walrus

I've provisionally agreed to purchase an '03 Blobeye Impreza WRX STi - car seems fine mechanically, but there's a couple of points that have raised concern:

• Car has missed a recent service - MOT'ed in Dec'15, but last service was in 2014. The car has done low mileage (>5k) in this time, but I was led to believe initially it had a full service history (which it does, up until last year).
• Slight groves in front brake discs - suspect these may need changing soon.
• Battery has been allowed to run flat so ignition beeps when turned on (think it's to do with aftermarket fitted gauges).
• One tyre is a different brand from the rest.
• Bodywork is OK but not as good as it can be and needs some TLC and alloy refurb.

I am a bit of a novice when it comes to buying second hand cars and indeed messing around under the bonnet, but car was fine on test drive (aside from wheelarch trim coming loose ).


I've agreed a price of £7k for the car, which has 76k miles on the clock. Mods include remap (Graham Goode) to 300bhp, dump valve, adjustable shocks and undersealed/undertray.


Thoughts? Would anyone recommend a Subaru specialist in West Sussex (Crawley) to do a full service?


What can I do with the bodywork? Assuming a full respray is £££ but is there an overall refurb option?


Sorry for newbie questions - I've historically bought cars on PCP, but due to a recent change of job so I'll be now working in London, I'm looking for a weekend toy....


My gut feeling is that this has been a much-cherished car which has been left forgotten in a garage for the last 12 months....