Pitfalls of impreza wrx sti ownership?
Discussion
I'm looking into buying myself one of my childhood hero cars, the Subaru impreza wrx sti.
Not only did I love them from rally etc but my dad owned a bug eye for a few weeks before my mum made him sell it.
I would have a budget of around 8 or 9 grand and don't know where I'm best spending my money.
Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to get and what to avoid?
I would want a unmolested example.
The main things I worry about is expensive engine work, I'm not going to do big miles, and I'm not going to mistreat the engine. I just want the car to be reliable and fun.
Not only did I love them from rally etc but my dad owned a bug eye for a few weeks before my mum made him sell it.
I would have a budget of around 8 or 9 grand and don't know where I'm best spending my money.
Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to get and what to avoid?
I would want a unmolested example.
The main things I worry about is expensive engine work, I'm not going to do big miles, and I'm not going to mistreat the engine. I just want the car to be reliable and fun.
Been to look at a wrx today.
90k on clock, 2005 model, blue, ppp pack, service history, 1 owner.
Rekkon I could take it home for 6 grand.
They offered me insulting price on my Audi, 3.6k for a car I paid 6k for in September. We buy any car will go to 4.3k
Should I do it?
Insurance will be about 1300, road tax 300.
Repair bills worry me.
Come on help me decide! The car was so fast, completely different beast to my Audi a3. But it does lack the interior quality.
90k on clock, 2005 model, blue, ppp pack, service history, 1 owner.
Rekkon I could take it home for 6 grand.
They offered me insulting price on my Audi, 3.6k for a car I paid 6k for in September. We buy any car will go to 4.3k
Should I do it?
Insurance will be about 1300, road tax 300.
Repair bills worry me.
Come on help me decide! The car was so fast, completely different beast to my Audi a3. But it does lack the interior quality.
They're not cheap to run, petrol consumption will be low 20s. Plus they're supposed to be serviced every 7500 miles
I ran mine for 70000 miles from new and nothing really went wrong. Stuff wore out.
At that mileage you buy on condition.
Been there done that. Wouldn't go back, the 130i that followed it was a far better car.
I ran mine for 70000 miles from new and nothing really went wrong. Stuff wore out.
At that mileage you buy on condition.
Been there done that. Wouldn't go back, the 130i that followed it was a far better car.
12TS said:
They're not cheap to run, petrol consumption will be low 20s. Plus they're supposed to be serviced every 7500 miles
I ran mine for 70000 miles from new and nothing really went wrong. Stuff wore out.
At that mileage you buy on condition.
Been there done that. Wouldn't go back, the 130i that followed it was a far better car.
The 4x4 handling and the sound are what appeal to me. I ran mine for 70000 miles from new and nothing really went wrong. Stuff wore out.
At that mileage you buy on condition.
Been there done that. Wouldn't go back, the 130i that followed it was a far better car.
The bloke took me for Drive today and I thought I was going to die, the speed it went round those corners was just immense.
You should definitely buy one! ......just a case of which one, a 2005 with a PPP would be a good shout but 6k seems quite a lot for a 90k car. You would be looking about 4k I would say for that privately. I have a 2002 WRX mapped to similar to the PPP pack (for sale soon as I have just got a forester XT) and they are great all around cars. It likes a drink but I think they off set there fuel costs with being very reliable compared to other fast cars such as BMW or Audi and they are so unique/fun/awesome that you don't mind paying the fuel bill!
as people are saying a newage STI would seem to be the one for you at the top of your budget but if your insurance is £1300 with a WRX then it might be sky high with an STI (we only pay £295 for out mapped wagon!)
either way.......do it............don't bottle it and buy a boring BMW or VAG product........lifes too short!
as people are saying a newage STI would seem to be the one for you at the top of your budget but if your insurance is £1300 with a WRX then it might be sky high with an STI (we only pay £295 for out mapped wagon!)
either way.......do it............don't bottle it and buy a boring BMW or VAG product........lifes too short!
I really do want one.
Would you say there's anything special about a one owner car?
If not then there's no rush for me to jump on this one.
The more I think about it the more I want one, I would miss the nice cabin of my Audi but you only live once, I need to tick this box, but waiting a few months might be better.
Insurance would be lower for me in September, when I've had my licence 5 years.
Can I wait that long tho!
According to my quick look of piston heads ads, 6k for a 05 2 litre with pp pack is about right these days.
There's not many around.
Would you say there's anything special about a one owner car?
If not then there's no rush for me to jump on this one.
The more I think about it the more I want one, I would miss the nice cabin of my Audi but you only live once, I need to tick this box, but waiting a few months might be better.
Insurance would be lower for me in September, when I've had my licence 5 years.
Can I wait that long tho!
According to my quick look of piston heads ads, 6k for a 05 2 litre with pp pack is about right these days.
There's not many around.
Edited by benjijames28 on Wednesday 18th January 08:20
We've moved off an STi to a WRX if I've followed this thread correctly?
I'd be delighted if the WRX was making that sort of money now. I bought a very tidy '04 PPP WRX Wagon off the classifieds here last summer with 85k for £3,500. I'd planned to spend some money, have since done tyres, cam belt, water pump, rollers etc plus a full service so maybe another £1,000.
Apart from the front seats which I struggle to get comfortable in without a bit of wriggling, they're pretty much good at everything and certainly an itch worth scratching.
A one owner car is nice but I'd be more interested in the maintenance history. Plenty of people out there think they can cope with 20mpg until reality bites and they move on to something more sensible.
I'd be delighted if the WRX was making that sort of money now. I bought a very tidy '04 PPP WRX Wagon off the classifieds here last summer with 85k for £3,500. I'd planned to spend some money, have since done tyres, cam belt, water pump, rollers etc plus a full service so maybe another £1,000.
Apart from the front seats which I struggle to get comfortable in without a bit of wriggling, they're pretty much good at everything and certainly an itch worth scratching.
A one owner car is nice but I'd be more interested in the maintenance history. Plenty of people out there think they can cope with 20mpg until reality bites and they move on to something more sensible.
benjijames28 said:
The main things I worry about is expensive engine work, I'm not going to do big miles, and I'm not going to mistreat the engine. I just want the car to be reliable and fun.
Not possible in my experience. I had an 02 WRX from new, never raced, rallied or trackdayed, FSSH, rebuilt at 75k due to HG failure.06 STi 2.5, rebuilt twice and one HG repair. Put aside £2.5k for unforeseen work and enjoy.
As already mentioned above, avoid the 2.5's, I've seen a few close friends have theirs pack up with HG failure and have had to source a forged replacement.
The 2.0 models are strong and built to last. My Blob STi has (touch wood) only had an o2 sensor change in the 7 years of ownership obviously apart from timing belt etc.
Join the forums, will be my advice. Weed out the usual chatter and get to know a few of the enthusiasts, you can tell them from the chaff as the ones mainly building projects or have been on there since the year dot. Some forums like 22B and the RA forums can be a wealth of knowledge.
I was in a similar place to you when I was looking. Knowing what I know now, I would suggest getting a Spec C or JDM bugeye as they have reduced in the time I've owned my car.
Also don't restrict yourself to local adverts. Mine was a 400 mile round trip and happy to have done it.
Best of luck with your search.
Andy
The 2.0 models are strong and built to last. My Blob STi has (touch wood) only had an o2 sensor change in the 7 years of ownership obviously apart from timing belt etc.
Join the forums, will be my advice. Weed out the usual chatter and get to know a few of the enthusiasts, you can tell them from the chaff as the ones mainly building projects or have been on there since the year dot. Some forums like 22B and the RA forums can be a wealth of knowledge.
I was in a similar place to you when I was looking. Knowing what I know now, I would suggest getting a Spec C or JDM bugeye as they have reduced in the time I've owned my car.
Also don't restrict yourself to local adverts. Mine was a 400 mile round trip and happy to have done it.
Best of luck with your search.
Andy
speedking31 said:
benjijames28 said:
The main things I worry about is expensive engine work, I'm not going to do big miles, and I'm not going to mistreat the engine. I just want the car to be reliable and fun.
Not possible in my experience. I had an 02 WRX from new, never raced, rallied or trackdayed, FSSH, rebuilt at 75k due to HG failure.benjijames28 said:
Been to look at a wrx today.
90k on clock, 2005 model, blue, ppp pack, service history, 1 owner.
Rekkon I could take it home for 6 grand.
They offered me insulting price on my Audi, 3.6k for a car I paid 6k for in September. We buy any car will go to 4.3k
Should I do it?
£6k for a WRX? He's dreaming. £4k absolute tops.90k on clock, 2005 model, blue, ppp pack, service history, 1 owner.
Rekkon I could take it home for 6 grand.
They offered me insulting price on my Audi, 3.6k for a car I paid 6k for in September. We buy any car will go to 4.3k
Should I do it?
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