Hi all :-)
This is my first ever thread!

I am planning on buying an '03-'05 place WRX SL PPP, but at present, I have no idea of what sort of things to look for/check out when I go to test drive (it is a private sale) the car.

I would REALLY appreciate it if anyone could make me aware of any weak points or things that I need to check/be cautious about when I go to test drive it.

Many thanks for your time & input :-)

PHK.

 

Welcome,
Can i ask why your looking for a PPP Version?
i'm actually selling a 53 plate Modified WRX SL.
Nothing special on this other than checking that the sunroof has full operation (tilt and slide) plus the heated seats work.
Main thing is the service history and service intervals its had.

 

First of all, thanks for the reply :-)
The reason that I want a PPP is for the extra 36BHP over the standard 225BHP. I can't afford the insurance on a modified car and so, short of getting an STI PPP, the PPP is a good compromise between performance and the cost of insurance.

So, you don't think that there is anything particularly about this model that has any faults or things that can 'go' on it then?

Thanks again,

PHK.

 

If you buy a car with PPP on it you'll still have to declare the seperate prodrive modifications, as I dont believe Insurers recognise the PPP. When you come to insure it, it will probably be picked up as a WRX SL as the PPP was a dealer fit option and not something that came on the car from Subaru. Just a thought. no doubt someone will say im talking rubbish but its the way I understood it.

 

im insured with aa and they do recognise the ppp
the sti or sti ppp is classed as a different model due to the extra power

 

Hi all :-)

I think that in depends on the insurance company. Also, if you go through confused.com, they don't recognise it as they want as many insurers as possible to give quotes. So far, the best quote (about £100 less than the best quote on confused) that I have got is from Pace Ward (who are usually known for the insurance quotes that they give to EVO drivers) and that is with the PPP upgrade as they see it as a 'factory upgrade' (as in it is done by a Subaru UK dealer and with there warranty still in force.

So, I guess that there isn't much that I need to watch out for (other than the 'normal stuff that I would be keeping an eye on whatever car I buy) then?

PHK.

 

If you are looking at an '05 model (has red brake calipers, not black and nicer heater controls), then these have several improved parts. The downside is the rear shocks can knock, so check there's no banging from the rear.

Some also suffered from a rear axle drone at 65mph, so drive at this speed to check.

Other than that, just the usual check for smoke from exhaust and evidence of regular oil changes. I wouldn't worry about a Subaru history, any specialist servicing would be better.

 

Thanks Mark :-)
The one that I am looking at is an '04 model. Is there the same problem with the rear shocks, or is it only on the '05 plate? I don't think that I have ever been on a car test drive and driven at 65mph!

PHK.

 

05 plate onwards had the inverted struts a la STI which can knock.
Some insurance companies refer to the PPP as WRX 261, it came as a free option on 05 year cars, mine did.
PPP is hit and miss, some cars hit the 261 bhp, others far less.

 

This is spot on and good advice, where PPP is concerned always get an insurance quote from an Impreza specialist such as A Plan or Keith Michaels because your bog standard insurance companies know nothing about PPP.
When i picked up my brand new WRX PPP i took out a free six week insurance recommended by Subaru, all i had to do was get a quote for fully comp insurance which i did.
The quote was very competitive, at the same time i got a quote from A plan and asked them if they could beat it. They said that was all well and good but was the PPP included in this quote?
So i rings the company and surprise surprise, it was one of our Indian brothers who said that he knew nothing about PPP and then said my insurance was void.
So technicaly, when i drove my new car from the Subaru dealer i was not insured despite Subaru recommending the insurer in the first place.

 

Struth! You would've thought that Subaru would know better than that!

I filled out a form online about 10 days ago with Keith Michaels and haven't heard anything back.

So, Keith Michaels and A-Plan are who you would recommend as being competitive then?

I'll have to make a couple of phone calls on Monday...

PHK.

 

I phoned both A-Plan & Keith Michaels:

A-Plan couldn't match the quote that Pace Ward gave me.

Following on from filling out an online request form with Keith Michaels (for which they never replied to me), I called yesterday & was put through the the scooby specialist's voice mail. It told me that he was out of the office UNTIL Monday 14th march (which yesterday was), so I left my contact details and no one has phoned me back so after two attempts at getting Keith Michaels to give me a quote, I won't be bothering to call them again as, if they are this bad BEFORE I am insured with them, what will they be like afterwards if I need help!

PHK.

 

I had an 04 WRX SL prior to my new one and it was spot. Very reliable and nothing major to look out for. Oddly the only thing that ever bugged me about it was the headroom as the sunroof decreased it in the front. As I like to sit fairly high, The sunroof made it difficult. Apart from that little niggle, cracking cars.

 

I've just had an 'interesting' conversation with a guy who is selling an '04 WRX PPP. It has 87,000 miles on it and had a reconditioned engine at 84,000 miles. According to a friend of his who is 'up to his eyes in Subaru pistons and cylinders' Scoobie engines are only good for 80,000 miles!

When I asked him the reason that the original engine failed, he said that an old guy had it and the oil 'ran out'!

Anyone come across this problem?

PHK.

 

If the oil ran out then that would kill the engine LOL. The 2.0EJ is pretty unstressed at WRX PPP Levels and would expect well over 100,000 miles if looked after

Shaun

 

Yeah, I am thinking that if the engine wasn't looked after, then probably nothing else was either!

PHK.

 

What extras does the SL have? Leather heated seats and sunroof?

 

yip leather seat,heated front seat, electric sunroof,

the door cards should also have the same colour of leather on in,

knocking rear shocks are common in all newage subarus,(not sure on classics)
make sure its got a full service history etc and look at the reciepts and mot mileage as a lot of people change the speedo clocks,

since ure buying cash i would try and get a pic up and a the reg incase someone knows it,

hopefully it is a genuine sale and not someone trying to hide something but maybe best to have a look in the for sale section as car club owners seem to take better care of the car.

i know its the ppp ure looking at but if any engine mods have been done like decat downpipe,induction kit etc then make sure its had a remap,if not then it could be on borrowed time.

 

Thanks for all the extra info - I'll be sure to check out the extra stuff :-)

PHK.

 

Give greenlight a try for your insurance too, they have been the most competitive for me for several years now.

I've got an SL and they are quite rare, I should imagine finding one with a PPP will be even harder to find. Great cars though I love mine.

 

All,
In the end, I bought a Bora 4motion. '03 plate with under 47,000 miles on the clock. Nice condition and lots of extras (sat nav, leather, rain sensing wipers etc.)

Not in the same 'ball park' as a Scoobie with regard to performance I know, but I needed to get a car this week and I simply couldn't find a WRX PPP that had FSH (or close to)!

Thanks for all your help and advice :-)

PHK.

 

Good mileage and nice spec