iain85

Hi all,

Now I am older I can finally afford to insure a Suburu impreza that I've been after for as long as I can remember!
So I really like the blob eye version the most so will be after one of those. I'm looking around 3-4k but may extend for the right car.
I am looking for a fast road car that is reliable and won't mind a few track days. Also may be used for the wife to take to work if the weather is bad. What is the real world fuel consumption like?
Also what is the difference between wrx and sti models? And which one should I be looking for according to my aforementioned requirements?
I really want to get a decent one so won't rush out and buy the first one I see like I did when I was younger with a RS turbo escort that turned out to have a blown motor!

Any help would be gratfully appreciated. I'm from East Kent so if any local meets are going on I will try and get across to say hi!

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Real world mpg is around 20mpg and can get much lower if driven hard. You really need to drive both models and decide what suits you best. If your going to modify then start with an sti. The sti in standard form has more power than the wrx. Bigger brakes,harder suspension and a 6 speed box to name just a few differences. Both are very capable cars.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

With that budget your looking at a wrx. Maybe an early car with nice miles and spec or older car with higher miles. The difference between the wrx and sti really is night and day but as you'd expect, sti's make quite a bit more money.
Fuel wise, 25ish. Maybe a touch more if you drive like a fairy.

In my honest opinion, save up for a bit longer and get yourself an sti. For what you want it'll be better hands down. Better brakes, much stronger box, much stronger engine, firmer suspension and generally a nicer place to sit.
If you wanted a fast daily then its a wrx everytime but in your case, you've got sti written all over you.

iain85

Thanks for the quick replys. How much more money is the Sti over the comparably aged wrx? It's hard to get test drives I'd imagine as I don't want to waste anyone's time to just try their car without the solid intention to buy. I won't drive it crazily around town so as long as its not south of 20 mpg swmbo won't kill me : ). Are the service intervals comparable between the models? Cheere again

iain85

Sorry meant add, I won't modify massively but would remap if it's worth it?

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

As you mentioned track days then really you want an STI, half decent ones start at around the £6k mark for a blobeye, they can be had cheaper but if it's not been well looked after then the bills tot up very quickly, as in tyres ish £400, cambelt service £500, brakes depending what's requires £150/500, full fluid change £200 ish.

I'm not trying to scare you off, just making the point that a £5.5k car can become a £7k car over night, and that's presuming nothing is actually wrong with it, also if it's not tip top when you buy it then it's probably not had regular oil changes either and god knows what fuel has gone through it.

So what i'm getting at is, it's worth paying a slight premium for an enthusiast owned well maintained car, because if that list above sounds expensive wait till rebuild time.

Personally, I prefer the Blob WRX as a road car, but that's just me.

big_wasa

iTrader: (4)

The sti is double the price of the wrx but the difference in price will only buy you half of the sti upgrade bits.

iain85

I see what you mean. I will probably get whatever car inspected by a suburu mechanic so I can reduce the potential of buying a lemon. But thanks for rhe heads up.
With regards the track days I would imagine that they will be few and far between so would it still stand correct that the Sti premium is worth paying?

Also would you reccomend any dealers in the south east preferably who deal in decent imprezas ? I reckon 6k will be pushing it for me personally so I may well have to stick with the Wrx. Thanks for the help so far people. I'm determined not to rush in and get stung some with your help on this forum I will hopefully become a happy impreza owner ! Are there any links on here or other sites that would be worth my while reading up on? I've already had a read of the 2.5 litre engine problem thread which has instantly put me off a later car
Personally, I prefer the Blob WRX as a road car, but that's just me.[/QUOTE]

iain85

Any opinions on these Wrx's?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Subar...item27d36120f3

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Imp...item2a2d302dfd

Justme103

iTrader: (2)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2212402564...84.m1555.l2649

iain85

Looks nice and looked after but a little on the high side milage wise for me.

Justme103

iTrader: (2)

Don't let the mileage put you off, The services history with it is unreal, Full service booked stamped by dealers & Scoobyteknix
Every invoice & MOT paper for every thing that's ever been done to it

iain85

Ok this is a Sti from Clive's Performance on pistonheads. Any feedback on this one? Does look cracking except for the roof vent. Any one heard of Clive's performance ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...ge-ppp/1304311

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

it might have loads of paperwork, but it's still a wrx that just looks like an sti and priced like an sti, so just buy an sti!

sti looks and price, but not all the sti parts fitted. over priced for a wrx

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

That's a bug eye, thought you wanted a blob ??

Having said that, I'd take a bug sti over a blob wrx everyday of the week. Still has all the good bits that a blob sti has and with a few little tweaks they can look nice.

Justme103

iTrader: (2)

Wouldn't say its priced like an STi, The price is up on what it should be but then again I saw a X plate bug WRX on a cat C with same mods finish for £2940

iain85

Ah I thought it was the blob? I like the models from 2001 to 2005 which I thought were the blob eyes? /confused

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

STi boi

You'll struggle to find a blob sti for that price range mate, u looking 6-7k for decent blob sti uk, the Jdm version even more, and if you are a serious scooby fan then save up, hold out and get sti, ur pockets will thank you dwn the line, no point wrx, after a yr or so u'l want sti.

StiX

iTrader: (4)

You will also struggle to get over 20mpg around town!

amh82

For day to day, missus, etc but with good performance when you need it, a bug or blob wrx with some basic tweaks would be ideal imo.

You'll pay more for a decent STi, which is the right choice for big power or a more focused car, but otherwise a WRX will probably be more of an all rounder and good vfm.

A PPP'd or similar WRX has comparable performance to an STi, although you miss out on some of the other STi upgrades. I personally found a standard WRX to be a little slow, but it depends what you are used to I guess.

As for mpg, I used to keep track of mine on Fuelly and I think over 13 fill ups I had an average of around 25mpg, best was just a touch over 30mpg (which was a long run to & from Weymouth). For the performance and AWD I don't think that's too bad really.

Good luck

iain85

Thanks all but I'm confused now ! I think I would be better off with a tuned wrx but heart is telling me Sti : /
However I really don't want to spend 6-7k really as I would be Skint. If I go max 4-5k I would have money aside for maintenance.
As for previous cars I currently have the new vrs fabia (180bhp) which is fun and I had a lotus Elise which I regret selling to this day. I envisage the Impreza being my fun transport and for safe commuting for my wife in inclement weather. Are the service requirements different on the wrx vs the Sti? Also according to the reading the wagons are going for less money than the saloon so if this is the case I could be interested in a wagon assuming it doesn't compromise the ability to track it too much.

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

i've had a blob wrx for nearly five years and i wouldn't swap for an sti.

i've spent under a grand on a turbo, injectors, big top mount, decat and a remap. now it's got 330 bhp, plenty of power for road use, IMO i can't see the point in having any more power than that

just need to get my brakes upgraded (yes, i know i should have done them before tuning)

iain85

Interesting Dave. What year have you got and is it a ppp model?

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

it's an 05 reg wrx, PPP ain't worth the extra, unless you're not going to mod it. most people with PPP get them remapped anyway (AFAIK the map is rich) (PPP has sport cat and some other stuff but can't remember)

i wanted the wrx, it can achive the power i wanted and its not as 'hard' as the sti.

iain85

Ok cheers, I will start the hunt for a decent Wrx. If any one sees one they think may be decent please post up. I want under 80k preferably. Ta

iain85

This has just come on pistonheads? Although the milage is high it has full suburu service history. What do we think? Also is the price a little strong?

iain85

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...istory/1464933

BoozyDave

iTrader: (8)

i think it's a good price

BigZee87

iTrader: (3)

my blob is for sale at the moment as just got a classic type r.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009337114...ht_1951wt_1193

id let it go for £4500 to fellow scoobynet member