P1Fanatic

Im looking to replace my car early 2012. Only thing that I like the look of so far is the 2011 STi Hatch (which seem to be very rare and the ringland issues worry me) or an BMW E92 (Im not sure falls into my budget of low £20k's as would want 330i or d really). I never even thought to look at Evo's as thought they were overpriced until I saw one in white on the road last night and looked pretty aggressive. Had a quick look on Mitsu website last night and you can get 11 reg delivery mileage FQ 300 & 330 SST's for under £24k with 3yrs servicing included. So I will have to get out and test drive one.

But has anyone owned one and how did they find it? What are the service schedules like and have they by now fitted decent size fuel tanks? What is the SST transmission like - I recall the 5th gear battle against the STi and Tiff moaned about it but then he was doing slalom courses and handbrake turns

Cheers
Simon

grahamc

iTrader: (10)

I know clarkson had a fair bit of praise for it. Not owned one but that seems like a good price...

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

Ask them how long it's been parked at Southampton docks for?

P1Fanatic

Yeahs its a great price as for an E92 330 Id be looking at least 2 years old and a lot more mileage for that money - admittedly lower running costs. Just checked mitsi website and they have a 55 litre tank these days and servicing is 10k miles. £650 for a 3yr servicing package = £217 per year and about what Ive spent on Civic Type R!!

Rescue Dude do expand - do they have a backlog of these at the docks? Tbh with a 3yr warranty I wouldnt really be bothered. Seems very few 2nd hand ones in white though.

wrx287

iTrader: (8)

My mate has an FQ340 in white and paid 24k for it 6 months ago with 4500miles on it. No problems so far. He came from an Evo 6 and said the X is far more refined. He had it mapped last week and got to 385bhp with just a panel filter. Does look a bit like a Volvo S40 though

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Had a FQ360 awesome handling and performance out of the box. The AYC pumps are still an issue and do fail, the fuel economy is abysmal as they are mapped quite rich. Rides pretty well, reasonably nice from inside but still a bit plasticky.

P1Fanatic

Cheers for the input banny. Looks nice and mean in black - are they standard wheel colours or did you get them powder coated or similar? Is that the standard front splitter?

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Splitter is standard but can be purchased from an MLR member called carbon goodies, the wheels are team dynamics in 8.5*18 and came in black

P1Fanatic

Cheers. I believe the 360 is only avail in manual so guess you dont have any experience of the SST trans?

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

My wife's uncle has a fq300 and it is a truely epic car. Having driven a few scoobys in the past he reckons it handles and performs way better.
But servicing every 4500miles and the tyres only last 7000miles. You need deep pockets to run one. Having said that, nothing has broken on the car so it seems reliable.

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Yes manual only and I replace the clutch for an exedy twin plate after just 15k miles

jef

iTrader: (13)

ive "had" one in my l reg classic, was an fq 360

the driver wasnt too impressed, but acknowledged me with a wave - which was nice

not much info there, but imo the rear end will take getting used to. - altho like always i think ill come round to the looks eventually