Wouldie

Its a 2003(03) 2.0 wrx awd fitted with a pro drive pack. It has full service history,60k miles,excellent bodywork and the rest is standard. Should the cambelt and timing belt have been or due to be changed with this mileage ?.

thenewgalaxy

The Cambelt should have been changed twice by the end of its tenth year but it is changed at 60k if that comes first.

For 5k you might find an STi if you are prepared to hold out for a good one at a good price.

blackvenom

I would wait

Wouldie

Thanks chaps. I have been looking at STi's but l note the tax is £480 something l wouldn't be prepared to pay.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Tax is low on pre 06 cars I believe.

5K is high for an 03 plate wrx.

Worlasshasansti

Only after a certain year fella STI/WRX tax is the same up to something like 2005/6 I think

Mick

cster

I think you will find that band applies only to suckers (like me) who first registered their cars after March 2006.
You should get this info plus insurance info before you go much further IMO.

SeanNewton93

My STI is going fairly cheap mate

Wouldie

The reason l'm looking at trade is because l already own a 2001 wrx bugeye and its easier to do a deal with them. Spent a fair bit on it so far and was thinking of upgrading before l spend anymore on it. Every WRX STi l've looked at is in the M tax band. Maybe l'm looking in the wrong place(usually autotrader) or at the wrong cars. (I'm no expert.)

playtime

iTrader: (1)

Under march 2006 the wrx sti is £280 per year to tax.

redwards

iTrader: (6)

To give you an idea, my 2004 WRX Sti will be going up for £6500, it is £280 a year tax and has 54k on clock. Has a new clutch, belt change and a few mods.

There are a few out there around this price, so keep looking and you'll find one in the right condition at the right price.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

VED went up on cars registered from 23rd March 2006, so if you find one from before then, it will be in the cheaper category. There are a few Hawkeyes with the 2.5 litre (alleged time bomb) engine that sneaked in, but most will be 2.0 litre Blobs.

BigZee87

iTrader: (3)

i have an 04 wrx sl going up for sale soon mate, FSH, 66k ppp and mods to take it up to 294.1bhp going up for for £4500 ono soon mate if your interested?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Mechanically wise there's not a lot of difference between the Bug WRX and the Blob WRX............

Subaru realised they dropped a bollock on the styling and simply tarted it up a bit .

Shaun

LuckyWelshchap

Erm..... there's also JDM Hawks, wot aren't time bombs.

A lot of posts are correct re. the date.
There is however a simpler way - if the car is a 55 plate (or entitled to have one, if it's on a private one) then it's £280pa.

After that - the government screwed you.

Tidgy

date thing is important, easy way to tell is look at the tax disk and see what it says, im pre 23rd march on my 06 hawk so pay the lower tax

bigphilbaby

i sold my bugeye sti for 4250 on 70k few months ago so may be able wait out and get one for that price, thats lower tax band too

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

£5k early Blob STi here:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-03-RE...item1e7db0be85

"Engine management light on due to misfire at idle"

Could be something as simple as a sparkplug.... But could also be something more sinister/expensive....(?)

LuckyWelshchap

Apols for any confusion.

Yes, cars with an 06 plate could be registered between 1st and 22nd of March 2006 and therefore exempt from the banding system ie. £280pa currently.

BigZee87

iTrader: (3)

I wouldnt go near it personally, not worth the risk, especially with the high miles and when you can get a v nice bug sti for the same price

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Definitely worth a punt if it came for mid 4's.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Quite true, but not for £4995 though (just add a '1' at the start I'd suggest). But I suppose the chocolate Hawks aren't that sort of price either.