Which Impreza

I

Ian

Guest
I am hoping to pick up my first impreza in the very near future after a few years of lusting after one, i know there is a huge range of models available, i have driven a few, a bug eye Irish model, a classic non import turbo and an STI version 4, the sti was the most impresive (no pun intended).

I have pretty much decided that i would like a classic shape one, styling is more to my taste however the comfort of a bit more reliability with a newer model could sway me towards a 02/03 model. I know a lot depends on previous history, milage, previous owner but how reliable are import sti's if looked after, remapped, services every 6k etc. I have heard plenty of horror stories of engines going bang and was wondering how do owners rate their classic's and how reliable are they, i can appreciate that these are a car that cant be run on a shoe string but i also dont want to buy a car that i spend a fortune on repairing or one that is off the road every few weeks.

Is it safer to go with an Irish model that has run on 95ron for it's entire life and is mapped to a safer level from new?

I have seen an RB5 model for sale and it has caught my eye, have always liked the look of them and it is within my price range. The fact that it is a limited edition appeals to me aswell as the styling, are there any owners of this model who can give me some advice on them.

Basically i am just wondering what people would recommend, import or not?

Thanks in advance
Ian
 
Hi Ian, I don't think buying an import would concern me, you seem to be fairly well read and yes a remap would help if it's not been done already. The main advantage of an import WRX or STi over the UK/Irish is... more power as standard :D :D :D

I doubt if imports are deemed less reliable either. I have an import WRX myself and it's only let me down now and then due to the age of the car rather than just because it's an import.

P.S. I'd love an RB5 too :D
 
'99/00 WRX STi VERSION 5 Type R V-Limited is what you want.

Personally I would always go Import.
 
hi ian ,it depends on a few things what car you should go for but firstly subaru,s in general are very reliable.once you look after them.

no.1 do you need 4 doors or two

no.2 are you going to modify it(what sort of power do you want?)

also if you buy a uk spec car Turbo 220 brake or sti 265 brake and dont modify it it will be very reliable
but if you go for jap spec wrx 240 brake or sti 280 brake and dont remap it it COULD cause unreliability.

plus the fact the jap spec cars UNMAPPED will only put out the same power as the uk spec cars on are crappy 95 fuel

you do have better options on cars from japan eg type r v limited ver 5/6 is one the best impreza,s out there for around 15000 grand upwards,towards an rb5 the v limited is a much better car all round remapped and just as rare and sot after.even when my favorite car is the rb5 put the two cars in front of me and i,d take the v limited every time.

but definately go classic shape(much more fun to drive)and as late as possible with low miles and a fsh

good luck and keep us posted
 
Thanks for the replies,

I would prefer a 2 door model as they look nicer than a 4 door, my honest opinion but i wouldnt knock a 4 door either,

Power wise the car will be left pretty much standard, if it's a WRX i go for then i will look at getting an acqua mist system and uprate the cooling as much as possible, sit in a fair amount of traffic and dont fancy relying on the top mount on it's own, would go front mount but have read that they dont work the best unless you have gone for some serious modifications, not sure how true that is, it was an article in Jap Performance as far as i remember.

How reliable are import car miles, do imports really do that little miles in Japan or are most imports milage altered.

One more question, is a fresh import better than buying a car that has been in ireland for a while, i appreciate that with a fresh import you will need to get the belts, full service, remap etc done but for peace of minds sake is it worth the extra few euro? Some of the import garages i have visited havent been the most reliable looking and their stock looks like it has seen better days.

Thanks again
 
Joony5 "even when my favorite car is the rb5 put the two cars in front of me and i,d take the v limited every time." your favorite car is a V limited so! :D :subaru:
 
NO your right alan ,p1 is the best if your NOT going to modify,you get the best of all worlds

set for 97 fuel (276 brake)
its a two door (looks great)
limited edition(hold its value better)

so ill just go back on myself a third time,so Ian dont listen to me anymore i cant make up my mind.p1 all the way ha ha
 
Hey Ian,
When fitting a FMIC or another mod like that
new turbo etc............. you will have to get the car re-mapped.
Then it will work perfect :thumbsup:

Niall.
 
A nice clean version 5 Type R or if you can stretch for a MY03 JDM STI with the twin scroll turbo!! :D :D

Two very different cars to drive, both great fun!! The adjustable diff just adds to the fun!! :thumbsup: :subaru:
 
I have to say the v5 sit type r i just puts a smile on my face every time :D
And with the diff you get rear wheel fun aswell :p
And for the money you will find it hard to get a better car :headbanger:
 
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