Classic or WRX 300 Scooby?

[mark seeker]

I can't decide whether to either by a late classic (around 1999, 2000) with FSH around £6k or go all out and buy something along the lines of WRX 300 (or at least a 2004/5) Prodrived WRX.

I average around 4000 miles a year but I need something will always fire on the button. Obviously the insurance and fuel is less on a WRX 300 (i'd get warranty too) and less worries?

Will the limited edition factor of a WRX 300 keep the price slightly up?

Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

[stevieb]

mark seeker said:

I can't decide whether to either by a late classic (around 1999, 2000) with FSH around £6k or go all out and buy something along the lines of WRX 300 (or at least a 2004/5) Prodrived WRX.

I average around 4000 miles a year but I need something will always fire on the button. Obviously the insurance and fuel is less on a WRX 300 (i'd get warranty too) and less worries?

Will the limited edition factor of a WRX 300 keep the price slightly up?

Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

If you want a new age and your milage is that low you can pick up a 03/53 STi for around £11k. a WRX 300 is worth no more than a normal WRX in my book. Still the same under the skin but with a bit more styling. the PPP Packs only add an extra 400-500 to resale.

[mneame]

also factor in that a classic is a bit harsher on the ride than a newage. they softened the newage up a fair bit. shocks wear out on the newage a lot sooner, around 40k miles and you'll get a nioce clonk from them. factor in anywhere from a few hundred to £1k to get it sorted. obviously, if you've got a warrenty then you'll be fine.

mpg will be prety much the same. how you drive it will make a big difference. in my 94 classic i could get rid of a tank worth of petrol in about 140 miles with some heavy right foot action between the lights. on a run it's see about 250. bear in mind that you should run both of them on sul. a remap can help with consumption and also give you a bit more power with both.

which ever you go for you'll get plenty of smiles per mile!

[stevieb]

My shocks have lasted 50000 miles and they are ok

[mneame]

stevieb said:

My shocks have lasted 50000 miles and they are ok

sounds like you got a good one. just a common problem that seems to effect newage scoobies. they seem to either go early or last for ages.

[mark seeker]

Thanks for this information - it's really useful. Half me of me thinks I'd have less problems (and the warranty) with a newage WRX, I half worry (maybe wrongly) that my driving style might lead to some large bills on a Classic Impreza?

Fuel consumption isn't a major factor, I don't do enough miles to warrant a concern.

Does the Prodrive kit make that much of a difference to the standard WRX?

Thanks in advance

[mneame]

mark seeker said:

Thanks for this information - it's really useful. Half me of me thinks I'd have less problems (and the warranty) with a newage WRX, I half worry (maybe wrongly) that my driving style might lead to some large bills on a Classic Impreza?

Fuel consumption isn't a major factor, I don't do enough miles to warrant a concern.

Does the Prodrive kit make that much of a difference to the standard WRX?

Thanks in advance

iirc the prodrive kit will give you about 25 bhp on a wrx.

most people still bin the exhaust and just keep the sports cat as you can gain a few more bhp with some other aftermarket items.

i treat my classic pretty harsh at times. it's what it was made for. the main thing to remember with them is to look after them. plenty of regular oil changes with top quality oil will help. another thing is if you plan on upping the power. an older engine could suffer from metal fatigue. i was advised by a leading tuner in essex to just look after mine without going for big power and it would last much better. i had it 2 years and it never missed a beat. the only thing that needed to be replaced when i had it was a lambda sensor, well apart from brake pads. everything else was my own choice.

i've just bought an my93 wrx type ra for under £2500 and so far is proving to be fine. ok so it needs a little tidy up but nother major that i've noticed so far.

one other point about a prodrive wrx is the insurance is going to be pretty much the same as a standard sti - the prodrive pack afterall is a modification. if your budget allows go for an sti. they have much stronger engine internals and are easier to tune and likely to be more reliable if you do go down the modding route. this is all just my opinion of course and what i have found out with ownership and research on the SIDC forum and scoobynet.

[stevieb]

If you are looking for a sunday afternoon drive then an STi would be the choice, insurance is a bit more but you get better suspension 6 speed box some have the DCCD fitted.

And if you hunger for more power then a Sti can easily take 400hp on standard engine internals. a WRX will only beable to take 290-300 and stay reliable.

I have a newage WRX, but i drive my car for 20000 miles a year so i need to be able to sit back and have the smoother ride occasionaly. I have a 04 plate that is coming upto 55000 miles and nothing has gone wrong so far, just cost money in tyres, brakes, servicing!