Impreza Turbo winter car
Impreza Turbo winter car
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Discussion

martin mrt

Original Poster:

3,883 posts

230 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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After selling my Disco 2 a month ago I needed something practical, sensible and cheap to run to work, with this in mind I bought a Seat Inca van, it is ideal for what I need but it was mind numbingly boring as you would expect.

I suffered it for three weeks, used the fuel it came with and robbed the parrot kit from it, then sold it for the same as I bought it for.

Fortunately this popped up locally, I didn't expect much as it was advertised cheap, and when I called up to view the chap was waiting for the 1st viewer to return with the money. Gutted.

However the following day I recieved a call from the seller, a man called Eddie, explaining that the chap never returned and that I was the only genuine sounding person that had called about the car, apparently the standard of some of the calls he got was interesting (I can relate to this after selling a cheap impreza a few years ago)

I initially didn't expect much, however it turned out Eddie had owned the car for the past 10 years, he made sure all the servicing was done on time, the books were fully stamped up, every receipt was kept as were all the old MOTs. He was also keen to point out that the only non standard part on the car was the dealer fitted detachable towbar. My initial scepticism was quickly pushed aside when I seem that the clutch was done 5k ago, timing belt 15k ago and serviced 2k ago, it has covered a mere 92k, it even still has the supplying dealer plates and tax disc holder, Eddie was a joy to deal with, too honest for his own good, however a deal was done.

So here is my new daily/work car







So far I'm over the moon with it, the rear arches need attention ASAP, but other than that the very few niggles it has, I can sort myself

Best bit was the price, less than SOTW money



Edited by martin mrt on Sunday 30th September 22:30

M7 ATW

83 posts

176 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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I hate posts like this... makes me go straight on to Autotrader to see how much i can get one for!

Looks great, hope it serves you well.

Ved

3,949 posts

204 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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Lovely!

Ordinary_Chap

7,520 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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Nice clean looking Impreza! I love mine!

Is it still running the standard 214bhp?

Lee

martin mrt

Original Poster:

3,883 posts

230 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
quotequote all
Thanks, it looks good in the pictures, the rear arches do let it down somewhat.

It's bona fida standard, bar the towbar, do yes it's running standard power

GTIAlex

1,935 posts

195 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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Looks super clean, didn't even notice the arches until you mentioned them.


Ordinary_Chap

7,520 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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martin mrt said:
Thanks, it looks good in the pictures, the rear arches do let it down somewhat.

It's bona fida standard, bar the towbar, do yes it's running standard power
Its probably a good thing its standard at that age, it must surely increase the cars longevity. My RB5 (and is much higher strung) is the same age and has had a full engine rebuild, new turbo, recon gearbox and lots of other stuff.

Besides with the weight of the classics been low I'm sure it still goes well!

Lee

magnum555

473 posts

188 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Congratulations fantastic find, looks very good and well looked after. Enjoy!!!

epom

14,842 posts

190 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Very very very jealous. That looks lovely best of luck with it smile

Altrezia

8,740 posts

240 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Looks great - we used to have a Classic Estate a few years ago, such a capable car for so little money.

Yours looks really tidy - and the colour makes it nice and subtle, too!

martin mrt

Original Poster:

3,883 posts

230 months

Monday 1st October 2012
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Thanks guys, reassuring to see that a purchase ruled by the heart rather than the head was a wise move.

I am going to get the arches done ASAP, and see about lowering the front about 20mm as it seems to sit higher at the front than it does at the back, after that its time to enjoy it for what it is

Furyblade_Lee

4,114 posts

253 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Good winter car! We have had a 2001 WRX wagon for 7 years, been faultless and the first ever thing to go wrong just has. It needs a new radiator, but it's only £60! Cant imagine selling it, it's like a family pet now. We wil probobly end up doing what you do and run it October to March. Ours to be fair doesn't really get abused as it has always had my daughter riding in it but it has just gone over 100,000 miles on it original clutch, turbo and exhaust. Tough as old boots and if you get on it, not much will leave you down a B-Road even with standard power unless its driven by an abdolute lunatic!. The brakes are the weak link, I
can fade them on the road if driving in a spirited manor but different pads will hopefully cure that. Look after it and it should be a quality runaround. I wish our Boxster S was built even half as well..

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

241 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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You can't beat an Impreza as a winter car. I'm in two minds on selling my non-turbo but I seem to have too many cars at the moment so ebay it is!

Ordinary_Chap

7,520 posts

272 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Furyblade_Lee said:
Good winter car! We have had a 2001 WRX wagon for 7 years, been faultless and the first ever thing to go wrong just has. It needs a new radiator, but it's only £60! Cant imagine selling it, it's like a family pet now. We wil probobly end up doing what you do and run it October to March. Ours to be fair doesn't really get abused as it has always had my daughter riding in it but it has just gone over 100,000 miles on it original clutch, turbo and exhaust. Tough as old boots and if you get on it, not much will leave you down a B-Road even with standard power unless its driven by an abdolute lunatic!. The brakes are the weak link, I
can fade them on the road if driving in a spirited manor but different pads will hopefully cure that. Look after it and it should be a quality runaround. I wish our Boxster S was built even half as well..
Original brakes, clutch and turbo at 100k is doing very well! You must be really looking after it!

Mine at 100k had a full engine rebuild, new turbo, clutch, brakes overhaul etc!

Lee

rigga

8,805 posts

230 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Late classic Scooby wagon ...... top top choice

martin mrt

Original Poster:

3,883 posts

230 months

Tuesday 2nd October 2012
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Lots of love for the Wagon, cheers.

Lots of hatred for the subaru stealer, I priced up a wheel centre cap as the NSR is missing, £27 plus VAT for a cap.

That's daylight robbery, I can get 4 for my BMW for less than that

Roger Woods

643 posts

240 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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Furyblade_Lee said:
Good winter car! We have had a 2001 WRX wagon for 7 years, been faultless and the first ever thing to go wrong just has. It needs a new radiator, but it's only £60! Cant imagine selling it, it's like a family pet now. We wil probobly end up doing what you do and run it October to March. Ours to be fair doesn't really get abused as it has always had my daughter riding in it but it has just gone over 100,000 miles on it original clutch, turbo and exhaust. Tough as old boots and if you get on it, not much will leave you down a B-Road even with standard power unless its driven by an abdolute lunatic!. The brakes are the weak link, I
can fade them on the road if driving in a spirited manor but different pads will hopefully cure that. Look after it and it should be a quality runaround. I wish our Boxster S was built even half as well..
i sold my 2000 Mdl Turbo last year with 115,000 on it and everything baring the tyres and battery was original, great car, I have a 2003 WRX PPP now but its not as good as the old one.

jonny142

1,804 posts

254 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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Lovely 'rare' unmolested car you've got there Martin,I love the classic shape and the huggy seat's are far better than the hawkeye seat's,had both and the classic's are far better !

HonestIago

1,719 posts

215 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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Lovely looking Impreza! I'm also after one for the winter, must be a MY99 just torn between saloon vs hatch!

SirSamuelBuca

1,353 posts

186 months

Saturday 6th October 2012
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Oopd

Edited by SirSamuelBuca on Saturday 6th October 11:56