Decision on new Scooby

[DMW]

Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback on this, I think getting a Subaru is very much like the Elise - there is such a large community of really nice people that enjoy the marque and willing to help you out if you have a query. I must admit, this is something that does appeal to me as well as the vehicle itself. It is nice to have a passion about the motor vehicle that you are driving. Not everyones cup of tea I must admit but it is nice to see.

Will report back with my finding this weekend, hoping to be enlightened after the test drive and a bit more concrete on which directions we wish to go.

Cheers

DMW

[st3ph3n]

You should head up to AWD in perth tomorrow for some impartial chat from the enthusiasts/nutters/vagrants in attendance. Plus you can get some ideas on modifications.

I know, I know. You're keeping it standard. That's what we all said.

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

You will not get the full Scooby experience without getting a run in a car with an aftermarket exhaust. The standard cars whether WRX or STi variants sound pretty dissapointing. If they have the PPP fitted they will sound pretty cool. Just bear this in mind as when I first test drove a bug-eye from the dealer i could not believe how quiet it was. As J.Clarkson says, half the cars appeal is the sexual noise that is makes ........

Enjoy !

Cal

[fraser_drinkwater]

If i was going for another scoob ( which i might) id go for the Litchfield Spec C. Look into it mate.

[scoobyseller555]

  Quote

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!

sorry about this m8,but with only one salesman its physicaly impossible to speak with everyone,we try our best with the resources that we have........but it doesnt matter who youv'e been trained by its still a bit unproffesional to drive like this with a prospective purchaser of the vehicle being driven!

Gav

 

 

[vicki]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum.

Enjoy your car whatever you buy []

[david_taylor]

Hello again.

 

Did you manage to visit Grieves and Nobles today then?  Did you have the test drives and any purchases?

 

Dave

[david_taylor]

 

scoobyseller 555 wrote-  "sorry about this m8,but with only one salesman its physicaly impossible to speak with everyone,we try our best with the resources that we have........but it doesnt matter who youv'e been trained by its still a bit unproffesional to drive like this with a prospective purchaser of the vehicle being driven!"

 

Like you said my friend.  Its your opinion.  Being there myself, I felt in no way under threat.  It was almost track conditions!!

With that it also sold the car to me.  I totally understand your point though and if for a second I thought it was dangerous, then I would have asked him to let me out of the car.

Enough said on that I think.

Hope you sell many a car and go from strenght to strength.  Might save me the journey on my next subaru purchase!!

[DMW]

Well had a great weekend with my test driving shoes on. Both started out on Saturday all kitted up:

MultiMap to Falkirk

Multimap to Cupar

Puma Speedcats on

Breakfast bar

As it was such a nice day we ended up taking the Elise as it was a good excuse to give it a blast and let us have a good yard stick to measure the Scooby on.

Popped along to Falkirk eventually (after me giving Sandra wrong directions so ended in going through Falkirk rather than round it) and had a quick look at the 2.5 Wrx they had it and a couple of other cars. Unfortunately they did not have a 2.0 Sti that we could have a back to back run in. So decided it pointless to go out in the 2.5 Wrx as it would not have given us an opportunity to compare.

Took a lovely drive along to Cupar and had a complete blast on the back roads. Ended up at Cupar and spoke to Gary. Introductions started well with me choking on my breakfast bar for 2/3 minutes. I am sure Gary thought he was going to have to call A&E at one point or other but after been given a bottle of water I was a lot better and not dying on the premises.

1st of all we took out the 2.5 Wrx to have a blast. A really nice car that we enjoyed. However I found it a little bit slow and not quite the same level of braking that I was expecting. If you own a Wrx please do not be offended as it is a great car but I was just looking for a little bit more.

Gary took in all our thoughts on the car and suggested an 2.0 Sti that had the PPP pack on it.After the test drive what a difference and it was more like what we were looking for. Being pressed into the seats under acceleration, brakes a lot better. My wife Sandra said it sounded more like a Scooby should sound with the nice distinct burble. After she had a drive we were both very impressed with the car although my head was a little bit sore with being pressed into the seats so much.

As they were also a Mitsibushi dealership we took out an Evo 8.5 as Gary called it (Evo 300 upgraded to 330, and Evo 9 bumpers). The handling was great and more akin to the Elise. The only problem with the car was that it had a dump valvle that made the throttle very sensitive when coming off/on which detracted from the experience.

After speaking to Gary he has suggested that if we want to go the Sti route we would suggest we get the handling kit which makes the Sti more Evo like. Unfortunetly we are still undecided but Gavin has said he can get us a standard Evo 8 to compare against the Sti. Once that has been tried we will decide whether we go Scooby or across to the dark side ;-)

I must admit that I was very impressed with Gary and made the experience a complete joy. No hard sell tactics and more importantly listened to what we were saying. His passion in the marque definitely shown through and suggested different avenues to get what we were wanting. I would definitely give this dealership 10 out of 10 based upon our experience on Saturday. Also recommended a great bakery in Cupar for lunch which was an added bonus (although not to the waistline)

So, now managed to discount one Scooby (Wrx) and know more what we are looking for. The 2.5 Sti is a little bit more than we want to spend so it will have to be a 2.0 Sti. However looking for opinions from anyone who has plumped for the handling pack and what difference it made to the car.

Thanks again for all opinions and keep them coming in.

[st3ph3n]

I have a 2005 WRX which has the inverted struts like the STI. I have Tein springs, whiteline alloy droplinks and prodrive geometery settings. For such little outlay the handling of the car has been transformed.

The handling pack they'll be talking about will be the Prodrive springs and geometery setup I imagine. The STI already has the solid droplinks I believe, so you wont need them. That's all warranty friendly and really will sharpen the car up.

Completely agree about the WRX brakes. Especialy compared to an elise! Better pads do help, but the only real solution is bigger brakes.

[DMW]

Stephen,

Great to hear that there is a solution then. Only problem I have been having is getting to a Subaru dealership that has a used car with the pro-drive spring kit on as I would like to feel the difference in the handling. I am very surprised that the majority of Subaru's do not have them fitted as an aftermarket option as I agree for the sake of £300 they can transform the car. I suspose the majority of people tackle the engine route first and then upgrade the suspension when they reach the limit of the cars handling due to the extra power.

When I came back on the test drive with the wrx that I did realise that I was comparing a car that was twice the weight of the elise so it was always going to feel heavier braking but the Sti brakes gave me a lot more confidence in the stopping ability so yep bigger brakes are definitely better.

The great thing that really appeals with Subaru is the fact you can fit the Prodrive upgrades later on the warranty is still valid. Do not see many manufacturers treating their customers so nicely.

Cheers

DMW

[fai17]

Hi DWM

I do indeed have the prodrive springs fitted and alignment set up for fast road and what a difference they make.Understeer is keep under control and sharper turn in.The car is also more comfortable to drive as the car is not as firm to drive(tittie bounce).

You could come and test drive mines if you stay nearby.

[DMW]

Fai,

I live out in Broxburn and work at South Gyle in Edinburgh. Is this around about where you stay?

Cheers

DMW

[fai17]

  Quote

Fai,

I live out in Broxburn and work at South Gyle in Edinburgh. Is this around about where you stay?

Cheers

DMW

I stay and work in Paisley.

[STi_Bandit]

Hey DMW,

Should maybe try and get up to knockhill this weekend, be plenty of scoobies up there, you never know might even get a lap as a passenger in one. ill be there also but only spectating but your more than welcome to have a look round it even if the colour is wrong, could also take you a blast, the cars completely standard as well

 

Martin

[DMW]

Martin,

Did think about it but the elise is in for its geometry so I need to be in Kirkaldy in the morning. Pity as it could have been an ideal opportunity and would have loved to had a chat with you guys and see what everyone has done to their cars.

Cheers

DMW