Advice - repair or replace? Impreza Classic vs Blobeye
Discussion
Greetings everyone.
Kind of drawing on fond childhood’s memories, I have bought a cheap (and not running) 1995 Impreza Compact Wagon 2.0 GT (red, blue cloth interior, rounded dash, 15 inch wheels, 211 hp) for which I have been recently quoted about 8.5k Euros in mechanical repairs plus an estimated 3k Euros (at least) in body work.
For the same budget or less, I see I may actually source a ready to drive 2001-2005 Bugeye WRX wagon 218 hp or 2.5 WRX wagon 230 hp with a mileage between 100k and 170k km.
I would be grateful to have from anyone who knows the models, Classic and Bugeye / 2.5 (Hawkeye?), a feedback on the cars and an advice, if the Classic is actually more fun to drive and worth the effort of repairing it, or if I should better put my (hard earned) money in a later model.
Finally, does anyone know a good Subaru specialist in the Edinburgh area worth contacting?
Thanks in advance and cheers everyone!
Kind of drawing on fond childhood’s memories, I have bought a cheap (and not running) 1995 Impreza Compact Wagon 2.0 GT (red, blue cloth interior, rounded dash, 15 inch wheels, 211 hp) for which I have been recently quoted about 8.5k Euros in mechanical repairs plus an estimated 3k Euros (at least) in body work.
For the same budget or less, I see I may actually source a ready to drive 2001-2005 Bugeye WRX wagon 218 hp or 2.5 WRX wagon 230 hp with a mileage between 100k and 170k km.
I would be grateful to have from anyone who knows the models, Classic and Bugeye / 2.5 (Hawkeye?), a feedback on the cars and an advice, if the Classic is actually more fun to drive and worth the effort of repairing it, or if I should better put my (hard earned) money in a later model.
Finally, does anyone know a good Subaru specialist in the Edinburgh area worth contacting?
Thanks in advance and cheers everyone!
Edited by zibello on Friday 27th August 20:55
Jeepers. That's some serious wedge to throw at a classic, and a non runner. I hope you never paid much for it.
Does it need to be an estate & a classic
Your budget to fix it would almost get you an STI.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...
Happy to share my experience being a previous owner and current owner of said cars
Does it need to be an estate & a classic
Your budget to fix it would almost get you an STI.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107265...
Happy to share my experience being a previous owner and current owner of said cars
How many miles does your 95 Impreza have on it? My issue would be if it’s anywhere north of about 60k then I doubt it will ever be considered a classic or collectible car therefore you are never going to see a return on the (significant) money you pump in to get it restored.
If the car will be special to you and kept a long time then by all means go for it and it sounds like a great project, however if you’ve even got one eye on getting some money back on it in the future I’d perhaps reconsider.
In terms of garages, I’m in Edinburgh and recently used Hypertech in Bonnybridge. They are Subaru specialists and I had no complaints. There’s also a place called SW motorsport up Penicuik way but I’ve no experience there.
If the car will be special to you and kept a long time then by all means go for it and it sounds like a great project, however if you’ve even got one eye on getting some money back on it in the future I’d perhaps reconsider.
In terms of garages, I’m in Edinburgh and recently used Hypertech in Bonnybridge. They are Subaru specialists and I had no complaints. There’s also a place called SW motorsport up Penicuik way but I’ve no experience there.
For 8.5k Euros I'd be expecting brand-new mechanicals.
I am guessing there aren't too many Subaru specialists where you are but try to shop around. These are simple cars and although parts prices are rising they aren't in la-la land just yet. Even if your engine is blown you should be able to source and fit from a secondhand donor for a lot less than 8.5k.
In terms of your actual question - which one is better to drive - it's a can of worms but classics are very much in revered territory now while the GD WRX isn't yet. The classic is 200 kgs lighter and feels it. The GD is better built. Pay your money and take your choice.
I am guessing there aren't too many Subaru specialists where you are but try to shop around. These are simple cars and although parts prices are rising they aren't in la-la land just yet. Even if your engine is blown you should be able to source and fit from a secondhand donor for a lot less than 8.5k.
In terms of your actual question - which one is better to drive - it's a can of worms but classics are very much in revered territory now while the GD WRX isn't yet. The classic is 200 kgs lighter and feels it. The GD is better built. Pay your money and take your choice.
I realise this is a bit late...thought I'd chip in since I've owned classic, blobeye and hawkeye wagons.
The blobeye was the one I loved the most and bar wear and tear items I added over 100k with no issues whatsoever, it was a labrador of a car. I was maybe unlucky with the classic but that needed a bottom end rebuild. I'm not a fan of the 2.5 engine and all the things that are supposed to go wrong with them went wrong with mine, head gasket, ringlands etc. While some people love the extra low down grunt of the 2.5 it never seemed as engaging and willing to rev as the 2. The hawkeye had the grippiest front end and the classic was the probably the most fun to drive, the blobeye just had something about it though.
I now own a jdm bugeye sti and it is another league altogether. While the extra power and raised rev limit are fantastic the presence of front and rear LSDs really mean that with the power on you do not understeer in the way the other cars did. In the wet its just brilliant.
All these cars are getting more and more expensive if you want a good one. I would just avoid the 2.5, particularly at high miles.
The blobeye was the one I loved the most and bar wear and tear items I added over 100k with no issues whatsoever, it was a labrador of a car. I was maybe unlucky with the classic but that needed a bottom end rebuild. I'm not a fan of the 2.5 engine and all the things that are supposed to go wrong with them went wrong with mine, head gasket, ringlands etc. While some people love the extra low down grunt of the 2.5 it never seemed as engaging and willing to rev as the 2. The hawkeye had the grippiest front end and the classic was the probably the most fun to drive, the blobeye just had something about it though.
I now own a jdm bugeye sti and it is another league altogether. While the extra power and raised rev limit are fantastic the presence of front and rear LSDs really mean that with the power on you do not understeer in the way the other cars did. In the wet its just brilliant.
All these cars are getting more and more expensive if you want a good one. I would just avoid the 2.5, particularly at high miles.
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