Wagon hunting
 

Hi all, new here. Thought it would be the most sensible place to get advice on buying my first Impreza. I've wanted one for years and have a pretty clear idea that I'm after a standard WRX Blobeye (I'd like a PPP one if I can get it, but it's not the end of the world if not - I can always map a bit further down the line).

I've read up on all the usual buying guides etc, but am having real problems finding anything even worth looking at in my sub £5k budget. I know I'm going in for a high miler at that price, which I don't mind, but all the ones I've seen so far either have crap mods, bad MOT history or a combination of the two!! It seems to me that the thing that kills them off at the point in life I'm looking at is rust at the rear - is that a fair assumption?

Am I being impatient expecting to find one quickly - do I just need to wait? Or is someone on here going to steer me to my perfect match tomorrow?!

Cheers!!

Welcome -- good choice, but you are right about the rust, particularly the rear arches

Wagon hunt search on Autotrader

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-sea...0Wheel%20Drive

Sub 100k mile nice ones are pretty much extinct at any price. I looked for ages for an SL and even with a budget up to £8k, there was nothing suitable. Gave up and imported a Forester, as the JDM Wagons don’t have leather.

Whats wrong with this one? 80k and is SL model, you can add the ppp package yourself.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...dn320ay&page=1

Or this Hawkeye with PPP

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...dn320ay&page=2

Nothing - good mot history too. Best one I’ve seen in a very long time. OP, I’d get this one if I were you!

I wouldn’t buy a Hawkeye personally because they’re 2.5s

£8k for a wagon! You could of had my 150,000km forged 2.5 SL wagon for that. Maybe the price of a scooby is starting to climb now.

Well obviously I wouldn’t have paid £8k for one with 94k miles ;)

I just paid £2500 for this one. 136000 miles, full history and no rust (on the outside) :lol1:.

No oil leaks and pulls well. Gripes so far; lots of squeaky bushes and just went to change the headlight bulbs and two out of six bolts sheared off :wall: Got the feeling being old this is going to be a running theme now for any DIY jobs underneath

Regardless, looking forward to some snow :thumb:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...f58654f33a.jpg

That looks like a cracker for £2500! A question then for those of you who have run these at higher mileages - if I'm choosing between the one previously linked for sale in Plymouth (80k, £5000) and a cheaper one (120k, £3250) https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...-2003/10017745.

The MOT history for the higher miles car isn't quite as good but I don't think has any shockers in there. Who would save the ~2k and spend it keeping the older car going, and who would plump for the lower mileage but more expensive car? I know it's difficult to say without seeing them in the flesh though.

what about a slightly different wagon a forester sti , some good prices out there for them

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01910113208151
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01908281611864 (needs new clutch)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01911274797167
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01908030758267

etc etc

Any blob wagon is going to need careful inspection after 14+ years, and TBH a well maintained but high mileage example is probably a better buy than a low mileage 'one lady owner' type, as it will have been well used and any broken bits replaced to keep it going.

I would be taking a look at this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Le...58ac%7Ciid%3A1

I have a high mileage wagon (142k), love it to bits but if the above was around when I was looking, would definitely have gone for a look. It looks like your part of the country to?

Here is mine:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...df20a00453.jpg

If I had the money I would have spent the extra and bought a lower mileage one for resale's sake and less wear on the engine.

I found the MOT history checker was really good - you could see which ones had been well looked after and they show which ones are badly corroded underneath..

Why didn't you just buy a second hand leather interior for a few hundred quid?

This. Buy on condition and history. Mileage is pretty meaningless on 14 year old cars.

I have one for sale on ebay if your interested...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193265125300

Well sir. I too am new to the forum. Just recently bit the bullet and paid quite a high price for what I think is a great car. 2000 wagon, turbo with PPP all one owner from new, all receipts and over 100k miles. What a car to drive. I drove it over 400 miles to get home so hopefully a good car. My criteria was a wagon with PPP, this vintage and an original UK car is as good condition as I could afford to buy

Sounds excellent :) -- get some photos up....