Impreza STI questions!
Discussion
I'm in the market for an Impreza (classic shape), I'll be using it for a bit of tracking as well as general runabout / weekend car.
So a wagon's extra boot space would be great for taking on holiday and for load lugging, and is IMHO less chav-ish.
On the other hand I want the version with the best spec (of course!) so I won't want to upgrade to a better model as soon as I become an expert.
But looking at info sites, it's unclear a) what the STI improvements are, and b) if the wagons get the same spec. Some say the v3 wagon sti only gets 250bhp.
Can anyone enlighten me, or reccomend me the best model/year to go for? UK or JDM, STI or not, etc
Cheers!!
So a wagon's extra boot space would be great for taking on holiday and for load lugging, and is IMHO less chav-ish.
On the other hand I want the version with the best spec (of course!) so I won't want to upgrade to a better model as soon as I become an expert.
But looking at info sites, it's unclear a) what the STI improvements are, and b) if the wagons get the same spec. Some say the v3 wagon sti only gets 250bhp.
Can anyone enlighten me, or reccomend me the best model/year to go for? UK or JDM, STI or not, etc
Cheers!!
Edited by tom g on Thursday 8th January 15:52
Edited by tom g on Thursday 8th January 15:53
I'm afraid I know nothing about JDM differences, but the UK model to get is post MY98, after which you get 4-pot front brakes, and there are some problems reported with the engines earlier than this losing a cylinder or two.
Then simply get a tried and tested upgrade - minimum 2.5 inch exhaust, ECU/remap plus a few bits and bobs, and you will match the JDM output. Anywhere from 1000 GBP upwards depending on what else you want to upgrade.
Standard Turbo is good for 300 power/torque. If you upgrade the turbo, you have to consider upgrading injectors and fuel-pump.... endless really depending on your goal.
I've just got the PPP on an MY00 UK estate, and I'm happy with it.
You could try asking on scoobynet and sidc.
Good luck.
Then simply get a tried and tested upgrade - minimum 2.5 inch exhaust, ECU/remap plus a few bits and bobs, and you will match the JDM output. Anywhere from 1000 GBP upwards depending on what else you want to upgrade.
Standard Turbo is good for 300 power/torque. If you upgrade the turbo, you have to consider upgrading injectors and fuel-pump.... endless really depending on your goal.
I've just got the PPP on an MY00 UK estate, and I'm happy with it.
You could try asking on scoobynet and sidc.
Good luck.
Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 8th January 16:36
I went for a UK99 Wagon, but that was more down to the electric Prodrive Recaro's that were fitted which is one thing I really wanted as they are so comfortable.
JDM models are higher spec that UK's, mostly things like climate control rather than just aircon (option on UK's and most don't even have that). And higher spec engines on the STI's allowing 8.2k rev limits rather than 7.2k on the UK's and WRX's.
If you want a JDM Wagon then I'd go for a Version 5 or 6 (late 1998 to 2000) which can easily be re-mapped for UK fuel (about £600 if its not been done). Even better to find one owned by an enthusiast, who has looked after it and had it re-mapped. A decat exhaust and re-map on a V5/6 STI should give you about 310-320bhp, with a UK you'd be looking at 270-280bhp.
Check out Scoobynet for some more info (if you can wade through all the garbage).
JDM models are higher spec that UK's, mostly things like climate control rather than just aircon (option on UK's and most don't even have that). And higher spec engines on the STI's allowing 8.2k rev limits rather than 7.2k on the UK's and WRX's.
If you want a JDM Wagon then I'd go for a Version 5 or 6 (late 1998 to 2000) which can easily be re-mapped for UK fuel (about £600 if its not been done). Even better to find one owned by an enthusiast, who has looked after it and had it re-mapped. A decat exhaust and re-map on a V5/6 STI should give you about 310-320bhp, with a UK you'd be looking at 270-280bhp.
Check out Scoobynet for some more info (if you can wade through all the garbage).
GravelBen said:
Go for a JDM STi 
(but probably worth making sure its remapped for UK fuel to be on the safe side). 280bhp as standard if you get one of the later ones and AFAIK better brakes, gearbox etc than a regular WRX as well.
If its remapped for UK fuel then it won't be 280bhp. My 95 STI saloon isn't mapped for Uk fuel, I run it on Super Unleaded and its perfectly fine (but probably worth making sure its remapped for UK fuel to be on the safe side). 280bhp as standard if you get one of the later ones and AFAIK better brakes, gearbox etc than a regular WRX as well.Edited by GravelBen on Friday 9th January 11:29
The earlier JDM classics as standard appear able to cope with the lower octane UK fuel. Later classics are a different story and at the very least you should fit something to monitor Knock to avoid an engine re-build.
Even after a re-map, if you've had it mapped to V Power then you can still get bad batches of fuel. I know I've had a few and just take it easy or stick some octane booster in.
Even after a re-map, if you've had it mapped to V Power then you can still get bad batches of fuel. I know I've had a few and just take it easy or stick some octane booster in.
To answer your question, the STi MY99 / 00 is the one to go for. The earlier MY97 / 98 engines suffered from piston slap and do experience failures. You also get some external tweaks. Classic scoobs are a real bargain now if you can find a good one. The V5 / V6 wagons have 280 bhp as per the saloon. The main problem is that people modified them when they first got into the country, by decatting etc. That leans the AFR out and when the car is mapped for 100 ron fuel, that leaves a dodgy combination. They also have weak MAF sensors and when they fail, the mixture leans furhter, hence a lot of STi's have gone pop. Find a well looked after one with a green dot MAF and a remap and you should be ok.
A wagon is definately less chav but try not to let it sway you. I've owned a lot of classic scoobs, a long time back when they were more rare. Alas the vast majority of them are now owned by people with less teeth than they should normally have, tatoos, window tints, large stereos, vta dump valves, baseball hats, rally stickers all over them and a lot of chains dangling from them. It's really unfortunate that it's gone that way, as a lot of nice cars have gone to the dogs
I'm sure that will upset some poeple, but it's sadly true. And that's coming from a big scoob fan.
There are still some normal owners out there though, the real enthusiasts, and I think we should all start buying them to de-chav the car
A wagon is definately less chav but try not to let it sway you. I've owned a lot of classic scoobs, a long time back when they were more rare. Alas the vast majority of them are now owned by people with less teeth than they should normally have, tatoos, window tints, large stereos, vta dump valves, baseball hats, rally stickers all over them and a lot of chains dangling from them. It's really unfortunate that it's gone that way, as a lot of nice cars have gone to the dogs
I'm sure that will upset some poeple, but it's sadly true. And that's coming from a big scoob fan.There are still some normal owners out there though, the real enthusiasts, and I think we should all start buying them to de-chav the car
Edited by MB 1 on Monday 12th January 16:50
ScoobieWRX said:
Who are you calling normal!! 
What isn't normal about driving sideways, naked, covered in chip fat, singing 'Hello, is it me your looking for, while hunting down Prius 'drivers' and throwing feaces at them?Edited by RFSA180 on Tuesday 13th January 12:19
Edited by RFSA180 on Tuesday 13th January 12:20
Ta very much for your help! As usual I'll end wanting a specific model/year/colour and spend 6 months finding the perfect one.
I'm glad the wagons have the same spec as the saloons, but that disagrees with http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/S...
edited for syntax
I'm glad the wagons have the same spec as the saloons, but that disagrees with http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/S...
scoobypedia said:
1999.9 : Impreza WRX & Impreza WRX STi−6 [ Type-G ]
There are some minor changes. It was equipped with clutch start system.
Horsepower 280ps/6500rpm torque 34.5kg-m/4000rpm (WRX, WRX-typeRA)
Horsepower 240ps/6000rpm torque 31.5kg-m/4000rpm (wagon)
Not disagreeing, just curious as to why there's so much inconsistency on the net with imprezas, with other cars I've found it easy to find the spec revisions for each model / year!There are some minor changes. It was equipped with clutch start system.
Horsepower 280ps/6500rpm torque 34.5kg-m/4000rpm (WRX, WRX-typeRA)
Horsepower 240ps/6000rpm torque 31.5kg-m/4000rpm (wagon)
edited for syntax
Edited by tom g on Tuesday 13th January 15:20
Perfect, thanks for the link.
This looks nice, but I was hoping to spend a bit less.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/599512.htm
This looks nice, but I was hoping to spend a bit less.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/599512.htm
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