Hi. Just joined, some questions.....

[Nails]

Hi All,

I will be totally honest, I am a bit of a honda fanboy and am in the process of trying to source a Honda Integra Type R (DC5). I drove one the other day and it did not quite live up to my expectations, it may have been the example I drove that was at fault, so I have not given up on the idea as such.

However, the other day it occurred to me I had never really considered a Subaru Impreza STI. I drove a 2002 WRX once, I test drove an Accord Type R the same day and in my opinion the Accord was far superior in every way so I bought one of those and never looked back.

The STI appeals to me as it is in a different league performance wise.

One of my main questions for you guys is that, is a 10-15 year old STI going to be a reliable car? I will be using it as a daily, but have access to my girlfriends car for days where I don't fancy taking it to work. I reckon I will do 8-10k miles a year.

I don't know much about Impreza's really so any advice would be welcome. My budget is around £9.5k.

Thanks

[Rdlangy1]

I would say for that budget you will be able to source a nice STi in the age bracket you are looking for.

The important thing would be knowing as much of the history as possible as with a car 10-15yrs old - it will probably have seen a few owners so checking cam belts being done, regular oil changes, things like that will help.

10yrs old car will give you an STi Blobeye - any older and you will be looking at a Bugeye

See which you prefer the look of, and hope to see you in a scoob soon

Ryan

[BIG"E"]

Originally Posted by Rdlangy1

I would say for that budget you will be able to source a nice STi in the age bracket you are looking for.

The important thing would be knowing as much of the history as possible as with a car 10-15yrs old - it will probably have seen a few owners so checking cam belts being done, regular oil changes, things like that will help.

10yrs old car will give you an STi Blobeye - any older and you will be looking at a Bugeye k

I believe STI Blobs were introduced in 2003.

Welcome to SES Nails.

[Rdlangy1]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

I believe STI Blobs were introduced in 2003.

Welcome to SES Nails.

Correct as always Ian

[Nails]

Thanks for the welcome guys. Having had a quick read at some of the threads on here, it seems that people tend to use these cars as weekend toys. Is that because the running costs are really bad? Or because they are not reliable as a daily?

[Rdlangy1]

Quite a few use as daily runners... they aren't as cheap as a mondeo or focus no- but reliable if looked after

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Nails

Thanks for the welcome guys. Having had a quick read at some of the threads on here, it seems that people tend to use these cars as weekend toys. Is that because the running costs are really bad? Or because they are not reliable as a daily?

I used mine as a daily for three years and, aside from a duff battery, it never missed a beat...

...the reason I retired it from daily use was primarily because I was racking up the mileage up on it just sitting in traffic. If you have a more fun commute I did, then everyday use might be more worthwhile.

They are expensive to run (my Impreza replaced a Civic and it was more than that), especially if you have a heavy right foot. I wouldn't say it's excessive though and, for the smile it will put on your face, it's a cost worth paying! As has been said, as long as it is well serviced (and sensibly modified) you shouldn't have any more worry than any other second hand car.

[Nails]

Any feedback on these 2 examples?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...--2005/6852526

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...scroll/5984572

[Rdlangy1]

JDM one for my liking

[Red Baron]

Both look good, clean, unmolested examples, the JDM one has a silicone inlet hose which may indicate that it's had further work carried out in Japan but difficult to tell.

Don't know much about Hurst Cars, think they charge top rates. Personally I'd be looking at that rather nice grey V5 Sti.

[scotty]

Hello and welcome go with newage JDM twin scroll if you can stretch you budget for a good one .

[Steve_PPP]

The JDM car in your link also has a full set of STI Genome Defi guages and controller. Pretty rare and worth £500-600 easily as a set if sold.... if that helps justify the extra cash

[bigemp]

Have a 2003 jdm if you wanted a look over one to compare against uk sti plus will probably be going up for sale after trip to the ring and welcome to ses

[SamSTI]

Hi and welcome to ses

Definitely buy Bigemp's car if he sells!! All his cars have been well looked after.
One of these days Dave you'll keep one lol

[Ginola]

to SES Nails, and good luck with the search!

[bigemp]

Originally Posted by SamSTI

Hi and welcome to ses

Definitely buy Bigemp's car if he sells!! All his cars have been well looked after.
One of these days Dave you'll keep one lol

Ha ha cheers Sam,time for a change....maybe!!!

[munk]

Originally Posted by bigemp

Ha ha cheers Sam,time for a change....maybe!!!

hahaha man after my own heart.

[Neil97rs]

Welcome
I've heard good things about hurst cars . Know nothing really about the new age cars my love is for the classic

[Bolesroor]

Howdy do and welcome. If I was to change my current scoob for another I would go jdm

Hurst cars seem to have good cars, lots of posts on *coobynet about them ,positive and negative. They had a nice ra-r on reasonable mileage not so long ago but it was at the top end I was very tempted to go and view and the research I did on them they seemed ok imo.

You don't fancy a new civic type r then, I just read the review on PH ,you could use your budget for the deposit and stop eating to pay for the monthly payments

Good luck with your search.

[Nails]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think the next stage is for me to drive one to see if like them enough to buy one. It sounds like the UK cars will be more within my budget, the JDM cars seem to be a couple of grand more at least.

[bigemp]

Originally Posted by munk

hahaha man after my own heart.

Cant keep up with you though lol

Originally Posted by Neil97rs

Welcome
I've heard good things about hurst cars . Know nothing really about the new age cars my love is for the classic

Had some nice cars when i went too look just dont ask to take one out for a test drive if its raining lol

[chrisp]

11k to me is quite steep for an early jdm blob but jdm would be my preference as long as you don't want the usual flat 4 burble

[scotty]

Btw i know of a rare blue/black sti prodrive bug going forsale at 6k and just been mapped by Andy Forrest in march this year .