2010richmond

owned an impreza 98 classic model about 5 years ago and considering purchase of another due to new family members (2 seater had to go)

I have a budget of 12k but would love to get the ideal car for much less if possible

looking at the sti 2.0 wrx sti or 2.5 wrx sti

a trawl through trader suggests

a 2.0 sti can be purchased from high 6k up over with low miles i.e less than 30 000.

the 2.5 WRX (not sti) can be picked up from around 8ish
and the 2.5 wrx sti is more toward the top end of my budget for an 06 plate etc though not seen many

I feel I would like the 2.5 STI WRX which I think has 300bhp in standard form against the more thrashy 2.0

given the choice which models should I be aware of.

I'm not lazy and have searched the site but there is lots of hawkeye this and twin scroll that which whilst I'm an engineer and can understand the workings of things I'm not an anorak of this car and would just like to learn what they refer to so I can make an informed judgement.

please list your positives and negatives or corrections to my post but explain any jargon used.

many thanks to all that can help

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Which do you prefer to drive? The 2.5 is torquier, 2.0 revs higher. 2.5 does not have as much burble. 2.0 is a Blobeye (available until late 2005) within your budget, 2.5 is Hawkeye (Available late 2005 onwards)

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Ok so there are 3 options for you to choose from,
1. Single scroll 2 ltr
2. Twin scroll 2 ltr (jdm only)
3. 2.5ltr single scroll.

I think you ruled out option 1 really, option 3 isn't a bad choice but you really need to try option 2, they cost slightly more and you need to do a careful search but they are by far the best engine subaru has produced to date, very very smooth power delivery and they produce more bhp/torque out of the box than the 2.5's with the power coming in as low as 1500rpm yet they still have that 8200rpm rev limit.
Put those 2 back to back and see which you prefer, twin scroll is virtually lagless and the 2.5 has the greater displacement to compensate.

Tony

GC8

Id say: 2003 JDM STI FTW!

2010richmond

cheers folks

if I looked for a 2.0 twin scroll jdm

how will I recognise one that is advertised.

i.e.

does the average subaru owner know what it is and badges it up accordingly in the trader advert.

I would just like to know how to search for this vehicle

cheers

Timwinner

iTrader: (3)

Most Impreza owners know there sauces, and IMO if someone has an STi and is selling it not knowing its an STi I dont know if it would give me faith in that car.
There is a guy on my local forum called Rich who deals almost exclusively in used imprezas
RRH Autos Ltd
He will be able to help you source a good car.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

This is a twin scroll car (though a bit expensive)
Subaru : SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 8 JDM
Has auto and manual ic spray, speedo will be in KMH (converted) so only one set of numbers around the edge, normally "most" have A-DCCD fitted (big givaway really ) and the rear wiper.
Look around, for 12k you should pick up a nice MY05 one with the revised geometry

Tony

2010richmond

I realise that I'm probably annoying people now

but do all sti variants of the bug eye 2001 -2003
and up over i.e 2004 onward in 2.0 form have the twin scroll

I only ask as I personally found my old impreza a bit laggy in truth

what do you reckon that low mileage 9000 mile example is really worth if you think is on the expensive side

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Subaru : SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 8 JDM

you beat me to it Tony

I'd look out for the much better looking Hawkeye JDM STi, I was never a fan of the blob LOL

Shaun

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Buge STi never had a twin scroll set up. Bug STi is the performance bargain of the decade but you are looking at cars which are 7-8 years old.

I've driven a UK 2.5 STi with a re-map and there was very little lag, I came into Subaru's from an MR2 with a light revvy engine and prefer my 2 litre

Shaun

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Low miles or not its probably not worth more than 10k, its still pushing 7 years old and they were 25k new.

Tony

2010richmond

this is what has been rrunning through my head Tony

I've had a few new cars and as a general rule, after 3 years it's normally worth 50% of sale price.

there are plenty of subaru's so exclusivity as far as I can see doesn't apply

this is my reason for researching so I pay a fair price for something that will satisfy.

I work 6 days and don't fancy wasting my day off to view something thats over priced or not what I would like.

I would like an impreza with below 30k miles and have satisfactory performance. I'm used to powerful cars when I say satisfactory if this seems explanatory.

what do you folks think of these ietms on trader

i.e overpriced? will one be exetensively modified to get the 340bhp.

2001 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 WRX STi 4dr Saloon


2003 SUBARU Impreza 2.0 WRX STi

a friend has just purchased an evo with similar horsepower and is having major issues with it i.e head gaskets and so on.

I'm scared witless of buying a pill someone has just wound the boost up without proper precautions etc.

2010richmond

aside from pistonheads and trader, where else should I look?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

340 bhp is almost "standard" these days, exhaust, filter, fuel pump & a re-map, the STI motors (2.0) are pretty tough and good for 450 bhp on a good day.

HTH

dunx

P.S. 2nd car is a wrx ( 5 SPEED GEAR BOX IS THE GIVE AWAY...) Also just 2 Junctions down the M1 from me....