Running costs/opinions on an integrale

[blindswelledrat]

Ive always wanted one since I first clapped eyes on one.
Im also quite scared of their reputation for reliability. I have the following questions:
(1) Would any of you that have one mind telling me a rough annual running cost (excluding petrol/insurance) and the mileage you do in yours?
(2) Do they feel a little 'old and tired' nowadays? Please dont be offended by the question I just dont want to be dissapointed.
My preconception is that they would still be stunning cars to drive.
(3) Are parts like rocking horse shit? ie for minor problems are you off road for weeks.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[jacobyte]

blindswelledrat said:

Ive always wanted one since I first clapped eyes on one. Im also quite scared of their reputation for reliability.

Don't be scared. Just make sure you buy the most expensive one you can afford. I bought mine in 1998 and done over 100,000km in it since then (it's an early 8V). It has never needed recovery and is still on its original engine at just over 209000Km. I just did trip over to the Nordschleife and then a trackday at Donington and it just keeps going.

blindswelledrat said:

(1) Would any of you that have one mind telling me a rough annual running cost (excluding petrol/insurance) and the mileage you do in yours?

Budget for about 2K a year for belts and general maintenance. 16Vs and EVOs are a bit more to run than 8Vs, so about 2.5K. I now only do about 5000 miles a year, but most of that is on track. Mine is standard and you will find that standard cars (hard to find) are most reliable.

blindswelledrat said:

(2) Do they feel a little 'old and tired' nowadays? Please dont be offended by the question I just dont want to be dissapointed.

At the Ring I pasted a few GT3s and at Donny I had a good tussle with a 330bhp Focus RS whilst embarrassing an Mitsi EVO8. All in my 1988 185bhp 8V (with group A suspension, I might add); make of that what you will.

blindswelledrat said:

My preconception is that they would still be stunning cars to drive.

You preconceive well.

blindswelledrat said:

(3) Are parts like rocking horse shit? ie for minor problems are you off road for weeks.

Some are hard to get hold of, but there are plenty around if you know where to look. Drop me a PM if you want any pointers or if you're near Guildford and want to look at any. Either way, make sure theone you want is checked by a specialist (e.g. TNI in Kent or Auto-Integrale near Reading)

[Raify]

Good advice from jacobyte there. I used TNI in kent to run my Evo1 and they recommend budgeting £2k p.a.

I was running it as my only car, so did about 12-14k miles p.a. It won't feel old at all, the handling + performance is other-worldly. You might find the interior a bit dated by modern standards.

Lots more advice available at the Evoforum. Just remember to search first. Your question has been asked a meeeeelion times over there!

[blindswelledrat]

Thanks for your advice gents. Sorry Ive appeared to ignore your responses- I posted this and then rudely went away for a few days.
Regarding the interior I know it is similar to the HF Turbo (my first car) so I know what to expect and you have just reassured me on the reliability.
Would you say that the 2k PA running costs are directly related to mileage (I know it sounds obvious)?
What is the difference between 8v, 16v, Evo1 and Evo2?

>> Edited by blindswelledrat on Monday 21st November 15:05