Well, the time has come (finally) when I may be buying a slightly higher mileage Impreza for the right money and have a few questions for the collective...


The car is an October '98 S-Reg facelift model, full UK car, with 83k miles, but a full Subaru history and is standard apart from a cat-back exhaust. The cam belt was done at 75k miles and the car has recently been serviced. I do kinda know the guy that is selling it and so know why he's getting rid and it aint becuase there is anything wrong with the car, it's just the money thing!


However, I am still a little worried about the mileage and wanna know "potentially" what kind of things are likely to fail (or be failing) now, or in 6, 12, 18 months time, etc... What should I look out for and what will it cost?!


Also, when is the servicing due and how much is it likely to cost me?


Will an Impreza still be solid and reliable coming up to & beyond 100k miles?!


Or, am I better spending more and going for a lower mileage (& probably newer) car?! Seen a couple f RB5's and I may go for one of them, although they are a good few grand more!



Any advice & help welcome...


TIA

 

Sounds like my car !!!

I have have had my MY98 UK Turbo from new, now at 90k miles, which I had serviced last week. The cambelts need changing at 45k and 90k, 135k etc. This service cost me just under £600 and is the most expensive one, the others being a lot less - I think the basic service is just over £100. The service interval is every 7500 miles, or 6 months whichever comes soonest.

Apart from mods and consumables, I've not had anything major go wrong, but I had the clutch changed (juddery) pretty early on, and I did have to have the aircon radiator replaced (£500!) as it had been hit by a stone.

Last weeks service highlighted I needed a new exhaust cross-pipe (at the front of the engine) which is blowing (5 years old mind!), couple of new gaskets and that the heater matrix has gone. This is a big job as its means an expensive part and take the dash out to fit it. Ouch !

You might want to check your prospective car for piston slap as this was a known problem for the MY98.

Have a look at my webpage - I have recorded a history of whats been done and at what mileage which might help you - point your browser at http://www.arnesta.freeserve.co.uk/history.htm If you need costs for anything listed, let me know, I have all receipts.

If you want any more info, send me a mail as per profile. I'm in Cheshire, so if you need any local info, give me a shout.

T

 

I have just bought a 96 UK Wagon off MET and that has done 92k with full history...took it for a test drive and it seemed very solid...there was no smoke from the tubo even on cold start. I believe if the engine hasn't been messed about with the Sub turbo will be strong past the 100k mark easy....but is important to service regulary espicially oil service.

 

Well i'd double check the cambelt stlyee service which was done at 75k included well everything as presuming that was the "90k" service it is the biggest out & is a beast of a bar. I should know i had mine the other month
Generally it is service every 6 months or 7500 miles whichever comes first & can be anything from circa £100 for basic oil & filter to £700+ for the 90k un. Service guide & general info on SIDC FAQ
IMO as long as it hasn't been badly treated etc then high milers can be a great buy but maybe risky if history sketchy or major mods/abuse Generally very reliable cars but sure aint cheap
Si

 

WOW!

Just realised I am on "555" posts.... (will be 556 now!)


Fate?!

 

Cheers for the responses folks...

 

Actually...

What sort of price should this car go for privately?!

(spec in original post)



I've checked in Parker's & Glass's, but they aint always right, so I wanna see what you lot reckon is a fair price!

 

Actually, here's the full spec >>>


1998 S-Reg (facelift model)
Turbo 2000 UK car,
83k miles,
Silver,
Air-Con (factory fit),
Sigma Cat1 alarm/immobiliser (total closure),
Tracker monitor,
Totally standard & original except cat-back zorst,
Full Subaru Service history,
2 Previous owners,
Tax & MOT until Oct,
HPI clear,
Recent service at Prosport,
Cam belt done @ 75k mile service,
Some ICE,
etc...


So... what's a "fair" price for a private sale?!

What should I be paying for this car?!

 

Anyone?!

He want's £8k for it, so is this too much or about right?!

 

personaly i would have said it was a bit too much. i'd be aiming more around the 7 grand mark. i used to have a 97' spec 5 door reddish blue turbo. done around 110,000 miles and the only problem we had was a small hole that developed on a radiator hose. hose was about 12 pounds so not pricey for stoopid small things! if it's a clean car and you know what the car has been through, don't go above £7,250.

 

Really?! That low?!

Even though it is mint, has the aircon, Tracker, Cat1 alarm, etc...


Looking at prices in AutoTrader and according to the guides, I thought it was a fair price.

 

well glasses guide has it even lower but i dont even wana think about that as i'm guna sell mine soon But it's the old its worth wot someones willing to pay scenarion init & i'd certainly be willing to pay more than book price if it fits the bill Certainly nice bonuses like air con on the UK car are certainly worth an extra portion
Thinking from past experiance another thing you may wana look for on that kinda milage is the state of play of the clutch as that aint cheap A good test is go slow like nly just double figures MPH then stick it in 3rd or sum high gear & floor it if revs go up & spped dont (ie slipping) then yer on the road to a healthy bill. More general guide to life left in clutch from my experiance is where the bite point is when you release the clutch right at the top will mean not a great amount of life left
Si (&his million pound UK scooby with air con lol)

 

Well, the prices on Glass's are for "trade in" not retail...


Part Exchange Value - EXCELLENT Condition Definition.

Ready for retail sale; mechanically perfect, paintwork unblemished for vehicle under two years old, but may have slight stone damage on vehicle over two years old or with high mileage. Interior should be immaculate. A full service history must be provided. All equipment fitted should be fully operational. Tyres should be new or nearly new, wheels and trims clean and undamaged. If appropriate, the MOT Certificate must be for a minimum of nine months. .


Part Exchange Value - AVERAGE Condition Definition

Some wear and tear to mechanical parts may be expected. Some minor repair might be required to the paintwork, although there should be no serious damage requiring replacement bodywork. The car will be of generally tidy appearance inside and out but some expenditure may be required for retail sale. A full service history must be provided. All equipment fitted should be fully operational. Tyres should not be more than half-worn. Wheels and trims should be in good condition. If appropriate, the MOT Certificate must be for a minimum of six months


Part Exchange Value - BELOW AVERAGE Condition Definition

Requires mechanical repair or some repair to bodywork. The interior may be worn and seats may have marks. Some corrosion, damage or poorly repaired paintwork may need attention. The car may not have a full service history and would not be offered for retail sale without significant expenditure. Major items of equipment such as radios should be operational. Tyres should be legal with an even tread depth across the tyre. Wheels and trims may show evidence of some scuffmarks. If appropriate, the MOT Certificate must be for a minimum of three months.


Here are the prices...

http://www.lovekyn.co.uk/gl-values?g...X8MBVGHLJ200BL


[Edited by Rich D - 6/24/2003 7:25:23 PM]

 

Check your local Ads paper for a guide on prices

 

Aint many Subaru's crop up...

 

look at the other thread " just bought my first scooby" then ask yourself if an s reg should be just £600 cheaper!? if you think the car is worth it by all mean's hand your money over, btu you could maybe buy "top marks" magazine and check the prices in there. you might be quite surprised!

 

Hmmmm... you've got me wondering now!

A 2000 V-Reg 5 door, with 76k miles and a warranty...


Don't wagon's tend to fetch less money anyway?!



I've been going through the AutoTrader though and seeing what £8k buys me and this one does still seem ok, so perhaps that wagon was just a very good deal?!

Do Top Marques have a website?!

 

don't mean anything by it m8. i just know much much i sold my last turbo for and how much a lot of people weren't interested because it was a "high mileage". don't know if they have a website. it's just that for not a lot more money yuo can get a whole lot more car, that's all. no offense.

 

No offence taken mate...


Will look into this more seriously, as I reckon it could be worth spending more initially to get a better car!

 

cool in the gang. and by the way, i don't suppose you or anyone else can tell me how i can get the wee smiley faces that move as i don't know how to get them.

 

You need to know the codes...

Like this one moves and the code is :_rolleyes_: >>>

Or this one is :_eek_: >>>

[i](without the _ spaces)



There's loads and I'm sure some kind soul can post them.



[Edited by Rich D - 6/24/2003 10:43:35 PM]

 

Bought mine for £11.500 with 32,000 miles on the clock which is 1999 S reg 200AWD scooby with no mods whatsoever,STANDARD, from a dealer;with 3 months warranty.I woulndn't buy something like this privately,just a bit paronoid!Got AA check done on it!Just givin' u an idea!

 

basic smilies explained but there are better ones also.................












lol
Si

 

class

 

I bought my Scoob 2 months ago.
'98 S plate. uk 5dr
60k. Full dealer history including 60k service, cat1..etc.

I paid 8k on the nose. From a dealer too, didn't think i got away too badly considering how much some places are selling them for.

 

take a look http://www.findit.co.uk/search/result.asp

type in impreza

[Edited by THOMO - 6/25/2003 7:02:30 PM]