JDM Impreza WRX Wagon

[Carwyn92]

Evening all,

So I have for a few weeks now been the proud owner of a JDM Hawkeye wagon. I've not yet been able to drive it (other than a very brief test), for boring work related reasons. In fact it may be some time, so I thought I'd do the next best thing and bore people talking about it instead.

Up until last spring, I had a Mk5 GTI. Awesome car. 3 door, obviously, because it looks better and at the time I pretended the extra space wouldn't matter - see how that worked out! In fairness I could fit two bikes in it with the back seats down, but that's another story. Work life balance meant I knew I wouldn't be driving it for at least 9 months, so I made the sensible, rational decision to sell it. Well done me.


The old GTI

Then I got an unexpected two months of leave in the autumn. No problem, got the OH's Suzuki Alto to nip about in. Ah wait, that is a problem. It's arguably the worst small car I've ever driven. Small underpowered cars should be fun (Classic Mini), but the Alto has no steering feel, a gearstick which is definitely connected using rubber bands, and the worst brake feel in the world. So after about 3 weeks of this misery (although I am frequently reminded that I could catch the bus if I wanted to so maybe it's not so bad), I do the inevitable and start shopping.

Now I've wanted an Impreza since before I could see over the steering wheel, a mate had one (I say mate, but at the time I seem to recall seeing him as some kind of demi-god). It was an RB5 and my first ever fast car ride. Epic. Combined with the usual McRae/Burns hero image etc it was bound to happen. However it needed to be an estate (bikes, yes I like lycra).

So some shopping happened, leave ended, Christmas came up and I had the chance to actually look at some. I was ball parking around the £4-5k mark, hoping for a PPP Blobeye. Anyway, the ones I saw I took one look up the rear arches (ooh er) and walked. Well, after a bit of a tyre kick. MoT history put me off others (rot), and I was coming to the conclusion maybe it wasn't to be. However, not far from my folks is Hurst Cars, where they seem to accumulate all sorts of lovely Jap stuff. They happened to have a Hawk wagon in (out of budget), but I decided looking couldn't hurt.

Whoops.


Best looking generation I'd say




Lovely undercarriage

I couldn't believe how clean it was underneath, despite approaching 100k (miles). Obviously it had been horribly pampered in it's previous life and despite it having no history it was fairly apparent just how well it had been looked after. It was stone cold when I went to look and it started as cleanly as anything. Also at the asking price Max at Hurst had already done the belts and oil and a few other bits. Best of all it's the 2.0 not the 2.5, with 250hp in JDM spec. So I begged, borrowed and stole (well not stole) and managed to extend my budget. Then extended it again to have a Cat 1 alarm fitted and a full underseal. No brainer when it's that good underneath and will be a daily when I'm actually around.


All undersealed

So now I'm sat at the other end of the internet, fretting about it being too clean to be true for a nearly 15 year old car, it having no service history, etc etc...

In short: man forced to drive Alto. Man do interneting. Man buy silly overpriced Impreza which will break him when he gets home to it.

Edit to tweak photos.

Edited by carwynd on Thursday 26th March 09:22

[carwynd]

Thanks guys, I'm certainly hoping it's as good as it looks! Still another couple of months of frustration before I'll get a chance to have a proper drive. I think a Scottish road trip may be called for...

Yes, it's still a TD04, on the EJ20 which has such a good reputation. How do you find the VF39 with everything else stock? Worth doing?

I'm not too upset about not being able to get an STI wagon, as as I see it it's a 25% step up in power from the GTI for me anyway - however after a year or so I suspect I might be changing my mind on that! This one is so clean I'd love to keep it stock but perhaps some tasteful moves down the STI route wouldn't go amiss...

[carwynd]

uncleluck said:

But if I was doing the perfect WRX wagon I’d collect a few bits, sti injectors, sports car down pipe, cat back exhaust system (depends on sound level but mine with pro drive backbox is quiet inside but sounds lovely as it goes past) panel filter and a vf turbo. Then fit and remap. It’s a good power level as I reckon you’ll find std a bit underwhelming. Also, mine was better on fuel when driving normally after the remap.

One thing is the UK WRX has 3 cat’s, pretty sure the JDM version you have has 2? The extra on UK car being in the up pipe before the turbo! (I gutted mine so just have 2 cats but it sails through MOT and runs really clean)

I think that will probably be the way I go once the bank balance has recovered a bit! It's in such good condition I'm not keen on modding heavily but I think OEM+ tasteful touches are entirely justified.

99% certain the JDM has no up pipe cat, one less thing to remove.

R12many said:

Carwyn, what seats does yours have?

These ones, not sure quite which models got which ones, was there a change from Bug to Hawk?

Seats by Carwyn Davies, on Flickr

Looking at that picture, I do think the interior is pretty dingy. I knew it would be, but I've seen people do good things with proper white LED interior lamps, might be my first job when I get home (apart from filling up repeatedly and turning money into noise)!

Also loving the Foresters, a bit bigger than what I was after and don't quite have the same draw for me - but I bet they go like stink! Shame there was no STI Impreza wagon.

[carwynd]

sharkattack said:

Even though I've decided multiple times that it makes no sense.

Since when has that been a reason not to buy a ludicrously overpriced car??!!

[carwynd]

Scooobydont said:

The LED interior light upgrade was the first thing I did to mine, doesn't cost much and transforms the interior when they come on (it's the first thing I do to all my cars when I get them). Your car look stunning, IMHO white is the best colour for a subaru, it just looks right.

Thanks for the tip, I'll get ebaying... The white has grown on me I've got to say, makes it a little more subtle for a car with a bonnet scoop and wing! Yours looks great in silver. I think the Hawk styling is good generally, possibly the best variant in my eyes.

The only thing I'm not a fan of is the wheels, not sure why but I think the old Blob STI wheels just look better. Twin spokes just work I think!

[carwynd]

Just one thing to throw out there - it will be used to lug mountain bikes about. I'm looking at trying to get hold of some roof rails from a breaker to retro fit, but before I go to the hassle of taking the headlining down, has anyone had experience good or bad with the roof bars (Thule etc) that go straight on. Is damage to paint a problem?

And does anyone have a set of Impreza roof rails in their garage they want to sell me!!

[carwynd]

Finally had chance to go and have a drive! Dad had looked after it and popped it on charge a couple of time so she fired straight into life. The cover even seemed to have survived all the storms. Was only a flying visit and I was far too busy having fun to take many photos, but I did get one on the drive the day I picked it up:


On the drive at last by Carwyn Davies, on Flickr

So spending money on underseal was a great idea - roads are terrible at the moment! The other thing that will be happening pronto is getting rid of the Dunlops it came on. I hoped they would be good enough to do a few months at least, but the understeer situation on wet B-roads and roundabouts is pretty dire at the moment. Much as it's fun sliding around at non trouser filling speeds it does rather defeat the point of spending all that money on 4WD...

Also impressed by the pace - maybe I've forgotten what it's like to be in a quick car after the months of Alto stbox misery, but the combination of power and turbo lag is addictive fun! Especially looking out over the back of the scoop, love it. However I think I'd also forgotten how much it costs to run on Momentum!

I'm sure if self isolation is required a new car must be the place to do it!

[carwynd]

TEKNOPUG said:

Top mounts are only £140 and the stock uprights come with camber bolts as standard. A proper 4 wheel alignment can have a big impact on handling even without changing any parts.

I hadn't got as far as looking at top mounts just yet, but I did notice that the rubber of the fronts is starting to show small cracks so it may well be that a little upgrade happens in that area.

TEKNOPUG said:

Increasing the thickness of the rear ARB does have a positive effect on weight transfer and can reduce understeer but it also increase rear wheel rate and is a bit of a sticking plaster rather than a cure.

I'm very conscious of this point - the car will spend most of it's life on B-roads and so before doing anything that increases suspension stiffness I will be making sure that it's for a very good reason. I had a drive over the Beacons yesterday and was really happy with the balance between compliance and body control so I don't want to stray far from stock.

st33ly said:

Absolutely love the car mate and it looked mint underneath. Just a bit perplexed as to why the undersea looks like waxoil from 30 years ago. Their are so many fantastic sealing products on the market now. it looks ruined underneath now with that crap on it.

Thanks, I couldn't really believe how rust free it was myself. Was a big selling point after all the other rust boxes I've seen. The underside has been done with Dinitrol products which are highly regarded. I've not yet been under it in person but the before/during/after photos I'm happy with. It will always be a trade off between protection and aesthetics I think - I'd rather have it protected underneath.

Thanks for all the advice, having got bored of the M4 on the way home yesterday I've got much more of a feel for the car. The tyres it's on are definitely terrible, but on dry roads at least the understeer wasn't a problem at speeds I'm comfortable with on the road, so I'm sure once she's got nice boots and an alignment I'll be fine for a while. Thinking about Rainsport 3s as although they are a little on the softer side it sounds like they are well matched for Welsh roads and rain.

Got a few crappy iPhone snaps after I finished enjoying myself. Might be a good excuse to dig the SLR out soon and see if I can remember how to point it.









At the moment the only thing I'm really not happy with is the stock exhaust - lovely and quiet on the motorway but missing any burble when pressing on. If I'm splashing out for nice fuel I at least want to hear it on the way out! Would welcome suggestions for something subtle that will be restrained when cruising but open up a bit more for fun.

Edited by carwynd on Thursday 26th March 09:26

[carwynd]

rossub said:

Very common for imports to arrive with terrible tyres. Our Japanese friends don’t seem to concern themselves too much with tyre performance.

Strange isn't it - the country that loves 4WD weapons but seemingly sends them out with one arm behind their back (or legs tied together may be a better analogy)!

[carwynd]

Evening all! Thanks for the advice on tyres, I think I will get myself a set of F1 Assy 5s, unless I can find an exceptional deal on PS4s that is. However I think it will have to wait a few weeks until some sort of normal life is resumed.

First few days at home were spent moving firewood and building a new woodstore so that I can get her in behind bars:



Not exactly spacious, but when I see some of the miracle threads on here where people have persevered without even a driveway, it does put things in perspective! New pressure washer and foam nozzle were acquired before the end of the world (I suppose possibly a petrolhead's version of panic buying?), so some gratuitous auto foam pictures to come.

Yesterday though, I started work on fitting the roofbars I picked up from an eBay breaker. Seeing as I will be having a roof rack on and off the car at regular intervals, it seemed the logical thing to do. So the headlining came down yesterday, which was surprisingly painless with the judicious use of the dealer's manual and assisted by beer on hand for the nervous moments!





Whilst doing this I made a start on removing some of the slightly poorly abysmally fitted gangster tintz. I prefer the aesthetic without, although it might hurt drug sales a little.



I won't write a full guide to fitting roof bars right now, but am happy to do this if it would help someone else out. With the interior and exterior trim off, the tracks were cleaned around the fitting points with IPA, a bead of Sikaflex was laid round each hole and the bars fitted. I masked the threads to save them getting gunged up, and haven't fitted the nuts yet. I'll be back tomorrow to do that, by which time the Sika should have gone off nicely and squeeze down as I tighten up.







I also cleaned up the plastic trim which sits around the feet and had gone that horrible faded white shade. A bit of 600-grit to sand the surface back and looked good as new - although the iPhone white balance is way out in this before and after photo. Incidentally the bars could do with the paint touching up but as they are a working part which will get scratched again, and I can't get hold of paint right now, I'm not too fussed.



Tomorrow is pressure test day so either my whole post will be censored because of the leaks or I'll have done it right and will tell you all how brilliant I am. Good to have something to look forward to eh?

[carwynd]

It's alright - I am brilliant after all. Bit of loctite, nuts snugged down, and a thorough leak test shows she's drier than a nun's... better not!

Now just got to get the headlining back up in one piece with no rattles.

[carwynd]

Evening all!

Not a lot going on with the car during lockdown, just minor tinkering. After several trips to the shop riding in the boot, and a few misdiagnosis, I've managed to chase down an infuriating rattle to the striker for the tailgate being misaligned. Quick tweak and sanity can be had again!

In preparation for being able to use it for the intended purpose of lugging muddy bikes and kit around, I've enlisted the help of the OH to make a sort of fitted boot liner:



Sewn up from an old curtain and bits of webbing I had lying about, with a polythene sheet sewn to the back and some soft fleece to stop the bumper getting scratched loading up. I have every intention of using the car and I know cosmetics will suffer, but worth making a bit of effort to save silly unnecessary damage I think.

Invested an unnecessary amount of money into various detailing products, my first foray into the dark side where as far as I can tell the idea is to make the car as shiny as possible, but any method or product you tell the internet you have used will lead to a lynching by one mob or another, regardless of shinyness! So I'm going to stick to just calling it washing the car rather than detailing then I shouldn't get into trouble!

I have been very impressed with the results of Plast-star, takes years off the trim, with just about no effort. Suits me!

Before:


After:


Got in under the wipers:








Vroom vroom bit


Love a waxed scoop


Changed the colour of the LED ignition lamp from green to red so it now matches the rest of the instrumentation backlighting:




Accidentally got lost on the way to the shops a couple of times, gave her the chance to warm up though!

[carwynd]

J.C... said:

Awesome looking car mate. I’ve always thought the Impreza wagons look so much better than the saloons (like most cars tbh).
When it comes to detailing try not to get drawn into the product hype [...] John from The Forensic Detailing Channel on Youtube

Cheers, I have to say I've always been an estate fan, parents have had several Accord estates and I had an old Audi A6 barge when I was at uni - £700 for the worlds comfiest heated seats with a car thrown in around them. Did have to rig an elaborate pulley system to get the tailgate open when the release gave up...! I've also found John's youtube channel, some pretty long videos on there but he certainly seems to know his st and works on results not some cult like service to one particular brand.

untakenname said:

One thing to check whilst the interior is out is behind the rear seats where they bolt to the rear struts as rust starts here and goes from the inside out.

Having seen the horror shows on some forum threads and stuck my head in some pretty rusty UK spec arches I'm certainly concerned about this. I haven't had the boot trim out yet, but it's on the to do list probably at some point this summer.

Sub5 said:

Nice wagon OP. Looks good in white.

If you don’t mind me asking. How was Hurst to deal with. I was looking at JDM spec Hawkeye from him...expensive but nice. Was sold though. Be nice to know for future.

Thanks for all the nice comments. I wanted blue but this one came up at the right time and it's really growing on me! Hurst were great to deal with, I got in contact around Christmas time and he made a special effort to come down and open up for me to have a look round. Concluding the sale from a distance while I was at work was a bit harder, but I certainly wouldn't have a problem recommending them.

[carwynd]

Rich_AR said:

Looks very tidy OP!

I picked up this wagon a few weekends ago. So far so good, interior is rather 2000's, but it's basic and works. Needs some work here and there (brakes and exhaust), but that's part of the fun.

Love the blue! Interior is very basic, stepping out of a MkV GTI it feels like a bit of a step backwards but I suppose nobody buys a scooby for that! I'm keeping my eye out for a prodrive exhaust, the standard one currently fitted is just too quiet. I don't want a dustbin hanging under the bumper though!

uncleluck said:

One thing that might be worth extra protection attention is the front panel below the radiator.

Had mine at work to do some pre MOT jobs recently so had a good look up on the ramp. My front lower panel is rotten as a pear now and the rad has actually dropped. Guess it stays partially hidden by the bumper and by the time it’s out in the open it’s too late.

I’ve kind of neglected the bodywork over the years (talking maybe 3-4 washes in the last 6 years) but certainly the last couple of winters have really accelerated the rust on that front panel.

When I got it I did clean the rear arches off (one tiny bubble showing at the time) and put rust treatment in them but they’re now pretty badly bubbled up regardless of that.

I’ve always serviced the engine every 6 months and it’s sweet as a nut despite 143k and my gearbox rebuild on the front lawn is still good after 6 years but I fear she’s not long for this world now. Still been the best £500 I’ve spent on a car though.

Thanks for that, I'd heard the front panels go. This one is currently really minty fresh from Japan, and it's been Dynax'd so I'm hoping that gives it some protection for at least the next couple of years. Always easier to catch things before they go I suppose. Always like hearing engine reliability stories though, keep them coming!

Rich_AR said:

Because it's not a wagon.

What he said.

[carwynd]

uncleluck said:

It does come on most JDM cars, it’s even visible on OP’s car in this very thread and his is a JDM

Is it the flattened oval profile tubing under the engine bay you are referring to?

Been for a set of new boots - went with Eagle F1s in the end mainly due to price (and I honestly don't think I'll feel the difference between any good premium tyre without driving them back to back, which of course I won't be doing). Also got the tracking checked at the same time, and discovered a fairly hefty amount of toe out on the rear left - no doubt contributing to it feeling pretty unsettled on the previous Dunlops particularly over road cambers. A short blast seems to suggest money well spent, although £72 for wriggling a few nuts requires a something to bite down on when receiving the bill, especially when they aren't even seized!







On a side note, does anyone else fear for their alloys whenever they go for tyres? Made a point of cleaning them all inside and out before going, and the car as well, which I think paid off as I did get some nice comments and the chap who did the first three was meticulously careful. Unfortunately his mate who did the fourth had all the mechanical sympathy of a small gorilla which I wasn't best pleased about. He did put a little chip in the topcoat but nothing worth complaining about, in the grand scheme of things they will get worse than that just from wear and tear. Anyway, not my favourite experience as I hate watching over people's shoulders but I think it's the only way.

Open to tyre pressure recommendations, asked them to put the book 33/32 front/rear in, but the fronts at least look a bit soft to my eye.

LED cabin lights arrive this week - shiny!

[carwynd]

uncleluck said:

Shame about the wheel mark but good excuse for a set of anthracite speedtimer turinis (well maybe not)

Yeah not a huge fan of these wheels, don't know why but I prefer the shape they put on the bug/blob cars with the parallel spokes. I have been toying with the idea of doing these ones in anthracite as budget can't stretch to a new set. I think they do look better darker - photoshop mockup below.

[carwynd]

uncleluck said:

Yeah definitely go with a darker colour.

I think that will happen when I've got time on my hands again...

Sub5 said:

You won’t have much change from 400 to have them coated. Another couple hundred and you could have a brand new set of Bola B1’s....in Bronze. Change over your tyres. Would really suit your white car. Just a thought of course and by no means advising you what to do Alloys are such a personal taste.

If I'm going to do them, I'll do them myself - and for the cost of paint it's worth doing to see if I like it. Bronze is an interesting thought, might be more interesting than anthracite and a bit different.

R12many said:

Didn't think the rear was adjustable?

It's adjustable for toe at the inner end of the lateral links I believe, but not camber. Although I'm sure someone who knows more about them will be along to correct me if necessary.

Cambs_Stuart said:

I had a set of STI gold alloys on my wagon.
It always scrubbed up well

Don't do that to me! I'm a sucker for the gold wheels. Looks great on the black body too. Although having just put new tyres on I won't be getting anything that's a different size at the moment, I do love the shape of the STI alloys. Are they 18s?



Also picked this up the other day, will let you know what I think once I've fitted it, but hopefully it unleashes a bit more of the burble! Needs a good polish though as someone else appears to have gone at it with sandpaper...

[carwynd]

TEKNOPUG said:

Those STi alloys won't fit your car.

Wrong PCD?

[carwynd]

Dredging this up from months ago - I've been too busy having fun to be putting stuff up! Got some Thule roof bars from eBay which have been great, allowed me to get on with getting out biking faster than everyone else!



I've also fitted the Prodrive back box, which has been great. Brought out the boxer character without being too antisocial - I think!

Today's task has been a bit more involved than I anticipated - bumper off to fit a towbar (boo, hiss, but it's only for a bike rack)! The usual working on car things that I'd forgotten about - threads need chasing out with a tap, which turned out to be a size I didn't have, towbar clashed with numberplate mount etc etc. Hopefully will all be cleaned up and boxed up tomorrow though.



Having the bumper off has definitely proved useful though, I've found the early signs of the usual bumper/rear wing rub so it's good to be able to rectify that early.