I'd like an Impreza.
09 June 2001, 09:59 PM
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Simple really. I've about £10,000 to spend and I'm looking at an Impreza. What can I get, what should I get, where do I go to get it and what should I be careful about?
Also, what about insurance - any companies that specialise in performance cars that are worth trying.
Total novice - any help appreciated.
Also, what about insurance - any companies that specialise in performance cars that are worth trying.
Total novice - any help appreciated.
10 June 2001, 05:29 PM
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I think that you should buy my Impreza as it's for sale and going for £9,200 only. Have two insurance companies that I think you should try, so ask me if you're interested. How old are you by the way, because if you're under 21, they'll laugh at you....*:-) (Wonder why?)
Take it easy!
Ko
Take it easy!
Ko
10 June 2001, 10:01 PM
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Maz,
Don't know if you have sorted a car yet.
I am a registered finance broker and on of my clients has asked me to sell his existiong car, I am supplying his with a BMW 330Ci.
It is a little more than you wanted but maybe I can help there.
It is a good a 98 "S" Turbo 4 dr as you will find only one small superficial scratch. 18,000 miles FSSH and just had the £400 service with new bridgestones all round.
The price is £13,250
If this is of interest, please give me a call 07768-905450
Regards and hope you find what you are looking for if this is not for you,
Chris
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Maz:
<B>Simple really. I've about £10,000 to spend and I'm looking at an Impreza. What can I get, what should I get, where do I go to get it and what should I be careful about?
Also, what about insurance - any companies that specialise in performance cars that are worth trying.
Total novice - any help appreciated.[/quote]
Don't know if you have sorted a car yet.
I am a registered finance broker and on of my clients has asked me to sell his existiong car, I am supplying his with a BMW 330Ci.
It is a little more than you wanted but maybe I can help there.
It is a good a 98 "S" Turbo 4 dr as you will find only one small superficial scratch. 18,000 miles FSSH and just had the £400 service with new bridgestones all round.
The price is £13,250
If this is of interest, please give me a call 07768-905450
Regards and hope you find what you are looking for if this is not for you,
Chris
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Maz:
<B>Simple really. I've about £10,000 to spend and I'm looking at an Impreza. What can I get, what should I get, where do I go to get it and what should I be careful about?
Also, what about insurance - any companies that specialise in performance cars that are worth trying.
Total novice - any help appreciated.[/quote]
10 June 2001, 10:08 PM
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Maz,
For £10k you have quite a selection open to you - just do a search on the Auto Trader web site and you'll see that there are a variety of UK-spec and Japanese imports available for the money.
I doubt you'll find too many £10k cars at main dealers, but there are plenty for sale around that price privately and with other garages. As with any car, a dealer will be able to offer full test drives (which some private sellers may, quite reasonably IMHO, be unwilling to offer), and a warranty as backup.
The choice between UK spec and imports (WRX or STI) is really up to you - the UK cars are good for 208 or 215bhp (depending on age), while most Jap imports are good for 280bhp. There are a number of independent specialists around the country that will care well for an import, but expect nothing more than a filthy look if you take one to most franchised dealers
If you go for an import, check that it has been properly converted to run on UK fuel - Japanese fuel is 100 RON, whereas here we have the choice of 95 RON (normal 'premium' unleaded) or 97 RON (super unleaded). Many imports (even after conversion) will require SUL, and all cars (even the UK spec ones) prefer it.
Obviously if you go for a UK spec car then this isn't an issue. Look out for cars that have been upgraded by Prodrive - the Prodrive Performance Pack is particularly worthwhile, and closes much of the performance gap with an import.
With my flame suit fastened good and tight, I'd advice you to steer clear of cars that have had non-Prodrive mods done; there are a lot of tuning companies out there, some of which know more about maintaining reliability than others. A different back box is probably OK, and a dry induction kit is probably OK too provided that the MAF (mass airflow) sensor hasn't been disturbed or damaged - they are fragile. Oiled filters are a definite no-no. View cars that have been chipped with suspicion (Prodrive Performance Pack excepted).
On all cars the paintwork is very soft and prone to stone chip damage, so don't be too put off if you view a car that looks like it's spent a while behind a gritting lorry - it doesn't mean that it's been abused. The bodywork is about as thick as a coke can too, but small dents can be easily fixed by an organisation like Dentmaster.
If you can stretch to a MY97 (MY=Model Year) or later car, you'll get a smaller turbocharger which spins up quicker but which doesn't give quite the same ultimate shove in the back that the earlier cars do. Try and get a test drive in both to see which you prefer. On the test drive, beware that earlier cars only have 2-pot brakes, that many people find just aren't up to the job. Later ones have STI-sourced 4 pot items that are much better.
On any UK-spec car there's no good reason for it not to have a full main dealer service history, so I'd advise you to insist on one.
On cars of the age you'll be looking at, the interiors should be well screwed together and shouldn't squeak or rattle too much. Build quality actually deteriorated for the latest cars, but you should be OK with an older one.
As with any car, check for things like even tyre wear, an engine that starts easily and without blowing smoke, and that the gearbox works smoothly. Don't put up with any faults just because "they're all like that" - they're not! The Impreza is a pretty solid machine that can take a lot of abuse in its stride, with only hard-driven modified examples tending to break.
Regarding insurance, start saving! Have a trawl through the insurance forums on this bbs; several names come up time and again, but it seems to depend a lot on your personal circumstances as to who's cheapest. Try Greenlight, Tesco, Privilege and anyone else you can find a number for. Half a day spent phoning round <B>will</B> save you money.
If you need any more help, check out the FAQ on the SIDC Web site (http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq) or the Impreza buyers' guide in issue 28 of Evo - or just drop me an email.
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to talk total garbage. Don't blame me if it all goes horribly wrong.
Andy.
For £10k you have quite a selection open to you - just do a search on the Auto Trader web site and you'll see that there are a variety of UK-spec and Japanese imports available for the money.
I doubt you'll find too many £10k cars at main dealers, but there are plenty for sale around that price privately and with other garages. As with any car, a dealer will be able to offer full test drives (which some private sellers may, quite reasonably IMHO, be unwilling to offer), and a warranty as backup.
The choice between UK spec and imports (WRX or STI) is really up to you - the UK cars are good for 208 or 215bhp (depending on age), while most Jap imports are good for 280bhp. There are a number of independent specialists around the country that will care well for an import, but expect nothing more than a filthy look if you take one to most franchised dealers
If you go for an import, check that it has been properly converted to run on UK fuel - Japanese fuel is 100 RON, whereas here we have the choice of 95 RON (normal 'premium' unleaded) or 97 RON (super unleaded). Many imports (even after conversion) will require SUL, and all cars (even the UK spec ones) prefer it.
Obviously if you go for a UK spec car then this isn't an issue. Look out for cars that have been upgraded by Prodrive - the Prodrive Performance Pack is particularly worthwhile, and closes much of the performance gap with an import.
With my flame suit fastened good and tight, I'd advice you to steer clear of cars that have had non-Prodrive mods done; there are a lot of tuning companies out there, some of which know more about maintaining reliability than others. A different back box is probably OK, and a dry induction kit is probably OK too provided that the MAF (mass airflow) sensor hasn't been disturbed or damaged - they are fragile. Oiled filters are a definite no-no. View cars that have been chipped with suspicion (Prodrive Performance Pack excepted).
On all cars the paintwork is very soft and prone to stone chip damage, so don't be too put off if you view a car that looks like it's spent a while behind a gritting lorry - it doesn't mean that it's been abused. The bodywork is about as thick as a coke can too, but small dents can be easily fixed by an organisation like Dentmaster.
If you can stretch to a MY97 (MY=Model Year) or later car, you'll get a smaller turbocharger which spins up quicker but which doesn't give quite the same ultimate shove in the back that the earlier cars do. Try and get a test drive in both to see which you prefer. On the test drive, beware that earlier cars only have 2-pot brakes, that many people find just aren't up to the job. Later ones have STI-sourced 4 pot items that are much better.
On any UK-spec car there's no good reason for it not to have a full main dealer service history, so I'd advise you to insist on one.
On cars of the age you'll be looking at, the interiors should be well screwed together and shouldn't squeak or rattle too much. Build quality actually deteriorated for the latest cars, but you should be OK with an older one.
As with any car, check for things like even tyre wear, an engine that starts easily and without blowing smoke, and that the gearbox works smoothly. Don't put up with any faults just because "they're all like that" - they're not! The Impreza is a pretty solid machine that can take a lot of abuse in its stride, with only hard-driven modified examples tending to break.
Regarding insurance, start saving! Have a trawl through the insurance forums on this bbs; several names come up time and again, but it seems to depend a lot on your personal circumstances as to who's cheapest. Try Greenlight, Tesco, Privilege and anyone else you can find a number for. Half a day spent phoning round <B>will</B> save you money.
If you need any more help, check out the FAQ on the SIDC Web site (http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq) or the Impreza buyers' guide in issue 28 of Evo - or just drop me an email.
Disclaimer: I reserve the right to talk total garbage. Don't blame me if it all goes horribly wrong.
Andy.
12 June 2001, 08:50 AM
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Subaru Impreza Turbo 4-Door, Silver
P-Reg 96, Immaculate throughout, 47000 miles
Subaru-FSH, Sunroof, Cobra-Immobiliser
ABS, Central Locking, PAS, Electrics, 4x4
UK model - Alloys – 01952 750475
Reduced to £9,900 for Very Quick sale
Phone Paul if you are interested.
P-Reg 96, Immaculate throughout, 47000 miles
Subaru-FSH, Sunroof, Cobra-Immobiliser
ABS, Central Locking, PAS, Electrics, 4x4
UK model - Alloys – 01952 750475
Reduced to £9,900 for Very Quick sale
Phone Paul if you are interested.
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