Impreza WRX STI 2004 vs 06 buying advice please!

[Giggity21]

Hi all,

 

I am looking to buy my first Subaru, as i have recently realised that my dream of owning an Impreza WRX STI can now become a reality following four years of (mostly) careful driving which has allowed me to build up enough no claims to make insurance finally affordable. I am torn between either the 2004 or 2006 models as i think they are the best looking ones within my budget, does anyone have any advice on making this decision? (ie how are they to drive, mpg, power and delivery, refinement, depreciation, and reliability/parts which may need replacing soon etc) i would really appreciate all advice from people who know these cars!

 

I am currently looking at this one because it is just spectacular looking (although a bit out of my budget!) does anyone know anything about it??:

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406175078961/usedcars?logcode=visc

 

Or maybe this one too (bit more realistic):

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311220080324/usedcars?logcode=visc

 

I am really looking for an untouched car which is as standard as possible as this will help with insurance and hopefully maintenance fees!? Does anyone recommend any dealers/inspection firms as i would like to have any car i was going to buy checked over beforehand to save on any nasty surprises down the line..

 

Cheers in advance for any and all advice! 

[stants]

Hello & welcome,

as for the impreza I'm sure one of our owners will be along to help out, have a look in the buying guide for things to look out for,

Main differences between an 04 and an 06 car will be the running costs, more specifically 06 cars fall into the new high level tax bracket 450+ where as the 04 car will be 280ish I think, general running won't be much different, as for the two examples you've picked the 1st one would need a friendly mot tester to get it through each year due to having no cat. In some cases having modifications will bring the insurance down as the company sees that your an enthusiast and takes care and has put money into it and not a complete numpty, if you did decide to get one thats has had some stuff done ask to see receipts just dont take somones word for it that it has millions of horespower,

[Scooby Pete]

I'm no expert but best advice is give them a test drive and see what you like best.

There are subtle differences between versions and I don't know enough anorak stuff to tell you what's what.

What I will say is, You will hear a lot about ringland failure on the 2.5's. Whilst in my opinion it's a fair amount of scaremongering there is some truth to it.

Whilst this was an issue with a small percentage of cars it was down to people putting too much power into the standard engine, poor maintainence, bad mapping or ragging the nuts out of the car. If the car your looking is well maintained, well set up and hasn't had it by now then as long as you maintain it properly there's no reason it shouldn't carry on.

If the engine has been rebuilt then as long as it was done properly again no issues. Although it would be wary of a rebuilt engine and would want a proper inspection before buying.

Don't get blinded by the rally look stickers on cars, do the proper checks and if poss get a local Subaru specialist to do an inspection it rather the RAC/AA

Being from Surrey you are lucky in that there lots of scoob specialist in the area. Dan at Surrey Subaru specialists is very good

There is also TFS, GRD, Jolly Green Monster (one of the best mappers in the country) Proven Subaru (Dealer) just off the top of my head.

I would recommend you join up at http://www.surreyscoobies.co.uk/forums/index.php

It's my local club aswell and they are a great bunch of guys who are all local to Surrey. We meet every 2nd Sunday of the month at the Fairmile pub in Cobham. Your more than welcome to pop along Sccob or not.

[Giggity21]

Cheers for the advice, I spoke to some of the experts reccomended near me at great length so now know a lot more about what to look for. Already decided against both of the cars I mentioned earlier and have been to see a fair few cars. I found one I really like from these guys:

http://www.cheshireperformance.co.uk

And am wondering if anyone has any advice on them? I would be putting all my money into one of their cars but want to check they are well regarded as I really don't want to get ripped off! (It's worth mentioning that when I went to see the cars they were nice guys and seemed genuine but I am no scooby expert so just being careful)

Can anyone help with this?

Cheers!

[JusNoGood]

My view....

Go for the 04

The Hawk looks like a Seat from the front and unless you get a pre May one tax is £500 [emoji90] then all the engine worries.

[JusNoGood]

Whoops not read your latest post :)

They do seem to be big scoob dealers...I did see good and bad reviews when I was investigating them.

Me personally, if I'm buying a second hand car I treat 2nd hand car salesmen the same as private sales. The service doesn't generally warrant some of the crazy mark up. Make sure you check over the car properly regardless of who you buy from.

[stants]

Looks like they know how to charge, you going in waving hard cash or have anything to px against ?

[Giggity21]

Yeah the price is top end i know but these cars do seem to sell themselves pretty easily, i have not seen any like the one I'm looking at for less that £11k, ('55 end of production, widetrack sti, absolutely standard) I'm selling my old car and going in waving cash as will be getting a  better price for my current motor through private sale. 

 

appreciate the advice as always!

[stants]

You not thought about getting a fresh import ?

[Giggity21]

insurance just makes that impossible, I appreciate all the advice guys have done a lot of reading and phoning recently and have a fairly good idea of what to look for. Also having rac inspection done on car I am very keen on so hopefully all will come back acceptable

[Jay762]

keep us posted on how you get on ;)

[Giggity21]

Hi all,

Had an inspection done on a car I like, they said it was fairly clean few things need doing, all wheel realignment and rear disks, new tyres etc.. But worryingly the engine number dosent match the v5. I am thinking this is a really bad thing as the milage is now meaningless, any advice?

[JusNoGood]

I'd walk away mate. Plenty of cars out there [emoji3]

[Giggity21]

Yeah i think thats what im gonna do. Bitterly dissapointed though. This car had everyrhing i was looking for!! So hard to find decent ones

[Giggity21]

Anyone sees any '05-'55 sti's knocking about please post them here I'm case I have missed them as back to square one looking now..

[JusNoGood]

Yea it's a pain but prob save you money and hassle later. Does take a bit of patience unfortunately. Good luck mate

[Giggity21]

cheers, ill be asking for more advice over the next few weeks if i find anymore i like, bit deflated about the whole thing but thankfully not too badly out of pocket, save for the rac inspection. Thinking next time ill insist it gets taken to a scooby specialist for a full inspection??