gingerprince

Hi All

Due to impending first baby in January I'm currently selling my TVR Griffith for something a little more practical, and seriously considering a scoob (can't bring myself to buy anything slow and dull!)

Not looking at STi or modified models - I already own a bike-engined lotus 7 replica for track days etc so just looking at "fast but practical".

So really I'll be in the market for MY03/MY04 WRX (possibly with PPP if I can get one at the right price, but not essential). I have a couple of n00b questions: -

1. Are there any particular gotchas with these cars, any weak spots e.g. early turbo failure or other things I should look out for that can be regular headaches?

2. Are there any recommendations for indepenant specialist in the Leeds/Yorkshire area for servicing and the like? I'm working on the assumption here that the car will be out of warranty and therefore will not require main dealer stamps.

3. I'm considering both saloon and wagon ( practical family car, you see ) - are either or both of these in WRX guise able to take a (removable) towbar? I anticipate from time to time to be towing my kit car to trackdays. And do ppp exhaust mods make any difference to "towbarability"?

4. How can one recognise a genuine UK model versus Euro import? I assume there'll be a dealer stamp in the book, but are there any telltails on the car itself?

Thanks



Sy

(oh and as a side-note, is the Phil Stephens here of FTO fame of old? - haven't seen that name in years!)

Phil

Hi Mate

Nope never had FTO

To answer your questions

1. Are there any particular gotchas with these cars, any weak spots e.g. early turbo failure or other things I should look out for that can be regular headaches?

Nope pretty much good as gold, Sti has had rear strut problems do a search if your looking at Sti's

2. Are there any recommendations for indepenant specialist in the Leeds/Yorkshire area for servicing and the like? I'm working on the assumption here that the car will be out of warranty and therefore will not require main dealer stamps.

Try the WYIOC section they will be the best people to ask

3. I'm considering both saloon and wagon ( practical family car, you see ) - are either or both of these in WRX guise able to take a (removable) towbar? I anticipate from time to time to be towing my kit car to trackdays. And do ppp exhaust mods make any difference to "towbarability"?

I have a towbar on my Sti PPP without problem

4. How can one recognise a genuine UK model versus Euro import? I assume there'll be a dealer stamp in the book, but are there any telltails on the car itself?

With difficulty, Alarm will be different and underseal my not have been done

Hope that helps

Sport160

Sy

There will be others better placed to answer your questions, however

1) I hope not as I have a very early MY03 WRX Saloon!! I've run mine for about 15m (13k miles) with no real issues at all, so far seems great

2) No idea, southerner

3) I have a fixed tow bar on mine (a witter one) I'm sure both versions can take a tow bar.

4) I've heard people on here saying they have had issues with the PPP backbox and the tow bar mounting, I have both on mine and have had no issues at all, it all fits fine.

stevebennett

Go for a Wagon as it is easier getting things in and out of the boot. The saloon has a good size boot, but if you are getting one of the new designer buggies that new mothers always want then it will be a tight fit getting it through the opening.

But i have been a Scooby owner for 3 months and cover 6000 miles so far with out a problem. I have got a 04 plate WRX with 46k on the clock.

I got my car from a main dealer as required a easy part-ex but there are some good cars out there just finding one that you are confortable with.

kgt

iTrader: (1)

Got my MY04 WRX saloon from a dealer in D'ham (who's currently getting a lot of sh*t thrown at him on this board - deservedly I might add)
That apart, I love the car. Never thought I'd own one, thought they were ugly, plastic & driven by w*nkers etc. Total blx.
They are fantastically versatile, 2 full sets of golf clubs and 2 trolleys in the back (now I never said I wasnt a w*nker). Its a joy to drive fast or medium fast. Apart from the crap battery they come with (replace it with a Bosch Asia Silver job from Costco £40) everything else is fine. I cant honestly see me driving anything else. I'm toying with the idea of a few mods, but its awesome enough without them. Ive done about 10k now and I'm as happy as a happy bloke.
And the vast majority of people on here are great, very helpful, very knowledgable and a good laugh. Be prepared to get the p*ss ripped out of you once or twice and dont for gods sake spell anything wrong. There are one or two people who seem to be wind up merchants, but thats life.
Good luck with your purchase, you wont regret it.

wilb

... Or 4 sets with no trolleys
I've an 04 WRX too (get black, looks the best), no probs. Only downside is people on here saying how inferior they are to the STI. That p***es me off sometimes.

fisherpl

iTrader: (1)

Hi,

I've had an MY04 wagon from new for 18 months and it has been 100% reliable.

I had the PPP put in it 4 weeks ago and this makes an amazing difference, much more tractable and sounds gorgeous without being too loud. Go for one of these if you can. A Plan will sort you out for insurance. PPP doesn't seem to kill the fule consumption either.

Go for the wagon over the saloon. Much more versatile and they don't seem to attract too much attention.

For independent servicing you won't better Scoobyclinic in Chesterfield. This is where mine will go when the Free Servicing runs out. If you want to carry on main dealer service Montys in Sheffield are highly recommended.

Hope this helps!

Blue Streak 2

Hi,

I tranferred to Scoobies from a TVR Chimaera for the same reason and I have to say I've not really looked back too much (Though I loved the raw power of the TVR). A must though is either to PPP the standard WRX otherwise coming from a TVR you'll feel the acceleration is lacking. However there's no doubt as a package of handling/power/cost you can't touch it.

If you don't want to go PPP route I'd recommend doing what I did:

Prodrive Sports Cat Downpipe - £200
Haywood & Scott Up-pipe & Centre decat sections £215 in total
Prodrive rear box £85
Prodrive Intercooler Y pipe £40
Pat Herborn remap £500

Fantastic reliable power, better fuel economy and now a really fantastic package. All the prodrive bits can be bought on ebay.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

All I'd look out for is FSH and things like kerbed alloys to give an indication as to how its been cared for. As far as telling if its UK or Import theres thing like the seats in some parallel imports are similar to those in the classic ie they have a deaper cushion that is raised slightly towards the front down its centre and bolstered sides. UK cars have a flat cushion raised only at the sides. The UK car has a CAT 1 alarm and keypad in a drop down cubby to the right of the drivers knee. You can always phone Subaru if in doubt with the chassis number and they'll tell you. I've had both wagon and saloon with PPP. They're both great cars. Good luck Bob

gingerprince

Thanks for all the answers guys, settled my major questions. Already got a good quote from A-Plan (after being told by greenlight that they wouldn't even quote my postcode!). I probably would go for a Wagon but you do see a lot less PPP Wagon's around but I'm in no rush.

I'll be back when I've sold the TVR

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to Hijack but these are the mods I intend to do when my warranty has gone - did you get any power/torque figures after fitting ??

stevebennett

The usual safe remap of this would usually get between 260-280bhp and 270lbft.

Chris Barn

You have PM

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good to me - Cheers !

NXG

I'm another who went from a chimp to a WRX (from new in 2003). Not had any problems and love it. The scoob replaced a 528iSE and the TVR. It has more useable power than the TVR and the practicality of the beemer.

In 3 1/2 years the total running costs of the scoob, including tax, first mot, servicing, fuel and maintenance have been less than those of one year of the other two. I could run the scoob for a year for the cost of the last service alone that I had on the chimp!!

Go for it. You'll look back with fond memories of the TVR, but when you look in the background of that mental image you'll notice the sun is shining and the roads are dry. How many times does that happen over here?