I would appreciate the BR's advice on what to do with my 1999 Subaru Impreza Turbo which is approaching 90k miles and will require a major cambelt service, new pads and discs and 4 new tyres within the next month. Total damage £1200+. Ouch!
I have 2 options:
1, Pay the big bills and continue to enjoy the Scooby.
2, Trade the car in against something nearly new and significantly cheaper to run and insure (eg 04 Seat Ibiza TDI sport, £8995 @Motorpoint, then chipped to 170 bhp). Cost to change £3000.
I will therefore end up with a car which is 5 years younger, has done 80k fewer miles, has 2 years warranty and has 90% of the Impreza's straight line performance for a net outlay of £1800.
Head-wise, option 2 seems a no-brainer, but I don't really want to part with my Impreza. What do you think I should do?
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This isn't a no brainer choice...seeing the car you have and your options you're clearly not skint...if you can afford the Scooby and want it then keep it. If £1200 is a LOT of money to you then do the latter, if you're clearing £3000 a month in salary then pah..who cares.
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£3k a month? I wish!.
£1200 is not fare short of a month's take-home to me.
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Toss a coin, heads the Scooby, tails the Seat. Whichever side it comes down, if you're then tempted to say OK, best of three, you've got your answer!
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As a Subaru owner and fan, I would say :
Keep the Scooby, hang the expense, no, hang on a minute , get the Ibiza, its cheaper to run.
No, sorry, I've changed my mind - keep the Scooby, its great fun and a brilliant drive every time but ...
they are pricey to run so ........ get the Ibiza !
No, no no, I'm going the other way now - KEEP THE SCOOBY !! KEEP THE SCOOBY !!
I think you'll regret losing the Scooby !
jdc
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(Laughs...)
Those are pretty much my thoughts too...
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I haven't driven either model (unfortunately) but it seems like a hard choice.
2, Trade the car in against something nearly new and significantly cheaper to run and insure (eg 04 Seat Ibiza TDI sport, £8995 @Motorpoint, then chipped to 170 bhp). Cost to change £3000.
I will therefore end up with a car which is 5 years younger, has done 80k fewer miles, has 2 years warranty and has 90% of the Impreza's straight line performance for a net outlay of £1800.
However, if you choose option 2 and chip the Ibiza wont you loose your warranty?
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I like option 3, shop around for cheaper tyres and an independent garage (they can't be too scarce given the popularity of Imprezas) that can do the cambelt. Buy a manual (may not even need it) and do the discs and pads yourself.
Imprezas have a massive following which means lots of enthusiast websites around. These websites often have technical tips/assistance from its members so I would utilize that as much as possible.
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Thanks for the suggestion, mate.
Unfortunately, I was quoted £800+ for the cambelt service and brake work by an independent Impreza specialist after shopping around.
The tyres account for the other £400, but if you are going to own a Scooby, only the best rubber will do. Anything less is a false economy.
Good point about DIYing the brakes, though.
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Don't forget the Scooby has done most of it's depreciation whereas the Seat is just starting. The cheapest car is nearly always the car you own. If you are an enthusiastic driver I think you'll miss the handling and grip of the Impreza.
If the Scooby is causing no problems and has been well looked after, I'd keep it.
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"...but I don't really want to part with my Impreza."
So don't - continue to enjoy it and relax.
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90% of an Imprezas straight line performance in an Ibiza Diesel? That's a tad optimistic don't you think?
And as for corner related performance..
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It's obvious that you want us to tell you to keep the Impreza so you can feel all righteous inside; and why not. Keep your Scuby, what can compare? Since I bought my Outback I'm a new man. Subarus are unbeatable.
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90% of an Imprezas straight line performance in an Ibiza Diesel? That's a tad optimistic don't you think? And as for corner related performance..
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Have you driven a chipped one? 170 bhp and more torque than the Impreza. I was AMAZED.
You're right about the twisty bits, though. No comparison.
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Impreza because:
1. Ibiza is simply amazing for a diesel supermini, but the Impreza is simply amazing;
2. flat four sounds nicer than diesel four;
3. depreciation on Ibiza.
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I reckon if you bought the Ibiza, every time you saw an Impreza, youd yearn for your old car back! Then, you'd go out and buy another Impreza, lose money on the Ibiza selling/part exchanging, and be back where you started: an Impreza owner (which might not be as good as your current car which you know and trust)
Pay for the work to be done (is probably what you really want all along!)
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sell impreza. too fast and noisy and get a pushbike
;-P
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