Looking for a daily WRX/STI what do they go for?

[wannabe-racer]

I need a daily car and as a kid always wanted a Subaru Impreza. So I started looking around, and they do seem to be quite expensive at least for a good conditioned low-ish mile example.

I came across this example on here, that looks well cared for at least in the pictures: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Is ~£12k for a 2003 car in line with what one should pay? I have no idea, the prices seem all over the place but I suspect this is down to condition etc and bugeye vs hawkeye versions etc.

Any tips/feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[sam.rog]

That looks expensive to me for an 03 uk car. For that price I would want an import or a widetrack uk car or even better a v4 sti type r like this one. If you want a 4 door then look for a type RA.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-STI-...

[wannabe-racer]

Thanks for that.

The WRX does seem considerably cheaper. I found one at £5k for a nice looking stock example. Is the STI that much better and worth double the cost of a WRX in your view?

Cheers

[vxr2010]

I would always go for an sti , stronger parts like gearbox , and they just seem a more sorted car , the 2.5 engines on all subaru’s can be a weakness but the engines drive a lot better than a 2 litre when both engines are in standard form , the 2 litres being more reliable , have you considered a forester sti , after owning a number of imprezas it’s where i am with the subaru range , big boot quick decent mpg cheaper to insure , the only thing i miss on them is cruise control

[cheesesliceking]

It's worth mentioning that daily driving an WRX STI will get considerably more expensive a lot quicker than daily driving a WRX.

Not suggesting you don't do it, just worth being aware of, if you can afford it, go for it

Also.. some of the modifications on that STI look a little half arsed, the air filter for example will just be sucking in hot air, its been proven the standard airbox is the better way to go.

Edited by cheesesliceking on Thursday 26th September 13:11

[mikey P 500]

Well I bought a wrx over a sti, as i felt the difference in performance was about 10% and price different like for like was about 300%.
The majority of the car is the same and on the road a re mapped wrx is more than fast enough, shame about not having 6th gear but thats really the only difference you would notice under normal road use. A good wrx is about £3.5k a similar age sti is upwards of £10k, yet both will likely die due to rust within a few years if used daily anyway. The more special collectable STIs are really reaching an age and value where should be viewed as weekend car.

[Pyrolysis]

I've always loved the WR1, looks great and hardly any about.

They have gone up a bit in price since I last looked tho

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[wannabe-racer]

Wow, £14k for a 14yr old car with quite a few miles on it, seems over priced to me. Some I have seen have 50k to 60k miles, that is ideally what I am after but not at this price. Maybe I look for a wrx as mentioned before half the price with 10% less power.

Thanks for all your replies, this is very helpful.

[ericmcn]

A Subaru can sap your bank account fast so service and maintenance is paramount.

[red997]

Been looking for a UK WRX STi for the wife for a while - prices appear to be on the up

Want something pretty standard, with a good SH.

And no rust....

thin on the ground it appears, at 'reasonable' prices

neighbour has one - looks 100% genuine & mint.
Don't think he's selling though.
(he has 6 cars - some nice machinery)

[wannabe-racer]

It will be hard to get a good conditioned one at the right price. But worth the effort I think.

[Second Best]

I've driven an 01 Impreza WRX as an almost-daily for just over two years. It's been faultless. Bought for £3000.

I previously owned an 05 STi that I paid £12k for and I must say, the difference is definitely not worth £9k.

Took a bit of searching but there are good ones out there.

[david1972]

I've got a late 2006 2.0 JDM Hawkeye STI a-line in urban grey metallic that I imported from Japan in 2018. It's not for sale as such, but every car has it's price. They are great cars.

[rovermorris999]

If you want a daily then my advice is to buy a stock car with impeccable service history.

[texaxile]

I have and have used my 04 WRX PPP as a daily for the last 3 years. I purchased it as a bit of a project for around £2k when it was sat, unloved and unused under a tree in someone's garden. Little SH and the EML light on, about £600 later it was sorted, all belts and fluids changed, sensor replaced, all filters replaced and some drop links turned it into a useable and reliable car.

Since then, annual servicing and a bit of ongoing maintenance keeps it honest. I get 320 miles to a tank of Momentum and rack up 35 miles a day to work and back.
The servicing costs according to my records run at about £55 for the Oil (Millers nanodrive) £18 for the HKS filter on an annual mileage of 5k (I don't work every day of the week and car share). Air filter (Cosworth panel) is £35 every 2 years, plugs were £35 for 50k / 5 year change schedule (done once when I got the car, due again next year and not a tough job as one might think). Fuel filter was £18, pollen filter £6 and to date other stuff like droplinks front and rear roughly £70 , all fitted on the driveway with a trolley jack, axle stands and youtube.
Coolant replacement cost me £130 for Fuchs fricofin and to be done at a local indy. Discs and pads (Pagid / Predator Black diamond) were just over £360 supplied and fitted.

The biggest expense was the initial cost of cambelt, water pump, gearbox and diff fluid changes, but it is done once every 5 years (or mileage for the cambelt), around £600 +VAT including the full kit at an indy ( I supplied some fluids but not all).

Overall they are good, reliable but somewhat spartan interior wise. The ride is slightly noisy, slightly harsh but still can be fun on the B roads in the wee hours of the morning. I would choose a WRX over an STI if cost is a factor, STI's are double the cost these days and service items more expensive. If your WRX has a decent SH and reasonable mileage then a 275 bhp map will give better performance (that being said, a friend just mapped his 120k wagon with no il effects....yet). Regular servicing with good quality oils and ongoing TLC will give you a solid motor.

I'd opt for one with service history and buy on condition, I've noticed some cars with 50-60k being sold needing a cambelt change, as 50k - 60k is around the big service schedule (diff oils / Cambelt etc) so some people put that off when it is due. That can be a bargaining chip, but there is risk involved.

I think that 4-5k will get a decent one, this is an SL in good order, Service history and a mature owner, only failed 1 MOT in its life for a very minor issue.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Impreza-2-0-WRX-...

BTW epic lurking to the poster above me

Edited by texaxile on Friday 29th November 12:05

Edited by texaxile on Friday 29th November 12:06

[Hoojammyflip]

Hope you find what you are looking for...

Have you thought about a JDM Legacy Turbo very similar and lots of swapable bits - a bit more unusual and cheaper insurance - lots of enthusiasts and info at www.uklegacy.com

[ericmcn]

UK legacy is a very good site, regarding the JDM Legacy, with circa 280bhp from 2.0 liters and a favour for getting many mods they do have a relatively high Bork factor, people have suggested they can't even be driven hard (as in 100+ mph) as they are limited to 180km/hr, plus they will need a remap for high octane fuel and cruise control (if fitted) will not work as we expect it to.

It's a very good car no doubt but IMO the 3.0 flat 6 is more reliable and sounds better, certainly with raptor headers and a SS exhaust you won't get that from a turbo. Performance wise the turbo is faster off the line as you would expect but not by much and the NA 3.0 has a much higher top speed (without getting borked)

https://youtu.be/Cwq-7UQHwj8

[Hoojammyflip]

Hi Eric - nice video compilation...

~I disagree that the 3.0 sounds better than the JDM 2.0 though - but I may be a little biased

Anyway here is mine at a rolling road day for comparison...

https://youtu.be/vwctyptijzc

Mine has full Milltek system with sports cat - and a 'few' other mods since that video

They are best re-mapped and then you get rid of any silly artificial speed limits etc - mine now at 335 bhp & 332 lbft - with thanks to Andrew Carr www.teamcarr.net