Has anyone on here owned one?

What are they like to live with?

How are they on fuel?

Maintenance, repairs ect...

Thinking of selling/trading my mk1 fabia vrs and getting one. Always loved them and always wanted one.

My mate has one an hes taking me for a shot in it at the weekend so il ask him some questions and let you know

I was a Subaru salesman. The STI is brilliant fun, but expect around 23-25mpg and less if you use it properly. The UK spec cars have no rear wiper and a slightly different turbo compared to the Japanese imports. The 2003 to 2006 edition looks the best I think before they did the swept back lights look. There's not a massive amount of room but fine for most people. Pretty robust and reliable.

I'm not sure on servicing costs etc but to give you an idea my best mate owned a 2008 sti (new model) and it cost less to service at a main dealer than his Volvo S60 D5.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions and I'll try and answer them.

My mate has one an hes taking me for a shot in it at the weekend so il ask him some questions and let you know

Nice one. Cheers!

I was a Subaru salesman. The STI is brilliant fun, but expect around 23-25mpg and less if you use it properly. The UK spec cars have no rear wiper and a slightly different turbo compared to the Japanese imports. The 2003 to 2006 edition looks the best I think before they did the swept back lights look. There's not a massive amount of room but fine for most people. Pretty robust and reliable.

I'm not sure on servicing costs etc but to give you an idea my best mate owned a 2008 sti (new model) and it cost less to service at a main dealer than his Volvo S60 D5.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions and I'll try and answer them.

Exactly what I want to hear!!! Not too bothered about mpg really. My fabia hardly gets used as it is. So might aswell go get something that I really want!!

Also, there's a fair few modded ones out there, so do some research on Scooby fora, and make sure any mods use quality parts (eg include Apexi, GReddy...)

Yeah..lots of modded ones so choose carefully. There was the prodrive kits which take power up a notch

I would probably go for a unmodified one and then make it my own with some subtle mods, if I modded it all. Too many shouty ones round this way. Can hear them ragging the nuts off them from a couple of miles away!

I've spent some time with a prodrive one and it was very impressive. The ride quality was terrible though and it was very uncomfortable to use for any long drives. We have a few here and they seem pretty reliable though, unlike the 2.5l ones that replaced them.

Crap boots - the hinges protrude into the boot space so you need to pack the boot whilst remembering to leave space for two big bars to drop into it!

Rather have an evo

I've spent some time with a prodrive one and it was very impressive. The ride quality was terrible though and it was very uncomfortable to use for any long drives. We have a few here and they seem pretty reliable though, unlike the 2.5l ones that replaced them.

Anything has got to be more comfortable than a fabia vrs on JOM coilovers!!

Rather have an evo

Don't get me wrong. I love evos, but it does not have the same appeal to me as a subaru does.

http://bit.ly/17SEYKF

Something like this Danny, I was very tempted by it, well written add and very nice car!

I do think the rally pedigree gives people the impression they are bullet proof, sadly they don't last last if neglected or service schedules missed. the servicing is every 7500 miles and includes all oils and filters.

 

The engines/turbo need to be warmed up and cooled down without fail and ragging the engine when cold will shorten its life massively. A common fail are the big ends especially after a hard prolonged pull in fourth with a few occupants in the car (yep I've been there) espesially if the engine is a bit tired with dodgy oil pressure.

 

Too many chavs have got hold of the classic version and mod, rag and neglect them to death.

 

All the best with whatever you choose

Yup, the only one I would buy used is from a guy I know who has had his since new, has always treated it well and spared no expense on its maintenance. It's not for sale though

It's very hard to find a used one that hasn't been modded or ruined.

http://bit.ly/17SEYKF

Something like this Danny, I was very tempted by it, well written add and very nice car!

That is very tempting. Got to check with the bank manager. Oh no I mean the mrs!

THE best combo, Mica blue with gold wheels :love:

Don't get me wrong. I love evos, but it does not have the same appeal to me as a subaru does.

I think you either like subaru's or evo's

I like evo's as my old boy used to have an evo iv back in the day. Bought it when it was almost new. Used to hitch a lift to school when i was late!

I used to be late an aweful lot for this reason

I'm with you Jase, I've always been an Evo fan.  Bit like Ford vs Vauxhall back in the day I suppose, you prefer one to the other.  Having said that, I've never even sat in one. :(

I'm with you Jase, I've always been an Evo fan. Bit like Ford vs Vauxhall back in the day I suppose, you prefer one to the other. Having said that, I've never even sat in one. :(

My old boy had a group a rally car full exhaust system

It went like shi7 off a shovel. Still had the 112mph limiter on it though

The best memory i had of it was going on holiday. Car was 4 up with 2 cases in the boot.

Came up against a 911. Was too young to know what kind but the 911 driver glanced over... Smiled and nodded.... Lights turned green and it was bye bye 911!

Was hilarious

I'm a rally nut! It's the mcrae/burns/solberg thing that makes me want a Subaru over a Evo. If I had the money I would have both.

Isn't the service interval 5000 miles?

Isn't insurance on Imprezas stupidly high?

When i bought mine (2001) servicing costs did not seem that expensive in comparison to other makes at the time. The one thing i do recall was that a cam belt change was going to be in the region of £800. Can't say what it would be today but maybe worth checking before buying in case you need to factor it in to the sale price.

Fuel economy will be probably best at about 25 mpg and high octane fuel (super unleaded) is a must. After that enjoy

And definitely a Scooby over an Evo, they did bring us Colin McRae.