Forrester turbo or Impreza turbo/wrx for 2k?
Discussion
Hiya
I have around 2grand to spend ( I can spend more but am trying to save for travelling!!). I'm after a smallish estate, that is a good drive, currently I have an MX5, great car but too small. Really want to stay Japanese, so obviously been looking at Imprezas, uk turbos and import WRXs. There is alot to choose from, but also there is a lot of chav'd up crap as well.
Then I spotted that Turbo'd Forresters can be had from around £1800. Any owners on here? Are they any good (up to 2.k to spend)? What do they drive like, is there much body roll? Would love to test drive one, but the nearest is a 100 mile drive.
Also any tips on sub 3grand imprezas?
Thanks in advance guys.
I have around 2grand to spend ( I can spend more but am trying to save for travelling!!). I'm after a smallish estate, that is a good drive, currently I have an MX5, great car but too small. Really want to stay Japanese, so obviously been looking at Imprezas, uk turbos and import WRXs. There is alot to choose from, but also there is a lot of chav'd up crap as well.
Then I spotted that Turbo'd Forresters can be had from around £1800. Any owners on here? Are they any good (up to 2.k to spend)? What do they drive like, is there much body roll? Would love to test drive one, but the nearest is a 100 mile drive.
Also any tips on sub 3grand imprezas?
Thanks in advance guys.
They are essentially an imprezza underneath, just taller on raised subframes. Watch for cold start rattles/piston slap as this is eventually terminal. Very common problem so always check from cold. Quick cars in manual trim, jap cars are good spec but rarely leather, UK cars are single turbo with leather/suede normally & not as quick as the JDM cars which are TT's.
ok, been reading the forum for a long time, but never bothered to register, but had to for this. the above is not true.
piston slap is common (almost every one has it) with late 90's ej20 engines, and as long as it goes away once warm is not a problem. a rebuild will probably not get rid of it anyway. its a question which gets asked lots see http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/piston...
All foresters are single turbo, JDM ones use the same TD-04 turbo as the imprezas, and so put out 240BHP by JDM standards ( a bit less by our standards), UK models use a smaller turbo and so have around 160-170 BHP.
This info is relevent for SF5 foresters, not the later models. But for £2000 thats the shape you will be looking at.
piston slap is common (almost every one has it) with late 90's ej20 engines, and as long as it goes away once warm is not a problem. a rebuild will probably not get rid of it anyway. its a question which gets asked lots see http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/piston...
All foresters are single turbo, JDM ones use the same TD-04 turbo as the imprezas, and so put out 240BHP by JDM standards ( a bit less by our standards), UK models use a smaller turbo and so have around 160-170 BHP.
This info is relevent for SF5 foresters, not the later models. But for £2000 thats the shape you will be looking at.
cptsideways said:
UK cars are single turbo with leather/suede normally & not as quick as the JDM cars which are TT's.
Sorry but you've been mis informed.As stated all Forester are single turbo. You can get a JDM "T/tb" but it stand for Touring Turbo".
I have an S/tb (Sport Turbo).
UK cars have a smaller turbo and different cams. Apart from that they are basically the same. However this means UK cars are arounf 170bhp and JDM cars are 220bhp N.B. they are meant to be 250bhp but this is on 100 RON fuel and the Japanese measure their bhp differently to us.
What are they like to drive? A bit wallowy really. However that can be fixed really cheaply by putting a 20mm rear anti roll bar on (STi Imprezas have them, normal cost £50 ish).
Any other questions just ask
I also own a JDM forester, its an S-Tb as well.
although ive only had it 6 months, so long term stuff i cant comment on, but in the time ive had it ive enjoyed it. Its much more subtle than an impreza and so surprises quite a few people. ive managed to get 32 MPG, but that was making an effort, i normally get 27-28 mpg.
although ive only had it 6 months, so long term stuff i cant comment on, but in the time ive had it ive enjoyed it. Its much more subtle than an impreza and so surprises quite a few people. ive managed to get 32 MPG, but that was making an effort, i normally get 27-28 mpg.
It's great really.
On the whole nobody knows what it is, so nobody tries to race you, steal it etc. As an estate it isn't that big and rear leg room is tight if you are tall.
Even though it is a JDM parts are OK and most Impreza parts and tuning goodies fit, which is nice.
It's been fairly reliable in the 40K that I have had mine (and it has had piston slap for all those 40k).
I've had the rocker gaskets leak (very common), O2 sensor fail and the other week the front cat destroyed itself. Apart from that it has just been normal servicing.
Fuel economy, like the Imprezas, is shocking, 27mpg on a run, 24 is normal. The JDM are mapped for 100 fuel so need 97 RON as a minimum.
I led the Pistonheads East Anglia Autumn run yesterday and had an RS4 and a 300bhp Atom behind me. I don't think I held them up too much so the old girl does me proud
On the whole nobody knows what it is, so nobody tries to race you, steal it etc. As an estate it isn't that big and rear leg room is tight if you are tall.
Even though it is a JDM parts are OK and most Impreza parts and tuning goodies fit, which is nice.
It's been fairly reliable in the 40K that I have had mine (and it has had piston slap for all those 40k).
I've had the rocker gaskets leak (very common), O2 sensor fail and the other week the front cat destroyed itself. Apart from that it has just been normal servicing.
Fuel economy, like the Imprezas, is shocking, 27mpg on a run, 24 is normal. The JDM are mapped for 100 fuel so need 97 RON as a minimum.
I led the Pistonheads East Anglia Autumn run yesterday and had an RS4 and a 300bhp Atom behind me. I don't think I held them up too much so the old girl does me proud
Edited by markCSC on Monday 19th October 17:59
to be perfectly honest theres not much point buying a UK model if you want 200 bhp, might as well buy a JDM, the easiest/reliable way to 200 BHP with a uk forester would be to put the TD-04 turbo on just like a JDM. then insurance will probably increase more than insuring an import. plus the JDM ones come better equipped, and if its a recent import should be rust free, lower mileage and generally tend to be better condition. although i am biased!
I have an Imported wagon to be honest i nearly bought a uk spec but changed my mind as the imports have more power and yes the insurance is a fair bit more depending on your age even at 43 three companys refused to insure me make sure too that the car if you do go up the imported route its been insured in this country before as a lot of insurers get a little twitchy on newly inported cars due the the history even wiv the correct documents.
Mines been modified a bit 'chav'd' up as you say so its pretty dam quick and thirsty if you keep on the boost
it runs ok on 97 ron but to get the best out of it 99 ron is by far the best option just a shame the nearest garage to me is 30 mins away so have no choice but to use 97,good luck with the search.........e-bays agood place as is the pistonhead classifieds.
Mines been modified a bit 'chav'd' up as you say so its pretty dam quick and thirsty if you keep on the boost
it runs ok on 97 ron but to get the best out of it 99 ron is by far the best option just a shame the nearest garage to me is 30 mins away so have no choice but to use 97,good luck with the search.........e-bays agood place as is the pistonhead classifieds.
Edited by micron750 on Wednesday 21st October 12:45
Reading this with much interest as I am wanting exactly the same. Need a small 'van' that is good to drive and is a bit different. I found one recently, UK spec, but not much history. Need I worry? It has a bit of a hesitant slow acceleration, which to me is MAF sensor, but it's just been done! Slightly harsh front end, bushes? shocks? but looks well cared for and only 80k
Silver with black wheels is a good look for these.
Z
Silver with black wheels is a good look for these.
Z
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