oli

I am seriously considering buying an rb5 (non WR package)from a main dealer, it was supplied and all servicing carried out by the same dealer. It is a one owner vehicle traded in against a new WRX STI. The problem, the mileage, 79,000 miles in 3 years. It is in really good condition (i compared it to another RB5 with 18k on clock and for sale at 18 grand)and comes with 1 years warranty.

Being fairly new to the scooby world i am desperately in need of help, please!
What is the life expectancy of a standard turbo and clutch?
Do imprezza's have any common problems at this mileage or are they best avoided at all costs? Also will this be difficult to re-sell in a year/two years time with 90-100k on the clock? What about prices / residual values etc.?
Or should i just buy an older (97/98) UK 2000 with less miles in the first place?

Reliability and running costs are crucial factors (as with any car i suppose) but any comments would be much appreciated

Cheers..

Richard.S

Thought this 1 was sold about a week ago?!

see: http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=107528

planky

Buy it NOW and get a 3 year warranty.

LG John

if you buy this I recommend running it into the ground rather than trying to sell it in a few years with over 100k on it.

Riftzone

Price sounds fair. If yer buy it, its pretty much fer keeps. That kinda mileage aint a problem as long as its been looked after. 90k is a timin belt service I believe and if it's the original clutch, it could be gettin close (Subaru warranty doesnt include the cluth my dealer told me).

Dealer reckoned turbo was good fer 130k if its been serviced regularly and left to idle when required.

Good luck...

oli

sorry everyone cocked up a bit, car had sold, first time user and all that

RB5#295

I was 2nd in the queue, two weeks ago tomorrow. Drove up from Devon and phoned at 8:40 for directions (from 2 miles away) but another bloke was there buying it by the time I got there. I hung around in case he didn't want it but no such luck. Didn't look to be much wrong with it, just owned by someone who actually used the car, although I think the allows had been painted steel blue.

I liked it so much I ended up paying a few quid more for one with half the miles last week.

suba

so who is the lucky owner now???

oli

Time to come clean.....

I had last w/end to decide whether this car was worth buying. The first buyer had backed off (land for sale) and the dealer only had a handful of phone numbers left, considering i live very close i was the first to arrive.

Just for the record. I have driven this car twice (before it sold the first time) and also the Saturday just gone. I have arrived at the conclusion that its major flaw is it being extremely underpowered, it didn't even feel remotley fast and the pedels had worn to the metal too, indicating possible clocking and thrashing to me.

I decided on Sunday evening to avoid this car, although very cheap for an RB it just did not meet the mark. As a newby i thought i would share these sentiments with the rest of you, so that none of you make this mistake and feel better for not buying it.

I am still on the look out for another turbo if anybody knows of one?? (UK)

oli

Time to come clean.....

I had last w/end to decide whether this car was worth buying. The first buyer had backed off (land for sale) and the dealer only had a handful of phone numbers left, considering i live very close i was the first to arrive.

Just for the record. I have driven this car twice (before it sold the first time) and also the Saturday just gone. I have arrived at the conclusion that its major flaw is it being extremely underpowered, it didn't even feel remotley fast and the pedels had worn to the metal too, indicating possible clocking and thrashing to me.

I decided on Sunday evening to avoid this car, although very cheap for an RB it just did not meet the mark. As a newby i thought i would share these sentiments with the rest of you, so that none of you make this mistake and feel better for not buying it.

I am still on the look out for another turbo if anybody knows of one?? (UK)

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Oli , I think you may be expecting a bit too much , you say the car is extremly slow , seeing as it has 218bhp as standard and will probably be not as much as this with the mileage , 4Wd cars with this sort of power will not seem that fast , you will lose around 75 - 100bhp through the drive train , Perhaps you should try a tuned car to see if it more what you want , I test drove this car yesterday morning as soon as I knew it was back up for sale , the sales man told me once I was there that the phone had been red hot with enquiries for it , I have had quick cars for ages , and have been rallying for about 10 years so I have some idea of what cars go like , This car felt like a good standard impreza , drive train and suspension was good , In my opinion it is a well looked after car , body is good and the interior is mint , clocked I dont think so , driven hard , maybe , but thats what there for , who hasn't given there's some stick ,

I suppose I am biased because the car is now mine , To be fitted with big brakes this weekend and a ECU upgrade VERY shortly.

Cheers Ian

Philip Attaway

How about this lovingly cared for RB5 eater

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=111097

Phil

Gazza_W1

Just to add my comments.

In the paragraph you quoted :

"it didn't even feel remotley fast and the pedels had worn to the metal too, indicating possible clocking and thrashing to me."

How can you judge a car by the condition of it's pedals just because it's worn. I bought an impreza turbo from a main dealer with 45K Miles and my accelerator pedal rubber was a little worn and it had been service by a main dealer from new. I still have the car a year later with 60K miles and my pedal metal is showing through more. But everything else is perfectly ok.
Even my 1.9D Clio runabouts has a worn accelerator pedal rubber and it's only done 30K in 6-years.


Cheers

Gary.

oli

sorry Ian, fair enough, good luck to you i'm sure you'll enjoy it. I have driven about 5 UK scoobies before and felt they were quicker , perhaps i'm biased too as recently ive been messing about in a 996 C4 tip.
One thing i do know is a scooby is deff. for me, will have to persevere. Just out of interest, how much did you pay, if you don't mind me asking?

oli

I must be too fussy, only buy minters for good prices, sell them a year later and hardly ever loose.
So scoobies can take the stick then, and keep coming back for more? Is this the general concensus, as all advice is appreciated

Cheers

Richard.S

Oli,

I had a 996 C2 Tip and my 246BHP RB5 (exhaust/filter) is EASILY the faster one?!!!

ScoobyKev

Ian.

Well done on that buy m8, you've got the bargain of the year. I was on the phone to Rod when you were doing the deal, waiting for you to turn down the deal

I even offered £500 cash plus the money he was asking.....didn't work and the tears are still streaming.

Have fun m8..me still looking for a good buy hint hint to ne1 out there.

Regards

ScoobyKev

ScoobyKev

Ian.

Hows it going with de RB5 M8...?

Still gutted

Regards

ScoobyKev

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Scoobykev - I only picked the car up today and have just got back , I am well impressed with it , it is a very good buy . Now the fun begins , exhaust-brakes-ecu .......