I used to have a Sport. Good cars and always overlooked by those that think bhp makes a car. They're the lightest of the family (40kg lighter than the RA) so with a few handling mods are just as quick round corners. They've enough power 90% of the time and what 123bhp doesn't point to is a very smooth torque curve from low revs.

Power you will struggle with unless some new wunder gizmo has come along in the past few years. Never heard of any N/A classics exceeding 140bhp. Because of the cars value stick to sorting the handling and terrible brakes. As already said theres a ready supply of upgrades from WRXs/Turbos at breakers.

I've a STi these days which is easy to get from A to B fast, but would still say the Sport (modded) was more rewarding.

 

Not at all....

I only bought a sport as i wanted to see how they drive and not get a turbo and wrap it round a tree like most people would. So for the younger drivers it's the smart thing to do, however once insurance is ok for a turbo i will be getting one.

Also insurance doesn't go up as many insurance companies allow cosmetic mods that don't make the car any faster for free

 

I bought my missus a Sport as she didn't need a turbocharged car. I drive it now and again and love it. My only crititism is that the leather seats aren't buckety enought and I slide around a little.

As for tuning, I wouldn't bother. Save your money to put towards a turbo model. I've just put a set of un-equal length headers on and chopped and modified the standard centre section so turbo backboxes fit. Whacked an STI backbox on and it sounds ok

Only other thing I've done to it is put crystal fogs, indicators, etc on.

 

After the exhaust and filter best mod would be some of this NOS Wizards - nos kits, nitrous oxide systems.

 

If you are worried about wrapping your car around a tree and assume most people have done the same i wouldn't trust you to drive a mobility scooter.

 

lol you are trying to be smart you clearly knew what i meant.. and i was on about crashing it when you can't handle a car that powerful straight away. (which you cannot deny drivers under 25 are more likely to do)

Rather than buy a turbo or WRX when it's ALOT more powerful than the sport, it's to get used to how the handle etc and clearly insurance+the running costs of the turbo'd models too.

 

Mate, my lads Festa ST150 will be more powerful than your sport for a lot less money with all the gizmo's.
I tell you again, it's false economy buying a sport and then spending time and money modding it when you could have bought a turbo in the first place.

 

i know a fiesta ST is faster i didn't say it wasn't mate, but im not talking about trying to make my sport 150bhp or infact any faster than an exhaust and panel filter allow it to..because i do know there is no point in doing anymore than that and i'm guessing you are talking about it would cost less to mod the ST to higher power than a sport subaru? Clearly it will as it's a much newer car and more powerful from standard.

But there is a point in buying a sport IF insurance is high for a turbo or WRX and also to get used to the car and maybe build up ncb. I'm saving up for a turbo but adding cosmetic mods to my car as they can be sold for extra cash when i come to buy the turbo

hope this clears it up.

 

You will get less for your car with any mod when you come to sell. I repeat you are wasting your hard earned.

 

yes, but i wouldn't class "wasting my hard earned" on an exhaust and filter..the cosmetic mods can be removed and sold seperately..you don't get your money back in most things you buy anyway.

 

Would be interested to know what the additional insurance premium would be just for exhaust/filter on a sport. And if you bolt on cosmetics to make it look like WRX or STI i think you will find insurance will dramatically increase, (thats if you declare them) because more chance getting robbed - higher risk.
Plus you get all the boy racers passing you in their Novas and then telling their mates, "i done a Scooby, not as quick as they say"
I personally couldn't take the embarrassment.

 

No like i said there is no insurance premium increase with any mods i have done... otherwise i wouldn't have done them.

Yes i am declaring them and i think you'll find that More than and Quinn Direct amongst others..don't charge for cosmetic mods at all, performance mods sometimes just depends on where you live and what car you have and if they do increase performance.

And to be fair if you are that bothered about "boy racers" going past you because they "beat a scooby" don't you think that's abit strange? I wouldn't waste the fuel on them, it's not like you will see them again or anything. lol.

Maybe different for you as you have a turbo or whatever, but i wouldn't take the bait and race them personally.

 

A few simple mods exhaust and suspension added £200-250 to my policy, but I was around 25 at the time.

Sad to see people are still obsessing over max power - you wouldn't take a Sport to a drag strip. On the B roads my Sport comfortably kept up with a CTR, purely down to having lots of low down torque and the grip to use it. The Honda either couldn't stay on VTEC or struggled to put the power down when it came on. On paper thats a 74bhp difference. :lol

 

Exactly, i would have thought getting a sport would be the best choice at first if you have never owned a subaru or similar car.
Rather than going all out and buying a turbo or WRX model, because lets face it..it is a high power car and shouldn't be taken lightly...

Although some people can't hack not having a turbo model as its alot faster and they don't want to get "beat" by other cars.

With some insurers suspension mods and exhaust will increase but with my company it doesn't which is all good.

I cannot justify spending 2k on insurance for a turbo until i get ncb and it's cheaper and thats TPFT..if only i had a better postcode rating than E

 

i love my sport. slightly older than the one you are looking at getting and i was the in same boat as yourself. couldnt afford the extra premium on insurance and car tax, and i couldnt afford the £4000 difference in price for a wrx version. when i test drove this one i fell in love.
probalby will upgrade to a turbo or an sti in a couple of years so i have only have done the basic of mods, exhaust backbox and green panel filter. possible may get it lowered at a later date.
all the other stuff was on the car when it was purchased and is declared through insurance which is only £565 fully comp as opposed to a quote of £1000+ for a wrx.
i brought mine for looks and ride comfort not for speed (believe me i have learnt my lesson the hard and expensive way were speed is concerned).

good luck with getting the car that u are looking for.