Croc

aye - saw a black Forrester STI in Aberdeen on Friday - looked great. Due to a recent addition to the family, I'd been planning to change from my current Impreza STI to a Forester but would be seriously tempted by an Forester STI. Impreza is fine for the baby, but it's all the crap that needs to go in the boot that causes the problem. Not that keen with it needing to be an import - and would be interested if anyone has experience of Forester STIs, maintenance, costs etc P

watch out for balancing weights, as the fronts on 17s can be too tight clearance for 'normal' weights. need to be the thin type -as I found out when some numbnuts garage used 'normal' weights on them and I ended up rubbing them off for 100 yards until i stopped and went back to find out what it was

could it be the jubilee clip on the hose? somehitng similar happened to me and turns out that when the garage had replaced a faulty air valve. worth checking it out anyway.

Loads of 'em around Aberdeen - a mix of wavers adn non wavers - I wave to most - but I am sorry to confess that I realised the other day that I'm a bit of a snob, and don't wave to non-turbo's - but then again, I've every reason to think that they won;t wave to me, cause I've never had one wave to me first! Does it make me a bad person to prefer fellow turbos - esp Blue new ages? anyway - I have noticed that certain cars wave more than others, and invariably men wave more than women. In fact, I don't think I have EVER been waved back from a woman. 1 fellow STIs - any age - wave most 2. then WRX Ssaloons - any age 3. then WRX Estate - although the older ones are probably more likely than the younger 4. non turbo - never waive 5. women driving any of the above never wave

I'd be mighty p!ssed off, if I'd shelled out for a new one as soon as they came out. Glad I didn't now - went for the extended warranty for year 4 and 5 instead. Saw a new one in Aberdeen today too heading fromCulter to Westhill - at a rate of knots too....wonder if he is annoyed p

I touch goats

welcome. the roads must be a significant improvement in Aviemore over Edinburgh. I hear the sheep are more attractive in Aviemore too ! p

I've noticed the same lack of Scoobies the further south you go. (occasionally drive to around Derby/Oxford area). Seems to be rare on route (like 3 or 4 last time I did it) and when come back up, as soon as you hit Abz. they become common as muck again... p

you can buy a one year, but I don't think you can extend it after the end of year 4 - not with the manufacturers warranty anyway - probably find an insurance style warranty though. So you need to decide before 36 months. think the cost of the two year warranty was MORE expensive than 2x the single year - probably on the basis that year 4-5 is going to be more risky than year 3-4. You'll also be tied into the servicing by main dealers too. Also it used to be 33 months was the decision point, but they recently extended it to be right up to month 36. - but sure as eggs are eggs, you'll forget, so if you know you want it, don;t leave it till last minute. I'd worked out the potential savings of the warranty on a trade in for a brand new STI - but it just wasn;t going to be worth it. The cost of the warranty is effectively the same as about 3 months depreciation from new (50% depreciation 27k over 3 years - and that's taking it in a straight line, ignoring the mammoth drop it'd take on day 1) Apparantly the wheel nut pattern has also changed, so my master plan of using my spare set of wheels for winter would be up the swanny as well. I don't rate the standard issue tyres for winter. I suppose, like me it'll come down to how much you want the security blanket. ps - you also get normal Subaru roadside assistance for he period of the extension - so I suppose that saves about 200 quid over 2 years

oobster Personally, I don't think the REO70's are a good idea in winter. Those are the ones I change FROM for my winter driving (currently on Toyo Snoprox. Much better) REO70's were very slidy on moist roads and slid going round a corner at just over walking pace in some light snow... the spare wheels are a good idea though. Maybe sell the tyres and get some winter shoes on them - sounds like you got them at a good price anyway p

oobster Personally, I don't think the REO70's are a good idea in winter. Those are the ones I change FROM for my winter driving (currently on Toyo Snoprox. Much better) REO70's were very slidy on moist roads and slid going round a corner at just over walking pace in some light snow... the spare wheels are a good idea though. Maybe sell the tyres and get some winter shoes on them - sounds like you got them at a good price anyway p

saw an article on this (but didn;t buy the magazine as I was in a hurry) is this to be a UK car? looking for it on-line, I can only see it as an import not the prettiest thing I've ever seen - but it has some merit... p

thanks for the input on the warranty question. there is zero chance of me modifying anything (or tracking it) so I would be in the 'play it safe' camp. the one owner before me did not modify it either, so I know which way its going oh, and I'm also a lazy tw@t who knows nowt about cars, and even if I knew what I was doing, I'd rather pay someone to fix it, than fix it myself. (At least I'm honest !) I've had quite a bit of work done on it under warranty in less than 12 months ownership Suppose I'll need to get it serviced by the Subaru garage though- on the plus side I do get Subaru assistance with it (which, I unfortunately had to call on within a month of buying it!) need to look out my chequebook thanks again for views p

hmm. I almost bought one of the o6 STIs sight unseen - based on the brochures (was getting a good tradce in price) Glad I didn;t now, cause the seats sound pants. p

car is now 33 months old and I'm at the point where I am looking at extending the Subaru warranty. anyone got a view on whether it's a good thing or not? Basically, I am not a mechanic and if anything goes wrong, I like the thought of Subaru fixing it for free. Also get Subaru Assist thrown in too. Looking at 2 years - which (with the new prices) will apparantly cost £1126. Not cheap - but then again, if I wanted cheap, I wouldn;t have bought an STI... there used to be a rule that said had to buy it before was 33 months old, but this has just changed, so OK up until end of normal 36 month warranty. p