joe88

Hi guys, I'm looking for something to replace my GT-Four, and I've always liked the older Imprezas. However my insurance premiums didn't look to healthy so gave up on that idea until I got quoted on a Impreza Turbo 2000. Premium is literally half the price, cheaper than my four infact.

Any obvious reason for this?

Does it share the WRX engine?

I've read they come with 208bhp standard and do 0-60 in around 6 seconds. Are they as easily tunable as the WRX/STI's? There isn't a buyers guide floating about on here is there, can't seem to find one

Cheers

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Hi Joe,

I used to own a 4 door MY00 UK Turbo 2000 (W Reg) with sunroof, leather and Air con

Basically the Classic UK turbos are rated as Group 17 insurance whereas the newer age WRX's from 2001 onwards are group 19. In relation to BHP that depends on the year of a UK car. Anything up-to a 1997/98 will be a 208BHP, but from 1999 - 2001 the power wqs upped to 215BHP and the front end was cosmetically changed. In the U.K the Prodrive Performance Pack was a dealer upgrade you could get for the car which boosted this power up to 240BHP which meant at the time the car can still have the benefits of warranty etc... you had roughly the same power of the Japanese WRX. You can still achieve this and more by getting aftermarket add-ons like exhausts and filters and Remaps done by 3rd parties.

The engine is basically the same as a WRX you find in Japan but de-tuned for the U.K market for emissions.

As for tunability, then a lot of members on this forum have had more power out of their UK Turbos, but I believe the standard internals are good up-to 280BHP before having to change them for STi/stronger components.

Hopefully someone else on here will give you a better run down what can be achieved.

As per a buyers guide, when I first started looking out for an Impreza I went here:

Scoobypedia | Trusted knowledge for everything Subaru | SidcFaq / SIDC FAQ

Hope that helps?

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

The above is mostly correct. The U.K. internals could safely handle around 300/300, some on here are running over this on standard internals, but thats your own risk. The U.K. gearbox's are longer ratio's than imported Scoobs, which was better for motorways but not so for acceleration. Also U.K. gearboxes had a tendancy to die at anything over 300lb ft.

I've had both an import WRX (95) and U.K. turbo 2000 (99), and to be honest the U.K. car felt better to drive. That may be because the WRX was a dog though, and the U.K. one had a thorough history, rebuilt engine etc.

Loads of knowledgeable folk around these parts, just watch out for the usual *********/trolls, as a forum this size has it's fair share.

Andy

joe88

Thanks lads, that's absolutely fantastic


Going to look at one in a few days, so I'll let you know how it goes!

One more thing, I seem to be seeing the term 'engine rebuild' and 'blown engine' quite a bit... it's not a rx7 wankel rebuild every so long kind of car is it?

G.Mac

iTrader: (2)

No not like an RX7 having to rebuild every 40K or so
If mods are not done correctly ie not being mapped after adding a full decat larger turbo or the likes the car can overboost and or run lean thus melting a piston etc, also its best to run on V-Power or Tesco99 as normal 95 ron fuel is not as resistent to det, again melting a piston
I have a mate with a W reg turbo 2000 running approx 300ish HP(Poss a little more) with about 80K on the clock with no engine issues at all, he just keeps it serviced and uses good oil and V-Power.
Adding an induction Kit like the APS inner wing kit is a huge no no on these cars without having the car mapped, as on classics much of the air can be un metered again melting a piston

if you go for the 99 - 2000 year cars they have a different ECU that is mapable with ECUTEC so this saves a wee bit of cash not having to shell out for an Apexi Power FC

Have a wee look at this Website as this is one of many guys in the UK who knows what hes talking about
AndyForrestPerformance

Graeme

Scoobyspanners

The UK turbo is a fine car, but be aware parts are expensive and the cam belt needs changing at the right times in the service schedule and if you pay for it to be done can cost 300 quid inclusive of belt and tensioners. 0-60 officially 6.5 sec but many cars will do this in less even in standard form, the first impreza is lighter than the later cars so less power not so much of an issue. And the rear seats fold down on the saloon so you can fit long loads in the car and I think the WRX has a solid fire wall between boot and passenger compartment but may be wrong there, I can fit lengths of traditional cladding from wicks that are 3 Metre long corner to corner inside the car.And an untouched UK car can run on standard unleaded the wrx needs premium.

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

The UK cars also lacked a few things the JDM cars got, like Aircon as standard, folding wing mirrors, rear wash-wipe, etc.

There were two main facelifts: 1998 saw a FAR better interior with more supportive seats and better, white faced instruments, with electronic speedo and trip, also 16" wheels became standard. The front end got a revamp with different lights, bonnet and grille. Early UK cars had a low tea-tray spoiler.

1999 saw the exterior front revamped further with a new bumper and grille, and SUBARU branded better brakes all round, 4-pots at the front to replace the AWFUL 2-pots, and a larger spoiler like the one on the JDM car.

30psi

get an import sti mate

stuart n

I have a MY99 turbo 2000 and love it. It had the engine rebuilt by Subaru 30K miles ago (before I bought it) and seems to have no problems keeping up with blob eye WRX's.
It recently had a 90K service with cambelt change, a new pulley, oil change including the diff oil and a replacement knock sensor (second hand from a broken P1) and it cost £500. I thought that was very reasonable considering 1of my Escort RS1600i's cost almost £600 for a service 8 years ago!
I always shop around before deciding where to take it, we're spoilt for choice in Essex
If you can find a decent example you'll be well happy

Brun

I'd be very worried if it didn't keep up with a Blob!

T1000

The 0-60 is not 6.5 seconds though, as most magazine's tested it at approx 5.8 seconds or less (according to my books on Imprezas).

The later MY99 onwards Imprezas also have better seats, MOMO steering wheel, STI4 spoiler, different dash and crystal lights which some of the earlier cars don't. The MAF is the achilles heel on the MY99 cars onwards though and needs replacing (£90) every year or so to avoid engine damage.

Slick81

iTrader: (1)

"Hi guys, I'm looking for something to replace my GT-Four, and I've always liked the older Imprezas. However my insurance premiums didn't look to healthy so gave up on that idea until I got quoted on a Impreza Turbo 2000. Premium is literally half the price, cheaper than my four infact"

"Any obvious reason for this?"

As soon as you tell some insurance companies thats its a STI Jap Import they seem to bump up the price. Your quote depends on what factors they take into account. I was thinking about selling up an getting an STI, ins quoted me an extra £600 in top of what I had already paid

The money you`d save getting a UK version you could do a few choice mods to it and have a car thats just as quick or even quicker than an STI

Ads78

iTrader: (2)

Where did you get that done? I have much the same requirements myself and looking to switch from local main dealer.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

few things
1: How come your GT4 is more expensive (UK or import)?
2: How much do you want to spend buying the car?
3: How much was your insurance quote and what can you afford to spend on insurance?
4:How many companies have quoted you?

UK power output is normally limited by the td04 turbo ,whereas the WRXs had td05 then VF22 (iirc).
I personally would buy an import STI 3 onwards (as islamicscooby said) because the base car is better then buying a UK or WRX and tuning it.

Scoobyspanners

Early UK saloons have a td04 Turbo ? ........... Though my car had the bigger one and it is the the hatch backs had the smalll one on cars MY 1996 ........... ?

stuart n

As I said the engine was rebuilt before I bought the car but the work was carried out by Hylton Subaru.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Yes sorry was concentrating when posting doh.
The pre 96 cars ahad td05 90 deg afterwards a td04 FE (saloon)

30psi

ive had a uk spec and now i have a version 3 sti and it differs big time in every way, the sti is much more stiffer to drive, and the revs sit at 3000rpm wen doin 60mph lol, weras the uk spec was sitting at 3000rpm an doin 75mph, a more smoother drive and comfortable.

but u cant match up with the performance, redtop combined with short ratio box