RE: Subaru Impreza Turbo: Spotted
Discussion
lcs_turbo said:
I think I nearly bought this exact car 5-6 years ago! T252 xxx?
Had a couple since - this is my current project. Been off the road since I bought it last August- hopefully get round to fixing it up in the summer.
Yep, that's the one, the guy I bought it off was from Middlesex (strangely I bumped into him at Goodwood at the Sunday Service last weekend). He'd done cam belt, MAF, Air con condenser etc plus full service, think he'd spent nearly what I'd paid for it.Had a couple since - this is my current project. Been off the road since I bought it last August- hopefully get round to fixing it up in the summer.
FN2TypeR said:
That's awesome IMO.http://neweraimports.com/carDetails.jsp?carId=605
I prefer the front end on the earlier model though -
http://neweraimports.com/carDetails.jsp?carId=599
MDMA . said:
Oooh pretty strong money but it's got bugger all miles, looks to be in concourse condition and it's the last of the line of that shape with only 500 built so pretty rare. With nigh on 300bhp and under 1300kgs I bet it would still keep a lot of modern fast estates honest too. If I was in the market for an estate car I'd snap that up tbh.R8Steve said:
Sadly it's recent MOT history doesn't make comfortable reading -
MOT history of this vehicle
Test date15 November 2016 Expiry date14 November 2017 Test ResultPass Odometer reading70,170 miles MOT test number9277 0527 7307 Advisory notice item(s)
underside weak
suspension arms corroded
brake pipes coated in grease
nearside front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
nearside rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (3.5.1g)
Test date10 November 2016 Test ResultFail Odometer reading70,165 miles MOT test number8959 7817 2813 Reason(s) for failure
offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill/jacking point (6.1.B.2)
nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill/jacking point (6.1.B.2)
Advisory notice item(s)
underside weak
suspension arms corroded
brake pipes coated in grease
nearside front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
nearside rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (3.5.1g)
Test date4 November 2015 Expiry date3 November 2016 Test ResultPass Odometer reading69,595 miles MOT test number4870 6874 0356 Advisory notice item(s)
nearside front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
offside front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
nearside front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
offside front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)
rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)
Advise brakepipes covered in grease
Test date3 November 2014 Expiry date2 November 2015 Test ResultPass Odometer reading68,257 miles MOT test number2773 3790 4349 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Test date25 October 2014 Test ResultFail Odometer reading68,257 miles MOT test number1391 7839 4236 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Like most of the other ones, it's badly suffering from rust.
No thanks.MOT history of this vehicle
Test date15 November 2016 Expiry date14 November 2017 Test ResultPass Odometer reading70,170 miles MOT test number9277 0527 7307 Advisory notice item(s)
underside weak
suspension arms corroded
brake pipes coated in grease
nearside front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
nearside rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (3.5.1g)
Test date10 November 2016 Test ResultFail Odometer reading70,165 miles MOT test number8959 7817 2813 Reason(s) for failure
offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill/jacking point (6.1.B.2)
nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill/jacking point (6.1.B.2)
Advisory notice item(s)
underside weak
suspension arms corroded
brake pipes coated in grease
nearside front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
nearside rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both sides (3.5.1g)
Test date4 November 2015 Expiry date3 November 2016 Test ResultPass Odometer reading69,595 miles MOT test number4870 6874 0356 Advisory notice item(s)
nearside front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
offside front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
nearside front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
offside front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)
rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)
Advise brakepipes covered in grease
Test date3 November 2014 Expiry date2 November 2015 Test ResultPass Odometer reading68,257 miles MOT test number2773 3790 4349 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Test date25 October 2014 Test ResultFail Odometer reading68,257 miles MOT test number1391 7839 4236 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported (3.6.B.1)
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Like most of the other ones, it's badly suffering from rust.
I bought my '93 Pre-facelift Import when I was 26 and still have it at age 40.
Garaged every night and never been out in a UK winter. Zero advisories in all that time that I can recall. Basically in exactly the same condition it was when I bought it.
Not one for the purists though - quite a lot modified. Expensively and tastefully I will add.
IMG_5265b by Ross Davidson, on Flickr
Garaged every night and never been out in a UK winter. Zero advisories in all that time that I can recall. Basically in exactly the same condition it was when I bought it.
Not one for the purists though - quite a lot modified. Expensively and tastefully I will add.
IMG_5265b by Ross Davidson, on FlickrEdited by rossub on Tuesday 20th December 18:34
ShaneBarnard said:
Had my 99 Turbo 2000 for 4 years now, currently on 71k with PPP, uprated rear ARB and optional 17" Speedlines. Nearly sold it earlier this year to fund a house move, really happy I didn't have to let her go in the end.
Red with gold wheels there looks stunning! Rare colour. if you do come to sell I think you'll have a queue of folk wanting to buy.. !Sold my '99 Turbo 2000 wagon last march. Wish I hadn't had to. 66k miles, genuinely rust free, standard exterior, Prodrive pack, TE37s, Prodrive Bilsteins, utterly fantastic car. I did 18k totally trouble free miles in 18 months, serviced it myself with oil changes every 3k miles. Never missed a beat. I let it go for £4k. I'd buy it back in a heartbeat.
findlay_MX said:
I've had it since May. My summer car... that failed to be used in the summer. Meh. I've done, now (including last night's run - which a friend drove half of) less than 200 miles.
I use Station Garage in Kintore, a garage that does a decent MOT (you'll note the advisory for the brake pipes greased - they aren't but my entire extended family get their cars MOT'd there and it's on 90% of advisories!). To hell with having a hookie MOT that bites you in the arse. I was also clear when I dropped it off that the car was to be for sale.
The bodywork is lovely. The interior hasn't been adorned with screw-on pods, chavvy bits or fake dials/"sporty" pedals. Wheels are recently powder coated. Under the bonnet is fresh, no aftermarket stuff (new rad), never drips any oil.
Is it perfect? It's not RSOC show & shine perfect (sorry RSOC - but ramps & mirrors, really?) it is perfectly useable as-is, or a bloody decent starting point for having a few quid sitting in as a thing to be used and enjoyed that you're unlikely to lose anything on?
What is the situation with all that rust mentioned on the MOT report? Has it been fixed?I use Station Garage in Kintore, a garage that does a decent MOT (you'll note the advisory for the brake pipes greased - they aren't but my entire extended family get their cars MOT'd there and it's on 90% of advisories!). To hell with having a hookie MOT that bites you in the arse. I was also clear when I dropped it off that the car was to be for sale.
The bodywork is lovely. The interior hasn't been adorned with screw-on pods, chavvy bits or fake dials/"sporty" pedals. Wheels are recently powder coated. Under the bonnet is fresh, no aftermarket stuff (new rad), never drips any oil.
Is it perfect? It's not RSOC show & shine perfect (sorry RSOC - but ramps & mirrors, really?) it is perfectly useable as-is, or a bloody decent starting point for having a few quid sitting in as a thing to be used and enjoyed that you're unlikely to lose anything on?
Ref the corrosion question. Yes, all sorted. Invoice to show any prospective buyers, too!
I chucked on new ARB drop links before the MOT.
Old Japanese cars get a bit crusty, especially those that have lived in the UK their entire lives. If someone is in the market for a U.K. car, and has looked at a few before looking at this, I'll wager that, like me, they've driven lots of miles to look at much worse.
Like I mentioned before I saw the history before I bought it and very nearly didn't send my man to look. I'm glad I did, read what you like into the MOT history but feel free to come and see the car in the flesh.
I chucked on new ARB drop links before the MOT.
Old Japanese cars get a bit crusty, especially those that have lived in the UK their entire lives. If someone is in the market for a U.K. car, and has looked at a few before looking at this, I'll wager that, like me, they've driven lots of miles to look at much worse.
Like I mentioned before I saw the history before I bought it and very nearly didn't send my man to look. I'm glad I did, read what you like into the MOT history but feel free to come and see the car in the flesh.
rossub said:
I bought my '93 Pre-facelift Import when I was 26 and still have it at age 40.
Garaged every night and never been out in a UK winter. Zero advisories in all that time that I can recall. Basically in exactly the same condition it was when I bought it.
Not one for the purists though - quite a lot modified. Expensively and tastefully I will add.
IMG_5265b by Ross Davidson, on Flickr
that's awesome! Garaged every night and never been out in a UK winter. Zero advisories in all that time that I can recall. Basically in exactly the same condition it was when I bought it.
Not one for the purists though - quite a lot modified. Expensively and tastefully I will add.
IMG_5265b by Ross Davidson, on FlickrEdited by rossub on Tuesday 20th December 18:34
I have had a lot of car in my time but if I was to have 1 car it would be a Subaru! best thing about them is that you don't have to be driving flat out to enjoy them! just burbling though town in fun! not new cars about today appeal in the same way!
findlay_MX said:
Ref the corrosion question. Yes, all sorted. Invoice to show any prospective buyers, too!
I chucked on new ARB drop links before the MOT.
Old Japanese cars get a bit crusty, especially those that have lived in the UK their entire lives. If someone is in the market for a U.K. car, and has looked at a few before looking at this, I'll wager that, like me, they've driven lots of miles to look at much worse.
Like I mentioned before I saw the history before I bought it and very nearly didn't send my man to look. I'm glad I did, read what you like into the MOT history but feel free to come and see the car in the flesh.
Good stuff, nice to see it getting the attention it deserves. I love these old beauties. I chucked on new ARB drop links before the MOT.
Old Japanese cars get a bit crusty, especially those that have lived in the UK their entire lives. If someone is in the market for a U.K. car, and has looked at a few before looking at this, I'll wager that, like me, they've driven lots of miles to look at much worse.
Like I mentioned before I saw the history before I bought it and very nearly didn't send my man to look. I'm glad I did, read what you like into the MOT history but feel free to come and see the car in the flesh.
Loyly said:
Good stuff, nice to see it getting the attention it deserves. I love these old beauties.
Thanks mate, yes, absolutely worth saving. Old cars need a bit of TLC. They all do, especially if, like mine, they're getting hard to find with history and without readily reversible modifications. I feel like this thread deserves a few extra pics... let me see what I can do.
Ahh, this thread elicits in me, feelings of warm nostalgia and anger! Nostalgia because I so wanted one in the late 90s when they were the best value performance car out there and remember the Autocar feature where an impreza wagon cornered quicker, wet or dry than an Elise or 996 Carrera, anger because I bought one in 2008 and the bottom end bearing went, costing me a lot of money. I scrapped it.
So buy very carefully. People say these cars are bomb proof but they really are not. They need careful warming up and down and oil changes right at the correct time and I wouldn't touch a 98 car with a barge pole. If I did get another, it would be a JDM spec vehicle as I believe these are less "chocolatey" in the engine department!!! However, the jap AWD car I really fancy now is an early EVO. I remember Tiff Needell comparing an early EVO (a 1 I think) to an early UK Impreza on Top Gear and it was superior in most departments.
greenarrow said:
Ahh, this thread elicits in me, feelings of warm nostalgia and anger! Nostalgia because I so wanted one in the late 90s when they were the best value performance car out there and remember the Autocar feature where an impreza wagon cornered quicker, wet or dry than an Elise .
Good feedback in CAR mag too
Relevant anecdote...
I've done an airfield-based driving course, with which I'm sure many of you are familiar, where one of the exercises is to drive in circles with the steering on full lock, then use the throttle to control understeer to make the circle you are travelling in larger and smaller. Part 2 is to use more throttle for half the circle, and less for the other half, and move the car across the airfield using only deliberate understeer.
I did it in a fairly standard S1 Elise with Toyo T1Rs.
My dad did it in his 2000 Scooby, also on T1Rs, and had to be going so much faster for the same task that he got out and threw up!
I've done an airfield-based driving course, with which I'm sure many of you are familiar, where one of the exercises is to drive in circles with the steering on full lock, then use the throttle to control understeer to make the circle you are travelling in larger and smaller. Part 2 is to use more throttle for half the circle, and less for the other half, and move the car across the airfield using only deliberate understeer.
I did it in a fairly standard S1 Elise with Toyo T1Rs.
My dad did it in his 2000 Scooby, also on T1Rs, and had to be going so much faster for the same task that he got out and threw up!
greenarrow said:
Ahh, this thread elicits in me, feelings of warm nostalgia and anger! Nostalgia because I so wanted one in the late 90s when they were the best value performance car out there and remember the Autocar feature where an impreza wagon cornered quicker, wet or dry than an Elise or 996 Carrera, anger because I bought one in 2008 and the bottom end bearing went, costing me a lot of money. I scrapped it.
So buy very carefully. People say these cars are bomb proof but they really are not. They need careful warming up and down and oil changes right at the correct time and I wouldn't touch a 98 car with a barge pole. If I did get another, it would be a JDM spec vehicle as I believe these are less "chocolatey" in the engine department!!! .
There is no difference in the bottom end of any of the model years of the EJ20 or UK vs JDM that would affect reliability.So buy very carefully. People say these cars are bomb proof but they really are not. They need careful warming up and down and oil changes right at the correct time and I wouldn't touch a 98 car with a barge pole. If I did get another, it would be a JDM spec vehicle as I believe these are less "chocolatey" in the engine department!!! .
Many of the issues are caused by people running the cars on 95 RON, which is never a good idea, even on the UK cars.
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