Which Impreza to go for?

[plenty]

The WRX RA came without a boot spoiler.

[Mastodon2]

Interesting, and hideous. I suppose the ones I've seen must have had it added aftermarket (which iirc, is a bit of a pain to do?), which is probably as well, as it looks awful with it.

[RESSE]

Some very useful information on RAs can be found here:

http://www.type-ra.com/impreza-timeline/

I bought a STi Type RA on Monday (49,000 miles/1 owner) for £3,000.

Very happy

[GravelBen]

WeirdNeville said:

The RA's are incredible cars, but just a bit TOO nutty for a daily driver IMO. It's mainly the short ratio gearbox. They way they go, stop and turn is mindblowing.

As much as I love them you're probably right about that - as a 20yr old I wouldn't have minded, but I'm a bit mellower now and would want something more relaxed to go with it.

[jimblive]

Ive owned a classic STI RA, a RB5 WR Sport and currently have a blob wagon with PPP and a Spec C Type RA hawk.

If I were to buy another I'd go for a early RA. Great fun to drive but not if your doing big miles and mostly on motorways, it will make you cry sitting at 70 seeing what revs it's sat at.

So if I were to be sensible I'd go for a standard uk classic, much more fun than the Wrx PPP, however I can't comment on a blob STI if that's in budget as I've only driven them for short periods and not lived with it. Your problem will be finding a good standard UK classic car that's not full of rust or needs lots replacing just due to its age.

If you can find one though it will be a great everyday car. Big smile factor but still be ok for the day to day drive.
However if you can live with a stupid car, I'd go classic RA and probably a Wrx. Again good luck finding a nice example.

[RB5Bird]

HonestIago said:

What sort of arch repair did you get done and has it lasted? What did it cost if you don't mind?

I think one side they managed to only cut a small bit out, or none at all, but the other side he had to weld a plate in (about 3" x 2" ish). It was £280 plus vat, but I got lucky on the second side, because he asked how much he had quoted for the first side, and matched it - even though he'd done more work.
They seem to be holding out alright, although I think I have spotted a bubble on one side (can't remember if that was the first one though). He did say if they went again it would be a bigger repair - involving a complete section of wing or something.
I've recently bought a second car to stop piling miles onto the RB, and will now not use it in the wet if possible, and generally pamper it a bit more, I think it deserves it 'cos of what it is. My aim is to get it looking good and look after it.

[HonestIago]

RB5Bird said:

I think one side they managed to only cut a small bit out, or none at all, but the other side he had to weld a plate in (about 3" x 2" ish). It was £280 plus vat, but I got lucky on the second side, because he asked how much he had quoted for the first side, and matched it - even though he'd done more work.
They seem to be holding out alright, although I think I have spotted a bubble on one side (can't remember if that was the first one though). He did say if they went again it would be a bigger repair - involving a complete section of wing or something.
I've recently bought a second car to stop piling miles onto the RB, and will now not use it in the wet if possible, and generally pamper it a bit more, I think it deserves it 'cos of what it is. My aim is to get it looking good and look after it.

Glad your repair has held up so far...gives me a bit of hope mine can be saved. Have you got a thread for your RB5? I ended up plumping for a Turbo 2000 wagon (half the price and a big boot!) but I've always had a soft spot for the RB5, used to read the RB5oc forums constantly fantasising about them!

Apologies for thread de-rail OP!

[Baryonyx]

In a roundabout way I've decided on an MR2 Roadster! I kept thinking back to my MR2 Turbo, which was an amazing car. But most of the ones for sale look like shonkas, and I'll probably struggle to find one as good as the one I sold. But I missed that low slung, mid-engined thing so the Roadster seems like a great choice. This has been a very useful learning experience on Imprezas though, and I suspect a top end Wagon will find it's way onto my drive (or at least my list) when a properly sized car is in the offing!

[Baryonyx]

I await to see how I'll work cramming my shopping into it. At least the Turbo had a massive boot behind the engine! And sounded better too (especially since the exhaust manifold was routed right behind the cabin). But as I say, I won't put myself through the heartache of wading through the ste ones, since the last one I bought was nearly mint and only 10 miles from my door! Lots of mk3's to the choose from, at least. Whether or not it will handle better than my 106 Rallye remains to be seen, but I expect it to be at least on par - and I know they have a better seating position for a 6'2" bloke like me!