Hi guys.my name is ben and i am new to this forum.i am buying my first subaru impreza on saturday but the shop i am buying it from cannot tell me exactly what model it is.
it is a 1996 n registration.
Is there any way i can do a check online by v.i.n number or reg number to find out exactly what model it is and what engine it has in it.
The guy keeps saying "its just a 1996 impreza".
"Is it an sti" i asked
"dont know" he replied.
I am new to subaru so there is no way i can tell by looking.i would like to know what engine it has and power it makes as standard e.t.c.
i have looked already at tuning it but tuning parts are so specific to model i can't tell exactly which ones to buy.
people are asking me sti? ver 1,2,3,4.... e.t.c.
Thanks for your help in advance guys.

 

Ask for the model code of the car.

Andy

 

Welcome to the SIDC :: The Subaru Impreza Drivers Club :: SIDC look at the faq after you get number of the VIN plate as Andy said (starts with gc8)

 

it is the model code that i want but he doesnt know.
would it be on the log book?
is there an internet site that i can check vin number and registration for exact model and for car history?

 

Do you know the reg?

If so enter it here, and it will give you basic info about the car for free?:

Vehicle Status Check, Vehicle Examination

 

not yet i will get it tomorrow though.will that tell me model or just history?
could any experts on this site tell me from looking at these pictures?
also should a 96 have that front end or has it been changed?

 

 

The front IE grill, bonnet, and lights have been changed to a MY97-99 front end. May of had some kind of accident repair??

 

All he has to do is open the bonnet and look at the VIN plate on the passenger side suspension turret, don't think that's too hard.

 

Maybe but i have read that is also a common modification made to early subarus?

 

I had a 96 which was an STi version 3. If it is an STi won't it have a redtop?

 

Personally mate, if the bloke won't put himself out to help you, tell him to poke it, there's plenty about!

Rob

 

Agree with scoobfan.
Never heard of the VIN plate being modded (isn't that illegal anyway) but there are plenty of scoobies out there so you are really spoilt for choice.

 

i meant the front grille and bonnet being changed to the newer shape i think they call it facelift.i dont think it has necessarily had an accident.

 

But if it was for a facelift would you not put the facelift bumper on as well?

Andy

 

But if it was for a facelift would you not put the facelift bumper on as well?

Andy

 

You're right there my friend, it's a common upgrade

 

em, maybe it was sold before the full facelift was finished.
I've always prefered that bumper

 

A 1996 built car could be a MY97, which would explain the later type of bonnet and headlamps. That would carry a 'P' registration though: is the car registered yet?

 

my old 1998 scoob had the bonnet ,lights,grill but not the new bumper as it was around the change over year

 

i have been told on another thread that if it was made after sep 96 then it may have this bonnet and front grille.

 

Youve been told in this thread too!

 

looked at it today and it is a late 96.he also said that is when the facelift change occurred.
it has not been registered yet.it is fresh off the boat.i have bought it after viewing today.he said it should be ready by wednesday/thursday.
Only problem i saw was that it has a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge hks boost guage in it.i want to change it for a smaller guage.
anyone selling one or want to swap for one that blocks out the sun?

 

Id assumed that it wouldnt have been registered yet, from the pictures. Youd expect the vendor to be a little more clued-up though wouldnt you, as it wasnt going to be an 'N'...?

 

in the ad it said n reg 1996

 

small world as we were actually going to buy this car 3 weeks ago but after some listing's on here about the sellers M25 CARS we stayed well clear, all the cars have been played with and all have differnent parts puts on them, and the starngest thing is that we were there 3 weeks ago and they had just got all the regerstration dodcuments back from dvla. Worth reading some threads on here about them.

 

**** i am afraid its too late.i have bought the car already and paid for it.just got to wait a few days for the paperwork to be able to take the car.the car seemed ok apart from the ridiculous boost guage and seriously worn steering wheel.(i asked him to change it before i collected it)
so what put you off and what do you know about this car?

 

Lawrence seemed only to try to tell you what you wanted to hear, it didnt have an auction sheet so there was no way of telling its history, we took a subaru mechanic with us who said that the car had done alot more milage than was on the clock (hense the worn steering wheel and gear stick), he basicaly told me just to walk away, there is also alot of other threads on here about them and there cars and i put a post up to see if anyone had dealings with them, i was told to stay well clear, some-one had had brought a car from them but never got the extras as promised, false advertisement and also on SIDC there are posts about them too. Didnt realise you had already brought one so just wanted to give mho

 

i got them to change the steering wheel.With the gearknob i didnt see it.i did notice they were all missing but lawrence said thats how they get them all.but the car is paid for i am just waiting to pick it up.i suppose its 3 grand and you get what you pay for.if its **** and it breaks down you will see it on ebay.lol

 

and thats why ebay has such a bad name now and its almost impossible to sell a genuine car on there for what its worth

im sorry for being blunt be you came on here asking for advice and didn't seem to take it you were also told to look at the vin which you didn'y do, so if it is crap you only have yourself to blame

like someone has already said there are plenty of good ones around and the general rule is if in doubt walk away