Going to See 93' Impreza Wrx Advice Please
WRX is Jap import
2000 turbo is UK car
Biggest difference is the cost of insurance with the imports costing 4 times more to insure on average. At 24 this may be a significant factor. Uk cars cost me and the wife around £300, in our 40's, full no claims, business use and some mods (4pots, prodrive exhaust etc) declared. Heaven knows what an import would cost you. Recommend you get quoted first then assess your finances and requirements.
As above, Jap cars start at 220bhp for the wagon, rising to about 280bhp depending on spec/age. Uk cars start at 205bhp rising to 220bhp but really do not seem much slower on the road IMHO probably cos the smaller turbo winds up quicker.
Very different gear ratios. Uk cars are much more relaxed and fuel efficient on the motorways. Imports usually have air con and rear wash wipe (saloon) as standard. Air was an option on the later UK cars (post MY96 I think).
Imports suffer if not run on super unleaded whereas UK cars OK on normal unleaded. UK engines appear to last longer before the dreaded big end death rattle and subsequent £2k rebuild, probably because they are pushing lower power.
For the money I would go for a face lift uk car, pref 4 pot era. They are about and the summer hols make good hunting for this type of car. Most sellers struggle at this time of year and are more willing to haggle as realism takes over from optimism.
Good luck
don't buy the first one you see. Test drive a few, they can all feel very different, especially on tired shox and worn brakes/transmission. After driving three or four you will get a feel for what to expect.
2000 turbo is UK car
Biggest difference is the cost of insurance with the imports costing 4 times more to insure on average. At 24 this may be a significant factor. Uk cars cost me and the wife around £300, in our 40's, full no claims, business use and some mods (4pots, prodrive exhaust etc) declared. Heaven knows what an import would cost you. Recommend you get quoted first then assess your finances and requirements.
As above, Jap cars start at 220bhp for the wagon, rising to about 280bhp depending on spec/age. Uk cars start at 205bhp rising to 220bhp but really do not seem much slower on the road IMHO probably cos the smaller turbo winds up quicker.
Very different gear ratios. Uk cars are much more relaxed and fuel efficient on the motorways. Imports usually have air con and rear wash wipe (saloon) as standard. Air was an option on the later UK cars (post MY96 I think).
Imports suffer if not run on super unleaded whereas UK cars OK on normal unleaded. UK engines appear to last longer before the dreaded big end death rattle and subsequent £2k rebuild, probably because they are pushing lower power.
For the money I would go for a face lift uk car, pref 4 pot era. They are about and the summer hols make good hunting for this type of car. Most sellers struggle at this time of year and are more willing to haggle as realism takes over from optimism.
Good luck
don't buy the first one you see. Test drive a few, they can all feel very different, especially on tired shox and worn brakes/transmission. After driving three or four you will get a feel for what to expect.
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 2
From: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
The vin plate should tell you the colour, according to that chart i put in my other post, it should read 331 which is deep blue (similar to sonic/555 blue) which was an available colour (yup got me to!)
Tony
Tony
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Good advice
Smurf,
All good advice mate. A fair few owners can mean a potentially dodgy motor, or a fair few realising it's too bloody expensive to run. I went for a WRX some 7 years or so ago (not got one now, but had it for 5 years) cos of the better spec and slightly better performance, but it cost me twice as much to insure as a uk version. Mine ran better on 95 by the way, but it was the 240 bhp varient - certanly 260 and over need the 97 ron, and if you give the engine the high rev treatment, then 97 + octane booster would be safer. You will not get a wrx import with service history from Japan - not genuine anyway, but you should get decent history from when it came over here.
Taking a mate who knows about cars is not going to cut much ice - these cars have their own little faults and the boxer engine is very different. Maybe tap someone up on here to view, but it's a big ask to get someone else to ok a car - at the end of the day, it's your call.
That sort of mileage is no problem if the car has been looked after properly - but how can you tell. Tips on oil condition etc are the usual checks, and very good advice - any oil leaks and walk away. Check expansion tank for bubbles if possible at idle - should give early indication of head gasket problems, and get a decent test drive timewise. Ask for details of cambelt changes as well.
You do not want to be paying for any engine work, as this will cost more than the car.
Good luck mate, but be under no illusions on how much these things cost to run and insure at your age. As also stated, the WRX's are lower geared than the uk versions and any long motorway driving can be tedious as well as expensive. A good example is a pleasure to own though.
As stated, take your time - but much easier said than done. Good luck mate.
Mart.
All good advice mate. A fair few owners can mean a potentially dodgy motor, or a fair few realising it's too bloody expensive to run. I went for a WRX some 7 years or so ago (not got one now, but had it for 5 years) cos of the better spec and slightly better performance, but it cost me twice as much to insure as a uk version. Mine ran better on 95 by the way, but it was the 240 bhp varient - certanly 260 and over need the 97 ron, and if you give the engine the high rev treatment, then 97 + octane booster would be safer. You will not get a wrx import with service history from Japan - not genuine anyway, but you should get decent history from when it came over here.
Taking a mate who knows about cars is not going to cut much ice - these cars have their own little faults and the boxer engine is very different. Maybe tap someone up on here to view, but it's a big ask to get someone else to ok a car - at the end of the day, it's your call.
That sort of mileage is no problem if the car has been looked after properly - but how can you tell. Tips on oil condition etc are the usual checks, and very good advice - any oil leaks and walk away. Check expansion tank for bubbles if possible at idle - should give early indication of head gasket problems, and get a decent test drive timewise. Ask for details of cambelt changes as well.
You do not want to be paying for any engine work, as this will cost more than the car.
Good luck mate, but be under no illusions on how much these things cost to run and insure at your age. As also stated, the WRX's are lower geared than the uk versions and any long motorway driving can be tedious as well as expensive. A good example is a pleasure to own though.
As stated, take your time - but much easier said than done. Good luck mate.
Mart.
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 2
From: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
All the wrx's from 92 onward needed 97+ ron fuel, 95 will kill them (depending how much you rag in) quite quickly due to det (they dont have any real det management up towards the top end of the rev range 
)
Tony
)Tony
Pretty sure the cars been resprayed as that shade of blue wasnt available on cars that old ( earliest blue colour is much darker IIRC ) so find out why it was painted - could just be the owner fancied the colour, but could be because the car was in a big accident and needed lots of panels replacing !
Also check the cambelt replacement !!! - this would have been due at 90K miles, so if this car hasn't had it done ( and the owner doesn't have proof ) then walk away as you can easily add another £500 to the price.
You quite often see cars that look a good deal being sold because the owner knows that expensive work is needed doing in the near future.
Also, check all the standard wearing items like tyres and brake discs, suspension etc... - even though the car may be cheap, parts aren't and if the car needs a few major things replacing, then you can easily find it mounts up and your £1800 car has just cost you £3000.
If I was you I'd look around for a UK car and spend a little bit more. If I was selling mine privately I would only be looking for around £2500, and thats for a 1998 UK car on 67K with a cambelt and oil seal change 500 miles ago, 17" wheels, loads of prodrive parts, upgraded suspension and brakes etc....
The money you will save in insurance at your age will mean you can spend more on the car and get something newer and lower mileage.
Also check the cambelt replacement !!! - this would have been due at 90K miles, so if this car hasn't had it done ( and the owner doesn't have proof ) then walk away as you can easily add another £500 to the price.
You quite often see cars that look a good deal being sold because the owner knows that expensive work is needed doing in the near future.
Also, check all the standard wearing items like tyres and brake discs, suspension etc... - even though the car may be cheap, parts aren't and if the car needs a few major things replacing, then you can easily find it mounts up and your £1800 car has just cost you £3000.
If I was you I'd look around for a UK car and spend a little bit more. If I was selling mine privately I would only be looking for around £2500, and thats for a 1998 UK car on 67K with a cambelt and oil seal change 500 miles ago, 17" wheels, loads of prodrive parts, upgraded suspension and brakes etc....
The money you will save in insurance at your age will mean you can spend more on the car and get something newer and lower mileage.
Finishes on ebay this afternoon 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX BLUE NO RESERVE LOOKS AWESOME on eBay (end time 15-Jul-09 16:44:56 BST)
**** write up, although does look a lovely colour but I'd put money on it that its had a respray.
**** write up, although does look a lovely colour but I'd put money on it that its had a respray.
If it was me I'd leave this one - seller seems to sell salvage cars and damaged repairables, car has had a respray, not that cheap, and the mileage isn't that low.
Plenty more fish in the sea and much better cars out there.
Plenty more fish in the sea and much better cars out there.
Scooby Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Guys "the mileage aint that low", ffs it's a 16 year old car, the mileage is average.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
Guys "the mileage aint that low", ffs it's a 16 year old car, the mileage is average.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
What year did Japan start using 100 RON?
I know i personally had a 93 WRX a few years ago which I ran half of the time on normal 95 (as did the previous owners) didnt notice any difference tbh when i put in 98/99 so tend to agree with what your saying.
I had an STI which I ran on 98/99 but it was a few years newer and a lot more BHP.
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 2
From: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Guys "the mileage aint that low", ffs it's a 16 year old car, the mileage is average.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
The cars definately been resprayed, no questions asked.
Like all 2nd hand scoobs we can never really be sure what fuel the cars been fedon.
As for the RON of the fuel, homework has told me 97 wasn't available back in 93 so running on 95 would and will be fine.
)Later cars (version 5 STi's and MY99/00 cars from japan) are mapped for 100 ron fuel.
Tony
PS it was march 89 when the first super unleaded fuel was introduced to the uk
Last edited by TonyBurns; Jul 15, 2009 at 04:53 PM.
It went for a lot more than he wanted initially off the person who first posted on here.
Seems to be me the more wankered up cars are at the moment the more they fetch. All though this one didn't look too bad. I've just sold a standard looking 205 J reg in White with a mi16 conversion and mine went for about the same money as ones with ****** washer lights and nasty body kits etc. WTF!
Seems to be me the more wankered up cars are at the moment the more they fetch. All though this one didn't look too bad. I've just sold a standard looking 205 J reg in White with a mi16 conversion and mine went for about the same money as ones with ****** washer lights and nasty body kits etc. WTF!
Car just went for £2,300 on ebay just feel sorry for the person that has brought it. That car is a proper lemon. Went to see it all the way to leeds from near coventry and it was a waste of time. Some of the faults were as follows:
1. Bottom End Was Rattly And Sounded Like It Was Knocking.
2. Exhaust was blowing quiet bad.
3. Front Bumper was loose.
4. Front Bumper cracked.
5. Underside of bonnet was'nt sprayed.
6. Overspray on both front wings.
7. Front Cross Member bar wasnt sprayed either.
8. Clutch was that high my knee was touching the steering wheel. Lol.
9. Seat's had *** burns.
10. Alarm - Central Locking passenger side not working.
11. Engine overrun after switching off and no it didnt have a turbo timer it was definetely overrunning.
12. Black sutt coming out of exhaust when revving.
13. Oil leaking from bottom end and top end.
The car was on £1650 yesterday when i seen it and i told him i dont want it and he goes i can take it for that price when i refused he goes how much will i offer him? I said i dont want to say anything stupid as it needs abit of work. He was so desperate to sell the car that even when i was driving away he sent someone from inside to ask me. I know abit about cars and i found this many faults so if i took a specialist imagine how many faults he would have took out. Next time i know what to expect now so it was worth seeing it. Good Luck to whoever brought this lemon sorry to say but its a really sour lemon.
1. Bottom End Was Rattly And Sounded Like It Was Knocking.
2. Exhaust was blowing quiet bad.
3. Front Bumper was loose.
4. Front Bumper cracked.
5. Underside of bonnet was'nt sprayed.
6. Overspray on both front wings.
7. Front Cross Member bar wasnt sprayed either.
8. Clutch was that high my knee was touching the steering wheel. Lol.
9. Seat's had *** burns.
10. Alarm - Central Locking passenger side not working.
11. Engine overrun after switching off and no it didnt have a turbo timer it was definetely overrunning.
12. Black sutt coming out of exhaust when revving.
13. Oil leaking from bottom end and top end.
The car was on £1650 yesterday when i seen it and i told him i dont want it and he goes i can take it for that price when i refused he goes how much will i offer him? I said i dont want to say anything stupid as it needs abit of work. He was so desperate to sell the car that even when i was driving away he sent someone from inside to ask me. I know abit about cars and i found this many faults so if i took a specialist imagine how many faults he would have took out. Next time i know what to expect now so it was worth seeing it. Good Luck to whoever brought this lemon sorry to say but its a really sour lemon.
It went for a lot more than he wanted initially off the person who first posted on here.
Seems to be me the more wankered up cars are at the moment the more they fetch. All though this one didn't look too bad. I've just sold a standard looking 205 J reg in White with a mi16 conversion and mine went for about the same money as ones with ****** washer lights and nasty body kits etc. WTF!
Seems to be me the more wankered up cars are at the moment the more they fetch. All though this one didn't look too bad. I've just sold a standard looking 205 J reg in White with a mi16 conversion and mine went for about the same money as ones with ****** washer lights and nasty body kits etc. WTF!
Thanks bioforger ur absolutely right i know i will find one. Been looking for one in that colour dont mind travelling but its missions to find one in that colour. I understand they come after 97' but i aint seen one for sale yet.
Most of them are in type r or P1.
Most of them are in type r or P1.
Think you can get them in UK 2000 Models, might be terzo edition or something?
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Sorry to hear about the car being Sh*t mate, good on you for walking away from it!
Just goes to show pictures tell a diffrent story.
I saw a nice terzo on pistonheads: Subaru : terzo edtion
Just goes to show pictures tell a diffrent story.
I saw a nice terzo on pistonheads: Subaru : terzo edtion
Went to see the terzo today. Looked pretty mint, Drove well aswell but when i lifted the side panel in boot the rear quarter corner was caved in and jigged out. It looked like a cowboy job so i just walked away. He did drop the price to £2000 but i was still not interested. I like the terzo it has really interior and its a beautiful colour. Ive seen another terzo that has 129,000 wasnt interested in it cuz of the mileage but it has full service history, new clutch, Brake Pads and thought maybe it is ok. What do these engines run upto? If i wanted to drop another engine in terzo are they the same as others as i know some turbo 2000 dont come with air con and terzo does so what engine would go in it and are they readily available? I know its better just to recon the engine but i will just see. His stated its leaking oil from rocker cover and this is common apparently is that true? I will probably view the car tomorrow. What u reckon guys? Thanks!
Smurf
Smurf
Went to see the terzo today. Looked pretty mint, Drove well aswell but when i lifted the side panel in boot the rear quarter corner was caved in and jigged out. It looked like a cowboy job so i just walked away. He did drop the price to £2000 but i was still not interested. I like the terzo it has really interior and its a beautiful colour. Ive seen another terzo that has 129,000 wasnt interested in it cuz of the mileage but it has full service history, new clutch, Brake Pads and thought maybe it is ok. What do these engines run upto? If i wanted to drop another engine in terzo are they the same as others as i know some turbo 2000 dont come with air con and terzo does so what engine would go in it and are they readily available? I know its better just to recon the engine but i will just see. His stated its leaking oil from rocker cover and this is common apparently is that true? I will probably view the car tomorrow. What u reckon guys? Thanks!
Smurf
Smurf
Air con was just an option on the UK cars, so 99.9% sure you don't need a different engine for it
, more just the slot the front slight passenger side is take up by it.Terzo engine is AFAIK just a standard Impreza Turbo 2000 engine. Someone will confirm I'm sure.
This one is on my local forum for £2k
General 94 classic wrx for sale - Surrey Scoobies
I will keep an eye out for you, but so far sounds like your doing one of the hardest parts when you see a car you like.... Walking away!
There are 000's of nice scoobs out there and you'll find one sooner or later.
General 94 classic wrx for sale - Surrey Scoobies
I will keep an eye out for you, but so far sounds like your doing one of the hardest parts when you see a car you like.... Walking away!
There are 000's of nice scoobs out there and you'll find one sooner or later.
Try not to be put off by mileage - if the car's been looked after they'll run for a long time!! My '93 WRX is pushing 200,000 miles and (touch wood) hasn't needed anything major. However, I know it's been pretty well looked after becuase I've added 150,000 of those miles!!
Remember that for a daily driver, 'average' mileage is 10 to 12,000 per year, so a 1997 car would probably have 120,000 to 144,000 miles on it. If someone has had the car for a number of years, and has just spent money getting things like brakes, tyres or the clutch changed (none of which are particularly cheep if decent quality) then I would be pretty confident that the car was a good'un. Something with a number of recent owners, budget tyres, brakes etc, would be the kind of thing I would avoid, regardless of how few miles it may have done!
Good luck, sounds like you're determined to find the right one, and not just the first one!
Remember that for a daily driver, 'average' mileage is 10 to 12,000 per year, so a 1997 car would probably have 120,000 to 144,000 miles on it. If someone has had the car for a number of years, and has just spent money getting things like brakes, tyres or the clutch changed (none of which are particularly cheep if decent quality) then I would be pretty confident that the car was a good'un. Something with a number of recent owners, budget tyres, brakes etc, would be the kind of thing I would avoid, regardless of how few miles it may have done!
Good luck, sounds like you're determined to find the right one, and not just the first one!
Finally got myself a Terzo Edition. Absolutely beautiful it is. Has 130,000 on clock but has been looked after and has service history aswell. I payed £1750 which i though was a fair price. Just tightened fan belt as it was loose, changed front and rear pads. Tax runs out this month and has MOT till october. Fingers crossed it wont fail on anything. Will try and upload some pictures of it when i get a chance. Does have a few problems ive noticed but i will post that up in the correct section. Thanks to all those that helped me get my first scooby. Much appreciated.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: West Yorkshire
Irfan, email me the pictures if you have problems uploading them and i will host them for you, or send them over msn
Glad you got yourself a nice terzo mate, looks like you got it for a really good price too
Arif.
Glad you got yourself a nice terzo mate, looks like you got it for a really good price too
Arif.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Danny0608
Subaru
6
Sep 27, 2015 02:16 PM
Danny0608
Subaru Parts
0
Sep 12, 2015 02:59 PM
