The Vrs is a warm hatch, nothing wrong with that though. The worst aspect is the handling for me. I’ve owned some properly quick cars in my time and speed isn’t the most important aspect. One of the most fun cars I’ve driven was a 998 mini cooper with hydrolastic suspension. Loved that car.
So is the 2.5 any better or reliable than the 2.0. Is the blobeye sti the one to go for?

I can’t comment on the reliability of the 2.5. I’ve driven a 330s new shape (10 plate I think) and it missed that low down rip of the original 2litre, however it was better in gear for accelerating. I actually put down a deposit on an rb320 a few years ago. I took that out and it was awesome handling and braking but again didn’t seem much quicker than my 300. I pulled out of the sale because it just hadn’t been looked after well enough previously, silly things like non matching tyres and scuffed wheels. I wish now I had bought as they’ve held their money incredibly well.
So after all that, if I could get an unmodded 2 litre with 60k on then Id go for that over the 2.5

The 2.0 is a stronger engine, on the 2.5 the head gasket(s) is (are) a little thin between the cylinders and they eventually start to leak. I don’t think it’s a massive deal to fix it but the 2.0s don’t do it. FWIW, neither does the 3.0 flat 6 in the Legacy / Outback, which is a superb engine (apart from the fuel consumption obviously).
The stories of big ends going are from bad oil change practise which they seem sensitive to and bad tuning / imports that weren’t remapped for uk fuel. The older classic imports don’t have a very sophisticated ECU and are mapped for 100 octane Japanese fuel. Without a remap they can’t pull the timing back far enough for uk fuel and they eventually suffer severe enough detonation to kill them.
If you make sure the car you are getting is either a uk car or well mapped and are a little careful with the oil changes (turn it over on the starter until the oil pressure light goes out with the crank position sensor unplugged so it doesn’t fire up), you’ll be fine.
They aren’t hard to work on yourself and there is a huge amount of info available on how to do it on forums like Scoobynet which is huge and very busy.

FWIW, neither does the 3.0 flat 6 in the Legacy / Outback, which is a superb engine (apart from the fuel consumption obviously).

That’s good to know! I’m having an operation on my bunion next month and won’t be able to drive for two months unless it’s an auto.
‘er indoors is dreading it!

That’s good to know! I’m having an operation on my bunion next month and won’t be able to drive for two months unless it’s an auto.

Legacy 3.0 auto will do fine then. Much quicker than the official figures suggest, i.e my Outback 3.0 easily produced a 6.2 second run to 60 simply by standing on the throttle and letting the auto do it’s thing. The official number says 8.4. It’s a super smooth motor and sounds lovely. The Legacy is quite nice car and although it’s not a BMW or Audi, it’s very nice inside for a Subaru and well equipped.

Legacy 3.0 auto will do fine then. Much quicker than the official figures suggest, i.e my Outback 3.0 easily produced a 6.2 second run to 60 simply by standing on the throttle and letting the auto do it’s thing. The official number says 8.4. It’s a super smooth motor and sounds lovely. The Legacy is quite nice car and although it’s not a BMW or Audi, it’s very nice inside for a Subaru and well equipped.
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Excellent! My old Forester S turbo was an auto. They do make you very lazy, especially with some low down dirty grunt.

I had an 03 WRX and I miss it every day I have to drive round in my poxy van.
Interior as said, not the best but it was absolutely 100% reliable for me. Apart from MOT’s and petrol I didn’t spend a penny on it in two years. The boot’s not massive but when it’s that much fun who cares? It was one of those cars that when you fill it up, you don’t care because of the enjoyment you’ll have running it out of petroleum again.
Also it was the year when we had about two feet of snow and ice for a month, and my wife pinched it off me every day to drive around for work. It absolutely rocks in the snow.

Spec B should fit the bill. Best car ever IMO.
I do miss it 😥

Spec B legacy, is that an import or a proper uk spec car?

Guessing that is UK spec. Unless things have changed don’t most grey imports have a squareer number plate? All the older Honda did.

UK I think, the JDM ones have a different bumper if I remember correctly, however I could be wrong. Nice car 🙂

I had an L reg which was 200bhp, (the earliest one I think) but very light.
It was stock, made the best noise ever, and was a hoot.
250 miles to a very small tank (£50).
There are also lots of specialist garages to look after it, and are reasonable.
God it was ugly.
I loved it

OH GOD there’s an extremely cheap spec b on ebay and it’s just 20 miles away. Must not buy…

PS anyone want to buy a mondeo with absolutely nothing wrong with it and no dubious history, no sir.

I borrowed the BiL’s ’03 WRX for a few weeks and I’d have another in a flash. Great fun and practical car. Bikes on a rack and heaps of space left over inside, space for a roof box too if you must. Impreza’s a common as muck in NZ though which probably keeps the servicing a little more reasonable.

Having that much power and great handling on tap makes you drive like a twunt though.

Just in case anyone’s got a bug-eye scooby estate I’ve got a rigid load liner that’s free to a good home, you just have to collect it (too big to post). It’s a genuine Subaru product that cost me a canny wack, hence why I can’t bring myself to throw it out. I’d rather give it away.

Anyway, if it’s of any use please email me.

Ta

What mileages are you/did you get on your Subaru’s?

LardLover – Member

Just in case anyone’s got a bug-eye scooby estate I’ve got a rigid load liner that’s free to a good home, you just have to collect it (too big to post). It’s a genuine Subaru product that cost me a canny wack, hence why I can’t bring myself to throw it out. I’d rather give it away.

Anyway, if it’s of any use please email me.

Yes please if you are North East based!

It’s all yours 😉

I will have to get someone to get it out the loft for me as I’m restricted at the mo (after getting knocked off my bike – broken shoulder/ribs/wrist).

Those spec B Legacy’s seem to get better economy with the auto box. Nice cars. The 3.0L’s are not turbo charged are they?

They only get quoted as being more economical in auto, in reality they do 18-23 mpg. I got 28 average on a run down to Cornwall and back, cruise control helps!

The uk spec b is 3.0 flat 6, the import is a flat 4 turbo. The flat six is a beauty, ignore the minor power deficit, the drivability is great.

I wish this thread would **** off! Bringing all the heart ache back like an old girlfriend!

It’s funny we are all young and daft once then we end up with kids and become all sensible then we think hang on a minute when did I turn into my Grandad!!! This is a good compromise.

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