Matt106

Im currently in the market to purchase my first scooby! I have about £4000/£4500 to spend and have little knowledge of the cars apart from things I've picked up from for sale adverts. I've also quickly looked into servicing intervals which don't seem bad at all!

I've been looking at UK spec WRX cars/wagons 2002/03ish with FSH around 70/80k but I'd prefer as low as possible. I don't have any specific requirments for a wagon so standard form is OK if I was to go for a saloon it needs to have the larger spoiler.

I'd love a 2004 WRX wagon but I know this is out of my budget!

I'm coming from driving hot hatch cars so it's a bit of change. I know it'll drink fuel but I'm willing to accept that. Just need to be swayed by the scooby community I think!

Anyway onto my questions that everyone hates to answer.....

Is high mileage something to be worried about? If so what do I need to look out for?

How much for a typical cambelt change?

Is it risky going for an import? Any complications with insurance? I'm only 24 and have looked into insurance on UK vehicles which is reasonable.

If theres anything else I need to know before I jump in and buy one let me know.

Lagamorph

iTrader: (12)

Hi,
I wouldnt bother with high mileage, good service history is a must though!

my insurance company only wanted an extra £10 a month for import but finding a good one is a bit tricky.

Why dont you come to the next WMI meet and take a look at other members cars to see what suits you and get a little advice along the way :thumbs:

+Doc+

Is high mileage something to be worried about? If so what do I need to look out for?
Yes, unless it has had a rebuild then mileage becomes less of a problem.

How much for a typical cambelt change?
£200 - £300 depending where you take it.

Is it risky going for an import? Any complications with insurance? I'm only 24 and have looked into insurance on UK vehicles which is reasonable.
You will pay a lot more for an import than a UK model at your age.

If theres anything else I need to know before I jump in and buy one let me know.
Expect 20-25mpg on a good day, service every 6000 or 6 months, make sure they have history.

Subaru's are fantastic cars when they are running correctly, at your budget you will see lots of modified fast WRX or STI models but you could be buying into trouble.
At your age I would go for a standard UK model (wagons will be cheaper) and build yourself up to a WRX or Sti in the future.

Matt106

Thanks for the info so far, when is the next West Midlands meet?

I'd be looking for a standard car or as close to standard as possible. With FSH and 70/80k miles should I be worried about anything serious needing replacing before I hit 100k?

Will my budget get me anything low mileage with FSH? UK spec does seem like the safe option for now.

Lagamorph

iTrader: (12)

https://www.scoobynet.com/867251-wmi...01-11-a-2.html

not sure if ill be going but plenty other members will be around to help you out

plenty of bugeye models about for that money. when looking for problems just treat it the same as any other car mate, nothing out of the ordinary really goes wrong with them apart from odd prodlems with rear struts on the newage sti models.

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

From personal experience I would go for an STI if you can afford one, you might be able to get a bugeye sti wagon for that money, but I doubt it.

For your budget you are going to end up in an 03 plate WRX wagon & thats not a bad thing, they are well screwed together & very tough, if looked after.

Make sure its got full service history & check when the cambelt was done, it should be every 5 years or 50k if I remember correctly. Dealer history is not a must have, providing its been serviced by a reputable company, on time & using quality oils & filters.

Check the tyres, a matching set is going to point to an owner that cares about what is going onthe car. Check the brakes, they get expensive & the Steel 4 pot calipers on WRX's have a tendancy to rust & sieze - make sure the discs have plenty of life left in them or haggle on these points.

On the test drive get it up to temp & check that the needle doesn't go up after a few hard accerlerations.

Lastly, check the bodywork, these cars pick up dents very easily. They don't have the fit & finish of a BMW but all the panels should line up & the doors on the later cars have a decent thud when shutting.

If in doubt, walk away, there are many cars for sale & it pays to take your time.

Matt106

I'll pop over to the meet for sure as I live local! I can pester everyone there so watch out haha

I've not looked at STI's yet as I thought they would be out of my price range. I will have a quick look though just in case.

I'm hoping if I pick up a standard wagon it'll of had an easy life. The mileage side of things does worry me but for my budget I think I'm going to struggle!

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

This looks like a good buy

austinwrx

cost of petrol is the biggest killer and ditto yr insurance as yr a young un.

cambelt should be done at 50k.

you need to suss yr monthly mileage out and future plans/work/home location etc and see if you can afford it.

cracking cars though and they'll get cheaper as people won't be able to afford to run them at 1.30 odd a litre in fuel.

Matt106

Ive seen that wagon and it looks like a good buy from the advert and pics!

With regards to mileage I'd be doing 700/800 a month. My daily commute is 25 miles on 'A' roads although I can take the motorway if needs be. To be honest I don't know what to expect with fuel but I know it won't be cheap.

Insurance doesn't seem to be a big issue with quotes coming in around £700, not far off what I get quoted on Clio 182's, Civic type r's etc

benbrandwood

iTrader: (1)

At 800 miles a month I guess you'd be looking at around £200 - £250/month on fuel alone

I'm getting around 23mpg in my STi on a mixed A-Road journey - I fill up when the tank is 3/4 empty (at 200 miles) and it costs around £55 or so.

Matt106

That seems ok but in the first few weeks of ownership I imagine it might be a tad more

Lagamorph

iTrader: (12)

Good advice there although you are looking at atleast another grand for an sti bugeye but if you get the modding bug you will easily spend that in the first year of ownership and still have a car not up to the same spec as an sti

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Thats similar to my mileage and daily commute and I run an 05 WRX Wagon PPP. If I'm going with the commuting flow and generally not boosting very often, I get 27-28 mpg. A bit more adventurous driving and I get 24 mpg. They are a good bit better on fuel than STIs.

Matt106

What's the main difference between a WRX and STI? I'd be happy with 27-28mpg and the drive to work is never very spirited anyway!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

WRX 215 or 225 BHP vs STi 265bhp (without PPP).

Servicing is not every 6 months, it's 12 on the Newage cars.

Cambelt is done by the age and/or mileage. Read the service book, it is the best answer.

A documented engine rebuild by a reputable garage/dealer on high mileage should not put you off.

Wagon bodypanels are different to the saloon models, less of them, so more expensive to repair/source.

You'll want an STi but the wagon's are rarer than Unicorn ****e!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2383088.htm

This one as the PPP fitted.

Lagamorph

iTrader: (12)

01 bug wrx don't normally have the bucket type seats plus these are leather, fairly hard to find. I think the PPP takes it to only 245 on early newage WRXs instead of 260 on later ones.

If I go to the meet mate ill take you out so you can see the difference between a wrx and an STI if you want.

Matt106

Yeah that would be really good. One of my friends is a scooby fan and listed a few differences between the 2. The STI sound so much better but it's more money. I suppose if wagon sti's are rare it's not a big issue.

I didn't realise there would be so many variations of the same model with power and spec etc it's confusing

bolasti

iTrader: (6)

you have pm

Hongkongfooi

iTrader: (8)

RB5 or P1...something that might hold its value

Matt106

I do like the classics but wanted something a bit newer however a p1 or rb5 would be amazing!

The wagon in that link looks spot on! Bit older than I wanted but I like it a lot.

millzy555

iTrader: (2)

How about my modified UK classic wAgon, 1998 car 105,000 with recent cambelt change, message me for pic and full spec 3250.

Matt106

Bit high on the miles im afraid and also looking for something fairly standard, thanks anyway.

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

That wagon I posted looks pretty sweet, if the wife would drive it I'd probably buy it for her!

AdamJ

iTrader: (3)

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-fo...a-wrx-ppp.html

This one looks good...