pepp77

HI

I am considering swapping my 51 plate 1.6 16v Golf for a 97 P Plate 2.0Turbo AWD Impreza.

Heres some pics I got through the fence at the dealer.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/pja77uk/sub2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/pja77uk/Sub1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/pja77uk/sub3.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/pja77uk/sub4.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/pja77uk/sub5.jpg

It looks very neat and tidy and has done 120k miles (the same as my Golf), but I am unsure what I should be checking it for, as obviously I dont want something that is going to break down in 5 mins.

Any advise on things to look out for/check would be much appreciated.

EddScott

IMHO, keep the golf and save for a better/later model.

pepp77

Thanks for the reply. If I was to save it would probably never happen lol

With this its a straight swap as my Golf needs new tyres and the rear suspension dealing with.

So is this a bad model or is it just the going from a newer car to an older car?

EddScott

Partly.

Front wing looks a different colour but could just be the light. Obviously look for things like accident damage. AFAIK the engine bay isn't shiny like the outside panels (none of mine have been) so if where the front wings are bolted on are shiney (or look like one spray job) then the wings have probably been off/replaced.

Its done 120K so things will be worn and require replacing - suspension/bearings/brakes/tyres - if the clutch needs doing in the next 6 months thats potentially 50% of the price again to fix. If its got more than 5 owners I'd be put off (I'd only really buy 1-3 owners). You want lots of history and receipts. If theres no stamped book and no receipts walk away as its too much of an unknown - IMHO a stamped book isn't enough (I had one dealer tell me £14K on a P1 with half its required stamps was a "good buy" - tw*t)

If its your only form of transport I really wouldn't bother. If your buying to mod it then it might MIGHT be a good car to start with. If your a bit pushed on funds, your asking for trouble.

Mate, my current steed is a MK3 Golf 1.8 Driver with 132K and rusting nicely and I've had a couple of Imprezas whilst still owning the Golf as a back up. I could spend £2K on an Impreza but I'd rather keep the Golf.