Impreza Advice wanted....

[jamesogt]

So I currently have a 51 plate Boxster S 3.2.

Not great in the winter as you would imagine and it seems a waste to take it out the garage for the odd long trip I need to make for work during the winter so I am considering a second car.

Always liked WRX's and figure with it's AWD would make a good November to April car.

Looking to spend circa 5k-6k?

One near me that I like the look of but looks priced a little high when comparing on PH adverts.

http://www.europaprestige.co.uk/Used-Car-Details/u...

Any guidance?

Cheers

[ScoobieWRX]

If you're going to go for a WRX i would recommend the sportwagon 5dr. Very practical and every bit as quick as the 4dr. There are plenty WRX around in nice condition with reasonable mileages as you have no doubt already found on PH classifieds. Couple of quick mods and a remap and you have something as quick if not slightly quicker than a standard STi.

However, If you prefer a 4dr then baring in mind the kind of car you currently run perhaps an unmolested 2ltr STi of 2002/3 vintage is a better representation of what Subaru produce. Similar in terms of performance to your Porsche however with the added benefit of 4WD, front and rear limited slip diffs, indestructible 6spd box, and some of the very best foul weather handling you're ever likely to experience. Again, couple of mods and a remap should see 60-70+bhp/lbft increase over standard making it very quick indeed.

PH classifieds Subaru section isn't short of some well priced low mileage STi examples.

[paulmoonraker]

That's over priced for the mileage. Get an 05 WRX PPP - great car. The PPP makes a massive difference to the WRX, or get a standard one and get it mapped. However, it will be a bit easier to insure a PPP as many recognise it as a model...

[jamesogt]

paulmoonraker said:

That's over priced for the mileage. Get an 05 WRX PPP - great car. The PPP makes a massive difference to the WRX, or get a standard one and get it mapped. However, it will be a bit easier to insure a PPP as many recognise it as a model...

That is a 54 ppp, if could get it for 6? 12 months warranty must add some value?

[mmcd87]

Mirroring what has been said above I would not discount a wagon if you find a nice one, especially as they are a bit less likely to get noticed. The PPP upgrade is worth looking out for - it feels like it should have been on there as standard and usually adds very little to the value of the car! Just try and get the nicest one you can as there are a lot of abused ones out there now. It's worth waiting until the right one comes up for sale.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/3564...

[paulmoonraker]

jamesogt said:

paulmoonraker said:

That's over priced for the mileage. Get an 05 WRX PPP - great car. The PPP makes a massive difference to the WRX, or get a standard one and get it mapped. However, it will be a bit easier to insure a PPP as many recognise it as a model...

That is a 54 ppp, if could get it for 6? 12 months warranty must add some value?

Crikey, I just looked at the classifieds - that's not too far off the pace! Shame its not a 2005 car as it will be nicer inside (does this one have the silver dials for the air-con etc)... Seems low mileage WRX's are dearer since when I last looked...

[Legacywr]

You could stretch your budget and by my Legacy estate!

[Stuart J]

Have you thought of a Skoda Octavia 4x4 or Scout, Like an Audi but cheap as chips for a second car, German reliability & good MPG. Get a remap & its reosnably quick as well. We run a Scout as the daily hack & as a work horse its ideal & with the 4x4 pretty good when pushed. Ive had an Impreza, agreed a few years ago but I found it had a love of fuel, parts cost a fortune & it wasnt that good in the snow, I will add in its defence it was tuned, had stiffer suspension & on road tyres but seemed to wheel spin all to easily. The Scout on std road tyres is a lot better & the haldex 4x4 system with the electronic trickery seems to sort things out very well

Mk 1 Octavia 4x4's can now be had for well under 2k

For newer this is main dealer car so privately or a non main dealeer will be a lot cheaper


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by Stuart J on Sunday 31st July 08:06

Edited by Stuart J on Sunday 31st July 08:08

[rb5er]

Stuart J said:

Have you thought of a Skoda Octavia 4x4 or Scout, Like an Audi but cheap as chips for a second car, German reliability & good MPG. Get a remap & its reosnably quick as well. We run a Scout as the daily hack & as a work horse its ideal & with the 4x4 pretty good when pushed. Ive had an Impreza, agreed a few years ago but I found it had a love of fuel, parts cost a fortune & it wasnt that good in the snow, I will add in its defence it was tuned, had stiffer suspension & on road tyres but seemed to wheel spin all to easily. The Scout on std road tyres is a lot better & the haldex 4x4 system with the electronic trickery seems to sort things out very well

Mk 1 Octavia 4x4's can now be had for well under 2k

For newer this is main dealer car so privately or a non main dealeer will be a lot cheaper


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Edited by Stuart J on Sunday 31st July 08:06

Edited by Stuart J on Sunday 31st July 08:08

[ScoobieWRX]

Stuart J said:

Ive had an Impreza, agreed a few years ago but I found.....it had a love of fuel

Absolutely!! Wouldn't have it any other way. It's one of the things that makes them what they are. If you want the go you have to pay for it!!

Stuart J said:

....parts cost a fortune

To repair...Oh no they don't!! Urban Myth!! Aftermarket performance parts, most definately, but then you wouldn't buy just any old ste for your P&J.

Stuart J said:

....it wasnt that good in the snow

I've lost count of how many times i've been out in the ice and snow deliberately looking to get stuck and find icy hills i can't drive up. Never happend yet!! In defence of the humble Subaru...have a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eG_sD8yD40

Octavia 4x4...Great little car, and very capable not to mention frugal too, however, it should in no way ever be compared to, or offered up, as a substitute for a Subaru.

The Subaru is a very different car!!

[Stuart J]

ScoobieWRX said:

I've lost count of how many times i've been out in the ice and snow deliberately looking to get stuck and find icy hills i can't drive up. Never happend yet!! In defence of the humble Subaru...have a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eG_sD8yD40

Octavia 4x4...Great little car, and very capable not to mention frugal too, however, it should in no way ever be compared to, or offered up, as a substitute for a Subaru.

The Subaru is a very different car!!

Agreed, I just offered it up in case the OP was just looking for a decent 4x4 as a daily drive

A few years ago I spent a small fortune on a Skoda 4x4, ended up with over 350 bhp, Uprated suspension, brakes, transmission etc etc, now that made a great Q car & was definately quicker than the scoob. Agreed things have moved on so probably not as quick as the current ones but what could be done with a new Skoda ???

As for scoob running costs I may have been unlucky but it cost a fortune to own

Re the fuel cost agreed if you want fun you have to pay, I do on my fun car but not neccesarily on the second car

[ScoobieWRX]

I wanted a decent 4x4 as a daily drive as i've retired my scoob so i bought myself a Toyota Hilux Surf.

More roomy than any car i've ever had, tough as old boots (typical Japanese reliability), mahoosive boot (i'll probably get the skoda in the back of it), will tow 2.5tons, and go over just about any kind of terrain you like, albeit slowly!!

However, i wouldn't buy a Skoda 4x4 petrol or diesel unless i had no other choice, in the same way i wouldn't take a holiday in the Ebola virus ridden jungles of the African Congo, unless i had no choice.

[Stuart J]

ScoobieWRX said:

I wanted a decent 4x4 as a daily drive as i've retired my scoob so i bought myself a Toyota Hilux Surf.

More roomy than any car i've ever had, tough as old boots (typical Japanese reliability), mahoosive boot (i'll probably get the skoda in the back of it), will tow 2.5tons, and go over just about any kind of terrain you like, albeit slowly!!

However, i wouldn't buy a Skoda 4x4 petrol or diesel unless i had no other choice, in the same way i wouldn't take a holiday in the Ebola virus ridden jungles of the African Congo, unless i had no choice.

Hilux Surf

Great choice, I know a couple of guys who use them for balloom retrieves, will go anywher the expensive 4x4's can get & will take total abuse all day long. Only other one that I think equalls it but with a ferw more comforts is the Isuzu trooper citation, get the V6 & switch it onto propane

Re Skodas, personal choice. I need a car thats cheap as chips but can still do long journeys, weve been to Southern Spain twice in ours recently & it just rattles along at 95 all day, African Congo, well it would be exciting, you could even strap a gun on the back of the hilux & join in the civil war

[ScoobieWRX]

...lol...I've already been to the south of Spain recently in the Surf not long after getting it, and it was a most pleasurable road trip at a steady 75mph and 400miles to a tankful of the brown stuff.

Done Scotland (Highlands) recently too, will be going again pretty soon. I bought the Surf with 12mths ticket, it's a 96 3rd Gen 3.0L TD SSR-G and i paid just £2600. All you've got to do is keep on top of the servicing every 5000miles, and nipple greasing at every service, and you're away.

If that doesn't make it a cheeap runabout i don't know what is.

[Crazysteve]

Hi, which Surf do you have, i had the 3ltr ssrx for 6 years 150+k.
Fantastic in the snow, drove it all around Derbyshire trying to get stuck.

Only prob i had was not checking the radiator cap seal which had gone rotten, this killed the cyl head.
Blew all coolant out on the M1, too late head cracked!!!

I hope to be get a Gen 3 later this year after i have sorted out my dead Fozzy.

[Stuart J]

ScoobieWRX said:

...and nipple greasing at every service, and you're away.

Driver or car !!

Sounds like you have found how good they are

[ScoobieWRX]

Crazysteve said:

Hi, which Surf do you have, i had the 3ltr ssrx for 6 years 150+k.
Fantastic in the snow, drove it all around Derbyshire trying to get stuck.

Only prob i had was not checking the radiator cap seal which had gone rotten, this killed the cyl head.
Blew all coolant out on the M1, too late head cracked!!!

I hope to be get a Gen 3 later this year after i have sorted out my dead Fozzy.

1996 3.0L TD 3rd Gen in Blue over Silver.

[ScoobieWRX]

Stuart J said:

ScoobieWRX said:

...and nipple greasing at every service, and you're away.

Driver or car !!

Sounds like you have found how good they are

Just the UJ's and slip joints on both props on the 3rd gens need greasing. Unlike the 2nd Gens, the top and bottom ball joints are sealed for life so no greasing there.

As for me.....;)

[ScoobieWRX]

ScoobieWRX said:

Stuart J said:

ScoobieWRX said:

...and nipple greasing at every service, and you're away.

Driver or car !!

Sounds like you have found how good they are

Just the UJ's and slip joints on both props on the 3rd gens need greasing. Unlike the 2nd Gens, the top and bottom ball joints are sealed for life so no greasing there.

As for me.....