subaru impreza sport 2000 (non turbo)
anyone got one and are they worth it.

btw i am coming from a corsa to a subaru maybe

 

I don't own one, but sports are good cars and with the right driver are bloody hard to pass on the twisties even in a turbo.

 

does anyone know any scooby friendly insurance companies.

 

I have a 99 sport.. great car.

 

Try Adrian Fluxx. Tesco are also quite good for scoobs.

 

I had a vauxhall before i bought a sport & i've never had the urge to go back,sport a bleedin good start in scoobs,still 4wd & still flat 4 boxer.
The downside not as good as a TURBO

SCD Simon

 

I've had my MY99 Sport for just over a year and its been great. No Turbo, but still an interesting car for the money and its insurable. I'm 23 with a 1 yr no-claims and paying £720 with AXA.

The only thing against it is that it is a little thirst for the size and performance. I put in some of Shell's optimax yesterday after a few weeks try Super. Can't say theres any difference using Super, and I've only dones 5 miles with the Optimax.

I do find myself performing a rain dance before a drive - the Sport comes alive when its wet, and in the snow at Christmas it was fantastic fun. I spent a year in Pennsylvania, USA a couple of years ago where I bought a very modest 1.8L. Three months of driving in the snow having loads of fun and passing several stuck SUVs!

Good luck with your car.

Ben.

 

Ive been driving a sport for just over a year now. Started July last year in a 97 R plate, and just swapped that for a Y plate sport special. Came from a Vectra (and a 306 and a golf) before it and it is way better that all those.

Last winter in the snow I was sliding it round a deserted Asda car park he he he!

I'm renewing insurance now, and AXA are cheapest at £900 (24 years old, 1 year ncb, 1 accident/claim in last 2 years)

Tesco are not far off that. Watch the excess with the insurance, as AXA have a nice little clause that states minimum £125 excess, bit extra £200 for drivers aged 21 to 25!!)

 

Driven a few Impreza "Sports", and sorry but dynamically they fall short of cars like the Focus and 306/307/Seat etc. Being about half the power of the turbo and lugging around the same FWD system the performance is weak and although good in the corners, (when wet), they have little power to drag the car out of them. This is one car where a well driven FWD will usually show it a clean pair of heels. You also suffer from the same quite bad fuel economy and tinny build as the Turbo with none of the advantages.

As with other cars, the Turbo along with M, RS, AMG, etc, elevates a very ordinary car to another level.

 

It would appear that although entitled to your opinion, you could well be talking out your ****.

as I said in my previous post, Ive had a Golf and a 306 before my sport, and its is faster to 60, and much much better on a twisty b road. There is nothing tinny about its construction either.

So what if its not as good as the turbo, few cars are. And as for a focus!!! Did you see its rating in this years JD power survey?? Plus every man and his dog have one. Oh, and it looks like the ******* child of an mpv and a bread van.

 

Amazing, we both seem to be owners of talking *****.

You seem to be wide of the mark with the performance differential between the said cars with only the now lardy golf lagging slightly behind in the 0-60 stakes.

Build quality, well the Peugeot is the nearest to the level of the Subaru in this case, (I do own a Scooby so I'm not happy to be saying this), but the Ford is better and the Golf is light years ahead, (things really do not rattle on a Golf, it's uncanny)

JD power survey, hmm, not really the definitive source we thought it to be when the Scooby was ruling the roost, seem to remember it being in the also rans this year, ohh nearly with the Focus, why ? they haven't got so bad so quickly have they.

You are right on one thing though, the Focus does look like a wee bit like a bread van.

 

my m8s got a golf gti turbo 20v mk4.
will a sport beat that or not.

and i am sorry but i have never heard of a bad subaru (new to subarus) and i have a corsa.


who is the youngest person with a subaru on this site as i am 18 looking for a sport when i am 19. am i aiming to high or not.

 

I drove a selection of cars before buying, including a 2.0 focus and a 1.8 Alfa 156. 0-60 they were all pretty similar. The focus has a nice, but rather characterless engine and did handle nicely. The 156 had a great engine but, to get into my price bracket the examples I was looking at were a bit long in the tooth.

The Sport had a characterful, if a little strangled engine (although Optimax seems to have livened it up a little). Its best feature is its flat torque curve, making it very relaxing to drive if your not pressing on. It also handles well. Admittedly a fair bit of understeer, but it can be worked around. A automotive engineer mate of mine was amazed at some of the corners taken flat in 2nd up on the slippy, muddy Mendip hills in winter, when any FWD car would have been understeering like a barsteward. Out of tight corners and pulling into traffic it grips like no front driver I've ever had the pleasure of being in. The interior is horridly plasticy, but with that, its very well built and doesn't rattle at all (unlike some Golf/Boras I've been in). And personally, I prefere it to both the 306 and focus interior. Hey? Do they have a bright button?!? :-))

I totally agree, its no Turbo. But that's not the point. Its costs a lot less to buy and especially to insure. But in my eyes, overall, its far more desirable than a Focus/306. No one bats an eyelid when they see a focus. A guy I met just after I bought mine, and just after he bought a 2.0 Focus, keeps asking if I want to sell mine (MY99 Sport). I have another friend with a Golf GTI - she is looking to *upgrade* to a scooby when she is able to opt out of company car scheme.

Ranting suit off... flame suit on?

 

I have been driving an Impreza Sport for 2 years. It's completely standard except for running 16" turbo wheels and a brake support bracket.

The sport is the most underated car on the road. It is as fast as a Turbo cross country and is faster in the wet with its softer suspension and lighter weight.

I love my sport. Power is not what makes a fast car in 95% of situations. Its balance and traction, the sport has both in huge quantities.

 

Once off the line, unless its dumping with snow, the Sport will be falling back fairly rapidly behind the gti turbo.

As far as bad Subarus, you must never have driven a Justy. Complete piece of $hite..! I don't think anyone will dissagre on that! If you do buy the Subaru, try and get someone to come and pick you up when you have it service, rather than drive the courtesy Justy. Saying that, it makes you realise how nice your own car is when you get it back again!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by wayne hiscock:
<B>my m8s got a golf gti turbo 20v mk4.
will a sport beat that or not.

and i am sorry but i have never heard of a bad subaru (new to subarus) and i have a corsa.


who is the youngest person with a subaru on this site as i am 18 looking for a sport when i am 19. am i aiming to high or not.[/quote]

 

Check out and support the advertisers on this site.

I bought mine from Scoobymania.

Doesnt matter where i am driving, i have never had an issue with the brakes on my car. The only place i would is on track and i dont take my scoob on track.

Then again, i dont drive that quickly. LOL

I use some turbo 16" wheels, look in the for sale forum, you can get them pretty cheap. Being genuine Subaru items your insurance should be OK about it.

 

When i first read JKJ2's comments i laughed and thought no way. But he does have a certain point. The car is alot of fun but it can be made 10 times better very easily.

I will admit that my car is very modified as i've tried to make it as good as it can be for what i need and i believe i've managed it. I love the car to bits and rate it very highly.

The bad points of the car are in my view.. fuel consumption. It guzzles down fuel nearly to the same standard as the turbo but it all depends on how you drive. I'm currently 20, but i bought my car when i was 18 and have hammered it to full revs ever since, hence why i probably don't get the mpg that I should be getting. But i will say this - its had full service history and the engine still sounds and acts like new.

Only problem i have had was a new clutch at 21k miles, i'm currently on 53k now and have had no problems since.

I also didn't like my brakes and initial handling of the car. like i've said before i've done alot to it. The best thing I did was upgrade to 4pots. To be fair though, the handling is 100 times better than for instance a vectra. especially in the wet.
You can have confidence that you will go into a corner and know you will be able to come out of the other side.

Ignore the post about lack of power as its simply untrue. It is nearly as quick as the turbo up to 30 mph.. As for the same as the golf turbo - you don't have a hope. It will keep up to a certain extent with the golf but it will pull away.

I have put my car up against a few of my friends cars (keep in mind i am on 17 in wheels)

Fiesta Xr2i - Give you an idea of what you can pull away from. You will find that it will keep up to around 65, but when you hit 70 you will pull away.

205 1.9 Gti - the car is virtually the same speed for speed. This is the best car i've found to compare it to.

If you want to know anything about upgrading the sport then send me an email. I don't know it all but I can tell you what i've done to mine and what i've found that can be done to give you extra power, handling etc if you want it.

[This message has been edited by Hos (edited 03 September 2001).]

 

nothing wrong with a Justy.

You can 4 wheel drift them at 10MPH, its a top giggle for a day.

 

John,

I'm going to change to 16" turbo wheels when my current tyres wear out. How do you rate the difference, just I've been debating whether its worth the bother with the insurance?

Excuse me showing my blatant ignorance - but what the hell does the brake support bracket do? I reckon I'm gunna need one!

Brakes are actually the only thing that bother me about my car. It doesn't take much to have them complaining. I was driving around and about Dartmoor a few weeks ago, and the drums at the back were making dodgy noises and vibrations which went away when I backed off (I did have the weight of two passengers aswell). I also suffer fade driving through the round-abouts in Milton Keynes if its quiet enough not to have to stop and wait at each one.

Ben.

 

Too be fair, furry muff. That is true. I'm just bitter as I went away for the weekend visiting mates in Bath, and got my car serviced in Tiley's on Saturday morning. Problem was that I turned up with an Impreza full of two mountain bikes and gear, which try as I would, didn't want to fit in the Justy.

Oh, I think it must have been Rally prepared version as it was missing many of its interior panels, parts and radio! It also had extensive exterior modifications - namely reshaped panels from somehow finding a gap that it was actually *too* small to fit through??

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by johnfelstead:
<B>nothing wrong with a Justy.

You can 4 wheel drift them at 10MPH, its a top giggle for a day. [/quote]

 

The brake support bracket is a small bracket that bolts to the bulkhead and stops the master cylinder/bulkhead flexing when you press the pedal. It gives much better feel to the brakes. As to fading the brakes etc. You are obviously using them too much. LOL

I have never driven a sport on 15" wheels so cant really say. I have driven a few turbo's on 15's and they are much nicer on 16's IMHO.

The biggest improvement to a sport (or turbo) you can make is to install quality tyres. I use Bridgestone SO2's, they transformed the car from a great one to an incredible one.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll looking into having one fitted, where can you get them from and how much are they if you don't mind me asking?

The tyre/wheel thing is something that I have been giving a lot of thought. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that before I have ago at moving to 16"s, I'd go for some very sticky rubber. Saves hassle and £££s with the insurers. I'm still running on the OEM Michelin MXV3A Energys. They've done nearly 27000 miles and look like they are never going to wear out - so much for too much braking! Oh, btw, you ever driven through Milton Keynes (and not that you'd want to stop? ) Perfect for a P1 with a big brake upgrade!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by johnfelstead:
<B>The brake support bracket is a small bracket that bolts to the bulkhead and stops the master cylinder/bulkhead flexing when you press the pedal. It gives much better feel to the brakes. As to fading the brakes etc. You are obviously using them too much. LOL

I have never driven a sport on 15" wheels so cant really say. I have driven a few turbo's on 15's and they are much nicer on 16's IMHO.

The biggest improvement to a sport (or turbo) you can make is to install quality tyres. I use Bridgestone SO2's, they transformed the car from a great one to an incredible one.[/quote]

Edited for Muppet spellings...its far too late - time to go to sleep me thinks!

[This message has been edited by blf21 (edited 03 September 2001).]

 

Yea the sports are very good

Hos, yea i ave raced a few things in mine as well was quite surpised to keep up with a Astra gsi, neck and neck on motorway, bout 140

16s do make a difference in handleing, but i was going throgh a new set of bridgestones every 5K Very expensive.

A scooby sport back box just makes the car amazing, sounds brill, deep and loud.

Anyways i own a MY01 gx at the mo, its slower than a sport but not for long


Paul

 

Jai, Its easier posting it here than replying to your email. I also meant that the golf vr6/turbo should be able to pull away from a sport.

Drivetrain: ITG panel filter with vented air box. Prodrive quickshift. Twin Backbox. Battery plugs, Ignitor Plugs. Ecotek.

Suspension: Lowered -45mm Chasis Dynamics springs, Blistein Suspension, Esparco front Strut Brace

Brakes: Subaru post 99 4-pot calipers, 16in discs, EBC greenstuff pads.

Wheels: 17inch Prodrive Superturismo 2 wheels. with 17in Pirelli P-Zero Low Profiles. Full Geometry check.

Interior: Recaro Interior (bucket seats etc)

Exterior: high level spoiler with brake light. Aero mudflaps. Clear Front and side indicators.

Fully Silver colour coded front splitter, side skirts, back skirts , Aero mudlfaps and mirrors. Black colour brake vents, Grill and door handles kept black.

Top speed of 129 with 17in wheels.
Before brake upgrade, the 16 in wheels made the car feel alot quicker! alot less weight though.
_________________________________

What i could do to engine:
Exhaust:Powerflow 3.5 inch downpipe, twin Decat centre and rear box. the sports have 2 cats.
Superchip: they say 10 bhp gain?
Nitrous: try

 

Hi !

I've got a MY98 IMpreza sports - great cars !! Ever since I saw an Impreza I've always lusted for one and rushed at the opportunity when I saw one for sale. Fair enough it's no turbo but it looks the part.

I did previously have the standard 15"'s on the car and the handling was brilliant, rather than try to keep the car on the road (as with most others !!) I was actually finding myself trying to make the car slide or something ! ... stupid I know :-(

Since getting a nice set of used 17" gold speedline alloys with part worn tyres the car looked better. However, after getting a puncture I went out and got some crappy cheap and nasty tyres - something I've regretted since ! The car handling is still good but obviously could be better with some SO2's that I've heard so much about. I would now prefer to have some silver oz super t's in 17"'s so if anybody wants to do a swap or anything let me know.

Although the car needs a service cuz I've gone over by about 10K !! (it's the cam belt major service i'm missing, apporx £350 !!) and it's done some high mileage (100K) it runs beautifully.

There's a nice new TSL motorsport backbox on the car which is specific for the Sports model - claims to increase torque and makes a beautiful noise when you're flooring it down the street in second / third gear making everybody look. I only wish I trusted somebody enough to drive the car so I could stand outside and hear the growl for myself !! :-) Quick question - I've heard downpipe's make a massive difference to Scooby's generally, is it the same for the sports ?

Although I've not driven or even sat in a Turbo I'd say there are some similarities. I've 'tried' to 'race' a turbo but was overwhelmed with the massive acceleration but I'm not suprised at this cuz that's the whole point !... so people who say the sports is nearly as qwuick as a turbo need to check first ! DOn't know about the handling department tho.

I can claim to beat a Corrado at the traffic lights Grand Prix altho he was kinda going off at a tangent and I'd only had the car for a few days. I suppose at the end of the day, if you know your limits and the limits of the car you can make driving really rewarding in this great car and can sure put some cars to shame with the torque and ability to drop down to low gears at high speeds for quick acceleration. I can vouch, in combination with the brilliant handling and good acceleration I've made some people wish they never sat in the car with me !

I was looking at purchasing a Turbo but insurance for a 21 year old like myself is high to say the least. I'm still considering tho. If I do decide to keep the car I'm going to be doing the eibach springs treatment and prodrive (I think !) geometry settings, giving even better handling.

I'd appreciate and suggestions for performance or cosmetics from anybody !

Do any other Sports owners think we should get our own Forum section ? - What do you think ?

HOS - any chance of having a run down of your tweaks and improvements, both technical and cosmetic please together with any supplier / pricing information etc.

Sorry for the long post. Finally somethign I can talk about with a bit of authority.....I tought I may aswell make it last :-)

Jai.
MY98 Sports, Red, TSL Backbox, ITG Air Filter, 17" Speedline's and a flexible right foot !

 

Jai,

You might want to get that service done ASAP as if it all go t!ts up, you're in for a very big bill indeed. Recalling speaking to a Subaru mechanic, he said that they have a habbit of go bang like clock work, so its definitely worth getting it done.

Ben.

Edited for being a muppet with my English again. Time for some sleep again too.

[This message has been edited by blf21 (edited 04 September 2001).]

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>so people who say the sports is nearly as quick as a turbo need to check first<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Believe me, i have checked. I have driven almost every derivative of Impreza possible and the sport is up there with them all once you have it up to speed. It isnt slow getting up to speed either compared to 95% of other cars on the road.

Of course you wont keep up with a turbo on a drag race but cross country you can if you know how to drive. In fact 300BHP turbos struggle to stay with my sport cross country. With a really talented driver the turbo will pull away but i have yet to meet anyone on the road who can exploit the power benefits of the turbo properly. (S de B excepted)

In everyday stop start traffic its actually a faster car, lag, although small on the Impreza still is a factor in traffic.

The sport has relatively low power, only 120BHPish, it does have great torque though for a 2 litre N/A engine. If you know how to use that you can drive the car very quickly.

 

Go with the Sport. Get a feel for the car before you decide you need a turbo (You will decide you need one, most do)
I bought a Sport for the same reason most people do insurance (Wife had an accident). I must admit I have enjoyed it, ok there are a few mods (wheels 17" Speedlines, brakes,hi level spoiler, Rear box, ITG filter, Turbo interior, Eibachs, PIAA's and most important geometry & bumpstear).
I have mainly stuck to buying 2nd hand off here as a lot of turbo owners upgrade often, plus the majority of mods will be removed when sold and fitted to the turbo or resold.
On a recent meet with the Worcester mob most were amazed how well it kept up on a trip to Hereford

John

 

Theo, you are not alone mate. There isnt much out there that can stay with my sport in the twisties.

By the way, that was the first time i had seen that road in my life. At no point did i push to a point i was on the limits, i always leave plenty in reserve on the road. Might not look like it though. LOL

Good technique and spacial awareness are what counts.

Knowledge of the road counts masively too, you only need to look at how my lap times have steadily dropped at the ring to see that point proved.

 

driver training with a quality instructor beats all those mods put together and cost a fraction. It will serve you longer term too.

I am talking about people like don palmer here, not the "drive this way cos the book says so" brigade!