Hi all,

I'm new to the site and at the moment I have a Honda Prelude Vtec. Possibly thinking about buying a Scooby. Just need some advice my local garage does a lot of work on Scoobys in my town. One says the best model to goet is a Import WRX STI as its faster and more reliable than a UK one. While the other says I would be better of with a UK one.
I would be looking at buying a 95 or 96 model. Also have u any good ideas on insurance companys. Ive had my Prelude for 4 years now and Adrian Flux are giving me quates of over £2000 they say none of their insures insure Impreza's.

Cheers for your help

 

Imports are indeed little faster, though what are you comparing against? A UK spec scooby would be more reliable, and once modded it would indeed be faster then the import...though due to the age of the car, i personally would not consider getting one imported unless it was fairly new. This is because you have no idea what the history of the car is like and what maybe wrong with it etc etc...

Imports are more to insure, insurance companies hate doing it, hence the high quote. You would be better spending little more money to buy a low milleage UK spec Scooby, hence saving money on the insurance and spending the cash of the mods..

I stuck with UK models my 3rd Scooby now and luv it... (also when it comes to selling it will be little easier)

 

i agree i would only buy an import if it was newish not a few years old, adrian flux arnt as cheap as they would like u to think they gave me the most expensive quote and my car is a uk model.

 

i'd say buy a import sti ra, i've had one and their awesome cars that comes with loads of toys uk cars don't, their quite cheap now too, the one i had is now a rally car and its been faultless so don't be put off from buying a import, i'm currently looking for another impreza and i wouldn't even consider a uk car, i'm after a V5 Type R

 

If you want cheaper insurance go for uk, but generally go for RA or type R

 

Try Aplan, just been quoted £400 less than my current company wants for next years cover with mods fitted.

 

I will give them a try u don't know their number do u. Im 25 coming up to 4 years ncb. Cheepest ive had is 800 from Zenith.

I probably will go for a Uk STI how reliable are they. Im trying to get a low mileage with full service history. Looking after it won't be a trouble as garage down road does alot of work on Subaru's. I would try and get one which is standard or slightly modified so I can work from that.

I've heard a Impreza's weak point is its engine. But I suppose any cars engibe can be its weak point if u rag the hell out of it

 

Try 'Heritage' as well for insurance, under 500 for me with 2 yrs NCB

0845 3734777

HTH

 

Try A-Plan on 01635 874646.

I swapped from a Prelude Vtec last month - you'll only find a classic scoob a wee bit quicker, but you'll love the grip and the power coming in at 3000 revs rather than 4900 revs !

Good luck mate

(admittedly the Prelude was prettier, but who cares when you're flying round a bend at full throttle ).

 

I will giv them a try I think the STI has about 280bhp if im correct what is its 0-60 times. I like my prelude but its coming up to the time were im fighting the rust admittingly there is not a lot of it just on the wheel arch but there are other things starting to go and I would like something faster.

 

yep, that's what happened to my poor Prelude !

Reckon the Sti 0-60 is sub 5 secs. You'd find it by a "search".

 

I thought the old ones were near 240bhp, however the new age is 265BHP...

and yes 0-60 is under 5's, though one thing to remeber the new age is very Laggy!!! my turbo dnt kick in till 4000rpm...however not sure of the classic in comparision...

 

Well I got my renewal price from Adrian Flux for my car (Honda Prelude) and its £752 bladdy rip of. Rang A-Plan got a price of £530 for honda and a price of £950 for A WRX STI. I thought Adrian Flux was a specialist I suppose they are and charge what they like. Ask about quote for a Subaru and they said they rarely give cover that car.

 

I was with Adrian Flux when i changed from my 205GTI to my 93 wrx (3years ago) and they wanted £1500 went to A plan £800 now 3 years down the line £485.

 

IMO there is nothing wrong with buying an older import from a reputable dealer or privately through this site if the car is well known. I would avoid dock auctions though

I bought mine at 10 years old, 3 years ago, and nothing of any note has gone wrong. Its now running in excess of 300 bhp (touching lots of wood while I say this).

 

Yes you can get lucky, however there is always a chance you can get shafted...

Though in my searchings previously, i did not find any importer who was willing to give any form of garantee on the hisstory of the car....



Also on a note of insurance, i called near 10 insurance companies and they quoted me near £2500 for the year on an M5 (2001), called Aplan my current insurance company and they offered to pay me back £50 for change of car...costing £1350



PS: you have had you scooby for how many years? 10? WOW....i have had near 15 cars in the last 8 years...

 

No, you mis-read. It was 10 years old when I bought it. Had it for 3 years

 

ah....

 

There are no UK STIs in classic form. UK Supplied STIs only started with the bugeyes onwards.

If you want an STI, its going to be an import. If you don't mind insurance costs then import STI would be the one to go for, RA even more so if you can find a good one.

I bought a UK mainly down to insurance and second so I had more chance of getting a good one due to having full Subaru history. Not saying all imports are dogs but the chances IMO are higher.

 

[QUOTE=SamUK]I thought the old ones were near 240bhp, however the new age is 265BHP...

All classic shape sti are 276bhp after version 2. Think version 1 was 250.
Even standard wrx classic my97 and newer are 276bhp.

 

How much are you looking to spend? Cos as you will find out running cost's for all impreza's are high regardless of import or UK, also if you do import one make sure it's mapped for uk fuel as well, should not be a problem if you are buying one already in the UK, just something to be aware of. IIRC.
Personally i've gone UK every time but thats peice of mind, now have an STi prodrive and more than happy with that.
It is your choice what ever you get you will end up with a BIG smile when you drive it

Sherlock

 

Yes there are, I owned one of the 16

 

One for sale in Adams of Aylesbury £45k, had a look yesterday, top car!

Sherlock

 

hello all im here new as well and in your same dillema so thanks for the post. I will keep a eye on it i was gonna go import to but it seems like we gotta be real carefull