Im guys im new in here, im thinking of buying a WR1 as a everyday car, just wondering wot to look out for when buying one, how often do they need a service etc

Thanks

 

Welcome
\service is every 5k (oil change), look for crash damage, worn turbo's, worn clutches, knocking diff's (put the a-dccd in manual and push all the way back in the green, then do low speed manouvers, shouldnt make any noise).
Avoid badly maintained examples etc.
Is there any particular reason for going for a WR1? the MY05 car is better out of the box and normally cheaper.

Tony

 

Chances are if your buying a WR1 they will have been bought by an enthusiast and well looked after. Just check for no strange noises and no smoke and a good service history

 

might be some for sale here:

http://www.wr1oc.co.uk/forum/portal.php

H

 

A few on pistonheads

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2236956.htm

Yes, this is an enthusiast owner its not 320bhp and it didnt have that from the factory (these started life as a "Solberg Edition, production run of 1000 cars for europe to velebrate Petter Solberg's WRC title in 2003).
Factory power, 265ps.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1884893.htm

8 stamps is not fsh on one of these.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2197176.htm

Avoid ones like the above

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2216132.htm

I think this may have been owned by one of the LADSOC members (Kate), no one ever got near the figures Prodrive posted for the 0-60 or 0-100 times btw.

Its ashame you missed out on this
One of the members on here bought it (Aladdin), this has a real 316bhp out of the factory power output

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2075007.htm

For what some of those are going for I would rather get an S203, now those are rare

Tony

 

Go for the even rare "600+ spec" .....only 1 in the country!!!

Look out for the rear shocks as I know these were common to go....Stamped up service book would be a good start and see which "garage" has carried out the service. Get a check done if ever involved in an accident/theft. I know of one fool who bought a rebuilt engine wr1 and thought it was very fast....only to discover that the garage who carried it out had put in a "wrx" turbo instead of a vf35....ouch....

 

I have just bought a WR1 after looking around for one for ages

It is an awesome car - mine is going on the rollers in a couple of weeks to see what output it is putting out.

The stereo is crap but I have put a Bury hands free/Ipod kit in the car and the Ipod output is much better than the stereo.

Just make sure you check the service history and that you get the numbered service book (and tax disk holder, plaque and key ring for total completeness)

If you get the WR1 individual number of the car or the chassis number and ring International Motors in Solihull they can also give you details of any warranty work the car has had under the Subaru warranty - the most common being the replacement of the rear shockers.

Also the cambelt should have been done by now given the age of the car irrespective of mileage

Best advice is drive a few and see what you think

I am made up with mine - just don't expect any decent fuel economy unless you drive like Miss Daisy

Some pics here

https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...49-my-wr1.html

 

Ive got a budget of around 12k to spend, wot sort of one will i get for that money? Ive seen afew on pistonheads i wouldnt mind looking at!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1893124.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2178475.htm

 

I would look at this before you go looking at WR1's, these are quite abit better

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-fo...5-jdm-sti.html

Tony

 

Agree 05 cars had better suspension/geometry. JDM cars have better everything (almost) with stronger, more powerful, more tuneable engines.

 

Also after how long it took me to find my car a my05 jdm is at least as exclusive as a wr1 with the added bonus of being a much better car out the box and for me anyway cheaper to insure. Exhaust, filter and a remap livens them up a bit as well.

Darren

 

I am made up with mine - just don't expect any decent fuel economy unless you drive like Miss Daisy

I tried driving my 05 STi like Miss Daisy when I first got it, still drinks super unleaded! LOL

 

One of the reasons i wanted a WR1 is coz there limited addition and could hold its value, will the JDM one do that? Loving that one for sale by the way!

 

Go for the WR1. I sold mine and really regretted it. I have a Hawkeye STI now and its beautiful but I would still prefer a WR1.

 

The JDM is waaaaaaaay better than the WR1, it will hold its value better due to only a few being in the country and not many coming in due to the yen being strong against the pound.
In standard form they will have more power out of the box (especially torque ) than the ppp'd Solberg car (plus mechanically its years ahead and drives far better )

Tony

 

Got a funny feeling Tony does not like the WR1

The WR1 is a very capable car in it's standard form but of course there are better impreza's and there always will be

The important thing is if you are happy to drive one and make sure it has a fully documented history.

It may just be a tarted up STI in for some people so also make sure all the WR1 extras (mats, gear ****, plaque, tax disc, key ring etc) are included to justify the higher premium.

 

You'll get beaten up due to the ghey colour

TX.

 

You'd know being ghey yourself aye TX

 

Did I not quite make myself clear?
The MY05 is superior to the MY04 (of which the WR1 is one), so basically it was outdated by a better setup car within a few months.
The MY05 had the Spec C geometry setup (including the thicker arb's) with the yaw sensors on the A-DCCD gearbox for better feedback.
These "minor" changes, improved the understeer that the WR1 suffered from, making the MY05 a more neutral balanced and stable car.
The JDM on the other hand was more of an improvement, with the twin scroll turbo, it produces better power througout the entire rev range (try driving a WR1 in 5th at 25mph and putting your foot down ), they also have the all important rear wiper quick rack steering and auto water spray (plus 235/45/17 wheels compared to the 225/45/17's on the UK cars).
The MY05 is the better car, no issues, the JDM is an even more focused car and better than anything we had/have in the uk upto the new hatches (as the engines dont go pop )

Tony

PS, just to rub it in taken from Litchfields website, the WR1 v Spec C v T25 v P1 back in 2004 (full review is in the press section, the MY05 JDM will have similar performance to the Spec C in standard form with only a few 10ths in it )
http://www.litimports.co.uk/images/p...e/evopage9.jpg
http://www.litimports.co.uk/images/p...e/evopage8.jpg

 

JDM all the way

 

There's a pattern developing here

 

Just look at the in gear times of the spec c compared to the WR1, quite amazing really
Not much difference between an 05 JDM STI and a Spec C performance wise now anyway.

Tony

 

where are the in gear times? i cant find them

 

Me too.

My Hawkeye is running about about 150 bhp more than my WR1 and obviously has all the 05 suspension upgrades but there is nothing wrong with the WR1 handling that some uprated arbs and an anti-lift kit wouldn't sort out. Having said that, if I was to buy another Impreza I would get a JDM purely for the stronger engine.

 

[QUOTE=Scooby Dan;9711434

if I was to buy another Impreza I would get a JDM purely for the stronger engine.[/QUOTE] ive got to ask, why are they stronger?

 

In gear times are bottom right of the page
http://www.litimports.co.uk/images/p...e/evopage8.jpg

Engines are 80% different to those of the UK cars, they have some upgradeds to run higher revs, the crank provides better oil feed etc (also nitrided so stronger there), pistons are different, these can run tighter tollerences, bigger ports on the heads on the MY05 JDM cars for better gas flow.

Tony

 

The wr1 may not be as refined as a jdm but with its ice blue colour and 18" alloys it is much more of a head turner !! and with a few mods can be up there with the best of them !! just take a look at rosy b in the total impreza final http://www.totalcarmagazines.co.uk/i...FINAL-2010.htm

 

Well ice blue has always been a "marmite" colour, so not really a head turner if you hate the colour
It was a nice UK car, but if you want BIG powered JDM's then just speak to Stevebt or Shaun, both run/ran JDM Spec C's with more power than the above and standard(ish) looking.
What we are trying to do is give the OP the best car for their money, and its not the WR1.

Tony

 

Just out of interest how do you source parts for a Jap Spec i know you can buy stuff online but say you need a spare key for a uk spec you go to main dealer how do you get something like that for a jap car, never owned a jap car just curious.

 

www.importcarparts.co.uk
Some dealers can get you parts direct also

Tony