Which Classic Impreza?
Discussion
I'm finally in a position to be able to buy my dream car, a classic Impreza. I'm looking to buy a mostly standard car in good nick for around £5/6K. What models should I look out for and what should I avoid? It will be used as a weekend toy and maybe the odd track day.
I would love a type r but seems they are out of my budget. Is a WRX a good alternative? or should I save a bit more for an sti or rb5. Are any of the special editions particularly worth having? Any particular engine or model year to go for?
Thanks in advance.
I would love a type r but seems they are out of my budget. Is a WRX a good alternative? or should I save a bit more for an sti or rb5. Are any of the special editions particularly worth having? Any particular engine or model year to go for?
Thanks in advance.
vxr2010 said:
fresh import sti , that removes the possible rust issues , with imports buy what is here rather than wait for an import to arrive , speak to torque gt , harlow jap autos , hurst cars bedford but can be a bit more £ than others
Plenty of rusty ones in Japan too sadly.£/Yen exchange still isn't great, so you'd be pushing it to get a good fresh import 4 door STI for the budget.
97-00 WRX and STIs have the same power (280 ps) and brakes, so there isn't a huge amount of difference between them performance wise. Both will also take up to 350 bhp on the standard engine and Turbos, so no benefit there either.
If you'd be happy enough with a WRX, there is a saving to be made.
rossub said:
Plenty of rusty ones in Japan too sadly.
£/Yen exchange still isn't great, so you'd be pushing it to get a good fresh import 4 door STI for the budget.
97-00 WRX and STIs have the same power (280 ps) and brakes, so there isn't a huge amount of difference between them performance wise. Both will also take up to 350 bhp on the standard engine and Turbos, so no benefit there either.
If you'd be happy enough with a WRX, there is a saving to be made.
What is the difference between a 97-00 WRX and STI? I have seen a very clean 98 WRX for £6k, but it seems a tad pricey so I haven't enquired to go view it.£/Yen exchange still isn't great, so you'd be pushing it to get a good fresh import 4 door STI for the budget.
97-00 WRX and STIs have the same power (280 ps) and brakes, so there isn't a huge amount of difference between them performance wise. Both will also take up to 350 bhp on the standard engine and Turbos, so no benefit there either.
If you'd be happy enough with a WRX, there is a saving to be made.
Ok...
Seems to have the sliding calliper front brakes, so I was wrong about that. STIs have 4 pots up front.
Here’s a link to a similar age STI
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Subaru-Impreza-WRX...
Other differences that STIs have:
Higher rear spoilers - differ for each year 97,98,99 (getting bigger each year)
STI badging obviously
Nicer design seats & door cards - although the actual shape and support of the seats is the same
Higher rev limit due to more aggressive heads (8k compared to 7), although you’re better charging before 8 anyway
Forged pistons - bit pointless though, as the rods and bearings are the same as the WRX anyway
Larger alloy inter cooler - this is a benefit if you’re going over 300bhp
Carbon Strut Brace
Slightly stronger gearbox, but not much
STI Shocks/Springs - firmer than WRX
Both have alloy front suspension arms
Both have alloy bonnets - no other alloy panels
As said above - both have same power at 280ps
Late WRX classic is a good car, but definitely need to improve the brakes!
If you’re serious, then you MUST ask to see the auction sheet and also the Chassis number to check here:
https://carvx.jp/
I will never buy another Jap import without using carvx - will be the best £20 odd you will spend. They can also interpret the auction sheet for a small fee. You’ll be able to tell if it’s worth £6k with their info and if someone is trying to sell you a dog.
Seems to have the sliding calliper front brakes, so I was wrong about that. STIs have 4 pots up front.
Here’s a link to a similar age STI
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Subaru-Impreza-WRX...
Other differences that STIs have:
Higher rear spoilers - differ for each year 97,98,99 (getting bigger each year)
STI badging obviously
Nicer design seats & door cards - although the actual shape and support of the seats is the same
Higher rev limit due to more aggressive heads (8k compared to 7), although you’re better charging before 8 anyway
Forged pistons - bit pointless though, as the rods and bearings are the same as the WRX anyway
Larger alloy inter cooler - this is a benefit if you’re going over 300bhp
Carbon Strut Brace
Slightly stronger gearbox, but not much
STI Shocks/Springs - firmer than WRX
Both have alloy front suspension arms
Both have alloy bonnets - no other alloy panels
As said above - both have same power at 280ps
Late WRX classic is a good car, but definitely need to improve the brakes!
If you’re serious, then you MUST ask to see the auction sheet and also the Chassis number to check here:
https://carvx.jp/
I will never buy another Jap import without using carvx - will be the best £20 odd you will spend. They can also interpret the auction sheet for a small fee. You’ll be able to tell if it’s worth £6k with their info and if someone is trying to sell you a dog.
Elatino1 said:
Who told you that STI's had forged pistons? This is incorrect information.
If it were me I would be trying to find as late a year STi in as good condition as possible. A WRX is a decent car but misses out in various areas all round. Rust is the big killer of imprezas.
No it isn’t. It’s just the pistons that are forged, not the rest of the internals.If it were me I would be trying to find as late a year STi in as good condition as possible. A WRX is a decent car but misses out in various areas all round. Rust is the big killer of imprezas.
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/3654...
And here
https://www.scoobynet.com/general-technical-10/722...
Edited by rossub on Tuesday 17th December 19:06
If I could have any of my old cars back it would be my 1998 sti, when I bought it it was fresh of the boat and absolutely immaculate condition.
It was a fantastic drivers car and everything about it was perfect. If I remember right the turbo on the sti was an IHI 28 ball bearing turbo, spooled up super fast and made full power from 1500 rpm, or at least it felt like it.
Back in the day 2010 you could get these for a tad over 3k but to get the same one now you got to looking at 7k plus for a fresh import, but the sti is the one you should get.
It was a fantastic drivers car and everything about it was perfect. If I remember right the turbo on the sti was an IHI 28 ball bearing turbo, spooled up super fast and made full power from 1500 rpm, or at least it felt like it.
Back in the day 2010 you could get these for a tad over 3k but to get the same one now you got to looking at 7k plus for a fresh import, but the sti is the one you should get.
rossub said:
Ok...
Seems to have the sliding calliper front brakes, so I was wrong about that. STIs have 4 pots up front.
Here’s a link to a similar age STI
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Subaru-Impreza-WRX...
Other differences that STIs have:
Higher rear spoilers - differ for each year 97,98,99 (getting bigger each year)
STI badging obviously
Nicer design seats & door cards - although the actual shape and support of the seats is the same
Higher rev limit due to more aggressive heads (8k compared to 7), although you’re better charging before 8 anyway
Forged pistons - bit pointless though, as the rods and bearings are the same as the WRX anyway
Larger alloy inter cooler - this is a benefit if you’re going over 300bhp
Carbon Strut Brace
Slightly stronger gearbox, but not much
STI Shocks/Springs - firmer than WRX
Both have alloy front suspension arms
Both have alloy bonnets - no other alloy panels
As said above - both have same power at 280ps
Late WRX classic is a good car, but definitely need to improve the brakes!
If you’re serious, then you MUST ask to see the auction sheet and also the Chassis number to check here:
https://carvx.jp/
I will never buy another Jap import without using carvx - will be the best £20 odd you will spend. They can also interpret the auction sheet for a small fee. You’ll be able to tell if it’s worth £6k with their info and if someone is trying to sell you a dog
Thanks very much for the info. That's a big help. I will definitely use that carVX. Seems to have the sliding calliper front brakes, so I was wrong about that. STIs have 4 pots up front.
Here’s a link to a similar age STI
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-Subaru-Impreza-WRX...
Other differences that STIs have:
Higher rear spoilers - differ for each year 97,98,99 (getting bigger each year)
STI badging obviously
Nicer design seats & door cards - although the actual shape and support of the seats is the same
Higher rev limit due to more aggressive heads (8k compared to 7), although you’re better charging before 8 anyway
Forged pistons - bit pointless though, as the rods and bearings are the same as the WRX anyway
Larger alloy inter cooler - this is a benefit if you’re going over 300bhp
Carbon Strut Brace
Slightly stronger gearbox, but not much
STI Shocks/Springs - firmer than WRX
Both have alloy front suspension arms
Both have alloy bonnets - no other alloy panels
As said above - both have same power at 280ps
Late WRX classic is a good car, but definitely need to improve the brakes!
If you’re serious, then you MUST ask to see the auction sheet and also the Chassis number to check here:
https://carvx.jp/
I will never buy another Jap import without using carvx - will be the best £20 odd you will spend. They can also interpret the auction sheet for a small fee. You’ll be able to tell if it’s worth £6k with their info and if someone is trying to sell you a dog
It seems in my budget I can afford a fresh import WRX or a sti that's been in the UK a few years and possibly has some rust.
Elatino1 said:
rossub said:
No it isn’t. It’s just the pistons that are forged, not the rest of the internals
Sorry, I see you are referring to the gc8 impreza STi only. I'm still somewhat sceptical of it, the thread being over 10 years old and the company offering the info is no more.
Been on Scoobynet since 2003 myself, albeit as an enthusiast and not making a living out of them.
Id go for a Version 5/6 Type R myself, as the 99 onwards had an ECU that could be remapped easily, unless you need to park in a carpark or narrow garage, in which case I would go for an RA as the doors wont be as long, so easier to get out of.
Also, you can fit the 5th gear and synchro from the same year UK car,. to increase motorway cruising speed.
Also, you can fit the 5th gear and synchro from the same year UK car,. to increase motorway cruising speed.
Hol said:
Id go for a Version 5/6 Type R myself, as the 99 onwards had an ECU that could be remapped easily, unless you need to park in a carpark or narrow garage, in which case I would go for an RA as the doors wont be as long, so easier to get out of.
Also, you can fit the 5th gear and synchro from the same year UK car,. to increase motorway cruising speed.
No chance of getting a Type R for their budget. My advice would be save up and have more to spend if you can. The more cash you have the better the car and hopefully less expense in the long term.Also, you can fit the 5th gear and synchro from the same year UK car,. to increase motorway cruising speed.
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