To Change or not to change?

Frozennova

Frozennova

Frozennova

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Northampton
I currently own a 98 MX5 105k miles, and had planned on going down the turbo route over the next few months.

However a spanner has been thrown into the works and I'm struggling to make a decision. The car I've been offered is a 2004 Impreza WRX Wagon (STI brakes, Prodrive exhaust and wheels and generally well maintained.

My MX5 is worth £1000 and I was expecting to dump £1500-2000 for the turbo kit, and I've been offered the Impreza for £2000 by a good friend of my dads.

So OCUK what would you do MX5 or Impreza?
 
If it was the 4 door impreza I'd go for it, but I've always thought the wagons look a little bit odd, so I'd go down the turbo MX5 route.
 
A well sorted one is a cometely different proposition to an mx-5. Particularly for circa 50% less than it is potentially worth.

Depends whether you're interested in having the extra practicality ultimately on whether you'd keep the impreza, but it sounds cheap unless it's got moon miles

The image is definitely an issue, but keep away from silly exhausts and most people won't really look twice at a wagon
 
Very difficult for anyone else to decide for you out of those choices isn't it?

There's very little to compare them except they'll both, eventually, have a turbo.

I thought about an Impreza wagon when my little un was littler and I needed space, but ended up with an Octavia vRS.

I now also run a supercharged MX5 as she can use a booster seat that goes in the boot when she's not around.

For me, I never pick the Octavia over the MX5 unless I absolutely have to for seat or boot space reasons. But that's me, I drive the MX5 with the roof down unless its raining.
 
You've all raised exactly the points that have left me with finding it difficult to make a decision.

I don't need the practicality but coming from an estate to an MX5 I do miss the ability to fill the boot full of crap for a tip run etc.

Theyre very different cars but I enjoy the way both drive for different reasons.

The Impreza has done around the same mileage as my current MX5 the last 40k or so have been done by the current owner, its always been serviced with good quality oils at the right times etc.

The other problem is although it'll cost me the same to swap as to turbo the 5 the urge to modify will no doubt still be there and leave me spending more money.

Time to sit down weigh up the pros/cons for each and try and make a decision I won't regret
 
Have you driven the Impreza? Do you like them and their image?

Does the MX5 tick all your boxes (I guess not given the turbo plans)
If the Impreza is a good one at that price it sounds like your being offered it at a friends rate, I'd be seriously tempted personally and that's coming from somebody who likes neither the Impreza nor the MX5 so I guess that makes it an impartial view! :p
 
xs2man said:
You'll have whatever the MX5 is worth to cover that need though surely?
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I will but the point I tried to make was It'll cost me more or less the same to turbo the MX5 compared to swapping for the Impreza

Scania said:
Have you driven the Impreza? Do you like them and their image?

Does the MX5 tick all your boxes (I guess not given the turbo plans)
If the Impreza is a good one at that price it sounds like your being offered it at a friends rate, I'd be seriously tempted personally and that's coming from somebody who likes neither the Impreza nor the MX5 so I guess that makes it an impartial view! :p
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I like the way Imprezas look and image isn't something that bothers me (remember I drive an MX5) and I have driven a few, both in STI and WRX form. The problem is I know I would be chasing more power from an Impreza just as quick as I want more power from the MX5

Other than the urge for more power the MX5 ticks all the boxes, I don't need the practicality of the Impreza.


Janesy B said:
You'll get the urge to modify the Impreza too.
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Exactly, and the though process was swapping without laying out extra money.
 
ins0mn1ac said:
Keep the 5 you'll be kicking yourself when we get our two weeks of summer and you don't have a roof to remove :p
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I've had plenty of roof down enjoyment out of it since I've had it.

Slept on it and think I've come to a decision, I have way to much of a soft spot for Scoobies and its far too cheap to to turn down.

I've had my fun in the MX5 and I've scratched the itch. Just need to wait for Brentacre to be open tomorrow to check the increase in insurance is silly then get my MX5 up for sale. This time of year and with a passing an MOT Friday I should have no problems selling it.
 
It'll be cheaper to chase power in the scooby than the MX5 i'd have thought, for £300 remap you'll be at 260-270bhp and from there it's just a £300 VF35 turbo and that'll take you upto 320ish etc.

I found though when i got to around the 300bhp mark in my STi i didn't want any more power, there were no circumstances on the road where i ever needed more but everyone's different!
 
Decision has been made, its an offer I can't refuse. Even if it regret it I can always sell it on for a tidy profit and buy another mx5.

You forgot the injectors and STI TMIC to go with the VF35 too
 
Well insurance has put a downer on the swap.

Last time I thought about buying an Impreza quotes we're coming back at more than reasonable prices, now fast toward 9 months and I can't find a quote for any less than £1500.

Rang Brentacre this morning (who flat out refuse to insure me on an Impreza WRX) to discuss the increase in premiums for turboing the MX5 and they want an extra £250 for an agreed power limit of 250bhp. I'm absolutely dumbfounded
 
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