Buying a Subaru Impreza

[itslogics]

I'm thinking about buying a 1999-2001 subaru impreza RS 2.5. I've been looking at the rs25.com and nasioc.com forums and I've came up with a lot of good knowledge about them. Pretty cheap to boost them even on a RS. A LOT of parts available like the SR. I don't know if I should buy another 240 or go Subaru and then buy another 240 again, since my current one is wrecked. any comments about them would be nice. I chose the 1999-2001 RS 2.5 because, I like the looks way better than the newer WRX's and I can't afford a new one soooooo...... comments would be kool.

[thx247]

I like the way the RS looks, but I didn't think it could be cheaper than a 240 to take to the track and so here I am.

That and if I put an RS into the wall I would be up the $ creek without a paddle. A 240 I can just walk away from

[itslogics]

very true about the 240 being easier to take to the track. And I love driving a FR, the RS would probably be a daily boosted driver. The RS might see Auto-X a few times, but the 240 would be a track whore.

[itslogics]

hotness
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby1.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby2.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby3.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby4.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby5.jpg

I think I'm suffering from post Nissan depression, lol.

[the240sxer95]

i first had a nissan, then i sold it for a subaru impreza.. then now i ahev a nissan again :)

[rrobe99999]

I thought about that car before I got my S14. It's definitely the best looking Impreza. I only like cars with 2 doors. I didn't get one 'cus they are hard to find and cost about $10K. The only thing I don't like is the interior. It looks cheap and uncomfortable, very '80s styled.

[M.Piedlourde]

like the looks way better than the newer WRX's.

Agree 100%.

[BiluMaster K's]

how about this?? the legend of the glass trans- in the rs's case, the hyper short geared glass trans. If you like long gears, look elsewhere.

Ah yes, the best kept secret of impreza gc's (-01) is thier horrible transmissions. It is worth noting i had the car. I shifted pure perfection, yet the trans devoured itself while in 5th gear at 65mph. The units used are good for street driving, but if you normally powerslide and shift at top revs alot, you might find yourself with a huge bill ahead of you. i had to go with a jdm trans for savings, a legacy BSK TT trans...cost fukin 2300 installed (more than SR!) but the gearing was lovely for a modded car.

What to do?
1. dont drive hard- not an option for me
2.Kaaz hardened synchro set- under 700 bucks i remember
3.new STI 6 speed- much, much improved I plan to get another GC-8 and do a 2.5L STi 6spd swap in case you thought i was knocking them, you just gotta know the facts

[Rennen]

Get the RS, go to http://www.rallycross.us/ , go to the next St. Louis Region Rallycross, and have a blast.

Seriously, its the most fun ever, especially in the 240.

-Matt

[itslogics]

BiluMaster K's: wow thanks! I didn't know about the touchy trans......I drive too hard, so I think I would blow the trans too soon. Sounds like a lot of money for just the trans... But is it worth it?

Rennen: I was reading the Rallycross.us and is sounds really fun!! But I would be afraid I wold mess up my exterior to much, more than I would if I were drifting.

Does anyone have experience in trying to drift the car?

[kcolyer27]

rs is a very tight car. some friends have them ill post pics if i find them

[Rennen]

Rennen: I was reading the Rallycross.us and is sounds really fun!! But I would be afraid I wold mess up my exterior to much, more than I would if I were drifting.

Rallycross is mostly harmless. At the few events that I have been to, all it took was a little car wash to get the dirt off, so it didn't affect my exterior any more than driving in dusty conditions, but then again I don't have the front wheels flinging dirt anywhere....

As far as drifting is concerned, Rallycross is the only place remotely close to Stl that you can get that sideways in a truly controlled environment. The way the last course was set up, The only time I wasn't countersteering was right off of the start line ;)

Stop by any St Louis autocross and talk to the guy in the silver 2.5RS with red mudflaps, he is the rallycross chairman. Or login to solo2.org and ask those guys, they know alot more about subies and rally than I do.

-Matt

[WilloW]

hotness
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby1.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby2.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby3.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby4.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby5.jpg

I think I'm suffering from post Nissan depression, lol.

Those look so much better than the new one, there's a guy with a yellow one (fat FMIC) near my house.

[itslogics]

Kcolyer27: Please send some pics my way!!! They sure are better looking than the newer WRX's.

Rennen: thats cool that you usually don't ruin your exterior, I might want to try that, even solo2 sounds cool.
I've heard of a guy running some pretty high boost on a stock trans in a 2.5 RS, of course the clutch must be changed. I don't get why people run FMIC on a Subaru, becuse isn't the top mount better due to shorter piping??

[West]

Not sure which to get first, but definitely get the both :D We have a 91 240 and a 01 RS 2.5. The GC8 is a fun car, very lightweight considering its AWD. Turbo the thing and its lighter then any WRX. The Tranny does need some improvements, although IMO all AWD cars get a bad image by all enthusiasts.

My fav thing is the only car I have driven that reminds me of a AWD 240.

For those people who say they are hard to work on... they must be stupid because I could pull the engine out with my feet. lol

One thing I have noticed is that Subaru members from almost every site I've been to are actually nice people, unlike 240 people...

Here is ours, we had to de-rice it a bit, but now its looking good.

http://www.zilvia.net/rides/west/impreza.asp

[itslogics]

I would definitly get both!! Thats funny that you said it feels like a 240 with AWD, and it would be faster than a WRX since its lighter, if I boost it. The Subaru people that I have talked to are pretty nice, EVO guys are mean and think they are top notch.

[itslogics]

Oh by the way WeST, nice Impreza.....Love the baby seat!!!!.

[ONYX S-13]

Damn mark..That thing is Sex on wheels...I have been thinking about getting a subaru lately just cause i know a guy who's grandpa owns a dealership and everyone that i've talked to said that he can hook people up wiith good deals..If that's the case I'm gonna be hittin up the dealership soon for a test drive and to see if he can get me a decent deal on one.It'll be for the family though so i'd either be gettin a sedan on wagon...Ah and I think the older ones look 100x's better then the newer ones also.. :rawk:

[West]

AWWW YEAH! Baby Seat! :D

I like the 4 door WAY better then the coupe, they just look like RC cars or something... I'm sure if you lowered it got wheels it would look better, as does any car.

I just wish I could get some $ to start playing with the car, there is a EJ22T at a local junk yard with 60k miles on it, I want it sooooo bad.

[SilviaDriver]

hello low resale value

[itslogics]

I don't really care about the low resale value...I mean look at the 240! I'm probably going for the coupe because I really don't dig the sedan unless I have a family. They do sorta look like RC cars lol.

Hey Kcolyer27 did you ever find those pics??

[itslogics]

some more hotness-
What I want
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/engine.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby6.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/scooby7.jpg

[itslogics]

this gives me motivation to buy another 240
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/180skyline/180sx.jpg
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/180skyline/180sx2.jpg
mmm..... hipposleek
http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/v61/itslogics/180skyline/180sx3.jpg

[that180guy]

imo, around here, NorCal, thers a suby tuning shop...ill get the name later. they do sti conversions. motor, 6speed tranny, etc. only problem its like 12 grand..... :o

but you do get a 12sec car out the box + the indestructable 6speed tranny :)
(subaru 5speed sucks ass, 6speed...w00t!!)

[that180guy]

www.i-speedusa.com

there ya go, theyre pretty pimp shit. nice guys too, talked to them at the track.

[itslogics]

that180guy: Thanks for the link!! Too bad I don't live near Cali, I'm stuck in Saint Louis. I don't know if there are any Subi shops around here but oh well......

[BiluMaster K's]

One thing I have noticed is that Subaru members from almost every site I've been to are actually nice people, unlike 240 people...

so true- like 95% are helpful, but 240 owner can be nice, can be..

as far as the trans goes....the pleasure I got from that car (especially in the rain) made it totally worth it. My tranny went at 65k, and i know someone who was about to lose thiers at 50k, but crashed first. Plus, anyone i know with a bolt-on turbo says the gearing sux for top end...the legacy trans with upg. synchros was my plan. Just change the tires to 215/45s' and rear sway to 20mm/, and tell me what that car handles like(before spring/shox)? You will be hooked for life like most AWD'ers (all we'll drive)you gotta be a crazy mofo to drive that car that fast. i would get the gearset and do custom turbo to save dough....but that 6speed is becoming more availible. try to price used legacy 2.5GT 5 speeds, and look into gear upgrades from Rallispec.com its a good option

[itslogics]

BiluMaster K's: Thanks again for the information!! I would get the upgraded gear syncros and trans too if I decided to go turbo route. I'm going to get probably get the Impreza now and wait a few months to get a 240sx again.

[M.Piedlourde]

One thing I have noticed is that Subaru members from almost every site I've been to are actually nice people, unlike 240 people...

240 people are not nice people?

That's an interesting comment, coming from the owner of a big 240 forum...

[BiluMaster K's]

buy it now, and take it easy...i ripped that thing every day/night, so it was expected.
but dam, was it worth it(2300 for trans, remember) you may call it tounge, you may call it mountainious sport driving, whatever...the impreza is no joke

those gears cost under a G, and let you drive 500+hp daily, with straight cut 1,2,and 3rd....come on

[JtWo]

im suprised that UberCaff hasn't posted in this thread yet

[itslogics]

who's ubercaff??

[HyperTek]

FCs are sex too..
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~biz-mare/fast3339-img600x450-1047450488rx7-9.jpg

Just saw BestMotoring dvds on the return of the Lancer EVO and Impreza vs. EVOs. Pretty good. Really nice balanced cars (both of em).

Yah Id consider the 2.5rs too, I hate the 02 WRX crap. looks stupid, and alot of people that never even liked subaru before that car came out too just becuase its "turbo" they jump on em.

[itslogics]

I hate some of the owners of WRX's too, just because it's a factory boosted car. A lot of them are ricers that just upgraded. Oh yes I have considerd the Fc Rx7 plenty of times, there was one for sale recently for $300 rolling chassis, But my with my luck it was sold :smash: