RE: One-owner Subaru Impreza RB5 for sale

[trails]

Phil74 said:

Good to see you clarifying things
Have you still got yours, and is it on the road yet?

JDM classics are where it's at in my opinion, but what do I know...

I quite like this one, although it might be slightly tweaked though...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&amp...

Ha!

It’s closer to the road because it’s on the drive now while I rebuild the garage

[Prohibiting]

This for £30k is where my money would go

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Subaru-Impreza-WRX...

[Scobblelotcher]

trails said:

Scobblelotcher said:

The RB5 did have a solid rear bulkhead. I owned two and both had it. I seem to remember the RB5 had the STi 5 body but not 100% on that. Maybe some of the first cars didn’t or were repaired?

Maybe semantics, but what the internet calls a fixed rear bulkhead is just non-reclining seats and a square section strut brace…same as the sti’s.

I think the language comes from Subaru back in the day but that’s a long time ago now. I loved my (heavily modified) RB5 so much I kept it for 11 years (longest I’ve ever owned a car for) although it was a second car parked in my garage for most of that.

A well sorted classic with over 330bhp is a brilliant experience to drive. Below 300bhp I always felt they were just too competent and managed power so effortlessly they lacked drama/excitement. My last RB5 was modded to the point the factory intercooler wasn’t working well enough (it did also have some damaged fins that didn’t help) and the advice at the time was to move to a front mount intercooler which also meant the air box had to go to allow for the front mount piping and thus I had an induction kit (RCM I think) and it then had a high boost map 1.75bar and the noises it made was amazing!

Here's my old one running anti-lag (was included in the mapping of the Alcatek).

Edited by Scobblelotcher on Saturday 27th November 17:32

[w824gb3]

I miss my 2000 W Impreza. Everything was mechanically just right. I don't miss the 6 monthly services though. That was archaic even twenty years ago. The one in the advert must have only been serviced half as often as recommended.

[Harrypop]

I've tried searching way back through my posts but can't find the thread where I bought up the car below, it was at 15K at that point and folks at the time were already saying that it wasn't worth buying at that price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284394902236?hash=item4...

And that's before you take the dealer in question into account....nice flat tire......

[Checkmate]

The one in the article which is only mildly smarter, but no faster than my standard Turbo 2000, for 40k(!)
Or this This Type R on c&c for a lot less, and a much more special car:
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1404529
Yeah.

[Speed Badger]

Throwback pic of me and a friend back in the day when our respective cars were worth around £6k and £9k respectively!

[Section 8]

samoht said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Whilst we’re on the subject, how about some more models of cars associated with the name of a famous racing driver? The lead story mentions a few, so here’s some more from me.

BMW M3 Johnny Cecotto
Mercedes Stirling Moss
McLaren Senna (2 for the price of one here)
Bugatti Chiron
Audi Nuvolari

a couple spring to mind, both rally-related:

Celica Turbo 4WD Carlos Sainz Edition (good)
Citroen C4 'By Loeb' (bad)

I also like the road cars carrying the name of non-works racing teams, like the Clio Williams and Civic Jordan.

There's also an example of the opposite, a famous racing driver who was named after a road car - Jenson Button.

Vauxhall Viva Brabham.

[trails]

Scobblelotcher said:

I think the language comes from Subaru back in the day but that’s a long time ago now. I loved my (heavily modified) RB5 so much I kept it for 11 years (longest I’ve ever owned a car for) although it was a second car parked in my garage for most of that.

A well sorted classic with over 330bhp is a brilliant experience to drive. Below 300bhp I always felt they were just too competent and managed power so effortlessly they lacked drama/excitement. My last RB5 was modded to the point the factory intercooler wasn’t working well enough (it did also have some damaged fins that didn’t help) and the advice at the time was to move to a front mount intercooler which also meant the air box had to go to allow for the front mount piping and thus I had an induction kit (RCM I think) and it then had a high boost map 1.75bar and the noises it made was amazing!

Here's my old one running anti-lag (was included in the mapping of the Alcatek).

Edited by Scobblelotcher on Saturday 27th November 17:32

You must have been on SN or 22b in that case…an 18g TD05 is a bit of a sweet spot, but it’s far too easy to get carried away!

[Scobblelotcher]

trails said:

Scobblelotcher said:

I think the language comes from Subaru back in the day but that’s a long time ago now. I loved my (heavily modified) RB5 so much I kept it for 11 years (longest I’ve ever owned a car for) although it was a second car parked in my garage for most of that.

A well sorted classic with over 330bhp is a brilliant experience to drive. Below 300bhp I always felt they were just too competent and managed power so effortlessly they lacked drama/excitement. My last RB5 was modded to the point the factory intercooler wasn’t working well enough (it did also have some damaged fins that didn’t help) and the advice at the time was to move to a front mount intercooler which also meant the air box had to go to allow for the front mount piping and thus I had an induction kit (RCM I think) and it then had a high boost map 1.75bar and the noises it made was amazing!

Here's my old one running anti-lag (was included in the mapping of the Alcatek).

Edited by Scobblelotcher on Saturday 27th November 17:32

You must have been on SN or 22b in that case…an 18g TD05 is a bit of a sweet spot, but it’s far too easy to get carried away!

I was but never posted, just lurked,

I didn’t go down the td05 route but agreed it’s good option.

It is easy to get carried away and I was also naive. I ended up going down the forged route after a rebuild was recommended and then why not run a bigger turbo, actually you need bigger injectors and fuel pump, more capable ECU and a freer flowing exhaust etc…. Get to mapping and the clutch gives up, better clutch… gearbox decides to call it a day…another mapping day, top mount intercooler not sufficient..,,switch to front mount… more mapping!

Still after it all, it was a fantastic car!

[anonymous-user]

It's not even prodrive one. Low level wing is a giveaway and won't have WR dials.

I used to love mine but flogged it for £12k 4 years ago.

[MDMA .]

My mate has a low mileage one in his body shop at the moment. Came in like a rotten carrot. Rear end on them is terrible for rotting. Be nice when it's finally done, but I'd take a JDM version every time. MY95 WRX Type RA STi Version would be my choice with the closed deck block.

[Jon_S_Rally]

I think those complaining that it's not a JDM model are rather missing the point. To you, it might just be some stickers and paint but, to others, it could be a link to a childhood idol.

People don't always buy cars because they're objectively the best, but because they feel a connection to them. It staggers me that this comes up again and again on a car forum.

[s m]

Jon_S_Rally said:

I think those complaining that it's not a JDM model are rather missing the point. To you, it might just be some stickers and paint but, to others, it could be a link to a childhood idol.

People don't always buy cars because they're objectively the best, but because they feel a connection to them. It staggers me that this comes up again and again on a car forum.

EVO mag had a few Impreza variants in their big group test which included some laps and a journey across Wales for road impressions

They picked the RB5 overall as the best all rounder but I guess we’d all have our own favourites if we were to drive the selection they had



Porsche lovers would probably pick a 911, Integrale fans an Integrale etc

Obviously they gelled with the RB5 on that occasion rather than the 22B or WRX STi

[plenty]

s m said:

Obviously they gelled with the RB5 on that occasion rather than the 22B or WRX STi

That can only be explained rationally if the test RB5 was fitted with PPP and Prodrive suspension. The latter in particular is vastly better on British roads compared with the MY99 STi or 22b suspension.

The whole point of this thread has been to explain that the 'base' RB5 is qualitatively no different from the UK Turbo 2000 which is considered by most Impreza fans to be a diluted experience. Of course, once you slap on some mods it comes alive.

I have no problem with special editions being desirable and fetching good money. But some myths do need to be busted. The car that evo tested, assuming I am correct and it was modified, is not representative of a 'standard' RB5 nor of the car in the advert that is the subject of this thread.

[s m]

plenty said:

s m said:

Obviously they gelled with the RB5 on that occasion rather than the 22B or WRX STi

That can only be explained rationally if the test RB5 was fitted with PPP and Prodrive suspension. The latter in particular is vastly better on British roads compared with the MY99 STi or 22b suspension.

The whole point of this thread has been to explain that the 'base' RB5 is qualitatively no different from the UK Turbo 2000 which is considered by most Impreza fans to be a diluted experience. Of course, once you slap on some mods it comes alive.

I have no problem with special editions being desirable and fetching good money. But some myths do need to be busted. The car that evo tested, assuming I am correct and it was modified, is not representative of a 'standard' RB5 nor of the car in the advert that is the subject of this thread.

I’m sure you’re right, was more agreeing with Jon that car choice is emotive to a certain extent, not always based on cross country speed etc

[Jon_S_Rally]

s m said:

I’m sure you’re right, was more agreeing with Jon that car choice is emotive to a certain extent, not always based on cross country speed etc

Exactly. It's no different to some people claiming the P1 is the ultimate Impreza, while others would claim that the 22B is. It's just down to personal choice, or whichever tickled your ticklish bits at a given moment.

People take the whole thing far too seriously. Cars are supposed to be fun.

[MiseryStreak]

I remember that article, and the results were/are full of surprises. People ridiculed the Mk 1 TT as having the worst handling ever and needing electronic intervention just to go around corners, and I still hear old boys talking about the Integrale Evo as being the quickest ‘point to point B road car’ on the planet. The reality is somewhat different.

I’ll take the Evo though. And the RB5 PPP. And the Evo VI, 22B, P1…

[s m]

MiseryStreak said:

I remember that article, and the results were/are full of surprises. People ridiculed the Mk 1 TT as having the worst handling ever and needing electronic intervention just to go around corners, and I still hear old boys talking about the Integrale Evo as being the quickest ‘point to point B road car’ on the planet. The reality is somewhat different.

I’ll take the Evo though. And the RB5 PPP. And the Evo VI, 22B, P1…

Might have been an early TT they tested without the chassis mods perhaps.
CAR and Autocar both rated the original TT quite highly. CAR even picked it as their affordable handling champion in their 1999 Handling test. They reckoned the safety changes ruined it as a drivers car

I’d certainly like to try all those cars though!

[anonymous-user]

plenty said:

s m said:

Obviously they gelled with the RB5 on that occasion rather than the 22B or WRX STi

That can only be explained rationally if the test RB5 was fitted with PPP and Prodrive suspension. The latter in particular is vastly better on British roads compared with the MY99 STi or 22b suspension.

The whole point of this thread has been to explain that the 'base' RB5 is qualitatively no different from the UK Turbo 2000 which is considered by most Impreza fans to be a diluted experience. Of course, once you slap on some mods it comes alive.

I have no problem with special editions being desirable and fetching good money. But some myths do need to be busted. The car that evo tested, assuming I am correct and it was modified, is not representative of a 'standard' RB5 nor of the car in the advert that is the subject of this thread.

If you look at the car in the article above, it has the prodrive spoiler and therefore the uprated exhaust and remap. It may well have the prodrive suspension or it may not but I found on UK roads that the RB5 with about 270bhp and standard suspension was a nicer drive than the v6 STi by some margin. I've never driven a 22B though, should have grabbed one when they were £30k.