Hi guys and gals
I have just sold my mx5 turbo and am looking to get my first subaru this weekend. So I am looking for your input and guidance . I have £3-3.5 k to spend on my first one so looking for a late classic or early bug eye hopefully with decent mileage .
Now I don't know what to look for some cars I have ( on eBay ) 1997 wrx sti are running 20psi and not really giving any indication of other mods that can support this boost, so what are the stats on a basic untuned car approx 220bhp and what is a safe figure to run on stock internals etc as I don't want to buy a time bomb
Also am I right in saying pre 1998 scoobies don't have a mappable ecu and if possible best to get a later model

Again I'm new so all info would me much appreciated and help me getting a decent 1st subaru and I apologise for not having anything interesting in my profile for obvious reasons at the minute

Rhys

 

All I'd say is try and up your budget and get either a Bugeye STI or a Blobeye WRX I only say this as a Bugeye WRX is probably the least desirable out of all the models. You might be lucky and find a nice condition classic, but rust is a big issue now for them and if it's your first then you don't want that dampening your experience.

Keep an eye out on here for a car as EBay is useless for Impreza's IMO.

 

ok will do

Cheers

 

Another vote for the Bugeye STi...better car, stronger etc etc.

Try to get an unmolested one if you can. Tuned ones are attractive, but you can never be sure how it's been done, or how much info was gained BEFORE it was done. We've seen some horror shows on here, believe me.

 

Well I definitely want to avoid a horror story. S if I see a bug eye sti with like 300bhp plus what should I ask has been done to it to make sure I am not buying a dog , what is needed on these machines to support that much extra power other than just turning up the boost

Rhys

 

Look for one with the standard dumpvalve, (recirculating type), ordinary airbox, with maybe an uprated flat filter in it, NO cone filters.
Look for any decats....can you get it through it's MoT without cats? can you afford the insurance if it's been modded, because if you have any sense, you WILL declare all mods, even aftermarket wheels.

If it's been modded, ask if it had a remap at all, and if so, who did it/where was it done.
then post on here for advice.

Look for smoke on acceleration and overrun.
Blue isn't good, much on overrun, walk away.

Check that it goes into and out of all gears and doesn't jump. Ask about clutch, timing belt etc changes. Have they been done, when?

 

Cheers for that. So apart from the norm. Look for standard dump valve and no coan filter

Cheers

 

5k should get you a decent bug sti!! A bug sti with ppp (prodrive performance pack) will be around the 300bhp mark anyways which is standard from subaru I used to have the bug sti with ppp and can say I was very pleased with it!! :
So I would recommend uping your budget abit if it is possible, would be worth it!!

 

As always, I'll add the following about the Bugs:

https://www.scoobynet.com/general-te...ame-query.html

Look VERY hard underneath.

And don't forget that worn brakes and tyres and elderly exhaust systems can leave you with a hefty bill, so allow for that too.

 

WOW how hard is it to see with a torch? Did you say to remove the plastics to see behind it.

 

To see how rusty the sub frame is I mean.

 

It's not too bad. You should be able to get a reasonable idea by looking behind the front wheels, and if the car has lost its original plastic undertray, which many have, it will be easy.

Sorry for the delay in replying, I hope this is in time for you.