Guidance Please!

[Andrewthehat]

After 2 years of Integra Type-R fun, I'm about to buy my first Impreza, a WRX SL Wagon with the Prodrive toys, of the 2003 vintage. Thanks to lots of helpful posts on here I found my ideal spec quickly and sourced the car at the right price within weeks - many thanks to all of you!

More guidance would be useful on a couple of points, though -

1. None of the insurance search engines allow me to specify the Prodrive Performance Pack as an option. What do you guys do? Call the insurance firms and tell them the details of each and every component? I dont really want the hassle - is there an online provider that does decent rates for old low-risk guys (I'm 46) that understands the car and standard options versus aftermarket bling?

2. The only thing I'd like to change about the car is the gearshift, which is heavy. Is the shortshift upgrade likely to give me a lighter, faster mechanism - or is there some other non-exotic mod that would do this?

3. The wheels are 17inch Prodrive items. What, in your opinion, are the best road-legal tyres to use, if ride quality is unimportant, wet grip is of some interest but dry cornering grip (I love trackdays) is paramount?

Oh - and hi, everyone. Nice to meet you!

Andrew The Hat

[T123VOR]

1. None of the insurance search engines allow me to specify the Prodrive Performance Pack as an option. What do you guys do? Call the insurance firms and tell them the details of each and every component? I dont really want the hassle - is there an online provider that does decent rates for old low-risk guys (I'm 46) that understands the car and standard options versus aftermarket bling?

My old Scoob had the PPP I just told the insurer a 10% power increase and a strainless steel exhaust on the phone

I cant remember the insurance co everyone uses someone will be along to help

2. The only thing I'd like to change about the car is the gearshift, which is heavy. Is the shortshift upgrade likely to give me a lighter, faster mechanism - or is there some other non-exotic mod that would do this?

My new scoob has the short shift - I think it makes a difference over the long shift which my old one had

3. The wheels are 17inch Prodrive items. What, in your opinion, are the best road-legal tyres to use, if ride quality is unimportant, wet grip is of some interest but dry cornering grip (I love trackdays) is paramount?

I dont track so I went for mid price good alrounder -the goodyear F1s

Nice to meet you too

Enjoy

[granby]

After 2 years of Integra Type-R fun, I'm about to buy my first Impreza, a WRX SL Wagon with the Prodrive toys, of the 2003 vintage. Thanks to lots of helpful posts on here I found my ideal spec quickly and sourced the car at the right price within weeks - many thanks to all of you!

More guidance would be useful on a couple of points, though -

1. None of the insurance search engines allow me to specify the Prodrive Performance Pack as an option. What do you guys do? Call the insurance firms and tell them the details of each and every component? I dont really want the hassle - is there an online provider that does decent rates for old low-risk guys (I'm 46) that understands the car and standard options versus aftermarket bling?

2. The only thing I'd like to change about the car is the gearshift, which is heavy. Is the shortshift upgrade likely to give me a lighter, faster mechanism - or is there some other non-exotic mod that would do this?

3. The wheels are 17inch Prodrive items. What, in your opinion, are the best road-legal tyres to use, if ride quality is unimportant, wet grip is of some interest but dry cornering grip (I love trackdays) is paramount?

Oh - and hi, everyone. Nice to meet you!

Andrew The Hat

Hi Andrew and welcome to Kent Scoobies

1. Have a look a this THREAD

2. Should give you a faster shift as the lever doesn't travel so far, other than that i'm not sure

3. Bridgestone RE070's if you can get them, brilliant in the dry and interesting in the wet

[leebo77]

Hello mate and welcome to KS!

As Ian has posted - Keith Michaels are always a good start when it comes to insurance.

I've got the quickshift and it is brilliant. Well worth the investment!

RE070's - avoid wet tracks.

Let us know how it goes.

[granby]

I actually did my first track day at Castle Combe on RE070's in the wet and if i'm honest they weren't too bad

[markie]

I actually did my first track day at Castle Combe on RE070's in the wet and if i'm honest they weren't too bad

Any tyre in the wet driving below 20 mph is good

agree they are a very entertaining tyre in the wet ie tunnel run

[granby]

Any tyre in the wet driving below 20 mph is good

[Dalthegooner]

Hello mate and welcome to the madhouse

Edited September 1, 2007 by Dalthegooner

[kaan_ors]

More guidance would be useful on a couple of points, though -

1. None of the insurance search engines allow me to specify the Prodrive Performance Pack as an option. What do you guys do? Call the insurance firms and tell them the details of each and every component? I dont really want the hassle - is there an online provider that does decent rates for old low-risk guys (I'm 46) that understands the car and standard options versus aftermarket bling?

Hello mate and welcome. I have the PPP on my wagon and insure through Admiral via www.confused.com and when I have spoken to them they class the PPP as an "exhaust and manifold upgrade" which you can find on their website as an option and it will be printed on your insurance form.

Give them a go they have been the cheapest for me now for two years.