zesty

I've been looking at getting a wrx wagon so I can get my doggies in the back, need a bit of advice about what to get. I have been looking at getting an 03 model (non bug eyed) and see I should get one for 16k-19k depending if private or dealer, is there any difference between the 03 an 04 models? Is there much point in buying from a dealer considering the car will still have warrenty left on it? Should I stick to a UK model or is it ok to buy imported? Any ideas on the likely running costs based on 12k a year? Lastly do the wagons go and handle as well as the saloons?Sorry for all the questions but just trying to get some facts first.

BedHog

I bought a Wagon last week.

I bought an 02 'Bug Eye'. Being a Jap import it's got a better spec than the UK model, but being a 'Grey' Import there is no warranty (even though it's less than 2 years old) and my local Subaru Dealer won't touch it (Well not officially, but we came to an arrangement)

'Parallel' Imports that are UK spec are apparently ok with Warranty/Servicing by Subaru.

I got it very cheap - £9.5K, so the warranty doesn't bother me as I saved enough to cover most things. Plus there are plenty of Scoob specialist about who will look after the car, and probably a lot cheaper than a dealer.

Worked out my MPG today - around 23mpg, not too bad considering it's a new toy and I can't resist booting it at every opportunity. But being an import I'm using Optimax which is a fair bit more expensive than normal. (Although that 23mpg was on Esso super unleaded). Plenty of other threads on imports/fuel so I won't go into it here.

As for performance, the official figures from Subaru UK show a (UK) WRX Wagon at 0-60 in 6.1 secs, where a Saloon is 5.9, so very little diffference. Handling wise, no idea, but again I doubt there is a noticeable difference for the average road user. I believe the UK Spec wagon is 225PS where the Jap Spec is 250PS.

You'll love whatever you buy, just depends on whether you want the security of a Warranty or a better spec car...

Faire D'Income

As far as the running costs are concerned, it's difficult to say as it depends on too many variables but my Wagon MY02 costs on average £300.00 per service, insurance is circa £1500.00 and I average 23mpg but that's running on Motorways mainly.

As for performance, it's unlikely outside of a track that anyone is going to notice the difference in handling etc between a Wagon and Saloon - although the Driving Gods will probably beg to differ.

Having said that, it's probably likely that you'll start modding it in which case you'll end up with an extremely quick Estate Car that will surprise many drivers who don't recognise what it is.

Personally, I prefer the looks of the Wagon compared to the Saloon but it's main advantages (apart from hauling hounds around) is that it's less noticeable than the saloon and doesn't warrant unwanted attention from either Plod or some muppet wanting to knick it - or indeed the attentions of the Max Power brigade every time you pull up at the lights.

greg.g

I dont think there is any difference between the 03 and 04 models.
As for dealer or private, it all depends on what price the dealers are charging.
I would have thought that there would be less choice with a wagon as there are less sold in the first place.
This will probably keep the prices at dealers quite high

As for uk or import, both have there good points....
Imports will be cheaper and are higher spec
But... will have a lower re-sale value, warranty issues and will need to be run on octaine booster or a re-map if a jdm import. Their insurance is also higher.

Uk cars are not quite as quick, but you still have your warranty.
They will cost a few more pounds to buy, but will hold their value a little better.
They will run happily on optimax

I have a uk MY98 wagon, and have not regreted buying it
The handling is as good as the saloon.
Performance is about the same.
They get less unwanted attention from little scumbags

As for running costs...
Expect about 22-23mpg
Service twice a year... one small one around £130 and a larger one ( could be anywhere between £200 -£500)
These more expensive services occur at around 45k , 60k and 90k (not certain for 03 models)

Hope this helps.
Greg

chiark

I've changed from MY00 saloon to 03 wagon...

I don't believe that there's any significant difference between the 03 and 04 model, other than colour coded sills - I've had mine done on the 03 anyhow.

Buy privately and it'll still have the Subaru UK warranty providing it's got a FSSH and is a UK model. I'd personally stick to a UK (or EU) spec model rather than go for a JDM spec, but you pays yer money and takes yer choice - it sounds like BedHog got a cracking deal!

Fuel consumption is significantly better for the 03 compared to 01/02 apparently - I regularly get 30+ MPG on a motorway run at normal motorway crusing speeds.

It's an outstandingly practical car which also goes like snot off a stick. Being a wagon does mean it's a little bit less boy racer-ish...

So far, I've paid 120 quid for a 10k service, and I'll need a new set of tyres soon which'll be around 350 quid for Toyos. Fuel consumption varies widely on the type of driving, from low 20s when enjoying it to low 30s when crusing on the m/way...

Cheers,
Nick.

gavnnik

You might want to consider whether a Wagon is big enough - I've got a Lurcher and a Border Collie and in the end got a JDM Forester as the taller body offers a lot more effective boot space.

£8,000 for a M99 Forester with 51,000 miles.

zesty

Thanks for the replys. If I look privately how can I tell if it is imported or not (in case the owner is trying to lie)?

Harry_Boy

MY02 UK spec wagon - standard apart frpm the (almost obligatory) Morettes. We use it to haul two small dogs in the back - they seem to like it!

Running costs? About 20 and a bit to the gallon on Optimax. £150 is for a small service. £250 plus for a larger one. Only done 23k so far so can't say what the higher mileage ones are.

Certainly not regretted buying it, apart from fuel bills. Oh, and insurance about £760 - but I am 40!

Handling & performance. I defy anyone to tell the difference between saloon and wagon, although some say the wagon actually handles better.... Torsional rigidity shouldn't be an issue - I seem to recall that at launch, Subaru said that the bugeye saloon was 250% more rigid than the Classic, and the wagon 239% more rigid. So, there's not much difference there.....

Just buy & enjoy!!

blip

Might be worth considering an 03WRX wagon with the Prodrive Performance Pack fitted. That way you get the most bang for your buck whilst still having the remainder of manufacturer's warranty on it.

I'll be selling mine soon - 03 WRX +PPP, + colour-coded door strips and sills. Not sure where you're based but let me know when you decide what you want.

Pic of mine here:

zesty

You've hit the nail on the head I do want the ppp pack and I want one in silver and f@@k my old boots thats what you have. I live in south east kent on the coast. How many miles has it done?

BedHog

You need to phone around a bit more, I got a quote for an 02 Wagon from Tesco for £550 and I'm 34. Direct Line £601. AA - haha they really are having a laugh

Performance Direct who specialise in vehicles like this had a best quote of well over £1300.......

I know it's a ballache, but most are free or local rate numbers, and a lot do online quotes, so it really is worth spending a day looking around. And remember for whatever reason what's cheap for one is expensive for someone else.

DJFish

I'd go for a UK wagon if I were you, that's what I did and immediately got loads of stuff sorted under warrenty, then again I go for piece of mind over performance/cost.

Molly the Lab fits quite nicely in the back of my classic but it'd be a bit tight for two on a long run, must get a dog guard soon, the little tike likes to jump in my lap when I'm in press on mode!

If you're interested, evo did a road test on the '03 wagon+ppp, was reading it on the khazi the other day, they said it was the way forward, I'm inclined to agree with them.

Good Luck

Dave

blip

zesty - it's done 15k, mainly fairly relaxed motorway jaunts over to Wales for mountain bike outings every weekend. It's unmarked and also has a detachable factory towbar, 2 different size load liners and will have 4 new tyres when sold.

I'm currently waiting to see what my dealer will give me for it (you know just for a laugh! ) If you're interested I'll mail you when I've worked out a price and am ready to sell. I may not be ready to sell for a few weeks though as I have to sort out other wheels first.

Faire D'Income

As far as the dogs are concerned - forget it. I have two Rhodesian Ridgebacks who are both around 45kg and they fit in the back perfectly so there's no issue with the size of the dogs!

As I said in an earlier post, you'll probably want to modify the car. Mine is a Euro import from Holland and the only way to tell is by looking at the service book which oddly enough is in Dutch. Personally, I took the decision to trust the Scooby reliability and ditched any warranty on the basis that I couldn't get the warranty to extend to all of the PPP packages that I wanted to add to the vehicle - instead I went down the Ecutek/decat etc route and so far haven't regretted it.

zesty

I think the stumbling block may be the ppp pack as looking at online quotes insurance goes up drastically for anything other than std, still got a few people to try though. As to warranty, I think its a must considering my lead foot driving habbits!

Harry_Boy

And the Evo test on the MY03 wagon with PPP gained five stars.

blip

For me adding the PPP to my 03WRX only added about £70 to my premium with Liverpool & Victoria. Obviously depends on your circumstances though.