Thinking of getting an Impreza WRX - what to look out for
Discussion
Hi, I'm new here and looking for a bit of help.
I'm thinking about buying an Impreza WRX as my next car and since I'm new to the brand I'm hoping for some insight please.
It will be about an 06/07 year, either saloon or estate. Are there any things I should be looking out for? Any problems/known faults I can expect?
I'm thinking about buying an Impreza WRX as my next car and since I'm new to the brand I'm hoping for some insight please.
It will be about an 06/07 year, either saloon or estate. Are there any things I should be looking out for? Any problems/known faults I can expect?
Victoria VW said:
Hi, I'm new here and looking for a bit of help.
I'm thinking about buying an Impreza WRX as my next car and since I'm new to the brand I'm hoping for some insight please.
It will be about an 06/07 year, either saloon or estate. Are there any things I should be looking out for? Any problems/known faults I can expect?
I've had a saloon, really miss it now and looking for an estate! Others will be along with more technical insight, but my take is that they're brilliantly engineered cars which in standard form (or with dealer fitted PPP), uncrashed, full service history from a good home should be pretty trouble free.I'm thinking about buying an Impreza WRX as my next car and since I'm new to the brand I'm hoping for some insight please.
It will be about an 06/07 year, either saloon or estate. Are there any things I should be looking out for? Any problems/known faults I can expect?
I have a soft spot for 'SL' spec which gives you leather, heated front seats and a sunroof.
The usual really. I'd personally go for as little mileage as possible and as few owners too. Although don't be shocked at STi's or the like having had many owners especially in the last few years as running costs are sky high with fuel etc.
Buy on condition and service history, as well as the gut feel of what the 'current' owner has treated it like and how well looked after it is. I did and I don't regret it. My 2007 STi had 10k on the clock when I bought it last year. Had one owner (a master technician for Aston Martin). Car was over serviced for its age (has Aston stamps in the book as well!). It was the 8th I looked at. Not really much more money either than those with 40k+. A tremendously good honest car owned by an enthusiast who was fed up with fuel prices being what they are. I was lucky enough to be able to extend the subaru warranty as well at my cost for each coming year as a result of the condition, provenance of the car, its service history and mileage. So I now have a brilliant STi with seriously low mileage in fantastic condition with a warranty. Which incidentally I used last week during a service to have one of the notorious shocks replaced at the rear. This repaid my first years warranty instantly.
Look carefully. Take your time and read buying guides on line. Many subaru independents offer inspection services on cars you are about to spend your hard earned on. These can be very helpful and save you thousands.......
Buy on condition and service history, as well as the gut feel of what the 'current' owner has treated it like and how well looked after it is. I did and I don't regret it. My 2007 STi had 10k on the clock when I bought it last year. Had one owner (a master technician for Aston Martin). Car was over serviced for its age (has Aston stamps in the book as well!). It was the 8th I looked at. Not really much more money either than those with 40k+. A tremendously good honest car owned by an enthusiast who was fed up with fuel prices being what they are. I was lucky enough to be able to extend the subaru warranty as well at my cost for each coming year as a result of the condition, provenance of the car, its service history and mileage. So I now have a brilliant STi with seriously low mileage in fantastic condition with a warranty. Which incidentally I used last week during a service to have one of the notorious shocks replaced at the rear. This repaid my first years warranty instantly.
Look carefully. Take your time and read buying guides on line. Many subaru independents offer inspection services on cars you are about to spend your hard earned on. These can be very helpful and save you thousands.......
I had an '05 PPP Wagon with the SL pack. I ran it for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Its without doubt the most reliable, best all round car I've ever had. I should never have sold it. Only did due to not being able to better 28 mpg on a tank, no matter how hard I tried.
You might want to get as late a 2 litre car as you can (Blobeye rather than Hawkeye), since the 2.5 engines from '06 on are not as reliable. Headgaskets seem to be an issue.
You might want to get as late a 2 litre car as you can (Blobeye rather than Hawkeye), since the 2.5 engines from '06 on are not as reliable. Headgaskets seem to be an issue.
That's a shame because that's what I've been looking at. I've found quite a few this age and price http://www.waltoncars.co.uk/138032/used-cars.htm
Make sure the front suspension recall has been done if buying a 2007 model(corrosion check only).
As said above if they are looked after they are very reliable (my last one 100k no problems, and this one 47k with no issues), however do not underestimate the running costs because they are well beyond what you are used to looking at your profile. They are very expensive to tax and insure, and servicing is every 10k before you even get to the fuel costs! though this has to be considered against the performance.
My only note is that battery can suffer excessive drain if left for a long period (perhaps due to the tracker) and the brakes compared to other cars can feel below par when considering the performance.
I love mine so good luck.
Ashley
As said above if they are looked after they are very reliable (my last one 100k no problems, and this one 47k with no issues), however do not underestimate the running costs because they are well beyond what you are used to looking at your profile. They are very expensive to tax and insure, and servicing is every 10k before you even get to the fuel costs! though this has to be considered against the performance.
My only note is that battery can suffer excessive drain if left for a long period (perhaps due to the tracker) and the brakes compared to other cars can feel below par when considering the performance.
I love mine so good luck.
Ashley
Yes the reason I was looking at an 06 was that I was trying to get one on the cheaper tax date. I do under 5k a year so the running costs shouldn't be too scary. I don't actually know what fuel economy I get now, I don't have a trip computer in my bug. I still use a main dealer for my servicing at the moment, I'm presuming it will be a similar price bracket?
Victoria VW said:
That's a shame because that's what I've been looking at. I've found quite a few this age and price http://www.waltoncars.co.uk/138032/used-cars.htm
That looks like an SL which then makes that a good price from a dealer.We have had a 2 litre and a 2.5, no issues with either. MD servicing is expensive but no more than other brands main dealers. Worth looking for a specialist indie.
Our 06 car is in the 400+ tax band sadly.
The car in the link looks very reasonably priced.
Only cars registered before march (I think) '06 are in the cheaper tax bracket, all other '06 cars are taxed at the higher rate.
You will save alot of money and get a much better job done Victoria by going to subaru specialist garages for your servicing and maintenance rather than main dealers.
I have a 2003 wrx. I've owned it for 2.5yrs and driven just over 22k miles in it. It hasn't been the most reliable car I've ever had. It's only been in the garage for routine servicing and planned modifications. If you look after them the cars are very reliable.
Only cars registered before march (I think) '06 are in the cheaper tax bracket, all other '06 cars are taxed at the higher rate.
You will save alot of money and get a much better job done Victoria by going to subaru specialist garages for your servicing and maintenance rather than main dealers.
I have a 2003 wrx. I've owned it for 2.5yrs and driven just over 22k miles in it. It hasn't been the most reliable car I've ever had. It's only been in the garage for routine servicing and planned modifications. If you look after them the cars are very reliable.
Edited by BerksJack on Friday 15th June 00:50
Hi, yes it's anything up to the 23rd March 06, after that it's the higher band. You can check for the exact registration date on the government website, and so far I've only found one 06 that is pre that date.
It's only 3 miles away from me but the listing doesn't state a mileage. I emailed them yesterday to ask about the cam belt and they said it was changed at 76k, so it's done at least that many miles and I presume more.
If I do go ahead and buy one I will be back here asking for garage recommendations near to me
I only get my bug serviced by VW for the convenience and the stamps really.
It's only 3 miles away from me but the listing doesn't state a mileage. I emailed them yesterday to ask about the cam belt and they said it was changed at 76k, so it's done at least that many miles and I presume more.
If I do go ahead and buy one I will be back here asking for garage recommendations near to me
I only get my bug serviced by VW for the convenience and the stamps really.
Victoria VW said:
It's only 3 miles away from me but the listing doesn't state a mileage. I emailed them yesterday to ask about the cam belt and they said it was changed at 76k, so it's done at least that many miles and I presume more.
Yes it does. If its the blue 06 wagon it says 60KVictoria VW said:
Hi, yes it's anything up to the 23rd March 06, after that it's the higher band. You can check for the exact registration date on the government website, and so far I've only found one 06 that is pre that date.
It's only 3 miles away from me but the listing doesn't state a mileage. I emailed them yesterday to ask about the cam belt and they said it was changed at 76k, so it's done at least that many miles and I presume more.
If I do go ahead and buy one I will be back here asking for garage recommendations near to me
I only get my bug serviced by VW for the convenience and the stamps really.
Oh ok, thats good to know the date. The late blobeye cars are really popular, as soon as they come up for sale they move on pretty quickly. If you can find a decent example then it may be worth buying an earlier car with a lower mileage.It's only 3 miles away from me but the listing doesn't state a mileage. I emailed them yesterday to ask about the cam belt and they said it was changed at 76k, so it's done at least that many miles and I presume more.
If I do go ahead and buy one I will be back here asking for garage recommendations near to me
I only get my bug serviced by VW for the convenience and the stamps really.
Richard Henry Motorsport are based in Bradford (not sure how close that is to you) and have a great reputation. It maybe worth contacting them to see if they would do a pre buy inspection for you?
DKL said:
Yes it does. If its the blue 06 wagon it says 60K
Hi, no this is another one http://www.brittoneymotors.co.uk/used-cars/subaru-...BerksJack said:
Oh ok, thats good to know the date. The late blobeye cars are really popular, as soon as they come up for sale they move on pretty quickly. If you can find a decent example then it may be worth buying an earlier car with a lower mileage.
Richard Henry Motorsport are based in Bradford (not sure how close that is to you) and have a great reputation. It maybe worth contacting them to see if they would do a pre buy inspection for you?
Bradford is only a few miles from me, so I will keep that in mind.Richard Henry Motorsport are based in Bradford (not sure how close that is to you) and have a great reputation. It maybe worth contacting them to see if they would do a pre buy inspection for you?
Victoria VW said:
Hi, no this is another one http://www.brittoneymotors.co.uk/used-cars/subaru-...
Boo silver! You want a colour!There's an ad for a black wagon on yesterday in the classifieds that has Parkers suggested prices in the ad (or you could use Parkers site I suppose!) - 5k for a dealer is very reasonable. Too reasonable maybe?
DKL said:
Boo silver! You want a colour!
There's an ad for a black wagon on yesterday in the classifieds that has Parkers suggested prices in the ad (or you could use Parkers site I suppose!) - 5k for a dealer is very reasonable. Too reasonable maybe?
I know it says silver but I think it's light blue isn't it? I do like the dark metallic grey that they are available in. My current car is bright blue so I need a change There's an ad for a black wagon on yesterday in the classifieds that has Parkers suggested prices in the ad (or you could use Parkers site I suppose!) - 5k for a dealer is very reasonable. Too reasonable maybe?
Victoria VW said:
I know it says silver but I think it's light blue isn't it? I do like the dark metallic grey that they are available in. My current car is bright blue so I need a change
Don't listen to him, silver is the fastest colour 
That does seem a touch on the cheap side but maybe it's just a reflection of the market at the moment. There are plenty for sale at the moment so take your time and pick a good one.
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