Talk to me about Subaru Imprezas
Discussion
I'm ashamed to say I know very little about Subaru's other than the recent strong desire to own one. Could someone in the know please explain the different models to me. My budget would be somewhere around £3-5K, what would be the best car at that price bracket. I have also heard some horror stories about the cost of ownership of these cars, are they generally reliable and any things worth knowing. Cheers
Baz2000 said:
I'm ashamed to say I know very little about Subaru's other than the recent strong desire to own one. Could someone in the know please explain the different models to me. My budget would be somewhere around £3-5K, what would be the best car at that price bracket. I have also heard some horror stories about the cost of ownership of these cars, are they generally reliable and any things worth knowing. Cheers
To be honest with a budget of 3-5k i dont think you are in the 2.5ltr range anyway but you should be able to pick up a really good classic or a bug eye have a look at this link and it should give you all the info on the diff classic models etc http://www.type-ra.com/impreza-timeline/
The best thing to do is search on the net and research the prices and specs as there are really so many variations of them so have a good look and see what is within your price range but always check the service history and what mods its had done and who carried out the work,and dont forget there is a Subaru section here on P.H.so also have a good read of that section
Ali_T said:
First rule, avoid the 2.5litre engine unless you plan to have forged pistons put in. Drivetrains are really strong but engines far less so. 2.0 litres have some piston issues but not as bad as the 2.5.
Surely the first rule is buy on condition ;-).Edited by Ali_T on Monday 25th August 21:33
As I understand it the bulk of the problems with the 2.5 relate to cars made from 2008 onward with the hawks have largely avoiding problems unless you start looking to get big power output's from them at which point the engine does get a little stressed. However if you were going for big power outputs you'd forge the engine anyway whether it was the 2.5 litre or the 2.0 litre. The 2.0 litre however is the better engine.
This is a moot point though anything with a 2.5 is out of budget.
Advice wise make sure they have been serviced regularly and given the age of the cars in you budget check the brake discs have been changed as that can cost around a 1k if you need to do all 4 plus the pads.
Also listen out for knocking from the engine. If you hear it either avoid the car or try to get the price dropped to account for an engine rebuild.
The Gran Turismo player in me wants this body kitted import 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/92-K-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/92-K-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-...
Bradgate said:
Subaru boxer engines are inherently thirsty. Don't expect more than 23mpg from any turbocharged Impreza. Much less if you have a heavy right foot.
Depends on the driving - most people seem to average 25ish, and 30+ on the open road. Agreed about the heavy foot part though, and they do like a drink in stop-start town driving.Thread here of PH Subaru owners reporting their fuel economy:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Incidentally, they also seem to blow up far more often on the internet than in real life
Running an Impreza is expensive. They drink fuel at the best of times and rapidly when hooning, they are generally expensive to insure (my one costs 50% more for me to insure than a new 911 would) and if you really want to look after it servicing isn't the cheapest. I get mine serviced every 6 months to keep oil etc fresh. If you can find a 2.0 JDM import then go for that - stronger engines and twin scroll turbo. When looking I'd say the most important thing is how it has been looked after. I'd want to see lots of service history and signs it's not been run on a budget.
We are selling our 2002 prodrive wagon (once we find a replacement), so have to give it a small plug.
As an ownership proposition, its been trouble free. They are light and nimble and very sure footed. We have found the economy is surprisingly good (a mid 30's on motorway, mid 20s average) but then its not driven particularly hard and has the prodrive ecu which might help?
The stereo is decent, the aircon is decent and the boot (in the wagon at least) is brilliant. With the seats down, it will take a lot of stuff. Ours has ISOFIX as well which has been brilliant for baby seats.
Because they're light, they don't eat brakes or tyres (unless you cane it I suppose?). Suspension is also a relatively good compromise between firm and compliant.
To counter any naysayers, ours has been a happy and fault free experience.
If you can find a good car, I say go for it.
As an ownership proposition, its been trouble free. They are light and nimble and very sure footed. We have found the economy is surprisingly good (a mid 30's on motorway, mid 20s average) but then its not driven particularly hard and has the prodrive ecu which might help?
The stereo is decent, the aircon is decent and the boot (in the wagon at least) is brilliant. With the seats down, it will take a lot of stuff. Ours has ISOFIX as well which has been brilliant for baby seats.
Because they're light, they don't eat brakes or tyres (unless you cane it I suppose?). Suspension is also a relatively good compromise between firm and compliant.
To counter any naysayers, ours has been a happy and fault free experience.
If you can find a good car, I say go for it.
If you want to find a good cheap one that a previous owner has spent a lot of money on then go to the classified in scooby.net.
I have had 2 of them.
First a year 2000 impress turbo with full pro drive engine (260bhp) and suspension.
I bought it new and it has never,ever broken down or not started.
It now had 65K and I have given it to my little sister.
I then had a 2005 wide track STI blob eye with pro drive engine management.
305bhp and absolute weapon.
Never broke down or didn't start in the 3 years and 25K I drove it for.
Nowadays well worth considering anything with a forged build-
Names to look out for are ABP and engine tuner with maps by Bob Rawle.
With your money you could get a nice 2004/5 STI blob eye.
I always had my cars serviced by Subaru main dealers and I found them to be cheap and fair.
The only negative I can say is that I get better fuel consumption from my 911 turbo.
Expect 200 miles from a £75 full tank around town in a scooby.
Positives- you will not drive a more capable,fun car for all weathers and seasons.
I have had 2 of them.
First a year 2000 impress turbo with full pro drive engine (260bhp) and suspension.
I bought it new and it has never,ever broken down or not started.
It now had 65K and I have given it to my little sister.
I then had a 2005 wide track STI blob eye with pro drive engine management.
305bhp and absolute weapon.
Never broke down or didn't start in the 3 years and 25K I drove it for.
Nowadays well worth considering anything with a forged build-
Names to look out for are ABP and engine tuner with maps by Bob Rawle.
With your money you could get a nice 2004/5 STI blob eye.
I always had my cars serviced by Subaru main dealers and I found them to be cheap and fair.
The only negative I can say is that I get better fuel consumption from my 911 turbo.
Expect 200 miles from a £75 full tank around town in a scooby.
Positives- you will not drive a more capable,fun car for all weathers and seasons.
Uk special editions are more money for less car imo. Go jap and dont buy a wrx because theyre much slower and drink just as much fuel.
Youll get a well looked after imported classic sti with a set of sensible mods and a lot of documentation for that money.
My money would go on another early sti type ra because i like them better than the fat-spec sti but thats subjective.
They are ruinous on petrol - my ra saw 15mpg in town if I pootled round in 4th everywhere. Single figures are easy to hit and the absolute best I got was 27 - achieved by draughting trucks at 56mph for 200 odd miles
Maintenance and parts are pretty cheap unless you murder a gearbox or your engine lets go so no huge worries there. Routine maintenance is easy too - even if youre a total cretin ( alternator swap took me 20 minutes on my first go)
Buy one - youre unlikely to regret it
Youll get a well looked after imported classic sti with a set of sensible mods and a lot of documentation for that money.
My money would go on another early sti type ra because i like them better than the fat-spec sti but thats subjective.
They are ruinous on petrol - my ra saw 15mpg in town if I pootled round in 4th everywhere. Single figures are easy to hit and the absolute best I got was 27 - achieved by draughting trucks at 56mph for 200 odd miles
Maintenance and parts are pretty cheap unless you murder a gearbox or your engine lets go so no huge worries there. Routine maintenance is easy too - even if youre a total cretin ( alternator swap took me 20 minutes on my first go)
Buy one - youre unlikely to regret it
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