Impreza owners/ex owners findings

[Vogon]

Ok my son is looking to buy something circa £10k, I have made him aware of the risks, but as he has a company car for daily so its not a totally insane idea ... or is it ?
He has a passion for older Japanese cars, obviously with things the way they are most are well out of his budget, and a scooby is pretty much the only affordable option left.
We are aware of the potential (likely?) issues, but I cant blame him, your only young once (he is soon to turn 22), and now is as good a time as any to take some risks on his petrolhead journey !

So basically, I am interested in reading from anyone who owns or has owned one, and if you have enjoyed it, had a smooth ownership experience or a roller coaster ride ,etc.

 

[Vogon]

Thanks for the input guys.
Actually the insurance isn't as terrible as I was expecting, a 2006 WRX coming in a score over the frankly ridiculous VED
And yes the 2.5's have that rep but from what I have been finding, they use the same block as the 2.0 since early 2k's ?
It has been mentioned the STi versions have a better gearbox though.
Rust is something else I will be looking out for sure !

 

[Vogon]

@Dave 28, I thought his quote for a 2007 WRX at £750 ish wasn't that bad for 22 year old.

@Will Gill, my personal favourite models for looks, being an "Old Skool" kinda guy (or old fart if you prefer)

 

[Vogon]

I don't think upping the power is on the cards, for one that sort of not unreasonable insurance quote wouldn't be for much longer !
But point taken onboard re: STi ... in the end it depends on what we can find within budget and allowing some contingency fund.
I like to think I am respectable at checking over cars, but any advice from experienced Scooby owners humbly taken on board ! Although I will be more objective than looking for myself, I also feel more pressure to get it right for him

 

[Vogon]

I don't think I would want to import one, but if there are importers who have stock and have done all the necessary paperwork etc I would not be adverse to looking at an import. I assume insurance now isn't the issue it once was ?
Are there any major differences between Japan Spec and UK versions ?

 

[Vogon]

No ! hatchback is just wrong

 

[Vogon]

Bid on this today, goes through about now but wont hear till tomorrow due to time differences

Spec C, about 60k KM's

Looks a little different, and very nice, forgive my ignorance but is that a saloon version of the hatch model, presumably japan only model ?


As an aside, is it allowed to mention names of importers and seller ? If so can I ask for recommendations? I found one in bucks that appears to be reputable at first glance.

On a different note, surprising how many I have phoned up with no record of head gasket or timing belt replacement despite being between 85- 105k miles

 

[Vogon]

Yeah that is worrying, from memory i think timing belts were recommended every 5 years? I know mine was done when i bought it at 5 years old and was due when i sold it at 10 but i just knocked a bit off the price so the new owner could do it himself.

I think I might be best getting a ball park figure for head gasket and timing belt +ancillaries replacement and budget for that.
One I phoned is actually doing the Head gaskets, when I asked about the belt, they said " it looked alright" but there is no paperwork to to evidence a cambelt change ... I assume the engine is out for the gaskets, so why on earth would you not do the belt etc at the same time ?

 

[Vogon]

Ah, I assumed the heads would be pretty tight to the inner wings being a boxer, so would have to come out for HG replacements.

 

[Vogon]

Pulling an engine is beyond my basic mechanical abilities, it's more a case of liking to have an understanding of what is involved.
If it came to needing HG or cambelts, I would have a professional do it TBH.
Although there does look to be a drought of specialist locally.
Are HG failure only a 2.5 issue, or are the 2.0 still prone but just a bit less likely to suffer ?