Hi all,
New on here, been looking into getting a scooby for a few weeks now, after something fairly cheap as its only going to be a refurb project then weekend car.
After something slightly unusual so went to have a look at a RB5.
This was in need of some significant repair work, hence low price. Got a couple of grand to spend making it roadworthy, but first wondered if anyone could advise whether or not it's worth doing.

It had some interesting defects, including:
- One side of front bumper looked like it had been near some very strong heat, plastic all bubbling etc. Seller thinks previous owner may have had an induction kit or something mounted too close to it inside.
- One of the small vents on bonnet had a hole melted into it. But plastic underneath looked ok; very odd.
-side headlamps and driving lamp covers look like they'd melted, seller claimed previous owner had probably used aftermarket bulbs that were too strong.
- They had fired up the car as it had been sat for 2 months outside, when I got there the engine temp guage showed the engine was running really hot. The seller thought this was due to a hole in the exhaust manifold.
- Apparently the throttle sensor needs replacing.
- Rust where panels join near rear arch on one side of the car, patch about 3 inches long.

Engine has done 99k, the car has service book stamped to around 70 k.
The seller showed me an MOT that it passed 2 months ago when they got the car, apparently the exhaust issue has developed since then.
No idea about brakes condition etc as I didn't drive it (tyres down).

A good buy or not for 2.5 k?
This is number 73, searching through old posts a member on here bought it with a bottom end problem and was talking about rebuilding it, but there were no updates on this.
Does anyone know the car or have any general thoughts about the above?
Sorry for such a long-winded post but could really do with some advice.

Edit: forgot to add, did check the water and there was no oil in it or odd smells, and no smoke out of the exhaust.

 

2.5k....The seller is having a laugh surely...

 

£2500 !!!!!! lol....

NO, IT'S NOT A GOOD BUY !

 

No didn't think it was too good but wondered if the rarity value as an RB5 made it worth doing up as a project. The seller offered it for 2,200 when pushed but I still wasn't convinced.

 

Even at £1500 I'd laugh in his face.

 

Come on, be brave. Even at £500 I'd laugh in his face. Seems like the car is a scrapper. It sounds like it may have had a fire of some sort with all that heat damage. I'd walk away. No, I'd run away and spend the money on a straight classic.

 

Really, that bad eh
Glad I asked

 

Hi David,

That is not a £2500 car! It doesn't sound like the seller has a clue, overheating due to a hole in the manifold!

Keep searching and you'll find the right car, it sounds like one is worth half what they are asking

 

Sounds like good advice, cheers guys.

 

There was a fella selling his p1 on here last night

 

RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

lol, try and find a good un in the first place , with 4-5k you could get a really nice classic type r/ra with decent mods

 

the bumper melted due to the induction kit being fitted too close, WHICH SUCKS IN COLD AIR!!!! Lmao

 

Well I'm clearly no expert on engines but the reasons given for the damage sounded rather odd to me.
Needless to say I won't be going ahead with the purchase. Sounds like it needs a lot more than my budget can afford to put it right

 

Can you post a link to the car so we can all have a look at it mate.

 

While the price is way over the top this is an RB5 not a bog standard Turbo 2000 or some tatty import and it does make it more desirable than a lot of classics.

You need to have a much more thorough inspection of the vehicle and see what al this melting is really about, but if it isn't as bad as it seems and you can get it for a lot lot less than the asking price with work you could have a classic that is at least actually worth something.

In most cases if you buy a classic for 2.5K and throw 2K at it it will still be worth 2.5K... maybe less

These cars are worth peanuts right now and modding them adds little or no value in real terms unless you subnsequently remove the mods and sell them separately to the car.

 

Not sure how to post a link mate, was on a number of websites (I think I found it originally on adtrader).
Its located in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
There were a lot of photos on the advert, probably from when they originally took delivery of the car, and it doesn't look too bad. Was quite surprised to see the state of it in real life.

Had an independent guy come out and run some diagnostic device through the engine, picked up the throttle sensor needing replacement but I wasn't convinced this caused the overheating. The dealer denied there was any overheating despite the temp guage showing up to the max, lol.
The guy couldn't find anything major wrong with the engine, but I hadn't even test driven the car as the tyres were flat. So not indication what the clutch, brakes, gearbox etc would be like.

 

You can spend £2000 doing an old clapped out banger up, and are looking at a car for £2500.

That's £4500 ..... thats plenty enough for the very best Classic - ignore modified tat, ignore multi-owners, go for a full historied one owner classic and you will have a gem at £4500.

A turd is a turd ... however much polish is added!!

 

run a mile and find a descent one that needs nothing you,d still have change left over with that budget 2.5k is an absolute joke i,ve seen mint rb5s go for less than that on pistonheads

 

Some good advice there, I think that's the way forward, looking for something pretty un-modified anyway to keep insurance down, insurance on the diesel BMW I use as an everyday car is horrendous enough on its own.
Hopefully one will turn up eventually

 

No-one wants old Scoobys anymore ....... time is on your side, wait, wait, and pick the best you can.

99% of it is rubbish - but, there is the odd gem out there - buy one of those.

 

Thanks sounds like a good plan of action

 

thats a bit harsh mate there are more classic owners than anything else and 99% of the ones on here are nice examples with the other 1% been done up as projects it is afterall the old classic shape that got subaru,s noticed in the first place and is still the best shape ever made today

 

When I say rubbish ... I mean modified tat.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

 

Seen a few badly modified ones, also a lot of import wrx registered as GL on the logbook advertised as low insurance- not seen many straight examples but I'm sure one will turn up.

 

Straight Impreza's are getting very rare ..... I would suggest that your best chance of finding one is to look for a Wagon - the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing!!

 

im not sure its harsh at all, there are a few very nice examples but a lot are chavved up dogs.

 

Well said ......

 

lol engine fire damaged RB5 for 2.5K? yep run away

 

Errrrr.........



It's from Bradford.

Run like forest ****ing gump and don't look back