Impreza CS 400

[anonymous-user]

Hi all

I've never really posted in the Subaru section before so be kind

As part of my mid life crisis I'm looking to get back into a Subaru and I'm seriously drawn to a CS400.

I know they have none of the old school spirit of the JDM models or the early classics but I'm looking for a compromise between a modernish hatch and old school power delivery.

My question is really around desirability for when I get bored or come out the other side of the MLC and sell it on.

I don't really want to take a deep bath on resale price or have it taking root and struggling to sell.

I was hoping the Cosworth moniker and Ltd production of 75 might make a strong case?

Or are they unloved and difficult to find a buyer?

I'm happy to spend 25-30k on one.

Oh and finally do they suffer the dreaded ringland issues of the non Cosworth 2.5 engine?

Many thanks for any input!

[Jazzer]

An excellent crisis vehicle sir!

I will be watching this thread with interest, I’ve been in crisis for 20 years!!

[tonyb1968]

The CS400's don't suffer ring land issues because they have uprated pistons, but that's pretty much the extent of the engine mods (maybe the rods but they really did skimp on the engine in this car).
If you want a decent Cosworth block/engined car then you need to look at the Litchfield Cosworth cars, those were done properly.

[enginebuilder]

Be very wary of the engines in the CS400, I have rebuilt a few, Cosworth pistons in the 2.5 crack, badly, the reason you don't here of many failures is down to most people that bought the CS400 did so as an investment, hence are garaged low mile summer/weekend cars, the ones used as they were intended fail quite dramatically, you should also consider a suspension overhaul on higher mileage cars, as the dampers fitted do fail.

[LFB531]

I've just sold my slightly less exotic 330 (less than 200 made I gather) with little drama albeit at about half the sum you have in mind.



I bought a 911 for my mid life crisis but not really my thing, the 330 sort of replaced that and was a hoot. Agreed not to everyones liking but a lot of fun and very quick indeed.

Good luck!

[vxr2010]

i do like the cs400 , i fancied one but put off by price , the problem is the last one i saw had a crack in its block just below the hg , they are also expensive to repair if you use the correct parts , i heard they are a laggy boost wise , i agree with the comments about litchfield being stronger engines, but maybe asking for a long term reliable 2.5 with around 400bhp is asking too much ?? , i’m happy with my 2.5 fsti at 330bhp as it has little lag and leaves a lot of cars for dead at a set of lights lol

[TEKNOPUG]

I'd buy a JDM Spec C hatch if I had that sort of budget.

[enginebuilder]

TEKNOPUG said:

I'd buy a JDM Spec C hatch if I had that sort of budget.

As above, I have a Spec C hatch, & after driving a few Cosworth Hatches whilst putting a few miles on them after rebuilds, I would prefer the spec c, the Cosworth does have nice seats, & the twin scroll spec c is more than a match for the lowdown torque of the 2.5 Cosworth.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for all the replies here.

After reading them and researching then this engine issue is something that I can't be arsed worrying about so I'll give the Cosworth a miss and look at JDM stuff

[TEKNOPUG]

Or just buy a much cheaper standard UK STI hatch and get the engine fully forged.