Believe it was remap and exhaust but not 100% after all this time
Although dealers fitted it, was authorised and approved by the manufacturer
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Impreza owners/ex owners findings
- Thread starter Vogon
- Start date
Believe it was remap and exhaust but not 100% after all this time
Although dealers fitted it, was authorised and approved by the manufacturer
I always wanted a scooby, almost purchased one years ago when I was in my 20s. Still love the sound of them. The insurance was silly, I could afford it but chose not to decided to be sensible. I was looking on autotrader yesterday after first looking at this thread and couldn’t believe the price of them these days.
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Soldato
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Yeah i'll echo that, whilst they are AWD and have a lot of grip however the suspension is set up when it does start to step out you need to be super quick to catch it, well compared to all the other cars i've had anyway.
I saw one of those JDM HOT version videos ones where the guy was describing the way a car handles and it was like counting to 5, if it was predicable it'd be 1 2 3 4 5 in an even a steady tempo, if it snapped on the limit it might be 1 2 345 where it got a lot quicker at the end. The STi was good and it was predicable but it when it broke traction it all happened very quickly.
Well, all I can say is he has had it drilled into him that he needs to be respectful, and the fact its gonna be an expensive car that he has paid for.
Even though we will help him out with an interest free loan if needed, he has saved 12k, which he started saving when he was 18 for his "next car".
He is a sensible lad, but yes I am aware 22 yr olds have their moments.
I wouldn't be helping him buy one if I didn't think he was responsible enough, there is a first time for all of us. As a father of course I am going to be worrying every time he goes out in it to start with.
He has driven some pretty powerful cars in his job, but only for one off journeys. One claim to fame which made me a bit envious, a Nissan GTR, allegedly mapped to 750BHP.
So we have a potential 2 to look at tomorrow, the first is older but a 2.0 STi, the second (if the first doesn't work out) is newer and less miles, but also a 2.5 WRX , so less favourable in terms of reliability and gearbox.
(BTW dont make the mistake of searching for PPP and STI together like I did)
Even though we will help him out with an interest free loan if needed, he has saved 12k, which he started saving when he was 18 for his "next car".
He is a sensible lad, but yes I am aware 22 yr olds have their moments.
I wouldn't be helping him buy one if I didn't think he was responsible enough, there is a first time for all of us. As a father of course I am going to be worrying every time he goes out in it to start with.
He has driven some pretty powerful cars in his job, but only for one off journeys. One claim to fame which made me a bit envious, a Nissan GTR, allegedly mapped to 750BHP.
So we have a potential 2 to look at tomorrow, the first is older but a 2.0 STi, the second (if the first doesn't work out) is newer and less miles, but also a 2.5 WRX , so less favourable in terms of reliability and gearbox.
(BTW dont make the mistake of searching for PPP and STI together like I did)
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I still see some early 00s ones being used daily on my commute. They do seem to be holding up pretty well.
I rarely see any with the 2.5 anymore, which might be a sign. I suspect most probably either ended up in a breakers yard or became garage queens.
None of them are cheap to run though, especially now.
I rarely see any with the 2.5 anymore, which might be a sign. I suspect most probably either ended up in a breakers yard or became garage queens.
None of them are cheap to run though, especially now.
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TBH It's a strange dilemma, normally less miles and newer at same price = win, but it does look like the older 2.0 Sti is a safer bet for potential reliability/longevity of engine and gearbox.
And there is the benefit of £300 odd less VED a year.
And carry on with your pics and experiences please guys
And there is the benefit of £300 odd less VED a year.
And carry on with your pics and experiences please guys
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TBH It's a strange dilemma, normally less miles and newer at same price = win, but it does look like the older 2.0 Sti is a safer bet for potential reliability/longevity of engine and gearbox.
And there is the benefit of £300 odd less VED a year.
And carry on with your pics and experiences please guys
Personally IMO, if looking at a newage UK car and with the budget to suit I'd be looking for a very late 05/55 plate blob STi, aka the widetrack.
You still get the 2 litre engine but it's mated to a slightly different 6 speed gearbox with DCCD (driver controlled centre diff), a wider rear track and the later hawkeye interior. Basically all the nice bits from the hawkeye but with the better engine.
Not that I'm biased...
The earlier non-widetrack STis still had the 6 speed box but lacked the DCCD. It's certainly not required, but a nice to have. Impreza WR1 had the DCCD gearbox also, but without the later interior or wider track.
Obviously ignore all of the above if you can get a JDM import. That twin scroll 8k rpm setup is a peach! And you get electric folding mirrors
@agw_01 trust you ! that looks lush, ex car or you still have ?
2003 sti + 2007 wrx today, so a shot either side of the bullseye
All this looking has me getting old git syndrome and wanting one myself, as I would have been around his age when these started hitting the showrooms. The trouble is that would mean giving up my less characterful, but very nice, comfortable, quick and (comparatively) cheaper to run M240i, even I think that's a mad idea ... although there was a very nice heavily modified import on ebay a few days ago, asking less than what half the upgrades alone would have cost ...
2003 sti + 2007 wrx today, so a shot either side of the bullseye
All this looking has me getting old git syndrome and wanting one myself, as I would have been around his age when these started hitting the showrooms. The trouble is that would mean giving up my less characterful, but very nice, comfortable, quick and (comparatively) cheaper to run M240i, even I think that's a mad idea ... although there was a very nice heavily modified import on ebay a few days ago, asking less than what half the upgrades alone would have cost ...
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Soldato
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Personally IMO, if looking at a newage UK car and with the budget to suit I'd be looking for a very late 05/55 plate blob STi, aka the widetrack.
You still get the 2 litre engine but it's mated to a slightly different 6 speed gearbox with DCCD (driver controlled centre diff), a wider rear track and the later hawkeye interior. Basically all the nice bits from the hawkeye but with the better engine.
Not that I'm biased...
The earlier non-widetrack STis still had the 6 speed box but lacked the DCCD. It's certainly not required, but a nice to have. Impreza WR1 had the DCCD gearbox also, but without the later interior or wider track.
Obviously ignore all of the above if you can get a JDM import. That twin scroll 8k rpm setup is a peach! And you get electric folding mirrors
Yeah that's identical to the one i had, mine was an 05 plate. The Widetrack blobeyes are the pick of the crop but i think the prices will probably reflect that too now, when i looked not long ago it was over 16k for one the same as i sold 10 years ago.
# Rule 1: never buy the first car you see.
# Rule 2 on rare occasions, ignore Rule 1
Almost bought it home today, but a couple of issues the seller will correct, and hopefully ready for collecting in a weeks time.
I have to say I was hoping for very little rust, but wasn't expecting it to be this good, i have seen cars less than half its age that aren't approaching that !
Long term owner has really looked after it, and if it needed doing he had it done. Seems a real nice guy too.
A few minor things I will attend to, like some water ingress in the boot, but nothing yet affected so that will be addressed before it becomes an issue. Likely rear light seals (I believe a known issue) or wing mountings as the actual boot seal has been replaced. Car was pressure washed yesterday so that doesn't help.
Some light kerbing on all wheels, we will wait until time to change the tyres and then get them done.
Needs either a "Subaru Technica international" sticker on the passenger door, or the one on the drivers side removing. Adding is the preferred option if we can find a matching one.
A good detailing session, might see about giving it some light DAP action if the paint is up to it.
I think further down the road we may look into shocks, but the ones on it are fine for now.
I never had a Scooby, but driving it takes me back to the old school days of escorts and capris in my youth, its hard not to grin like a cheshire cat, and being so used to modern turbos working all through the rev range, that shove when it hits boost is fun, especially accompanied by that Scooby sound. It has the prodrive system so is just noticable as a scooby without being loud when pootling about, but does growl nicely when giving it some beans.
My son is gonna think its like a reverse Christine, as petrol tank empties and miles go up mysteriously when he is at work
Its not officially his yet, but I have a handful of pics from today I may post if it doesn't tempt fate !
# Rule 2 on rare occasions, ignore Rule 1
Almost bought it home today, but a couple of issues the seller will correct, and hopefully ready for collecting in a weeks time.
I have to say I was hoping for very little rust, but wasn't expecting it to be this good, i have seen cars less than half its age that aren't approaching that !
Long term owner has really looked after it, and if it needed doing he had it done. Seems a real nice guy too.
A few minor things I will attend to, like some water ingress in the boot, but nothing yet affected so that will be addressed before it becomes an issue. Likely rear light seals (I believe a known issue) or wing mountings as the actual boot seal has been replaced. Car was pressure washed yesterday so that doesn't help.
Some light kerbing on all wheels, we will wait until time to change the tyres and then get them done.
Needs either a "Subaru Technica international" sticker on the passenger door, or the one on the drivers side removing. Adding is the preferred option if we can find a matching one.
A good detailing session, might see about giving it some light DAP action if the paint is up to it.
I think further down the road we may look into shocks, but the ones on it are fine for now.
I never had a Scooby, but driving it takes me back to the old school days of escorts and capris in my youth, its hard not to grin like a cheshire cat, and being so used to modern turbos working all through the rev range, that shove when it hits boost is fun, especially accompanied by that Scooby sound. It has the prodrive system so is just noticable as a scooby without being loud when pootling about, but does growl nicely when giving it some beans.
My son is gonna think its like a reverse Christine, as petrol tank empties and miles go up mysteriously when he is at work
Its not officially his yet, but I have a handful of pics from today I may post if it doesn't tempt fate !
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TBH with my focus on all the other things I was looking out for, I hadn't noticed the missing decal until I was reviewing the pictures. I am no expert, but the panel gaps are all good, the doors open and close fine, and when I looked down along the sides from front and back it all looked as it should.
I would expect a car of this type and age has very likely picked up some battle scars in its life, but there is nothing to suggest anything really bad that I could spot.
I would expect a car of this type and age has very likely picked up some battle scars in its life, but there is nothing to suggest anything really bad that I could spot.
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Going back for a second look with a view to completing if happy.
2003 STi PPP 92k (so 2.0 - 6 speed)
Last owner has owned for well over a decade, a folder full of receipts backing up new clutch a around 17k miles ago, cambelt done recently, services, etc etc. MOT history fantastic, only advisories on entire history for tyre inner edges and brake pads and the last advisory was 2017 and over 30k miles ago.
I have no idea where the clutch should be biting on these, feels around 1/2 to 2/3 the way but feels smooth no vibrations or noises.
Running in car park lock to lock forward and reverse, no diff noises.
Sitting in traffic temps are fine.
Engine sounds good, no noises or obvious leaks I can see, and pulls strong, although I haven't heard it from stone cold as car is stored away from owners house.
Always run on V-power 99 ron with current owner.
Bad points for me are water ingress in boot, from my research the worst case scenario would be rear window seals requiring rear window removal and refitting, possibly new window as firms wont guarantee it wont break during removal (although one did say he wouldn't expect it too). the issue then is sourcing one.
a little bit of a lip on brake disks outer edges, but stops well with no vibrations or noises.
kerb rash on all four wheels, but nothing too deep and only on the outermost lip.
Obviously the aforementioned missing decal, would lead to indicate possibly some paintwork, but as mentioned, if this has had some paintwork (which one would expect for this age IMO), it looks to have been done properly. I can not see signs of anything serious, but I am no expert. Obviously I have HPI'd it and its all clear.
Alarm was misbehaving, but owner has booked it in at an alarm specialist today to sort.
If anyone can think of anything I have overlooked, or can spot something amiss, please mention it
So pics from last weekends viewing:
2003 STi PPP 92k (so 2.0 - 6 speed)
Last owner has owned for well over a decade, a folder full of receipts backing up new clutch a around 17k miles ago, cambelt done recently, services, etc etc. MOT history fantastic, only advisories on entire history for tyre inner edges and brake pads and the last advisory was 2017 and over 30k miles ago.
I have no idea where the clutch should be biting on these, feels around 1/2 to 2/3 the way but feels smooth no vibrations or noises.
Running in car park lock to lock forward and reverse, no diff noises.
Sitting in traffic temps are fine.
Engine sounds good, no noises or obvious leaks I can see, and pulls strong, although I haven't heard it from stone cold as car is stored away from owners house.
Always run on V-power 99 ron with current owner.
Bad points for me are water ingress in boot, from my research the worst case scenario would be rear window seals requiring rear window removal and refitting, possibly new window as firms wont guarantee it wont break during removal (although one did say he wouldn't expect it too). the issue then is sourcing one.
a little bit of a lip on brake disks outer edges, but stops well with no vibrations or noises.
kerb rash on all four wheels, but nothing too deep and only on the outermost lip.
Obviously the aforementioned missing decal, would lead to indicate possibly some paintwork, but as mentioned, if this has had some paintwork (which one would expect for this age IMO), it looks to have been done properly. I can not see signs of anything serious, but I am no expert. Obviously I have HPI'd it and its all clear.
Alarm was misbehaving, but owner has booked it in at an alarm specialist today to sort.
If anyone can think of anything I have overlooked, or can spot something amiss, please mention it
So pics from last weekends viewing:
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Soldato
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That looks really good and sounds like it's been cared for,
I always used godspeedbrakes for my stuff on Impreza's, their own kevlar pads are good for road use but no good at all on track, i manage to make a set explode on Anglesey circuit, it was a fun drive home afterwards.. Be really careful with the threads in the Brembo's when you change them as they're soft as anything as they're just threaded straight into the alloy body so super easy to strip out. Nothing a helicoil can't fix but better to avoid the hassle if you can.
I always used godspeedbrakes for my stuff on Impreza's, their own kevlar pads are good for road use but no good at all on track, i manage to make a set explode on Anglesey circuit, it was a fun drive home afterwards.. Be really careful with the threads in the Brembo's when you change them as they're soft as anything as they're just threaded straight into the alloy body so super easy to strip out. Nothing a helicoil can't fix but better to avoid the hassle if you can.
Soldato
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Get underneath, both my Imprezas ended up rusting, my classic was not too bad but my Blob STI was riddled underneath and on the wheel arches, subframe failed it's MOT and cost quite a bit to fix and that was around 9 years ago on a 2004 plate.
