Newbie Advice Please
27 November 2012, 04:06 PM
#1
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Newbie Advice Please
Hello guys, im a new (hopefully soon to be owner) member on here from Yorkshire.
Im looking for a 2003 - 2005 Sti with a budget of around £8.5k and have been to see this one today;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3605062090...84.m1423.l2649
Really nice guy and was a seriously quick car! It appears a little pricey but id prefer to buy from a 'garage' as I dont really know a lot about the cars.
Anything I need to look for? Im ideally wanting a low mileage car with full history. If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to let me know.
Thanks.
Im looking for a 2003 - 2005 Sti with a budget of around £8.5k and have been to see this one today;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3605062090...84.m1423.l2649
Really nice guy and was a seriously quick car! It appears a little pricey but id prefer to buy from a 'garage' as I dont really know a lot about the cars.
Anything I need to look for? Im ideally wanting a low mileage car with full history. If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to let me know.
Thanks.
27 November 2012, 04:41 PM
#5
Hey hey - looks just like mine! 
However....that's a LOT of wedge for a car of this age, especially given it's in standard form.
In contrast, I paid £7200 to a dealer for my 55 plate widetrack blob STI (see my garage) in February this year with 58,000 miles. It did however need a cambelt and 4 new tyres though but even so, I'd say his asking price is between about £1200 to 1500 too much.
My advice to you mate would be buy one that's had some mods put on it already if you're planning on doing stuff to it, otherwise the likelihood is that you'll only end up spending more to get where you want to be. But that's just my view. Bring on the next!
However....that's a LOT of wedge for a car of this age, especially given it's in standard form.
In contrast, I paid £7200 to a dealer for my 55 plate widetrack blob STI (see my garage) in February this year with 58,000 miles. It did however need a cambelt and 4 new tyres though but even so, I'd say his asking price is between about £1200 to 1500 too much.
My advice to you mate would be buy one that's had some mods put on it already if you're planning on doing stuff to it, otherwise the likelihood is that you'll only end up spending more to get where you want to be. But that's just my view. Bring on the next!
27 November 2012, 04:43 PM
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There are a couple more for sale near me in Bradford at a similar price but as a rule I dont like to buy cars from Bradford due to previous bad experiences.
27 November 2012, 04:45 PM
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Hey hey - looks just like mine!
However....that's a LOT of wedge for a car of this age, especially given it's in standard form.
In contrast, I paid £7200 to a dealer for my 55 plate widetrack blob STI (see my garage) in February this year with 58,000 miles. It did however need a cambelt and 4 new tyres though but even so, I'd say his asking price is between about £1200 to 1500 too much.
My advice to you mate would be buy one that's had some mods put on it already if you're planning on doing stuff to it, otherwise the likelihood is that you'll only end up spending more to get where you want to be. But that's just my view. Bring on the next!
However....that's a LOT of wedge for a car of this age, especially given it's in standard form.
In contrast, I paid £7200 to a dealer for my 55 plate widetrack blob STI (see my garage) in February this year with 58,000 miles. It did however need a cambelt and 4 new tyres though but even so, I'd say his asking price is between about £1200 to 1500 too much.
My advice to you mate would be buy one that's had some mods put on it already if you're planning on doing stuff to it, otherwise the likelihood is that you'll only end up spending more to get where you want to be. But that's just my view. Bring on the next!
It has got an exhaust and 'dump valve' but no performance per say.
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27 November 2012, 10:48 PM
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Have a good look around fella, with that kind of budget you will find a real nice example with decent miles, my advice would be don't be afraid to travel to buy a car, do plenty of research on it before you leave, get the seller to send plenty of pictures of the car highlighting all the bad bits, don't think that by looking at adverts where they are saying its "mint" that they are truly as described, when they probably have their own little things here and there, A honest car will be well described in an advert highlighting any faults they genuinely know are there and try to be upfront about it, if you do come across an advert like that don't be put off and just ask further questions, can also be a good bargaining tool 
can find some hidden gems if you take your time and look around 
can find some hidden gems if you take your time and look around
28 November 2012, 06:47 AM
#11
However without wanting to sound too condescending (minefield!), I'd suggest perhaps you spend a bit more time on sites like Scoobypedia, and the web in general to research these cars. They're most certainly not all much of a muchness and the model you choose can limit what you do (e.g WRX engines and 5 speed box have power and torque limits, JDM models can rev higher and are Twin scroll etc). Once you get a feel for what you have at your disposal you can then make a well informed decision on what to go for.
I would say £8500 is still well over the top for that car, it should be priced around £8k or even less given its barely modded.
I'd get yourself friendly with your local Subaru club. Go along, see what people have, and get lookin on sites like this and Pistonheads for modified cars for sale.
Trust me, you'll soon get bored on the standard 265bhp and be hankering for more!
And by modified no I don't mean the Prodrive performance pack - I mean proper mods. For that money you could probably find an example with a rebuilt forged engine with a bigger turbo and injectors, FMIC exhaust, induction kit and maybe even aftermarket ECU, with uprated alloys, brakes, suspension etc - doing this will save you £1000's compared to doing the mods yourself. That would likely equate to a 360-400bhp car
- and that WILL be quick!If you want a quick chat I'm happy to give you some pointers on the various models etc just drop me a PM
Last edited by MrNoisy; 28 November 2012 at 06:49 AM.
28 November 2012, 10:37 AM
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Mate the wr1 is regarded as one of the nicest limited edition cars they made.
However without wanting to sound too condescending (minefield!), I'd suggest perhaps you spend a bit more time on sites like Scoobypedia, and the web in general to research these cars. They're most certainly not all much of a muchness and the model you choose can limit what you do (e.g WRX engines and 5 speed box have power and torque limits, JDM models can rev higher and are Twin scroll etc). Once you get a feel for what you have at your disposal you can then make a well informed decision on what to go for.
I would say £8500 is still well over the top for that car, it should be priced around £8k or even less given its barely modded.
I'd get yourself friendly with your local Subaru club. Go along, see what people have, and get lookin on sites like this and Pistonheads for modified cars for sale.
Trust me, you'll soon get bored on the standard 265bhp and be hankering for more!
And by modified no I don't mean the Prodrive performance pack - I mean proper mods. For that money you could probably find an example with a rebuilt forged engine with a bigger turbo and injectors, FMIC exhaust, induction kit and maybe even aftermarket ECU, with uprated alloys, brakes, suspension etc - doing this will save you £1000's compared to doing the mods yourself. That would likely equate to a 360-400bhp car - and that WILL be quick!
If you want a quick chat I'm happy to give you some pointers on the various models etc just drop me a PM
However without wanting to sound too condescending (minefield!), I'd suggest perhaps you spend a bit more time on sites like Scoobypedia, and the web in general to research these cars. They're most certainly not all much of a muchness and the model you choose can limit what you do (e.g WRX engines and 5 speed box have power and torque limits, JDM models can rev higher and are Twin scroll etc). Once you get a feel for what you have at your disposal you can then make a well informed decision on what to go for.
I would say £8500 is still well over the top for that car, it should be priced around £8k or even less given its barely modded.
I'd get yourself friendly with your local Subaru club. Go along, see what people have, and get lookin on sites like this and Pistonheads for modified cars for sale.
Trust me, you'll soon get bored on the standard 265bhp and be hankering for more!
And by modified no I don't mean the Prodrive performance pack - I mean proper mods. For that money you could probably find an example with a rebuilt forged engine with a bigger turbo and injectors, FMIC exhaust, induction kit and maybe even aftermarket ECU, with uprated alloys, brakes, suspension etc - doing this will save you £1000's compared to doing the mods yourself. That would likely equate to a 360-400bhp car
- and that WILL be quick!If you want a quick chat I'm happy to give you some pointers on the various models etc just drop me a PM
28 November 2012, 12:17 PM
#13
personally i prefer buying from a club member, enthusiasts as you find the cars have been looked after and have all the right parts, as opposed to some of these garages that just get them in and know absolutely nothing about them, and no hint of how they have been treated previous to them owning, theres plenty of forums and clubs around the uk and for sale sections on them all
Grant
Grant
29 November 2012, 10:42 AM
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I went to see that exact same car. IMO it was a bit scruffy, a few dings/scratches and the wheels had some badly touched up corrosion.
It's also not standard, Exhaust is aftermarket and it has a VTA dump valve. (at least from what I could gather from my test drive)
It is however reasonably low mileage, and the dings/scratches/etc would maybe give some bargaining power.
It's also not standard, Exhaust is aftermarket and it has a VTA dump valve. (at least from what I could gather from my test drive)
It is however reasonably low mileage, and the dings/scratches/etc would maybe give some bargaining power.
Last edited by Fonzey; 29 November 2012 at 10:43 AM.
29 November 2012, 10:51 AM
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Oh and to be fair to the seller, he deals exclusively with Scoobies and seems to know his way around them pretty well.
I also got the impression that between him and his missus - that they're using this car as a daily, hence it looking a bit scruffy I guess when I went to see it.
I also got the impression that between him and his missus - that they're using this car as a daily, hence it looking a bit scruffy I guess when I went to see it.
29 November 2012, 11:51 AM
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Oh and to be fair to the seller, he deals exclusively with Scoobies and seems to know his way around them pretty well.
I also got the impression that between him and his missus - that they're using this car as a daily, hence it looking a bit scruffy I guess when I went to see it.
I also got the impression that between him and his missus - that they're using this car as a daily, hence it looking a bit scruffy I guess when I went to see it.
He said he'd knock a couple of hundred off for cash.
29 November 2012, 04:10 PM
#18
Honestly, I'd ask questions about cambelt service.
When was the last engine and gearbox oil change? If the cambelt needs doing, add £400 odd into the mix.
Oil change - £60 for gearbox oil, £60 for engine oil.
What about fuel filter, oil filter, etc. All of a sudden it starts looking like less of a bargain. That's why I knocked down the price on mine so much mate. It was up at £7500 which seemed cheap'ish but knocked another £300 off it with the above in mind.
Honestly, I would stick to your guns - save your pennies and get something cherished, modded and well maintained as you'll get a better car for your money and it'll drive better too.
When was the last engine and gearbox oil change? If the cambelt needs doing, add £400 odd into the mix.
Oil change - £60 for gearbox oil, £60 for engine oil.
What about fuel filter, oil filter, etc. All of a sudden it starts looking like less of a bargain. That's why I knocked down the price on mine so much mate. It was up at £7500 which seemed cheap'ish but knocked another £300 off it with the above in mind.
Honestly, I would stick to your guns - save your pennies and get something cherished, modded and well maintained as you'll get a better car for your money and it'll drive better too.
29 November 2012, 04:20 PM
#19
There were a load of gorgeous 2005 widetrack models in the for sale section but they go quick!
Here's a beautiful JDM Hawkeye, one of the nicest examples you can buy, £9000 and 10 times the car in your link.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...wrx-sti/937437
Same sort of car and colour as in your link - £7250
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2005/913317
Overpriced, but immaculate:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...aculate/922709
Here's a beautiful JDM Hawkeye, one of the nicest examples you can buy, £9000 and 10 times the car in your link.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...wrx-sti/937437
Same sort of car and colour as in your link - £7250
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2005/913317
Overpriced, but immaculate:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...aculate/922709
29 November 2012, 04:32 PM
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There were a load of gorgeous 2005 widetrack models in the for sale section but they go quick!
Here's a beautiful JDM Hawkeye, one of the nicest examples you can buy, £9000 and 10 times the car in your link.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...wrx-sti/937437
Same sort of car and colour as in your link - £7250
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2005/913317
Overpriced, but immaculate:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...aculate/922709
Here's a beautiful JDM Hawkeye, one of the nicest examples you can buy, £9000 and 10 times the car in your link.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...wrx-sti/937437
Same sort of car and colour as in your link - £7250
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2005/913317
Overpriced, but immaculate:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...aculate/922709
Not a big fan of hawk eyes and the other ones probably a bit cheaper due to the lack of history I'm guessing.
The black one looks class but as you stated it's probably a little over priced.
Thanks for the suggestions though mate - I've decided against the other one now.
30 November 2012, 08:06 AM
#21
Cambelt and service had just been done on that first one I looked at.
Not a big fan of hawk eyes and the other ones probably a bit cheaper due to the lack of history I'm guessing.
The black one looks class but as you stated it's probably a little over priced.
Thanks for the suggestions though mate - I've decided against the other one now.
Not a big fan of hawk eyes and the other ones probably a bit cheaper due to the lack of history I'm guessing.
The black one looks class but as you stated it's probably a little over priced.
Thanks for the suggestions though mate - I've decided against the other one now.
Honestly I'd say hold out for a good un.
Btw that wasn't just any Hawkeye. The JDM's have stronger, higher revving engines, auto water spray and a few other features that none of the UK cars have.
I'm actually surprised its not up for more.
When blob JDM's come up a good one can fetch good money.
30 November 2012, 08:52 AM
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A good one will come along if you're not in a rush.
Honestly I'd say hold out for a good un.
Btw that wasn't just any Hawkeye. The JDM's have stronger, higher revving engines, auto water spray and a few other features that none of the UK cars have.
I'm actually surprised its not up for more.
When blob JDM's come up a good one can fetch good money.
Honestly I'd say hold out for a good un.
Btw that wasn't just any Hawkeye. The JDM's have stronger, higher revving engines, auto water spray and a few other features that none of the UK cars have.
I'm actually surprised its not up for more.
When blob JDM's come up a good one can fetch good money.
Do the jdm cars tend to cost more on insurance with them being imports?
30 November 2012, 09:40 AM
#23
Easiest way is to call up Gary Moulson @ Keith Michaels or someone at A-Plan and ask them for a rough guide on price difference - should help you get started, and they should work out cheaper than the majority of the big companies by a long way.
30 November 2012, 11:08 AM
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Hello guys, im a new (hopefully soon to be owner) member on here from Yorkshire.
Im looking for a 2003 - 2005 Sti with a budget of around £8.5k and have been to see this one today;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3605062090...84.m1423.l2649
Really nice guy and was a seriously quick car! It appears a little pricey but id prefer to buy from a 'garage' as I dont really know a lot about the cars.
Anything I need to look for? Im ideally wanting a low mileage car with full history. If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to let me know.
Thanks.
Im looking for a 2003 - 2005 Sti with a budget of around £8.5k and have been to see this one today;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3605062090...84.m1423.l2649
Really nice guy and was a seriously quick car! It appears a little pricey but id prefer to buy from a 'garage' as I dont really know a lot about the cars.
Anything I need to look for? Im ideally wanting a low mileage car with full history. If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to let me know.
Thanks.
05 December 2012, 06:39 PM
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hello there just to help you on the insurance side of things a jdm will cost you more recently just purchased one and for the remainder of my policy (6months) i had to pay around 190 extra. On my old scoob which was a bug sti with ppp was costing me 900 a year, so this new one will be around the 1300 mark on a hawk jdm type 20 not to bad considering I have only just turned 25. ohh and honestly the jdm is alot more fun!! :-) all the best mate.
06 December 2012, 06:37 AM
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Thanks. I feel I'm learning a bit more about the cars now.
Saw this one on pistonheads which appealed to me. Pricey but obviously looked after;
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2004/952548
As with most I seem to find its at the other side of the country!
Saw this one on pistonheads which appealed to me. Pricey but obviously looked after;
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/c...uk-2004/952548
As with most I seem to find its at the other side of the country!
06 December 2012, 09:05 AM
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Mate the wr1 is regarded as one of the nicest limited edition cars they made.
However without wanting to sound too condescending (minefield!), I'd suggest perhaps you spend a bit more time on sites like Scoobypedia, and the web in general to research these cars. They're most certainly not all much of a muchness and the model you choose can limit what you do (e.g WRX engines and 5 speed box have power and torque limits, JDM models can rev higher and are Twin scroll etc). Once you get a feel for what you have at your disposal you can then make a well informed decision on what to go for.
I would say £8500 is still well over the top for that car, it should be priced around £8k or even less given its barely modded.
I'd get yourself friendly with your local Subaru club. Go along, see what people have, and get lookin on sites like this and Pistonheads for modified cars for sale.
Trust me, you'll soon get bored on the standard 265bhp and be hankering for more!
And by modified no I don't mean the Prodrive performance pack - I mean proper mods. For that money you could probably find an example with a rebuilt forged engine with a bigger turbo and injectors, FMIC exhaust, induction kit and maybe even aftermarket ECU, with uprated alloys, brakes, suspension etc - doing this will save you £1000's compared to doing the mods yourself. That would likely equate to a 360-400bhp car - and that WILL be quick!
If you want a quick chat I'm happy to give you some pointers on the various models etc just drop me a PM
However without wanting to sound too condescending (minefield!), I'd suggest perhaps you spend a bit more time on sites like Scoobypedia, and the web in general to research these cars. They're most certainly not all much of a muchness and the model you choose can limit what you do (e.g WRX engines and 5 speed box have power and torque limits, JDM models can rev higher and are Twin scroll etc). Once you get a feel for what you have at your disposal you can then make a well informed decision on what to go for.
I would say £8500 is still well over the top for that car, it should be priced around £8k or even less given its barely modded.
I'd get yourself friendly with your local Subaru club. Go along, see what people have, and get lookin on sites like this and Pistonheads for modified cars for sale.
Trust me, you'll soon get bored on the standard 265bhp and be hankering for more!
And by modified no I don't mean the Prodrive performance pack - I mean proper mods. For that money you could probably find an example with a rebuilt forged engine with a bigger turbo and injectors, FMIC exhaust, induction kit and maybe even aftermarket ECU, with uprated alloys, brakes, suspension etc - doing this will save you £1000's compared to doing the mods yourself. That would likely equate to a 360-400bhp car
- and that WILL be quick!If you want a quick chat I'm happy to give you some pointers on the various models etc just drop me a PM
Good luck in the hunt. Just been through the experience myself (although I'm on my 3rd Impreza) I think have of the enjoyment is on the "chase"
If I see anything that jumps out I'll post up