Hi all!!

I'm new to the forum. I've been a fan of the impreza for years but I'm now at the age that I can afford one (looking at UK 2000 Turbo for insurance reasons).

However I wasn't sure what sort of an engine life to expect from them? i.e. what is the max mileage to look for in ads.
I know it is dependant on how much they are abused, but a rough guide from those with experience would be nice.

Oh and anything else to look out for when shopping for the classic impreza?

Thanks in adv,

Adam

 

Hi there, welcome to Scoobynet.

You kinda answered the question yourself there. Use some common sense, a high miler with full Subaru service history may be safer than a low mileage that has obviously been ragged and has no service history.

You mention UK Turbo 2000 - so I assume you are looking at classics then.

The last year of classics was 2000, so they are all at least 6 years old already. I would imagine that most of those will be 50-60K +.

I think common sense and detective work will help you out most. Kinda depends on how much you want to spend too.

Hope this helps,

 

Hey fella, as above really. Sold my Turbo 2000 to my bro and it had 98k on it at the time, regularly serviced and not ragged to death (warmed up and cooled down properly etc) It was going fine when I sold it and still is, not one problem with it.
As long as they are looked after properly, should get some good mileage of of 'em.

Cheers,

T

 

It all depends on who has owned it and how it has been treated.

Mine went pop within 3 months of buying it and i replaced it with an STI shortblock. it only had 60k on it when i bought it. (from a dealer)

My buddy has one with over 100k on it and it runs like a peach

 

Look after the engine and it will go on and on and on.

As with any engine, thrash it to within an inch of its life each and every time you turn the key and you could open up a world of pain.

Be sensible, don't short cut on maintenance.
It will come back to bite you

mine has 90k on her (my99) sweet as ever

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I now know I can at least look at a few high milers.

Jus a matter of waiting for the right one

 

They are bullet-proof ...... IF looked after and NOT fooked about with!

Buy a UK car

Buy one with few owners

Do NOT buy an Import

Do NOT buy one off someone who is under 35 years old (even if you are!)

Do NOT buy one which has a CockLink fitted, or any other pointless gizmos

Avoid Gold Wheels unless you plan to replace them

Do a HPI check!!!!

Buy a 1999/2000 Uk Impreza - they are the best of all

Buy a wagon - higher chance that it has been treated well

So, in essence, Check it thoroughly, buy UK, 1 Owner, Wagon, HPI it, accept NO Mods! and NO Gold alloys!!

 

I do hope you haven't modified your back box Pete!

 

What a load of ****

 

 

and don't buy from anyone who rents their house or is single or lives in Reading and wears their jeans the wrong way round with their bums hanging out.


Seriously though, most petrol heads regardless of age look after their cars

 

ahh the wisdom of pslewis, some bits ae good advice though, which does surprise me.


mate of mine had one running over 140k miles, ran sweet as a nut and he drove it hard, but, he had regular oil changes, all servicing was done, it finaly ended, wrapped round a tree lol.

mian thing to look out for is, full service history and the more receipts the better

 

Thats what hes after pete

Does it really matter? as long as the car has been maintained properly you shouldnt have any problems, ive know people who have kept their cars for 3-4 years and ragged the *** off them, makes no difference.

Hes not after one, and there isnt any problems with an import as long as you know its history, its just like buying a uk car

I found this amusing

Or a car with front fogs, heated rear screen, rev counter etc etc etc, silly pete

why? just because you dont like gold wheels? id say avoid silver wheels as they look duff

About the most sensible thing you said pete

Hmmmm not sure about that, ive owned both classic and new age and the new age is far better but for what this guy wants, probably his best bet


Also liked more by robbers as you can get more things in the back at ram raids

Buy what suites you, not what others say suits you

Tony

 

Some good advice there.

 

Originally Posted by pslewis
Avoid Gold Wheels unless you plan to replace them

LOL what a load of bollocks Pete, Subaru actually sell their cars fitted with the above

what on eath does gold wheels have to do with reliability

 

is that lewis actually sugesting you modify your car????

 

lol, spot on mate

 

Do not buy an import???? why the **** not?

 

Pete, you really are losing the plot these days.

 

have a ring round first, you might find that an import isnt out of your reach insurance wise.

I got quotes ranging from 3k to the £700 i paid on my import, and the company was fantasticly helpful, no problems at all when I wrote the car off! Folk do advise you to think about what company you go with, not just the cheapest, so you dont have problems should the worst happen.

I have no opinions regarding the merits of uk cars over imports or the other way round, but if you phone round you might be pleasantly suprised, and have more cars to pick from!

 

Very robust engines IF looked after properly i.e. As Subaru say!! 100k+ should be no problem at all for a cared for example.

Loads on here (including me) run 30-50% more power than std (using packages developed in consultation with experts) with no detriment to reliability whatsoever.

As Pete says:

Few owners a possible
Mature owners (in attitude if not in age- you see a cap, you run!!!)
Fully stamped service book (independent specialist are fine -even preferable- as long as they specialise in Scoobies)
HPi check
AA inspection or equivalent
Avoid nasty mods like dawes devices etc.. If you want more power out of a scooby, you should do it properly or not at all!

Happy hunting
Ns04

 

carrying on from petes advice.....

DONT buy one with 4 wheels
DONT buy one wich has had petrol put in the tank
DONT buy one which has been used to drive around in
DONT buy a blue one
DONT buy a scooby off anyone who is wearing a watch on there left hand
If the previous owner was male/female STAY WELL CLEAR OF IT.

 

lol, some very amusing comments there guys.

The reason I mentioned a UK car and insurance is because I got a quote for £750 - but I'm 22, 3 years no claims etc. But no one will touch me when it comes to the WRX (which i gather is the jap classic equivelant).

Its a shame because there are loads of imports around at more of a reasonable price

 

The Imports are cheap simply because no-one wants them, why? because they are ****!! No history, probably stolen, usually owned and thrashed by chavs who cannot afford a proper UK car! AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.

Avoid Gold Wheels .... why?? Well do you REALLY want to buy from someone who likes Gold Wheels?? No, really, do you?

The 35 age limit I put is simply that those under this age cannot drive properly ...... its a fact, they have more accidents, are caught speeding more often, they see their cars as an extension to their manhood - those over 35 just use it as a fast car, thats all - no testosterone driven reason other than that!

HPI check - well thats just sense.

The 1999/2000 Classic because its the best looking and the fastest standard Impreza you can buy.

No CockLinks and suchlike because the owner clearly knows NOTHING about how the car works and is just following the sheep - you want to buy off a leader, someone who knows what engines do and how they work.

Few owners because buying a car that has had 1 owner for 7 years is HUGELY better than buying one which has had 5 owners, why? Well, with 1 owner you get to see the driver of the car throughout its life ....... very important for assurance of how the car has been treated - buy one that has had 5 owners and you can only see the last owner!!!

 

Try A-Plan or Keith Michaels for insurance (Google it).

 

I tried A-Plan last week ...... STILL waiting for the post to bring the quote as they promised

This is when they WANT business - not sure this bodes well for when you need their help in a claim situation?

Keith Micheals quote arrived in the post within 2 days - recommended!