ROCKETMQ1

iTrader: (1)

I am in the position to purchase my first scooby. After driving 2.0l corsa and import tomcat turbo its time for serious power!

I have been offered my mates 95 import wrx sti type ra! (£4000)

recently had -new discs/pads at the front
- full API DECAT exhaust system
- uprated organic clutch
- head gaskets and replacement heads with hydralic valve lifters, cam belts done at same time! (gasket went)

all this work has been carried out over the last year or so!

i have no idea what to look for when buying an impreza so i was hoping some of you veterans could offer me some advice and things to look out for!

is it a good deal? (£4000)

(mint body and unmarked original wheels!)

Any advice would be very much appreciated! thank you!

StiX

iTrader: (4)

Sounds about the right price, and he has done some sensible mods.

How old are you? Make sure you get an insurance quote, as the import classics are all group 20 and you will have to inform them of mods too.

The RAs also have shorter gearing, but unless you do a lot of motorway miles I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem.

ROCKETMQ1

iTrader: (1)

Cheers mate!

yeah got insurance quote from a plan £1170 fc with no mods. the only big thing is the exhaust but he has the original system to come with the car! so can swap back!

i am 24, 3 points (sp60), 5 years ncb!

no one else could get within £500

StiX

iTrader: (4)

I'm with A-Plan also, they are defo the best at the mo.

ROCKETMQ1

iTrader: (1)

any common faults or anything to look out for?

ROCKETMQ1

iTrader: (1)

ANY ONE?

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Yep, in a nutshell: a shagged engine! You need to remember this is a 11 year old performance car that was designed for a different market. If the previous UK owners (how many of them have there been?) haven't always used SUL and octane booster and driven the car with mechanical sympathy i.e. warmed it up and cooled it down etc... then there is a good chance that it won't be long before its big ends fail.

Also you need to check the transmission for signs of abuse, or that its not at the end of its life; gearbox rebuilds and new clutches are expensive on Scoobies.

I wouldn't be touching an import of this age without a FULL inspection and engine check over including a compression test. I would also expect some bills from the outset....wear and tear etc...

Take my advice: get it inspected by a specialist- it'll probably cost you a couple of hundred quid, but to put it in perspective: you're thinking of paying 4k for a car, over 1k for the insurance, If the engine lets go, add another 2.5k to that, if the gearbox fails, you could be looking at 1.5k to sort it, a clutch will cost you the best part of £600.

Also, don't forget the big milage services for Scoobies are also wallet busters!

I don't want to put a downer on your purchase, but you need to go into the deal with your eyes open:

There is no such thing as a cheap scooby!

Ns04

ROCKETMQ1

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for that!

so basicly try to get someone who knows what they are looking at!
and just use a bit of common sense!

so no common faults or trates of this model?