Which Subaru Impreza for around 10k?!
Discussion
Hi all! I`m Paul and new to this site.
I am currently looking at getting myself a new performance car. I am pretty much certain I want an Impreza - I was also considering an Evo but the regular service interval costs put me off unless anyone with experience says they aren't as bad as it sounds!)
I will be looking to spend in the region of 10k on this car. I only live a few mins away from work so the vast majority of miles are going to be for pleasure as opposed to commuting etc, with a couple of track days per year and a trip to the ring also.
From what I have seen I think I am swaying towards an STI around the 2005 mark. I like the styling they have and the performance as standard is good.
I am aware of the WRX which I don't think appeals as standard, however that can of course be obtained with the PPP - how does that then compare in performance to a standard STI? I`m guessing parts will be cheaper on the WRX to a degree.
Then of course there are the older limited edition models such as the P1 - is it worth considering an older year to get one of these?
I am not into modding (unless they are relatively cheap ones that can be done professionally such as remaps)so would want a good base standard when I get the car.
Anyone's experiences shared would be gratefully received - especially those of you lucky enough to have owned more than one model!
Many thanks in anticipation!
Paul :-)
I am currently looking at getting myself a new performance car. I am pretty much certain I want an Impreza - I was also considering an Evo but the regular service interval costs put me off unless anyone with experience says they aren't as bad as it sounds!)
I will be looking to spend in the region of 10k on this car. I only live a few mins away from work so the vast majority of miles are going to be for pleasure as opposed to commuting etc, with a couple of track days per year and a trip to the ring also.
From what I have seen I think I am swaying towards an STI around the 2005 mark. I like the styling they have and the performance as standard is good.
I am aware of the WRX which I don't think appeals as standard, however that can of course be obtained with the PPP - how does that then compare in performance to a standard STI? I`m guessing parts will be cheaper on the WRX to a degree.
Then of course there are the older limited edition models such as the P1 - is it worth considering an older year to get one of these?
I am not into modding (unless they are relatively cheap ones that can be done professionally such as remaps)so would want a good base standard when I get the car.
Anyone's experiences shared would be gratefully received - especially those of you lucky enough to have owned more than one model!
Many thanks in anticipation!
Paul :-)
paul555sti said:
If you can afford a nice well looked after sti then buy one other wise you will buy a wrx and then in a few months wish you had got the sti. You will then spend money getting the wrx up sti spec. Its a buyers market at the moment.
I am just six days into owning my first Impreza, 2005 WRX with leather and PPP. Took months of waiting for the right one to come up within reasonable travelling distance, and in that time prices dropped appreciably . . . at first was looking at a pre '02 car. It is stunning, very driveable, tons of torque and (OK folk feel free to shoot me down!!) who needs more than 261bhp?If you like the feel of the STI and get the chance, don't discount the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) STI's. Not sure on prices but if you can pick up a 2004/5 version of one of those thats been looked after then you get a better spec than a UK version. With a decat and remap you'll be looking at a nice reliable 360-370bhp.
The classics and various MY versions of the new age cars are quite different, so i would go test drive some of each generation and find out which suits your needs.
Even year on year the cars vary a lot depending on spec, the JDM cars are higher performance but it's difficult to steer you towards a particular car type with so little information.
You can pick up some good deals now, but be aware you could pay as much for a 99 car that is a high spec as you would a 2005 car in standard spec, both would be equally good value, it just depends what you want and would enjoy most. It's difficult to find a stock spec classic now, so do make sure the mods done are properly engineered, if they are they can be a great buy, if they arnt they can be a disaster.
I'm on my 4th Impreza, first was a 2.0 NA Sport, then two STi5 Type RA Ltd's with good spec upgrades and now a fairly standard spec MY05 JDM STi9 which is just going to see a sports cat system, fuel pump and remap, the car is really good stock and will give great torque for very little effort. The latest UK spec cars are getting closer to JDM levels, but still not quite as high performance. I would have been happy to live with a 2005 STi UK spec car now it's got the DCCD transmition, which transforms the handling.
Even year on year the cars vary a lot depending on spec, the JDM cars are higher performance but it's difficult to steer you towards a particular car type with so little information.
You can pick up some good deals now, but be aware you could pay as much for a 99 car that is a high spec as you would a 2005 car in standard spec, both would be equally good value, it just depends what you want and would enjoy most. It's difficult to find a stock spec classic now, so do make sure the mods done are properly engineered, if they are they can be a great buy, if they arnt they can be a disaster.
I'm on my 4th Impreza, first was a 2.0 NA Sport, then two STi5 Type RA Ltd's with good spec upgrades and now a fairly standard spec MY05 JDM STi9 which is just going to see a sports cat system, fuel pump and remap, the car is really good stock and will give great torque for very little effort. The latest UK spec cars are getting closer to JDM levels, but still not quite as high performance. I would have been happy to live with a 2005 STi UK spec car now it's got the DCCD transmition, which transforms the handling.
Wadeski said:
drive an Evo - the regular service isnt that expensive, and with the Subaru / Evo thing you tend to love one over the other 
I was torn between an Impreza and an Evo and picked the impreza because:a) It came in a 2 door version.
b) It made *that* noise.
c) Colin McRae and Richard burns drove them, very fast, and they were my heroes.
Having said that, I'd like an Evo 6 too.
I have to agree with John try a few different models to see what suits yoour needs 
If it Daily drive, weekend car, occasional track toy or trackday Car there will be subaru to suit your Taste.
This is bit basic and "Only my Opinion" Decide level of comfort/rawest you want and try one or two out of each group
If your looking for a "raw" for Weekend toy/trackcar look generally at classic & newage model range below
UK/EU & JDM's Competition/LTD editions
a) Classic JDM WRX RA
b) Classic JDM STi RA
c) Classic JDM STi R
D) Classic UK RB5B
e) Classic UK P1
f) Newage JDM Spec C
These below will probably be out of your budget sorry
G) Classic JDM 22B
H) Newage JDM Spec C RA
I) Newage JDM Spec C RA-R
J) Newage JDM Spec C Type 20
K) Newage JDM Spec C Type 25
L) Newage UK WR1
M) Newage UK RB320
If your looking for a "Performance" Car for Weekend car/ and some trackwork look generally at these sort models below
JDM's cars
a) Classic WRX
b) Classic STi
c) Newage JDM WRX
d) Newage JDM STi
e) Newage JDM STi Type 20
f) Newage JDM STi C Type 25
If your looking for a "Performance" Car as daily drive and commuting, look generally at these sort models below
UK/EU cars
a) Classic
b) Newage WRX
c) Newage STi
Times these models by 10 years you can see how variations there are
Hope this helps to draw up a sort list
Tony
If it Daily drive, weekend car, occasional track toy or trackday Car there will be subaru to suit your Taste.
This is bit basic and "Only my Opinion"
Decide level of comfort/rawest you want and try one or two out of each group If your looking for a "raw" for Weekend toy/trackcar look generally at classic & newage model range below
UK/EU & JDM's Competition/LTD editions
a) Classic JDM WRX RA
b) Classic JDM STi RA
c) Classic JDM STi R
D) Classic UK RB5B
e) Classic UK P1
f) Newage JDM Spec C
These below will probably be out of your budget sorry
G) Classic JDM 22B
H) Newage JDM Spec C RA
I) Newage JDM Spec C RA-R
J) Newage JDM Spec C Type 20
K) Newage JDM Spec C Type 25
L) Newage UK WR1
M) Newage UK RB320
If your looking for a "Performance" Car for Weekend car/ and some trackwork look generally at these sort models below
JDM's cars
a) Classic WRX
b) Classic STi
c) Newage JDM WRX
d) Newage JDM STi
e) Newage JDM STi Type 20
f) Newage JDM STi C Type 25
If your looking for a "Performance" Car as daily drive and commuting, look generally at these sort models below
UK/EU cars
a) Classic
b) Newage WRX
c) Newage STi
Times these models by 10 years you can see how variations there are
Hope this helps to draw up a sort list
Tony
DaveV6 said:
If you like the feel of the STI and get the chance, don't discount the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) STI's...With a decat and remap you'll be looking at a nice reliable 360-370bhp.
You're into new turbo territory there.You're also getting towards the top of end of standard internals, fuelling, cooling & 5 speed gearbox so reliability *could* become suspect. Aim for 300-320 on the standard stuff and it'll be nice and driveable with oodles of torque.
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