'classic' Impreza
Discussion
I've been thinking about taking a dangerous trip down the 'new car on finance' road when I noticed this rather handsome Impreza in the classifieds for £2995.
It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
k it, you only live once. Can't be worrying about things like that, if you want the car get it ! I've followed my own advice and not gone far wrong really so far BriC175 said:
Ha!Rather ironically I read that after a visit to a BMW garage today where, after initially enquiring about a 15k car I found myself being pushed towards a 20k car!
Mine had 121k on the clock when I sold mine and was still tight and running well. Mine was a 98 and cost me 1900 so moybe a little overpriced? The 99/00 ones do command a premium though, they're the ones with the newer style front bumper/lights and stuff. 100K shouldn't be a problem, just take the usual precautions you would when buying any car. Do make sure the cambelts been done on time though
nottyash said:
Ours was nice (V plate 40k miles) but they roll to much for a proper sports car and can be overpriced, like that one is. I would say £500 off that price is about there condition dependant.
What are you classifing as a proper sports car?Whatever car I get has to entertain when required but ultimately be reliable for my 27 mile ea way trip to work.
It should be fine, as long as the cambelt has been done on time. Ive had several, and the only major problem was an oil pump exploding, but that was my own fault, and it was a 1993 car, so it was old anyways.
Other then the cambelt, i dont think theres any major issues, just check the usual clutch/MAF etc. On B roads they are still weapons, not much can touch them, especially for the price.
Fuel is erm, not so brilliant. The best i ever for was about 25mpg from mine sat on the motorway. I usually averaged 20 in day to day driving round yorkshire, but that would drop to about 15 with some sprited driving thrown in.
If you do get one, remember this golden rule: Never let off in a corner, Ever! Keep your foot planted, and itll ignore physics and go round the corner.
Other then the cambelt, i dont think theres any major issues, just check the usual clutch/MAF etc. On B roads they are still weapons, not much can touch them, especially for the price.
Fuel is erm, not so brilliant. The best i ever for was about 25mpg from mine sat on the motorway. I usually averaged 20 in day to day driving round yorkshire, but that would drop to about 15 with some sprited driving thrown in.
If you do get one, remember this golden rule: Never let off in a corner, Ever! Keep your foot planted, and itll ignore physics and go round the corner.
I had mine from new MY 99, sum total of things that went wrong; one new MAF and a leak from the power steering reservoir cured with a new washer.
Never scrimpted on oil changes or servicing. I owned it for 9 years then gave it to my son with 40k on the clock.
I am very tempted to buy a JDM type R as a weekend fun car.
Never scrimpted on oil changes or servicing. I owned it for 9 years then gave it to my son with 40k on the clock.
I am very tempted to buy a JDM type R as a weekend fun car.
raf_gti said:
I've been thinking about taking a dangerous trip down the 'new car on finance' road when I noticed this rather handsome Impreza in the classifieds for £2995.
It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
Yes, no and maybe It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
All depends what you want from a car. I'm a huge Subaru fan, a friend has a 99MY Turbo 2000 also.
In performance terms yes they are quick, but remember their impressive 0-60mph times are down to AWD off the line ability, rather than all out HP. So from a roll, say 20-80mph they play ball with hot hatches rather than supercars.
They are grippy and corner fairly well, although a bit understeery and not as fluid as some other RWD cars.
Costs wise, I've always seen them as generally quite reliable, but like TLC and can cost a lot if they do go wrong. Leaky boots seem to be an issue and clutch judder is also common.
MPG is probably their biggest downer. If you budget for 18-22mpg then you won't be disappointed, although they should do a little better on a run. That said my friend so far hasn't seen any better than 23mpg, even on a 200 mile round trip.
As to performance and standard cars. Well, I personally love the sound the boxer engine makes. So I wouldn't have issues with an exhaust and a few other mods, so long as they were done correctly and the car is tidy. Also buying a car with these on can save you money.
But for me the biggest issue with the Turbo 2000 is the JDM imports. Remember a UK spec Turbo 2000 is a less powerful lower spec WRX. So a JDM will often offer more power and speed and more kit and for less money.
Of course you can uprate a UK T2000, but there are some fairly big limits that are costly to get around. So if you are after a lot more performance my advice would be to opt for a JDM import STI (not a WRX). The STI has a different turbo, different engine internals, different gearbox, different brakes. This is the car that is on par and equal to an Evo. The Type R and RA variants are even better with DCCD (Driver Controlled Centre Differential).
And amazingly STI's don't actually seem to sell for anymore money than UK Turbo 2000's do.
300bhp/ton said:
raf_gti said:
I've been thinking about taking a dangerous trip down the 'new car on finance' road when I noticed this rather handsome Impreza in the classifieds for £2995.
It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
Snip "Buy an import"It's a '99 V with 100k or so on the clock and looks to be nice and un-molested.
I've always had a soft spot for the classic Impreza and at this price would be very tempting indeed.
Assuming it is fully standard and has been well looked after could I be looking at a massive money pit?
Is the reputation for performance still relevant today?
yonex said:
Quite surprised by this as I had always heard that there was a weakness with the headgaskets on higher mileage cars? It wouldn't necessarily put me off but I would be more careful to buy a standard(ish) level of boost car with decent history.
Early (pre-98) 2.5 Legacies and Outbacks have headgasket problems but its not common in other Subarus. You may be getting mixed up with rocker cover gaskets which can seep a bit on older cars, but thats just an annoyance rather than a problem if they do that.raf_gti said:
nottyash said:
Ours was nice (V plate 40k miles) but they roll to much for a proper sports car and can be overpriced, like that one is. I would say £500 off that price is about there condition dependant.
What are you classifing as a proper sports car?Whatever car I get has to entertain when required but ultimately be reliable for my 27 mile ea way trip to work.
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