Morning all,

Looking for some advice and pointers what to look out for when buying an Impreza, I looked at a couple of WRX's around my area and online etc

After looking into them I realised they were a lower power bracket than I originally thought, Currently I have a 1.8 20v turbo with a few modifications, running 242bhp but I'm now wanting more power and always wanted an Impreza

I see a few online and some people upgraded the clutch to a paddle clutch, is there any specific reason for this? Original one not being very good or just a recommended upgrade?

Also I noticed one said he upgraded the clutch to a paddle clutch(may have done flywheel too cannot remember) but said since this was done it has had a whine at high speed when in 3rd and 5th. Apparently this is common when upgrading to paddle clutches?

Anyway as I said, any pointers and advice much appreciated, hopefully I'll soon be the owner of an Impreza

Also just to say I'm looking between 2003-2005 model, has to be atleast 2003 due to private registration, and not looking for a 2.5 hawkeye model

 

Ad go for an sti if I were you simply because ur wanting more power than you have now. Full decat Exhaust new panel filter a fuel pump and a map will see 330-340 bhp. The wrx engine isn't as strong as the sti nor is the 5speed box. Look out for synchro wear on the 6 speed box it is common.

 

*waits for a certain blob wagon owner to turn up*

 

Please don't recommend a wagon, I can't stand them and hate them with a passion... No offence to the wagon owners lol

I'd like the STI don't get me wrong, but due to the fact we are moving into a house very soon they are just over my budget lol

 

There is an going argument on here the standard wrx is quicker than a sti think its due to gear ratio's. but I answerd on the basis you are more concerned about bhp figures. A wrx with the same mods will see about 280 I think. Am not up on wrx tuning. I have never heard of the standard clutch being pony but am far from a expert on these cars.

 

As a wagon owner. Which i absolutley adore. I am going to bow out of this thread with no input..... LOL....



Seriously tho have a read about there is loads of info and what to look for etc. just be aware that with a wrx 350bhp is the max you can push, without changing to a 6 speed setup.

 

By 350bhp being the max do you mean because the gearbox can't handle more, or the car can't be tuned beyond with(without serious £)

 

The gearbox can not handle the torque. STI have the stronger internals that are capable for more power. WRX is about 350 with out forging the internals. Some one more knowledgable will be along shortly to confirm or deny what im saying.

 

Limits of the gearbox, get a classic 96 wrx import 280bp standard I believe? Anybody correct me

 

As I said in my first post has to be 2003 or newer for our private registration Our Leon is 2003 also so we want to stay that year or newer

 

Hi Rob, and welcome.

What is your budget, because that will in general be one of the limiting factors in what spec you can (reasonably) get?

PS - and would you be thinking of or prepared to have a car at the bottom end of it and get some mods done yourself with the rest of the money ? That can be a good opportunity sometimes.

 

Thanks due to moving etc my budget is about £4000 to the top, being that I know I'm not going to get any decent spec but I like to tinker and mod my cars my current car was completely standard so I don't mind getting a bog standard car to mod.

Obviously due to my budget price that is why I am looking for a WRX and not an STI... If I sold my Leon I may have enough cash for something better but due to the fact we need two cars I have to get the new car before the Leon is sold which means I should have some cash to play with mods when the Leon is sold

 

A quick ferret about on Pistonheads and I'm afraid most of them in that age/price range are wagons .

However, this might give you an idea of what's out there.
It looks very decent on the face of it:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/1624070

Low mileage but it is coming up to 10 years, so possibly cambelt replacement (anyone confirm that) ?

Although the power's lower than the Leon you'll find the handling better now Summer's virtually gone
A-B times won't be much different (especially if you use the M25 daily )

 

I no 2 lads with 350hp wrx's one Blew the box recently. But he doesn't have an ounce of mechanical sympathy in his body and the other has just had the bottom end let go. Sure lads on here running more power with no problems as of yet.

 

That looks a very clean example.

 

A whine in 3th and 5th is not normal, regardless of clutch. Walk away.

What is your budget?

 

Yeah obviously the leon delivers power differently compared to an AWD vehicle too

Looks like a good car deffo low milage! And I always have Cambelt done on my vehicles. Always keep my cars maintained!

Yes fortunately my route to work although is 20 miles away doesn't consist using the M25

But I use a 2003 ibiza sport tdi for traveling to work anyway, a lot cheaper

 

Ok all had a good think about things and had a look around, I might be able to push my budget to £5000 but still that isn't going to get me an STI as I need something on 2003 or newer due to our private numberplate

So I think I'm going to go for a wrx around a 04/54 model possibly with PPP if I can find one with low miles etc

 

https://www.scoobynet.com/showthread...7#post11193197

Why not make him a offer ? What's the worse he can say ?

And it's everything your looking for

Sam

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SUBAR...item4d124de62e

What are your thoughts on this guys

 

To be honest I wouldn't touch it Rob.

* The ad's not very well put together.
What I mean is that it apparently has 7-speed auto diesel transmission
It has 'standard power', yet it's a claimed 300bhp, and correct me if I'm wrong I don't think that was standard on a Blob WRX ?
Oh - and it's brand new, unused and undamaged

A sloppy ad. is an indication of someone pretty laid back, almost someone who can't be ar$ed (I know that's a terrible generalisation). Someone who perhaps wouldn't pay attention to details such as keeping the car mechanically on the ball.

* 'Needs ECU flashed'
OK so they say remapped but 'flashed' is a term used by boy racers in Corsas etc.

* Not delivering full power - how do they know?
What the seller does know, however, is that something's wrong with it.

* And did the timewaster pull out after seeing it (I know it should be tough luck, but would anyone actually pay for something they found out was not the best?)

On top of this, they've got bored with it.
Bored with a Impreza !

My opinion - and this is purely from the ad - I think it's been ragged, the seller knows something is wrong and is afraid that it's going to be costly.

And why tell the world you're after an RS4?

That means he's either got it - and hence needs to move this quickly - or simply treats cars as toys that can be acquired and dipsosed of at will.

And of course he says that in thr event of silly offers etc. he'll keep it.

Completely contrary ad. - and advertiser as I see it.

In all honesty I might have completely misread or read too much into it.
But adverts are there to sell cars aren't they.

This one's put me right off, sorry.

 

I'd be heading off to see this if it was me

Ebay one I'd not even bother. Anyone also notice the classic in the background. I get the impression its someone who buys and sells pretending to be private.

 

Buy an STI and read this guide:

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-gener...ers-guide.html

 

Mate, chassis numbers are everything. He may well have put a body kit and new engine on it but it is and always will be a WRX, it will always be hard to shift - including when you come to sell it one day.

Also, regarding the STI v WRX, it's more than just a different body kit and engine. Go for one or the other, but not some half way vehicle.

 

A newage STI for £4k?
Yeah, that will be a ****ter alright.

Not everyone wants to ***** wave about power figures.
Some of us are quite happy with 250bhp.

 

Have asked the guy a few questions. This should be good.

There are so many people that buy Impreza's with little or no knowledge about them.
Then, when costs start to add up, they try and get shot of them quick.

That seller sounds like he has absolutely no idea about what he has.

Walk away....now!

 

Ok I've had a look around and I found one which is a 2003/53 Impreza WRX with the Prodrive pack, certificate with it etc

Just the mileage is in the 90,000's mark he said it has history up to 89k then he had it serviced at 91k and currently on 96 or there abouts

Is this too high and should I leave and walk away?

Other than the above it is pretty nice great overall condition inside and out and mechanically sound

 

It's not high mileage if it's been a regular daily driver.

But (me being me with devil's advocate hat on again) the last 7K miles are interesting.
I'm assuming that he's only had it since then, given that he serviced it at 91K.
Why have a car with (full?) history, and then break the chain?

I can think of a reason - have some of the later bills been for work which indicates that there's a problem looming large ???????

Also, it's 10 years - 2nd cambelt etc. change is imminent, if not already done.

As per usual, not intended to put you off but info required from the seller imo.

 

Does he have the receipts for the most recent service?

For me I would be happy with that mileage (my Impreza is currently at 75k) but I would want to know that:

- there was a receipt for the cam belt change within the last 20k
- she has had new discs within the last 20 or 30 k
- she has had a new clutch at some point in her life.

All those are things which tend to crop up at the 80 - 100k mark.

 

I've skimmed through this so if I repeat what others have said then sorry lol.

For your budget I would be looking at either a standard WRX and then spent money left over upgrading it and get it to around 280Bhp-300bhp or spend around £4-£5k on a WRX that's already had some choice mods like Remap/PPP, exhaust, STI I/C or Front mount, brake upgrade etc etc.
There is a nice WRX for sale on here I think I've seen for around £4250.

I was in a similar position to you I only wanted to spend around £6k on an impreza and didn't want to scrape the bottom barrel STI's for that price and have a car that needed more ££££ thrown at it, in the end I settled for a Bugeye (not the most loved shape haha, but its my fave) and I just went for a UK300 which is basically a tarted up WRX but it ticked the boxes for me being PPP and had some nice extras as standard in it.
Then with the money left over I can take it to where I want.

Don't feel like the WRX is an inferior car to the STI as it depends what you want from the car (obviously a STI is a better car) but if your aiming less then 330BHP then a WRX is a good car if your chasing BHP you need to go STI to start with.