Impreza 2000 Turbo: Catch It While You Can
Prefer your Subaru fun in its original form? You might have to hurry before it's too late
But bear with me on this – the vanilla UK car really is something quite special. And just as my Integrale is an 8V and not an Evo, my Impreza of choice would be one of these, and not one of the higher profile variations such as the 22B, P1, or RB5. Why? Because, it's still an undoubted bargain, and not long from now, we might be left with nothing but the pumped-up Scoobies. And it's not as if a standard Impreza is slow, even by today's standards.
Before it sprouted wings and gold wheels...
Okay, so that's natural selection, and once it all shakes out, we'll be left with a pool of nice, early, original Imprezas to choose from. But by then, their appealing affordability may well have gone out of the window.
And I'll level with you – I absolutely adore these cars, and have done so from the moment Subaru started officially importing them into the UK 20 years ago. How could anyone not love a car that combined sheepish looks, a 211hp turbocharged flat-four, bullet-proof four-wheel drive transmission, and a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, with a list price of £17,999? Here's some 1994 context for you. This was the same price as a BMW 318iS Coupe, and truly a super-saloon for the working man.
This was a revelatory moment. Subaru had re-drawn the parameters of expected performance for the money, and it took rival manufacturers years to catch up. The road testers twigged the moment they got behind the wheel, as did buyers, who bought these rally-bred cars in their thousands. And very soon, Britain was reverberating to the sound of throbbing flat fours, pulsing like they were misfiring – and B-roads everywhere bore witness to mighty acts of giant-killing. Car magazine loved it so much, that five years on, it proclaimed the Impreza as its Car of The Decade for the 1990s. It's difficult to argue against that.
Classifieds tyre kicking unearths a few temptations
So, the old girl is still a great steer in 2014. There are a few well-known issues to watch out for – most notably rumbling bottom ends, poorly remapped examples boosting beyond their detonation limits, and general body corrosion and shabbiness. But they are as tough as old boots, and any major malady will soon become apparent on the shortest test drive. If it howls, clonks or doesn't drive straight and true, walk away. Bottom line – if you're looking at a UK-specification 2000 Turbo, the chances are, its running gear won't have come anywhere near being stressed.
Yes, you can buy a standard Impreza for around a grand right now. I tried one recently – and although its character was largely intact, I couldn't look too far beyond its many faults... and the impending bills. And I'm more forgiving to shedness than most. But raise your sights, and set a budget of £3,000, and there are still some very, very nice 2000 Turbos out there.
Two that jump off the page are both pretty vanilla, and all the more appealing for it. This one in Scotland with what the seller describes as a genuinely low mileage looks good. I'd bin the Team Dynamics wheels and dump valve, though. And the this Silver example, in all-original trim, new belts and 83,000 miles. And both come in at comfortably less than £3,000. It won't be too long, I reckon, before we all start regretting not buying cars like this while they were all so cheap...
Seriously I have lusted after a Scooby for ever and I am now nearly in position to get one, hope enough clean examples are around when everything comes together.
Also
Someone needs to tell the OP that his "obligatory Subaru blue" Impreza is actually green!
(original link in case he changes it
)http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Seriously I have lusted after a Scooby for ever and I am now nearly in position to get one, hope enough clean examples are around when everything comes together.
bargain
That said, the V5 for my RB5 (Metallic Grey colour) does say blue (because Subaru registered the RB5 in 'steel blue' hence the DVLA said, yep, that's blue.
I'm thinking of replacing the RB5, I've already nearly sold it once when I had to commute 250 miles a week (one tank) but did some man maths and couldn't bear to get rid. 2 years later I still have it and drive it every day.
There'll be tears the day I sell it I reckon.
"Something Japanese? Nice and reliable?" I suggested.
WRX 5 door Import. When that one died I got another, and another and the a couple of Leggy GTBs.
"Something Japanese? Nice and reliable?" I suggested.
WRX 5 door Import. When that one died I got another, and another and the a couple of Leggy GTBs.
Here's my 1999 Wagon. Bought it as a stop gap after selling a Porsche 924. I was fully expecting to sell it in the spring, however, I am loathed to part with it as it is such a hoot to drive.
It's relatively quick and comes alive through the twisties and the only real downside is its appetite for Shell's finest.
Great cars
ked about with. You want total originality IMO. I was looking at the car linked to in the advert this morning and other than the stickers I think that's more the sort of thing I'd be looking for-only from a private seller.
I can't think of anything much more capable on my favourite twisty B-road than one of these, for that sort of money.
Gone but not forgotten!
ked about with. You want total originality IMO. I was looking at the car linked to in the advert this morning and other than the stickers I think that's more the sort of thing I'd be looking for-only from a private seller.
It does suprise me how the Impreza is so cheap these days, ditto the Celica GT4, especially when the Escort Cosworth, E30 M3 and Integrale are so expensive, performance wise the Impreza is on a par.
Suppose the Impreza is more numerous and has been ruined in a lot of cases, suspect they will start getting snapped up as they start running out, look what has happened to every rusty old MK1/2 Escort shell, I would say the Impreza is probably the most iconic rally car of its generation.
Get a warehouse somewhere and go round buying up all the cheap ones, leave them say, what, 7 years and see where prices are.
There is something quite modest about early Impreza's that have not been messed with.
Here's my 1999 Wagon. Bought it as a stop gap after selling a Porsche 924. I was fully expecting to sell it in the spring, however, I am loathed to part with it as it is such a hoot to drive.
It's relatively quick and comes alive through the twisties and the only real downside is its appetite for Shell's finest.
Great cars
Lovely cars
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C466712
Always thought good money could be invested in a early standard or Pro-drive spec Impreza.
I'd want a lowish miles, few owner car, preferably totally original. I'd then map it, put a subtle (ie not a scoobysport) exhaust on it, possibly a brake upgrade and nothing else.
The problem with Imprezas is that when people start modifying them you're never sure exactly what's been done and to what standard. Better to look for an original minter.
I am more inclined to look at a 05> on-wards for better premiums but the classic shape still appeals probably most of all. Unfortunately prejudicial insurance all but see's to that for me.
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