Any subaru experiences ? (From Tvr owners)
Discussion
I currently run Chimaera as a fun car, plus a company car (Mondeo) 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 or past TVR owners have been here before and know anything about scoobys :
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.
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 or past TVR owners have been here before and know anything about scoobys :
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.
slighty off topic, but i recently renewed the insurance on my Chimaera, whilst chatting to the broker, i mentioned some difficulty in getting cover and it was presumerably as a lot of tuscans have seeminlgy being getting intimate with the scenery...
his reply was that a bigger problem was that the peeps that covered tivs also did scoobies... Impreza strikes fear in the heart of any broker apparently..
also
i ran my chimaera as a company car for 2 years then backed out when the tax got daft, ran it for another year as my own and recently retired her to lighter duties and replaced it with a discovery van ( no vat and 500 quid pa of my tax allowance) mainly so i can tow with it...
so you dont think you could live with just a tiv ?
p.s. a mate had a couple of scoobies he used to eat disks and the mpg was no better than the tiv at 25 ish...
>> Edited by Graham on Tuesday 4th November 23:56
his reply was that a bigger problem was that the peeps that covered tivs also did scoobies... Impreza strikes fear in the heart of any broker apparently..
also
i ran my chimaera as a company car for 2 years then backed out when the tax got daft, ran it for another year as my own and recently retired her to lighter duties and replaced it with a discovery van ( no vat and 500 quid pa of my tax allowance) mainly so i can tow with it...
so you dont think you could live with just a tiv ?
p.s. a mate had a couple of scoobies he used to eat disks and the mpg was no better than the tiv at 25 ish...
>> Edited by Graham on Tuesday 4th November 23:56
Agree with Graham about eating discs and MPG. A friend of mine ran a WRX for a couple of years and had the same experience. Mind you, he did drive like hes just nicked it everywhere!!
I test drove the new STI just after selling the Chim and they are cracking cars but no way a replacment for the TVR. Although, I use mine for weekend fun so I am able to set practicality aside to an extent.
The STI and the EVO FQ variants are a fair bit quicker than a 4.0 Chimaera or Griffith IMHO and will win on the twisty bits.
I test drove the new STI just after selling the Chim and they are cracking cars but no way a replacment for the TVR. Although, I use mine for weekend fun so I am able to set practicality aside to an extent.
The STI and the EVO FQ variants are a fair bit quicker than a 4.0 Chimaera or Griffith IMHO and will win on the twisty bits.
guilty - had a WRX for 2 years (about 5 years ago), have to admit I'd still have it but she was nicked from a hotel Car Park & used as a getaway car for an armed raid...and the twats stacked it into a wall...(they'd even nicked my personal bits from the boot!)
the car was absolutely incredible, the handling & balance was the dogs... a fave was changing down approaching roundabouts & accelerating hard all the way round....... never did any discs...
mine was an import that had been chipped & played with by Razo and was 300bhp with a 6" drainpipe on the back & 3k's worth of alloys..
oh & I got 3 speed tickets in as many months & a ban (the car was nicked whilst waiting for the court case) - an unhappy ending to a fabulous car - shame the prices are now low enough for all the baseball capped max power boys....
if I had the money, I'd keep the Chimaera & have a WRX for everyday use - 4 doors big boot - I used to put a 6 piece drum kit in it & stacks of tools when working away!!!
I seem to remember the STi suspension being a bit TOO hard, even on Motorways...
the car was absolutely incredible, the handling & balance was the dogs... a fave was changing down approaching roundabouts & accelerating hard all the way round....... never did any discs...
mine was an import that had been chipped & played with by Razo and was 300bhp with a 6" drainpipe on the back & 3k's worth of alloys..
oh & I got 3 speed tickets in as many months & a ban (the car was nicked whilst waiting for the court case) - an unhappy ending to a fabulous car - shame the prices are now low enough for all the baseball capped max power boys....
if I had the money, I'd keep the Chimaera & have a WRX for everyday use - 4 doors big boot - I used to put a 6 piece drum kit in it & stacks of tools when working away!!!
I seem to remember the STi suspension being a bit TOO hard, even on Motorways...
I currently have a 2001 (but 2000 model shape) UK Turbo 4 door as my everyday car, and a 99 Chim 4.0 as my "toy".
I have owned it from new.
To answer your questions:
1. Long runs - OK. I've had more comfortable cars, it's the seats (new ones are no better, if you go for the bucket seat option). Ride is firm, noise not intrusive (got Prodrive backbox).
2. MPG - I average around 27mpg on Optimax - significantly less on normal UL, Optimax is cost effective. Mostly long trips (150 miles +).
3. They cope with high miles very well - be sure to stick to the service schedules though.
I would not hesitate to recommend a scooby to anyone that wants a performance saloon. It is very quick, entertaining and for the price, untouchable in my opinion.
BTW it's very cost effective to buy a one year old. £15ish gets you a very low mileage car from main dealer.
Main dealer servicing is reasonable cost, but join the Subaru Drivers Club. Many dealers give 10% discount on servicing for club members.
Insurance - for me reasonable. 41 years old, South West, Max No Claims, Insured for Business Use 25000 miles per annum £580 (Direct Line).
STI is remarkeable performance, but you pay a high premium in initial cost etc. Running costs will be a bit higher too.
Feel free to ask any more questions.
Simon
I have owned it from new.
To answer your questions:
1. Long runs - OK. I've had more comfortable cars, it's the seats (new ones are no better, if you go for the bucket seat option). Ride is firm, noise not intrusive (got Prodrive backbox).
2. MPG - I average around 27mpg on Optimax - significantly less on normal UL, Optimax is cost effective. Mostly long trips (150 miles +).
3. They cope with high miles very well - be sure to stick to the service schedules though.
I would not hesitate to recommend a scooby to anyone that wants a performance saloon. It is very quick, entertaining and for the price, untouchable in my opinion.
BTW it's very cost effective to buy a one year old. £15ish gets you a very low mileage car from main dealer.
Main dealer servicing is reasonable cost, but join the Subaru Drivers Club. Many dealers give 10% discount on servicing for club members.
Insurance - for me reasonable. 41 years old, South West, Max No Claims, Insured for Business Use 25000 miles per annum £580 (Direct Line).
STI is remarkeable performance, but you pay a high premium in initial cost etc. Running costs will be a bit higher too.
Feel free to ask any more questions.
Simon
Leadfoot said:
I
1 Are they comfortable on long runs ?
2 Whats the fuel con like ?
3 Do they take mileage well ?
Used to have an '00 my UK car.
1 No
2 20ish on super u
3 Yes
Sold my Impreza P1 in May this year and the Chimarea and bought a tuscan.
Comfort - P1 was the best cat I've ever owned. Seats fitted my back very well. Other people (larger er, frame!!) have complained they're too narrow. personally I find the Tuscan seats too wide in comparison. Overall 9/10 (would be 10 but the seat-back angle adjusstment could be a bit better)
MPG. 16 - 18 around town. up to 30 cruising. Bugger all when giving it the berries
A guy I know has a mate who sold his 98000 mile P1 in last year to get a new WRX. The guy who bought it works at Prodrive. Say no more!!
Good cars, if a little too "kev" for some (me).
In 98/99, we had a Prodrive-modded 98MY Impreza and a Griffith 500. To answer the questions
1) Comfortable - depends on your definition, I clocked up 53K miles in the Scooby (inc some trackdays) in two years, did over 500 miles in a day several times. Not the most comfortable of cars but tolerable (and better than 500 miles in a day in the Griff!, only managed Knockhill to Surrey in the Griff and felt like I'd been run over by a bus!). Replaced Scooby with an Audi A8, now that was comfotable....
2) Economy, less than 5 on the track and up to about 27mpg (light motorway runs), 18-22 around town. Poxy little feul tank, so filled up three times in a day several times!
3) Mecahnics - Took it very well, mecahnically (drivetrain) they have a reputation for being strong (not so such about the flimsy tin bodywork through, probably one of the reasons insurance premiums are high, the other being when traction is lost you are already travelling a warp factor 10, so the scenery will arrive quickly!). My car was still on original clutch despite several hard circuit days and a hillclimb or two!. Tyres (9-14k and all 4 at the same time!) and Brakepards (front (18k) were regular consumables! Service Intervals (7.5k on old model) a bit short, but not as short as an Evo. Servicing relatively cheap, about £100-£150 a throw, double when the plugs need doing (a real bugger of a job on a flat engine) and double agin when the belts and plugs need doing. Clutch replacement not cheap though.
Great cars, very fast A-B in all conditions, but won't put a smile on your face like a TVR.
davidy
1) Comfortable - depends on your definition, I clocked up 53K miles in the Scooby (inc some trackdays) in two years, did over 500 miles in a day several times. Not the most comfortable of cars but tolerable (and better than 500 miles in a day in the Griff!, only managed Knockhill to Surrey in the Griff and felt like I'd been run over by a bus!). Replaced Scooby with an Audi A8, now that was comfotable....
2) Economy, less than 5 on the track and up to about 27mpg (light motorway runs), 18-22 around town. Poxy little feul tank, so filled up three times in a day several times!
3) Mecahnics - Took it very well, mecahnically (drivetrain) they have a reputation for being strong (not so such about the flimsy tin bodywork through, probably one of the reasons insurance premiums are high, the other being when traction is lost you are already travelling a warp factor 10, so the scenery will arrive quickly!). My car was still on original clutch despite several hard circuit days and a hillclimb or two!. Tyres (9-14k and all 4 at the same time!) and Brakepards (front (18k) were regular consumables! Service Intervals (7.5k on old model) a bit short, but not as short as an Evo. Servicing relatively cheap, about £100-£150 a throw, double when the plugs need doing (a real bugger of a job on a flat engine) and double agin when the belts and plugs need doing. Clutch replacement not cheap though.
Great cars, very fast A-B in all conditions, but won't put a smile on your face like a TVR.
davidy
I have owned several STI's over the last 6 years (all of them pre bug eye shape, and all grey imports), done well over 100000 miles in total, always found them to be totally reliable, but heavy on fuel.
The build quality of the cars is very good, I recently owned an evo 6 and found it to be poorly made in comparison, and much more expensive to run (4.5k service intervals, discs that warp every 3k miles)
The service I received from Subaru main dealers was by and large better than most, and the subaru warranty is totally comprehensive and in my experience no quibble (they replaced a battery on a 4 year old car with no arguing!!)
I think the depreciation curve on the new STI prodrive model is v steep initially , and as the cars come with a 3 year warranty I would be tempted to buy a year old one and save 6k, insurance is expensive though, hope this helps
The build quality of the cars is very good, I recently owned an evo 6 and found it to be poorly made in comparison, and much more expensive to run (4.5k service intervals, discs that warp every 3k miles)
The service I received from Subaru main dealers was by and large better than most, and the subaru warranty is totally comprehensive and in my experience no quibble (they replaced a battery on a 4 year old car with no arguing!!)
I think the depreciation curve on the new STI prodrive model is v steep initially , and as the cars come with a 3 year warranty I would be tempted to buy a year old one and save 6k, insurance is expensive though, hope this helps
I have a 4.2 Cerby and a 2002 STI, the STi is so easy to drive, totaly reliable but does like to drink getting around 20mpg, where as the Cerb is more like 24. Service is not that bad, think about £100 for 10,000/12 month. Insurance around £800 plus tracker. The other half drives it no problems.
I bought a new 2003 Grey import STI in May this year, sold it in favour of a Cerbera 3 months later!!!
I really didn't enjoy the ownership experience.
1. Not enjoyable to drive in my opinion - had to be doing Mach 1 before it got interesting.
2. Don't buy an import even if UK spec - no dealer will touch it & insurance is a nightmare.
3. Bone hard ride - I'm used to Sports cars & this is the worst riding car I've ever owned - all my passengers complained bitterly. (WRX is suppposed to be better)
4. Max Power image - attracted every boy racer in the vicinity.
5. Turbolag
6. Souless
7. Very thirsty.
8. Parts prices (especially upgrades) are a rip-off (make Lotus seem cheap !!) - £400 for STI mudflaps...come on!!!
Not meaning to annoy Scooby fans, but I moved from an Elise wanting more seats and really regretted my decision. I bought after an hours test drive - not long enough to determine what it will be like to live with. Although I have not driven one, the earlier ones (P1 / RB5) are supposed to be much more entertaining to drive.
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Friday 7th November 13:16
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Friday 7th November 13:18
I really didn't enjoy the ownership experience.
1. Not enjoyable to drive in my opinion - had to be doing Mach 1 before it got interesting.
2. Don't buy an import even if UK spec - no dealer will touch it & insurance is a nightmare.
3. Bone hard ride - I'm used to Sports cars & this is the worst riding car I've ever owned - all my passengers complained bitterly. (WRX is suppposed to be better)
4. Max Power image - attracted every boy racer in the vicinity.
5. Turbolag
6. Souless
7. Very thirsty.
8. Parts prices (especially upgrades) are a rip-off (make Lotus seem cheap !!) - £400 for STI mudflaps...come on!!!
Not meaning to annoy Scooby fans, but I moved from an Elise wanting more seats and really regretted my decision. I bought after an hours test drive - not long enough to determine what it will be like to live with. Although I have not driven one, the earlier ones (P1 / RB5) are supposed to be much more entertaining to drive.
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Friday 7th November 13:16
>> Edited by Buster4.2 on Friday 7th November 13:18
nicholas blair said:
Rob - try and see of you can get hold of PH'er Craig Alsop. He runs a P1 and a Chim 4.5.
Moonie
Conspicuous by his absence
I too had a P1 and a Chim 450 for about a year (sold both to buy Tuscan earlier this year - see profile)
Main problem with the P1 was the clutch - it started to vibrate badly when moving off. Was replaced under warranty but the new one did the same. The "cure" was to drag the clutch a bit in 3rd occasionally.
Handling wise the P1 was excellent. I could push it much harder than i dare with the Tuscan or the Chim and it would understeer slightly which you could turn into oversteer with a little bit more throttle.
Build quality was great and (unlike the Tuscan) the A/C worked well, but 2 doors and the "Kev" image meant it had to go. A 5 door wagon with a P1 motah and running gear, no silly spoilers, scoops etc........
.....aaaaaaaahhhhhhh. What a Q car that'd be!
I had a 5 door MY 00 turbo, really good car, was astounding in the wet, predictable and controlable slides, naff interior, but I knew that. It was a personal import from Holland and cost me 15k new Uk spec. Dealers weren't bothered by this as I registered it with Subaru UK so warrenty claims were not a problem.
Nowhere near as exciting as the Griff to drive, but I reckon I could drive the Scooby faster in most situations. Ran them back to back.
Very reliable, fairly fast, good handling if a bit understeer biased, I also found it comfortable on long runs up to Scotland etc.
Less MPG than the Griff.
Honda Civic Type R (insurance much cheaper than Scooby too)a better car in my opinion, had one after the scooby. Just as practicle other than it only has two doors.
Oh and as above, the clutch juddered, but this can be sorted with a new one that has been modified not to do it.
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 7th November 14:11
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 7th November 14:12
Nowhere near as exciting as the Griff to drive, but I reckon I could drive the Scooby faster in most situations. Ran them back to back.
Very reliable, fairly fast, good handling if a bit understeer biased, I also found it comfortable on long runs up to Scotland etc.
Less MPG than the Griff.
Honda Civic Type R (insurance much cheaper than Scooby too)a better car in my opinion, had one after the scooby. Just as practicle other than it only has two doors.
Oh and as above, the clutch juddered, but this can be sorted with a new one that has been modified not to do it.
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 7th November 14:11
>> Edited by dougal on Friday 7th November 14:12
nicholas blair said:Oh sorry, I thought I'd replied on WindsorRob's other thread (along with smifffy)
Rob - try and see of you can get hold of PH'er Craig Alsop. He runs a P1 and a Chim 4.5.
Moonie
Conspicuous by his absence
Not much else to add, other than to say, all Imprezas seem to get a juddery clutch eventually, but this can easily be cured by a full-bore drop clutch start.
The other thing is - the standard brakes on the old style Imprezas are OK (overheat on trackdays), & cheap, but if you go for the Prodrive big brake 330mm Alcons; they are expensive to buy (~£1500 IIRC) & expensive to replace (pads alone are £260) & don't seem to last that long before they warp (they pretty much doubled the running costs for me)
I'm currently getting some Scoobysport 330mm replacements which are a bit cheaper & should last longer, so I'll see how that goes.
Oh, and one more thing - putting in overpower bulbs seems to fry the connectors on the back of the headlights (I found) - this is a common mod, so check by pulling off each bulb connector before you buy - if there is any sign of melted metal/plastic, this needs to get replaced)
Hi Windsor Rob,
I own a Griff 500 for fun and a MY00 Scooby Wagon for everyday use..........
My personal view is both cars are great at what they do for me. I notice that the change of car is for fun, so this means just like TVR's , you can choose between many models of Scoobys. Some like the MY00 or new WRX are quite soft, others like a WRX STI Version 6 RA (yep long title) are as near to a rally car you will get.... e.g short ration gearing (120mph top speed) etx..
If you want to meet up over a pint and chat I'm near Bracknell so drop me a email.
Alternativley every last Thurs in Warfield there is a Scooby meet (approx 20 -30 cars). Feel free to turn up and chat to everyone. And yep there are at least 2 TVR owners regulary there.
And.... www.scoobynet.co.uk for great info
J
I own a Griff 500 for fun and a MY00 Scooby Wagon for everyday use..........
My personal view is both cars are great at what they do for me. I notice that the change of car is for fun, so this means just like TVR's , you can choose between many models of Scoobys. Some like the MY00 or new WRX are quite soft, others like a WRX STI Version 6 RA (yep long title) are as near to a rally car you will get.... e.g short ration gearing (120mph top speed) etx..
If you want to meet up over a pint and chat I'm near Bracknell so drop me a email.
Alternativley every last Thurs in Warfield there is a Scooby meet (approx 20 -30 cars). Feel free to turn up and chat to everyone. And yep there are at least 2 TVR owners regulary there.
And.... www.scoobynet.co.uk for great info
J
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