97-01 Impreza Wagon??

S

snwman

Sunday Drivers
Hi folks, been a member for a while back as i was interested in getting a b4 legacy but plans didnt go ahead... Now im back and have been seriously thinking about getting a wagon. Ive always loved them specially when a friend had one and had a few nice bits done to it and just fell in love with it.

Ive done abit of research on what i could find on them through the site and just have afew questions.

1. Is there much of a difference between the irish and uk versions of the wagons. Now im not to clued up on versions but the year of the ones im looking at in 1997 to 2001(Not bug eye version classic shape)

2. What is the power of the irish/uk ones. Are they 220bhp or 250bhp?? Or is the 250bhp the jap version.

3. Last one what are the egines like are they soft. Or would i be better looking at a irish/uk one compared to a jap version?

Anyway hope its not to much to ask but just tryin to do research before i dive straight in
 
yes the jap ones have more power
japanese ones (jdm ) wrx 250 bhp
irish ones (turbo ) 208 - 220 bhp (pending on year )
irish cars have different gearbox that are more economical 5th gear
irish ones are cheaper to insure
i have a irish saloon impreza myself
and ive never had any trouble with it
someone else may be able to fill you in more on the jap ones
 
No real difference between UK or Irish spec turbos. The are generally all the exact same but you will find a lot more choose in the UK as the estates seemed to be a lot more popular over there. The are Irish and UK spec WRX's are as standard 218bhp and are a very reliable engine if serviced regularly and are well cared for. Jap WRX wagons are higher bhp bit are not set up for the crapper fuel we have here and can cause problems. They also have a shorter 5th gear which makes for thirstier motorway driving and can suffer from overheat problems If delimiter is removed and car is run for extended periods at high speed due to the higher revs caused by the gearing. It is hard to come by a good Irish car that had been well mantained and isn't tatty as hell. I spent over 6 months looking for the right one. I do know where the is a V6 silver 2001 wagon for sale that is owned by a mechanic and needs nothing mechanically. It has minor dent in rear quarter but would be a cheap fix. 97-01 is either a version 4,5 or 6 and has the more modern dash and front end!!
 
cheers for the replies lad's. I know about the sh*t Irish fuel as well. But if I where to get a jap one I would map it first thing to keep it safe from detonation.

Question on the Irish UK gear box's. Can they take much power or what's the safe limit for them. And also would the Irish UK engines take well to mod's as in the usual front mount intercooler, full exhaust system and few over breathing mod's.

Because I know I would do a few bits to it
 
To map it it has to be a V5 or V6. Don`t think front mount would be a big advantage unless You going for big power ( If so You`ll need new gearbox also ) or doing long , high speed drives. AFAIK gearbox on these is a weak point. If You want more power You better with 6speed box set.
Decat and ecutek would alone could give ~ 270 BHP but than NCT is a hassle and it comes Yearly now.
I have a V6 Irish wagon nearly standard and I would only add a front LSD ,anti lift kit , lateral link set .
Excellent cars !
 
To be honest if you're after an Irish car as a daily runner than I wouldn't be doing much else other than a ecutek re-map and decat like mentioned above. It gives some nice useable power. Anything more than that and you'd be better going for the higher spec STI ones that's either be freshly built and and re-mapped for our piss poor fuel....or that has a blown engine!! If you need to live with it day to day... Do reasonable mileage... And motorway driving.... then I'd go for an Irish/UK car. The gearing on STI's... As fun as it makes em to drive... Can be hard to live with unless you stick a UK/Irish 5th gear in it or get a 6 speed!!
 
So i take it the uk/irish ones dont come with an lsd??

Hmm thats a pitty about the gearbox's being week. Would be a daily driver for afew years alright be something id be keeping as a project because wouldn be worth selling now with the times we are in. I have a celica now at the minute for tipping about in but was going to get rid of it.

Worst thing about the jap versions is the insurnace. Did the jap version's only come in two models as im a wrx and a wrx sti??
 
snwman said:
So i take it the uk/irish ones dont come with an lsd??
Click to expand...
not on the front.

It`s a perfect car for daily driver but for a project :ponder2: probably better to get an STI wagon. Won`t be easy to find one tho , and as U said, insurance is mad on it.
 
Cheers for the info lad's. In two minds now. Saloon might be a better option. More of a choice as well.
 
iv had 3 classic wagons an irish- a uk turbo and a jap they are a great car and you wont go wrong with one.. :thumbsup:
i didnt notice any differance in the power the figures are there but with an old car not rebuilt most of the horses have left the building
i put the jap on the rollers in enfield and got a printout of 209bhp gar_bandit was there i was sick,turned out the engine was replaced with an irish unit.. :hammerhead:
 
I have a Version 3 (97) Jap Import Wagon and its a great car!!!!
No major issues, and most of the issues i have had have been very simple to fix!!!
Have never put it on the rollers, its never been remapped (no need as high octane fuel not available in Japan in 97)
And i was told by a few people that they had trouble keepin up thru the gears!!!!
One of them was a member here who's got alot more done to his car than I would have!!!!

The wagons are great cars and hold their own!!! Personally i think they look better than the Saloon, but i just have a thing about wagons in general!!!!!
 
If i could find one it would be good. Is yours an sti jap version hammie or what one is it? I'm tinkering on the idea of a b4 again but i just love the wagons.
 
mine is a Jap Wrx

Standard bhp of 238
Gretts also has a wagon!!!!

have to say if i was going to change for another Scooby it would have to be something fairly special to make me not want another wagon!!!!
 
Honestly im not spending mad money reason i was looking at the ver5,6 ones was because the price you can get them at now. Only would be looking at spending 5k max
 
Prinz said:
Best of luck with the search :thumbsup:

I do know of a nice 00 Champagne Silver one in Wexford

Cheers, P :subaru:
Click to expand...

Did see that one alright, may search for another wee while and work out which would be better a b4 or a wagon??
 
A wagon by far... B4's have their downsides as some lads well know on here! But, wagons are hard to find fault with!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top