I'm considering getting back into an Impreza, fancy a bug/blob sti... did Subaru do anything to improve the corrosion protection on new age models?
Epecially regarding the 'inside out' rear arch rust?
Or can we expect them to suffer as badly as classics in the coming years?

 

Just as bad, just they are newer so haven't had the same time to roost yet.
My 2003 blobeye, a few weeks ago before I fixed it.





It's actually still fairly solid around about the holes! New parts made up, welded in then sealed, primed and coated with upol raptor.

 

 

I always laugh when I see one advertised with a "couple of bubbles on the rear arch" like it's nothing. Mine didn't even have that and I've had to cut paper thin steel that has almost rusted through from the inside off.
Will be good when the Polish start making rear arches for the new ages too.

 

Thanks for the reply boosted... christ that's bad! Assuming you've fixed that yourself, dread to think how much all that would cost paying body shop labour rates!

Given I live only 100 yards from the sea I'm starting to think I'll have to reconsider my plans!

 

Think it depends how it's been looked after and where it's been parked, ie if it's been parked over rough ground or grass for any length of time.

If I were looking for a Subaru now I'd be looking for a nice Bug STI import, Hurst cars in bedford always has a nice selection of fresh imports and has a good rep on here.

 

Nothing to do with being looked after or left on grass! Salt on the roads and water is what has done this. Being a 14 yo Jap car in Scotland is what has done it. I dare say one from Devon will be much better.

 

Agreed, my 2004 blob sti has no rust on the back arches, the only rust on it is just behind the front mudflaps where someones fitted the flaps without protecting the paint before fitting, although this is getting sorted in the new year anyway as i want the front end painting.

 

Yeah I love the adverts that advertise a little bit of bubbling, like its a cheap/easy job to fix, maybe they should be sent this thread and show the work involved as boosted has posted.


My dads 2002 Bug WRX had bubbling rear arch rust, was sorted by CupraJake on here, the arches only had a bit of bubbling as shown in the pic below, but Jake said that when he worked on it the back of the arch you dont see was covered in rust and had to have a bit of work done to it, been done 3-4 years now and the rust hasn't come back!!!

 

I've heard the area behind the front mud flaps, I side the wheel arch trim is a moisture trap, so can lead to rust even without the flap.
I've had to repaint the area under the radiator on my blob, when I got it that section was looking very tatty.

 

I've bought from Max at Hurst in the past, not the cheapest around but they do seem very reputable and offer a good selection of quality cars.

So if you were to buy a rust free fresh import JDM is there any preventative measures that can be done, again especially in relation to the rear arch rust?
Would undersealing it guarantee no further problems?
Or is the nature of the apparent design flaw such that water would still get in and set the process off?

 

I could be wrong but Ive always found that the Impreza seems to hold a lot of dirt/muck and obviously in the winter salt inside the rear of the arch well, When ever Ive bought a Impreza and gave it a good clean Ive got a sponge inside of the arch lip and there is that much dirt/muck inside would this be the reason why they rust so much on the rear???

Its always been part of my cleaning ritual now that I get a old cloth/sponge and wipe and jet wash the inner arches!!

 

Not enough protection on the steel, problem is it needs to be stripped of all Bolt on items and clean bare metal then protected with something decent like upol raptor. "Sealing" or "undersealing" with horrible materials like Shutz or waxoyle is just an absolute bodge

 

I beg to differ, i bet if you had undersealed them turrets with something like bilt hamber UB when it was new it would be rust free now. I did my classic when it only a few years old and its still solid.
The inner rectangle seam is the first to go which lets salt/mud/water inside the arch and then the outer arch starts to go. Bottom of the wing on newage is also a mud/water trap the sound deadening makes it even worse.

 

I'm on about people spraying a 10 year old half ducked car with black underseal in an attempt to stop the rust... waste of time.
My car was 11 years old when I bought it three years ago so couldn't do much about it. Didn't stop it being a low 12 second car mind 😜