Where have all the Imprezas gone?
Discussion
I would say corrosion has definitely killed a vast percentage of them.
I have a GC8 WRX and it is shocking, both sills are gone, the rear strut towers are iffy along with the back panel.
The nearside front wishbone was so bad it had nearly parted. It will be crushed very soon.
It's now been gutted with all the noisy bits put into this, the Imp is sulking in the background.
I have a GC8 WRX and it is shocking, both sills are gone, the rear strut towers are iffy along with the back panel.
The nearside front wishbone was so bad it had nearly parted. It will be crushed very soon.
It's now been gutted with all the noisy bits put into this, the Imp is sulking in the background.
Ritchie335is said:
I would say corrosion has definitely killed a vast percentage of them.
I have a GC8 WRX and it is shocking, both sills are gone, the rear strut towers are iffy along with the back panel.
The nearside front wishbone was so bad it had nearly parted. It will be crushed very soon.
It's now been gutted with all the noisy bits put into this, the Imp is sulking in the background.
This makes me happy. You dont happen to be in the wider Aberdeen area are you, recognize the mustang plate. If so really hope to see the brat blatting about sometime.I have a GC8 WRX and it is shocking, both sills are gone, the rear strut towers are iffy along with the back panel.
The nearside front wishbone was so bad it had nearly parted. It will be crushed very soon.
It's now been gutted with all the noisy bits put into this, the Imp is sulking in the background.
I still love my 08 STI, i personally feel 2.5 issues are made bigger than they are, i have had a few with no issues but they get properly warmed up before being used and serviced religiously, shame it will likely go soon as i really need a van.
ross-co said:
This makes me happy. You dont happen to be in the wider Aberdeen area are you, recognize the mustang plate. If so really hope to see the brat blatting about sometime.
I still love my 08 STI, i personally feel 2.5 issues are made bigger than they are, i have had a few with no issues but they get properly warmed up before being used and serviced religiously, shame it will likely go soon as i really need a van.
I am, the Brat is not quite on the road yet but should be over the next month or two.I still love my 08 STI, i personally feel 2.5 issues are made bigger than they are, i have had a few with no issues but they get properly warmed up before being used and serviced religiously, shame it will likely go soon as i really need a van.
my fsti hit 193k miles , i broke it but could have kept going with a bit more cash thrown at it , i accept that some newer cars are quick but look how much £ they are ,0 to 60 there is not much in it from a golf r to a scooby other than price plus a bigger boot on a scooby and a lot more involving and fun in a scooby , as subaru don’t seem to make an sti any more unless you go jdm import then there will be less and less , the die hards like me will keep running them , my preference is fsti as it’s a great all rounder plus decent enough mpg and it’s my daily drive , as above all cars rust
There are still some good examples near me including a 22B, most of the messed about with ones are dead now I would think. Blown engines are common on cars that are not allowed to warm up before Kevin rags it, my JDM Legacy wont allow me lots of boost or sport plus mode until the engine is up to temperature.
At the time of launch and for years after they offered excellent performance for not a lot of money, any car or bike like that will need regular maintenance.
I am bias as my last 7 cars have been Subarus, however I have also owned Audis, Pugs, etc but the Subaru brand is my kind of brand.
Its easy to go and buy a Golf R or RS3 etc, there must be 30 of each in my works car park, so they must be good.
There is also a mint 52 plate Imprezza WRX that's been in the guys family since new, his dad bought it new and has passed it down, since buying newer and newer Imprezzas. Personally I would rather daily the WRX than a Golf R etc.
At the time of launch and for years after they offered excellent performance for not a lot of money, any car or bike like that will need regular maintenance.
I am bias as my last 7 cars have been Subarus, however I have also owned Audis, Pugs, etc but the Subaru brand is my kind of brand.
Its easy to go and buy a Golf R or RS3 etc, there must be 30 of each in my works car park, so they must be good.
There is also a mint 52 plate Imprezza WRX that's been in the guys family since new, his dad bought it new and has passed it down, since buying newer and newer Imprezzas. Personally I would rather daily the WRX than a Golf R etc.
Imprezas at the Type RAde Day event in 2019 (a great day at Curborough):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql6kgxLZbNE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql6kgxLZbNE
Very uncommon for sure and as many have said, I suspect the main killer, especially the older ones, has been rust. That said, I bought a 99 GC8 WRX just over 2 years ago now that was imported in 2016. Still in pretty good nick considering its age and that I commute in it 5 days a week
My 2001 WRX has a few rust patches around on it. Nothing critical, but the tin worm has started to set. For a cheap Prodrive-spec WRX with 135k on the clock, it's had a good life and I do take care to give it a little extra tlc. Whilst it still makes a lovely sound and takes the corners ridiculously well, it's now gone from banzai toy to faithful old friend.
Edited by Second Best on Monday 9th September 23:06
I daily my 55 plate hawk WRX wagon. Sadly I only do 10 miles each way commute so once warm up is done there’s traffic 
There is a business park with roundabouts though
However, it’s interesting. Even stuck in traffic it’s got a lovely burble (my mrs said she feels “conspicuous “), and given most of the tedious cars in the work car park of 150+ cars, I like to think it stands out a bit. That and a red corrado.
I still see a few around the herts area but most seem to be in Scotland. They seem to love scoobs up there , mostly foz and legacy though.
There is a business park with roundabouts though
However, it’s interesting. Even stuck in traffic it’s got a lovely burble (my mrs said she feels “conspicuous “), and given most of the tedious cars in the work car park of 150+ cars, I like to think it stands out a bit. That and a red corrado.
I still see a few around the herts area but most seem to be in Scotland. They seem to love scoobs up there , mostly foz and legacy though.
I can help with this after my brief foray into ownership. Basically they're a bit crap in 2019.
I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
S100HP said:
I can help with this after my brief foray into ownership. Basically they're a bit crap in 2019.
I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
My 178k 2002 WRX Wagon successfully MoT'd this week.I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
They are bigger than a Golf inside, with full time 4WD. Not sure how they "aren't that practical"? Sure the engines are old tech and drink a bit (both mine average 28mpg) but then they only cost a few grand. Not much point comparing them to new cars that cost 6/7 times as much, which depreciate 20% in the first couple of years. I know which ones are going to be a LOT cheaper to own.
However, people who aren't really interested in cars or just want shiney-new, are not going to be driving old Imprezas. Hence there are far less on the road than when they were new. At their peak in 2007, there were 53k Imprezas of all flavours taxed on the road. Today there are 22k taxed and 12k SORN.
We have 2005 Blob WRX as our family car, bought early 2011 with only 16k miles when my son was 6 months.
Access was great when kids were little, the boot swallowed all the necessary baby kit with easy.
We are now over 110k miles, it is well looked after by a specialist. No rust (ne Scotland) and never let us down.
Yes the interior is basic and tech is limited but it is great fun to drive.
Access was great when kids were little, the boot swallowed all the necessary baby kit with easy.
We are now over 110k miles, it is well looked after by a specialist. No rust (ne Scotland) and never let us down.
Yes the interior is basic and tech is limited but it is great fun to drive.
S100HP said:
I can help with this after my brief foray into ownership. Basically they're a bit crap in 2019.
I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
Haha, You did buy the cheapest car in the country sight unseen. That's asking for trouble!I had a (ropey) Hawkeye from Scotland. They rust quite a bit. They feel very basic inside. They are fairly juicy. Mine was £550+ a year to tax. they aren't that practical.
It's no wonder that they have disappeared.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
pjfry said:
Haha, You did buy the cheapest car in the country sight unseen. That's asking for trouble!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Indeed I did. That was fun...https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
See a few around. Times change and it’s all about modern stuff now. Start up, flap the paddles and off you go at warp speed letting all the computers and sensors do the work. Dull as dish water for me but I totally get why they are so popular for the younger types. On my third Impreza and love everything about it.
I have an impreza classic,as well as a bmw and a motorbike.
Up until recently it had been totally reliable but then at 92k headgasket went. Due to moving house I've lost my garage so paid a garage who specialise in rally prep,to strip the engine and check all replace all bearings etc that needed doing,and fit MLS HG's.
£2200 later the engine is fine but the bodywork is starting to rust, both rear arches showing bubbling and a small bubbling section by the rear windscreen.
I can see issues compounding on this car and I'm guessing this is why a lot are disappearing, the cost of repairs on cars only worth a few grand outweigh economical repair.
I'm persevering with mine but could have bought something nicer with the money I've spent. It's just such a nice handling car to drive when it's working fine I can't kill it off,like some of a more sensible persuasion would do.
Up until recently it had been totally reliable but then at 92k headgasket went. Due to moving house I've lost my garage so paid a garage who specialise in rally prep,to strip the engine and check all replace all bearings etc that needed doing,and fit MLS HG's.
£2200 later the engine is fine but the bodywork is starting to rust, both rear arches showing bubbling and a small bubbling section by the rear windscreen.
I can see issues compounding on this car and I'm guessing this is why a lot are disappearing, the cost of repairs on cars only worth a few grand outweigh economical repair.
I'm persevering with mine but could have bought something nicer with the money I've spent. It's just such a nice handling car to drive when it's working fine I can't kill it off,like some of a more sensible persuasion would do.
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