Hi all,

Going to look at a 'W'00 UK impreza turbo classic tomorrow with the hope it will be the one i buy. Ive been looking for a low mileage late classic for some time and they seem few and far between (within 100 mile radius).

So who better to ask then you guys, what should i look for, other then the obvious. Is there any common faults, engine problems, do they run hot any noises to look out for from the AWD system etc.

Any help would be appreciated, as this will be my first Subaru!!

PS its showing 39k.

Thanks again

 

I brought a my00 classic about a month ago,milage was 68000,fssh,make sure u have a full main dealer history,if u dont no anything about scoobs then best to take someone who does,make sure it idles without hunting as this could be a maf prob,other than that not sure of any probs with them but i am sure someone will be able to add something.

R u getting it from a dealer? is it modded?

 

Thanks, the car is at a reputable garage, not Subaru though. And is standard as far as im aware.

 

I am no expert but have owned 3 scoobs,when u drive it u no how a car should feel,nice and tight no pulling to left or right,how much is it up 4?

 

Hi ya mate brought a 99 turbo 3 months ago with FSSH.Found a couple of problems nothing to major though.

1/ every classic steams up
2/ my heater matrix went kaput
3/ seat belt tensioners go abit slack
4/ as soon as you get it change the cam belt trust me you cant afford it to go wrong even if they say they have done it CHANGE IT

5/check brake discs cuss these will cost you.if its got a ny receipts go through them and make sure the pads havent been changed every 4000 miles if so its been screwed into the ground

6/make sure it idles correctly
7/ if your not sure phone the RAC to come check it out its a lot of cash to spend on a crapper.
8/DO A FINANCE CHECK DONT GET STUNG
9/if it aint got one get a traker fitted

Hope this all helps

Ho when you get it swap the exhaust to get your scooby burble

 

Jimmie Cal,

See whether the MAF sensor has been changed, weak point on this age. My W reg MY00 just had the sensor changed - 55k miles ~£80.

£600 for Pagid discs and pads all round - worth it though.

Check the tyres for worn inside edge of fronts - get 4 wheel alignment to Prodrive settings done at specialist like Powerstation or Elite in Rainham ~ £70.

If original Bridgestone RE30 fitted, change to something better ~ £100+ each corner.

For the test drive, do let the car gentle warm up, gentle acceleraton and gear changes. If the salesman takes it out hopefully he will not floor it straight out of the garage! If he does see if there is any dark smoke out the exhaust - light wisps OK. Then open her up, it should pick up strongly from 3000-3500rpm and just keep going.
Do not forget to let the engine idle down after a fast run before switching off.

When I collected mine the only word of advise from the salesman was - "be careful as you will arrive at junctions, etc. much quicker than you are use to!"

Still love it after 5 years!
Enjoy,
John

P.S. The original seats may look ropey but they are very comfortable - even with a bad back - and hold you very well indeed in the twisty bits.

Also, get headlight/foglight protective covers - Sod's Law both covers on mine were chipped within a week! - but nothing for the next 5 years!

 

whats the intervals for the cam belt change,

good point about the pads being replaced every few thousand miles, wouldn't have thought of that one!

Thanks for the advice everyone, you know what its like, its not until you have owned a car for a few months that you become familiar with its characteristics, so who better to ask then you lot!!

 

my advise would be any car which has a knocking sound should be left alone

usually becomes a problem maybe after a year or so but why have a noisy one wen u can have a quiet one

 

very important to listen out for any knocking sounds on cold start up, i.e make sure the dealer hasnt warmed it up nicely before you go. Cos thats a known way to hid these sort of sounds. - If it has a noisy start up, either WALK AWAY, or get an expert to check it out.

Cambelt should have been done at 45k service on the MY99- but i may be wrong on the MY00.

If youre buying from a dealer, HPI check should be provided by them as far as i know.

Once you've bought it, always better to do an oil/filer change, so that you know youre running on the right oil.

Good luck!

 

Depending on engine number the interval can be 60k.

John

 

is there a time period on cam belt change?
i have a 1999 sti with 28k miles and it has had them changed all ready, sounds abit strange

 

I think it's three years - not 100% sure about >MY03 models.

 

thanks for the advice everyone, looked at a couple this afternoon the one with 39k had no history to back it up. The other on 48k had receipts for all the work its ever had done, and it was all Subaru!

There were no strange noises from cold, by the look of the discs it hadn't moved for a few days, once warmed up it ran well, but one thing and the only thing i could find was a slight wurring noise when i put my foot down slightly from the engine when in 5th travelling at 60mph ish, but i don't know whever this was the turbo spooling up??

But they have given me a years RAC parts and labour warranty, so i bought it!!

Im the new owner of X 00 classic turbo 2000 in silver.

Pick it up this Friday!!

 

Nice one!

Welcome to the world of Scooby ownership.

 

Well Done!!
Just make sure you always warm the car up gently before booting it and let it idle for a minute or so before shutting it off after booting it.
Enjoy it!!