Hi,

I bought my 1st ever Subaru yesterday and in doing so fulfilled a dream of mine that stretches back years.

Its a '96 imported Impreza 2000 Turbo estate. On the test drive I noticed that the speedo wasnt working, but the trade seller advised that it was only cable operated and wouldnt be an expensive fix. Other than this the car seemed great so I bought it and left. After 20 miles or so the 'Check Engine' light came on, and then went off again for another 50(ish) miles then it came back on and has stayed on since.
I have managed to get the spare key stuck in the ignition barrel and have also noticed that the temperature gauge is stuck halfway up, even with the engine off.
The fans/blowers which worked yesterday wouldnt work earleir today although they do again now. And finally the windscreen wipers wouldnt come on earlier, but pulling up and turning the engine off and on again got them working once again.

I really love this car but am becoming increasingly concerned about it. I have tried to contact the seller again to discuss the car but he wont answer his phone (even when I call withheld).

I took the car to a local garage that specialises in Subaru's but he cant look at it for a week.

I dont know what to do, and am hoping one of you may have some advice for me.

Thanks in advance

 

you take it back to the dealer and ask to have the problems fixed.

 

I dont know if this makes any difference but it was not a dealership or anything, the car was advertised on Autotrader and the seller was just a one man band operating out of a workshop. Do you think that legally is he obliged to repair it?

Its 120 miles to the sellers workshop so I want to avoid any wasted trips if possible.

 

i thought turbo 2000 was uk spec not imported?

 

Turbo 2000 is uk spec :-/. Don't sound good mate, no mechanic but if you can get them to take the car back may well be worth it. Sounds like there could be alot of different things wrong with it and tbh a 96 scoob ain't worth much nowadays. Also would you trust the dodgy bloke who sold it to actually fix it or would he just bodge it up?

Anyway mate good luck and hope you get it all sorted! There brilliant cars when there working right and will never fail to put a smile on your face

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1106379276702/

Thats the car, the ad is still up on autotrader.

The seller told me it was an import over the phone before I went to see the car. Was he at least right about the model?

 

it looks to me like the guy dont know himself what he had and even less so any knowledge on them, i know it's not any help but this sort of thing is rife, all over ebay scoobys advetised as something they are not
it certainly would'int be a car i would go and buy without either having some knoledge of or someone with me that knew about them.
and i agree as above i would be taking ti back as were all these problems addressed when you purchased it?
i know it's a fair bit away and probably a car you always wanted, but for this age is it really worth the hassle and cash spending on it?

 

Private seller then.. Wouldn't waste your money on the fuel.. All he will say is "sold as seen".

Take it to a good mechanic and get them to give it a once over.

 

Running the number plate comes back as first registered 24/10/2007 which could suggest it is a import?

 

Two thing here - first its cheap so you get what you pay for - second it looks like its worth saving so get it round to a trusted mechanic - the temp guage being the immediate issue - do a search on the forum for resetting the ecu and tell him the fault codes ( if any) this will give you a better idea to whats going on with her - the other bits and pieces are a mornings work - dont panic - they pretty much all need work as complicated beasts - if your not mechanically minded yet -you will be soon -thats the fun of them

good luck with her
iain

 

Dont panic as said dont waste fuel going back,he'll probably tell you to **** off as hes not answering the phone, the electrical problems sound like it could just be a dodgy earth or oxidisation on the fuses especially if its been stood a while, if your not mechanically minded then your just going to have to wait a week, and dont drive it in the meantime as to do so before its checked out by a specialist could end up costing alot more than you paid for the car and you really dont want that to happen. just hang fire buddy it will work out well if you take my advice.
as for the key turn it all the way off and push the little button under it to release

 

Thanks for all the replies!
I've pretty much given up on contacting the seller by phone, and I dont fancy driving to B'ham to be told to 'eff off'.
Im still happy with my purchase, I absolutely love the car and will do even more when these issues have been dealt with. I am driving it at the moment as Im self employed and need to earn to pay for next weeks repairs. Im treating her with alot of respect and just tootling around at the moment.

Regarding the key release button (as mentioned by ditchmyster) I had read about this button when researching my problem albeit on an American scooby site, am I correct in thinking that this button is only present on Automatic models? As I couldnt find it on my car, and posts on the US site i mentioned indicate that it is found on automatic models, but didnt expressly mention it wasnt present on manuals.

Thanks for all this valuable input.

Edit:
Any more ideas on what model Impreza I have? Most of the writing under the bonnet is in Japanese. Is there any way for me to definitively work out what model i've bought?

 

Your car looks like a 1996 wrx with sti rear lights,looking at the pictures it seems your wipers are on the left hand side,making it an import.
Your check engine light coming on intermittenly could be caused by a worn/split speedo cable .If you have a look under your steering column and find the 2 black plugs - plug them together then turn on your ignition and count how many times your check engine light flash or if you are struggling follow this link:


http://www.jollygreenmonster.com/ecu.asp.htm

 

Post up the VIN plate's 7-digit Model code...

 

It's defo had bits put on. Looks nice and tidy though - worth sorting the niggles. 2nd hand parts cheap and easy to come by/fit...

The engine is def a MY93-96 EJ20G type.

But it's had a MY97-00 bonnet & tail lights, MY99/00 headlights and MY97/98 grille fitted.

I fully expect it to be a JDM import MY96 WRX, model code: GF8C48D...?