What to look out for when buying?
 

Hi , really need some advice! I'm finally going for my first impreza and am going to view a
STI v2 555 😁
It is advertised with as follows

Factory fitted roof flap
Special Edition seats
All Black interior
Bottom alloy arms
IC Water Spray
About 10/20 KG Lighter
Forged Pistons
QuickShift
53c Scottish blue paint, (Colin McRae)
TD05 Turbo

Non Standard Modifications
Bailys Motor sport BOV
3" Downpipe with a 6" Back Box
Triple Plate Clutch
Approx 300bhp

What should I be looking out for as in common faults or problems? Also is the td05 turbo standard on this car as I've read if it's been replaced and the ecu hasn't been remapped it can cause problems?
I would really appreciate any advice as I'm new to scoobys and don't want my first to be a lemon as I've been wanting one for years!
Thanks in advance

Rust around the rear arches and strut towers, they all rot there.

Post a link to the ad.

Thanks for that

That's all was in the ad , he is going to email me some pics when he gets home later!

Pretty sure it has a td05 as standard, like already mentioned rust on the arches to look out for. Also if it has a triple plate clutch you might find it a bit harsh for a lightly tuned car, will probably be noise due to the plates!!!

This is all new to me, in what way do you mean noisy and will this cause problems or just get annoying ?

Just annoying, Usually can hear it when stationary from experience, can handle big bhp/lb ft. Just a bit weird why they would put a triple plate clutch in a car with 300bhp.:wonder:

Probably bought the clutch cheap secondhand. As already said that clutch will be a pig if the car is used for a daily commute and in traffic but on the plus side you will have a mean looking left calf muscle :D

Thanks I will listen out for it, as long as the pedal isn't too heavy hopefully it should be ok

I'm no mechanic or Impreza expert but have an eye for detail & own a WRX Blobeye & a Type R which are in really good condition & are serving me well. The reason is that I did my homework, was patient & therefore got the right cars.

Just a few things that I'm aware of in addition to the above is check underneath sills & battery tray for rust.

Check the service history carefully especially oil/filter changes & I would always advise to take along a specialist or at least someone who knows these cars well. Check for any advisories on MOT.

With any car if you buy the wrong one it can end in tears so be brave enough to walk away if you are not fully confident that it's the right one.

Also in seeing quite a few cars pictures are deceiving as a car can look mint but in the flesh it is a different story, a seller often sees their car as better than what it really is.

Good luck mate.

Especially being your first Impreza, I know its hard not to get excited, but really be picky and make sure its got no hidden nightmares that are going to cost you loads in the future, and dont be afraid to ask million questions and look around the whole car/underneath, check where the spare wheel sits in the boot, pretty much everywhere!! .

There are a million Impreza's out there, so if its not right walk away!!!

Totally agree!

I appreciate all the info , I knew this would be a good place to get advice! I'll listen to all the comments and take my time! I've owned quite a few cars but never been down the modified route so thought it was best to ask for help, cheers guys!

Got some pics guys but don't seem to be able upload them?

Thought STi's have red inlet's???? Unless the early ones didnt. Im sure someone with a early STi would be able to tell you!!

Looks clean on the pictures, except the matt wrapped bonnet!!

Not sure about the inlets? I know was disappointed with the vinyl wrapping , if bought will be removed immediately, really does not do the car justice!

Also it's worthwhile finding out who has done any the mods to the vehicle.

Is it a professional, an enthusiast or a have a go DIY'er

Guys this is great , I have a list of things to check , maybe even fool him into thinking I know what I'm on about and get a few ££££ off lol
Anybody any more ideas on the inlets?

Have a look through here, might help a little and give you a bit of info, so you know what your talking about when you go to view!!
http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/SidcFaq/SidcFaq

If you look at this link, this tells you the codes that you need to see if its a WRX or STi
http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.p...ProductionRuns

As mentioned its easy to let your heart rule your head when buying your first subaru. Check the gear box and engine are the correct items.
Best advice I can give anyone buying their first scoob is take someone with you who knows the breed. The pics look promising, the engine bay looks unmolested apart from the fliter and bov. The AC belt cover is missing, Im not a fan of splitters and carbon wrapped parts

http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/index.html

I agree I don't like any wrapped parts but that is an easy fix but a gearbox / engine isn't ! What are the best tell tale signs of a bad one?

Took all your advice and after looking and driving a white 1997 wrx/sti was able to walk away knowing it was full of rust in all the places mentioned, dirty unloved engine and interior, poor cosmetic mods and after checking the engine code etc was able to establish it was not a proper sti! It had no service history at all and crunched a bit going into 5th! So a big thank you to all who posted! I'm hopefully going to see the 555 tomorrow so I will be using my new found knowledge acquired on here to its full advantage!!!
But on the other hand it has just confirmed how much I want an impreza when the right one comes along 😝

Glad to have been of assistance, Ive just looked at the pics of the V2 555 again and missed the obvious later model grill, bonnet and sti spoiler.
The engine bay has the the "slanty" intercooler, PAS pump and expansion tank. This suggests this is a 96 car or earlier?
As classics get older the standard cars tend to command higher prices. This car has obviously had paint and body parts, beware of rust and accident cover ups.
Let us know how you get on, good luck :thumb:

This might help

http://www.type-ra.com/impreza-timeline/

They were not commonly painted red until the version 3 STI so its normal to see them silver on a v1/2 car.

Do you think this could maybe not be a v2 555 but just a wannabe? I won't be able to tell much more until I get a look at it and check the relevant codes! Thanks for the eagle eye!!

Thanks great help!

I managed to get him to send me a pic with the reg P634 LRD
If anyone can help further it would be appreciated 👍

When I got my 1st Impreza I was very excited. I had a 51 plate VTR which I swapped it for UK 2000awd wagon. When I went out for a test drive it was a bit hesitant under acceleration but I had an idea as to what it could be. The chap dismissed it as normal, but it wasn't! Anyway when I got home I swapped the manky old Max Power stupid air filter to a standard box and bingo, the problem was solved :D That was a good car when I had it and then swapped it a while later for a WRX saloon.

An Impreza turbo is like a drug. Once you have driven one, you seem to be hooked and you want one. I have had several cars in between Impreza's and always come back to the turbo fold after missing them :(

Be on the look out at all times and make sure you listen well. They can rust on the front arches (not too bad as you can just bolt new ones on) and I have seen some that rust just under the boot near the bottom of the rear windscreen.

If you get a good one, you wont be disappointed :thumb: