Christian_Driver

I'm looking at buying an Impreza for the first time. I'm currently thinking of either a RB5, MY99 or MY00.

I had a Subaru for a while a few years ago as a company car, but have lost touch a bit with the things to look out for.

I was wondering what questions you would ask of a potential seller? I've come up with a list of the obvious stuff - like "does the car have a full Subaru service history?". I'm looking for the less obvious things, that will give a better idea of the mechanical condition of the car.

How important are things like the grade of fuel used, for example? Are high milers definately to be avoided? Any advice on any common problems or things to look out for would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Christian

The Boy

May be worth getting AA or RAC healthcheck done on it and HPI check of course. Not cheap but if you've found a car that the service history is full and milage is good gives piece of mind when your writing a cheque out.

Andy

Flat 4x4

Ok, I moved to a 99MY after a new Audi, so knew the build quality wouldn't be as good. I also saved £4k over dealer prices by buying privately.

1. Buy a car with F(Subaru)SH
2. Buy one that is > 1 day younger than 3 years old, and then buy
a Subaru warranty from your nearest dealer (c.£300)
3. Phone the dealer(s) that the service book says the car was
serviced at to check.
4. ALWAYS get an HPI check done (Insures you if nicked etc)
5. Ask to have a new (early?) MOT done and be there when its done

I did the 5 above. You can also:-

6. Get a full AA/RAC inspection done which will spot any major
repair damage that the HPI wouldn't necessarily have logged.
7. Have cash available (at home!) and make sure the buyer knows
that you know the cost of the next big service due (45k on 99MY,
60k on 00MY and 99MY also still expensive)
8. Ask when/if the disks / clutch have been changed.


'Buyer beware' and then have some fun

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Good advice from Flat
See what fuel they also ran it on, a good owner would give his/her car the best fuel it could get and if the history is also fully documented (better than a service manual if you ask me ) then all the better

Tony

Christian_Driver

Thanks guys.

Flat 4x4 - some good advice there! Just one question: are you saying that you can buy an extended Subaru warranty for a car that is less than three years old at any time? I thought there was some limitation on when you could take them out (the first year or something). I can't remember where I heard that, so it may be complete rubbish

What are your opinions about the trade off between newer cars with higher miles and older cars with less miles? Generally, if they've both been serviced properly, which would be better (more warranty on one side, but less wear on the other)?

I've been looking through posts on here and the FAQ on the SIDC site. I'm trying to come up with a list of questions/checkpoints of things to look for. I know Evo did a buying guide for Imprezas a while ago, but I think my missus has thrown that issue out

I'll post my list up later, as I'm sure people here will be able to add to it, and it may be of use to other people looking too.

Thanks again,

Christian

Flat 4x4

Christian

At the end of the day you do all you can to reduce the risk , and end up with a good car.

I bought my car in April with 40k and FsSH when it was 2 months under 3 years old. I then went to 2 dealers and they both would sell me the 'official' Subaru extended warranty.

There are 3 or 4 options on mileage and duration of cover, but because I do high miles, I chose 1 year unlimited mileage for £327.
I will have done (est) 70-75k by the time its 4 years old.
If you need to claim, the stamped service book is 100% vital.

On the 'which one do I buy' question, its difficult to answer that, but if you have two identical cars in spec and condition, you'd obviously go for the lower mileage one !

You'll have read all the pros and cons by now so if you want any more of my views let me know. One thing I would add is that its worth finding one with aircon on - something that will help it sell when its time to move on again ! (I also am a 5 door fan
because they are very practical and don't stand out so much)

Christian_Driver

Cheers Flat 4x4 . I'll speak to my local dealer, and see if they give me the same story about the extended warranty. For £300+ quid, seems like a no-brainer if you do a lot of miles.

Air-con is important to me anyway, as the car will have to grind out the motorway miles throughout the year as well as doing the fun stuff.

I've come up with a load of questions/things to think about, which hopefully will help me find the car I'm looking for. Any suggestions or corrections to list would also be gratefully received.

Cheers,

Christian

+++++

General ownership

How many owners has the car had?
How many miles has the car done?
When is the car taxed until?
When is the MOT due?
How much warranty, if any, is left on the car?
Where has the car been stored (e.g. street/drive/garage)?
Who else drives the vehicle?
What sort of driving has the car done (percentage motorway/A road/B road)?
Has the car done any trackdays?
If so, was it serviced immediately afterwards?
Has the car been on a rolling road?
If so, where and when?
Has the car been driven on a drag strip or done similar standing start to max speed runs?
Has the car been involved in any accidents?
Where was the car sourced (UK/Europe/Japan)?

Interior

Do you, or any of your passengers, smoke in the car?
Do you ever carry animals (e.g. a dog) in the car?
Any marks, stains, tears, or scratches on the interior of the car?
Does the car have air-con?

Exterior

Any paint chips or scratches?
Has any part of the car been resprayed?

Mechanical

Has the car been reliable?
Has the car had any warranty work done on it?
Have any other repairs been necessary?
Has the car had a full geometry check?
Is so, when?
Any problems with clutch judder?
Has the clutch been replaced at any time?
Any problems with any gears crunching on engagement?
Has the car been inspected by a qualified engineer previously (e.g. RAC/AA)?

Wheels, tyres and other consumables

What grade fuel do you use (95/98)?
Have you always used this grade?
Do you use octane boosters?
What wheels and tyres does the car have (brand and size)?
How old are the tyres (including the spare)?
How much wear are on the tyres (including the spare)?
Have the discs and pads been replaced?
If so, when and with what?

Servicing, finance and HPI

Does the car have any outstanding finance on it?
Does the car have a full Subaru service history?
If so, please provide details of the mileage of each service and the garage that conducted the work.
Do you have receipts and/or documentary evidence for all service and repair work carried out?
Has the car been HPI checked?

Modifications

What modifications have been done to the car?
What effect do they have on your insurance?
What effect do they have on any remaining warranty?

Security and ICE

What ICE is in the car?
Is it included in the purchase?
If no, will the original unit be refitted?
What security devices are fitted to the car?
Is there a tracker?

swan

Perhaps you should get the seller to do a blood test too. Seriously though, quite a comprehensive list, I'd suggest a few changes:

General ownership
Has the car been involved in any accidents?
If so, what was the nature of the damage, who did the repairs and what is the warranty on those repairs.

Servicing, finance and HPI

Does the car have any outstanding finance on it?
Does the car have a full Subaru service history?
If so, please provide details of the mileage of each service and the garage that conducted the work.

This should be in the service book, no?

Modifications
What modifications have been done to the car?

I'd change this to "have modifications ever been done to the car, if so what and why were they taken off (if appropriate)."

Imran

Take a videocam, and ask the owner some questions whilst videoing him.

You'll always get the truth, and if he refuses, you know to walk away immediately!!

I know one would never do this, mainly because you don't want to look like a pedantic idiot, but you have to admit it would work well!


Good luck!

Christian_Driver

LOL @ swan and Imran. Maybe I could video the buyer having the blood test - that way I would be really sure

Thanks for the suggestions swan. Yes, I know some of the info I could get from the service book. I just wanted a reminder for myself to check it out.

Cheers,

Christian

Vinesh

Hook the seller up on a lie detector U will know the truth.