrx ppp and sti about the same.
i get 27-30 mpg off track
tyre wear would be much less than st though you need good tyres and to rotate to keep tread even.
gb270 is a wrx ppp with body kit so bear that in mind as a wrx ppp is cheaper to buy, in fact buy a standard car and remap+exhaust will yield more power or a standard sti + remap/exhaust good for 330+ bhp
RFL on a 2005/ early 2006 car is £270 so a blob is worth looking at + 2.0 is more reliable than 2.5 IMO and others.

Test drive a few as you'll find your St is a good bit faster and smoother/quieter than a blob/hawk (awd soaks up some of the power).
Main advantage of an Impreza is grip "ie no more torque steer" though a focus handles better.
Also St has piles more torque low down, wrx/sti gutless below 300 rpm.
Sorry fellow Scooby owners but it's an older design with character V a modern great handling car that also sounds good. I'll still stick with the Scoob though!!!

ScoobyK69

Hi there....if you do a search, you'll find I've recently done the same thing.....had a beautiful focus st....but it was boring, and didn't engage me in anyway. I changed to the gb270, albeit modified to 335, but, there is no comparison in the two.

The scoob is rough, lacks the quality of the focus, and doesn't compare.....

....would I swop back, NO WAY ! Whilst stating the above, the scoob makes me smile everyday, engages me as a driver, and is just the most glorious fun....and that's from someone who's had 3 scoobs over the years, you just can't beat that noise, the thrust, the sensible fun.

In terms of costs, my st was around 25-27mpg, the scoob I haven't worked out, but with my mods, Im guessing slightly less mpg. Insurance for me was 45pa more, and insured with mods and for business use.

If you want comfort, knowing there's a bit of power....stick to the st. If you want to enjoy your car, get the gb270.

What mileage is the scoob,....price sounds high, I would be going in around 10k, poss 10500.

Let us know what you decide

Regards

Glenn

waldmanbrown

hi scoobyk69 just out of intrest where did you purchase your gb270 from its just i bought my gb270 from a private dealer locally which also had another gb270 come after i had bought mine which was upgraded to 335 just wonderd if it was the same one? and also what has to be done to get it to 335bhp and much does it cost is just another remap if so what one?

ScoobyK69

Hiya mate, same dealer I'm guessing as I know they had. Gb before...churches. Mine has decat all the way through, k&n typhoon induction, pink injectors, and a remap....work done by scooby clinic, and I think the price is around 2500.

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

Turbo would have to be changed to get 335BHP - TD04 will max out at 290-300 BHP. A VF43 from a Hawk STI is the popular choice to get to 330-350 BHP on a 2.5 WRX. This is also about the max the WRX intercooler can handle - STI intercooler and Diffuser/bellows (undertray) again is the popular intercooler upgrade. The 2.5 WRX has 550cc injectors as standard so no need to change these until 400+ BHP which is forged build/ stronger gearbox time.

ScoobyK69

I do apologise, I forgot the sc36 turbo swop !!!!

henrysmith

iTrader: (5)

The SC36 must have great spool on the 2.5. Are you still on the WRX TMIC?

ScoobyK69

At the moment, yes, has the stock tmic, at present !

waldmanbrown

Have u still got the stock breaks on that? have just changed mine bought some ap six pots with 356mm discs still bedding them in so have not tested them yet. Bet yours is a bit wild thought mine was quick enough, and its not my first impreza either so no stranger to what they can do

ScoobyK69

Funny you should mention that....have to be honest, brakes are 'soft', and will be the next job ! How much were the ap's ? I used to have the tsl 6pots on my old car and they were awesome !

waldmanbrown

AlotAll in after fitting about 2grand I know that you can go more expensive however this seems mad to me. Its my wifes fault was looking at cheaper options but she said if you are going to do it you might aswell do it properly. Still she is waiting for her brand new Golf r to be deliverd so this might make her feel less gulilty