Owning a Subaru - Any advice?

[Gerry]

Hopefully going to look at a 2nd hand 2007 Subaru Impreza on Wednesday. Was wondering if anyone here has owned one, and if so, what are the pros and cons? I've already done some research but would like to know more about the day-to-day experience of running one.

 

Thanks.

[Hawkeyez]

Midland Scoobies

 

SIDC

 

Forums I requent. Hade a 1998 Sport now for about 4.5 years, not had any major issues. Before I got it, got all the "you will spends alot on servicing" etc "high fuel costs"

Yes, with my heavy foot, city driving is 23-26 depending on time of year, but at the same time, my dads Focus was worse!

If you are getting a turbo, I would definatly recommend finding a local garage that has expierance of Subaru's.

 

Gary

[LiamH]

Just remember that corners should be taken sideways and away you go.

[Hawkeyez]

Just remember that corners should be taken sideways and away you go.

 

And finding a nice empty (large) carpark in the snow is the best time you will have....

 

Gary

[3s-gtech]

Turbo or non? The NA models are not quick, even the 2.0. The turbo (in whichever form) is obviously a weapon. Can be pretty thirsty. Great build quality though.

[Gerry]

Going to look at an RB320 at a garage, 52k on the clock. Currently own a Focus RS Mk 1 and the MPG looks like it will be similar. Any problems I should look out for?

[Hawkeyez]

RB320! Nice. I assume you have found RB320 Owners Club

 

3S-gtech: yes, comparing against a Turbo, the NA isnt that fast, but the NA is no snail.

[FN-GM]

How old are you? I assume you have an idea on the cost of insurence.

[3s-gtech]

but the NA is no snail.

 

I drove a classic 2.0 NA a while back - it was alright, but a modern diesel in the same class would scorch it. Not been in one as recent as the OP is seeing, so may be much better now.

[Gerry]

@gparr: Yup, came accross the 320oc during my research.

@FN-GM: Quite old - got 10 years no claims. I did a quick quote online and was pleasantly surprised to see it was less than I expected!

[FN-GM]

@FN-GM: Quite old - got 10 years no claims. I did a quick quote online and was pleasantly surprised to see it was less than I expected!

 

Your lucky, for me it would be huge!

[Gerry]

Still not cheap though, but I am over 25. It's roughly £150 more than my RS, but I added breakdown cover to the quote. I think tax is going to hurt a bit more.

[sted]

Your lucky, for me it would be huge!

 

dont bank on it sometimes you can get cheap insurance on silly cars iirc i was once quoted less for a sierra cosworth than a 1.8d orion its silly

[flyinghaggis]

I think tax is going to hurt a bit more.

 

Yeah, the top c02 bracket post 2006 prices are pretty harsh so road tax would be around £450 pear year IIRC. Plus by all accounts you'll be lucky to get 20mpg so it'll definitely cost a good bit more to run than the Focus RS. I was tempted by one a few years back but the running costs scared me off to be honest!

[Martin]

Midland Scoobies

 

SIDC

 

Forums I requent. Hade a 1998 Sport now for about 4.5 years, not had any major issues. Before I got it, got all the "you will spends alot on servicing" etc "high fuel costs"

 

...and don't forget Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Owners, Repairs, Wheels, Racing, Research - ScoobyNet.com

 

mb (a life member of the SIDC )

[Mr.G]

Impreza = one of "the" best handling cars on the planet. Someone previously in the post mentioned build quality being great.....nonsense, it's not German and feels rather like a sardine tin while inside. I had an RB5, rated really highly in Evo Magazine "The RB5 is truly outstanding, each ingredient perfectly in balance with the next – power to grip, weight to damping force."

 

I'd say stick with a German car. How about a nice UR Quattro

[Gerry]

How do you find the RS day to day Gerry?

 

Not too bad. Just like a normal 3DR Focus but with more oomph!

 

In fact I've just delivered 9 PC's (unboxed) with LCD monitors (boxed), a switch and 2 laptop docking bays + a couple of boxes with all the required bits with it.

Edited January 24, 2011 by Gerry

[Gerry]

Impreza = one of "the" best handling cars on the planet. Someone previously in the post mentioned build quality being great.....nonsense, it's not German and feels rather like a sardine tin while inside. I had an RB5, rated really highly in Evo Magazine "The RB5 is truly outstanding, each ingredient perfectly in balance with the next – power to grip, weight to damping force."

 

I'd say stick with a German car. How about a nice UR Quattro

 

I do quite like Audi's, but they're a bit too pricey. Anyway, the RB320 isn't a guaranteed buy yet, but it looked like the most promising upgrade...

[SYNACK]

The NA 2.0s are snails and the 1.6 NA ones are dead snails, the turbo ones are ok though. Just be ready for big labour charges if anything needs doing on it given the boxer engine you pretty much need to yank the whole thing out to to anything much more major than an oil change. Also make sure the running gear is in good condition, diffs etc. the turbo is also a good thing to look at because over the years the seals and hoses can loose some of their containment leading to a sluggish leaking turbo that needs all new seals etc. should usually have a look at that kind of think at about 100,000 kms.

[john]

A friend of mine his only just recently sold his RB320, got an Audi Q7 now instead I noticed on his drive the other day (why who knows!) but he said he loved it and was a great car so I am sure you will enjoy it if you get it

[Gibbo]

The biggest negative of owning a Scooby is that everyone will think you're a tw@, regardless of who you are and how good the car is - mainly because of the muppets who drive around in the ones which look like they've been stolen from the Paris - Dakar rally!

 

Something like this:

 

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/photo-gallery/subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-2006/2006-subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-1.jpg

[DAZZD88]

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/photo-gallery/subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-2006/2006-subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-1.jpg

 

That looks awesome though and IMHO should be how all scoobies look. Just like all Kawasaki Ninjas should be bright green.

[Gerry]

Looks awesome, but yeah, the tw@ factor of that version is quite high unless you're rallying it! The RB320 is obsidian black only and is a bit more subtle...

[MK-2]

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/photo-gallery/subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-2006/2006-subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-1.jpg

 

used to have one of those at the end of our old street with an exhaust you could fit a smart car into. the bloke forever sat there just revving it, or trying to get up to 50 on the 20m of road we had.

i think thats the thing, certain cars have certain stigma and its the idiots like that who make it worse for the normal people who genuinely love the cars

[john]

The biggest negative of owning a Scooby is that everyone will think you're a tw@, regardless of who you are and how good the car is - mainly because of the muppets who drive around in the ones which look like they've been stolen from the Paris - Dakar rally!

 

Something like this:

 

http://www.auto-power-girl.com/photo-gallery/subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-2006/2006-subaru-impreza-sti-wrc-1.jpg

 

I do wanta Scooby at some point and want it stickered like that.... I don't however want all the extra antenni ad the plastic crud on the spoiler.