4076

hi, new here!

looking at buying a 1995 1.6 lx, its £1000 is that an ok price? what i want to know, is what should i look out for cos its done 120k miles, when do they head gaskets usually go? any info would be good, please no comments saying dont get one there slow yes they are slow compared to the wrx etc but there quick compared to a 1.2 hatch back im sure? and i cant afford insurance on one quicker, not that id need it in anyway, i dont thrash my 1.2 about!

btw, main concern on the car is the lack of electric windows! easy upgrade? thanks.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I take it you have your heart set on an Impreza then. There are far,far better cars to spend your money on than these.

Dont bet on it being much quicker than a 1.2

4076

what cars then? with cheap insurance! main thing.

dont you have a impreza? lol

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I was meaning the 1.6 versions. I just dont see the point of them. What insurance group are the 1.6s?

4076

oh right, i dont care about speed, im only 17, i just want a impreza because they look very nice and still quicker than the usual 1.2 hatchback most 17yr olds have, my main concern is reliability with 120k miles? just dont wana buy it and head gasket goes or piston rings or something!

someone said the rev limiter is low on the 1.6? he said its 5k! any idea?

there insurance group 10 but doesnt mean alot, price is about the same as my current car.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Thats fair enough mate, I can understand you wanting an Impreza in that case. Cant understand why the rev limit would be 5k, thats diesel territory. 6.5k would seem more like it to me, but I've never been in a 1.6 to know.

I can only speak in general terms. Being japanese, they are pretty reliable and the mileage is to be expected of a car that age. Try and find someone with some car knowledge to check it out with you though.

Head gaskets can go, but they are not renowned for it, like say Rover are. Is there a good history with the car? Thats always a good indicator of how well is been looked after.

Buying on a budget, then look for things that are going to cost you in the short term. Check for wear and tear items like tyres, exhaust and brakes. Sounds obvious, but is easy to get carried away and forget about them.

Borat_Drives_A_Scooby

I think your doing the right thing, like you say a 1.6 is fairly cheap insurance compared to the turbo models.

Also you can add things like a bonnet scoop, bigger alloys a big Sti rear spoiler and a decent exhast to improve the flow and sound along with a good induction system.

You can get the impreza look for a fraction of the cost and its a good car to start out life in at your age, can`t help with the techno side of things as ive never owned one.

4076

theres no history, apparently had 2 new tyres and new pads and disks,
says the cambelt was done 20k ago.

its a bit boy racered up, has 17's, 5" exhaust!! and a little spoiler, looks quite nice, maybe a new front bumper too, not sure but it has those big fog lights.

quite unusual to see a 1.6 too! its the first one iv found for sale, and its close to me

4076

forgot- what spec does the lx have? nothing? i see it has manual windows, are these easy to replace with electric? does it even have central locking? just rather annoying cos my current car has electric windows, remote locking, electric sunroof etc etc, and having no electrics wont be good!

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

It will be FWD too so you won't be carrying the extra weight of a 4 x 4 system. You won't need it either with the low power of a 1.6. Should be okay, no better/worse than a 1.6 Escort/Astra etc.

If you like the look, then go for it.

satancom

With regards to the miles, the engine is a lot less stressed than the non turbo version so should be more reliable.. being Jap i wouldn't worry too much about the miles on an old car.
If the price its right go for it, check for the usual things, rust, minging oil, no antfreeze in the coolant etc! If it drives well then go for it

4076

i think this one has sold now, really not happy, i even won it on ebay and he seems to have been offered more and sold it to them

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

welcome fella. had a 2.0 sport as my first car, but was 21 when i passed my test.

had a scour on autotrader for you...

Autotrader - SUBARU Impreza 2.0 sport, 1998,=

pistonheads through this up...
Subaru : IMPREZA TURBO REPLICA NEEDS TO GO LOOOK!!!
Subaru : SUBARU SPORTS WAGON
Subaru : 98 s reg impreza sport

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

you need to speak to daft lad, he used to have a 1.6 and it had a high mileage, 140k iirc? his looked fantastic and it certainly was quick! we went to the NBO togeather and on the way back we had a "spirited" drive and he was on my back door all the way.

welcome to scoobynet 4076 we all have to start somewhere

james

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

here you go, this was near the end before he sold it I think.

but it was just a standard 1.6 when he got it, im sure the 1.6 is 2wd as well.

im sure most will agree it looks great

Rubberscooby

iTrader: (1)

I was going to say get a 2.0 sport but choc got there first ! I have one and its spot on. Only group 13 insurance too.

Welcome to scooby net too.

4076

hmmmm i do really like these imprezas, but finding the 1.6 really is proving difficult!! i duno what to do now, cos its either carry on looking and i might not ever find one! or spend all my money on my 1.2 hatchback like most 17yr olds do!

il check insurance on the 2.0L but i think it will be far too much for a 17 yr old.

FGKNut

1.6 came in 2wd and 4wd

D6ale

iTrader: (1)

Ive ran a 1.6 4wd for about 5 years now never had a problem - very relaible and done billions of miles. Used to be my everyday car but is now my winter run about.
Great car but quite slow, nothing like a turbo impreza but a very reliable car with descent looks if you fit the turbo bumber, wheels etc to it.

4076

i have checked the insurance on the 1.8 and the 2.0L and its not that bad, the 1.8 is £400 more then the 1.6 and the 2.0L £600 more but i dont wana pay that tbh, it makes it £3500 to insure without mods! with mods il be looking at 4k!