new (to me) UK300 Impreza
Discussion
WRX UK300 Number 52/300 - done just under 67k, picked it up on Sunday, to say I'm pleased would be an understatement! Being a UK300 it came with a few Prodrive extras like the headlights, chin spoiler and rear spoiler and it also has the optional Prodrive Performance Pack (Prodrive exhaust, intercooler pipework and tweaked ECU) and a induction kit (which may come off) but is otherwise standard which is how I intend to keep it. Prodrive quotes 245ps on super unleaded for PPP equipped cars, as I understand it that equates to around 235-240bhp, but it feels massively quicker than my previous 200bhp Astra.
Quick arty photo before work this morning...
There are a few things I need to sort out, the power steering has a squeal, the handbrake needs adjusting, there are a few stone chips and the bulb in the dome light has gone but none of that is really serious in a car that is 11 years old and all fairly easily sorted. I'm still getting used to all the new noises and in mild paranoia mode (is it supposed to do that? is it broken?! OH GOD! oh... no, its ok) but its a real joy to drive.
Amusingly, it was first registered on the exact date of my 22nd birthday... fate?
Quick arty photo before work this morning...
There are a few things I need to sort out, the power steering has a squeal, the handbrake needs adjusting, there are a few stone chips and the bulb in the dome light has gone but none of that is really serious in a car that is 11 years old and all fairly easily sorted. I'm still getting used to all the new noises and in mild paranoia mode (is it supposed to do that? is it broken?! OH GOD! oh... no, its ok) but its a real joy to drive.
Amusingly, it was first registered on the exact date of my 22nd birthday... fate?
tinkertaylor said:
^agree
these have aged really, really well. I didn't like them when they first came out but now they've definitely grown on me. nice car OP
Thank you. I'm still not keen on the standard WRX bugeye headlamps, the darker STI ones look nicer and the Prodrive ones on mine (IMO) nicer still. Its amazing how your opinion can alter rapidly when you're looking to buy one these have aged really, really well. I didn't like them when they first came out but now they've definitely grown on me. nice car OP
JFReturns said:
Really like this, good for you keeping it standard. I miss my Scoobs, especially this time of year.
Thanks, I've always felt limited editions of any marque should be kept standard - its the OCD collector in me ...Superb car. I had one many years ago (Number 18) I had it from Listers Subaru on Worcester.
When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
550Anniv said:
...Superb car. I had one many years ago (Number 18) I had it from Listers Subaru on Worcester.
When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
They were about £27k list price I think, losing 10k in a year is one hell of a rapid depreciation! It'll remain standard - I'm already wondering how I can return the induction system to factory without spending a fortune - if Prodrive designed the PPP extras around stock induction, it makes sense it should run better like that.When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
hill79 said:
550Anniv said:
...Superb car. I had one many years ago (Number 18) I had it from Listers Subaru on Worcester.
When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
They were about £27k list price I think, losing 10k in a year is one hell of a rapid depreciation! It'll remain standard - I'm already wondering how I can return the induction system to factory without spending a fortune - if Prodrive designed the PPP extras around stock induction, it makes sense it should run better like that.When I got the car it was a year old and I pais £18,150 for it. I remember thinking, It was a bargin,
but today, It must be a fantastic car for the money. I would ask you to keep it standard (the only mod
I did to mine was fit some Prodive Springs) these cars I think have aged very well and it still looks fresh.
Enjoy.
Lee
Ordinary_Chap said:
Why return to the stock induction? Big gains can be made by getting an Impreza to breath properly.
Lee
I've no doubt, but as I understand it you only really get the benefit along with other modifications and after having the ECU remapped to account for them. That would move me away from the standard PPP setup which I'd like to retain for originality sake.Lee
hill79 said:
Ordinary_Chap said:
Why return to the stock induction? Big gains can be made by getting an Impreza to breath properly.
Lee
I've no doubt, but as I understand it you only really get the benefit along with other modifications and after having the ECU remapped to account for them. That would move me away from the standard PPP setup which I'd like to retain for originality sake.Lee
Are you sure the car hasn't already been remapped? A large number of Impreza's have been remapped.
Ordinary_Chap said:
Maybe some of the more knowledgeable guys can help with this question but as I understand it, you can see gains without mapping however the best gains do come from mapping the car and of course the car running correctly.
Are you sure the car hasn't already been remapped? A large number of Impreza's have been remapped.
I'm not certain, but from what I know of the cars history and the added complexity of mapping a car with the PPP ECU I can be reasonably sure its not been mapped in the past. Are you sure the car hasn't already been remapped? A large number of Impreza's have been remapped.
Chunkychucky said:
About the only 'bug eye' I like the look of, nice car OP! I remember my local Scooby dealer at the time having one or two of these, and always thought the headlights made them actually look quite nice.
yeah the standard 'bug' headlights don't have many fans, and currently prices reflect that fact - but the Impreza isn't really a pretty car no matter what headlights it has!This was actually a demo car for a dealer in Carlisle for the first 6 months of its life, so if you're anywhere near there it could be one of the ones you saw
induction kits on imprezas are a big no no. the mafs dont like them, failing mafs then cause engine failure. id get the standard airbox back on asap. stock airboxes are fine for upto circa 400bhp, no idea why people think they can get "big gains" from an induction kit. iv had 3 imprezas, all modded and none had induction kits, green cotton filter in the airbox is all you need. bigger gains had from decats and proper maps which is the route i took, and hybrid turbos/bigger intercoolers, uprated fuel pumps etc.
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