Exactly Andy - mine had its 80K mile service this afternoon. No problems at all. I've just kept to the regular 10K mile service intervals and everything has been fine. Individual drivers can have a huge effect on th performace and reliability of their cars. Did I mention mine was for sale ?

 

Intresting thread...
I am looking at a p reg imported wrx this sunday with 60k on the clock as my first ever scooby and am a little apprehensive to say the least......
I have been told to check the gear change from 2nd to 3rd when cold and oil smoke when warm .....is there much else a newbie can look for.. as i cant afford any realy nasty fowl ups this year..??

 

Your apprehensive....i'm picking mine up this morning...2 1/2 hour drive to Huddersfield and i cant sleep with the excitement...its now 0040 hrs

 

Turn the wheels on full lock and drive around in a figure 8 (if that makes sense) to make sure there are no clunking noises!!

Don't have nightmares, generally these cars are very reliable

Phill

 

my clutch went at 90k and iv had one bearing at 96k! just had a new starter motor cars now done just over 96k and no serious problems. it also gets plenty of hammer!! regular services though...

 

wasnt looking at any horror stories, just looking at cars for sale - and there were a lot with blown engines really.

I guess that IF its looked after, its okay, but that applies to any car really - just that there seems to be more than usual for sale with previous (or current!) engine probs. was just a bit surprised, given the reliable reputation.

once I own, will warm up/cool down as I have done witn my other scoobs (and other perf cars before that) but as with any car, there seems to be a risk in buying - just that these sorts of risks seem to be much bigger (and looking at the ads a tad more common).

with relation to the Evo comment, have also heard about Evos gearboxes as being a weak point on those cars too.

guess I need to go look, see and be careful! no easy way to buy second hand cars!

 

Agree with all said above! 120,000 miles STI 3, head gasket went at 108,000, but due to a nutter on a test drive, redlining in all gears! I bought it after the work was done, but a head gasket can go on any car.

 

Personally I would be a little suspect of WRX Imports that have not had a remap for UK Fuel on arrival. Sure the owner will tell you he has run it on nothing but Optimax and Octane booster booster since he's owned it etc but has he? Have a knocklink fitted would also be a good idea. I would happily buy one that has recently arrived though - it's just the ones that have done mileage since they arrived in the UK and you don't know the owner.

Right - flame suit on - I know I am about to get flamed by all those WRX owners who have done a million miles with no problem!

I have a '95 UK Wagon with ScoobyECU... 113k and counting.

 

my MY99 has 132000 on the clock, original clutch, engine and gearbox


decatted runs as sweet as ever

 

Just spoke to the owner of this scooby for sale...the car is totally un moded so asked him about what fuel he is running it on as it is an import and told that it runs on unleaded ok with out pinking and unleaded super or a mix of both fuels together...this man seems to know what he is talking about as he has had the car 3 years plus...but this doesnt agree with the above posts..??? I am confused...(even more than normal!!)

 

Sorry bud can't really comment on the import issue.

Before spending your money get an independent check done on the car - AA, RAC or similar. This should give you some peace of mind and in the event something does go wrong and they missed it, you some comeback. It's got to be worth the extra £££.

 

How does he know it's not detting? I sure as hell can't hear "det" from within the car (or even outside the car). I'd walk away from that one.

One thing that you could look for from Optimax users is their shell pluspoints card. Quite a lot of owners collect the shell plus points so it would be quite easy to show you the statement as to what fuel gets used. I am such an avid user of Optimax, they sent me a new Pluspoints card with "Optimax" emblazoned on it and told me I was a "Special Member of the Optimax Club".

 

Does the Optimax Club have any perks?

How much do you actually use?

 

Perks include the regular pluspoints bonus for using so many litres of fuel, you then get that doubled as an Optimax bonus. You can also use your points on different things over and above the regular pluspoints. I tend to use 30 litres approx every 2 days so about 1350 litres/qtr.

Edit to add: Damn, didn't realise I spent that much....1350litres x 0.87p = £1174.50 a quarter . I think I need to buy a cheap runabout.

 

I think you do

 

Bought my MY99 in sept 2003 with 74K on the clock...Ex company car so had all lovely dealer stamps in book. Just about to have 3rd service since I have had it and touch wood nothing major has gone wrong. Cambelt done at 90K and it has just about reached 94K.

 

Yes I'd like to know how he "knows" it's not pinking... Has he got a knocklink fitted? Otherwise he wouldn't have a clue. Even the UK models have a sticker on the fuel flap that say SUPER UNLEADED only and they run a far tamer map than the imports....

 

So if this dude has been running it on unleaded for 3+ years what damage is it likely to have done?

 

I'm no mechanic but have read a lot on this and various other forums... I believe that if the car has been pinking it could have damaged the pistons and possibly the big end bearings (a favourite reason for a Scooby engine to let go).

 

Thanx for all the advice....looks like i wont become a scooby owner yet as this car (which seemed so good) will have to be left cos the present owner may have f==ked it up using the wrong grade of fuel.....
I have put so much time into looking at this car and research ...b=ll=x
would it be better to hunt for a uk model wrx......??
But i only have 4k to play with to buy this BEASTIE..

 

Catwoman in SIDC, has had her 96 WRX for 4 years, done the gumball rally (racking up over 2,000 miles) flat out, 140mph many times, and done it all on unleaded not even SUL. Car is still sweet as a nut. Don't get me wrong I use Optimax and nothing else, but it shows they can survive quite happily on unleaded too.

 

If you want real expert opinions on this try posting on 22b. The guys there are real Subaru boffins. They don't always reply quickly but the advice they give you will be A1

http://bbs.22b.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Oh & btw - £4k is plenty the way prices are at the moment. If you have your heart set on a WRX import - try get one recently off the boat. There are loads of specialist importers who will most likely give you a warranty as well.

 

I used to have a 1994 wrx wagon and would run that on NUL with no problems at all. It was fine. I'm sure Marcus used to run his "black beast" on NUL too with no problems either.

I ran the 22B on SUL and the STi's on SUL as far more powerful engines.

I would suggest finding out what bhp the car is listed as in the sidc FAQ and also think carefully about your own personal driving style. If you give a car death and don't let it warm up prpperly etc you are putting it at more risk.

£3.8k but whats the cars history? Where is it and do you need someone to look at it with you?

I'm sure there are plenty of us on here who would go to view a car with you to helpout...or maybe its just me? Good luck and keep us posted.

 

thanx so much guys.....

The car is in maidstone in kent.....
i am in two minds still as to the state of the engine just as of the basic unleaded used..... why does life have to be so tricky
here is some quotes from scooby net on this matter....---

Yes I'd like to know how he "knows" it's not pinking... Has he got a knocklink fitted? Otherwise he wouldn't have a clue. Even the UK models have a sticker on the fuel flap that say SUPER UNLEADED only and they run a far tamer map than the imports....

How does he know it's not detting? I sure as hell can't hear "det" from within the car (or even outside the car). I'd walk away from that one.

I'm no mechanic but have read a lot on this and various other forums... I believe that if the car has been pinking it could have damaged the pistons and possibly the big end bearings (a favourite reason for a Scooby engine to let go).
Personally I would be a little suspect of WRX Imports that have not had a remap for UK Fuel on arrival. Sure the owner will tell you he has run it on nothing but Optimax and Octane booster booster since he's owned it etc but has he? Have a knocklink fitted would also be a good idea. I would happily buy one that has recently arrived though - it's just the ones that have done mileage since they arrived in the UK and you don't know the owner.

Right - flame suit on - I know I am about to get flamed by all those WRX owners who have done a million miles with no problem!

I have a '95 UK Wagon with ScoobyECU... 113k and counting.

 

OK let's review the pertainent points:

1) Unless he has a knock link or det cans he WILL NOT know whether the car has been detting!

2) Imports are designed to run on 100 RON and he HAS been running on 95/97 RON

3) Poor fuel is a significant cause of detting

4) Some owners have got away (or professed to have got away) with using less than 100 RON

As Clint Eastwood would say: Do you feel lucky?

My advice, walk away!

 

sounds like the sort of risks im trying to avoid.........

 

I am hoping this may be usefull post to others.
Although not buying this scooby some one has contacted me with another wagon in surrey.....will check it out this weekend!!!