El Duderino

This is great mate thanks and gives me a lead for my 2010 RX - I will start a thread for mine when I get the time - busy at work, run up to Christmas. I will come back to you for part sources / references like those spacers at some point. I got my white pearlescent paint J37 from a trade source in Scarborough whilst over in England last week - 3 stage, needs to be decent auto-shop quality to do a proper job and requires compressor / gun. I will put that in my thread when I get going because you wont find this paint in a can or on eBay (if you do it will be !Removed!). Quick pic, Legacy on the right is 2006 RE Estate with extra HP (163 off the 2.0 NASP) and still only 43K - great car, had it 5 years now. Lovely driving down through France to Spain one time - air con, cruise etc.

Update November 23rd - for the benefit of others here is the short version: • you cannot get / use this paint in aerosol form (if someone tells you they can be wary) • reason being the proper stuff is too viscous for a can nozzle (and in 3 stages) • it's a 3 part process (after a standard white primer) - base coat, pearlescent, laquer • laquer comes in two parts - you have to add a hardener to make it active • in UK, auto paint suppliers can ONLY sell this to trade as it is restricted under solvent regs • I managed to bypass that through a trade friend and have the high quality body shop paint now £54.00 - can give the contact in Scarborough by PM if required. So now I just need (no cynicism at all) - a compressor, air line and gun to do the actual spraying... jeez, all this for a grill.

OK no worries - the same engine in my Legacy (2006/7) 2.0 RE has 163 BHP so I think I will get my Impreza up around that mark. It's fine on 150 though so 158 no problem.

Hi I've just bought a 2010 R hatchback - to be honest I didn't know there was a 160bhp version (is that the diesel?). Mine is the RX (high spec) 2.0 petrol 150bhp in pearl white metallic. One lady owner 52K - its in great condition. The RX has a decent spec and the interior is fine - don't read the reviews which suggest it is some kind of 80's plastic box - its Subaru so on the Impreza it's about utility and longevity rather than soft touch fabrics - mine is 8 years old and un-marked inside, nothing fallen off (just a little wear on drivers fabric seat). I have a Legacy R and that is a little more plush inside, aimed at the 3/5 series market but the Impreza is comfy and fine. You can check out the spec yourself but try to get the RX as its basically the WRX spec (not the performance bits, rather the body, interior etc). Highlights include: All wheel drive - rare on any hatchback - also has traction control tech and ABS 17 x 7J light alloys Recaro style sports seats up front (and head rests in rear with split back seat) Sports exhaust (rear box / pipe) and diffuser DVD / CD / Video (RCA connection) in the dashboard with surround sound 6 speaker Hi Fi with sub woofer Central locking with keyless entry / cat 1 security Sat nav and cruise control (with various other controls and functions built in) WRX (style) aero kit I believe it shares the basic suspension, mount points and set up of the WRX (TBC) so it should take WRX parts such as exhaust, brakes etc for simple upgrades - Jay762 is looking at that currently. https://uk.subaruownersclub.com/profile/388-jay762/ *** Driving / experience, 1 month in I've had an Impreza before in the 90's and I have a 2.0 Legacy R Estate now with the uprated engine (163bhp) so I knew what to expect. Its comfy, quiet and moves with ease in 4th and 5th. It's a little more grown up than earlier versions and the power / gearing is set for the 40+ area - on a motorway it will cruise effortless at 80 mph all day and feels agile at those speeds if you drop into 4th. However, it isn't a sprinter with this set up and AWD to carry about. Accelerate hard in the low gears and it will move but its noisy and lacks pace against a GTi hatchback - that's not what Subaru were doing with this model, and if you want that I suggest you get a WRX turbo. Seats 5 in confort, hatchback opens wide and to floor level which is practical but the boot space is not vast with the rear seat up sacrificed a little for the coupe / hatchback style which I am fine with (I have an estate for that). With rear seats down you can get quite a bit in though as it's a mid sized car overall (Focus, Astra). Fuel economy isn't too bad if you drive normally but you will pay more for the AWD and additional weight. For me it's just about perfect - different from any other hatchback, looks well, lots of Subaru (rally) nods, AWD, great kit included, handling / brakes / tech above average. I am going to do some light mods to try and get the NASP engine up to 160 / 165 which I think will just give it a little more urgency. Will be Spring now as I am busy at work through Christmas. I will start a project file.

Nothing on Amazon UK but I have found these guys - looking good, may ship and knock VAT off (no VAT where I am). Otherwise I will have them deliver to Driffield. I will update the post with progress and take some picks once I am spraying 🙂 Thanks again. https://www.vernicispray.co.uk/11610224674001EN/car-touch-up-kit-custom-paint-with-1k-clear-lacquer-in-spray-subaru-impreza-37j-satin-white-met.jsp

Hi mate Yes that looking good thanks - US store though, will see if Amazon UK do it. They wont ship cans to Guernsey due to aerosol regulations but I can get round that (daughter in Yorkshire - will drive it back!). Cheers

Hi I am looking to paint a new grill, Subaru part in primer currently. Locally (Guernsey) no one can supply me the paint, not even the Subaru dealer. They have mentioned it is 3 stage and can only be done professionally by a body shop? This sounds wiffy to me. Is there no paint kit available to do this yourself? Thanks for any input. The vehicle is a 2010 Subaru Impreza, colour reference: 37J Satin White Pearl N.B. - Badge is already off and black grill masked out. 🙂