RE: Shed of the Week: Subaru Impreza Turbo Estate
Discussion
Good shed. I like the colour too.
Genuinely impressive once rolling. Did overboost way before it was cool.
My Merc doesn’t feel much torquier than my old 9-5 did, and it has a small nuclear reactor rather than an engine (blunted by an auto box and quite some mass).
aaron_2000 said:
Gribs said:
The usual Saab Aero's are quite a bit quicker above 30 mph in a straight line.
Didn't think of a Saab Aero, good shout. My Merc doesn’t feel much torquier than my old 9-5 did, and it has a small nuclear reactor rather than an engine (blunted by an auto box and quite some mass).
treeroy said:
rastapasta said:
Losing their identity?? Sales in the states would strongly suggest otherwise. They never sold in big numbers in the UK. Only in the US, Aus, Japan and Switzerland. They don't enter rallying as the regulations don't suit them to do so, I think they will come back when the regs change.
As for this car, this is a very nice shed. Keep the rust off and it has another 20,000 miles in it easily.
Why would it only last 20,000 miles if the rust is dealt with?As for this car, this is a very nice shed. Keep the rust off and it has another 20,000 miles in it easily.
JazzyTopher said:
Nice to see a Subaru featured in shed. Spot on money wise I would say. Oil leak is easy enough fix, but like others have commented, rust on the rear is a killer with these early Impreza's. I've owned a few in my time, and currently have a very early 1992 model undergoing restoration at the moment. Doubt the standard cars will ever make huge money like the 22b and P1 ( Wish I had kept it now), however as a modern classic I think they are a nice car to have for a weekend toy.
Car looking good Chris! Wish I kept that P1 too!!! ;-)aaron_2000 said:
I love the GF8 wagon, can't say I like the leather, or the pre facelift interior. But for £1500 you probably can't get any quicker unless you get a bike. Are there any quicker cars for sale at £1500 now actually?
They were quick off the line and in the infamous “twistes” but transmission losses blunted their top end performance and cars with similar power like the Fiat Coupe turbo, etc would come into their own.Edited by aaron_2000 on Friday 12th January 12:19
Loved my ‘98 lightly breathed on UK turbo back in the day but suspect I’d find it a bit lacking if I were to own it today. Possibly more a reflection on me than the car though
Chris
DoubleTime said:
Agree with most posters. Top shed. I considered a wagon Impreza wrx but opted for a less bork prone Clio 172 cup. Still got a big soft spot for that scooby engine note though
Owned a Classic Scooby saloon many years ago, along with my 172 Cup it's one of my favourite cars I've ever owned, had it for 4 years & the tyre bills were scary!Owned 4 imprezas, and the very first one I drove was a friends car, and the same green; it stuck with me as an incredible rush, and I had to have one.
I still remember that first ever drive. Amazing. So light (1250 kg), and good power, from memory was about 300 bhp. Just such a fun little car in the twisties, as well as off the line. Can't really say much about top end because Australia would crucify people for high speed (well, for pretty much everything. But that especially), and even so, this was probably the most fun car I'd ever owned.
I still remember that first ever drive. Amazing. So light (1250 kg), and good power, from memory was about 300 bhp. Just such a fun little car in the twisties, as well as off the line. Can't really say much about top end because Australia would crucify people for high speed (well, for pretty much everything. But that especially), and even so, this was probably the most fun car I'd ever owned.
I think the freshened up post 97/98 versions R plate onwards are a nicer buy whilst still retaining that classic look. back in the day they made a lovely noise unlike the farting and parping that people seem to strangely love these days in their modern point and squirt chariots. if you want drama then the impreza is better choice.
Great shed of course. Owned four classic Impreza Turbo's total and only let go because I got too old to have chavvy kids with baseball caps lying sideways in the drivers seat wave at me because were driving the same car.
The car itself was always brilliant.
After the second one I got an Evo VI, then a VII but even though they were faster they lacked any sort of character, which is what the Scooby had in spades. So got a third one, part-x'ed that in the end for an E-46 M3 smg which was so underwhelming I came back for Impreza number four.
To get it really sorted for the track it needed upgraded brakes and dampers but there was something about driving them that was very special. And it sounded better than most 6 or even 8 cilinder cars.
The car itself was always brilliant.
After the second one I got an Evo VI, then a VII but even though they were faster they lacked any sort of character, which is what the Scooby had in spades. So got a third one, part-x'ed that in the end for an E-46 M3 smg which was so underwhelming I came back for Impreza number four.
To get it really sorted for the track it needed upgraded brakes and dampers but there was something about driving them that was very special. And it sounded better than most 6 or even 8 cilinder cars.
Best car I have owned to date, brought back all the characteristics, the clack, clack of the air sampling solenoid, initial clutch judder from new, characterful turbo lag that could leave you seriously embarrassed at times, the view over the bonnet interrupted by the inter cooler intake - I could go on and probably already have. Re oil leak it could be the the oil cooler pipe that sits in front of the rad, corrosion sets in at the end and blows back through the rad over the engine, clue is topping up the power steering oil or a high whining noise.
I’ve owned several classics with the last one making 373bhp. I think over 330 they become really playful and under 300 they are a little dull as they are just too competent.
My last one was great fun and really was hard to go any faster on a country road but it also had 10k put into it with all of the upgrades (engine, suspension, brakes and drivetrain).
The single cheapest and best upgrade for me was a much thicker ARB and suspension setup to remove understeer which they do from the factory.
Amazing cars and very reliable when setup correctly.
My last one was great fun and really was hard to go any faster on a country road but it also had 10k put into it with all of the upgrades (engine, suspension, brakes and drivetrain).
The single cheapest and best upgrade for me was a much thicker ARB and suspension setup to remove understeer which they do from the factory.
Amazing cars and very reliable when setup correctly.
aaron_2000 said:
Gribs said:
The usual Saab Aero's are quite a bit quicker above 30 mph in a straight line.
Didn't think of a Saab Aero, good shout. As good as a Saab would be, and as nicer as it would be to live with day to day, I just can't think of a better way to spend £1500. I agree with an above poster that the facelift with the nicer interior and front end would be nicer, but hey. I'm betting this'll be on the top ten for SOTY. What a good pick, much better than some of the awful stuff we had last year (Escort Encore)
Arese1973 said:
My money would go on a newer forester turbo (SG). That rust would always be on my mind and will ultimately be terminal possibly for the next owner.
Sadly they rust too....Having installed a rear subframe on my forester a while back after the last one was reduced to flaky pastry, a few years later and the mot tester said that while the car was completely solid, everything bolted to the car was rotten. It sits outside waiting for me to replace/repair most of the back end.As for the rear turrets on these, they are an issue as well. Still a decent shed, and a cracking buy if the rot has been dealt with, for now...
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