Tell me about bugeye Subaru Imprezas

Lashout_UK · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:18

Saw this on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-SUBA...sC0lSp4iCI0Hm4KVGrnlI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Seems like a good price and a very nice car. I know the values aren't particularly high but this one does seem particularly low.

I only ask as I'm considering another winter hack after the Lancia and have always fancied a Subaru...

I know several of you on here have owned, driven and maintained these - so what are they like? Any key buying tips?

ci_newman · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:32

Auction already gone

Lashout_UK · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:35

It didn't sell, that's why I'm still hovering around it...

ScoTTyBEEE · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:39

Great cars, owned a few of them. Check out the classifieds on scoobynet but that one doesn't look bad to be fair. Also the UK cars are very cheap insurance these days (£220 full comp for 35 year old). The imports will be at least double this I imagine.

Definitely aim for one that's been remapped as they are much more drivable, standard they're so so.

The estates (wagons) are very versatile. I cannot think of another 4 wheel drive, 300bhp, estate car with cheap insurance. It's on its own in that regards.

adam cool dude · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:41

Sti or go home. There is quite a bit of difference. Saying that if it is being bought for utility it seems decent enough.

robinbanks · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:42

ScoTTyBEEE said:
Great cars, owned a few of them. Check out the classifieds on scoobynet but that one doesn't look bad to be fair. Also the UK cars are very cheap insurance these days (£220 full comp for 35 year old). The imports will be at least double this I imagine.

Definitely aim for one that's been remapped as they are much more drivable, standard they're so so.

not always the way with insurance. i did look at a mx5 as a first car. The one i found was a import and i was getting cheaper quotes than a uk car :confused:

Joe T · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:42

Best tip if you want to resell it: don't buy a green one!

Confused · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:43

ScoTTyBEEE said:
The estates (wagons) are very versatile. I cannot think of another 4 wheel drive, 300bhp, estate car with cheap insurance. It's on its own in that regards.

I'd throw the Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 out there as another contender for that crown

ScoTTyBEEE · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:45

Confused said:
I'd throw the Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 out there as another contender for that crown

True, but they are bigger, more like a legacy and will not drive like an impreza. The impreza estate drives the same as the saloon which is fast and sporty. I've owned a legacy and the size and weight makes it less so.

Lashout_UK · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:46

Joe T said:
Bets tip if you want to resell it: don't buy a green one!

I quite like the green Joe, but I know where you're coming from

Lashout_UK · 9 Oct 2014 at 09:51

ScoTTyBEEE said:
Great cars, owned a few of them. Check out the classifieds on scoobynet but that one doesn't look bad to be fair.

Thanks, will do. I just like the idea of something that's got lots of aftermarket/OEM upgrade bits available for it too. Something I can track and hillclimb a bit without having to worry about being able to fix.

Ephraim · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:05

Lashout_UK said:
Thanks, will do. I just like the idea of something that's got lots of aftermarket/OEM upgrade bits available for it too. Something I can track and hillclimb a bit without having to worry about being able to fix.

Be ware that if you are looking at hillclimbing an Impreza, there are a lot of very heavily modified beasts that you'll be in a class alongside. I suspect that you'd have to spend a great deal to be competitive. Still, it's not all about being competitive, more about having fun.

Mr-White · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:09

The bugeye is the uggo of the family

MW

Confused · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:22

ScoTTyBEEE said:
True, but they are bigger, more like a legacy and will not drive like an impreza. The impreza estate drives the same as the saloon which is fast and sporty. I've owned a legacy and the size and weight makes it less so.

The AYC on the VR-4 makes it turn and act like a much smaller car than it is, whilst still having the advantage of extra boot space.

Also, the AYC is great on the snow, you can really feel it working when accelerating (or braking) on the slippery snow.

Lashout_UK · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:25

Ephraim said:
Still, it's not all about being competitive, more about having fun.

Exactly the plan. It'd just be fun to turn up at the odd autotest or sprint in my own car for a laugh

Ephraim · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:33

Lashout_UK said:
Exactly the plan. It'd just be fun to turn up at the odd autotest or sprint in my own car for a laugh

*nods*
I'm off to my first autotest with my Alfa GTV V6 on Saturday. I expect that it will wallow its way around the course slowly, making a glorious noise as it goes. I'm not expecting to be remotely competitive, but I am expecting to finish the day with a big grin (and possibly a big bill for broken parts). Just wanted to make sure you went into an Impreza with your eyes open.

I've never driven bugeye, but the missus had a Turbo 2000 and a hawkeye and they were both great fun. I actually preferred the older car, as it was less competent. The hawkeye required that you be at license losing speeds before it became entertaining. It certainly was rapid, though.

ScoTTyBEEE · 9 Oct 2014 at 10:34

Lashout_UK said:
Thanks, will do. I just like the idea of something that's got lots of aftermarket/OEM upgrade bits available for it too. Something I can track and hillclimb a bit without having to worry about being able to fix.

If you fancy that then you'll be able to pick up a bugeye sti for a little more. Or buy one with a bigger spec already which you'll be able to do for a similar budget.

floatindolphin · 9 Oct 2014 at 11:55

Is that the Rad cap to the left of the Intercooler?

Quite a bit of rust around it, as if it's had a leak?

Meridian · 9 Oct 2014 at 17:39

Lashout_UK said:
Thanks, will do. I just like the idea of something that's got lots of aftermarket/OEM upgrade bits available for it too. Something I can track and hillclimb a bit without having to worry about being able to fix.

The bugeye WRX has a pretty limited upgrade path because the engine tends to go bang if pushed beyond about 340bhp. And drive like a **** and that can happen at 300bhp. It's really just a family saloon with a bit of extra power. If you buy one then you'll have about ten day's use before you'll regret not getting an STI. That's good for close to 450bhp on stock internals. You should be able to get a pretty good STI for under £4000. They're are often advertised for more, but there are a lot of optimists out there.

Meridian · 9 Oct 2014 at 17:40

Mr-White said:
The bugeye is the uggo of the family

MW

They're all ugly. No-one buys an Impreza for the looks.