RE: Shed of the Week: Subaru Impreza WRX PPP

[rossub]

LP670 said:

are these cars known for being plagued with rust?

Yes. Quite a lot of horror stories around, even at 2006-07 age. Sub-frames, sills, brake and fuel lines, rear arches and rear strut towers. However the ‘newage’ cars are now 11-17 years old, so actually they’re probably no worse than other cars of that age - E46 BMW anyone? Ford of any model?

[Mr Tidy]

rossub said:

Yes. Quite a lot of horror stories around, even at 2006-07 age. Sub-frames, sills, brake and fuel lines, rear arches and rear strut towers. However the ‘newage’ cars are now 11-17 years old, so actually they’re probably no worse than other cars of that age - E46 BMW anyone? Ford of any model?

Well seeing as BMW E46s are 18 to 13 years old I'd say they are doing better than 12 or 11 year old Scoobys to be fair!

A mate of mine bought one with a view to using it on track-days, but he changed his mind when one of his mates had his "blow up" on a track day due to oil surge / oil starvation - so much for their performance credentials!

[Paulm4]

I had one of these, the cambelt change was £150 in parts and it was simple enough that I did it myself on the driveway.

Also, the references to savage police presence in the Highlands. I live just south of Inverness and do 20k a year with work and you can often go for many days without seeing a police car. Camera vans are in known locations and on trunk roads and I've seen the police out with the speed gun only twice this year.
The irony is the speed is usually regulated by the tourist or lorry that you get stuck behind and refuses to pull over!

[Sa Calobra]

Mr Tidy said:

Well seeing as BMW E46s are 18 to 13 years old I'd say they are doing better than 12 or 11 year old Scoobys to be fair!

A mate of mine bought one with a view to using it on track-days, but he changed his mind when one of his mates had his "blow up" on a track day due to oil surge / oil starvation - so much for their performance credentials!

I'd have a Subaru over a beemer all day long. One example doesn't make it fact.

[Konan]

Mr Tidy said:

A mate of mine bought one with a view to using it on track-days, but he changed his mind when one of his mates had his "blow up" on a track day due to oil surge / oil starvation - so much for their performance credentials!

They do that. As I mentioned, they're not much of a track car out of the box, especially the WRX. Oil control issues tend happen on dry track days with long fast corners. A car can still have some performance credentials without being a track car, can't it? Fancy trying to follow a WRX down a mud covered backroad in the Caterham on a set of R888?

[rossub]

Konan said:

Mr Tidy said:

A mate of mine bought one with a view to using it on track-days, but he changed his mind when one of his mates had his "blow up" on a track day due to oil surge / oil starvation - so much for their performance credentials!

They do that. As I mentioned, they're not much of a track car out of the box, especially the WRX. Oil control issues tend happen on dry track days with long fast corners. A car can still have some performance credentials without being a track car, can't it? Fancy trying to follow a WRX down a mud covered backroad in the Caterham on a set of R888?

Exactly, they were never designed as track cars. A baffled sump sorts that problem though - readily available.

[Konan]

rossub said:

Exactly, they were never designed as track cars. A baffled sump sorts that problem though - readily available.

Indeed. But an utter bd to fit!

[Carlson W6]

My shed.

I’ve had it since new. 60,000 miles.

Standard vehicle with only Prodrive WR upgrade from factory.

Readers Cars thread- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Tenck]

Ved said:

I think they were upgraded as part of the package. Used to be backbox, map and fuel pump.

Edited by Ved on Friday 25th May 16:45

I believe that was only part of the STI PPP package, not of the regular WRX PPP package.

[Ved]

Tenck said:

Ved said:

I think they were upgraded as part of the package. Used to be backbox, map and fuel pump.

Edited by Ved on Friday 25th May 16:45

I believe that was only part of the STI PPP package, not of the regular WRX PPP package.

You're correct:

WRX (2003 brochure but the same as the bugeye)
• Recalibrated engine management system
• High flow intercooler hose
• Stainless steel sports
• Exhaust silencers

WRX STI
• Recalibrated engine management system
• High capacity fuel pump
• High flow catalyst
• Stainless steel sports exhaust silencers

[MikeDB1]

Look out for rust forming in the hidden crevices of the rear wheel arches, especially in the wagon version this is. Caught me out badly even though I'd owned the car from new and thought I was looking after it. Took £1000 of welding to get it through the MOT. Also make sure the front wishbone recall has been done. Mine was checked and said to be okay, then failed a year later and Subaru wouldn't pick up the cost.

[TEKNOPUG]

I have an 02 WRX PPP Wagon which I'm prepping to sell at the moment. It's on 178k and I was thinking about pricing it at £1250. Just trying to figure out whether it's better or worse than this SoTW!