Im fairly (very) new to subaru ownership and am trying to learn lots about them/it. ive recently purchased a uk 97 sportswagon 2000 awd and im loving it. (although i did have a bit of a run in with my insurers over it im 35, lol)

ive checked out specs etc here. Subaru Impreza Specifications
very helpful.
and also deciphered the "applied code"

1.Series code G=Impreza S=Forester B=Legacy etc.
2.Body type F=Wagon C=Sedan
3.Engine type 8=2.0L Turbo
4.Year code A=MY93 B=MY94 C=MY95&96 D=MY97 (facelift) E=MY98 F=MY99 G=MY00
5.Number of doors 2=2 door coupe 4=4 door saloon 5=5 door wagon/hatch
6.Model type 8=WRX 7=RA type E=Sti D=Sti Type R & RA
7.Transmission D=5 Speed Manual AWD P=4 Speed Automatic AWD

e.g. GC8A48D = impreza, saloon,turbo,1993,4 door,WRX,manual

which, again, was very helpful.


but im feeling a bit like "johnny 5" as in i need input.

i know about the dvla/mot/mid sites etc but more specifically about MY car. any pointers for chassis numbers, number plates, services etc as unfortunatly, i have no history at all

cheers Millsy

 

Passenger side front suspension turret... metal VIN plate... chassis code begininng "E-GC8.......".

Also, you'll be able to confirm if it is defo a UK car as the 'Applied model' code should be either:-

GCFCK8D... if MY97 (Aug 96 to Sep 97)
or
GCFDK8D... if MY98 (Aug 97 to Sep 98)

where the K is for a UK Turbo 2000 AWD car (in place of the regular 5 for 5-dr Wagon)

 

cheers, thats the bit im having trouble with.

mine is GF8EK8D.

which i think is
G impreza
F wagon
8 2.0l turbo
E my98 (which is wierd as its a early 97 uk)
K (uk model instead of how many doors)
8 wrx (which is also wierd as its not?)
D 5 speed manual

the plates look untouched and everything is else is fine, as it should be.

any ideas?

Millsy

 

Yes that's fine - you have a MY98 UKDM Turbo 2000 AWD (MY98 starts from Sep 97 i.e. when it rolled out of the production line).

And sorry, I got the 'F' for 'wagon' in the wrong place - should have been the 2nd digit (not 3rd) as per your code.

Yeah, re. the 6th digit '8' for 'WRX' - that still remains for UK cars (as it is still effectively a WRX spec car, but spec'd by Subaru to suit the UK market (e.g. roads/fuel/trim level, etc.).

So mention this Applied Model code to the insurers - if they don't understand, then get insured elsewhere by a Jap car (or Impreza!) insurance specialist. You need an insurer that acknowledges the difference between a UKDM and JDM car, as the insurance should be appreciably less...

 

cheers mate. im just a little confused with the model year part really.

my logbook says jan 07 but its an E code which is a my98. how does that work then?

Millsy.

 

Jan 2007 or 1997?!

 

sorry, im a tit

my log book says jan 97... but code says my98?

Millsy

 

Don't worry about it - it's prob just the DVLA being *****! They're prob not clued up on the fact that a MY98 Impreza runs from Sep 97 - Aug 98!

It shouldn't be an issue as the DVLA will go on your number plate anyway - so the dates will be slightly different to when it was first manufactured. And also, an 'older' (their mistake ) should be cheaper to insure, anyhow!

There should be 2 dates on the V5:-

-Date of manufacture = ?
-Date or 1st registration = ?

List them both (obviously Jan 97 is one of them - prob the manufacture date? - albeit incorrect).

 

any idea wat my vin means

E-GC8 GC8-057780

 

The VIN is just your car's individual identity. Aside from it relating to the nth car off the production line, I don't know what other info the number holds (if any).