Ekona

And you're surprised an impressive bit of delicate engineering is expensive to replace when it goes wrong? If you stick with the main dealers, the cost is always around £100p/h, regardless of brand. Kyle is spot-on when he talks about comparing service costs between marques, as they're not that different anymore. Granted, an annual service on a Ferrari is going to be significantly more than on a Micra, but a Zed, a Cayman or a 135i are all going to be in the same ballpark.

Ah, you found the guffinsprocket!

Without a shadow of a doubt. The STi has a better constructed engine, a 6 spd 'box and not made from chocolate, different chassis bits, better brakes etc. You could tune a WRX up to give similar power to a stock STi, but you'd need to do the gearbox and brakes too so it would be cheaper to get an STi in the first place.

No sweat mate, I like people who can argue their case whilst keeping either a sense of humour or backing it up with reasons. You did both

Yup Drove both WRX hawkeye and STi blobeye before we bought ours. I expected to prefer the newer WRX but it was slow and dull and felt like a repmobile. The STi felt bonkers and mega and zany, and as they were the same price we bought the older STi. One of the most fun cars I've ever driven, although also the least subtle. You hang on rather than drive it unlike a Zed, but it's just different ways of getting a thrill really. I'd rather an E36 than a WRX, but an STi over anything. They are very, very special cars, much like the way an M car isn't just a normal Beemer.

I can get a Black one for £310. I think I'm going to go for it, just before Spa next month.

I said 'equivalent age'. That pic you used was from an original Impreza, not a new age one. Like for like, I don't think there's much in it, sorry. And yes, 996 interiors are chuff, as is the PCM2.1 on the 997.

For £35K there's a whole load of other cars I'd be looking at. They don't seem to hold their value any better than anything else either, at £18K for a less than three years old 30i. I suspect you're going to buy one anyway because you like BMWs, like you did with the 320i, not because it's actually a decent car at a decent price. Well, they're good cars, but like the 320i they're not sporty cars.

About as exciting as a parsnip. Nice interiors though. What is the budget?

:lol: :lol: Expected £40K :lol: :lol:

Agreed. The Zed isn't noticeably any better inside than an equivalent age Impreza. Certainly the STi seats are much nicer, despite not being leather or heated.

The majority of buyers out there don't know their arse from their elbow. They'll only check tyre tread, not type or age.

This. If I know I'm buying a bit of a shed then I'll cope if it has Nexens on it as I'll haggle the price down to compensate, but if I'm buying a minter I want to see at least 050As on there.

Just remember folks, Admiral do not cover mods like for like. You have an accident and smash your nice bumper or posh wheels or tasty exhaust, you're only getting OEM items back. This is why they can be so much cheaper than the specialists like AF. I don't think I'd class a FWD Mini in the same league as a RWD M3 either! Bearing in mind that AF are just a broker, and the terms they impose are imposed upon them by the insurers they use.

That's the most retarded thing I've seen so far this year.

Not by much, especially pre-facelift Zed. I just don't think a WRX feels particularly quick or special, more like a reliable barge than a rally-bred monster. The STi is significantly more interesting to drive.

Is correct. Their 87 is our 95, their 91 is our 98. Turbos give you more shove, supercharger a smoother drive. I'd have the latter, but the former does give a massive grin.

If reliability isn't an issue, then an Impreza or Evo would be the only realistic choice I reckon. At £3K they're going to be a bit sheddy though, and you may quickly eat into your budget just keeping them on the road. A good E36 328i would be a great shout, but at the expense of 4WD.

I'd rather buy a car that had done 10K miles a year than one that had done 2K if I'm honest. Cheap sports cars are meant to be used and are better for it, rather than just left to sit there. *runs from Chesterfield and Beavis*

What do you need the replacement car to do? Must haves/have nots?

£7K for a 2003 is top, top money. £6K would be much closer.

Just round the corner from where I live, only noticed it today so I'm guessing he moved it closer to the main road to get attention. Well, it worked as I stopped and had a nose Looks to be a tidy car, still for sale too.

Off you go

My point is that in the grand scheme of things, it's a drop in the ocean and I'd rather pay a bit more and have a better car.

He is an outstanding driver. He won the title last year despite having the third best car, which tells you a lot. His win in 2011 was blighted by every other car being completely awful until 3/4 of the way through the year, but 2011 was supremely impressive as well, bearing in mind he didn't lead the championship once until he won it. If it was just the car, then Webber would be up there too fighting for the title.