What To Look For When Buying A Subaru
#1
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Hi
Been scanning the ads and found a few cars that I like. Whats the most important things to look for when buyin an Impreza. Bearing in mind still not sure if I am going for and import or UK.
Is there different things that affects different models?.
Obviuously I know the basics like mileage, service history, hpi check, tuning and so on?.
Thanks
Dave
Been scanning the ads and found a few cars that I like. Whats the most important things to look for when buyin an Impreza. Bearing in mind still not sure if I am going for and import or UK.
Is there different things that affects different models?.
Obviuously I know the basics like mileage, service history, hpi check, tuning and so on?.
Thanks
Dave
#2
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#3
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Try doing a search m8..
But apart from the points that you have already laid out the things to note are:
Imports are usually faster
Imports usually have better spec(elec mirrors,air con)
But they are more to insure as a rule.
Uk slightly slower(although a full decat and induction usually balance that problem out)
usually dont have aircon(but some do) and dont have elec mirrors.
Check your insurance first then decide which one.
Liverpool and victoria = I am 29yrs, with the missus (passed only 2 months and 25) 2yrs no claims 895 fully comp..........
But thats a U.K and I bloody love my car......Its got a full de-cat=K+n, and had a superchip soon to be gems and I had 270bhp. Not bad for a uk and all mods were declared..........EDIT
[Edited by Nick200 - 1/19/2003 7:55:37 PM]
[Edited by Nick200 - 1/19/2003 7:56:21 PM]
But apart from the points that you have already laid out the things to note are:
Imports are usually faster
Imports usually have better spec(elec mirrors,air con)
But they are more to insure as a rule.
Uk slightly slower(although a full decat and induction usually balance that problem out)
usually dont have aircon(but some do) and dont have elec mirrors.
Check your insurance first then decide which one.
Liverpool and victoria = I am 29yrs, with the missus (passed only 2 months and 25) 2yrs no claims 895 fully comp..........
But thats a U.K and I bloody love my car......Its got a full de-cat=K+n, and had a superchip soon to be gems and I had 270bhp. Not bad for a uk and all mods were declared..........EDIT
[Edited by Nick200 - 1/19/2003 7:55:37 PM]
[Edited by Nick200 - 1/19/2003 7:56:21 PM]
#4
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Its very simple really:-
1. Leave modded cars WELL alone!! They blow up!! See Car Mags!!
2. Ignore any Import, cant sell - cant get parts - need bank loan for Insurance Premium - possible dodgy history
3. No Subaru Service History - walk away (rules out most Imports)
4. Go far a Wagon, faster and handle better
5. Dont touch anything with Gold Wheels, too heavy AND Tarty!!
I love posts like this!!![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Pete
1. Leave modded cars WELL alone!! They blow up!! See Car Mags!!
2. Ignore any Import, cant sell - cant get parts - need bank loan for Insurance Premium - possible dodgy history
3. No Subaru Service History - walk away (rules out most Imports)
4. Go far a Wagon, faster and handle better
5. Dont touch anything with Gold Wheels, too heavy AND Tarty!!
I love posts like this!!
![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Pete
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lmao at pslewis... ![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
strange i've gone from completely standard uk scoob to modding it up and now wanting a JDM as the UK ones are sh1te!![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
[Edited by snowcrash - 1/19/2003 6:49:03 PM]
![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
strange i've gone from completely standard uk scoob to modding it up and now wanting a JDM as the UK ones are sh1te!
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
[Edited by snowcrash - 1/19/2003 6:49:03 PM]
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1) Ignore pslewis.
2) The (other) above comments about UK (=Euro) spec and Jap imports are valid; Japanese cars are badged WRX or STI and are more powerful than UK cars, thanks to a heavily revised engine. Some variants have different (shorter) gear ratios that are probably great for B-road blasts but which make motorways tiring.
3) Get an insurance quote - now. Don't wait and then discover that you can't afford the premiums.
4) With flame suit firmly fastened, I'm inclined to agree with the suggestion that modified cars are to be avoided. Most are probably OK, but suffice to say that there are some owners (and tuning companies) who know more about maintaining reliability than others. The exception here has to be any Prodrive upgrades on UK cars - these are supplied through official Subaru dealers and are generally well-engineered and safe. The warranty is preserved with these too. The Prodrive Performance Pack is particularly worthwhile, giving about 245bhp and much better flexibility throughout the range.
5) Many cars, especially UK cars, do have good service histories. Expect it.
6) A professional mechanical inspection is money well spent. Do it.
7) Enjoy!
A.
2) The (other) above comments about UK (=Euro) spec and Jap imports are valid; Japanese cars are badged WRX or STI and are more powerful than UK cars, thanks to a heavily revised engine. Some variants have different (shorter) gear ratios that are probably great for B-road blasts but which make motorways tiring.
3) Get an insurance quote - now. Don't wait and then discover that you can't afford the premiums.
4) With flame suit firmly fastened, I'm inclined to agree with the suggestion that modified cars are to be avoided. Most are probably OK, but suffice to say that there are some owners (and tuning companies) who know more about maintaining reliability than others. The exception here has to be any Prodrive upgrades on UK cars - these are supplied through official Subaru dealers and are generally well-engineered and safe. The warranty is preserved with these too. The Prodrive Performance Pack is particularly worthwhile, giving about 245bhp and much better flexibility throughout the range.
5) Many cars, especially UK cars, do have good service histories. Expect it.
6) A professional mechanical inspection is money well spent. Do it.
7) Enjoy!
A.
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lol PPP is a waste of money imho ![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
just ask fuzz, babber, sideways, mouse etc...![Wink](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
to be honest i wouldn't buy a dealer serviced car again as well..
if the servicing was done by scoobysport/subaru4u or similar i wouldn't have a problem, if it was done by a dealer (such as the one in the bristol area) i would think twice about getting the car..
milage isn't an issue...
people talk so much bollox about these cars...
comments like "Never been raced, ranted..."
FFS! if you weren't going to go a bit quick in a scoob why buy one...??? get a corsa and an ice system..
i'm still on a uk spec - but after looking at insurance since i have noticed it costs £10 more for a JDM (Japanise Domestic Market) STi V5 per year and £15 more for a P1 than my current insurance...
most people recommend Optimax (even on UK spec - especially if you put induction kit/ecutek remap/de-cat exhaust), so the benefits of having UK is (for me) i save £10 per year... Although I've now spent a few grand on mods to make it almost near Jap spec...
next time i'm definatly going Jap, uk's are sh1te![](http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/images/icons/icon8.gif)
[Edited by snowcrash - 1/19/2003 7:52:43 PM]
![Big Grin](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
just ask fuzz, babber, sideways, mouse etc...
![Wink](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
to be honest i wouldn't buy a dealer serviced car again as well..
if the servicing was done by scoobysport/subaru4u or similar i wouldn't have a problem, if it was done by a dealer (such as the one in the bristol area) i would think twice about getting the car..
milage isn't an issue...
people talk so much bollox about these cars...
comments like "Never been raced, ranted..."
FFS! if you weren't going to go a bit quick in a scoob why buy one...??? get a corsa and an ice system..
i'm still on a uk spec - but after looking at insurance since i have noticed it costs £10 more for a JDM (Japanise Domestic Market) STi V5 per year and £15 more for a P1 than my current insurance...
most people recommend Optimax (even on UK spec - especially if you put induction kit/ecutek remap/de-cat exhaust), so the benefits of having UK is (for me) i save £10 per year... Although I've now spent a few grand on mods to make it almost near Jap spec...
next time i'm definatly going Jap, uk's are sh1te
![](http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/images/icons/icon8.gif)
[Edited by snowcrash - 1/19/2003 7:52:43 PM]
#13
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I'm proabaly pointing out the obvious but,
1. If you do buy a Scoob, get it inspected by some like the AA or even better a good mechanic you know and can trust.
2. Get the vehicle HPI'd. This can give you additional details on the history of the car e.g. oustanding finance, insurance claims, stolen and recovered.
3. Dealer service history has some value but it doesn't mean the service has been carried out to high quality. e.g. on my last service the dealer forgot to replace the engine coolant after draining the old stuff.
Good luck.
Andy.
1. If you do buy a Scoob, get it inspected by some like the AA or even better a good mechanic you know and can trust.
2. Get the vehicle HPI'd. This can give you additional details on the history of the car e.g. oustanding finance, insurance claims, stolen and recovered.
3. Dealer service history has some value but it doesn't mean the service has been carried out to high quality. e.g. on my last service the dealer forgot to replace the engine coolant after draining the old stuff.
Good luck.
Andy.
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