Haven't been on here in a while but i'm considering coming back to subaru ownership. Sold my blob eye WRX about a year ago and i do miss it. Since then i've had an s2000, integra DC5, and currently own a 6.0 Monaro VXR.

The Monaro is up for sale currently and i'm trying to decide where to go next, currently on the short list are STI hatch, 370z, S15 Silvia, Evo8/9 and possibly an e92 335i. STI is currently winning as I've liked the look of them since they were launched.

Just wondering if any hatch owners have owned any of the above cars and how they compare to the STI. I'd be looking at a 2008 early hatch with around 60-70k miles from what I've seen for sale. also would be handy to see what your thoughts are on the hatch compared to a newage (Hawkeye STI's are still an option).

I just haven't settled with a car since the WRX. S2000 was ok but it turns out im not a convertible kind of person, absolutely loved the DC5, superb car but after the s2000 i was getting sick of the lack of mid range grunt for daily driving. The Monaro is great, tons of low down torque, sounds fantastic and gets loads of attention from everybody, it starts conversations :P .....but I've always had Jap cars (26 in the last 13 years :S) and i miss them.

Any advice sent my way would be much appreciated.



Thanks for reading, Mike.

 

wow that's plenty of cars in such a short time. do you find it easy selling them without loosing a lot?

 

i generally try and make a few quid each time, just about buying the right car at the right time. got the s2000 in the winter, sold it a few months later in the summer when we had all that lovely sun for a profit, the DC5 was a 33k miles in rare Milano Red that i bought from a trader in sheffield, did a little bit of paintwork where it was fading and got a little bit more than it owed me back.

i've lost on cars in the past and broke even more than a few times but never lost enough to break the bank and in the meantime get to drive around in something nice and different.

I intend to buy the next car with a view to keeping it a while though, but i've said that before :P

 

i would ****ing love a monaro 6.0........

 

You can have one if you happen to have a hatch sti

 

How much you after for the monaro?

Im supposed to be looking at diesels lol

 

£10995, 56 plate, 48k, 6.0 V8 (not the 5.7) full history in red. cheapest one for sale on any site too, seen a hatch that's tempted me for sale.

not sure if i can post a sale link on here, so many forums, so many rules to keep up with :P

but its on pistonheads, autotrader and ebay at the moment, just put it on the other day.

 

Well, if you're going to go the hatch STI route, make sure you choose one that has been forged.
They are IMO better cars than previous STI's - engine problems aside.

 

what you wanting to spend?


get the right STi you'd be more than happy.

 

Tic, tic,tic...............BOOM!

 

I've been looking at early 2008 hatches with around 60k, seem to be able to pick them up around the £10500-£11500 mark privately, the trader in me is even loathe to pay that for a car that only books at around £8500 but thats what i'll have to pay to play.

I here what you say about looking for a forged sti but they are few and far between and no doubt hike the price up considerably. i think i'd rather buy a standard one and see how it goes first, sure if it does have ringland failure in the future i could then look to forge it, obvioulsy this will be the more expensive route in the long run but i'd rather of had the work done myself anyway to be honest.

It's definitely a case of going with my heart rather than my head (which has cost me in the past :P) but i will have one.

 

If you are going for an 08 try and get an import, will have more toys than a UK model for no more money.

Mine had hated seats, mirrors and 18's as standard and there are many out there in the premium spec that is basically a 330s just without the map but also include BBS rims.

Will try to find you an example if I get chance.

 

Your decision.......

 

thanks for the advice, wasn't aware there were any imports around, and assumed they would be fetching more than a uk spec anyway.

i was keeping an eye on a 2008 with 62k in white on pistonheads but it seems to have sold or the advert ran out. was up for £10500. didn't seem to badly priced compared to others around but to be fair i have only been looking at them recently so i only have a small amount of hatches to compare it to.

 

If you are going for a standard car you honestly need to have something in the pot for when the 2.5 joins all its close relatives in engine heaven.

Ridiculous to have to plan this way but almost inevitable.

 

The euro hatch imports are not really the same as JDM's as have the same engine so do not commard any more cash, they just have a few extra toys as are spec'd better that the UK cars as standard.

JDM imports have the 2ltr twin scroll engine but generally poorly spec'd with no radio, cruise or nice seats and ARE more expensive and rare.

Under 3 years old I'd expect to pay a bit less than a UK car (even though they are backed up with a full uk main dealer warranty) for the pure fact they were a good 5k cheaper than a UK car new, but over 3 years like for like just better value.

Only difference is UK cars were supplied with a factory alarm and tracker (both have factory imobiliser) and locking wheel nuts so I'd expect a euro car to have a different alarm, I've always fitted Cat 2-1 upgrades.

 

I have something set aside for that, main reason i'm not looking at anything newer as i'd be spending more on the car and still have the risk of the engine going pop thus needing to spend even more.

 

ah that makes more sense, i read import and assumed JDM rather than euro out of habit.

doesnt seem to be many 2008 models for sale at the moment but that could just be down to the aftermath of christmas and adverts are usually scarce this time of year compared to the summer.

 

I have a 2010 sti hatch and loved it when I bought it 2 years ago,and still loving it now,Ive played with it a bit,remap,cobra cat back,lip spoiler 19inch prodrive gold gt2s while being aware of the supposed engine failure but it has not stopped me enjoying the car,if it happens it happens but I wont let it worry me,just have to repair it .Lifes too short.

 

Subaru UK must love customers like you - you know, customers that provide their own warranty

 

Greetings from the Canary Islands guys. Would love to have brought my hatch with me for a blast up Teide.

I'm the owner of a Cosworth hatch and it's the best Impreza I've owned by a mile.

It's important to realise when you buy a hatch that you're taking a gamble as the engine in stock form is liable to head gasket and piston issues. There is a large thread at the top of this forum that makes for some grim reading, even for owners of forged 2.5 engines.

However I would suggest buying a car with a forged engine from a reputable specialist. It's the engine that the 2.5 should have been to begin with.

As good as the Impreza is, it can be made better on any budget. I would suggest forging if you do not find one already done for you - that'll hurt the wallet - and then some lowering springs or coilovers, an anti lift kit and a set of uprated fronts. With that lot on you'll murder all but the craziest exotica.

If you wish to stick to standard and all that then it would be best to buy a car with a comprehensive warranty or if you're good with a spanner, get ready for some dirty hands!