RE: Subaru Impreza WRX PPP Estate: PH Carpool
Discussion
had a 2002 prodrive bugeye WRX for about 6 years.
loved the sound, the performance and the reliability (never broke down once in all the time I had it)
hated the driving position (bad back one of the reasons I eventually let it go) and the fuel economy (about 22 mpg round town)
very special cars though.
loved the sound, the performance and the reliability (never broke down once in all the time I had it)
hated the driving position (bad back one of the reasons I eventually let it go) and the fuel economy (about 22 mpg round town)
very special cars though.
Just like mine! Well until some bint in a micra caved the back in!
https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/su...
In a Fozzie STi now which is the next logical step to take!
Nice write up!
https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/su...
In a Fozzie STi now which is the next logical step to take!
Nice write up!
Barkychoc said:
My son just had the 'transverse links' done - which in reality means it had snapped a wishbone - not quite sure where exactly it broke but it is now fixed and back on the road free of charge - but it was off the road for over 2 weeks with no courtesy car. Whether it broke Top Gear style similar to Richard Hammond I have no idea.
We've owned the car 3 years so I don't think Subaru tried that hard to contact owners - it's only had 1 previous owner.
On the plus side there was no quibble - parts were ordered and repair agreed quickly on a 14 year old car was more than I was expecting.
There was a recall on all newage imprezas that had steel wishbones...We've owned the car 3 years so I don't think Subaru tried that hard to contact owners - it's only had 1 previous owner.
On the plus side there was no quibble - parts were ordered and repair agreed quickly on a 14 year old car was more than I was expecting.
They're very underrated and tremendously fun cars, surprisingly cheap to run too compared to their German opposition.
I miss the noise and the grip of mine, nothing on the road sounds like the Subaru flat four burble, it's instantly recognisable, even though like you say, people who aren't in the know automatically think you're a boy racer haha.
My daily is now an AMG, but I'm looking at a bug as a second car; I had a WRX bugeye and a STI widetrack (2.0 rather than the torquey but weaker 2.5), but always preferred the look of the bug STI - I know I'm in the minority there, but I think the STI bugs have aged better (other than the rear light clusters and earlier interior which was fitted to the pre-facelift blobs).
In regards to your service OP, I would thoroughly recommend doing the plugs, gearbox oil and rear diff oil if there's no history to say they've been done, they often get forgotten by owners who've tried to run the car on a shoestring.
I miss the noise and the grip of mine, nothing on the road sounds like the Subaru flat four burble, it's instantly recognisable, even though like you say, people who aren't in the know automatically think you're a boy racer haha.
My daily is now an AMG, but I'm looking at a bug as a second car; I had a WRX bugeye and a STI widetrack (2.0 rather than the torquey but weaker 2.5), but always preferred the look of the bug STI - I know I'm in the minority there, but I think the STI bugs have aged better (other than the rear light clusters and earlier interior which was fitted to the pre-facelift blobs).
In regards to your service OP, I would thoroughly recommend doing the plugs, gearbox oil and rear diff oil if there's no history to say they've been done, they often get forgotten by owners who've tried to run the car on a shoestring.
mrnoisy78 said:
They're very underrated and tremendously fun cars, surprisingly cheap to run too compared to their German opposition.
I miss the noise and the grip of mine, nothing on the road sounds like the Subaru flat four burble, it's instantly recognisable, even though like you say, people who aren't in the know automatically think you're a boy racer haha.
My daily is now an AMG, but I'm looking at a bug as a second car; I had a WRX bugeye and a STI widetrack (2.0 rather than the torquey but weaker 2.5), but always preferred the look of the bug STI - I know I'm in the minority there, but I think the STI bugs have aged better (other than the rear light clusters and earlier interior which was fitted to the pre-facelift blobs).
In regards to your service OP, I would thoroughly recommend doing the plugs, gearbox oil and rear diff oil if there's no history to say they've been done, they often get forgotten by owners who've tried to run the car on a shoestring.
Diff oil was done about 18 months ago but not sure about the gearbox and plugs, something to look in to...thanks.I miss the noise and the grip of mine, nothing on the road sounds like the Subaru flat four burble, it's instantly recognisable, even though like you say, people who aren't in the know automatically think you're a boy racer haha.
My daily is now an AMG, but I'm looking at a bug as a second car; I had a WRX bugeye and a STI widetrack (2.0 rather than the torquey but weaker 2.5), but always preferred the look of the bug STI - I know I'm in the minority there, but I think the STI bugs have aged better (other than the rear light clusters and earlier interior which was fitted to the pre-facelift blobs).
In regards to your service OP, I would thoroughly recommend doing the plugs, gearbox oil and rear diff oil if there's no history to say they've been done, they often get forgotten by owners who've tried to run the car on a shoestring.
Nice write up OP. How'd you manage to sneak this one past the editorial team? Aren't you supposed to have only owned it a matter of days or in the process of selling to be featured?! :-p
I daren't think what reactions you must be getting to that exhaust note! My bog-stock Mk3 MX5 used to annoy people when going under the speed limit and there's one local lady has taken against our MINI with a barely perceptible blow on the exhaust recently.
I daren't think what reactions you must be getting to that exhaust note! My bog-stock Mk3 MX5 used to annoy people when going under the speed limit and there's one local lady has taken against our MINI with a barely perceptible blow on the exhaust recently.
Nice write up. I had an 04 PPP saloon from new, sold in '07 with 85k and I still miss it.
You didnt mention it in your write up but wondered what your experience with fuel type was? I remember mine had a sticker in the glovebox affirming that the car had the official PPP conversion and that it had been designed to run on super unleaded 97 octane or more in order to acheive the increased performance figures.
I have never owned a car since that was so sensitive to fuel (most cars you simply cant tell). Putting Tescos 99 octane in the PPP was like using rocket fuel.
You didnt mention it in your write up but wondered what your experience with fuel type was? I remember mine had a sticker in the glovebox affirming that the car had the official PPP conversion and that it had been designed to run on super unleaded 97 octane or more in order to acheive the increased performance figures.
I have never owned a car since that was so sensitive to fuel (most cars you simply cant tell). Putting Tescos 99 octane in the PPP was like using rocket fuel.
Shaoxter said:
Nice write up and all, but I've always wondered... why on earth do people need to go to the tip so often? I think I've been once in the last 10 years yet it seems people are buying cars for their tip running ability? 
We moved house in the summer so there was quite a bit of stuff needing chucked out and doing diy in the new place hence the tip runs! goodhand said:
Great write up. Interested in how this compares to a S4, as my WRX (PPP & SL) wagon will be up for sale soon and the Audi is on my shortlist.
The B5 S4 was a lot comfier as said in the article, it was a good bit faster due to a remap and had sooooo much torque. Think it was about 315 bhp and as it was twin turbo the power was always there. The handling wasn’t as good as the Impreza and had a bit of understeer, probably due to the weight of the 2.7 up front. So far the Impreza has been cheaper to run too. All being said I’d still definitely have another in the future if a low mileage one popped up as I really enjoyed it and I don’t think you’d loose money on it now if you bought wisely. 
I prefer the looks of my Bug wagon over my Blob wagon. I just think the shorter, flatter front end balances the propotions better. 3/4 rear view of the wagon is best.
With regards to boot size, they are about 20% bigger than a Golf (based on fitting a pram in either of my wagons compared to the wife's Mk5 Golf). However, they possibly sacrifice rear legroom for addtional boot space. I always find it odd when people opt for a Forester "for more room" when it's the same floor pan as an Impreza and therefore the same internal dimensions! All you gain is slightly more height at the very back of the boot, as the Forester's tailgate is at right angles, rather than sloped inward on the Impreza. You need to consider a Legacy if you want more room.
With regards to boot size, they are about 20% bigger than a Golf (based on fitting a pram in either of my wagons compared to the wife's Mk5 Golf). However, they possibly sacrifice rear legroom for addtional boot space. I always find it odd when people opt for a Forester "for more room" when it's the same floor pan as an Impreza and therefore the same internal dimensions! All you gain is slightly more height at the very back of the boot, as the Forester's tailgate is at right angles, rather than sloped inward on the Impreza. You need to consider a Legacy if you want more room.
I'm blaming the OP here - I decided to go and test drive a JDM bug STI I'd had my eye on 
Pretty much standard other than a set of tubular headers, sports cat down pipe and a walbro.
Didn't go too badly when I test drove it, was actually very surprised how fast it felt considering what I've been used to in the past.
Deal done, so this is my third Impreza in the last 13 years!
Drove it straight to SRR to get the fuelling and general car checked, banged on the dyno and made 320, but Duncan commented it was a little lean (although not detting) at the top end, so he stuck a map on it, and 30 minutes later 340/355, albeit with a Neutral Position Sensor that needed replacing, which explained the slight hesitation on spool up.
New NPS already ordered for a very reasonable £40 from ICP, so will be putting that on along with a new oil and filter before it goes back for a final setup and a few more runs.
It's the highest figure I've ever seen from a standard vf single scroll turbo car I've owned - my previous WRX and STI on vf35's struggled to get above 330, and coupled with the shorter range gearbox and auto i/c spray on the JDM, this is a cracking little car, I couldn't get over how fast it felt on the road (bearing in mind my C63 is 520bhp).
All I can say is I still have my C63 and love it, but I am so glad I bought another Impreza - my mate who took me to see it said jokingly the day before "come on, part of your soul is missing" - but laughs aside he wasn't wrong.
When my mate Simon (JGM) was prematurely taken from us a few years ago, I think part of my love for the car died with him, but I've never forgotten his infectious enthusiasm for the cars and found myself coming back again, lots of memories with the marque.
There is just *nothing* like these cars coming out on the market anymore, bar perhaps the new CTR and I just can't get on with the looks of the new one, nor justify the money they go for either!
The only downside is having to repeatedly justify to the wife why I need 3 cars LOL
Pretty much standard other than a set of tubular headers, sports cat down pipe and a walbro.
Didn't go too badly when I test drove it, was actually very surprised how fast it felt considering what I've been used to in the past.
Deal done, so this is my third Impreza in the last 13 years!
Drove it straight to SRR to get the fuelling and general car checked, banged on the dyno and made 320, but Duncan commented it was a little lean (although not detting) at the top end, so he stuck a map on it, and 30 minutes later 340/355, albeit with a Neutral Position Sensor that needed replacing, which explained the slight hesitation on spool up.
New NPS already ordered for a very reasonable £40 from ICP, so will be putting that on along with a new oil and filter before it goes back for a final setup and a few more runs.
It's the highest figure I've ever seen from a standard vf single scroll turbo car I've owned - my previous WRX and STI on vf35's struggled to get above 330, and coupled with the shorter range gearbox and auto i/c spray on the JDM, this is a cracking little car, I couldn't get over how fast it felt on the road (bearing in mind my C63 is 520bhp).
All I can say is I still have my C63 and love it, but I am so glad I bought another Impreza - my mate who took me to see it said jokingly the day before "come on, part of your soul is missing" - but laughs aside he wasn't wrong
. When my mate Simon (JGM) was prematurely taken from us a few years ago, I think part of my love for the car died with him, but I've never forgotten his infectious enthusiasm for the cars and found myself coming back again, lots of memories with the marque.
There is just *nothing* like these cars coming out on the market anymore, bar perhaps the new CTR and I just can't get on with the looks of the new one, nor justify the money they go for either!
The only downside is having to repeatedly justify to the wife why I need 3 cars LOL
Edited by mrnoisy78 on Saturday 10th March 10:00
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