Decision on new Scooby

[DMW]

Have finally decided to get a Scooby to replace our current car (Leon Cupra). However we went to the local dealership and was completely perplexed at the number of various options that were available (and this is from someone who is a petrol head and reads Evo magazine), boy with the number of modification you can get I think subaru should just call then fast, faster, very fast  and blinding fast.

We have a budget of around £20k, so were possibly looking at a new 2.5 WRX or possibly a nearly new 2.0 STi and was wondering what the advice of you guys would be as to which one to plump for. Before the 2.5 was launched I do not think that it would be such a difficult choice but with the new engine it adds another level of difficulty in deciding which one to go for.

Would I regret getting the WRX and wish I had the STi with the extra power? We will be going to test drive all the options out before we decided but would like some info in advance.

Also wondering whether any dealerships in the central area are better than others as I value after service from a dealership quite high (hence why I never got the Cupra from Arnold Clark and went down the borders to get it)

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

DMW

[wrxmania]

Contact Gav @ Ian Grieve, Subaru (Falkirk area).  If planning on modifying it eventually any new Impreza with a 2.5 is a good idea.  Off the shelf, a 2.0STI (say on 05 model) will be quicker than a new 2.5 WRX. 

Good luck.

Brian []

[st3ph3n]

You value service yet went to Arnold Clark?

Have you thought about a Euro Import DMW? www.motorpoint.co.uk have some good prices just now, although you'd need to sell your own car privately as their trade ins are rubbish. I got good service from motorpoint in actually buying the car, but after that you have to rely on either main dealers or subaru/jap specialists for servicing etc. as motorpoint are sales only really. You'd get a new 2.5 STI import for around your budget.

In terms of STI over the WRX. Tough choice really. Test them all and see what you think. I've got a WRX and I'm really happy with it, but I couldn't have afforded a new STI at the time so I was limited.

Whatever you do end up with you'll love. But you'll never have enough POWER!

[STi_Bandit]

I went from a 2.0 Bugeye uk300 to a 2.0 Blobeye Sti and i have to say its not just the extrea power the handling on the sti is much better IMHO, Only thing id say on the sti is there common for the rear srut bushes to fail so make sure you get a subaru warranty and liften out for knocking at the back on a test drive sure sign the struts will need replaced soon.

Martin

[Gumball]

This is a view based on owning botha WRX and an STI[:|]

2.5 wrx-

New shiny car

more warranty

More Subaru assist time (recovery/breakdown)

the Kudos of a new 2.5 wrx

Worse handling

Less power

The ability to mod on a 2.5 block which will give you more power and torque (if you ARE going to mod)

2.0 STI

An STI

More power as standard

Better handling

The kudos of the STI

worse fuel consumption

Less of a starting point if you want to get large power out the 2 litre (limited to 450bhp)

Looks better IMHO

Its an STI

I think that having experienced both of them, the STI is a better option and is more enjoyable than the WRX. The internals are stronger, the handlings better and it goes faster.

I remember buying my WRX and thinking "what are all these blue things with high spoilers???" and wishing i knew more at the time.

This isnt a i dont like wrx post but just my personal opinion. If i had the cash i would get a 2003/2004 STI

[DMW]

St3ph3n,

Definitely did not go to Arnold Clark as they do not know how to spell service. I turned up in my other car, Lotus Elise, for a test drive in the Leon Cupra. The salesman in Sighthill just let us go around the industrial estate onto the bypass and back in again. When asked to have an extended test drive as I was not able to open the car up he came out with the excuse - "Sorry sir, this is an approved test drive route and we are only insured for this route". Must admit I was not too impressed, did not expect special treatment just because I turned up in the Elise but took the car so they could see I was not tyre kicking and was genuinely interested in purchasing the vehicle.

Ended up going down to the Seat dealership in Earlston, chucked the keys to the Cupra, told to enjoy myself. Ended up having a chat to the salesman for a good hour on cars in general and decided that they were the dealership for me.

Will defintiely vote with my feet on good dealers.

Cheers

DMW

[st3ph3n]

Ah yes. I read it that you had gone to old Arnold.

[G.T.]

i have a wrx and like chris i wish i knew more at the time and i would have gone for the sti, lots of nearly new ones kicking around at the mo for 20k.

i also had a leon cupra r before i got my subaru and all ill say is get it you wont be disapointed [Y]

[RA Dunk]

same here i wish i knew more before i bought mine defo would have gone for the STI , probably jap import as well

[the squiggle]

Go for a Japanese Domestic Model {JDM}which has a superior specification to the UK cars.

Get a decent 18k JDM Blob eye spec car with all the goodies as std and spend 1000 - 2000 properly to free up those strangled ponies

So for 20k you could have a 350bhp+ car with all the goodies that would give you amazing performance on a safe ECU map

or

a UK car for 14k and spend a hell of a lot more getting it up to the staring point of the Import cars.

Do some more research before you part with your hard earned cash as the wrong decision will bug you for a long time to come.

Grant

[DMW]

Guys,

Hate to say it but I am not even considering an Import. May be the wrong way to go but I would prefer a UK car. Unfortunately for me the extra hassle of getting insurance, having to chase for any warranty issues and any additional servicing costs as well as less of a residual value makes the idea of an import out the window.

I am probably wrong to be predudiced as I know it is a better car for the bucks but as it will be the main runabout I do not want any extra hassle. May be stupid thinking this way, especially as imports are not frowned upon in the Scooby community , but looking from a selling angle years down the line.

Hope I have not offended anyone with this way of thinking as I can totally understand the logic of getting an import but just not for me.

Cheers

DMW

[zeolite]

There is more to be considered than just power and tuning potential IMHO. I got a WRX because I didn't want the 6 speed box. my WRX with PPP is 265 and frankly that is more power than I will use on 99% of occasions. The 6 speed was just too race car like for a road car IMHO and as I have race cars I was looking for road manners. It is a matter of taste and who actually drives your car. Drive them and make up your own mind.

Oh yeah the RE-50s on the WRX aren't great in the wet but the RE-70s on the STi are supposed to be even worse.

[DMW]

Surprised to hear that the Impreza's tyres are not that great in the wet as I would have thought the 4wd would have more than made up for it but it is something I will bear in mind.

After riding a motorbike for a number of year I must admit that I tend not to enjoy the wet that much and tend to be a lot more careful and aware of things like manhole covers, overbanding and white lines. I have had enough scares on the bike that these are pretty high on my hazard perception now adays.

I will probably be thinking about keeping the Scooby pretty standard but a factory approved system like the PPP would be pretty interesting so will see whether any of the dealers have anything in their used stock.

Does the factory modification add a lot to the insurance or is it pretty negligible ?

Cheers

DMW

 

[zeolite]

  Quote

Surprised to hear that the Impreza's tyres are not that great in the wet as I would have thought the 4wd would have more than made up for it but it is something I will bear in mind.

The answer to that is a definite "NO" 4wd will not save you when your front tyres are locked up. Noticed a massive difference between the Bridgestones and the trusty Goodyear f1s. I loved driving in the wet in the F1s

After riding a motorbike for a number of year I must admit that I tend not to enjoy the wet that much and tend to be a lot more careful and aware of things like manhole covers, overbanding and white lines. I have had enough scares on the bike that these are pretty high on my hazard perception now adays.

Always good to pay attention when driving. No car will save you in all conditions.

I will probably be thinking about keeping the Scooby pretty standard but a factory approved system like the PPP would be pretty interesting so will see whether any of the dealers have anything in their used stock.

Does the factory modification add a lot to the insurance or is it pretty negligible ?

It can do. It varies a lot you have to shop around.

 

[st3ph3n]

As someone once said to me - 4wd is great when you're trying to get going, but does shit all when you're trying to get stopped.

[DMW]

Great to hear the F1's work on the Scooby as I currently have them on the Cupra and absolutely love them. Definitely my weapon of choice in the tyre front. Even have a great tread pattern that looks great when you drive into a dry garage/car park.

Sad I know but tread pattern's can be great.

DMW

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

I still fancy an STi but my mildy modded WRX gives me huge fun and warp speed. I kinda with Zeolite with the 6 speed issues in that yoiu have to continually change gear in the STi. I find it almost takes an edge of the speed as opposed to winding through the WRX's 5 speed. handling wise the WRX is better composed for soaking up bumps but rolls more which really only annoys me on track.....

All boils down to what you want and what you need ? STi is more of a savage and the WRX is more stealthy. I love the look of the STi but might feel a bit of a cock in certain situations. We all know what looks better but gold wheels are a tad garish in some peoples mind. I love the new STi Spec D but for what you get it's WAY over priced.

The STi7's are quite nice IMHO. I love the blobies but the new WRX does nothign for me looks wise. Not keen on the wimpy looking alloys but I fancy the engine from it. The new STi is sublime though.DCCD is tremendous and many older cars also have it too.

Cheers

cal

[david_taylor]

If you are looking for a good Subaru dealership, I can highly recommend Alex F Noble & Son in Penicuik.  I bought my most recent car from them and was delighted with the service offered.

On the test drive, the salesman drove first and showed me what the car can do, including a poweslide round a roundabout!

He totally encouraged you to open the car up.

They have good stock in for a 20k budget and with that, he will buy a car in from all over the uk I would think.

Plus you get 1 years subaru assistance and warranty as standard.

Another plus is that I have already been invited to one of there track days.  Got taken out on the track by a Scooby test driver, who absolutely terrified me, but showed me how much you can push these cars, especially the STI.  Thats my next car.  Got 3 laps with the test driver, and I was impressed beyond belief.  I have a 2000 UK spec the now, so the extra power and handdling was very much obvious!

Is summary.  STI and Alex F Noble! 

[DMW]

We popped across to A F Noble last Sat and was impressed with the varied selection they had on the forecourt. Just waiting for the phone call when they have their new 2.5 WRX demo as he suggested sampling the various flavours back to back to decide what we want. Must admit that we are looking forward to the Scooby pick-n-mix.

What is your impression of the Falkirk Subaru dealer (as you are so close by) as we were thinking of popping across there on Saturday as they have a 2.5WRX (with STi spoiler and different alloys) as there demo and a couple of other ones on the forecourt as well.

Cheers

George

[ozzy]

I've heard only good stories recently with Grieves in Falkirk.  Go along and give them a try, especially if they have a 2.5 WRX to try.

[scoobyseller555]

Please feel free to pop into the showroom,unfortunately i'm going off on holiday this weekend,but feel free to come in,ask for Dave or Adam.

there are some amazing deals at the moment so i'm sure we can sort you out with a good deal

Gav

[scoobyseller555]

  Quote

On the test drive, the salesman drove first and showed me what the car can do, including a poweslide round a roundabout!

He totally encouraged you to open the car up.

Is summary.  STI and Alex F Noble! 

I'm sure that this would encourage me to buy a car,knowing that every test drive in this car was conducted in the same manner 'powerslide round a roundabout'.

I can also recall a salesman for t&c in perth 'showing a customer what it can do' and wiping out the customer,not big and not clever,and certainly not the image that subaru would like to portray.

This is my own personal view but i wouldn't buy a car knowing that every test drive the car has been out on,it has been treated in this manner.?this could also happen when my car is in for a service aswell!?NOT GOOD

as i say my own view

Gav

[DMW]

Gavin,

Spoke to you on the phone a couple of days back about the demo (name is George Douglas as it is not easy to get from my signature) so we will definitely be popping in to see you this Saturday probably first thing so we will ask for Dave or Adam instead.

Enjoy this weekend off.

Cheers

George

[david_taylor]

Of course you would'nt Scoobyseller 555!  Your trying to sell a car from your own premises!

I visited you  a couple of times, and not once did anyone come out to see me on the forcourt.  Very poor salesmanship.  This encouraged me to look elsewhere I am afraid.

When I said powerslide, I may be a little coy, but at 20 miles an hour on a mini roundabout I was not in a bit worried.  Plus the fact he was clearly very well trained, as he pointed out, and by subaru!

 

 

[MY94]

EDEN SUBARU IN FIFE ARE VERY GOOD.......TRY THERE M8!

Get an STi if u can!Also,there seems to be loads of deals on at the mo(5 years service/roadside assistance etc).Do your sums and you soon see that the money saved on servicing/rac/aa adds up to less than SOME second hand Scoobs + service costs over the next few years.Something to think about anyway.