saladfingers

first of all hello everyone i must say i am impressed with the site lots of info

i am in need of your help and advise, tomorrow morning i will be going to view a uk spec 3 owner 1996 wrx impreza with my brother in law, i am by no means a master mechanic but i do know my way around a car and engine bay abit better than he does(age) but im not to familiar with the impreza what with it being a turbo
can anyone let me know any common problems or faults i should be looking for with this car?
maybe a check list would be good?, the car has quite high mileage(110k) but very good service history(over 10K worth and fully stamped book apparently)

much appreciated

tow13

iTrader: (2)

personaly i wouldnt touch an impreza with over 100k unless it had an engine build or i knew the person.get someone who knows subarus to go with cos the engines always sound broke and there is a lot to look out for.

scoobian

check the boost reaches the value it should (according to the owner (minimum 0.7bar, but likely to be more)
check for smoke out of the exhaust when idling and warm = blown turbo (prolly)
check for obvious knocking or tapping noises from the engine
MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS COLD WHEN YOU GET THERE SO YOU CAN CHECK IT FROM COLD
make sure all the electrics work

saladfingers

thanks for the replies
just so im alittle more informed where will i find the chassis and engine numbers? and is the turbo fitted towards the front or back of the engine bay?

cheers

tow13

iTrader: (2)

turbo at back and cant miss vin plate

saladfingers

thanks tow13

saladfingers

any other advice???

doshwrx2007

dont buy the first car you look at as there are thousands of imprezas for sale at the moment it helps if your buying it from an enthusiast rather than a garage or someone that just wants your money and make sure the oil has been changed and serviced regually as you dont wanna buy a pig.

saladfingers

im gonna need to convince my brother in law not to buy the first one we see but i it sounds like he has already made his mind up!! he is only 20!!
thanks guys

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

Agreed, its a buyers market, miles are a bit high for my liking too. How impulsive was i at 20?? cant remember so long ago

500

Defiantly have a look at a few. Mileage is one of those things, I had a forrester turbo that had done 185k and still on the same engine. My mrs' P1 had a rebuild at 37k, 41k, and it's now sat behind me ready for a rebuild at 75k

saladfingers

quick update

my brother in law is now a proud owner of a uk spec scooby!
i had a good look around the car and was impressed with the overall condition considering the age(96) the only real down side was the front bumper not being the original and some paint flaking and graze,the engine semmed to be in good order and was surprisingly quite considering mileage when test driven it pulled very well, i got there early to catch the seller out(he was still in bed) so i knew i would be looking at a nice COLD car, there was absolutly no smoke or obvious noises from the engine and it idled perfectly, the service history was very impressive and showed all 3 previous owners had looked after it and spent the money, all old mots and 11 months on current one plus paperwork to show that in october less than 3k miles ago the cam betls were replaced
i shall try and get some pictures up for you to have a gander at
thanks for all your advise and suggestions
i can now get back to having a quite life with out my wifes brother harrasing me to find a car for him!!!
cheers