I'm in the market to buy a new Subaru but its a battle with my wife as she thinks it is indicative of a mid-life crisis. We owned a modded classic STi a few years ago, which she found embarrassing to drive because of the exhaust and dump valve, so I think the damage was done then. However, ever since I watched McRae, Burns and Solberg in the woods of Wales, I've always loved them. It's a cash purchase and something I plan to hold on to for a good while so trying to buy sensibly.

I've had my eye on this bug eye UK 300 for a month or more and watched the price drop to an obtainable figure from £8.5k. Just wondering, if its still a little rich price wise, or does its rarity warrant the value https://www.autocap.co.uk/used-subar...silsoe-1525607 I really like the bug eye shape, I'm after a nice standard car and really wanted to buy from an enthusiast, but this ticks two of the three anyway. Cheers

 

Yes I think it's to much,
I've owned a uk300 you can save yourself around 40% and just buy a normal bug and by the lights and spoiler seperate as that's all it is really ,
The advert states it's had a replacement C frame as mot history states rot so for that money I'd be wanting a very clean underneath. bugs suffer with the front lower cross members rotting out so check that area out.

My advice is go look at it and choice from there but remember it's right at the top of wrx money but the bottom end of sti's , I had the very same budget and just spent 3/4 months searching 2-3 times a day. Viewed around 10 cars and discovered photos always do justice. And alot of people/ dealers are not honest so have to check them out yourself ,
Check paint , check for rust on arches in in and outside , boot floor inside and out as some boots leaks so go inside out , and have a good look up underneath in all corners and under the sills by the jacking points,

 

Agreed. For £8.5k you could get a totally rust free jdm import sti bug. And I've seen jdm wrx bugs advertised for about half that.
But the bug shape is really growing on me too. It's an itch that is growing...

 

Thank you for the advice guys. I live a while away and was hoping to get it inspected before I visit, but given the age, AA and RAC either don't cover it or are prohibitively expensive, but sounds like it's just too punchy for the condition. I've had some photos of history from the dealer and that seems in order, but I'm worried about rust now. It's just such a good shape and I'm not sure why people loathe it so much!

 

The bug sti imports at that money are generally not as good either ,
I viewed one only two weeks ago at what I thought was a reputable dealer According to this site and was far from good. Painted down one side and the rear arch lip was twice the thickness as full of filler !!!
Saw another that had a poor repair or paint 3/4 way round. And both these where £8500
I ended up buying a local uk bug wrx with a totally stock engine as was half the money , wearing all its original paint and had the added bonus at some point in its life some one must of known there scoobs as paid for a full pro underseal so it's saved it loads un like most ,I decided for my OCD this was a better route for myself as I can tweak the running gear myself but can't repair poor body work .

 

I passed a bug on the road into Hastings the other day, as I'm currently living there while my house is getting pulled apart, could have been you! I'd be happy with a stock UK bug eye and for lower money I could treat it to a light and spoiler conversion I guess, but they seem hard to find. I guess that's the trouble with a shape they only made for a year.

 

Ask the dealer to send you pics underneath and under the bonnet you can generally tell from them if it's worth looking at ? If you do end veiwing don't be affraid to walk away better to spend £40/50 in fuel then £7k plus and regret it as that car won't return same money if honest

 

 

ha didn't see your location , very local to myself then. I did a couple 4-5 hour round trips and ended up with a Eastbourne car lol ,
Mines a Sedona red one with morrette headlights if that's the one you saw .

 

I can't remember the colour but definitely had morettes. I'll ask for some pictures of the engine bay and underside, but sounds like he's just overpriced it. Pity, as it looks the nuts.

 

Cool best of luck and keep looking too ,

 

Thanks. A quick look on eBay has thrown a little light on the situation and shown a few more around, but super wary of buying a car on eBay!

 

Agreed , ask for plenty of pics before traveling, check mot history online , this always help ,

 

I've been doing the MOT thing over the last few weeks and ruled out a fair few just with that!

 

Good good, if you see any feel free to ping them
My way and I tell you if I've already viewed them lol ,

 

this one? http://www.infinitycarsales.co.uk/us...rive-style-180

 

Rottern, been for sale 2 months at least

 

Thank you!

 

 

Don't worry I am! I'm in a non-descript white Volvo so I'm not sure you'll notice!

 

Here's the in-bonnet view of the UK 300, just for interest... Judging from where it is, it's going to be hard for him to get underneath...

 

Nice to see it's all original. Usual bits of surface corrision but very easy to clean off ,
As him to take a snap of up under boot floor that's where you need to see fella , if people want to sell cars they will have to put effort in?

 

I will do and see what he comes up with!

 

Gutted ....sold my Jap 2001 sti to a breaker about 5 years ago had zero rust and 295 bhp and the best front seats I have sat in. I would go for an import unless the UK 300 is exceptionally clean.