mostsharp

Hi folks I've been a BMW fan since i was 22 and due to the recent snow and my mate being on holiday I've borrowed his 53 plate wrx wagon for the last week or so. I love it and I think i'm converted. I've only had my latest BMW for 6 months but now want an Impreza. The one ive been driving is slightly modified with dump valve, exhaust and i'm not sure what else but he thinks its running about 265 bhp. I am willing to spend up to about 12k and there seems to be far with too much choice and I dont know where to start.
I've seen the hatch back on an 08 plate which looks nice
Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX STI TYPE UK 5DR 330 PP PACK 330BHP
and loads of others including
Subaru Impreza 2.5 GB 270 PRO DRIVE PACK LTD 18000 MILES 4dr
and some modified earlier models like an 03 sti 2 liter with 25800 miles and nearly 400bhp
and an 07 prodrive with 316 all with in my budget but have no idea what to go for.
I want something drivable but fast not too much turbo lag. In the dry my z4 3.0si (265bhp) was a match for his wrx, he was a car length ahead to 60 then my z4 pulled it back and went past by 80 but in any other conditions it was a diffrent story obviously. So in the past i've not been that impressed but having driven it for a week now I have the bug.
What would you suggest for me and what should i look out for? It has to be faster than his for a start but I want reliability and driveability and a bit of luxury. Coming from full leather heated seats and all the bells and whistles of top spec BMWs the interior of the impreza is a bit ... umm sparse.

Any advice please.
Matt.

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

I'd look towards a twin scroll JDM STI.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Fiesta ST.

Shaks-STI

iTrader: (7)

+1

Octoposse

'SL' Spec WRX gives you leather/heated front seats/sunroof. I had one with PPP which gave 260bhp which was ideal for my needs - cross country commute on single carrigeway 'A' roads, weekends away. Had it for a year, best car I have ever owned, deeply regret getting rid.

If your budget is higher, look for an Sti 'D' Spec - leather, etc, in a 'discreet' package. I'd buy one in an instant, but family growing now so need an estate.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

ALL Impreza turbo cars are built with dumpvalves....the recirculating type as the engine is designed for.

Some folk mistakenly fit a VTA dumpvalve, or BOV as they either like the noise, ( ) or think it will improve performance.

In fact it usually does the opposite.

zippy!

iTrader: (1)

Here we go dump valve police have arrived i bet there are very few totally standard imprezas left anywhere including yours alcazar whether its a dump valve or set of wheels or exhaust its not as subaru intended so whats everyones big deal with dumpvalves?? id say rally graphics and lexus lights were more chavvy and offensive to be seen with! anyway back to the point of the op I'd go for a spec c or as said a wide track blob sti

eggy790

iTrader: (20)

at 12k bro look for a 2003 on wards spec c , job done. ultimate car

juggers

iTrader: (1)

12K JDM Sti look for a MY06 STI if you do track days then I'd go for a spec c.

Dale17

Op looking for a subaru

keljon

iTrader: (10)

Because most VTA dump valves cause poor running, decreased MPG and possibly increased engine wear from borewash. removal of the VTA dump valve fitted to mine was my first (de) mod and made a marked improvment in the running of my car as well as the MPG

DrDiesel

I like the limited edition S203 & S204, but not sure how much they're going for...

wrx271

iTrader: (1)

aslong as you pic an sti as a base car your be happy

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for pointing that out mate, my bad.

zippy!

iTrader: (1)

Never had a single issue with any of mine

Hawkeye D

WRX STi Spec D's are nice, only 215 left on the roads now out of 300, so they are becoming rare.

Leather seats, but not heated I'm afraid! Great cars, and great for springing a suprise on someone who thinks "Yeah yeah, it's just a WRX....." Nuff said.

gregwill

iTrader: (1)

Hi there, with that type of budget I would go for a jdm sti!! i did I had a bug wrx sti with ppp before it which was a fab car anyway but the the 06 jdm I now have is a different car altogether!! You wont go far wrong with a newage 2ltr uk car mind any are alot cheaper

toneh

iTrader: (1)

Stick with the bmw's ,

mostsharp

Well thanks for all the replies. I'm still looking through the hundreds of adverts and have seen a few that I would like to go and view but they are all over the uk.
I've picked up my z4 now as the snow has gone and miss the wrx all ready but am kind of happy to be back in my car. Old habits die hard I guess.

This one is very nice but out of my budget
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...ambelt/1023691

and this one would have been a serious contender but its sold
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...-please/881673

Toneh why do you say stick with the BMW's ?

BigBurnz

iTrader: (3)

+2

+1

toneh

iTrader: (1)

Subaru's are fine for a quick spin here and there or a fun blast about
But I personally can't take them serious , don't get me wrong they are probably one of the most fun cars I've owned, if it was a second car then yeah go for it but to replace a BMW no
BMW are more reliable , far better build quality , easy to maintain , cheaper to maintain , cheaper to insure ( generally) , more comfortable , more economical, a lot of models offer the same performance ( even the diesels) and more often than not come with a higher spec and can still be had for good money
If you want to feel 18 again and have some fun then , yep a Subaru is the one but if you want a proper car that will stand the tests of time and is taken seriously keep the same make as you've already got

zayd

iTrader: (1)

This is such a load of tripe you have come out with and you actually sound like a marketing spokesman for BMW. I and many of my friends and family have owned numerous BMW's over the last ten years. We thought that it seemed like the obvious upgrade from owning Japanese cars, in the pursuit of luxury, refinement and reliabilty. I'll give you that, they are more luxurious and refined but when it comes to reliability and maintenance costs, you will be paying out of your backside.

In order to perfectly maintain german cars you have to have deep pockets and when they reach around 80k miles many, many parts will start to wear out and need replacing. Very different in comparison to japanese parts fitted to their vehicles. The mechanic, I sourced to look after my BMW's back in the day, used to work for the main dealer as a Master Technician (highest level of mechanic for the BMW), and he confided in me that the parts on the newer age vehicles were made much more inferior. They were built to have a typical shelf life, so that the consumer would have to return to the dealers for consistant repairs to be carried out and the old parts gradually replaced. This guarantees the dealers constant return business.

Japanese cars are still to this day not built in this manner, each part is made to the highest standard available, hence the great levels of reliabilty the consumer enjoys. If you still don't believe me then the facts will speak for themselves.

The Times newspaper did a huge review on 10,000 vehicles over a ten year period to find Britains most reliable marques. Guess what, all the top German makers weren't listed. Honda were first and Subaru were second, with all the other Japanese makers to follow. Only Skoda made it to tenth place.

My own example;
I owned a mint condition BMW e39 530 Sport for 2 years and in that time on just wear and tear items, (no major faults, i.e gearbox, engine pistons etc), I spent around £5000 in maintenance. In comparison, I've owned my STI for the last 2 years and a WRX for a year before that and I've only spent around £200 in maintenance parts.

toneh

iTrader: (1)

Mate I'm not gonna argue , I also have owned many bmw's , from basic 3series to m models , I'm now 43 years old and have owned them from the age of 17 so by my reckoning that's 26 years so in that time I think it's fair to say I should have a good understanding of the marque
Coupled to the fact I still own a BMW and a Scooby
And have run both marques for the last 3/4 years

So please tell me how this is tripe ?
Scoobys are fun , end of , they are not quality cars are not cheap and are a pain in comparison , but that doesn't ( for me detract from the fun factor )
They are the only car I've owned that you can actually dent by pressing yours fingers on the panels ( that's how poor they are )
And if you've had to spend 5k on the up keep of a 530 you've had you're pants pulled well and truly down
Then there's the diminishing Subaru dealer network to contend with , ( very handy for getting parts , not !)
I like scoobys , and they are very fun cars but are no comparison to proper cars for grown ups

juggers

iTrader: (1)

Theres only one S204 in the country and it's probs worth £22k-23k

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Fpr many people, the most desirable 'ordinary' (ie not special edition) Impreza is a 2005 model JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) STi. It has a two litre engine which is reputed to be made with some uprated components compared to the UK market models, and has a slightly longer and wide wheelbase than the previous year's cars. However I believe the UK versions are great cars too.

The cars from 2002 to 2005 are known as the 'Blob-eye' or just 'Blobs'. After mid 2005, you are looking at the 'Hawk-eye' which has a revised front face and all have 2.5 litre engines (except the JDM ones). The 2.5 has a bit of a reputation for problems, but I've no experience of that at all, so please have a search on here for more information.

For STis registered after 23rd March 2006 you will be paying much higher road tax than the previous ones. There are a few 55 reg Hawks about.

For £12K, you'll get a superb 2005 car, in fact you could keep your eyes peeled for a Litchfield Type 20 Blob which is the JDM STi with very high spec suspension and around 315bhp. There are very few of them about though. There is also a Hawk version, still with the JDM two litre engine, but they might be above your price range.

The Hatches (2008 on) have their fans, but there's a sticky on here all about the engines....Caveat emptor!

toneh

iTrader: (1)

Mmm from 05 the 2.5 has a reputation for problems and there's a sticky about engines in the 08 -
Pmsl , I think the answer is pretty much in this post
I don't dislike scoobys at all , in fact I've just made the decision to waste some more money on mine because they are addictive
But I won't and can't pretend they are something they are not

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

Toneh don't waste your money mate just sell your Subaru and be done with it,if you feel that way about them.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

No disrespect to anyone but I thought that a Subaru site is for Lovers of that make and model of car that's why I joined back in the days,if I like BMW I would go on a bmw site and big them up and tell the world how good I think they are,but to my knowledge the OP has one but likes the Subaru and has asked for advice on which model he should get so really we should keep this on topic because he has driven both and he still likes the Subaru.

toneh

iTrader: (1)

Lol I like Subaru without a doubt but just because you like something doesn't mean it's the best car out there
Each car has its + -
I've never said I don't like em ( I get bored with em ) but I do most cars I own
Like I've said if its the ops second car then yes get one , but as a daily driver and the only car IMHO there are better cars out there

Example if someone posted I want dedicated track car i wouldn't say Scooby


For the record , I like scoobys for the purpose I purchased it ( to tinker with , mod and loon around ) for that its ideal

But as for going out for dinner with the mrs and kids I'd take the bm
Unless of course they're all wearing Burberry caps , then I'd go in the Scooby

Oh btw I joined the site for help / advice , to give and receive and talk scoobys , maybe meet a few folk , not just to big em up at every opportunity

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

lol yeah I know what your saying mate,my car is a second car even my wife has a classic wrx that is her play thing,if I was buying a car that was to be my main ride I guess it would be of the more prestigious examples.