First off I better say hi, I have been pondering on a new car and was getting very keen on a TT supra but I have started to think in this rainy cold country such cars are best kept in the garage most of the year. Since this will be my main car (although not used daily) I think a scoob might be better suited to the job. I have done quite a bit of reading and have so far found that many say the newage is a more refined car and better built then the classic, I have also read that the handling is better. I know that the classic wrx will probably trounce a newage due to its lighter weight but I think the bug will be plenty fast enough for me. However I haven't been able to find much info about the engines in them, the classics have a mountain of info floating around. I know that some classics suffered piston slap and at high states of tunes the uk's would melt their pistons and I am sure I have heard that the crank can fail as well. I know many complain about clutch life but I have also read that much of that is due to overly aggressive launches. So what about the bug's then? have they got a different engine? do they suffer any major worries. If I get one it will be staying pretty much std, I don't really trust modded turbo lumps so can I expect a reliable car if I go for one? what does the PPP kit add on the newage wrx? Thanks

 

Think the engine is very reliable in std tune. Early bugs had same engine as turbo 2000 (I think) but later ones (or it may have been when blob-eye was released) had a slight hike in power and torque, maybe +7-8%. As you say they are much heavier (extra 150 kg) with minimal/no power/torque increase, so are slower accelarating. Having moved from classic to newage I agree with the comments re better handling, better build, better interior............but less fun than classic.

If your budget stretches to a blob, I believe they are a bit quicker on paper at least. PPP in all cases improves the car dramatically, though most on here will argue you can get better output for your money from other specialist (reliable) tuning packages.

Think you will have fun whatever, though if you were after a TT supra you may find a standard WRX a bit disappointing performance wise, especially above 60.
HTH
DNC

 

I started with a bug wrx, i only kept it ten months or so then chopped it in for a blob sti. Need i say any more......
Nik.

 

hi all. have got the 2005 wrx 300 witch comes with the ppp as standard. the figures for this are 0.60 4.8 secs and 144 mph + . sure i got whiplash the first time i drove it. love it to bits. ian

 

Jesus! Carbon copy of what I did.

A well modded WRX, say 280 bhp or so would be a very capable car and wouldn't disappoint, aslong as you are content with it's appearance.

 

Bug WRX is a great first scoob to have - its what i decided to get. If you can find a PPP example, its well worth it. I drove both a standard bug WRX and a PPP one and i couldn't believe the difference. PPP basically consists of replacement exhaust, prodrive ECU, and a few other bits that add about 40bhp. However, the key difference i found was with the increase in low down torque available - makes the car much better for everyday driving.

Had mine for about 3 or 4 months and i'm still loving it

 

I would look for a blobeye if I was you. Similar sort of price and performance but you don't have to try and disguise the headlights.

A scoob is a completely different drive to a RWD jap muscle car though. I moved from a 350z and love my scoob as it is better suited to our roads and weather... but you should test drive both the scoob and the supra to see what best suits you. My 350z was probably more fun in the summer, but the scoob is faster and more practical. You'll probably find similar differences between the scoob and the supra.

 

Go for it,and plenty to choose from at the moment and you can mod it has much or as least has you want.

 

I got one. It aint the most attractive machine but it still turns heads. The engine is still pretty much standard so far as I have modded other aspects first so i don't get caught out when pushing it.

I increased the wheel size from 17 to 18 inch on graphite Innovites
then fitted Brembo's all round with braided hosing
I dropped it 30mm on Eibachs
fitted a full stainless (blitz NUR spec R) and decatted second section

These few mods have dramatically changed the cards appearance. I also has prodrive lights which also help.

I'm definitely left wanting more in the power range but in the twisties its very good fun

Over the coming months I aim to increase power by;

uprating fuel pump and injectors,
removing remaining cat
FMIC
panel filter or possibly full induction
cold air feed from where fog light sits
uprated clutch and fly wheel
then a remap

Maybe I'm mad, maybe i'm not. Perhaps I would be better off saving my money and putting it towards an STI but i can't afford the STI I want for a year or 2 so happy to wait and play with the bug I got

 

Had my bugeye for over three years now, and love it.

The front lights are an easy and quick change, very easy to mod, not cheap though.




mine

 

very nice. The morrettes are an excellent choice. utterly tranforms the look IMO

 

thanks, need to get some clear indicator bulbs though

 

Aye thats a good point,
I still got orange bulbs in my indicators in my prodrive lights. Someone pointed that out to me ages ago but I hadn't given it any thought since.

 

I've had my bugeye since new more than 6 years now

I think you'e mainly summed it up. With the exception of aircon, in 70 000 miles I've replaced an aircon hose and a gearbox switch which I reckon is pretty good. No engine problems, still on the original clutch but it does judder a bit when cold.

Makes a good for what you're intending. IMHO

 

i;ve had my bug for 10 months now and lovin it.been told that the clutch needs replacin and thats 500 from sc and 700 from subaru and its still on original clutch and it 7 years old so not bad. the bugs do look different but thats why i like them its all down to preference really

 

Ok thats great you guys are really helpfull and I am glad to see that you are not all wearing rose tints and compleatly biased. I actually quite like the look of the bug so no worries there, blob/hawk eyes are a lot more expensive as are STI's which is what I would go for if they were cheaper. I hear what you are saying that the performance won't be on a par with a supe but how many have you seen driving round in this weather? at least a scoob is useable all year long. My requirement is a car to replace an ageing and knackered cavalier gsi, it must be reliable, I am mechanically minded and competent with engines but I don't want to spend every spare minute under a bonnet, I need something comfortable and fairly refined, but it must also be quick, handle well and have good brakes I reckon the Bug will fit my needs. For the record the reason I have swayed from the supe is the fear of spining it all the time in the winter (and as a consequence not really enjoying it for half a year) and practicality, I rarely have four in the car but thats not even an option with a supe.

 

To be fair, a moderately tuned Supra will only be faster than an STi in a straight line from a rolling start... so unless you are drag racing you really won't see any difference in performance.

 

I can't get enough of mine. Even when it was suffering with seemingly unsolvable problems when I got it. Turned out it needed a new boost controller which I got on here second-hand for £20.

Dog hates the noise now I have a Blitz exhaust without the bung which suits as the dog is a filthy critter at times.

I think it was a good compromise bewteen practicality and performance.

Dead easy to work on too.

 

I love my Prodrive-style Bug STI...

And it passed its MOT on Wednesday without a hiccup.. and as far as I can tell the only thing that's been replaced on it through wear/failure is a gearbox reverse switch. (hmm.. 2 in one thread.. coincidence or just crappy switches?!)

I think the comments regarding reliability are valid to the WRX, as I can't see there being that much difference.

 

Indeed. Had my 2001 WRX for 18 months. Despite my attempts to blow it up by modding it , it's had nothing worse than a blown headlamp bulb in that time.

Would seriously recommend Whiteline anti-roll bar and droplinks (£150), plus Prodrive springs (£400 fitted by stealer) if you can afford them. They're a wee bit rolly polly as std, IMHO.

 

Go for a bug, you know you want to!!

Here's mine. i think it looks good but I would wouldnt i?!!

 

No problem with standard clutches. Mine has 106k on the original clutch and feels as strong as ever. These are tough, robust cars... never had a single mechanical failure on my classic - only normal wearing parts have been replaced.

 

good profile. mine looks very similar

 

i started out with a wrx import classic. got to say these are more agressive and more fun. now i got a bugeye whitch i might add is in the best colour .

change the lights full deecat and some other small mods and its a great looking and more driverble car me thinks. much better build quility and handling!!!!! heres mine.

ive got to say i wouldnt swap back to the classic im lovin my bug.

 

go for a Bug

they are an individual choice

i love mine to bits

 

Well it all sounds good got to try and get a better insurance quote though because surprisingly they are a lot more then I have been quoted for a supe TT.

 

That is one fine bug sir, as is the red one a few posts later. As a blob owner I think blobs are best looking as std, but when a bug is dressed up as well as these have been I do think they are among the best looking of the lot.
dnc

 

Good enough for a certain Mr R. Burns R.I.P. to win the WRC title with....

DunxC

P.S. Yes I know his had more mods than mine, but I've got more bhp....

 

Cheers matey!!

 

Ok, so let's make this into a bug appreciation thread .

Here's mine :





If i had just a bit more cash, I'd have a hawkeye STi. Still I'm prettty content with my second choice.