Old Scooby. Sort it or flog it?

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:26

I just got an old Impreza for a price I couldn't refuse

It's a 95 1.8GL estate in silver. Low milage for it's age at 60k. Serviced a few months ago with fairly new tyres, MOT'd and taxed for about 6 months.

I'm just not sure what to do with it.
The body work is in pretty good shape apart from a ding on the front edge of the bonnet and a scrape on the corner of the rear bumper. Needs a good clean inside and out though.

I'm currently looking for a permanent job (just finished Uni) and it is likely to involve a 50 mile commute each way.
I could keep the car for a year or so and save for a car next year or I could use it as a trade in on something newer (thinking 6-7k on something like a focus)

If I keep it I'd need a new stereo (the standard one seems to have poor tuning and no cd player) I'd like to change the wheels too, from dodgy old steels to some standard impreza alloys.

I've been looking at alloys in auctions, and could get some newer Imprza alloys for a reasonable price. Looks like 17" would be easiest to get but I gather I need certain tyres. Is 215/40/17 correct? and will they fit 2004 impreza 17" alloys?

Obviously it's not exactly a frugal car on fuel (I'm used to a 1.4TDI Polo) but what should it be like for general running costs?

Any advice?

jamief · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:32

I don't know much about em, but I certainly wouldn't think a 1.8 would be bad on fuel, its not a very big engine! Whats the car worth roughly btw?

lordrobs · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:33

If you can shift it on and make a profit then thats what I would recommend.

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:58

From what I can tell, it's worth about £1200-1300, probably around £1k trade in, either way it's pretty much all profit for me.
Not bad for a car thats 12 years old.

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 13:59

Herminator said:
From what I can tell, it's worth about £1200-1300, probably around £1k trade in, either way it's pretty much all profit for me.
Not bad for a car thats 12 years old.

But if I keep it, I doubt it will depreciate much over the next year.

penski · 24 Jul 2007 at 14:32

A 1.8 n/a Impreza Wagon is pretty much my idea of motoring hell...

About 60(?)bhp at the wheels and nearly a tonne and a half to haul around? Ouch.

Punt it on, get a 500 quid Mondeo or something and ***** the rest on student things...booze, STD tests et cetera.

*n

Berger · 24 Jul 2007 at 15:31

penski said:
A 1.8 n/a Impreza Wagon is pretty much my idea of motoring hell...

About 60(?)bhp at the wheels and nearly a tonne and a half to haul around? Ouch.

Punt it on, get a 500 quid Mondeo or something and ***** the rest on student things...booze, STD tests et cetera.

*n

STD tests are free around here!

Trade the car in, but dont spend that much on a focus. 4K max id say.

Dogbreath · 24 Jul 2007 at 15:36

I didn't even realise there was a 1.8 n/a engine option. I guess it was the only way to justify the "Sport" label of the 2.0 n/a slug.

But if you like the car then keep it. It's likely to be reliable if not swift transport.

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 15:50

Hmm, not a lot of positive replies then :rolleyes:

It's not that bad of a car, not too sluggish considering the size of engine, I think they did a 1.6 at one point

I'll not be selling it just to buy a cheapy, had enough of them in the past and I have the use of another car until I get a full time job.

If I get a Focus I'll be wanting a 2003 ish, preferably an ST but maybe just a 1.8 Zetec or a deisel.

bam0 · 24 Jul 2007 at 15:54

Herminator said:
From what I can tell, it's worth about £1200-1300, probably around £1k trade in, either way it's pretty much all profit for me.
Not bad for a car thats 12 years old.

You're kidding right? Check ebay, it's worth about £400

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 16:33

I'm only going by what Ive managed to find of similar cars on autotrader and some valuation sites.
I wouldn't call ebay a reliable guide :rolleyes:

Most I've found are considerably higher milage but 800-1k doesn't seem to unreasonable. But I'm no car expert.

andi · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:02

There's a few 1.8 owners on www.imprezasport.net might get a better answer on there.

And yeah, they did a 1.6 FWD one too.

[TW]Fox · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:08

Herminator said:
I'm only going by what Ive managed to find of similar cars on autotrader and some valuation sites.
I wouldn't call ebay a reliable guide

Ebay shows what cars have SOLD for.
Autotrader shows what people would LIKE their to SELL for.

How much was your Impreza?

Herminator · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:24

it cost me the price of a train ticket to scotland, about £26 :rolleyes:

Its a relatives old car.

atpbx · 24 Jul 2007 at 19:49

They have terrible fuel consumption because of the super low gearing.
Otherwise they simply wouldnt be able to move.