Hi guys and gals,
I'm new to your forum, and I want to say first that it is one of the better ones on the web. Nice to see a decent maturity level! But I think the nature of the car attracts people on the more mature end of the spectrum (which is fine by me). Those who appreciate function over form.
But I digress. The reseaon I am posting here is I am seriously considering buying an Impreza. To be more specific, I am looking at 2000 and 2001 Impreza 2.5RS sedans (5-speeds). I've lurked here for a few days, done some searches, and I have a few (hopefully) intelligent questions. First I'll give you a little background...
I love convertibles, especially the Miata, but the Canadian winters don't love them. Initially I thought it would be pretty impractical to get a convertible, because of the winters but also because I find myself increasingly having to take more than 1 passenger around with me. So then I thought I should hold out until the Mazda RX-8 hits the streets. Some days I still think that, other days I consider that a 2000/2001 RS + a used Miata would be the same price...
Now, the thought would never have entered my head to get an RS, except for two reasons: The first is I'm a rally fan, so I'm no stranger to Scoobies. The next is there is a nice blue 2.5RS sedan parking in my garage in my building on the corner of Richmond and Spadina in Toronto. (Is this anyone from here? Its got the big foglights, headlight covers, gold 17 or 18" rims, done up very nice). Every day I pass it and it really looks good. Plus its unique! I'm a car nut, and I didn't realize that Subaru did a 4-door version of the 2.5RS. What a well kept secret! Anyway, I started looking them up on Autotrader's website. Prices are good, much less than a new-style Impreza. Next I check the specs. 200 lbs less than the new Impreza 2.5RS, same engine, etc. I also like the exterior better than the 2002+ Imprezza (personal preference, not a flame). I read some internet reviews of the car, all very positive, only a few niggling complaints (trunk light, cupholder placement, stuff I don't care about). I read about the most common mods - thicker rear sway and better tires seem to make a world of difference. So at this point I'm very interested.
Now I'll get to my questions!
1. It seems the rear wheel bearings are a weak point. How much are these to replace? One website mentioned swapping them out for Legacy wheel bearings. What is involved in this, and is it worth it? Is it just a direct swap, or do the hubs have to be changed/modified?
2. I know the transmission is a weak point as well. Reading on (the former) i-club.com, it seems that a lot of the failures are from abuse, plus the higher output of the turbo-4. Is there as many instances with the previous generation Impreza transmission failing? Am I right in assuming that treat the tranny right and it will give you good service? (i.e. no drop clutch starts, power shifting, etc.)
3. With 4WD's with LSD, if you change a tire on one side of the car (like after a flat) you must do the other side or else you burn out the LSD, correct? Well, do you also have to replace the tires on the opposite end of the car? For example, my tires are 1/2 worn down. I get a unrepairable flat on the drivers side front. I know I have to replace the passenger side front tire, but do I also have to replace the rear tires too? There was a letter in R&T about this a few months back, but the answer they gave was vague ("check the owners manual, and use your discretion...").
4. Other than bearings, what other problems have you experienced?
5. Does your fuel mileage vary greatly from the EPA estimates (which are almost unbelievably impressive).
6. What does it cost to change the timing belts after 100k kms?
7. For my fellow Canuks and snowbelt friends south of the border, do you keep all season tires on the car, or do you prefer to go with 4 snows? During the summer, whats your fav. summer performance tires for those of you who switch tires each season?
8. Is there a guide to checking out used Scoobies anywhere on the web?
9. Has anyone replaced the rear sway with a thicker unit and NOT been happy with the results?
Sorry, I know that is a long post. Please reply with any other advice you can offer a newbie. I'm also interested in what you would do: used Miata and 2.5RS, or RX-8? Finally, I'd like to see some pictures of your sedans! Interior pics too!
P.S. the pic I've attached is an RS I've been carefully considering. Any comments?
I'm new to your forum, and I want to say first that it is one of the better ones on the web. Nice to see a decent maturity level! But I think the nature of the car attracts people on the more mature end of the spectrum (which is fine by me). Those who appreciate function over form.
But I digress. The reseaon I am posting here is I am seriously considering buying an Impreza. To be more specific, I am looking at 2000 and 2001 Impreza 2.5RS sedans (5-speeds). I've lurked here for a few days, done some searches, and I have a few (hopefully) intelligent questions. First I'll give you a little background...
I love convertibles, especially the Miata, but the Canadian winters don't love them. Initially I thought it would be pretty impractical to get a convertible, because of the winters but also because I find myself increasingly having to take more than 1 passenger around with me. So then I thought I should hold out until the Mazda RX-8 hits the streets. Some days I still think that, other days I consider that a 2000/2001 RS + a used Miata would be the same price...
Now, the thought would never have entered my head to get an RS, except for two reasons: The first is I'm a rally fan, so I'm no stranger to Scoobies. The next is there is a nice blue 2.5RS sedan parking in my garage in my building on the corner of Richmond and Spadina in Toronto. (Is this anyone from here? Its got the big foglights, headlight covers, gold 17 or 18" rims, done up very nice). Every day I pass it and it really looks good. Plus its unique! I'm a car nut, and I didn't realize that Subaru did a 4-door version of the 2.5RS. What a well kept secret! Anyway, I started looking them up on Autotrader's website. Prices are good, much less than a new-style Impreza. Next I check the specs. 200 lbs less than the new Impreza 2.5RS, same engine, etc. I also like the exterior better than the 2002+ Imprezza (personal preference, not a flame). I read some internet reviews of the car, all very positive, only a few niggling complaints (trunk light, cupholder placement, stuff I don't care about). I read about the most common mods - thicker rear sway and better tires seem to make a world of difference. So at this point I'm very interested.
Now I'll get to my questions!
1. It seems the rear wheel bearings are a weak point. How much are these to replace? One website mentioned swapping them out for Legacy wheel bearings. What is involved in this, and is it worth it? Is it just a direct swap, or do the hubs have to be changed/modified?
2. I know the transmission is a weak point as well. Reading on (the former) i-club.com, it seems that a lot of the failures are from abuse, plus the higher output of the turbo-4. Is there as many instances with the previous generation Impreza transmission failing? Am I right in assuming that treat the tranny right and it will give you good service? (i.e. no drop clutch starts, power shifting, etc.)
3. With 4WD's with LSD, if you change a tire on one side of the car (like after a flat) you must do the other side or else you burn out the LSD, correct? Well, do you also have to replace the tires on the opposite end of the car? For example, my tires are 1/2 worn down. I get a unrepairable flat on the drivers side front. I know I have to replace the passenger side front tire, but do I also have to replace the rear tires too? There was a letter in R&T about this a few months back, but the answer they gave was vague ("check the owners manual, and use your discretion...").
4. Other than bearings, what other problems have you experienced?
5. Does your fuel mileage vary greatly from the EPA estimates (which are almost unbelievably impressive).
6. What does it cost to change the timing belts after 100k kms?
7. For my fellow Canuks and snowbelt friends south of the border, do you keep all season tires on the car, or do you prefer to go with 4 snows? During the summer, whats your fav. summer performance tires for those of you who switch tires each season?
8. Is there a guide to checking out used Scoobies anywhere on the web?
9. Has anyone replaced the rear sway with a thicker unit and NOT been happy with the results?
Sorry, I know that is a long post. Please reply with any other advice you can offer a newbie. I'm also interested in what you would do: used Miata and 2.5RS, or RX-8? Finally, I'd like to see some pictures of your sedans! Interior pics too!
P.S. the pic I've attached is an RS I've been carefully considering. Any comments?
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