EddScott

I spotted this one. Didn't look too bad. Not much info but history looks good.

No. of owners
How long you had it and why sell
When was MAF changed
When was belt changed
What parts etc been changed recently
All old MOTs etc

Would be what I would ask.

Quite fancy dark blue. Sonic blue 4 doors 99/00 are hard to find these days.

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

Extra????

CHRI5

having been off work sick the last two days, i think ive read just about every bit of info there is online now about these scoobys
and to be honest, its put me off. i would kick myself if i spent 3.5k on a car now, and then the same again within a year or 2 because the engine has suddenly gone wrong.
think i'd rather spent 7k now and get a newer model, 2003 or 2004...

CHRI5

double post

stu turbo 98

iTrader: (6)

i think you have got the right idea chri5,if i thought for one second this was going to happen again ,i would do exactly that,i wish you the best of luck whatever you do,and look forward to hearing some good news from you in the future!

EddScott

Have to be honest if the engine is going to go its going to go no matter it age.

You could buy a perfectly looking 2004 WRX thats had the absolute nuts rung out of it for every 50K miles or a 1999/2000 with 100K that may well have been looked after pretty well.

Personally I'm a classic man myself.

CHRI5

i do like the looks of the classic more and i see the point your are trying to make, but i was thinking more along the lines that say a 2004 model would have 5 years extra (and more updated) research, design, development, testing and experience put into it by Subaru, making it more reliable/durable than all the previous versions...

mr hat

iTrader: (2)

nice idea, shame its not reality. have you heard about the latest horror stories with the new impreza sti??? been loads that have melted pistons with a few guys on here had major problems. iv had three classic imprezas, never had any issues with engines, ever.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

There is very little that goes wrong with the 2001-2005 wrx, the 2.5ltr STI's have issues, the 2ltrs dont, the JDM twin scroll cars are probably the best engine out of the lot, classics are probably the most unreliable due to age, so your right going for a newer car really.

Tony

L.J.F

iTrader: (31)

my advice is take your time and wait for the right car, also try and go for a car that has been owned by a enthusiast and been looked after properly! There is a few cars for sale on this forum that i would go for because i know they have been looked after and will be reliable.

what is your budget?

CHRI5

my budget is between 3 and 4k. im still unsure really...

i have seen this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=110576283030

spoke to the guy and he told me the following,
NO evidence in the paparwork that its had a cambelt
NO other recent parts replaced, inc no maf sensor
had subaru servicing up until the last 2 which were done at a peugeot dealer
has pretty much all the old mot's
he was quite confident that 'nothing' goes wrong with these cars
they got it originally from a lady owner on part ex, then sold it to a guy, who sometime later sold it back to them, he didnt know why the guy sold it back as he didnt do the deal

so it would need a cambelt, at the very least, how much would this cost??
would it be worth budgeting for anything else straight off, maf, fuel pump, etc?

it sounds like a looked after car, and they seem to know it well

they also offer a 12 month warranty for 100 quid, covering literally everything in the engine as he went into great detail, plus it also covers gearbox, transmission, electrics and a whole load else, seems a bit too good to be true for 100 quid?? or are they just that confident that its a decent motor?

what do you guys think? i may go have a proper look at it this weekend. cheers.

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Don't let the horror stories put you off. I know what your saying about buying a newer model (ie 2003/2004) but I personally know a guy who bought a 2004 WRX with about 50k on the clock, within 2 months of having it, the cambelt snapped and did some serious damage. History is very very important, as is the fact that its been looked after properly through its life. I looked at many many classics before buying mine and there is LOTS of trash out there. Get someone to come with you if possible for a second opinion, ideally a mechanic, or even better someone who also knows there way around a scoob.

CHRI5

any thoughts on the one i posted above?

Bearo

Tbh, i'd save yourself a grand and buy the blue one TonyBurns posted for 2.5k. Then just buy some good warranty for it. Find yourself a good scooby mechanic and get it checked over or even take it on the rollers for a full diagnostic for peace of mind. Sorted.

Hysteria1983

If you have a budget, stick to it, but don't try to cut costs.

Full service is a MUST! It proves that the owner actually cares about the car and has kept up with the servicing.

I know you say you want low milage uk classic (ideally), but may not be realistic with a 99/00.
Do you have anymore requirements?
For example mods/no mods?
Interior? I needed leather simply because of the kids.
General condition? Do you want to be spending money on a few dents/dinks if it meant getting that perfect car?

With regards to the engine blowing up, it's just one of those things.

There is nothing to say that an 04 with FSH is anymore or less likely to go than a 00 classic with FSH.
If they have both been looked after and treated well then they both run the same risks.

For me the insurance on a classic was cheaper and the tax was also less than a newage, due to emissions regs. That way in a year or two I will be looking at moving to a newer one.
Me personally, I love the classics. Subaru isn't to everyones taste, and they are not the best looking car, but give me a classic anyday. But it had to be mod free, a proper classic

stu turbo 98

iTrader: (6)

chris if you buy this car, you have already blown your budget,even if you beat him down 200 quid,add the 100 for warranty then get maf 100,then cambelt kit 3oo at least plus labour on top,thats your money gone,if theres no record of cambelt change and up to date service records with receipts and description of parts ,i wouldnt buy it.mine had much better history than this,and really is in top condition and i payed 3500 for it.

staffy-bull

Price lowered on my wifes as she is now awaiting collection of her new car

staffy-bull

sorry its:

Ebay item number@220670321792

Richy P1984

If you didnt live in Wolverhampton, and I knew what my renewed insurace was going to be....

mer360

just to throw my hat into the ring - make sure you really want one of these cars... I travelled to Middlesborough from London for a mint, standard car with all the service history etc, only for the head gasket to go a couple of months later and cost me the best part of 1500 big ones to get sorted - runs well now, but these cars need attention - I had a Cliosport before and it didn't give me any hassle, and still delivered a great drive - although if you're like me, nothing was gonna stop me getting an impreza and regardless of the cost, I adore it - one last thing - kept standard their not that quick anymore...

Richy P1984

They might not be that quick, but they will still blitz Mondeos, Focuses, Astras 2ld Jag s types and BMWs, and they are still capable of putting a massive smile on your face, which is the main point of these cars. That 4wd pinned me to the seat the first time I 'launched' it - never had that with any other car.

Bubba po

After reading this thread, one theme seems to keep cropping up. Something along the lines of "bought an absolutely mint, well looked after uk Turbo 2000 with all receipts, FSSH, no expense spared etc., etc., only for the engine to blow up on me two weeks later". A lot of abuse can happen to a performance car in a couple of weeks, especially with a new, "enthusiastic" owner. My '99 wagon is about to turn 90k and is totally pampered, but I have hardly any doubt in my mind that if I were to sell it to some chap in his twenties it would be dead within a month and they'd be chasing me for a refund. It's just a fact of life.

Bubba po

And don't forget, these cars are a MINIMUM of ten years old, now. That's ancient for a performance car. It really is a testament to the way these cars inspire love in their owners that really well-looked-after examples of the turbo 2000 still keep cropping up. Only for complete arseholes to knacker them up within weeks of obtaining them, or tuning them to destruction. Carry on . PS Lewis might have sold his wagon on, now - but mine takes up the mantle of superb un-abused, unmodified example; with fewer miles and air-conditioning to boot.

Richy P1984

Why dont you just get a 1.7 diesel Astra then?

Bubba po

Funnily enough, I've got one of those as well, lol. It's an estate, too. There's a difference between driving enthusiastically and driving like a numpty with no mechanical sympathy, I'm sure you'll agree.

mer360

Mechanical sympathy when cold is a must - even when fully warmed up you've gotta show it respect - my Cliosport was 3yrs old and straight away you could drive quickly - I'm in my 30's and have always had older faster cars VW GTi, 205 GTi - the Impreza tops the list, because of the turbo power above 3k and the high levels of grip (brakes are not good enough though) - its an icon and legend and get lot's of looks from people who are "users" in their astras, mondeo's etc...

P.S. I saw that film with Danny Dyer in the other day featuring the yobs in the Impreza - may explain why some people don't pull up alongside me at traffic lights

stu turbo 98

iTrader: (6)

i got to say i dont like the way your suggesting that im an arsehole,that has been over enthusiastic with my first scooby,for your information i am 40 years old ,this is my second scooby,and i have been treating this car like it was my baby,i love these cars and so did the previous owner,what i dont like is ARSEHOLES like you who think they have the right to judge people they dont even know