eddie2602

Evening ladies & gents,

Firstly I've narrowed my choices down to 2 different models as I'm specifically looking for an estate no older than 10 years. The two I'm potentially looking at are a 2004 (54) plate WRX wagon with the 2.0t or the later facelifted 2006 (56) plate WRX with the 2.5t.

Now both have similar mileage (around 60k) and seem to be in good condition, the 2004 has a lovely red leather interior and a certified PPP fitted and is also around a £1K cheaper. Now my question to you is what are the major differences between the cars both mechanically and practically. Is there a prefered motor of choice between the two? Also what should I look out for when I go to view, both have FSH and recent cambelt changes. Won't be buying for a few weeks am waiting for the garage to take back a faulty Insignia VXR they sold me!

Cheers
Eddie.

eddie2602

Jus looked at the difference in tax.. think I'll be going for a 2004 model.

fingerscooby

That was going to be my first piece of advice, look at the tax band, also alot of people on here say the 2.0 is the better option over the 2.5 in terms of reliability , but not having owned a 2.5 I can't really comment.

Check the tyres and brakes as these can be pricey, and the big cambelt service, Check all the electrics and air con etc. when test driving it give it the beans to check the turbos working ok, should feel it kick in about 2500rpm, hope this helps a bit, I'm sure you will get some more advice soon, top people here on sn.

logger

If you want a bit of back up, give me a shout. I can come and give it a once over ?

thenewgalaxy

I was on the lookout for a WRX estate myself recently too but I think I'll be looking elsewhere as the insurance for me seems to be strangely and disproportionately high - especially compared to the other two cars I run.

The 2.5 makes for a better road car with more torque and a less peaky power delivery.

You may be able to source an early 2006 (06 or 55) reg model that would be subject to the displacement tax that applied to cars before the outrageous emissions tax the government retrospectively dropped on many of us.

I ran a 2.5 STi that had head gasket problems but as far as I am aware the 2.5 WRX is not commonly affected by this issue, nor the more recently seen piston ringland issues apparently caused by the poor map on the hatch.

I couldn't tell you the chassis differences between the Hawkeye and Blobeye cars but there is certainly quite a difference in the engines.

eddie2602

Cheers guys that's top advice so far. I'll get an insurance quote this week I'm I'll be damned if its any more than the Insignia VXR was to insure! So how many belts on the 2.0 model and what's the service intervals between changes?

Cheers

logger

Subaru say 10k between servicing i think. But most people recomend 5-6k ive been doing it at 5k in my car.

Octoposse

I had a 2005 2.0 WRX with PPP and leather (not a wagon, unfortunately). Fabulous car.

Full service history (or better - like intermediate oil changes) from main dealer or indie specialist, 'loving' home and clean and rust free underneath the key for me as a mechanical numptie. (Paid off - one year, 12000 trouble free miles, two services, sold it for same price I bought at . . . and regretted selling ever since).

Never seen red leather though on a Scoob . . . always lust after it when I see it on an Alfa though!

Octoposse

Pretty sure the service book on mine stated 12,000 miles - but I would always have oil/filter change at 5-6k. Just one belt and I'd change every 40,000.

eddie2602

Yeah it looks smart as in the pics, on a silver wagon, not seen it in the flesh yet though.

eddie2602

So is there anything specific I should look/listen out for on the 2.0 engine? Any common faults in certain areas I should listen for knocks/rattles etc? I take it the diffs on these are pretty solid being rally bred? The reason I ask being the VXR has just died of rear haldex/diff fail after only 20k, costing in the region of £5k to replace!

eddie2602

Thanks for the offer bud, might have to take you up on that. What area you in?

logger

Im on swinton barraks, the hub of all things boring haha

eddie2602

Lol I don't know larkhill takes some beating for boring!

logger

Haha. Luckly swindon aint to far away

eddie2602

Yeah just realised that's tidders, what unit you with up there?

logger

26 engineers, mines in the garage thursday, front drop links, oil and filter. Then she's up for sale. Got my eye on a newer one and its an sti

domino46

Bringing back some memory's ,,I lived in larkhill while I was growing up as a army brat ,,,loved it there if I'm honest lol

eddie2602

Turns out the scooby is one insurance group higher than the siggy VXR, so not too much of an increase in premium! Still quite surprising as the VXR is 100bhp more powerful and quicker to 60 etc.. Anyway who knows how they work their figures out eh?