I'm test driving an 02 today, so I can decide if I want to spend the extra cash on a later car.

I'll let you know how I think it compares to my MY00.

 

I test drove an '02 back to back with my '01 and decided it was not worth the extra 4k it would have cost me to buy new

I wasn't gonna pay 4k for a leather centre console, glass rear screen and other minor details

 

Maybe not 4k, but now that you can get a private 02 from this site for just over 20k.

Basically the choice is get an 02 and use it everyday or spend 2-3k less on a 99-00 and buy myself a commuting vehicle for 1000 or so. I didn't feel that the MY00 I had was an ideal everyday car, but it was the ultimate weekend car

I may stick with Scooby for another 6 months, but that's dependant on the amount of work needed at it's service on Thursday.

 

Then you'll miss the whole summer

 

Very very impressed with the 02. The ride seemed much softer than my old one, but I'm starting to have some real suspicions about the suspension on my old car. Was it stiffened, or were the spacers still in? You could really use the 02 everyday for pottering about without any problems it seemed very quiet and civilised.

The back end seemed much better tied to the road and different fidget at all, on my favourite road, like my last one. Front end was less pointy which was the only downside I could find, but it was a good trade-off IMHO.

So is it time to sell the Impreza? I'd need to get a good price to be able to afford an 02.

And I never thought I'd say this but to Springfield for giving me a decent length of test drive and bringing the car to my house to play with. Maybe they're trying to make amends. I was offered a 6 month old yellow GT at an unbeliveable price for a cash sale. But I don't think yellow is my colour.

 

The 'leather' console is vinyl in the 02/03 - I have the real deal leather cover in my 00 One does also need to factor in the value of a manufacturers warranty, and resale value.

 

Did the car that you test drove have S02s on - the difference between these and soft walled tyres is quite discernable. Also tyre pressures will affect the ride hardness.

 

I assume the car had S02s as it only had 4k miles on it and was one of the dealers execs cars.