Hi all,

I'm new here and have been toying with getting a second car for a bit more fun for quite a while and was always looking at either a classic Impreza or an MR2 Turbo.

My mate has an MR2 Turbo so didn't really fancy getting the same car as him.

I've been looking at WRX / STIs in the mid 1990s and am wondering if there is any specific issues that I should be careful of when buying cars of this era.

Obviously apart from the standard things, I mean inherent issues with this model / age car.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

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I hope it's just because the people that have read it don't know.

 

welcome, to be fair its going to be very hard to find a good one.

rust is the one id be worrying about, look underneath for rust and rot.

dont be fooled by the rear arch bubbling as it comes from the inside most times.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'm off to look at one that's popped up on Saturday.

I've read plenty about the rear arches rusting.

When you say it comes from the inside, do you mean the inside of the wheel arch?

 

I'd be looking at a fresh or very recent import that's been mapped for uk fuel. It's going to cost you in the region of £6k to get a decent one, but the more you pay on the in, the less you'll be paying out.

 

Yep, by the time the bubbling appears the rear quarter is f**ed

 

Oh, so that's a replacement quarter at that point. Are they reasonably easy to replace on a classic Impreza?

I've had a car where it was a pretty easy bolt off bolt on job but another car where it would have mean dealing with a fair chunk of welding.

 

The rust issues on classic rear qtrs will extend well into the inner wheel arch and suspension turret meaning its an involved repair. Although, saying that, my type r had a small hole in the arch and required minimal repair to the inner arch with zero rot any higher up.

If you are buying a classic and don't know much about them either find someone local who does and get them to view the car or buy direct from a reputable source such as an importer, as mentioned above.