Classic Impreza Buying Guide
21 January 2009, 12:33 AM
#1
Classic Impreza Buying Guide
People have been asking for this thread
so here is a start..
Off the top of my head - but its late
WRX
A Quick way to tell if it is an import - fold down the offside sunvisor there should be writing in Japanesse on it. Electric mirrors and Air Con - Is a give away sign - but not definate proof. Fog light added onto the back is another clue
Mapped for 100ron fuel - has it been run on the correct fuel since in the UK?
Running bigger power than UK cars. Gearing is different.
WRX Sti
Well a bright red lump under the bonnet is a bit of a give away
WRX Sti Type R RA
A bright red lump and look for the DCCD contol in the center console
UK Car
Check the sun visor and subaru lettering on boot are tell tell signs. No air con - then UK (Unless type RA)
Facelift occured in 1998 - so as a rule of thumb
Pre 1998 cars should have old style front bumper and bonet
1998 facelift bonet and old style front bumper
1999 onwards facelift bonet and new style front bumper
1998 was also the year gearboxes changed
Pre 1998 was TY752 box - with a weaker casing
post 1998 was TY754 box - that was strengthened
1998 ECUs cant be remaped - They have to be replaced
1999 -2000 MAF sensors especialy prone to fail - but cheaper to replace
Pre 1999 MAF sensor less likely to fail - but more expensive to replace
1997 cars can suffer from piston slap when cold. Its not a problem its just what they do!
On earlier cars the power steering tank and header tank are of a poorer design and prone to fail. You will notice the design is different on later cars
Top hoses can get brittle and are also prone to going
Check for tyre wear on the inside edges - as this is often where scoob tyres can wear most and the wear is not visibale at first glance.
Thats a start....its late and my brain has stopped
So will leave to others to add to
so here is a start..
Off the top of my head - but its late
WRX
A Quick way to tell if it is an import - fold down the offside sunvisor there should be writing in Japanesse on it. Electric mirrors and Air Con - Is a give away sign - but not definate proof. Fog light added onto the back is another clue
Mapped for 100ron fuel - has it been run on the correct fuel since in the UK?
Running bigger power than UK cars. Gearing is different.
WRX Sti
Well a bright red lump under the bonnet is a bit of a give away
WRX Sti Type R RA
A bright red lump and look for the DCCD contol in the center console
UK Car
Check the sun visor and subaru lettering on boot are tell tell signs. No air con - then UK (Unless type RA)
Facelift occured in 1998 - so as a rule of thumb
Pre 1998 cars should have old style front bumper and bonet
1998 facelift bonet and old style front bumper
1999 onwards facelift bonet and new style front bumper
1998 was also the year gearboxes changed
Pre 1998 was TY752 box - with a weaker casing
post 1998 was TY754 box - that was strengthened
1998 ECUs cant be remaped - They have to be replaced
1999 -2000 MAF sensors especialy prone to fail - but cheaper to replace
Pre 1999 MAF sensor less likely to fail - but more expensive to replace
1997 cars can suffer from piston slap when cold. Its not a problem its just what they do!
On earlier cars the power steering tank and header tank are of a poorer design and prone to fail. You will notice the design is different on later cars
Top hoses can get brittle and are also prone to going
Check for tyre wear on the inside edges - as this is often where scoob tyres can wear most and the wear is not visibale at first glance.
Thats a start....its late and my brain has stopped
So will leave to others to add to
Last edited by Steve Whitehorn; 21 January 2009 at 02:56 PM. Reason: Correct year typo from 1990 to 1999
21 January 2009, 09:30 AM
#5
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Biggest give away all service history is in funny drawings on paper lol Apparently i have a full jap service history
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21 January 2009, 02:00 PM
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This should be made into a sticky info thread or something.
UK classics had air con as a dealer option.
Plus they have a plastic "heel" that goes from the back of the side skirt up the rear wheel arch - does anyone know why? I've always wondered about that. Dirty uk roads perhaps?
UK classics had air con as a dealer option.
Plus they have a plastic "heel" that goes from the back of the side skirt up the rear wheel arch - does anyone know why? I've always wondered about that. Dirty uk roads perhaps?
21 January 2009, 02:11 PM
#9
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IIRC there was an ECU change 99>00. Irrelevent if mapped or binned for aftermarket ECU but I believe the 99 ECU made for a slightly quicker car than 00
97/98s that had an engine change under warranty was probably due to piston slap which many of those years suffered from - however I've not found anyone ever mention failure due to piston slap - just doesn't sound great.
Bright button was FAR TOO BIG for what little it actually did
97/98s that had an engine change under warranty was probably due to piston slap which many of those years suffered from - however I've not found anyone ever mention failure due to piston slap - just doesn't sound great.
Bright button was FAR TOO BIG for what little it actually did
21 January 2009, 02:55 PM
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Looking at this thread there is a version list half way down. There are 101 differnt classic versions listed!
https://www.scoobynet.com/technical-...ml#post8442916
Listing all the differences is certainly an epic task.
https://www.scoobynet.com/technical-...ml#post8442916
Listing all the differences is certainly an epic task.
Last edited by Ryo; 21 January 2009 at 02:56 PM.
21 January 2009, 03:52 PM
#11
21 January 2009, 07:39 PM
#13
http://larcho.files.wordpress.com/20...orms_ahead.jpg
I'm afraid this thread is never going to work. Too many people who know parts of the reality, but nobody who knows everything (certainly includes me).
It could take years to produce a complete and factually correct "buyers guide"
I'm afraid this thread is never going to work. Too many people who know parts of the reality, but nobody who knows everything (certainly includes me).
It could take years to produce a complete and factually correct "buyers guide"
21 January 2009, 08:31 PM
#14
as gp7rs has pointed out that some v2 STIs have red manifolds which i didn't think they had
as rossyboy stated there are too many variances in what you can get on your impreza (at least for classic anyway).
as far as I can see GC8 is possibly one of the only people on here who can identify every classic (i may be wrong)
22 January 2009, 07:34 PM
#17
It will never be specific - too many variables - but we now have usefull pointers for newbies on how to spot different models.
We could also do with a bit more stuff from a technical point of view.
Known weaknesses - things to look out for
Steve
We could also do with a bit more stuff from a technical point of view.
Known weaknesses - things to look out for
Steve
24 January 2009, 08:45 PM
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Imports started life with alloy bonnets!! But half the UK's have them now. Thats the downside of the older cars. Parts are interchangable!! Import saloons do have a rear wiper though. Its my drivers side sun visor that has jap writing on it!! And the drivers side door shut with the tyre pressures!!
02 February 2009, 10:04 PM
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Look at the V5 if its got new at first registration or states its imported, agreed above way too many misleeding comments, better to check vin number GC code etc and cross reference with SIDC knowledge, iwoc etc. Ive had 5 classics, 2 uk cars and 3 imports. Im not having a go at anyone who has posted above but the advice is a bit random from the cars ive had looking at the advice I wouldnt of known what I had. Not having a go, I think it would be a good idea just needs to have facts not thoughts.
12 May 2009, 05:09 PM
#24
Another point check for rot at the back end.
Inside the rear arches are prone
Rear lights can leak - so check the well where the spare is
Also shine a torch up in the gap in front of the rear plate or get under the car at the back as there can be rot up there too
Inside the rear arches are prone
Rear lights can leak - so check the well where the spare is
Also shine a torch up in the gap in front of the rear plate or get under the car at the back as there can be rot up there too
12 May 2009, 09:13 PM
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This should be made into a sticky info thread or something.
UK classics had air con as a dealer option.
Plus they have a plastic "heel" that goes from the back of the side skirt up the rear wheel arch - does anyone know why? I've always wondered about that. Dirty uk roads perhaps?
UK classics had air con as a dealer option.
Plus they have a plastic "heel" that goes from the back of the side skirt up the rear wheel arch - does anyone know why? I've always wondered about that. Dirty uk roads perhaps?
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