ScottishNewScooby

Hello all,
Newbie here after some of your great Subaru knowledge. Have had a look through the search but can't quite seem to find what im looking for.

Ive been offered a MY99 (V Plate) 2000 Impreza Turbo Wagon for a very good price as the person is moving abroad. Milage is 65k, Owned from new so 1 owner, car is totally standard except Uprated scoobysport exhaust (i think) and quick shift (been on car since new and has origional exhaust with car).

Service history is very good up until last few years when he started working away but was still serviced every 6months by a local garage although not stamped. Cambelt done around 40k mark but again that was maybe 4ish years ago.

Have already been to see the car, it's very clean, like new inside, alloys great (few scuff marks), brakes like new - said he sent them off to be refurbed somewhere? Possible? Only marks on bodywork are a small area of rust appearing on passenger rear arch, maybe 6cm x 2cm which as ive seen on another thread could have under lying issues?

All im asking is what else should i be looking at/for? Any known issues? Other main areas that can rust? Im obviously just worried i buy it and use it as my commuter car and in a very short time it crumbles/turbo goes or something.

Im up in Aberdeen so any help would be greatly appreciated.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Rocker cover gaskets can leak if it's not used that often. Not a massive job to sort out.

Make sure the brakes look like they have been refurbed. They will be filthy if they are 14 years old.

I would change the timing belt as a precaution on time rather than mileage.

Try and speak to the 'local garage' and make sure it has actually been serviced.

BUT your biggest issue is what might lie behind that rust. My mate's car had very little visible rust yet the suspension mounts at the rear were close to collapse.

See here:

Classic Impreza and rust

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the car has been well looked after. The rust would be
a worry as it is often far worse underneath where you can't see.

I had a my97 wagon and engine wise it never really missed
a beat. Only problems I had in 5 years was a failed fuel pump
near side front caliper seized and rear brakes decided to
**** themselves one year.

A regular oil change is recommended and easy to do. Bear in mind
when something does go wrong it is often costly to fix as is the nature
of performance cars.

All that being said I wish I had not got rid of my classic as it was
so much more responsive compared to my current bugeye.

I am sure more will come in later today to give you more
info on what to look for.

ScottishNewScooby

@F1_Fan Thanks for that, yes i noted when i viewed it that the brakes looked very clean and disks almost brand new and he said they were refurbed not too long ago. If bought i was going to put it through a full service at a subaru specialist to include a timing belt change and Yes that's the thread i seen, crazy, that's what making me hesitate about the car.

@Raptorman Thanks, It has been very well looked after to be fair and drove perfect but yes the weather and roads arn't great up here at winter which is maybe why there is the early signs of rust coming through.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

You really need to get the boot liners out and have a look at the arches and turrets from the inside as much as possible. Also get it up on a lift and have a good look into the turrets etc. If they don't look bad then you may be OK, but it will need fixing as it will only get worse.

IMO these people who say they can fix it for a few hundred quid can't or not long term anyway. It needs new metal in it and the material needs protecting from inside as well as being painted on the outside and that is where the problems start.

My mate's car in the thread linked was completely stripped back and new rear quarters welded in, but he spent hundreds on wax injection and protection products alone to seal it against it happening again.