mtbmatt

Looking to change cars and going to look at a GB270 soon.

I like the idea of the car on paper, although I know Impreza's can be expensive to run. Insurance is reasonable (although I need a tracker!) and I hope to get 25-30 mpg under normal (not on boost all the time) driving, is that realistic? Tax is a bit of a killer mind.

The salesman I spoke to said the service intervals on this car are 12,000.
Is that correct? I'd probably to an interim oil change if that is the case.

What do I need to look for? Anything important that needs to be changed on these (cambelt interval?)

The other car I'm looking at is Renault Megane R26's. Anyone able to compare the two first hand?

Steve777

iTrader: (8)

You can get a very nice Sti for the same price. that's where money would go

mtbmatt

Needs to be a wagon, so no STi.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Budgies wife owned one for a few years, send him a pm.

https://www.scoobynet.com/member.php?u=5500

TX.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Maybe the OP wants something newer than 11/12 years old?

mtbmatt

Too old. Looking for a newer car and nothing imported (if they exist?).
Must say, that looks nice though but definitely not an option.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Only real weakpoint on Hawk WRX is the rear shocks. Cheap to repair at around £100 to regrease them. Cambelt change due at 50k,not particularly expensive to replace at a specialist.
I think the wagon GB270 is one of the best looking Hawks, I prefer the understated look.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

Just a suggestion - mine's covered 50K miles

chopperman

I love the look of the GB270 wagon, you dont see many on the roads.

andy.downes

iTrader: (1)

Yes. Every 12 months or 10,000 miles whichever comes first.
50k cambelt, followed by a major service. I was advised tensioners need a good looking at at the same time.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

You can get Newage STi wagons but they are as rare as an honest MP. Most imports have a better spec too.

The GB270 was a run out specced up WRX with PPP. Subaru missed a trick and could have pulled the stops out but didn't. Make sure its got the optional seats .

mtbmatt

Thanks for all the advice.
I believe the car I'm going to see tomorrow does have the optional 1/2 leather seats. They look much better than the standard seats.

mtbmatt

Car we saw was great. Really liked the drive and it was a nice clean car. Just hope they accept the offer I put in.

Myles

iTrader: (40)

Good luck mate!

mtbmatt

One quick question. Do all Subaru's have a rather stiff clutch?
Not driven a car with a clutch that hard to press for a while, even my old Integra Type R was easier. It won't be used for town driving very often, so shouldn't be a problem.

topman2180

I think you'll find they have either,or some feel Harsh, the Racing Clutches and some feel " standard" you would need know what has been fitted.

bonesetter

iTrader: (9)

My DC5 clutch was not as light as my classic Impreza's, lighter than my present bug eye STi, but not as light as my blob eye JDM...

So, it's a hit n miss

Scooby Arthur

iTrader: (2)

My Hawk clutch is very light.

Servicing every 10K? I would personally stick an oil change in between.

Just had my 50k service, came in at £360 at a Subaru specialist.

pacenote

Can't fault the GB270 wagon.. had one before I got my Legacy..

enjoy

stevie 54 wrx swagon

I have a gb270 wagon, upgraded from my previous wrx with ppp. The 270, in my opinion, is a far nicer looking car and sits on the road better than any other car I've driven. It will benefit from a few minor tweaks though, I've replaced the down pipe with a cobra 200cell sport cat and the centre with a custom 3" straight through (stainless creations at Falkirk - £490 the lot with lifetime warranty), kept the pro drive back box with remap by trackhound. Car is now putting out 243bhp at the wheels, 300 at the flywheel, sounds and drives much better than before. I would certainly recommed this upgrade as I don't think the standard car was anywhere near the 270 claimed. Alcantra seats are nice but if you are tall or like a low seating position you might find them a bit high. I stretched the springs out slightly in the base of the driver's seat which has worked really well. Fuel consuption is not great, 23 in the town, 33 max on a run. All in all car is recommended though, very scarce, I've only seen 1 other. Price of fuel has obviously hit residuals so you should get a bargain.

mtbmatt

Great to hear first hand advice.
So what do you think is a good price and what's a bargain?

stevie 54 wrx swagon

ps cluth on mine is not at all heavy, I would probably get someone to check that out before you buy. Fuel consuption, quietish restrictive exhaust and high seat are my only gripes, otherwise perfect - oh apart from the crap stereo obviously

mtbmatt

Is the clutch hydraulic? What other cars can you compare the clutch to?

stevie 54 wrx swagon

Yep it's hydraulic. Clutch is quite non descript really, smooth and a good weight, not as heavy as a honda accord I used to have and probably a bit lighter than my wife's diesel Golf as well. My old car's clutch was much the same. If you've noticed it's unduly heavy it probably needs some work, I'm not a mechanic though, you'll probably find posts on clutches elsewhere in the forums. As long as there's no strange noises coming from the gearbox I wouldn't imagine it'll be too expensive and you could always use that as a bartering tool to knock another good few hundred off the price?

mtbmatt

Went to have a look at a different GB270 today. It was seriously overpriced and not in as good condition, but the sole purpose was to check the clutch.

This car certainly seemed to have a lighter feel to the clutch. So I guess it could be a few things causing the stuffiness in the first car I tried.

Either...
Something is wrong with it
An uprated clutch has been fitted
Standard clutches fluctuate quite a bit

dj_akademix

Did you go ahead and buy one? The clutch on my GB270 wagon is v.stiff - makes it a right pain in town traffic but i've never noticed it other than when stop/starting. The rear shocks have just started knocking on mine as well - seems to be a well documented problem on here - scoobyclinic offered to replace the rear pair for £349 job done or upgrade to coilovers all round for nearer £1k.
I run mine on a 50mile daily round trip commute, spending £270 per month in fuel, get 28 average with some roundabout fun but have seen 33 on a silly slow long run changing up at 2000rpm.
Road tax is a b*****d. Insurance wasn't massively helped with a tracker either.
I'm so damn happy to be driving such an all round capable car that the costs of running it don't hurt as much as they could do. One day i'll consider some gentle engine upgrades perhaps but would rather spend on suspension and brake upgrades first as I've never found myself wanting for much extra power.

mtbmatt

I didn't in the end. Put what I thought was a reasonable offer in, but the dealer wouldn't drop low enough.

Came to within £300, but didn't want to pay over the odds for a good but not immaculate example. Keeping my eye out for one still though.