Tigger7

Hi guys/gals,

First post so please be kind.
I'm in the market for a Scooby at last but not sure whether it's worth going the whole hog and get a Turbo or will the sport be sufficient.

I've done a search and found plenty on the turbo regarding performance but nothing on the Sport, is it THAT much difference?

Also (whilst I have your attention) is there much difference in fuel consumption as it will be a daily driver not a weekend toy.

Thanks very much in advance

Tigger7 (Prospective Scooby owner)

corradoboy

YES ! It's that much different. Take a test drive in a Turbo somewhere and you'll be hooked. Can't see why anyone buys a Sport really. There are better cars with better economy for the money, but not much in the same price league can compare to a turbo'd Scooby of any age.

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Go the "whole hog" as you say. You won't regret it, although you wallet will never forgive you.

Micky

Tigger7

Hi Corradoboy,
Actually had a test drive in my mates turbo today and I can see what you mean, it was a real buzz but he told me they can be expensive to run as it guzzles the fuel hence the reason for my post.

As a matter of interest, what's the difference in numbers, I think the turbo is around 5 seconds 0-60, 19mpg (nifty driving)

Cheers

Tigger7

corradoboy

Scoobs ARE expensive to run ! There's no getting away from that.

A 2004 GX does 0-62 in 9.8s, compared to 5.5s for the WRX, 5.2 STi, 4.8 WRX PPP and 4.6 STi PPP. A Mondeo is a better car than a GX, trust me. There are other ways of measuring performance than 0-60 though. 30-70 through the gears is a better indication of a car driveable performance, and many of todays diesels can give a Scoob a run for its money there due to massive torque figures. My Fabia vRS will do 30-70 in 7.6s compared to an STi PPP in 5.2s, which ain't bad when you consider I can get 60+mpg. I recently out-dragged a mate in a Classic WRX on the motorway. Both doing 60 in top (me 6th, him 5th) and I pulled away Spent the rest of that day chasing Scoobs on track and they never caught me, nor me them If you can't afford to run a turbo Scoob with 18-24mpg averages, then look at cars like the Seat Leon Cupra/FR TDi's. It's a trade-off with AWD Banzaii starts and prodigous grip wet or dry against amazing fuel economy with massive mid-range grunt. Scoobs are amazing cars, but if you can't stretch to it, there are other great cars which can reward a good and enthusiastic driver.

Tigger7

Corradoboy,
Now that's what I call a good answer, exactly what I was looking for - Thanks. It looks like it's going to be a Turbo then.
I take it that a 2004 GX is the same as an Impreza Sport?
BTW: I like the comment about a Mondeo being a better car - LOL

Thanks very much

Tigger7

Microstar

I think it depends upon what age car you are looking at.

I have driven 2006 WRX and also the 2006 2.0RX (i.e. the latest non-turbo model). The 2.0RX has a 4-cam engine (160bhp) with variable valve timing and is redlined at 7000+ rpm. Its a very very smooth engine. 0-60 is about 8.5s, so its slower than the WRX, but still in 'warm hatch' territory. There is a road test here: Subaru IMPREZA 2.0R : HIGH PROFILE, LOW PREMIUM - Yahoo! Cars
The GX is an older model (pre-2005) and has a much lower power output, but still a practical daily car.
The 2006 Impreza won a US Institute of Highway Safety 'Gold Medal' for safety - one of the safest small cars tested - which I think also make it worth considering.
Diesel cars are quick nowadays, but you have to like the way they deliver their power. I had an Octavia VRS for a while, but was not that impressed by it. Its had some good reviews in the press, but it does feel nose-heavy on back roads and the power is a bit 'on-off', and like all diesels you get that 'brick wall' effect if you try to really rev it - takes a bit of getting used to. The Impreza feels more nimble in comparison and the latest 2.0 engine has to be one of the sweetest around.

Tigger7

Currently looking at a 1997 "Facelift" Turbo (not WRX) which looks tidy. It's done 104,000 miles with FSH.
Is this comparable with the WRX performance or is this the slowest of the Turbo models?

corradoboy

In the Classic shape, any WRX or STi models are JDM imports, UK cars were all "Turbo's". WRX's are IRO 240bhp, STi's 280 and UK Turbo's were 208. There used to be problems sourcing parts as UK dealers frowned upon grey imports, but there's so many about now with a solid specialist market that it isn't a problem now. Insurance will be higher on a WRX/STi, and you need to ensure they have been converted to run on UK fuel (Japs get 100RON) and the clocks have been changed to mph (there is also a 112mph restrictor which is best removed). As a first foray into Scoobs a low mileage, unmod'd UK Turbo is a wise move. Minor mods such as exhaust and suspension bits aren't to be avoided, but look out for loud dump valves, induction kits and signs of boy-racer ownership. '98 cars were improved in both looks and performance, the main benefit being the 4-pot calipers (2-pots on such a car are plain dangerous IMHO) so if you can stretch the budget a little further you'll do well. The downside to the post '98 cars was the sensitive hotwire MAF sensors which have a habit of failing without the ECU noticing and possibly killing the engine if you don't notice either.

corradoboy

THIS ONE

Also worth a look....

Subaru : impreza turbo wagon

Subaru : 1998 Reddish Blue Uk Turbo Wagon

Subaru : Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000 (high miles)

Well worth trolling through the For Sale section on here as you can view the sellers previous 100 posts to get an idea what they're like and how the car has been treated

Tigger7

Yeah, that ONE,

Not too fussed on the Sportwagon tbh, doesn't do anything for me but the one in Cardiff looks ok.
Is high mileage a problem on the boxter engines?

Tigger7

corradoboy

Don't underestimate the wagons Many of the fastest Scoobs in the country are wagons, chosen for slightly better aerodynamics and easier access to the rear suspension for modding. Also, you can fit more wheels in the back on your way to the track I wish I'd got a wagon when I had mine.

corradoboy

EJ20 boxer engine is fine as long as it's had frequent oil changes (done properly) and treated with some mechanical sympathy (warmed/cooled, kept away from limiter and no long periods at very high revs). They get delicate when mod'd, especially when done badly leading to DET which can cause piston 3 to melt.

corradoboy

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...e-gc8f48d.html

https://www.scoobynet.com/trade-sale...-its-nice.html

gurner

dont get a sport you will have it for a bit and still have the urge for a turbo ezacly what i did got a sport and was never enough just sold it and now wrx will soon be mine at end of day its what u want if u want speed buzz get turbo if its just ur car to go shopping in and not really bothered about thrashing some one every now and then on ur local dual carrigeway then get sport but id recommend get turbo....

air.mech23

A sport is a good idea if you cant affird the insurance on a turbo. I had one when i was younger and it was a good intro to the world of scoobs.

Tigger7

I can't believe the answers I'm getting on my first post, what a great forum .
As you say, I think a sport sounds like a good idea until you drive it, probably leaving you wanting more.
After having driven a Turbo, I don't think anything will come close

I think it's now going to be '98/'99 Turbo which is not 100 miles away so Still looking

Tigger7

air.mech23

Plenty about mate. I didnt travel to the other end of the country either. I waited and waited and eventually the perfect one turned up about 10 miles away.