The "Classic" Imprezas

[banny650]

Yes they have a chavvy image, they are poor on fuel (slightly better than an evo mind), dynamically not as able as an evo 5-6, better all rounder compared to the evo though and they are going up in price slowly. The evos have always been worth more in comparison on the whole and held better overall

[rossub]

Cosworths had a terrible reputation as well at one point. Now they don't.

The same thing will happen in time.

[andy97]

Apologies for bringing this thread back to life but just in the very early stages of thinking of getting in to a classic Impreza.

I'm a long term Audi Quattro owner but whilst I do still use it, it's getting difficult to risk running that regularly due to parts supply issues and rising value. I'm therefore vaguely thinking of an Impreza as a useable classic for which parts and knowledge are still available and which "might" rise in value.

I recognise the "chav" image but I think that is changing.

I wouldn't want a highly modded car or a project but many cars seem to be limited editions! How many limited editions are there????!! Any limited editions more desirable than others without being high priced?

Is it realistic to get something reasonably nice and not abused for £6-7k. What should I look for, any good buyers guides? Any recommended Indy specialists around the Derby/ Loughborough area?

I have see this advertised, is it a reasonable option?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Cheers

Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 7th June 13:07

[Ahbefive]

For me the version 5&6 cars are more desireable due to the more modern facelift and better interior.

I sold my 78k mile RB5 for £10k a few months ago, such a great car and I miss it. The P1 is now priced astronomically. A Terzo may be had for your budget if you can find one but if I was getting another it would be a 2door with dccd so thats an STi type-R which can be anything from £7k to £15k.

[andy97]

Thanks. Please excuse my ignorance but what is meant by Version 5 and 6, or Terzo?

This looks quite nice

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

As does this

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 7th June 13:25

[Ahbefive]

Version 1,2,3&4 are the pre facelift shapes but all have their own minor facelifts between the versions. V5 and V6 are the later facelifted shapes with the sharper front ends, revised bumpers and interiors.

Terzo is a limited run of 333 cars.

The RB5 is a V5.

Edited by Ahbefive on Wednesday 7th June 16:21

[andy97]

Thanks.
Are versions 1-6 the same as what wikipedia labels as GC8A to G?

[tonyb1968]

Versions only ever applied to STI's and ran from 2-6, it causes confusion so phase or MY (model year) should be used instead.

Phase 1 ran from 1993 to 1996, 1997 and 1998 MY's were phase 1.5's and 1999 & 2000 are phase 2 cars.

Phase 2 are the most modern looking with the final updating to them (the phase also refers to the engine).

STI's ran from 1994(5), 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 & 2000, 1994(5) was just STI, no version, 1996 was a V2, 1997 a V3, 1998 V4, 1999 V5 and 2000 a V6 (these came with clutch depress to start, UK cars didnt).

HTH

Edited by tonyb1968 on Wednesday 7th June 14:06

[Ahbefive]

Semantics saying only an STi is a Version but the version defines the years and facelifts.

[SAB888]

A few months ago an Impreza RB5 sold for about £12K with (from memory) about 60 or 70K miles. Another RB5 is currently for sale with less than 4K miles from new and just under £30K (now £28K). I usually get attracted to limited edition cars as they are more likely to retain better values than standard models. Had mine for 15 years now and still can't see me selling it any time in the future.

[vsonix]

andy97 said:

I recognise the "chav" image but I think that is changing.

Pretty much every single 'hot' hatch/sedan/2-door saloon goes through this. Once it starts costing 'real' money to keep them on the road the knuckledraggers move on to something newer.

As someone that only ever drives 90s BMWs I don't give a toss who thinks I am a 'chav' as a result. More fool them if they want to judge my character based on a car they wouldn't dare to own themselves because of some stupid preconception. I'm the one having fun every time I get behind the wheel

[tonyb1968]

Ahbefive said:

Semantics saying only an STi is a Version but the version defines the years and facelifts.

No it doesnt, since the first STI was produced in 1994 and the first WRX in 1993 and the Versìon 2 didnt come out till 1996, well that screws it all up doesnt it?!

My information is 100% correct, either go by MY or phases, and just to throw a spanner in the works on facelifts, its about the engine, Phase 1 cars were 1993-1996, Phase 1.5's were 1997 & 1998 (note the minor facelift on the MY98 cars) 1999 and 2000 were Phase 2 engines, these cars were mechanically identical, some minor cosmetic differences.

And if you want to argue the "its a version" crap go look at the documentation, only ever noted down on the STI model's from 2 to 6.

[Ahbefive]

Toys well and truly thrown out of the pram there.

Plenty of people refer to the years as versions whether you like it or not.

[lilwashu]

Categorising them based on the corresponding Japanese versions is much more accurate than phases, the "minor facelift" on 1998 cars is a completely different interior plus some external tweaks for example.

All of the non-P1 UK limited editions that I can think of are parts bin tarted up standard cars and absolutely not worth any extra money over the normal ones except when you are selling them as "future investments". The RB5, Terzo and Catalunya spring immediately to mind.

[Ahbefive]

The voice of someone that jas clearly never driven the special editions he speaks of. The magazine reviews and their ratings of the cars varying from the atandard veraion tells the story. Small differences make for a more special car that is different to drive.

[lilwashu]

They don't and they aren't. The full story is here:

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/SidcFaq/Spe...

If some stickers and mats make a car more special to drive for you then great.

[Ahbefive]

Try actually driving them. If you can't get hold of one then at least look at the reviews. You just come cross as ignorant if you can't heed the views of people (owners and journalists) that actually have experience of them.

[scooby1994]

the turbo 2000 special editions are just that,turbo 2000 with stickers ,plaques and part bin bits .
tonyb1968 is correct on the version issue,only STI cars are classed as V cars

[Ahbefive]

Again a man that hasn't driven them. Out of all the imprezas (and the rest of the cars) the RB5 came top in this test as well as several others. But then if you have no experience of them I guess that you would be forgiven for not knowing that they are greater than the sum of their parts, they are very rare cars after all and very few have had a taste.

There are plenty of other reviews rating the RB5 above pretty much all the rest if you go look a bit.

[scooby1994]

why do you assume that people havent driven them,i have a 94 wrx and a 2002 prodrive STI,i have driven a lot of imprezas ,modified ,special editions ,and standard cars,if you read the link in the above post it tells you that only the P1 had any real mechanical upgrades over the standard turbo 2000,not knocking the special editions they look very nice but it is all trim ,wheels and stickers