Getting a WRX

[alanm73]

Right im looking for some advice on buying a WRX.

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S at the moment and im looking for more performance/ better handleing 4 doors etc

So can someone asnwer the following for me,

Whats the MPG like? cant be much worse that the 26 to 28 mpg the mini gets?

So what is the better buy?

A 200 05 or 55 WRX 2.0 from a Subaru dealer for £15K to 16K?

or

A 2006 56 Import WRX 2.5 for £16k?

Also if you buy an Import do you still need to fit a CAT1 alarm to it?

I dont know what way to jump but the car would be used every day covering around 14000 miles a year and kept for 3.

Any opinions or thoughts are most welcome

Thanks

Alan

[wrxmania]

Right im looking for some advice on buying a WRX.

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S at the moment and im looking for more performance/ better handleing 4 doors etc

So can someone asnwer the following for me,

Whats the MPG like? cant be much worse that the 26 to 28 mpg the mini gets?

Can EASILY be worse if driven hard - 28MPG is usually the best they see.

So what is the better buy?

A 200 05 or 55 WRX 2.0 from a Subaru dealer for £15K to 16K?

or

A 2006 56 Import WRX 2.5 for £16k?

A 2006 56 Import is well best if you like the looks - better for resale, cheaper in the first place and the depreciation will not be as heavy.

Also if you buy an Import do you still need to fit a CAT1 alarm to it?

Cat 1 Alam and Immobiliser TOAD Ai606 - £250 fitted with Thatcham certificate.

I dont know what way to jump but the car would be used every day covering around 14000 miles a year and kept for 3.

Any opinions or thoughts are most welcome

Thanks

Alan

Answers in blue above []

[craigwrx]

Cant agree with that Brian, "Import is well best" that is a very subjective topic, there are as many peeps against imports, (if not more) as there is for ..

Craig []

[st3ph3n]

I have a euro import and have had no problems at all, so that's not a worry. Chances of getting insurance without an alarm are nil.

As far as mpg - I can get approx 25 when commuting and taking it easy, but then I got less than 10 at the trackday at the weekend. [6]

I was doign a lot of miles in mine. I've had the car almost 2 years and done over 30K. It's not cheap to run, servicing intervals are every 10K, with intermediate oil changes a worthy investment too.

BUT - the whole experience of owning one is MORE than worth it.

[wrxmania]

Thinking entirely in terms of price versus depreciation.  £16 for a brand new car, with 2.5 engine and facelift versus car with blobeye front, 2 litre, a year old and already lost £6k??  Also a euro import 2.5 will come with the Subaru Pan European warranty. 

Brian []

[wrxmania]

Mis-timed with Stephens - DOH []

[andrew_lally]

sti import mate....stronger engine ...cheaper initial purchase giving you more money to modify it lol

better off saving a few k too and getting hold of a late classic....sti type r maybe!!!...lighter and faster!!!

but hey...everones different!!!

  regards andy

[4Hero]

I have a 1 month old euro import and no problems what so ever. The reason I went for import this time was due to the 12 and a half grand I lost on my last brand new uk wrx which was minted/low mileage an only 2 and a half years young. Depreciation sucks, and I guess imports should not be so bad (here's hoping).

go for the import mate [Y]

[dipsy]

Get a Jdm classic sti or Jdm newage sti

[G.Mac]

Im sure whatever you get you will love!!

For ease of warranty etc go UK, but JDM cars (Japanese Domestic Market) cars are better with more Gucci bits. Just remember to have them undersealed, alarmed and mapped to UK fuel (V-Power)

With the cash you save going for an import you could even get an STi!, looking back on it, I got my UK STi before I joined the club etc, I think if I were to do it again I would get a JDM car but a UK warranty has been good to me so far due to my knocking noises (currently going in tomorrow to have the back end of the car looked at)

 

Graeme

[4Hero]

Im sure whatever you get you will love!!

For ease of warranty etc go UK, but JDM cars (Japanese Domestic Market) cars are better with more Gucci bits. Just remember to have them undersealed, alarmed and mapped to UK fuel (V-Power)

With the cash you save going for an import you could even get an STi!, looking back on it, I got my UK STi before I joined the club etc, I think if I were to do it again I would get a JDM car but a UK warranty has been good to me so far due to my knocking noises (currently going in tomorrow to have the back end of the car looked at)

 Graeme

There are no issues now with the warranties on a euro import due to changes in european legislation, and you now get a full 3 year manufacturers warranty when purchased new.

[sti pretender]

Check warranty if buying from a UK car supermarket. Warranty is from manufacture not registration Motorpoint have some cars although new only have 2 years 4 months of warranty left. Also the add another £300 for registration, etc and trade-in values are c**p.

[scoobyseller555]

I have a 1 month old euro import and no problems what so ever. The reason I went for import this time was due to the 12 and a half grand I lost on my last brand new uk wrx which was minted/low mileage an only 2 and a half years young. Depreciation sucks, and I guess imports should not be so bad (here's hoping).

go for the import mate [Y]

I know what i bid for your car,and the price of your car new £19295 + £350 for metallic paint,that doesnt equate to £12500 depreciation.!

As for imports,there are more cons than pros.,try selling the car on,warranty issues,poor residuals and lengthy repair times as all warranty repairs require authorization from Cyprus or Malta.

THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ALAN

Gav

[alanm73]

Ahhhh didnt know that about the warranty about authorisation from the country of origin!!!!

I take it you Gav as in Gavin from Subaru in Falkirk?

[Spaceman]

Iv got a 55 plate wrx from allbrandsnew and had no bother with warranty full 3 year and subaru garages sorted my back shocks when they went, no bother just make sure you register it with IM and your sorted. insurance ain`t dearer either as its uk spec`d elephant told me there was no price diff.. As for the alarm just phone all brands new and tell them you will put a deposit on if they give you a cat1 alarm and tank of V power thrown in. i got my toad alarm for nout and £25 in the tank all good mate and you get to enjoy the 340 mile drive home from hull in your new nbeast lol.

[4Hero]

I have a 1 month old euro import and no problems what so ever. The reason I went for import this time was due to the 12 and a half grand I lost on my last brand new uk wrx which was minted/low mileage an only 2 and a half years young. Depreciation sucks, and I guess imports should not be so bad (here's hoping).

go for the import mate [Y]

I know what i bid for your car,and the price of your car new £19295 + £350 for metallic paint,that doesnt equate to £12500 depreciation.!

As for imports,there are more cons than pros.,try selling the car on,warranty issues,poor residuals and lengthy repair times as all warranty repairs require authorization from Cyprus or Malta.

THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE YOU BUY ALAN

Gav

I miscalculated Gavin, you're correct. I only lost 50% of the value of my car in 2 and 3 quarter years which equates to £10,500 (as I had a tracker fitted too)

As for the warranty issue with euro imports, I'm hoping I will never need to use it anyway, as I never used it once on my last car []