Scooby wagon, good choice?
Discussion
Hi all,
The missus & I are in need of a second car, capable of carrying a growing 10 year old lad & a big dog. No reason for it not to be sporty & smart, the only trouble is she doesn't like estate cars. So got to thinking about the Subaru sportswagon, as it is a little different. Price range 3 to 6k, can I please have your views, experiences, on what to look for, or any other choices that spring to mind?
Main car is a RX7 running about 360 bhp, so like jap cars.
Cheers,
Brook.
The missus & I are in need of a second car, capable of carrying a growing 10 year old lad & a big dog. No reason for it not to be sporty & smart, the only trouble is she doesn't like estate cars. So got to thinking about the Subaru sportswagon, as it is a little different. Price range 3 to 6k, can I please have your views, experiences, on what to look for, or any other choices that spring to mind?
Main car is a RX7 running about 360 bhp, so like jap cars.
Cheers,
Brook.
If you're not looking for big amounts of power but still want fairly brisk acceleration and good top end, and decent safe predictable handling in any weather with load lugging capability and decent reliability.........Go ScoobyWagon!!
You'll get a newage MY03 WRX sportwagon with average mileage in good condition for £6K.
Edited to add: and they are very tuneable for decent power gains costing very little money
You'll get a newage MY03 WRX sportwagon with average mileage in good condition for £6K.
Edited to add: and they are very tuneable for decent power gains costing very little money
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Monday 27th July 00:22
CaptainSlow said:
check out the boot size though as it's not particulary large.
You would be very impressed at just how much you can stuff into a WRX sportwagon. Trips to scotland with myself and my partner, 2 large dogs and a ton of gear for my in-laws at an average of 80mph-90mph and 300miles to a tank full of 99RON.Nothing wrong with that!!
ScoobieWRX said:
CaptainSlow said:
check out the boot size though as it's not particulary large.
You would be very impressed at just how much you can stuff into a WRX sportwagon. Trips to scotland with myself and my partner, 2 large dogs and a ton of gear for my in-laws at an average of 80mph-90mph and 300miles to a tank full of 99RON.Nothing wrong with that!!
CaptainSlow said:
ScoobieWRX said:
CaptainSlow said:
check out the boot size though as it's not particulary large.
You would be very impressed at just how much you can stuff into a WRX sportwagon. Trips to scotland with myself and my partner, 2 large dogs and a ton of gear for my in-laws at an average of 80mph-90mph and 300miles to a tank full of 99RON.Nothing wrong with that!!
You're absolutely right though, It's not huge but then it's not meant to a big estate but estate like and as compact as a 4dr,dimensions wise,
I suppose if you want a bigger one you could get a Stagea, Legnum or Volvo, they are pretty cavernous in the back
Believe it or not I run an RX7 too with similar power and have been looking at buying an estate car for just over 9 months now and have finnally decided on a 99 spec Legacy GTB after looking at Stagea's and Legnum VR4's, the Legacy GTB is in my opinion a good looking fast practical estate car. I have driven examples of the other two cars and the 280 BHP twin turbo GTB really is a nice car as I have used the RX7 which has had the full polybush/tein suspension work done to drive to see these cars I can assure you after jumping out the RX7 then driving them the standard GTB is really precise and quick in the roadholding department only problem is the insurance is pretty high.
David Wiltshire said:
Believe it or not I run an RX7 too with similar power and have been looking at buying an estate car for just over 9 months now and have finnally decided on a 99 spec Legacy GTB after looking at Stagea's and Legnum VR4's, the Legacy GTB is in my opinion a good looking fast practical estate car. I have driven examples of the other two cars and the 280 BHP twin turbo GTB really is a nice car as I have used the RX7 which has had the full polybush/tein suspension work done to drive to see these cars I can assure you after jumping out the RX7 then driving them the standard GTB is really precise and quick in the roadholding department only problem is the insurance is pretty high.
Very nice as well
Some good replies, thanks guys. Looks wise I am prefering either a Legnum or a Subaru sportwagon. Not a fan at all of the Legacy & Forester. Size is not an issue either way, although I suspect the smaller the better for the missus. It will be her main car, as it's her child & dog!! I was just thinking estate because it would be better to separate the child from the very hairy dog, I would rather keep the mess the dog will make in one compartment rather than let it on the rear seats.
The biggest issue in the real life is that she really doesn't like the look of estate cars, so was just after something that looked a little different.
Keep your suggestions coming please.
Nice Rex mate, & interesting comment, mine also has coilovers & poly bushes!
The biggest issue in the real life is that she really doesn't like the look of estate cars, so was just after something that looked a little different.
Keep your suggestions coming please.
Nice Rex mate, & interesting comment, mine also has coilovers & poly bushes!
Edited by Speedracer329 on Monday 27th July 18:10
Not that it would necessarily swing your decision but the 99 spec Legacy has a neat retractable dog guard as standard, well at least every one I have tried has.
I very nearly bought the modified Legnum that New Era had for sale here on Pistonheads but cancelled at the last moment, as I have been on the VR4 owners forum for some time and I must emphasise that this is just my personal opinion here but decided that the various posts about the rear diff and tip tronic box 'issues' just put me off and I drove a manual Legnum and a GTB within a 24 hour period and again just preffered the overall driving experience of the GTB
I very nearly bought the modified Legnum that New Era had for sale here on Pistonheads but cancelled at the last moment, as I have been on the VR4 owners forum for some time and I must emphasise that this is just my personal opinion here but decided that the various posts about the rear diff and tip tronic box 'issues' just put me off and I drove a manual Legnum and a GTB within a 24 hour period and again just preffered the overall driving experience of the GTB
Edited by David Wiltshire on Monday 27th July 18:12
Edited by David Wiltshire on Monday 27th July 18:38
Shame you dont like the forester - running 333bhp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
A vote for Scooby wagons here. We're on our second, 56 plate 2.5 and its great. For the money you would struggle to get anything else that goes as well, carries as much and is the same age!
Sadly in 2 or 3 years time when this one needs changing we can't have another as the new shape doesn't fit our needs at all. We could just keep it!
Either that or a VXR8 estate!
Sadly in 2 or 3 years time when this one needs changing we can't have another as the new shape doesn't fit our needs at all. We could just keep it!
Either that or a VXR8 estate!
I've had an '03 Impreza WRX estate since February and I can't fault it for practicality. I bought it specifically for our dog (big lab) and to use the car for my work as a detailer. It's been reliable except for an alarm issue where the key needed reprogramming (£65) but other than that (touch wood) no other problems. What I would say is that other than fab performance (I still can't believe how quick it is despite being standard) the body leans far too much for my liking. Sure, theres unbelievable amounts of grip both wet and dry, but it could do with a stiffer set up or maybe i need to lower the suspension slightly. I use it every day, its the school taxi and I even took it to Goodwood for a track day last week. It really is that versitle. In terms of economy, with a full tank (around £48 to £51) I can get about 230 miles around town driving sensibly and on the m-way, 280 miles driving at about 80-85mph. If you really tank it as i did on the autobahn in Germany (130-140mph) a tank lasted me about 170 miles - not bad considering. It's sporty, comfortable, practicle and fast.
I can highly recommend the WRX estate and best of all, you'll get a wave from another fellow Impreza WRX's drivers.
I can highly recommend the WRX estate and best of all, you'll get a wave from another fellow Impreza WRX's drivers.
As for the leaning issues with your scoob......
Replace the rear ARB (anti roll bar) with a thicker bar, and bushes with harder compund to suit the new bar, and replace the front and rear ARB drop links with solid ones. If it's still not quite enough for your liking then change the front ARB for a thicker one + harder bushes and that should sort it properly bigtime. Leaving the standard dampers and springs on ensures you still have a nice compliant ride for everyday use, and your dog will love you all the more for it
Replace the rear ARB (anti roll bar) with a thicker bar, and bushes with harder compund to suit the new bar, and replace the front and rear ARB drop links with solid ones. If it's still not quite enough for your liking then change the front ARB for a thicker one + harder bushes and that should sort it properly bigtime. Leaving the standard dampers and springs on ensures you still have a nice compliant ride for everyday use, and your dog will love you all the more for it
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 9th August 17:28
ScoobieWRX said:
As for the leaning issues with your scoob......
Replace the rear ARB (anti roll bar) with a thicker bar, and bushes with harder compund to suit the new bar, and replace the front and rear ARB drop links with solid ones. If it's still not quite enough for your liking then change the front ARB for a thicker one + harder bushes and that should sort it properly bigtime. Leaving the standard dampers and springs on ensures you still have a nice compliant ride for everyday use, and your dog will love you all the more for it
Thanks for the tips, I'll look into it.Replace the rear ARB (anti roll bar) with a thicker bar, and bushes with harder compund to suit the new bar, and replace the front and rear ARB drop links with solid ones. If it's still not quite enough for your liking then change the front ARB for a thicker one + harder bushes and that should sort it properly bigtime. Leaving the standard dampers and springs on ensures you still have a nice compliant ride for everyday use, and your dog will love you all the more for it
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 9th August 17:28
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