Wanting a Subaru with alot of questions :D

[MikeT]

Hi,

Ive just joined as I think this is the best time to start saving for one, im currently 15 and starting work, id like to save for a Subaru, but as many people have said getting a Subaru impreza at 17 is not the best option as we think we know how to drive, when we don't, which I fully agree on!, But id still like to see if it would be possible to purchase one and what your views are.

Ive always wanted a Subaru Impreza wxr sti in the traditional Subaru blue which I thought would be a doddle to buy as you can get second hand ones for £4000 from a 2003 make. But as I recently learnt, that insurance would cost me a arm and a leg to get, if I can get it. So my real question is, are there any others, i found a Subaru impreza GX sport i believe its called which as I 1.5L I think?, correct me if im wrong.

Would the insurance on them be less?, Also ive noticed they don't look the same as the wxr obviously, there similar if you get the saloon version rather than the hatchback, but it doesn't have the grill and the sleek finish, so to sum it up, is there any Subaru, that looks similar to the wxr sti that is cheap to insure at my age, and if not, what else could i do??

Thanks alot

Mike

[fmj]

Hi mate, I grew up watching McRae and Burns in the 97-00 WRC cars and wanted one then however I was only 13-16 at the time. As soon as a looked at insurance when I got my license at 18 I knew it was out of the question to start with. I got a 1.8 16v Peugeot 306 in the end as it was the only small normal car I liked the look of and it was quite quick (not compared to a scooby). I paid through the nose insuring it which cost me well over £1000 for a car that cost me £3000 to buy. I then spent the next year and a half modifying it with all the usual bits, stainless exhuast, better brakes, induction, subtle body kit parts, lowered, alloys etc. I spent £1000's which then put the insurance up to about £1600.

Then a complete knob drove into the back of me and wrote it off.

By that time I was 21 and had a choice. Get another normal car and waste loads of money modding it again (I knew I wouldn't be able to leave anything as standard) or jump into a scooby. I spent £6250 on a UK Turbo and then a whacking £2100 on my first years insurance with 1 Years NCB and no convictions.

I still have the scooby now and i'm 27. I have spent £1000's on mods and the insurance has dropped to about £800.

To be honest insurance has gotten so silly now I really don't think you will insure a turbo model at 17 unless you have many many £1000's to throw away. You could get a non turbo but don't think about modding it to be a turbo as is really isn't worth doing and will cost more in the long run. The proplem with getting a non turbo scooby is that compared to other small typical first cars it will still cost an arm and a leg to run. This will mean you have less money to save for a turbo model. The sensible thing would be to get something cheap and leave it alone. Save for a couple of years and then splash out on the car you really want when you have the money to afford it as well as its upkeep. This would be the sensible thing but I know that in your position it is difficult to wait and get something dull for the time being.

[thewifescar]

I agree with FMJ, pickup something cheap and cheerful to run for a start to get experience and NCB built up. I wouldnt waste money on modding it but save that for the car you really want.

To help with insurance do the extra courses after passing, pass plus and IAM.

I had 7 cars (Polo, 2*nova, escort, 3*Cav) in my first 5 or so years of drivng. Bangers with MOT before having enough to buy cars I actually wanted 205 GTI, Fiat Coupe, Alfa GTV, Alfa GTA v6, WRX PPP.

It is worth it in the end

[louis1978uk]

agreed i cant even imagine majority of insurance companies even insuring you at 17 these days and frankly the majority of younger drivers would have an accident in an sti without a few years experiance,its hard too appreciate how fast powerful and unforgiving a subaru could be in the hands of someone thats just passed their test im 33 now and i still pay just under 400 to insure it best advise as above get 3-4 years no claims and some experiance 1st then get 1 other wise you cough up a rediculous amount of cash to get it on the road and the chance of a crunch is risky...

I started off with mk1 fiesta of all things nova-corsa escort rs turbo bmw then me 1st subi

golfs can be fun and cheap and pretty strong cars somehing like an old golf driver if u can get 1 insured still 1800cc nippy fun and practical so too speak?

Edited December 15, 2011 by louis1978uk

[MikeT]

Thanks all!!!!, makes so much sense, and wow, a lot of detail to think about!, yeah, i understand about the erge just to by one :L ive got it right now!! lol, i'll se what happens, but i think i will end up holding fire untill i get the exsperience i need. Im just about to post another topic about non turbo version, which might annoy some of you, but i thought id better get the oppion on tht, anyhoo,

Thank you!

[louis1978uk]

just cos it doesnt have a turbo dont be affraid to ask its still a subaru and im sure everyone with any experiance will be more than happy to answer questions about one

better to get all the info you can from people that have or have knowledge about a car then buy blindly and regret it so ask away to your hearts content...

Louis

[salsa-king]

insurance companies might not even quote.. or have silly £k's to insure, I can't get my head around paying more out for insurance than the cars worth :crazy:

do some on line quotes... put age 17 in and see what come sup on various cars.

[johnmacdonald]

Need to be 63 with 20 years plus NCD! I pay £308 for our WRX PPP and the insurers are aware of Prodrive extras and other minor mods...

[salsa-king]

or 37 with a 2009 STi 330s.......... £550 FC with mods declared (the alloys)

[fmj]

Need to be 63 with 20 years plus NCD! I pay £308 for our WRX PPP and the insurers are aware of Prodrive extras and other minor mods...

I'm fairly confident that by the time this guy is 63 there will be no scoobies left and the few that are won't be able to be used as we will all have to drive eco boxes.

[scouk]

Nah.. scoobs will be aroudn forever... But your right about hte 2nd part and the eco boxes

£570 here 32y/o on 2001 Bug WRX with a few tweaks all over. Cosmetic/performance/handling

Like many, always wanted an impreza but managed to wait until I was over 25 (and did and advanced driving course) before buying one.. First full years insurance on the standard car at age 27 was £625

Previously drove a volvo

Edited December 23, 2011 by ScoUK

[marko72]

If you have the wonga then why not. Guy in my gf's street was driving his first scoob at 18, and a brand new hawkeye sti at 21.

He lived with his gran and worked hard.

It can be done.