r33lacey

Hi,

I'm currently looking at changing my car to a classic Impreza wagon and want some buying advice..

I want the "best" variant of wagon within the 5-6k price range and I have no idea what that would be. My current car (S14a 200SX) and previous car (R33 GTR Vspec) have both only had very minor revisions during their production run, whereas Subaru appear to change fairly integral bits every year!

And it has to be a wagon.. Dog, small child and wife mean that I can't go for the prettier option!

Any advice?!

r33lacey

After some more research I think I should aim for a v5 Wagon, are these rare?

richiewong

Last of the classic spec would be MY99/00 or version 5 and 6 cars.

These had revised front ends and the notrious weak MAF sensor.
Also have 4 pot fronts.
Fot that price you could pick up a nice tidy STi Wagon.
These will be imports as the official STi cars started with the Newage bugeye version.

Subaru Impreza FAQ

r33lacey

Thanks Richie, really appreciate that.

The FAQ is quite good

One last question for the Scooby officianados out there... Is there anything of particular concern with an import? I know the ECU is mapped for higher Octane, does it self learn?

Thanks

Fantom

The ECU will be fine if you use Shell V-Power or Tescos 99 RON fuel. If you have money to waste you could get it remapped.

Steve

pslewis

Personally, there is no need these days to have to settle for an Import ...... UK cars are available in some numbers.

Go for a MY00, one owner, in Dark Blue Micra, with sensible miles and Full Service History (the first 5 years being Subaru Serviced).

£6000 will get a nice MY00 Wagon with about 60,000miles on - won't lose much money at that point either.

r33lacey

Reading through the info, don't the import STi's have more power?

I can see that the biggest problem I'm going to have is finding one. Auto trader adverts appear to be very light on version information, and they don't seem to come for sale on this club board much either

Maybe I can persuade a Wagon owner to swap for my 200SX, 225BHP @ Wheels isn't shy

Tidgy

just ashame the engines are ****

Tidgy

sti's have more power, uprated engines and uprated parts over a uk. def go for an sti much better alround package.

p.s. i have a classic uk turboa nd more or less buggered if i wanna do anymore to it unless i have a new engine and gearbox

r33lacey

So is general consensus that the UK WRX has less tuning potential, less good bits but has the comfort factor of Subaru UK history?

I know I'll tune the Wagon when I get it, nothing too mental but I just can't resist!

BTW, do you have to fit trackers to Imprezas?

pslewis

No Trakkers are required on Imports - even thieving scumbags have some street cred to maintain ...... nah, it's the UK MY00 Wagons they seek out to show off in!!

The very best anti-theft device is to fit Gold Wheels - no self respecting thief wants to look like a raving poofta!!

r33lacey

Do you mean that I do need a Tracker?! The grammar/punctuation there has made your meaning a little ambiguous!

pslewis

Hmmmmmm, so - who are you REALLY?

Registered for nearly 2 years and only 1 post until today - THATS whats ambiguous

You can spell so are not the usual idiot that posts with multiple identities .....

Rob82uk

on the Subject of Classic scoobys

what sort of BHP do Jap Spec WRX (classic) and Jap Spec WRX STI put out ?

i'm sure i read the WRX was about 260 and the WRX STI about 280. WIth the UK Turbo of the time putting out about 220.

any links as to what BHP a jap spec WRX (non sti) puts out ?

Triggaaar

Pete made the mistake of paying more, for a car with less, many years ago. The classic imports were a lot better than the UK classics, so if you had to 'settle', it would be on a uk classic.

MY00 4 door STi and WRX both had 276 bhp. I think the 5 door WRX had a little less (240, 260, depending on year), but can't be sure.

Triggaaar

Yes it does self learn, but I only ever put 97/98 in mine. 73k and several track days later, it's running nicely.

The one disadvantage of the MY00 import, over the uk, is that the imports front brakes were only 2 pot, so it's worth changing those (if not already done). Best to buy an import that was new when it came over, with a uk service history.

r33lacey

Heh heh, I posted an R33 GTR for sale on here about 2 years ago, as I knew that it had a high user base

Always liked Subarus, but I'll be honest, if they did a 200SX with a better loading area....

So, do I need a tracker?

r33lacey

I only ever run V-Power or Super in emergencies. Just wanted to make sure that when I get one that I can disconnect the battery, reconnect and effectively reset it, or is it different to Skylines and doesn't need a hard reset?

Fantom

You will NOT need a tracker unless you choose Direct Line for your insurance.

StiX

iTrader: (4)

There is a link further up the thread to SIDCs Faq, give you all the facts you need:

Subaru Impreza FAQ

Triggaaar

Depends on your insurance company. Didn't need them in 2000 when the car came out, but a couple of years on, privilege said I needed a tracker - but since I was already insured with them, I didn't have to get one (got Thatcham cat 1 obviously).

Do you mean: I only ever run V-Power (or in emergencies, Super)? As opposed to, only in emergencies, do I use V-Power or Super?

No, it's easier to reset than that - just briefly disconnect a sensor. I have a knock link fitted, and my car doesn't seem to like 4/5ths power, but it's a long time since I actually tried 4/5ths

r33lacey

I mean that I only run V-Power, but run Super in emergencies, ie nearest Shell garage is too far

Disconnecting and reconnecting a sensor seems like a nice easy fix

Thanks for all the help.

Next mission is to find one without paying over the odds... Actually next mission is to sell my SX and then find a scoob before driving a 406 Diesel Estate completely destroys my will to live!

Rob82uk

that states however that the WRX and STI both are quoted at 276bhp

i thought WRX's werent tuned as high as that ?

StiX

iTrader: (4)

If you look at the chart, WRXs were 280ps from 96-00.

STis were 300 from 96-00.


Before 96, WRXs were either 240/260ps and STis were 250-275.

So the STi is apparently a bit more in every year.

steve nic

prob the best one is the sti v3 import of course as for trackers if you are insured with an insurance company that are owned buy the royal bank of scotland your car will prob require one because the OWN tracker
eg norwich union,directline,churchill(i think)
ive got mine through a-plan and no tracker even if they wanted one i wouldnt fit it i know how they work because i fit them!!!