Ive had 2, my96 UK and RB5 No:138

Not cheap to run you will get abit of change out of £2500 if the bottom end starts knocking ( about £1000 in parts crank bearings etc more if its an STI) oh and i had a bill for just over £1300 for a recon box and new clutch @ scoobyclinic.

Awsome cars though :cool:

on a 2k budget your really looking at 205 GTi teritory to be honest :/

Impreza brake pads will hit you over 100 a pop for ok ones.... discs maybe 200

OK suspension about 800

If I was to do it though i'd for a pre STI RA, so like L reg..... or an STI RA III/IV (more expensive)

Stronger engine, lighter shell, shorter gearing..... base car for the rally conversions really.

If it goes wrong slam a 2.5 block in :D

always loved scoobys but the costs if they go wrong have always put me off :(

A subaru for 2k? i personally wouldent give it a second look.

Mine blew up 2 months after having it after a few 1/4 miles. £3k to rebuild.

My mate had a UK2000 he bought it standard with 100k on the clock, still sounded sweet when he sold it on 120k

It had a FULL dealer history though

to be fair ha did respect it, only gave it death every blue moon and warmed it up / cooled it down as you should

never had a problem with it, it owes him nothing

2k is a tad cheap though

Id say go for it. They are usually very reliable if looked after. Parts and second hand engines are also plentiful if it does go wrong. Or you could buy mine which already has a lot of upgrades for £4k!

[Edited on 03-03-2008 by allza]

you'll spend heaps on it...

Spend the money before by getting one thats got the stuff you want done, already done..... make sure it has history too....

And dont be put off by horror stories :) Ours was fine, had it for over 2years, did a few trackdays and 1/4mile events. With money spent on brakes/suspension and tyres it would have been very capable on track.


It is NOT a budget track car though

You might get a few events out of it but when it goes bang its a big bill. Probably better spending more in the first place and getting a better car which will last longer.

I wouldn't take the risk, I'm not sure I'd look at ANYTHING 4wd for that money to be honest.

Yeah i don't expect anything concourse, but just interested to know how hardy a car they are as standard and weather it's feasible to take the risk. should be a capable track car with a bit of money pent on it, but get a feeling it could easily become a money pit :look:.

would go for a legacy personally, much better cars at that price

I would be very sceptical of any Imprezza that cheap.

Do a thorough inspection and take a LONG test drive.

bearings suffer on these engines, the bearings are narrow, and add to the fact the oil doesnt return to the sump as easily as your normal 4 cylinder engine......

I really wouldnt buy a cheap scooby these days plus most of them have had the utter death :|

They can last if they have been looked after :D

Looking on pistonheads, and you can pick up an imprezza turbo for sub £2k these days. What kind of horrors could you expect with something like this reliability wise? What are parts like for these engines availability/price wise? Just after some general info really as a base for a track car :look:.

few i've seen on PH are:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/337267.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/366027.htm (noises don't soudn good though!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/398838.htm