Buying advice (Impreza)

R

RB555

Sunday Drivers
Hello,

I am a new memeber hoping to purchase my first Subaru Impreza.

I have only been looking online and still trying to narrow down my results. I have driven the older models back in the day (1996 - 1999 models)

I have 3 types of Impreza in mind (dealer only, as I am part-exchanging my current car and no imports):

Impreza WRX STi (2.0 engine) - Year: 2003 - 2007
Impreza WRX (2.0 engine) - Year: 2003 - 2007
Impreza WRX Estate (2.5 engine) - Year: 2007

What advice would you offer?
What should I look out for?
What should I expect to pay for a service?
What are running costs going to be?
Any dealers to avoid or watch out for?

The car will be my everyday car. I do 50 KMs roundtrip drive everyday on M50 but not in the 9am/5pm chaos.

Thanks.
 
the impreza wrx sti jap model has to be remapped to suit our fuel im not sure about the uk ones, try and get one thats mapped already or buy one straight from a jap dealer and get it mapped yourself through the site traders on here :thumbsup:

have a look at the for sale section on this site i think there is a few on it, they would be well looked after
 
I have only been looking online and still trying to narrow down my results. I have driven the older models back in the day (1996 - 1999 models)

I have 3 types of Impreza in mind (dealer only, as I am part-exchanging my current car and no imports):

Impreza WRX STi (2.0 engine) - Year: 2003 - 2007 Your not going to get 2 litre sti after 06(I have seen the blob eye model reg 06) as they are 2.5 unless you go for
an import but you have said you don't want one

Impreza WRX (2.0 engine) - Year: 2003 - 2007 same as the sti changed to a 2.5 in 2006

Impreza WRX Estate (2.5 engine) - Year: 2007 buy an sti


What advice would you offer? personally for a car that new I'd be looking for a full service history and the obvious signs of damage, clutch etc back shocks can knock on the 03 model but not dear to fix
What should I look out for? as above
What should I expect to pay for a service? Standard service is not that dear even with a subaru garage cost of normal car really. timing belts etc will be more expensive
What are running costs going to be? your not doing too much milage so shouldn't be too bad. I'm getting 22 mpg on a 06 sti on short run like that on longer journey getting 27-28
Any dealers to avoid or watch out for? Hard to answer that as some have had good dealings with garages and others have had bad ones with same garage. I'd be looking for a warrenty of some sort though
 
I'd go for the STi all the way.

The insurance is no different realy and if you buy a WRX you'll just always want an STi.

Thats if you can afford an STi of course but I take it you can as you have mensioned it as a buying choice.

You should look from 2004 - 2005 in the STi range as these came with a wider track better 17" alloys and the best of all with the DCCD as standard. You should also look for a UK spec with the prodrive proformance pack or PPP as it's called as the power is increased from the Irish and UK standard STi and these won't cost you a penny second hand as it's already in the car.

Best of luck with your search.
 
I'm kind of in the same boat as RB555,
Looking for a 2003-2005 STI, 1 day I'm convinced and the next I'm thinking of buying a more practical car, like a 5 door GTI, but I know I'd regret that. On the plus side this argument with myself has lasted 12 months, and the price drop since then has been huge.

Will probably buy in the north and import it, as I'm from up originally and am up there very often - though in fairness there are a few good priced STI's down here at the moment.

Just need some convincing!!

Regards
DP.
 
Go drive the cars, thats the best way to convince yourself whether you really want one or not. I'll place money on you buying after driving though :thumbsup:

Oh and just to stir up the mix a little too, then go drive a well sorted Classic STi. What it lacks in comfort over the newage it makes up for in proper driving feel and rawness :whistle:
 
I went looking at M3s when I looked at the STI it was only because "it was on my way"

But once I'd driven it then: whooooooooooooo ho hoooooooooooo :049:

It's more practical than an M3 or a GTI becuase it's a 4 dr saloon anyway
 
[quote author=Tombusa link=topic=13662.msg169661#msg169661 date=1237564947]
I went looking at M3s when I looked at the STI it was only because "it was on my way"

But once I'd driven it then: whooooooooooooo ho hoooooooooooo :049:

It's more practical than an M3 or a GTI becuase it's a 4 dr saloon anyway
[/quote]

LMAO brilliant can completely understand the whooooooo ho hooooooooo bit ! :roll:
 
I've driven the new GTi. Very nice job but I find there's too much power going to the front wheels. No fun on our mostly wet Irish roads!

I'd regret having not bought an Impreza! I've been a fan of the Impreza since I drove a WRX back in '96 or '97. Always wanted to get my own one some day. The car felt glued to the road and the acceleration is sensational.

What do people find are the Pros/Cons of owning an Impreza?
 
That is the easiest question to answer ever!!!
Fuel consumtion! 2.0 sti gets mid to high 20's and 2.5 sti's get low to mid 20's (mpg) the advantage of the 2.5 is power 1000 rpm sooner and 25% more torque, No bhp advantage!
So so worth it! for the AWD grip and safety!
Defo get an sti either way,
Only essential mod for any scooby is whiteline control springs, and camber/geometry setup by a motorsport established garage,
Dan
 
What do people find are the Pros/Cons of owning an Impreza?

What are the Pro's:
It's a Road going saloon car with super car handling and speed.

The STi has amazing brakes.

Every time you drive it you be a very happy man. So they have the best driver satisfaction.

They look amazing wheather it be Classic, Newage or and it's growing on me the Hatch back.

You have this club to be part of.

Cons.

Service Charge but I sorted that by learning the basic service and doing it myself so thats a pro realy as I love getting my hands dirty.

Parking. You'll always be looking for the best possable parking space for your car and if someone dings it you'll be heart broken.

Because we all love to keep the spotless you'll be forever cleaning it. But again this is more then lightly pro as you can chalk it down as exercise. :thumbsup:

I have had 7 imprezas in all different specs and I don't regret buying any of them. I wish I could have kept them all especially the 3 STi's I have had. :subaru:
 
Anyone bought from UK?

I've just been searching on eBay. Some great prices and very nice examples on there. Just need to find out if the dealers would take part-exchange for my current car!
 
They will only look a your car if it was a UK import as they can re-register it on it's old plate but if your car is an Irish car then not a hope.

You might get a dealer accross the boarder to have a look but again you'll only get the UK price for the car so you'd be losing the VRT value in it.

I know Donnellys subaru in Belfast have taken in Irish reg cars before.
 
[quote author=ericsti link=topic=13662.msg170119#msg170119 date=1237716195]
They will only look a your car if it was a UK import as they can re-register it on it's old plate but if your car is an Irish car then not a hope.

You might get a dealer accross the boarder to have a look but again you'll only get the UK price for the car so you'd be losing the VRT value in it.

I know Donnellys subaru in Belfast have taken in Irish reg cars before.
[/quote]

Thanks for the advice! :thumbsup:
 
The 2.0 MY 05 sti with the wider track and DCCD represents the best value of the most recent Imprezas and now it's 4 years old it's affordable too.

I dont understand how 197 bhp in a Golf GTI is too much for it though. The new Focus RS has 300 bhp, the new Renault sport Megan has 250 bhp and the new Golf GTI (just launched this week model) has 210 bhp and 258 ib/ft torque from only 1,700 rpms right through to 5,000 rpms so clearly these cars can handle it. Actually Renault's and Ford's pivot arm front suspension may well spell the end of over engineered expensive awd systems on sub executive sized cars now that the bean counters have taken control of all the world's car companies.

Frawls
 
[quote author=FRAWLS link=topic=13662.msg170131#msg170131 date=1237721941]
I dont understand how 197 bhp in a Golf GTI is too much for it though. The new Focus RS has 300 bhp, the new Renault sport Megan has 250 bhp and the new Golf GTI (just launched this week model) has 210 bhp and 258 ib/ft torque from only 1,700 rpms right through to 5,000 rpms so clearly these cars can handle it. Actually Renault's and Ford's pivot arm front suspension may well spell the end of over engineered expensive awd systems on sub executive sized cars now that the bean counters have taken control of all the world's car companies.
[/quote]

Hi Frawls,

I was comparing the traction and grip from an Impreza vs the current GTi if I was to drive both on a wet road (most days here!! :smile: )
Not that 197bhp isn't enough, its just that it wouldn't feel as sure-footed as the Impreza on the wet road. I've driven the current GTi in the wet and floored it :icon_redface:
 
Makes sence alright!
I have a 200bhp,300lb/ft golf and the ESP never stops flashing!
Back when my scooby had 380bhp, 400lb/ft she was very planted, without the aid of electronics! (not so much now)
Dan
 
would it be safe to say another con of owning an Impreza is that it is more of a target for thieves?

if i were to buy my Impreza I'd have it parked in an open parking area of an apartment complex!
 
[quote author=forester sti link=topic=13662.msg170398#msg170398 date=1237767664]
Makes sence alright!
I have a 200bhp,300lb/ft golf and the ESP never stops flashing!
Back when my scooby had 380bhp, 400lb/ft she was very planted, without the aid of electronics! (not so much now)
Dan
[/quote][quote author=RB555 link=topic=13662.msg170146#msg170146 date=1237725317]

[quote author=FRAWLS link=topic=13662.msg170131#msg170131 date=1237721941]
I dont understand how 197 bhp in a Golf GTI is too much for it though. The new Focus RS has 300 bhp, the new Renault sport Megan has 250 bhp and the new Golf GTI (just launched this week model) has 210 bhp and 258 ib/ft torque from only 1,700 rpms right through to 5,000 rpms so clearly these cars can handle it. Actually Renault's and Ford's pivot arm front suspension may well spell the end of over engineered expensive awd systems on sub executive sized cars now that the bean counters have taken control of all the world's car companies.
[/quote]

Hi Frawls,

I was comparing the traction and grip from an Impreza vs the current GTi if I was to drive both on a wet road (most days here!! :smile: )
Not that 197bhp isn't enough, its just that it wouldn't feel as sure-footed as the Impreza on the wet road. I've driven the current GTi in the wet and floored it :icon_redface:
[/quote]

If AWD was available on my TT when I bought it I would have gone for that model but they've only introduced it now on the standard 2.0 TFSI model with the S Tronic Dual clutch transmission. TBH my remapped TT pulls like a train once she's up and going but you will see the TC light flicker in the first 3 gears in the wet. The thing is this, once you have moved off traction is no longer an issue and the traction that awd gives you now slows you down through transmission losses. I have held on to a 300 bhp Impreza no problem even though I was giving away over 55 bhp and I had a passenger. Unfortunately the future of heavy, expensive, power sapping, high emissions awd systems are numbered. Thankfully Ford and Renault and now VW (see the latest Open Diff XTC system on the all new Golf MK VI) are helping to move the point of torque steer and traction loss further up the power curve, in the Focus RS Ford's combined systems mean torque is only limited in 1st! The future of sub executive performance cars is like it or not fwd but thanks to Ford, Renault & VW we can still have proper fun in powerful versions of practical family cars without having to compromise on traction and steering accuracy.

Anyway that's the future, in the here and now there's and STI 05 out there with your name on it and go get it you'll love every minute of it and besides the whole overblown awd -v- fwd debate nothing will sound as good as the Scooby which for most of us is probably the single biggest thing that sets the Scooby apart from most of the other cars out there.

Frawls
 
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