Thinking Of Buying A Scooby - Advice Please

[kewe]

Due to a change in my circumstances I am contemplating buying a Scooby again.

I had this classic UK Turbo 10 year ago:-

Hopefully it's still on the go.

I would probably now be looking at getting a 2001-2004 WRX/STI/UK300 ranging between the bugeye and blobeye versions.

Prefer the look of a saloon but tempted by the practicality of the wagon.

Looking to spend £6k or less

Looking for some advice and opinions on pros and cons of each model without starting a debate lol.

Also what to look out for if going to view any.

I currently have a SEAT Toledo V5 which has lots of toys and is really nice to drive, but has nowhere near the grunt and handling of the Impreza.

Will still need something reasonably comfortable and pleasant for the missus and kids Will the Scooby suffice?

Edited August 2, 2010 by StrikE

[thewelsho]

What's your budget?

[kewe]

What's your budget?

I'm looking at £6K or less. Depends on what I get for my own car too.

I have seen a WRX Wagon 2004 with 57K for £5995 in a local garage

so something along those lines.

[st3ph3n]

I sold a 54 plate, but 05 model year WRX with mods for £6K give or take a couple of months ago. There's plenty of cars to be had!

[john_mchutchison]

I use my55 sti as a daily runner and my wife and kids love it so no worries there mate. Just tell her its a 4 door saloon

[mystery machine]

Hello and welcome

Under £6K might be slightly optimistic for a good Blobeye STI, but if your budget can possibly stretch then IMO that's going to be the best driver's car out of those you mention.

I don't want to offend any Bug owners, but everything I've read about about them suggests that - as a driver's car - they were the weakest of all incarnations of the Impreza turbo (moreso the WRX than the STI). Things got better with the early Blob and better again with the late Blob and Hawkeye (mechanically very similar cars aside from the bigger engine in the latter). I don't have to hand a list of the changes that Subaru made between the Bug and Blob, but IIRC there were a few! Having said all that there are some very fine tweaked Bugs out there, some of which make regular appearances around here

Just one word of warning though - as you're based in Edinburgh, if you do go for an STI model then make sure you're happy with the ride on the lumpy roads around your town. I have a Hawkeye STI and I'm happy enough with the ride quality, but then I do tend to avoid places with potholed roads, over which it can feel a bit 'twitchy' and unsettled.

Happy hunting, and let us know how you get on!

Edited August 2, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[kewe]

Thanks for the replies guys, great info.

Yes a STI Blobeye is out my price range for sure.

I also wondered then if a WRX blobeye with PPP might be the best bet?

I get really hacked off even with my Tolly running around in Edinburgh although

it does have 18's with 225x40x18's which dont help. So an STI would probably not suit

although I really like it's interior.

[marko72]

I'm looking at £6K or less. Depends on what I get for my own car too.

I have seen a WRX Wagon 2004 with 57K for £5995 in a local garage

so something along those lines.

Hello.

If you want to see a cool wagon check out Richies silver wagon in the 'random photo thread' in the off topic section. Pics are near the end of the thread. Its been modified but you will get the idea. Also pics of a bug and how it can look with some tweaking Good luck with finding what you are after.

Cheers.

[mystery machine]

Blob WRXes are nice cars and should ride well around town on the standard wheels - I used to have a standard Hawkeye WRX and it was surprisingly compliant around town considering how well it handled. In fact, in some ways handled better than my STI on really 'yumpy' B-roads...

I wouldn't become too fixated on PPP - if you want more power than standard you can easily fit similar hardware as came with the PPP (i.e. less restrictive exhaust, fuel pump, air filter) and then have the car custom-mapped, which will give better results than the generic PPP (i.e. more power!). Plus there's a fair chance a non-PPP car will have had its drivetrain less stressed over its life, possibly making it a better bet for reliability.

Don't totally rule out a Blob STI, BTW. The STIs in general are quite different animals from the WRXes, with heavier-duty engine, gearbox and other drivetrain bits. They tend to have a rear-biased torque split too, which makes the car more 'dynamic' and less prone to understeer. Not to mention the firmer, if less compliant, suspension. My comments were more directed at the factory-standard Blob WRX, which I personally would avoid.

[kewe]

Hello.

If you want to see a cool wagon check out Richies silver wagon in the 'random photo thread' in the off topic section. Pics are near the end of the thread. Its been modified but you will get the idea. Also pics of a bug and how it can look with some tweaking Good luck with finding what you are after.

Cheers.

Cheers, will do.

[kewe]

Blob WRXes are nice cars and should ride well around town on the standard wheels - I used to have a standard Hawkeye WRX and it was surprisingly compliant around town considering how well it handled. In fact, in some ways handled better than my STI on really 'yumpy' B-roads...

I wouldn't become too fixated on PPP - if you want more power than standard you can easily fit similar hardware as came with the PPP (i.e. less restrictive exhaust, fuel pump, air filter) and then have the car custom-mapped, which will give better results than the generic PPP (i.e. more power!). Plus there's a fair chance a non-PPP car will have had its drivetrain less stressed over its life, possibly making it a better bet for reliability.

Don't totally rule out a Blob STI, BTW. The STIs in general are quite different animals from the WRXes, with heavier-duty engine, gearbox and other drivetrain bits. They tend to have a rear-biased torque split too, which makes the car more 'dynamic' and less prone to understeer. Not to mention the firmer, if less compliant, suspension. My comments were more directed at the factory-standard Blob WRX, which I personally would avoid.

OK that's interesting on the PPP. I see a lot of guys go the Andy Forrest route etc. Is there any tell tale signs to know if the car has been re-mapped

even if it's not advertised as such. I know the PPP kit is usually easy to spot but not sure about any others?

Also what sort of differences am I likely to see in running costs between WRX to STI and say 2001 model to 2004 Model

in terms of road tax, insurance? MPG isn't too much of an issue as it will be used at weekends only

Sorry too many questions I know!!!

[C_WRX]

I guess what you want ££'s wise is also going to be based on what you accept as max mileage i.e. a very low mileage Blob may be out of your price range, and whether you buy private or go to a dealer.

Stephens Blob was a very well priced reasonable mileage WRX with the stage1 power mods taking it to STi power, and a few nice extras added on, seemed like a good buy for new owner.

Ritchie's wagon is very nice looking (and not for sale I hope!!) but they are rarer.

I have a Blob WRX, but had money not been a big factor at the time I would have gone STi (actually if I'd known about this site before I bought I may have held out for one!!). I am now running about STi PPP power (and kinda the look) but it is a WRX and I don't hide that fact and I still very much like it (as I still have it!!). It is as quick as I'm realistically going to get out of it keeping on the safe side. The interior on the STi is way nicer, and as mentioned engine/gearbox are a lot stronger, but the WRX is still acceptable on those counts. I went Blob as a personal choice I prefer its look over the Bug. Some nice classics still out there, don't know if that is a thought ?

Having a WRX or STi remapped will give more power but can also return better fuel economy(I stress the last point to the wife a lot!! ). Being remapped though you ideally want it done for 99RON which keep in mind isn't the cheap fuel choice.

I have prodrive springs on with 18's and find it firm but not silly, maybe one of those things you get used to. With a front splitter on though it hasn't seen a multi-storey for a couple of years now .

There are bargains out there, some folks finding private sales tough at the moment particularly on this type of car so you can barter hard. Take your time and be fussy to get the right one, a full history is a big plus, all the usual sensible stuff. Happy hunting.

Edited August 2, 2010 by C_WRX

[mystery machine]

OK that's interesting on the PPP. I see a lot of guys go the Andy Forrest route etc.

Aye, the Andy Forrest route makes most sense for cars that are out of mfg warranty.

Is there any tell tale signs to know if the car has been re-mapped even if it's not advertised as such. I know the PPP kit is usually easy to spot but not sure about any others?

Certainly on later models the most obvious sign of PPP is a Prodrive back box. Generally Imprezas aren't worth mapping without first swapping out the factory cat(s), if that's any help.

Also what sort of differences am I likely to see in running costs between WRX to STI and say 2001 model to 2004 Model lin terms of road tax, insurance? MPG isn't too much of an issue as it will be used at weekends only

Road tax is the same for WRX & STI - they're both in the top band - £245 p.a. if registered before spring '06.

Insurance is a little higher for the STI - about 10% more for me.

Don't notice much difference in fuel consumption between the two, they are both thirsty! (both 2.5L, heavier on fuel than the 2.0L). One point though, the STI has to be run on 99RON (e.g. Shell V-Power) but the WRX can run on reg unleaded (although I ran mine on Veep).

Some more pros of the STI over the WRX listed here (not sure if they all apply to the Bug-era STIs):

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtop...p;#entry1246311

Sorry too many questions I know!!!

Not at all! Edited August 2, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[kewe]

Brilliant can't ask for much more info than you all have given me.

Like you say C_WRX the best bet is to take my time and get the right one.

I always run my V5 Toledo on 99 ron anyway as it does run smoother and gets better mpg

Also know about the front splitter problem and car parks/Ferrys:-

So if anyone knows someone looking for a nice comfortable car let me know

Thanks again folks. I'll keep you updated!

PS Still can't find Richies silver wagon. Off for another look.

Great Forum btw!

[scooby222]

try both the wrx and sti,only way to be sure

but bear in mind whether your looking to keep it standard or tweak it a bit - theres plenty of cases on here of people who bought wrx's and started adding bits only to realise they should have one straight to the sti - i looked at that when i bought mine, 4k cheaper for a wrx but by the time i added a bigger spoiler, bigger brakes, ppp kit i was up to the same price -without the better diffs,stronger 6 speed box,nicer interior,better suspension etc and i was paying to insure a modded car too

whatever you get youl enjoy though

[mystery machine]

You're welcome again mate

Here's a (not necessarily comprehensive) list of differences between the WRX and STI, kindly posted by Graeme Mac for me when I was considering flogging my WRX for the STI:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtop...p;#entry1246311

The list concerns late Blob and Hawkeye WRX vs STI, so some items may not apply to the Bug STI... but it may still be of interest. Somebody who knows more about Bugs than me should be able to offer more specific info!

Cheers.

Edited August 2, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[mystery machine]

try both the wrx and sti,only way to be sure

Sound advice.

[thewelsho]

What year is your car and what sort of MPG does it yeild? Engine size etc?

[kewe]

What year is your car and what sort of MPG does it yeild? Engine size etc?

It's a late 2001 model and has the 2.3 V5 VAG engine that produces 170 BHP.

Around town mid to high 20's.

A couple of weeks ago I went on Holiday across to the west coast

and the OBC was giving an average 38MPG which isn't too bad I guess.

Usually I get 320-380 miles to a tankful.

Edited August 3, 2010 by kewe

[kewe]

Oh and if I really decided to blow my budget how about a WR1

[mystery machine]

Oh and if I really decided to blow my budget how about a WR1

Very nice Scoob - particularly as it has the DCCD that featured in all later STIs. The DCCD allows you to adjust torque distribution between front and rear, or switch to auto mode and have the computer do it for you. I have it on my Hawk and love it

[RS Grant]

Re-live the joy of owning a late UK Turbo... buy mine!! Its already got all the mods you'd likely want (6-spd box, defi gauges, 338bhp etc), and only 53-54k miles too.

Cheers,

Grant

[kewe]

Very nice Scoob - particularly as it has the DCCD that featured in all later STIs. The DCCD allows you to adjust torque distribution between front and rear, or switch to auto mode and have the computer do it for you. I have it on my Hawk and love it

Sounds a bit too complicated for me. I think I'd be holding on too tight to have time to be fiddling with the torque distribution.

[kewe]

Re-live the joy of owning a late UK Turbo... buy mine!! Its already got all the mods you'd likely want (6-spd box, defi gauges, 338bhp etc), and only 53-54k miles too.

Cheers,

Grant

Nice try

[mystery machine]

Sounds a bit too complicated for me. I think I'd be holding on too tight to have time to be fiddling with the torque distribution.

You tend not to adjust it while driving... well, I sometimes press the auto/manual button, but the manual torque dist wheel is always set to 'full rear'.

And even if you never touch it and leave it in 'auto' mode, it's a very worthy addition as it makes for a more neutral, grippier car.