NunchukHamster Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 After extended "negotiations" with Mrs Hamster, I have finally convinced her of the "need" for me to have a weekend toy. I am looking at spending £4k-£5k, and have always wanted a Subaru Impreza or Lancer Evo, which are both available in this price range and in decent condition. I have several questions which I need some help with: 1. With the Impreza, the standard UK one's are 214 Bhp I believe. On the imports, am I right in thinking a standard one is 240 Bhp, and the WRX is 280 Bhp? 2. Are there any issues with either Subaru or Mitsubishi with regards to servicing or obtaining parts for grey imports? (I realise there are plenty of privates that are experts in these cars) 3. With regards to reliability, my understanding is that an unmolested (i.e. un-modified) Impreza is pretty bulletproof. What about the Evo? 4. How are they both for comfort for taller drivers? (I'm 6'6") The car won't often do a long run, but you never know! 5. And finally, which would you choose and why? Thanks one & all, I know how some of you like to help others spend their cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 [ QUOTE ] 5. And finally, which would you choose [/ QUOTE ] Impreza. [ QUOTE ] and why? [/ QUOTE ] Personal preference, possibly relating to styling and image more than anything as both are highly capable machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I don't know the answers to the first 4 unfortunately, but I'd go for the Evo. This is just my opinion, so please don't get angry folks, but the average older style Scooby driver is a barry who thinks they've bought an WRC car and drive like a loon. Obviously this is stereotyping, but imho the Evo has the better image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I don't know the answers to the first 4 unfortunately, but I'd go for the Evo. This is just my opinion, so please don't get angry folks, but the average older style Scooby driver is a barry who thinks they've bought an WRC car and drive like a loon. Obviously this is stereotyping, but imho the Evo has the better image. [/ QUOTE ] Same here as well. All the "old" Scoobies around here are mostly chavved to the max. In any case, I think the Evo has a better image than the Scoobie, maybe only in as much as there are fewer of them on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I think the Evo would be the better handling car. My advice is as follows: Take the week off work. Prepare test driving of all nice cars that fit in to your bracket around the country. Spend the rest of the time at the track! Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Personally - I'd go for the Scooby. The engine sound is fantastic! Reliability - they are Japanese, so should be no real issues! Scooby_Simon should be able to fill you in on the Scooby side of things. The Japanese section might have some stuff in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesK Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 It's the Evo for me I love the look of it and it's supposed to be the better handling, but don't quote me! ( I know ScoobySimon will put me right ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steffiraf Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I don't know the answers to the first 4 unfortunately, but I'd go for the Evo. This is just my opinion, so please don't get angry folks, but the average older style Scooby driver is a barry who thinks they've bought an WRC car and drive like a loon. Obviously this is stereotyping, but imho the Evo has the better image. [/ QUOTE ] How dare you! I'd really like an Evo, however the servicing puts me off. Every 7k miles, i think not! Parts are no problem for either, although probably scoobs are easier/cheaper. With regard to the uk/import(DBM/JDM for those in the know, like myself ), i personally prefer the uk(current car). Have had both and the i found the gearing on the WRX very snatchy and the ratio too close. Great for 0-80 but after that it screams it whatnots off. Depends what you want from it. Oh and be very wary of anything modded. My advice would be to get a standard and mod it yourself, although standards are very hard to find now. That way you know exactly what you're getting. Pre '99 scoobs are easily chipped without the need for a complete remap etc. I'm no expert, and simon will probably correct me, but there ya go, my tuppence worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Cannot comment on the Evo... Scoobies, for that Price I assume you are looking at an original shape WRX. All the info you'll ever need is at SIDC and a full rundown of models etc is at the SIDC FAQ This is where I worked out that my car is a MY96 build except the engine that is a MY97 ! (so I get a few more Torques ) What is an older scooby like to live with? Well, I only do about 6K miles per year and most of these are either going to the sailing club on Sunday mornings, or travelling with the boat, as you are hiving this as a toy, you'll not really care that the seats come down and you can get a fair amount of stuff in it. If you have kids, be carefull, it took ages to find a car seat that would fit my car Is it Fun to drive; YES. Does it drink petrol if you drive hard - very much so. BUT, if pootling around I can get 35+ MPG (I can also get less than 10 is I try). As steffiraf says, older ones can be tweakes easily, but at this age I would suggest you buy an un-turned one and then tickle it yourself. One thing to check carefully is that cars around the 96 build (SIDC has the details) had leaky alloys. Would I buy another Scooby, yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
330dcoupe Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 My personal opinion. If your looking for comfort - forget it! they are both very uncomfortable but you can now buy after market leather bucket seats which are great..and allot more comfortable than the standard seats. (the ones they are currently using at all the football grounds spring to mind) With regards to the Evo - you know what your getting - they are all 279bhp + but with the Subaru's having so many different specs, it's quite easy to be lulled into the wrong model - so if you pick the scooby - make sure you check and then check some more! Personally I would go for the Evo - for me they are still a very rare species on our roads, unlike the Subaru which is quite a common site these days. (I wonder if these people have them serviced at the required intervals??) So for me it would have to be the Evo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 also forgot to say; older scoobies are 7500 miles or 9 months ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Any older Jap sports Turbo car will need regular oil changes. The MR2 Turbo and GT4 i had both required a oil and oil filter change min every 5k but i did it myself around every 4k max. It just helps to keep up the reliability and when you drive like i used to then it was wise to keep it well maintained. Going by what my friend has told me who owns a Evo 7 he said that the parts tend to be a lot more expensive compared to the scoobies. Also with regards to the servicing, unless you have bought a new Evo I dont see the benifit of getting a stamp at your local dealership for the service so DIY is the way to go or a reputable back street garage you trust. The newer Evo's dealership service costs are shocking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 [ QUOTE ] also forgot to say; older scoobies are 7500 miles or 9 months ! [/ QUOTE ] And isn't it 4.5k miles for the Evo? Problems for the earlier Imprezas are leaky alloys, as already stated, and weakish gearboxes (they're not as strong as the Legacy that preceded them). Other than that, they're pretty much bullet-proof if regularly serviced. If it were my money I'd go for an unmolested late 90s UK Impreza Turbo. Enough power, relaxed gearing for the motorway, easy servicing, reasonable insurance. But then I'd look at the '91-'94 Legacy and think to myself: 95% of the performance of the Impreza, half the price to buy, half the cost to insure, less attention from the plod or TWOCers, better ride... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 AFAIK the early Impreza imports (JDM) were 240bhp (red seat inserts) and the later ones were 270bhp (grey inserts). I had an early one and the thing flew, no doubt about it. IIRC #3 cylinder can sometimes cause problems, and the JDM ones definitely need superunleaded fuel (mine pinked like buggery if it was run on std 95 RON). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NunchukHamster Posted May 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Thanks for all the above guys. Yes, it is an original, un-modified Impreza I was thinking of. But, following further negotiating, I can expand the budget a bit, which means M & N plate Skylines are now an option too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] M & N plate Skylines are now an option too. [/ QUOTE ] Oooo, one of them, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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