A few pointers, Looking to buy an Impreza

[Rob Kelz]

Morning all,

 

Looking for some advice and pointers what to look out for when buying an Impreza, I looked at a couple of WRX's around my area and online etc

 

After looking into them I realised they were a lower power bracket than I originally thought, Currently I have a Seat Leon Cupra 2003 1.8 20v turbo with a few modifications, running 242bhp but I'm now wanting more power and always wanted an Impreza

 

I see a few online and some people upgraded the clutch to a paddle clutch, is there any specific reason for this? Original one not being very good or just a recommended upgrade?

 

Also I noticed one said he upgraded the clutch to a paddle clutch(may have done flywheel too cannot remember) but said since this was done it has had a whine at high speed when in 3rd and 5th. Apparently this is common when upgrading to paddle clutches?

 

Anyway as I said, any pointers and advice much appreciated, hopefully I'll soon be the owner of an Impreza

 

Also just to say I'm looking between 2003-2005 model, has to be atleast 2003 due to private registration, and not looking for a 2.5 hawkeye model

[Gambit]

Hi mate welcome to S.O.C 

little bit of bed time reading here 

http://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/topic/1619-help-check-guide-buying-1st-subaru/

And as for the clutch most people will upgraded them to stage 1 from the oem clutch with the AWD and the power, if you do a bit of launching, track days, what most of us here call spirited driving from time to time ;) I'm sure you know what I mean :) the OEM clutch is not good for all that and you can soon burn them out. And there not cheap to keep replacing so a good thing to have upgraded more so if you want more power upgrades to go with it that will kill the OEM clutch a lot quicker too. So yes good to know when buying one and if the flywheels been done to that is massive + for anything you want to upgrade.

And I can't remember whats been posted in the sales section now and whats been sold but worth taking a look here

http://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/forum/17-subarus-for-sale/

 

And hope to see some pictures when you find the one :)

[Jay762]

Wotcha and welcome - nothing to add to above - looking forward to the pictures ;)

[Scooby Pete]

Yeah nothing to add really gambits covered most of it. Good luck with the search, there's plenty of modded ones running more BHP out there, just check the club forums like scoobynet, SDIC etc.

[Rob Kelz]

Wat are the differences between the wrx and sti? Looking at 2003-2005 models but apart from the obvious spoiler, interior and 6 speed gearbox what are the other differences?

I know they are 40bhp more but what's different to accomplish this? And I been told a sti is a forged engine as wrx isn't?

[Jay762]

As I understand it the STI has a wider track, bigger wheel hubs, bearings and brakes to the wrx - there may also be thicker anti roll bars but I cant remember / find where I read that so cannot confirm at this point.

[Bouncer]

Deep pockets...VERY deep

[Rob Kelz]

For what? I'm used to spending a lot to maintain my cars as it is anyway always doing things to my leon and with it being a turbo it is always warmed up and cooled down properly

[Jay762]

before getting the hatch in the picture I drove a hawkeye wrx and a blobeye sti - both are great cars but I enjoyed the sti more in the short time I was in them purely because of the close ratio gearbox. You cant go wrong with either car but for driving enjoyment I would plump for the STI

[Gambit]

I agree if I hadn't spent lot's on my WRX I would have sold it by now I think and had an STI by now :D 

[Ash007ks]

Hi mate, I had a decat and 2.5 inch from turbo back and on my 01 bugeye with 130k miles it made 280 and 276lb, as for the paddle its a love and hate relationship, my mates swore by theres so I fitted a 6 paddle to mine and it was horrible for daily start stop traffic, constant juddering a low speeds, great at quick changes however.