Chris L

Very much personal choice. Having owned both, it would have to be a very special classic to make me go back to one (by that I mean, either an RB5 WR, P1 or something with Leda suspension!).

The newer car is heavier, but there is very little in the performance between a late model classic and an MY01. MY01 is much stiffer and certainly handles better than my old MY00 classic.

The thing I have really noticed is that the MY01 seems to get better and better the more miles that are put on the car. The engine is very tight when new and this does sometimes make it feel as if it is struggling a little. Having now put 40K miles on my car it feels great and is certainly a lot quicker than when I first had it.

Both cars will improve with some subtle mods - nothing major. Bug eye lights aren't to everyones taste (it was the first thing I got rid of), but it is easily solved.

The classic does represent serious value for money at the moment, so it really depends on what you want. I doubt you will disappointed with either. Test drive both, or go along to a local meet and have a look.

Chris

[Edited by Chris L - 8/6/2003 10:29:58 AM]

TON3

Hmmmmm, as i said b4!! (the classics ****)

[Edited by TON3 - 8/6/2003 9:49:41 AM]

Scoobydick

Agree that the name Classic says it all, they don't call it the Old Model or the Mark I do they. The classic is why Subaru made its name and why scoobynet etc exists. It was the first of a new generation of practical saloons that put performance ahead of pretty much everything at a price people could afford. People that were into them then were buying £20k worth of engine, chassy and transmission - they didn't care about how the door sounded when closed because they were true car enthusiasts. The car has now gone main stream and watered down for the masses who get upset if a tiny little bit of plastic creaks some wehere in the dashboard. The bugeye is just yet another saloon which is not as good as the BMW 3 series which it aspires to. Just look at how many people buy one and immediately put PPP on for nearly £2k. £2000 in the right hands could make nearly any car as fast as a classic in standard guise but the point was that you didn't have to back then, thats why the owners got them then.

[Edited by Scoobydick - 8/6/2003 11:12:11 AM]

Chris L

Very true Diablo. It is also true that you can get 'quick' ones and slow 'ones' of both models. My MY01 is not completely standard,(similar mods to my old car - decent exhaust etc). The difference is not that noticable, certainly with the later models. This would be backed up by comparisons from driving classics owned by friends.

Looks is always a personal thing. Scoobs were never going to win prizes for their looks. That said, you can make them look pretty good.

My comments really come from driving the car a lot over the last few weeks. It feels a lot quicker, even in the less than ideal high temps and air con on. The improved handling / general quality of the newer car are what sold it to me initially and they still hold true now.



Don't think it looks too bad now

Chris

[Edited by Chris L - 8/6/2003 12:48:15 PM]

chrisp

The difference between an MY00 and MY01 is 150kgs or just over 23 stone.

If you have a classic and put the wife/husband and kids in that, thsts what driving a MY01 is like in straight line with you only in.

If you increase power in a classic you have to increase it a little bit more (~10%) on the MY01 to stay level.

The funny comments are :

"I had a standard MY00 and now have an MY01 PPP and the MY01 is faster" - Yes it will be do the maths. An MY01 is roughly 10% heavier so 10+% more power and it will be quicker .

[Edited by chrisp - 8/6/2003 1:02:05 PM]

greasemonkey

Eh? There's certainly more metal above window level in the New Age cars, but that's far from being a full roll cage. (Jesus, not bl**dy cages again... )

Doesn't really follow. Stupid looking Max Power style mods will give you this image whether you're driving a '94 or an '03. Keep it subtle OTOH and you'll be fine.

Standard bugeye headlamps aren't noticeably better than the late classics.

Brakes are pretty much the same, unless you're talking about the Brembo equipped new age STi's. Of course the new cars have more weight to haul up, which makes a difference.

With decent pads, the regular four pot front/slide or two-pot rear setup will stop the car more than adequately unless you are doing repeated, track day style, decelerations.

It's a great shame though that Subaru haven't yet taken the opportunity to redesign the awful front brake disc, as it's this bad design that makes them (and all the "Group N+" uprate parts) so prone to warpage.


[Edited by greasemonkey - 8/6/2003 4:49:13 PM]

Windows

P.S. Hope it's 95% and not 94 %

[Edited by Windows - 8/6/2003 7:57:36 PM]

SirFozzalot

This has probably been asked for before but I will ask again.

I am looking at moving on from an Intergrale in to the world of Scooby ownership and am desperatley trying to decide between a classic or a bugeye (with morettes ).

Any info would be greatly appreciated with regards to the differences/benefits of either model. I have heard that a standard classic is slightly quicker than a standard bugeye WRX, is that true?

Also insurance is a major factor (isn't it always! ) I'm only 27 so loads of mods is probably out of the question and have had cheaper quotes for a bugeye than a classic.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

greasemonkey

Hmmm, I'm tempted to say don't start this one as it can get quite an emotive subject!

Leaving the aesthetics of the two cars out, the New Age version is built with better quality interior trim, leading to a quieter, more refined cabin with fewer creaks and rattles.

However, on the downside, they're a fair bit heavier, which takes a bit of an edge off the performance, and it's not helped by revised exhaust and ECU which seems to make the kick from the higher up the rev range and less immediate. The comparative increase in refinement makes them "feel" even slower - although this is a perception, rather than a reality.

At end of day it's your choice. The new age cars are still very quick, albeit not quite as quick as the Classic in a similar state of tune, while the older cars are maybe truer in spirit to the stripped out rice rocket concept that the Impreza was originally intended to be. Either way you'll be I'm sure!

HELLOM8

Depends on your budget. Are you bordering the classic shape/bugeye year switch. If so a bugeye will only be a little newer and have the same'ish amount of warranty left.
If you can afford a later bugeye which is close to a new car then this is more tempting than the classic. Dpending on budget you might have enough for a new shape parallel (Euro) import.
Best thing to do, is test drive both (or all 3) cars.
Cheers.
Ian.

monstermunch

I've had both like alot of the members out there, I'm not going to tell you which one I like best, because its personal preference, If you want more comparisons do a search but more importantly take both out for a test drive and if possible try and make it a long test drive.

good luck

NACRO

I had the same choice, test drove both and chose the classic. Undeniably quicker but less practical as a day to day proposition.

pappasmurf

In a word......Classic

Boost II

iTrader: (1)

UK Classic is a quick, raw off the peg car, much more so than the Bugeye. If you want to buy one and leave it alone its the smart choice. If you are to look at a Jap car or considering modifying then it is not a clear cut choice. Probably easier to bung on a few extra geegee's into the bugeye than it is to smarten up the sound proofing, plastic quality, suspension etc in the classic.

Boost II

iTrader: (1)

PS I thought that Bugeye insurance tended to be higher, have a feeling that the official listing went up from group 17 to group 19 or 20. I could be wrong on that though !!

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Has to be a Classic

Blobster

Classic.
Unlimited smiles per mile.
And if you buy one without warranty there are a number of good specialist garages in Essex to look after it for you.

Welcome to the club.

Blobster

MowbrayWRX

Oh no not this one again, here we go another 20 pages of threads.
Please dont do it........



Tony

chrisp

Insurance wise my classic is 20+ special grouping.

talizman

iTrader: (1)

Boost II said
Why would you want to add soundproofing??? If I owned a bugeye, I'd be more interested in ripping the stuff out so I could hear that flat four rumble from the straight through exhaust!

I'd also debate whether the plastic quality has improved any, Jap cars have crap plastic interiors. Full stop.

As for the suspension, aren't they based on exactly the same set-up??

I'd have thought that the only difference may be that some classics may be more wallowy due to being a bit older, thats all.

In my opinion, its all down to what look you prefer, as the performance differences are negligible.

JackClark

Bear in mind that the one you buy will most likely be the oldest you ever own, going back to the old shape having owned an improved model may not be easy.

I say buy the an old one - you should get a good deal on something special - and let others move up to a more current model.

All IMHO

sc00byd00

I sold my classic a few months ago after 3 yrs of grinning to look for a bugeye with a morette conversion.

After travelling upto rhyll I have found myself firmly back in the driving seat after a three month search.

I have to admit that you don't seem to get the raw kick that the classic used to have but a more refined gradual surge of power in the bugeye ... but then again on a positive note ..... my grin is back !!

enjoy

aj

turbo2000

Has to be a Classic

SiDHEaD

Just close the doors with the windows down on both. The build quality on the bugeye speaks for itself, whereas the classic sounds like the door is falling off

Andy (Classic owner )

( R6 CDW )

Had a my 98 classic, with around 250bhp, and loved it to bits.

now have 03 ppp love it to bits more, ppp quicker than the classic and 01/02.
Better drive, still a few sqeaks and rattels thow.

Improved alround package (evolution dictates it)

alibi

Have just purchased an sti5 wagon as first scoob.Did not want to enter the ownership ranks without enjoying a variant of the shape that made the marque famous.
Can only add wall to wall grin factor 10 comes as standard.

sooby

Well I chose the classic. Hmm'd & ar'd but eventually found the last classic 4 door in the Country and got it July 2001. I am still very happy with my choice.

I am however surprised that your insurance quote for the classic is higher since I understood the bugeye was two groups higher!

SirFozzalot

Thanks for the replies guys!

I was in two minds whether to post this thread or not

I have driven my brothers classic Awesome! It looks like I will have to find a bugeye to test drive and make my mind up from that! Any offers?

Thanks again for your views.

Diablo

Coming from an Integrale I'd say a Classic was more your thing.

If insurance is a worry and you won't be doing many mods and leaving engine standard then I'd go looking for an MY99 car.

Best of the classics IMO (and that of many others) as it came from the factory due to:

Phase 2 engine
Not prone to piston slap of MY98 and prior
Better interior/dash (although same as MY98)
Higher level spoiler
Suspension improvements (firmer springs (dampers?)
Nicer front end
4 pot front calipers as standard (not great, but way better than previous models
Better, less hesitant ECU than MY00 cars.
Nicer wheels than MY00 cars (again IMO)

Certain magazine test data suggests the MY99 cars were the fastest of all the classics as standard (UK cars) - late tests of MY00 were showing the later car up to 2 seconds slower 0 to 100.

I did 25,000 (hard) miles in mine, and the only rattles I got were due to a loose fixing screw behind the dash (which I fixed myself) and the drivers window guides wearing (which were replaced under warranty)

Plastics were not the best (but still looked the same after 25,000 miles) so longevity not a problem, and while the shell may not be as stiff as a bug/blobeye, it is still massively stiff by comparison to many other cars of a similar age.

Paint was nicely applied but thin (but what isn't these days) and the outer panels felt like bacofoil (although careful parking kept mine dent free).

Find a good one with history and low mileage and it shouldn't cost you much to buy, specialist servicing will not be that bad and you'll have a much rawer (and more fun IMO) car than a standard bugeye.

You're only 27 ..LOL.. you don't need refinement and "quality feel"

(although coming from a Lancia a classic will feel pretty high quality

hope this helps, but go and drive a few examples of each.

Ps - many classics arrived from the factory with badly set geometry, and may not have been properly set up - so watch out for that on any test drives.

D

SirFozzalot

Thanks Diablo.

Decisions, decisions............