Hi Guys,

In a while i'm going to loose my company car (Leon Cupra R) and i'm going to go into the dirty world of car owership. Now the companys going to give me cash via my pay to get a car. I've always wanted a Scooby so i'm looking at a STI PPP. Now my question is this, assuming I buy a well maintained example, how reliable are Scoobys and how much should i put away each month for maintainance costs?

I bow to your greater knowledge.

 

Hi,

The general view seems to be that as long as they are maintained and treated properly they are pretty reliable. As for maintenance costs you've your annual service (or more often depending on mileage/year) and the cost varies according to which service it is and where you have it carried out i.e. main dealer or independant specialist.
Best bet is to jump in, you should be allright if you buy a decent car and I doubt you'll regret it.

Barney

 

Hello,

I have an 05sti PPP - first service £130, 2Nd Service £202 - v.reasonable so far - I dont think this is too excessive - its more the modifying bug that costs - its a disease with no none cure...........

 

Arise newbie!

Had mine for 2 years plus now. Currently has 320bhp and ft lbs torque. Never let me down once, all it's needed are new maf and lambda sensors.

They are VERY reliable cars providing:

1) They are serviced on time and exactly how Subaru Dictate, by people who know what they're doing!
2) They're not abused and driven with mechanical sympathy i.e. allowed to warm up properly before boost is used and given time to cool down after a hard drive before switching off.
3) You use the best consumables: SUL petrol and fully synth oil of the right grade.
4) That -if you're going to modify them- you do it properly with consultation with the experts.

Get one that's been looked after, look after it yourself, and you're laughing.

Be warned though: They are not cheap cars to run and if you do neglect/abuse them, they will hurt you badly financially speaking!!

Happy hunting!

Ns04

 

^^^ What he said ^^^

Except, DO NOT MODIFY!! that turns one of the most reliable cars on the planet into a TVR!!

Pete

 

Hi
Had 3 scoobs 2 of which were Sti ppp. Never had a beakdown or any problems with any of them

Chip

 

so if i put on a loud exhaust and an air filter it will grow a V8 and and be a RWD car???
WOW!
i think sensible mods would be fine methinks....

 

Pete doesn't like living dangerously bless him!

Seriously though, I'm of the opinion- and I think a lot of folks on here will back me up on this from experience- that these cars' PROPERLY tuned can be comfortably modified to quite significantly greater power levels than they left the factory with. What they will not tolerate is when people do half arsed/ill conceived mods to try and get maximum power at minimum cost.

At the end of the day, I accept that I've had mine expertly modified by people with many years experience of Subarus and its very likely to give me years of trouble free motoring as a result.

BUT if the worst should happen, I won't be comming on here claiming that they have chocolate engines etc.. You fiddle with it, you take an informed risk.


Ns04

 

Thanks guys.

I could hear my wallet starting to cry when i found out the company were doing away with leased cars. But at least it gives me the chance to get a car i've always wanted. I want to be financially ready for it and put some aside each month.

The only mods i were thinking of for the future would be mapping and handling tweaks, assuming they aren't on the car when i get one.

I've been looking at some PPP STI's on the "for sale" section here and there seems to be some great buys from people who have really looked after them.
I just hope there's some good buys to be had when it comes my turn to swap cars over.

 

Generally reliable. However...

Main dealers aren't cheap. And parts prices are silly money, so when it does go wrong it costs.

 

Can general servicing be done by any good mechanic? I know a good one local to me.

I'm in Blackburn, Lancashire. Any good tuning places near me? If i'm going to get any mods i want them doing by experts who know what they're doing.

 

Just take into consideration that Subaru's are appalling with fuel economy, average is around 200 to 260 miles to a full tank. If you drive them with a heavy right foot, you will be stuggling to get 200 miles to a tank on over 40 quids worth of petty.

Plus, most owners ( including myself ) run the car on high octane fuel, more often than not its V-power and thats only available from Shell garages, plus its more expensive than normal unleaded.

Great cars to own, but I can't possibly see the sense in owning a Subaru if your doing " rep " miles.

Personally I would get a car for work, and a classic JDM Impreza for your enjoyment on weekends etc. You could pick a good one up for 3 to 4k.

Just my view.

R7

 

No need to worry about my "rep" miles. I claim the petty back from the company for those. I'm tending not to do that many business miles these days, about 5000 miles last year. Even better is the fact that my works is only 5 mins down the road so commuting is low mileage too.

 

Oh well then you're in the perfect position then.

Id go for one mate to be honest, if you drop on a good one and make sure you do what's said above, you'll probably be trouble free, and reliability shoudn't be an issue.

atb

 

Well i've found Powerstation and TSL aren't that far away from me. Anybody know any good tuning places a bit closer?

 

If you can live with the fuel economy, then servicing costs are not really much more than any other car,in my view esp. if you pick your specialist garage wisely.
Reliability very good as standard car, use your common sense as previously stated,cars need warming and cooling and a bit of TLC to remain in tip top shape, all of which is no hassle,good oil essential.
Sensible mods enhance ownership.
I tend to go for handling and stopping mods, theses cars are plenty fast enough!!

 

As a well known sports company say JUST DO IT !!

Seriously mate, you will not stop grinning for a long time

Rob

 

No, but you will look like a *****!

And the neighbours will slash your tyres!

Pete

 

I am still thoroughly amazed that people get these kinds of fuel consumption levels.

My Spec C is pushing 380bhp and I still get circa 250miles to a tank...... and thats on a 50litre Spec C tank!!!

Must all be in the mapping.

Regards,
Shaun.

 

They can't drive as good as us Shaun

Pete

 

Pete, dont insinuate that I'm one of your Sunday Driver's crew!

Regards,
Shaun.

 

dont worry about fuel consumption, try to preserve ya precious brake pads. My scoob is driven hard

 

You seemed to enjoy the trip last Sunday to Eastbourne? And you cheated at bowls - Betty was most upset that you grabbed her, she is 95 years old and could have had a nasty turn!

Pete

 

I'm like you and came from company car ownership...

I have managed to break every car that I have ever had, except the Scoob. It's a modified MY03 WRX running 300+, no problems at all...

Moving away from the computer to find wood to touch.....

 

Looking at other threads running currently, it seems that roughly 50% of the folk on Scoobynet have modified Scoobs. There's nothing to suggest that 50% have had engine meltdowns. Do it properly and although there may still be a risk, it's a small one.

 

Varboy, are you still on the TD04 ?