Subaru WRX STI Prices and buying an RB320

[boyoM3]

Im on currently temtped into buying a Subaru impreza rb320 but want some advice from the voice of unbiased opinion that is the pistonheads community....

Would such a car prove a nightmare to sell on? Are the RB 320's worth the premium over the standard car? The reason I ask is because ive checked the glass's recommendation for a dealer supplied car with 30k and it comes out at around the 12-13k mark but every one I've seen for sale is at least 2k above this. Are the glass's valuation nonsense?

How can I find out what depreciation would be like on such a car? Or is that impossible to predict?

Lastly are there any other option I should consider for between 13k -17k, must be 4 door and fun and reliable. Other options I considered were:-

Mitsubishi Evo x (was put off by the Evo mag review)
Subaru WRX sti hatch (not sure it offers the same buzz as the earlier car)
Audi S4 (bit boring?)
Audi S3 sport back (as above?)

Please help me decide!

Cheers,

Warren

[AndySpecD]

Personally I feel the RB320 is a bit pricey compared to the 'normal' STI models. You pay a premium for what is a PPP STI with a few bits of trim, different suspension/wheels and interior. If you think you may ever want to modify it (and many people do modify their Imprezas) it also seems a shame to me to modify a special edition and you could build a better car for less in my opinion. That being said, they do look pretty nice and certainly a 'special' special edition...



More info can be found here http://rb320oc.ipbhost.com/index.php?app=portal

ETA Neither Audi will be anything like as exciting to drive, hatchback Impreza STI is supposedly very good but I haven't driven one to say for sure.

[superman84]

You could get a low mile Evo 9 FQ360 in your price range, and whilst the RB320 looks the nuts the Evo is faster and handles better. The IX us more raw and arguably more fun than the X. Easily tuneable to 400bhp too.

Edited by superman84 on Monday 5th December 20:59

[boyoM3]

AndySpecD said:

Personally I feel the RB320 is a bit pricey compared to the 'normal' STI models. You pay a premium for what is a PPP STI with a few bits of trim, different suspension/wheels and interior. If you think you may ever want to modify it (and many people do modify their Imprezas) it also seems a shame to me to modify a special edition and you could build a better car for less in my opinion. That being said, they do look pretty nice and certainly a 'special' special edition...



More info can be found here http://rb320oc.ipbhost.com/index.php?app=portal

ETA Neither Audi will be anything like as exciting to drive, hatchback Impreza STI is supposedly very good but I haven't driven one to say for sure.

This is what I thought, maybe a future collectible or just an excuse for owners to inflate prices? I love the look of it and from what I've read the subtle changes prodrive engineered into the car made quit a significant difference.

Do CAP/ Glasss often undervalue sought after special editions?

Cheers,

Warren

[boyoM3]

superman84 said:

You could get a low mile Evo 9 FQ360 in your price range, and whilst the RB320 looks the nuts the Evo is faster and handles better. The IX us more raw and arguably more fun than the X. Easily tuneable to 400bhp too.

Edited by superman84 on Monday 5th December 20:59

I'll take a look, thanks. :-)