Thinking of a Subaru !!!
Discussion
I currently have a TVR Chimaera as a fun car and a company car (Mondoe) for the daily grind. However, with tax as its going I'm thinking of taking cash next year and trading the TVR for something I could use everyday , but still enjoy to drive. Its likely that the car would do around 30,000 miles a year.
I have looked at the Subarus - 'Normal' WRX, plus the STi - its likely that if I bought either they would be brand new or near to it as the 3 year warranty appeals and they seem bloody good value !
Just wondering whether any current owners could enlighten me :
Are they comfortable on long runs ?
Whats the fuel con like ?
Do they take mileage well ?
Boring stiff I know - but I have to sort it !
Also - has anyone traded a TVR in part ex for a subaru ?
I noticed two dealers - walldonway and David Hendry cars that handle both marks and thought this might be a better route than trading the TVR at a non TVR garage ? Any experiences welcomed.
This is a bit of a spooky post as I was about to post virtually the same thing. I've got an HSV GTS-R (which I love
) and an Mondeo Estate which I've had 9 years to do the work bits in. Now the wife's gone and bought a bloody Voyager the HSV isn't getting used much and it's got me thinking. My thoughts are now to maybe sell the HSV and the Mondeo and buy a work car that I'll enjoy driving (5 door WRX?) and either bank the difference or buy a 2 seater again. Any thoughts?
Sorry didn't mean to hijack anyones thread!
) and an Mondeo Estate which I've had 9 years to do the work bits in. Now the wife's gone and bought a bloody Voyager the HSV isn't getting used much and it's got me thinking. My thoughts are now to maybe sell the HSV and the Mondeo and buy a work car that I'll enjoy driving (5 door WRX?) and either bank the difference or buy a 2 seater again. Any thoughts? Sorry didn't mean to hijack anyones thread!
Gazboy said:You can still get P1s with 2 years full extended warranty on them (£440 inc VAT), cos I'm just extending mine at the moment (even covers stuff like exhausts, which I didn't expect)
I have looked at the Subarus - 'Normal' WRX, plus the STi - its likely that if I bought either they would be brand new or near to it as the 3 year warranty appeals and they seem bloody good value !
Are they comfortable on long runs ? [depends]
Whats the fuel con like ? [22-30]
Do they take mileage well ? [yes]
Boring stiff I know - but I have to sort it !
Also - has anyone traded a TVR in part ex for a subaru ?
I noticed two dealers - walldonway and David Hendry cars that handle both marks and thought this might be a better route than trading the TVR at a non TVR garage ? Any experiences welcomed.
Not sure about the last bit, but is the 3 year warrenty ultimate decider for you, as opposed to a P1 or 22B (If I could, that what I'd have) that being three years old already wont have, plus the P1 would have done 40-60k by now.
Fuel economy tends to be around 24-30 (bizarrely a lot better than my old Impreza Turbo, which did 17-18)
Imprezas tend to take mileage very well - my last one was still taut after almost 80,000 hard miles - you just need to look after the turbo by not thrashing it when cold & not switching it off immediately when hot.
It's not got quite the grin factor of a TVR, but it's a lot easier to drive fast
Yep, Agree with Craig.
I swapped in my Griff 500 for a P1 which has turned 3 years old this year and has done just 27k miles. I've just extended the warranty too although very little goes wrong with Subarus in general.
This is my 2nd and I'm just experiencing my first problem with either car - A front shock absorber has failed, which is being replaced under warranty. I know I had a lemon Griff 500, but the Scooby still feels hard and tight. (cue Podie). See the history of my car in my profile for a more full write up of the driving experience. In short - Fast, responsive, grippy but prone to understeer on the limit. I believe Prodrive can cure this.
They're very different to the TVR. You should test drive one before you buy. As to which one, well I don't honestly know - it depends on budget I suppose. Just ask a dealer to line up a selection to try - sounds like a fun day in car heaven
I swapped in my Griff 500 for a P1 which has turned 3 years old this year and has done just 27k miles. I've just extended the warranty too although very little goes wrong with Subarus in general.
This is my 2nd and I'm just experiencing my first problem with either car - A front shock absorber has failed, which is being replaced under warranty. I know I had a lemon Griff 500, but the Scooby still feels hard and tight. (cue Podie). See the history of my car in my profile for a more full write up of the driving experience. In short - Fast, responsive, grippy but prone to understeer on the limit. I believe Prodrive can cure this.
They're very different to the TVR. You should test drive one before you buy. As to which one, well I don't honestly know - it depends on budget I suppose. Just ask a dealer to line up a selection to try - sounds like a fun day in car heaven
I had a 1997 (my1998) STi4 for nearly 5 years.
>Are they comfortable on long runs ?
Not too bad, I didn't do too many so many I wasn't 'used' to them, my back used to ache a bit after about 3 hours...
>Whats the fuel con like ?
You are kidding right!!!
Mine used to do 250 on a full tank on a long run, mostly 170-190 round town, I didn't drive it hard but with the gearing, 80 in 5th was just over 4000rpm so the turbo was busy....
>Do they take mileage well ?
I only did about 5k a year but nothing went wrong on it at all.
The only thing is the MAF sensor (according to the new owner) might be faulty which would explain the poor economy.
Lovely car, would recommend it, can't comment on the newer shape ones, never even been in one.
A P1 might be a good choice.
>Are they comfortable on long runs ?
Not too bad, I didn't do too many so many I wasn't 'used' to them, my back used to ache a bit after about 3 hours...
>Whats the fuel con like ?
You are kidding right!!!
Mine used to do 250 on a full tank on a long run, mostly 170-190 round town, I didn't drive it hard but with the gearing, 80 in 5th was just over 4000rpm so the turbo was busy....
>Do they take mileage well ?
I only did about 5k a year but nothing went wrong on it at all.
The only thing is the MAF sensor (according to the new owner) might be faulty which would explain the poor economy.
Lovely car, would recommend it, can't comment on the newer shape ones, never even been in one.
A P1 might be a good choice.
Just a note to say thanks for all the replies - great response and some good info. Not sure what to do at present - took the TVR out yesterday - roof down, burbling away - I know I'd miss this part, hence may hold off for a while. Do fancy a P1 though !
I think a try one (P1) and see how much I'd get for the TVR may be in order. It's a 2000 W plate with 31 k miles - not the best time of year to sell though.
Thanks again for all the info.
WindsorRob said:
Just a note to say thanks for all the replies - great response and some good info. Not sure what to do at present - took the TVR out yesterday - roof down, burbling away - I know I'd miss this part, hence may hold off for a while. Do fancy a P1 though !
I think a try one (P1) and see how much I'd get for the TVR may be in order. It's a 2000 W plate with 31 k miles - not the best time of year to sell though.
Thanks again for all the info.
If you're in or around Brighton Rob let me know and I'll give you a run out in the P1.
I've got a standard uk MY2000 5 door.
(If you do get one you'll have to get used to using all the keys on the keyboard just to describe it!)
Had it approx. six months so can't comment on the mileage aspect except to say the paint is quite suceptable to damage from stone chips and car park dins.
Bucket seats are very comfortable and as long as you've a standard exhaust on a uk geared car, long journeys are ok. Trim is NOT TVR standard, but hard wearing.
(I've got a bad back at the moment and did Essex-London-Essex the other day quite comfortably)
MPG is poor if you rag it, 15-20 average, however if you're sensible, MPG is...well....poor. It's just something you have to get used to.
Service intervals on the classics are every 7,500 miles. Mine's in soon for it's 3 year/45k service which includes cambelt (some MY2000s need the belt doing at 4/60k but I'm doing it now for piece of mind)
Have been quoted around £400. Interim is around £150 IIRC.
Subaru warranties are extendable, had loads of work done to mine (trim/clutch/5th gear problem etc..) with no quibbles, (I love that word)
Probably not the same smiles per miles as a TVR but will do virtually anything you ask of it (up to a point) without too much drama. And the 5 doors are more practical and less conspicuous.
See [url]www.scoobynet.co.uk[/url] for more (if you can stand the PC bitching.
(If you do get one you'll have to get used to using all the keys on the keyboard just to describe it!)
Had it approx. six months so can't comment on the mileage aspect except to say the paint is quite suceptable to damage from stone chips and car park dins.
Bucket seats are very comfortable and as long as you've a standard exhaust on a uk geared car, long journeys are ok. Trim is NOT TVR standard, but hard wearing.
(I've got a bad back at the moment and did Essex-London-Essex the other day quite comfortably)
MPG is poor if you rag it, 15-20 average, however if you're sensible, MPG is...well....poor. It's just something you have to get used to.
Service intervals on the classics are every 7,500 miles. Mine's in soon for it's 3 year/45k service which includes cambelt (some MY2000s need the belt doing at 4/60k but I'm doing it now for piece of mind)
Have been quoted around £400. Interim is around £150 IIRC.
Subaru warranties are extendable, had loads of work done to mine (trim/clutch/5th gear problem etc..) with no quibbles, (I love that word
) Probably not the same smiles per miles as a TVR but will do virtually anything you ask of it (up to a point) without too much drama. And the 5 doors are more practical and less conspicuous.
See [url]www.scoobynet.co.uk[/url] for more (if you can stand the PC bitching
. Rob,
Have written a more comprehensive review after a year of P1-ness.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=71&t=66761
Cheers.
Have written a more comprehensive review after a year of P1-ness.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=71&t=66761
Cheers.
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