Where can I look for an Impreza?
 

Anyone got any ideas?

I have posted here and on Scoobycity under Wanted, for the car I want. Plus I am looking on Ebay, Fish 4 cars, Find it and Autotrader, but all to no avail. Where else can I look for the Impreza I want. (V-Ltd 555 V3 or 4 not R or RA) Any other car for sale sites I should try?

They are as rare as rocking horse ****!!

Autotrader I'm afraid, also any Subaru publications may have classifieds.

Good luck!!

ebay !! i can't believe you'd buy a scooby off ebay !

You're looking in the right places, it's just that the car you're after (a model which, incidentally, I've never come across) must indeed be as rare as the proverbial rocking horse droppings.

What feature(s) of the V-Ltd 555 are you looking for? Maybe there's another variant that you'd be happy with instead?

Maybe worth visiting www.subaru-impreza.org/subarutalk/ and finding a guy called Ken555... I know he has some good contacts with this car. There is also a brochure for the model for download in the brochure section. Hope this helps...

All the best

Gareth

I need 4 doors, 4 kids!!! So type R is out. The RA doesn't seem to have the luxuries, like a/c, elec windows or abs I believe! The main reason I want one is the acceleration of the V-Ltd is just that bit faster with the closer ratio gearbox and they are rare of course! Just missed a couple, so they do come up. There are plenty of N reg ones from £6,250 up to £8,995 but they are down on power by 25 bhp and there were 1000 made as apposed to 555. The later special editions MY98 onwards are all RA's or 2 door, so I really am stuck with a P reg MY97 V-ltd I think.

Any other ideas or anything I've got wrong, please let me know. Thanks for your interest.

Keef69,
Tried looking at an RB5?

4 doors, A/C, Elecy windows, ABS, quick shift, Owners club...

Might be looking at around £12k-£15k for one tho.

Pop on over to www.rb5ownersclub.co.uk and the forum on there for info/help.

Thanks mate, have posted for Ken on there, cheers.

Yup, have considered the RB5, but that'll be a second choice I'm afraid. Seen a couple of really good examples advertised under £10k so may be an option later.

KT green in leeds have an RB5 in, was high mileage but new engine.. with warranty..

Speak to charlie if interested and tell him I sent you..

Cheers David, but will try and get what I want first.

If you're looking at an RB5 then bear in mind that you pay a lot for the badge and the 'limited edition' status. The standard RB5 is basically a UK car painted grey, with nice 17" wheels and driving lights, but no more power (215bhp). The RB5 WR gained the PPP (245bhp) and a bigger spoiler. Both cars also have a solid rear bulkhead (ie. the seats don't fold down), which is the only option that can't be added to any other UK car.

<shameless plug>
My car is pretty close to RB5 spec and is FS ;)
</shameless plug>

Whats wrong with a STI RA V-LTD this has A/C E/W, okay no ABS but still this model must be one of the best impreza's ever built, my MY96 will be up forsale soon if interested.

Have a look at WRX

Wow, thanks eveyone! Loads to think about there, but unless I'm going mad, the V-ltd 555 MY97 does 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and 50-70 in less than 3 seconds, because of the close ratio gearbox and we're not just talking a quick shift here! Ok the top speed is down to 140mph, but who needs that on UK roads!

On the RB5 question, yes they are GREAT looking cars and can be modded to the same spec, but I am going to keep looking for the one I want for now.

The possibility of an RA with E/w and A/c is tempting, but still no ABS which concerns me a little. If I can't find the perfect car, I will consider one. (Will contact you!)

The fact is, each and every one of us on this site, have the perfect Scooby in our minds, whether it be an immaculate UK turbo 215bhp or the Andy Forrest tuned 400bhp example as advertised on here. Mine is the one I have described and if I don't find it or import it, I will always regret not trying, so for my peace of mind I'm going for it!

Once again thanks for all the imput and please keep an eye out for............. MY97 P reg Sti version 3 V-Limited 555, but not an R or an RA. See you at Hickstead on Sunday.

what about an my98> wrx type ra 555 edition? 280bhp, 4 doors, all the ra goodies such as close ratio box, lightweight panels, minimal soundproofing, *but* with all the goodies such as a/c, elecy windows etc plus exclusive blue alacantra seated (luvverly!). standard 0-60mph is 4.5 secs and i've seen an indicated 160+mph on my near standard my99 model.

Minimal sound proofing!!! Do you get ABS on the MY 98 or 99 models? I must admit, I am leaning back towards the RA, particularly as there seems to be more choice around in this country. Will keep thinking and looking, cheers mate.

yep mine's got abs, only come in sonic blue too, which is all good. you would get a good my98/99 for around 11k me thinks.

Does the V-Ltd have the same spec as the same STi, just with the addition of the close ratio box as normally found in the Type R/RA?

Yup

Is this what your looking for?

SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI TYPE RA V LIMITED No 117/555 ever made,
4 Doors, Sonic blue Metallic. airconditioning, bumper and mirror in color, central doorlocks, mirrors electric, radio/cd, windows front + rear electric, ABS. momo steering wheel, automatic/manual IC Spray, triple dash guages, quick shift gears, twin haedlamp conversion, electric adjustable diff control, 5" stainless exhaust, very quick, must be seen, very rare car, absolutely awesome,1 year warranty, finance available £11,995.

It's advertised in Autotrader by a dealer in Bristol, stumbled across it this morning whilst on the look out for a 2 door V Ltd.

Dunno who told you that re the N reg being down on power by 25bhp, but it's nonsense.

Brouchure quoted ps for the early 555's was 275ps as opposed to 280ps for the later models.

Same with the count of 1000, it was for 500 of the N-reg 555's.

They wont have the dccd though.

You can't refine the search but give this site a go!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=179

Link to a MY97 Subaru WRX STi V-Ltd 555 edition
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/det...?i=23737&s=179

Or this wrx sti 555 v ltd 1995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/det...?i=24274&s=179

Bored at work!!

It's advertised in Autotrader by a dealer in Bristol, stumbled across it this morning whilst on the look out for a 2 door V Ltd.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Tooslow. It wasn't what I was looking for as I didn't want an RA. But I seem to have been persuaded into looking at them now, by the members on here who know what they're talking about, unlike little old newbie me! I can't imagine I'd buy through a dealer though, too expensive. The two I missed last week were £8500 R plate and £9000 P plate, that's my limit for now, probably!!! Great to know people are keeping an eye out, thanks

Vtec cheers for that, have added it to my search listings!

STU5 I am going on the FAQ section, part 2 in www.sidc.co.uk stating the GC8C4ED WRX STi2 555 4 door as 275ps and the GC8D4ED WRX STi3 V-Limited 4 door as 300ps. I can only go on the info I get on these sites, so if I am wrong, sorry!

I'll not argue with the FAQ, but the early sti's tend to be underquoted power wise as well.

I wouldnt be too bothered about it feeling noticeably slower, the gap wont be large in real life- http://dyno.scoobynet.co.uk/ shows what I mean relatively easy.

One thing you will find though is unlike the later models, the version 2 sti's wont rev up to 8000rpm before the rev limiter cuts in.

Might be worth contacting someone that sources cars from Japan unless you've already tried that route ? Drawback with that is the inevitable wait (shipping, SVA etc) but it might get you exactly what you want.

I sourced my car (plain WRX) through the guys at JVS nr Edinburgh which may be distant to you and there may be others that offer a similar service but many other people speak highly of them - they personally visit the Japanese auctions and will source the exact spec of car you need.

http://www.powervehicles.com
sales@powervehicles.com

Speak to Andy or Pete.

Thanks Andy, yes it is a route I'm considering, but have heard some horror stories so have been looking for a recommended Co. A little far from the south coast! But if needs be.......