The "Classic" Imprezas

[MDMA .]

^^^
TBH, if going for a classic, I would get a JDM one. Newera have some nice ones for sale at the moment -

http://www.neweraimports.com/carDetails.jsp?carId=...

but check his other stock. couple of nice classic STI wagons with him at the moment ( although slightly above you 8k ceiling ).

[ianwayne]

It'll be a long time before JDM cars are accepted a 'classics.'

If you look at other marques such as MX-5, Mits. 3000GT, Toyota MR2 & Supra, Nissan Z etc, the JDM cars always sell for less than what you may call 'proper' imports.

Granted, there will be a premium for limited editions and those versions not officially imported (MR2 turbo for example) but there are plenty of officially imported WRX cars about still.

[rossub]

It's a strange situation. Those who really know these cars, know that the JDM cars are better.

The P1 being a case in point - they fetch more than the equivalent JDM Type R, but its an inferior car!

The RB5 is another. It's significantly slower than the JDM equivalents of the time - both the WRX and STI were 280 ps at that point and yet it fetches more than both

Still.... means that the true enthusiasts get the better cars for less money

[MDMA .]

ianwayne said:

It'll be a long time before JDM cars are accepted a 'classics.'

We're talking "classic" shape, in Impreza terms

[Ahbefive]

ianwayne said:

It'll be a long time before JDM cars are accepted a 'classics.'

Thats just so wrong. Some fetch tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Even a 1998 Sti type R is £14k and an R34 GTR is now £50k. Toyota Ae86 is silly money and look at an original Skyline.

[JackReacher]

The backbox on my 1996 turbo needs replacing, cannot find a standard part so think I will need to go aftermarket. Is there a standard looking and sounding backbox out there?

[rossub]

Hayward & Scott do a nice sensible back box. Slightly louder than standard, but in a nice way that releases the character without being obtrusive at all.

[FBP1]

scooby1994 said:

Abhefive ,all jdm classics had a solid rear bulkhead,my 1994 wrx sat on my drive has a solid rear bulkhead,the jdm models are better cars

Not one Impreza, 2 door JDM or not, has a solid rear bulkhead, including the one sat on your drive.

What they do have is a bar across the large opening into the boot from the passenger cell in front of a plastic corrugated sheet thing that blocks off the boot. There is a rubber sheet with sound deadening material on top of this arrangement. The small square section bar is purely there to support the foam of the rear seat - to stop passengers falling back into the boot - this adds nothing appreciable to the shell stiffness in any way. It takes about 5 mins and 5 bolts to remove the seat back and seat squab, and to then lift the sound proofing off the bar ( removable with one small bolt at either end) and plastic corrugated sheet if you want to check.

If the rear bulkhead was solid then you wouldn't be able to access the fuel tank when necessary e.g. To upgrade or fix the in tank fuel pump.. To access the tank, you remove the back seat back and squab, remove the rubber sheet/ sound deafening material, remove the bar and the plastic sheet and the opening for the tank is then below you. Ask me how I know...

There is a lot of information circulating around in the Impreza world that came from incorrect pr fluff back when models were being promoted and it just gets passed on as bible e.g. The alloy boot / doors myth mentioned above.

[Ahbefive]

FBP1 said:

plastic perforated sheet thing that blocks off the boot.

FTFY

[FBP1]

Thanks - couldn't think how to describe the stuff!

[JackReacher]

rossub said:

Hayward & Scott do a nice sensible back box. Slightly louder than standard, but in a nice way that releases the character without being obtrusive at all.

Thanks, £350 was a little more than I was hoping to spend on a car that is probably only worth a grand! I'm sure it's decent quality but ideally looking for something a bit cheaper.

[PotatoSalad]

JackReacher said:

rossub said:

Hayward & Scott do a nice sensible back box. Slightly louder than standard, but in a nice way that releases the character without being obtrusive at all.

Thanks, £350 was a little more than I was hoping to spend on a car that is probably only worth a grand! I'm sure it's decent quality but ideally looking for something a bit cheaper.

If you want a budget OEM type silencer, eurocarparts and similar retailers sell them under £100, plenty of them on ebay too.

I'd go for a Prodrive back box. Slightly more character but not loud, around £100-150 in mint condition on ebay (where I got mine). Bugeye and blobeye will also fit if your garage can bend or weld one of the mounting brackets.

Edited by PotatoSalad on Thursday 13th July 19:17

[rossub]

JackReacher said:

rossub said:

Hayward & Scott do a nice sensible back box. Slightly louder than standard, but in a nice way that releases the character without being obtrusive at all.

Thanks, £350 was a little more than I was hoping to spend on a car that is probably only worth a grand! I'm sure it's decent quality but ideally looking for something a bit cheaper.

Ah ok - you can get them second hand on eBay or whatever for less than £100

[PotatoSalad]

Can't go wrong for £62 delivered.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222580550651

[JackReacher]

Thanks for the suggestions, managed to get one from Kwik fit in the end at a sensible price.

My new car arrives in September, unsure whether to keep the Subaru for general workhorse duties or sell on. What's the market like for the classics at the moment? Mine is a 96 UK turbo wagon, 120k miles, standard car, bit scruffy with some surface rust but drives well.

Is it worth £1.5k with 12 months MOT?

[rossub]

I would say that's about right. Gone are the days of getting a runner for £900, especially with a full mot.