Discussion
Hey Guys,
Some of you may recall my previous threads for my 106 Rallye and E30 318iS, on Friday I picked up a new car, one I've wanted for about 16 years, since I saw Colin McRae win the Network Q rally in an almost then-unheard of car. 16 years on, I feel 5 years old again as I took the keys to my very own Impreza, a boyhood dream realised.
Enough emotional mumbo-jumbo, here's the real deal:
Apologies for the lack of decent pictures, I've been too busy enjoying it over the weekend and it was dark when I got home, rest assured I'll have a picture update in the week/weekend when its light and I've had chance to give it a clean.
I absolutely LOVE it.
It really has ticked one choice off my dream cars list, I feel quite privileged owning one at 21. I expect I'll be asked about the insurance, and whether or not my parents paid for it. I'm paying for it all. The insurance isn't too bad either, really. Less than my Rallye was at 17 anyway.
Its a WRSport model, I bought it from the PH Classifieds off a lovely chap, who was mad about it as I am, proper petrolhead! Its very low mileage, 50,000, backed up with service history, and, though I hate to use the term, is pretty mint!
Apart from the WRSport package, its got the usual RB5 extras like 17" Speedline wheels, PIAA Driving lights (which are superb!) and RB5 branding. Blue suede interior with red stiching, its awesome! Its also got a boost gauge and a professionally installed sound system with bluetooth and iPod headunit, which sounds good, especially since the Impreza is basically a turbo'd tin can.
Its going to kill me being away from home knowing this is sat at home waiting, but hopefully I'll get through. I'm a field engineer, and have a company Insignia diesel with work, so this will be staying a low mileage example, to be enjoyed on weekends
Also - like to mention a quick thanks to Rob, for helping me out with the HPI check, you're a star mate!
Hope you enjoy it, expect a load more photos of slightly OCD cleaning and polishing in the near future!
Jimbo.
Some of you may recall my previous threads for my 106 Rallye and E30 318iS, on Friday I picked up a new car, one I've wanted for about 16 years, since I saw Colin McRae win the Network Q rally in an almost then-unheard of car. 16 years on, I feel 5 years old again as I took the keys to my very own Impreza, a boyhood dream realised.
Enough emotional mumbo-jumbo, here's the real deal:
Apologies for the lack of decent pictures, I've been too busy enjoying it over the weekend and it was dark when I got home, rest assured I'll have a picture update in the week/weekend when its light and I've had chance to give it a clean.
I absolutely LOVE it.
It really has ticked one choice off my dream cars list, I feel quite privileged owning one at 21. I expect I'll be asked about the insurance, and whether or not my parents paid for it. I'm paying for it all. The insurance isn't too bad either, really. Less than my Rallye was at 17 anyway.Its a WRSport model, I bought it from the PH Classifieds off a lovely chap, who was mad about it as I am, proper petrolhead! Its very low mileage, 50,000, backed up with service history, and, though I hate to use the term, is pretty mint!
Apart from the WRSport package, its got the usual RB5 extras like 17" Speedline wheels, PIAA Driving lights (which are superb!) and RB5 branding. Blue suede interior with red stiching, its awesome! Its also got a boost gauge and a professionally installed sound system with bluetooth and iPod headunit, which sounds good, especially since the Impreza is basically a turbo'd tin can.
Its going to kill me being away from home knowing this is sat at home waiting, but hopefully I'll get through. I'm a field engineer, and have a company Insignia diesel with work, so this will be staying a low mileage example, to be enjoyed on weekends
Also - like to mention a quick thanks to Rob, for helping me out with the HPI check, you're a star mate!
Hope you enjoy it, expect a load more photos of slightly OCD cleaning and polishing in the near future!
Jimbo.
Hi mate, didn't see your questions. I wanted a standard(ish) one, just for insurance reasons and reliability, but this came up at low mileage and a decent price, and the WRSport didn't add too much to the insurance. I found that RB5s and other special models were more common in a standard or near standard state than classics of a similar age. Also - I always really liked the grey RB5.
So glad I could insure the WRSport model, was worried about the spoiler looking too boy racer but it really looks smart.
I'm a bit young to remember McRae before they changed from Group A (probably saw him at Donington and Silverstone pre 2001) but the first year we went to the then Network Q (when it moved to just wales) we went in my dads then Impreza Turbo 2000 and saw Burns take the 2001 world rally championship on the same event. Been properly hooked since then! Will be taking the RB5 to the Rally GB this year
So glad I could insure the WRSport model, was worried about the spoiler looking too boy racer but it really looks smart.
I'm a bit young to remember McRae before they changed from Group A (probably saw him at Donington and Silverstone pre 2001) but the first year we went to the then Network Q (when it moved to just wales) we went in my dads then Impreza Turbo 2000 and saw Burns take the 2001 world rally championship on the same event. Been properly hooked since then! Will be taking the RB5 to the Rally GB this year
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Monday 18th October 00:41
Cheers for all the nice words guys! Was thinking on the drive to work (unfourtunately had to leave the RB5 tucked up at home 
) that I'm pretty lucky! Unfourtunately I can only get more photos later this week, I'm away at work all week 
After the day I've had though I really wish I could go out and burble through a few villages again.
) that I'm pretty lucky! Unfourtunately I can only get more photos later this week, I'm away at work all week After the day I've had though I really wish I could go out and burble through a few villages again.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Monday 18th October 20:56
Evening all, got back from work tonight and ventured out to try and get some artsy shots of the car (was dark when I got home 
)
Personal Favourite:
Bit annoyed it was dark when I got back from work, but got tomorrow to take photos in the light It cleans up well (thanks Dad!), the wheels especially so, having been refurbished 500 miles ago. Once I decide what to do about the Armourfend (basically whether or not to remove it) then I'll claybar the car, before a polish and seal. The paint is a little rough to the touch, but by no means bad, so it should shine up well!
Going to contact the local dealer tomorrow about a new MAF sensor, but other than that, I don't think theres much to do except enjoy it! Actually, I need a new screw for the driving lamp, I loosened it in my efforts to get the covers off, and it fell out somewhere on the way home last weekend when I was trying the lamps out. No big deal, just means I'll leave the covers off until I can get a new one.
Provisional plans include doing something with the brakes, a set of stainless lines, new fluid and maybe some mintex 1144s, with a big brake upgrade (standard calipers) if that doesn't improve them much, front strut brace, and maybe a centre de-cat pipe? like I say, all provisional at the moment, the MAF is my priority.
Cheers,
James
P.S. A virtual cookie to anyone who notices the 'tie-in' on the car...
)Personal Favourite:
Bit annoyed it was dark when I got back from work, but got tomorrow to take photos in the light It cleans up well (thanks Dad!), the wheels especially so, having been refurbished 500 miles ago. Once I decide what to do about the Armourfend (basically whether or not to remove it) then I'll claybar the car, before a polish and seal. The paint is a little rough to the touch, but by no means bad, so it should shine up well!
Going to contact the local dealer tomorrow about a new MAF sensor, but other than that, I don't think theres much to do except enjoy it! Actually, I need a new screw for the driving lamp, I loosened it in my efforts to get the covers off, and it fell out somewhere on the way home last weekend when I was trying the lamps out. No big deal, just means I'll leave the covers off until I can get a new one.
Provisional plans include doing something with the brakes, a set of stainless lines, new fluid and maybe some mintex 1144s, with a big brake upgrade (standard calipers) if that doesn't improve them much, front strut brace, and maybe a centre de-cat pipe? like I say, all provisional at the moment, the MAF is my priority.
Cheers,
James
P.S. A virtual cookie to anyone who notices the 'tie-in' on the car...
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Saturday 23 October 01:30
Daylight photos at last! Got a serious addiction to this car. 
-Obligatory Smilie!
-Bit OCD, but this isn't technically the correct centre cap. I just liked the Prodrive/Subaru in the same picture.
- All mine! not bad for 21
The insignia is my company car and the BMW is mine, but is being sold to a mate.
-Obligatory Smilie!
-Bit OCD, but this isn't technically the correct centre cap. I just liked the Prodrive/Subaru in the same picture.
- All mine! not bad for 21
The insignia is my company car and the BMW is mine, but is being sold to a mate.That was me mate! Took a trip out to kirton this afternoon to take photos at the observation point near scampton, small world eh? Thanks for the kind words
RB5230, they came from the factory orange, all turbo2000's had them!
Tempted to get clear lenses and colour code the vents but for now, I actually quite like having the orange, I think it makes the car stand out more, so many people have changed them
Edit: heres a pic of my Dad's Turbo2000, way back in 1999, dug out these pictures after taking some of mine He wouldn't admit that his spoiler wasn't that much smaller than the WRSport one on the RB5, he's had to concede now
RB5230, they came from the factory orange, all turbo2000's had them!
Tempted to get clear lenses and colour code the vents but for now, I actually quite like having the orange, I think it makes the car stand out more, so many people have changed them
Edit: heres a pic of my Dad's Turbo2000, way back in 1999, dug out these pictures after taking some of mine
He wouldn't admit that his spoiler wasn't that much smaller than the WRSport one on the RB5, he's had to concede now Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Saturday 23 October 20:36
Yep, she does get looked after! We should sort out a PH meet up in Lincs/south yorks, like a breakfast club or something.
Slight update, I'd been enjoying the car loads, its awesome. Took it on the Rally GB on thursday, and it was great until friday evening, when the immobiliser packed in, meaning it wouldn't start.
So, we managed to squeeze all our stuff (and ourselves) into various mates cars, and the RB5 got recovered to a local garage, who couldn't fix it, so its at Subaru in wales now. Apparently its fixed, a new ECU was required though, just got to wait until the weekend to go back and get it!
For the 2 days it worked, it was a brilliant choice, comfy (to sleep in as well!) quick and the roads around south wales are awesome!
Edit: and the BMW went last night! I'm a bit sad, but my mate will probably have a thread on here soon about it!
Slight update, I'd been enjoying the car loads, its awesome. Took it on the Rally GB on thursday, and it was great until friday evening, when the immobiliser packed in, meaning it wouldn't start.
So, we managed to squeeze all our stuff (and ourselves) into various mates cars, and the RB5 got recovered to a local garage, who couldn't fix it, so its at Subaru in wales now. Apparently its fixed, a new ECU was required though, just got to wait until the weekend to go back and get it!For the 2 days it worked, it was a brilliant choice, comfy (to sleep in as well!) quick and the roads around south wales are awesome!
Edit: and the BMW went last night! I'm a bit sad, but my mate will probably have a thread on here soon about it!
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Monday 15th November 20:15
I've PM'ed you CatsPyjamas
Little bit of an update for you all, mainly pics of me hooning around in the snow!
Picked the car up from wales last weekend, and was intending to take some pics with the lovely scenery on the way back, well, I got to the M5 and realised I'd been having that much fun I'd forgotten to stop for photos, arse.
But it was a great trip, and even better to have the car back after a long week without it (I wasn't even at home, so couldn't have used it, but still missed it!)
So this weekend I 'arrrv been mostly playing in the snow!
Pitiful amounts of snow Friday night, enough to make the backlanes (and even A roads) interesting though:
Woke up saturday to find a much healthier dose of the white stuff:
- the door is open here, its not a bad shut line
- I may or may not have done a few laps here 
Apologies for the image quality, they're off my new HTC, and that doesn't cope with dark very well. Uploading them to facebook doesn't help much either.
Cheers,
Jimbo
Little bit of an update for you all, mainly pics of me hooning around in the snow!
Picked the car up from wales last weekend, and was intending to take some pics with the lovely scenery on the way back, well, I got to the M5 and realised I'd been having that much fun I'd forgotten to stop for photos, arse.
But it was a great trip, and even better to have the car back after a long week without it (I wasn't even at home, so couldn't have used it, but still missed it!)
So this weekend I 'arrrv been mostly playing in the snow!
Pitiful amounts of snow Friday night, enough to make the backlanes (and even A roads) interesting though:
Woke up saturday to find a much healthier dose of the white stuff:
- the door is open here, its not a bad shut line - I may or may not have done a few laps here Apologies for the image quality, they're off my new HTC, and that doesn't cope with dark very well. Uploading them to facebook doesn't help much either.
Cheers,
Jimbo
I've never driven the standard RB5, Dad does tell me it feels quicker than his old Turbo2000 though.
I've been careful, but still having loads of fun in the snow! Wish I had someone to take more pictures/videos of it, the thing I was most concerned about yesterday was people sliding into me. I've had fun on the backroads and quiet roundabouts etc, but some people were driving like loons! For that reason I'm quite glad its not my daily driver at the moment (fuel costs as well
)
I've been careful, but still having loads of fun in the snow! Wish I had someone to take more pictures/videos of it, the thing I was most concerned about yesterday was people sliding into me. I've had fun on the backroads and quiet roundabouts etc, but some people were driving like loons! For that reason I'm quite glad its not my daily driver at the moment (fuel costs as well
)I'm confused, I'm not after a rallye at the moment? I'm In Gainsborough at the moment, but soon to be Newcastle way for work.
To stop this going massively off topic, The car had its new siren fitted today, and the alarm actually works now, which is nice! Also removed the spotlights, basically to have a look at the screws that hold on the lamp covers, but I'm going to tart up the rusty brackets whilst they're off. Will probably get some stainless ones cut at work, but these will certainly do the job for now
Also got some Valeo aero wipers for it, as the old ones weren't amazing. They seem good so far!
To stop this going massively off topic, The car had its new siren fitted today, and the alarm actually works now, which is nice! Also removed the spotlights, basically to have a look at the screws that hold on the lamp covers, but I'm going to tart up the rusty brackets whilst they're off. Will probably get some stainless ones cut at work, but these will certainly do the job for now
Also got some Valeo aero wipers for it, as the old ones weren't amazing. They seem good so far!
Small last update of 2010!
Been busy with work, but got the spotlights back together, brackets all tarted up and painted, new bolts, one of the lamps was corroded at the bottom, and I smashed the lens earlier (long story - bad mastic!) so I'll be ordering a new lens/reflector soon.
Other items of note (haven't really done anything except enjoy it in the snow!) I've got a carbon STi strut brace on the way and got some new number plates, which smartened the look of the car up a bit.
So, gave her a clean today and took her out for a run. I've been ill over Christmas, so apart from going out to fetch my gran in it, I've been in bed, not out enjoying it
Pictures!
- 3/4 front plate, was a bit smaller than I envisaged!
- Special Subaru Pig (SSP)
Plans for 2011? Well, fit the strut brace when it arrives, and look into getting the car detailed. Apart from that, I don't know!
Been busy with work, but got the spotlights back together, brackets all tarted up and painted, new bolts, one of the lamps was corroded at the bottom, and I smashed the lens earlier (long story - bad mastic!) so I'll be ordering a new lens/reflector soon.
Other items of note (haven't really done anything except enjoy it in the snow!) I've got a carbon STi strut brace on the way and got some new number plates, which smartened the look of the car up a bit.
So, gave her a clean today and took her out for a run. I've been ill over Christmas, so apart from going out to fetch my gran in it, I've been in bed, not out enjoying it
Pictures!
- 3/4 front plate, was a bit smaller than I envisaged!
- Special Subaru Pig (SSP)
Plans for 2011? Well, fit the strut brace when it arrives, and look into getting the car detailed. Apart from that, I don't know!
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