Classic Impreza Reliability

[homologeo]

How many miles does your classic impreza have, how often do you use it and what are your overall thoughts on reliability?

[RB5Bird]

RB5, 143000. Not used as much now, but used to be a daily drive. Mega reliable if looked after.

[homologeo]

Thanks.

I am seriously considering buying a nice RB5/P1.

I won't be using is a daily, but frequently enough for it to be somewhere between daily driver/toy; It's really only on days when the other car is already in use!

I've found a well looked after example which I may take a punt on; It's got quite a few miles (low for age of course) @ 85K, but meticulous service history etc.

[pralognan]

2000 Turbo Estate,200,000 miles,one owner,fully serviced. Still on original clutch! Now used as ski wagon in semi-retirement. Go for it.

[72twink]

98 Terzo, used daily, now on 74.5K miles and subjected to 15K/year in my ownership. It came with a leaky cam cover, sorted that and since then it's just been service items.

[homologeo]

Thanks All.

I am going to look at a nice RB5 this week... Looks like a genuinely mint example, though standard RB5 without WR/PPP unfortunately,

[RB5Bird]

Good luck with that, sounds alright. Don't worry about it not being PPP, better standard standard than messed around with.

[homologeo]

Thanks.

I have been driving a 1.2 12V Polo for a few years, so anything is a step up performance wise!

[micron750]

Mines got 155000 on the clock and doesn't miss a beat although it does have a comprehensive service history and plenty of mods tbh I had another that had less miles about 20k less and rattled like hell.
In my experience I've now had 4 all seem very bullet proof even the high milers which is one reason I went back and of course that flat four sound

[HonestIago]

pralognan said:

2000 Turbo Estate,200,000 miles,one owner,fully serviced. Still on original clutch! Now used as ski wagon in semi-retirement. Go for it.

Tell us more! Very encouraging!

I also have a 2000 Turbo estate and it's on 92600ish miles. It has only let me down once in 2 years/15k and that was when a front caliper seized. I use it nearly every day year round to commute to work.

I have spent a LOT on replacing parts and preventative maintenance though as I want to run it for years to come.

Work done on mine includes:
-new KYB shocks and Eibach springs all round
-new suspension topmounts
-refurbished Subaru 4 pots on the front
-several (3?) new MAFs
-new fuel pump
-new radiator/hoses
-new battery
-new sports cat downpipe (original one was rotten)
-new rear brake pipes (got braided hoses on the front at same time)

Also just had a TD05 18G fitted and am having this conservatively mapped in the next few weeks with any luck. Should be good for a reliable 300+ bhp.

Mine also suffers with rotting rear arches. I am going to look into getting them repaired at some point in the future but I reckon I'm looking at £3k to have them done and get the car resprayed at the same time.

Edited by HonestIago on Wednesday 12th November 09:52

[Rob669]

Mine has been reliable, it's a classic UK turbo MY00, but I don't drive it daily. I understand the MAF sensor should be replaced probably every year which is quite pricey. Older ones might suffer the rear arch corrosion and I had mine replaced recently and it cost £500 +VAT.

[pralognan]

"tell us more"....Bought from Holland when UK prices were ridiculous. 3 trips to the alps each year for 13 years plus general duties. Serviced at Stan Palmer,Carlisle and Cockermouth. Replaced one calliper,exhaust,MAF sensor,battery,discs and pads,tyres. Thats it! Now it lives at our french flat and is used for local ski trips.
You won't find a more sturdy car thats fun to drive. Wife has a Subarota GT86 which I hope will also do well

[HonestIago]

pralognan said:

"tell us more"....Bought from Holland when UK prices were ridiculous. 3 trips to the alps each year for 13 years plus general duties. Serviced at Stan Palmer,Carlisle and Cockermouth. Replaced one calliper,exhaust,MAF sensor,battery,discs and pads,tyres. Thats it! Now it lives at our french flat and is used for local ski trips.
You won't find a more sturdy car thats fun to drive. Wife has a Subarota GT86 which I hope will also do well

Remarkable! My front shocks were shot by 86k miles so I opted for new shocks/springs all round. Guess yours has had very easy mileage and led a pampered life!

[ingrowtn]

Unmodified 2000 Turbo 2000 saloon 140k and daily driver. Done 70k miles in a little over two years since I bought it.

Reliability excellent. Only time stranded was when fuel pump failed and that can happen to any car at any age. Preventative maintenance is definately the key, don't be afraid to spend money keeping the car in tip top condition. Brake calipers will sieze (I had one collapse but could still limp it carefully to the garage).

Things will go wrong, age related stuff, but then they will on other similar and newer cars too. I've replaced a radiator, starter motor, MAF, a wheel bearing but then I replaced a radiator, starter motor, engine mount, fuel pump, fuel filter housing on an old citroen diesel I ran before the scoob so for me nothing outside of the ordinary. Compare that to my boss who had to replace a wheel bearing on a 2yo DB9 with under 30k on the clock.

Engine is a peach - uses no oil, no water and still happy to cruise at some (*cough*) many leptons every day during the commute. I believe the car really does enjoy being used as it ought to be used. On its 2nd clutch, shocks original and no still no nasty knocks. Interior trim squeaks a little occasionally - it's japanese and certainly better than a merc I used to own.

Brilliant car