Impreza for £4k?

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

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Just sold my EP3 so I am on the hunt for another car.

I really want an Evo V or above, but within my budget, they are very ropey or overpriced.

I've since spotted these Subaru Impreza's:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3041494.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3433341.htm

I'm not really sure of the differences in models. Would someone be able to offer me some advice? I don't want to spend more than £4k to be honest, more like closer to £3k.

Is it possible or do I need to rethink my budget?
 
You could get a good low mileage classic for 4k or a high mileage new age, I would look at the classics for this budget. Full service history is a must and look out for dodgy modded examples, try to get something standard.
 
Insurance seems more expensive on a classic and I prefer the interior of the newer ones. What bhp are the wrx's and what do they lack over an STI?
 
4k will get you a MY03 WRX, so that's like the second one in your first post. Not sure if you can pickup the MY05 model which had a few improvements for that money quite yet.

Although to be honest won't be much more than that, I wouldn't be expecting much more than that for mine to be honest.

The bug eye models are cheap but personally prefer the looks of the later blob eye and they are also a bit quicker I believe.

Yeah an STi is quicker and better, but depends what you want and how much you have to spend.

I'm sure everyone would say an M3 is the one to have over a 330, but like the WRX and STi the running costs etc are higher.

But a lot of people buy a WRX thinking 'yeah I've got a scooby innit bruv' only to then realise that yes they are quick, but not set your pants on fire quick.

I like mine though, reasonably rapid and still practical and reasonably cheap to run compared to other similar stuff.

MilanoChris said:
Insurance seems more expensive on a classic and I prefer the interior of the newer ones. What bhp are the wrx's and what do they lack over an STI?
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A 2003 onwards is about 225bhp standard, the earlier new age models are 212 I think? Something like that anyway.

The 2003 STi has different suspension, more power, better brakes, different interior (although some euro import wrxs like mine had STi style seats but in black cloth rather than the standard WRX seats), different wheels plus other things I've probably missed off.

2005 brought in some little changes to improve things.
 
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STI's have 265bhp
WRX's have 225bhp

The STI's have brembo 4 pot brakes which are miles better than the wrx's, 6 speed gearbox which is a lot stronger than the 5 speed in the wrx, far stronger engine (if you intend to mod it...which you will trust me) etc etc
 
99/00 classic STI's are the best to go for as they are remappable, after that newage STI's

WRX's have a less strong engine and worse brakes/suspension in a nutshell.

Get on over to scoobynet, some great advice there.
 
But if running a standard car does the engine/box strength people keep mentioning actually matter?? :) I'm guessing for the life of the car probably not.

If you're modding to the extent that you have to worry about how strong the engine is then just get an STi, a WRX is not for you.

The brakes on the WRX were a bit if a shocker coming from the 172, but have at least got used to them now.

So do you plan on modding the car, and if so how far are you planning on going?
 
Well a WRX would be fine then, again as long as you realise that just because it's an Impreza it doesn't mean it's a super fast track weapon rocket ship :)

Suspension, brakes, engine and gearbox strength are more than adequate for normal type road driving with a bit of poke for some fun :)

Road noise on them is pretty awful though, might bother some people if it's to be used for long journeys a lot.
 
MilanoChris said:
No mods planned and would keep it for 6-12 months.
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Well the 754 box was used from 99/00 onwards I think, check on scoobynet to be sure, so a bugeye would be well within scope in wrx trim, probably more than adeqaute for your needs.

They sound a lot better on a decent exhaust system though, one car that really needs a sports system for sure :D
 
MilanoChris said:
Not many long journeys. Is the pace on par with an EP3?
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I'd say so, overall I'd say it's quicker than the 172 I had before which itself will be similar to the EP3.

Feels very different to drive though being Turbo instead of NA, but overall I'd say it's quicker even though it'll probably feel slower :p

And yeah the one thing I would do is at least grab a prodrive backbox section off the bay or somewhere and replace the god awful looking twin pipes ;)

Sadly might have to sell mine in a few months as my commute has just gone up massively :(
 
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What are the real MPG between bug eye/blob eye WRX and STi's? Light foot and heavy.
 
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