impreza wr1 advice please

[sean j g]

Hi all I'm looking at a wr1 at the moment to purchase, however the one I'm looking at has had a 5 speed p1 gearbox and diff fitted instead off its original 6 speed gearbox, any thoughts on why this would be done, also the car has had a fresh respray for some reason which makes me wonder why? it was motd in 2012 then not motd till 2016 so was off the road for four years again seems strange, the car is number 490/500 any info and advise would be great.

Cheers Sean.

[texaxile]

Hi Sean
I'd get an hpi check done, and have a very good look at it indeed, respray could be hiding any number of issues from stone chips to Cat c/d .
No idea why the gearbox and diff were changed, unless the last ones failed due to abuse ?.

Personally I'd avoid it and hold out for a decent one with a full history rather than one with missing MOTs and dubious mods. The value in these cars will be partly in the history file , no history will have a detrimental effect on future purchase price or saleability.

[tonyb1968]

Avoid it, look for a decent, unmolested model or a JDM import from around the same year (or slightly newer).

[Ahbefive]

5 speed box is just not right.

Edited by Ahbefive on Monday 18th September 20:04

[MDMA .]

Has it got to be a WR1? A friend has a couple of UK STI's for sale at the moment in the Warrington area.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Subaru-Impreza-STI-w...

[plenty]

Avoid it at all costs. There can be no good reason to put in a five speed which will break sooner rather than later.

[mattyowen5]

Its a well known one in the group on the Wr1oc on Facebook. It was stripped of all it's unique bits and replaced with WRX parts, look at the bonnet scoop, it's the smaller one, gearbox etc. There's a nice WR1 on autotrader for around £10k. Message the WR1oc on Facebook and say you're looking for one. I currently own one if you want to ask any questions.

[vxr2010]

I agree on above , avoid it , get a nice one , and a good choice of a car too , probably my favourite of the subaru range

[Terminator X]

Nice car, strange colour. Get a JDM STi imho.

TX.

[sean j g]

Thanks for all the info and advise, why would someone strip a wr1 of all the best bits seems crazy to me, will leave it alone thanks again.

Cheers.

Sean.

[sean j g]

Just an update the car just sold at bca auctions for 7k plus buyers fee so just under 7.5k, think someone is going to get a shock when they try to find sixth gear!! it will probably appear up for sale soon on the normal internet sites,as it was a dealer who bought it.

[mattyowen5]

Ouch, it was on eBay probably a year ago for £5k. Wasn't really worth that the way it was.

"A pig of a car, was repossed and the owner knew it was coming so striped anything worth anything and put lesser versions of the bits on it, wheels, gearbox, brakes, intercooler to name just a few"

That's one of the quotes on the Wr1 490.
If you want a WR1, you will pay a premium for the special edition so take that into account when looking around.

[Hol]

Lucky escape.