Whats the best model/year of Impreza to buy under 10k ?

I'm looking for a straight non messed about with (except perhaps appropriate brakes/suspension mods) fully historied car to use as a base for my own development.

So whats the best model & year to go for to spend as little as possible while not buying a bag-o-spanners or something thats going to need major maintenance soon.

Cheers

 

I'm no expert but i'd go for a standard 'classic'shape and yes buy a standard one if you don't know much about them(if you buy a MY(model year)98 watch for piston slap,a known problem,although you might be able to pick up a 98 with a newish engine 'cos of this ,as i did)plus, read plenty of threads in the technical section before you buy as it can't do any harm. Enjoy

 

BTT for the weekday peeps...

 

STI V4 Saloon. Loads out there and blows a UK into the weeds..

 

If you go for a Jap import, remember it will cost more to insure plus you need a fuel booster to get it to a 100 RON, plus no support from UK dealers but to be that doesn’t seem to be much of a problem as there's a lot of 3rd party garage who probably know more about Scoobies then UK dealers do. Also jap imports cost a lot more to insure.

I've got a MY98 with said piston slap but it’s not the end of the world cos as soon as the engine warm it goes away, don’t be put off by it. Just adds character to the car.

For that money you'd get a mint MY98, or a higher miles MY99/00. If someone is desprate to sell you'll get a good deal

Thanks

Dan

 

Cheers for that - I'd prefer a UK car than an import - not so interested in power to start with than sorting out the handling/brakes so I can live without the extra Japanese horses.

Insurance is an issue anyway as this is would be my second car and will have to go on a policy with only 3 years ncb.

Is there much difference in spec of a standard UK car from the early cars to, say, MY00 models?

 

Right,

Late MY98 have the later interior, buckets, alot nicer dash, white dials 208bhp.

The MY99/00 had 215 bhp plus diamond head lights and spot lights, also has a higher rear spoiler, and some had 6 spoke alloys rather then 5 spokes.

I think thats about it, but power wise most UK Turbo's run about 230 as standard.

A thing to budget for is servicing as its a bit of a bugger.

Major service is approximately £500 and a minor is approximately £200.

You may also need a tracker, they are 600 plus 120 a year

Thanks

Dan

if you need any other advise you can email me directly if you want.

 

Funny how Subaru quote 215bhp off an engine dyno. I guess you are refering to RR figures which becuase of the variables involved can be inaccurate. If they were so accurate how come its rare to repeat the same figure on different days or different RRs ?

 

I guess so, but at the end of the day an engine dyno is a bloody expensive bit of kit, so a RR will have to do, agreed about factors involved with RR's etc. Such as heat build up from the rollers, slipping on the rollers, heat of the environment, quality/power of fans pumping cold air into the engine bay blah blah, the list is endless, but a RR is good enough for me.

Just to make everyone happy.

MY98 - 208 bhp (Manufacturer’s Figures)
MY99/00 - 215 bhp (Manufacturer’s Figures)

Thanks

Dan

 

UK wise the MY99/00 is the one to go for and the MY99 ECU chip was supposedly the best one of the classics. They also had the phase 2 engine (hence the 208-->215 power increase) and 4 pots front brakes amongst a few cosmetic changes.

 

Series McRAE, but then I am biased

 

Very nice choice.

I saw one of those at the Sun seeker rally car park.

That car park looked like a Scooby Show room

 

It's a good time to buy and you should get a nice MY99 for your money. Have a look here for info on models etc SIDC_FAQ .
Cheers.
Ian.