Hi all,

In the last few hours i've written off my car so this isn't a great evening so far. However, doing so means i have a lump of money to spend and get myself something decent as soon as possible to take away the pain of losing my last one, which is currently sat in pieces on my driveway.

So i'm car free at the moment. It was an Fn2 Type R and it really was fantastic, loved it to bits. My first thought was get another, but i'm keenly eyeing up Impreza's now.

Can you help me out in telling me what to avoid, what to look for, and a just a general bit of buying advice for someone like me coming from the Type R?

I know very little about these, other than they're hugely popular with their owners...

If anyone's done the Type R to Impreza shift, how was it?

Budget is approx 8-9k. Priorities are raw driving experience (my type r was completely stripped out).

Thanks a lot!

 

Well if you're after a raw driving experience it has to be a classic, £8/9k should see you into a very nice STI Type R or RA that's had an engine re-build and running some decent power along with some good supporting mods running around the 330/350bhp mark, which is perfect IMO, much more than that and they start to become un-useable and stupid fast, also they need a 6 speed gearbox and that takes away from what it's really about, some will disagree but I think they're more fun when close to standard on the road.

They are getting rare so maybe you'll have to buy a 500 quid **** box to get you around while you wait for the right car, which isn't such a bad thing as it will give you time to do some research and learn about these cars, they're not a car you want to buy without knowing quite a bit about them.

Alternatively you could just go out and buy a Newage STI within budget but it won't be anywhere near as interesting to drive and they're not particularly raw, just uncomfortable and shouty.

 

You'll notice a big difference in mpg.

 

 

Ditchy 100% bang on right.

Do the research, WAIT FOR THE RIGHT CAR........

 

My mates actually done the opposite and went from a 330bhp classic to a Teg Type R.

He's always been a n/a lad, and always Jap. He bought an impreza after going out in mine 5 years ago but sold it within a year, mainly due to the modding costs, the need for a map tweek if you change air freshner and just not falling in love with it.

 

I went from fn2 type r to 2005 PPP sti only had the Honda about 4 months ( hated every minute of owning it.)

Kept the Subaru 5 years and loved every minute of ownership.

 

Thanks so far.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...uk-4dr/4319867

Something like this? Are there any real major things too look out for, other than a drop in fuel economy?

Forgot to mention 5 doors is preferable!

 

That car won't be around long at that price if good condition,serviced etc.

 

Five doors means the hatch? Saloons have four, or two.

If you want raw, classic is the game. The rest are tame.

 

Keighley Motorhub - stay well clear

 

Looks like a bit of a bargain however worth checking out the dealer first. Google search indicates they may havr used to be Keighley trade centre: https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...nter-then.html

I might be wrong and it could all be fine but be careful - don't get yourself shafted by a bunch of crooks, too many threads on here from victims of dodgy stealers

 

Beaten to it...

 

http://www.hurstcars.co.uk/used-cars...01505243735361

 

There was one of those on ebay about 4 months ago. At £4500 didn't sell so the lad stripped it for parts. Its was in good nick apart from stone chips.

As has been said do not rush. Buy yourself a cheap banger and then keep looking. If you rush you will pay over the odd's or buy a mess.

 

Cheers so far.

In terms of performance, if i were to go for the WRX (not the STI) would that be a mistake? Big gap in performance? There seems to be more to choose from on the WRX front, the STI i'm finding it harder to find a decent example. There's also a fairly big gap between insurance quotes for the two.

 

 

Depends what you want the car for. The wrx is softer but if say you get a newage wrx with the prodrive pack the power is the same as a standard sti. If you are planning on modding you are probably better starting with an sti as the engine/gearbox with take a bit more punishment but imho I think the newage wrx makes a really decent daily driver with mpg of 27-30 easily achievable without having to drive like a Granny all the time

 

depends how much you want to mod it and what BHP you are aiming for

My 05 WRX has had less than £1k spent on engine mods and it's running 330BHP, more than enough for 99% of the time. If you push them to more than 350BHP you will be looking at uprated clutch and then 6 speed gearbox

STI plus points -
the STI comes with a lot of different parts to the WRX.
Bigger spoiler, bigger intercooler, Brembos, 6 speed, stronger block, better heads.
But a bigger price to match.

STI neg points
The STI does weigh 100KG more than the WRX and is worse on fuel.
WRX is more of a sleeper.
On a B road blast the WRX will only use 2nd and 3rd gear, the STI will need 4th too.
Due to the gearing and weight, a 360BHP STI will be similar speed to a 330BHP WRX

If you got a WRX and modded it to 330BHP and stripped out some of the interior it would be a fast car.

you mentioned a 5 door, in classic and newage the only 5 door you can get is an estate (wagon). These are mainly in WRX form, but you can get classic wagon STI and some 'bugeye', but 'blob' and 'hawk' wagons were WRX (obviously you can get non turbo versions)

 

Really helpful mate cheers.

What's the deal with the 2.0 and 2.5, is there a better choice between the two?

 

The 2.0 is a better engine, the 2.5 engine in the Hawkeye Impreza's have been prone to piston failure. Nick named chocolate pistons. Plus Hawkeye Impreza's have higher tax band.

 

You need to get yourself to Hurst Cars and check out their stock. With your budget youll get a corker. As said before, avoid Motorhub.

 

I'd prefer to buy private, prices on these cars go up and down, keep checking the forsale section on here, we have just had a mint low mile WRX sell on here.


https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...-for-sale.html

 

Nice one - thanks again guys.

Is the general consensus avoid the 05-08 hawkeye model then? Which means buying pre-2005 to get the 2.0 engine?

If that's true i'll end up with a higher mileage / older model, but you reckon that's better than picking up a newer, less used 2.5 model because of reliability issues with it?

 

06-08
05 and 55 and sometimes 06 can still be 2ltr

 

Avoid 06-08?

 

Wagon's

 

Yep or budget for a possible rebuild

 

OK great - cheers. Pretty sure that's my mind made up then.

Going for the best 2.0 WRX i can find from the 2004 style saloon. Time to start looking...

 

I went from a mildly-modified EP3 (about 237BHP) to a Bugeye STi.
The difference is night and day; the Impreza is easier to drive quickly.

The EP3 was probably more fun and more involving, and I do miss it. I would have both if I could.

MPG, as said, is lower on the Impreza- although bearable if you don't drive like you stole it everywhere.

Servicing is not much more expensive than the EP3.

If you want raw, you're probably best off going for a classic.