Advice on 2nd hand 1999 Subaru Impreza RX

[5.8]

I'm looking at buying a 1999 Subaru RX Impreza for the daughters first car. It's an auto with 215k on the clock. Has all the service history and seems to be a very original car in good condition for the kays. I'm a little sceptical about it due to the kays and I haven't had much to do with them. Can anyone shed any light on these cars and is it worth buying.

[roberts]

how much?
215 isnt alot for these, cvs will go, but not a huge deal to replace.

[FPV+fteT3]

Major service incl timing belts at 100k intervals make sure its been done atleast twice. (215km)
My 02 impreza has 150 on it and is still like new all tight, no leaks, no probs at all regularly serviced they are built to last IMO.

[ebxr8240]

Good cars.. safe too...
Yep timing belt service every 100.000 klrs..
No need to fit 2 of them tho Lol...

[Mr Hardware]

i find that impreza's are relatively expensive for some small-to-mid sized ordinary sedan

[dragon91]

Don't these have problems with diffs wearing out around 200ks ? Iv never owned one but 2 friends have had to replace diffs which arnt the cheapest and one had problems with the clutch wearing prematurely but this was probably her driving. Other than that I'd say insurance would be high and 200+ks won't be good for resale

[5.8]

Originally Posted by roberts

how much?
215 isnt alot for these, cvs will go, but not a huge deal to replace.

$4000. Rego till June 2012. Timing belt done at 100k and again at 200k. Has all the bells and whistles, AWD, ABS, airbags, pwr windows, cruise, air steer, unmodified original condition. Not looking at resale just not wanting to shell out much more after purchase other than maintenance. Just wanting to make sure gearbox or drivetrain wasn't a weak point of has a self destruct type of history at 250k or similar. Insurance will probably be only third party property due to cost of comprehensive premium for a 17 year old.

[lockieoc]

If the service history is up to date and it feels tight i say go for it.
Its a first car, who cares about resale value. Safety and reliability is all that matters (also a banging stereo never goes astray ).
Also 2.0l or 1.8?

[bigsta]

my sister use to have one they are a great car, not sure if thats a good price or not but yeah i reckon go for it

[AU Mont]

i thought the pre-2004 impreza/outbacks etc. had headgasket problems?

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

i thought the pre-2004 impreza/outbacks etc. had headgasket problems?

Some DOHC Gen2 Liberty did have head gasket issues , but that was an exception in otherwise very reliable cars.
Well maintained example of Impreza would be a good first car . They are good to work on too if you are that way inclined.

[2011G6E]

The important thing is the lack of a "W" in front of the "RX", which will keep a lot of the boy racers away from it and give you a greater level of assurance that it hasn't been driven into the ground by some numptie...

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Some DOHC Gen2 Liberty did have head gasket issues , but that was an exception in otherwise very reliable cars.
Well maintained example of Impreza would be a good first car . They are good to work on too if you are that way inclined.

subarus are now a great reliable well built car, weve owned a late model impreza & liberty in the last couple years and missus is very happy with them

but the fact is between 1997-2004 the engines were plagued with leaking headgaskets, but the good news is just like with e-series there are revised aftermarket headgaskets you can fit which will virtually eliminate the problem

[superfly]

I own a 99 WRX (which is now for sale) and it's been a great car. I've had it for 11 years.

The RX will be perfect. I believe they also have the AWD which makes it safe and as long as it's been serviced, then it's all good. Plus it came with the body kit.

I've never heard of leaking headgasket issues in the Subaru's but maybe that was only on the non turbo models. My wife has a MY01 WRX and I had a 93 Liberty RS previously.

[ebxr8240]

The RX should have the twin cam engine..
Basically WRX without turbo and big brakes..
I have 94 model WRX with 200.000 and 07 WRX with 20.000 klrs..
Both good cars...
They revised there head bolts [about] when the 2.5 cam out...
The trans issues you may hear about are WRX's driven hard..
Being AWD there's so much traction.. Something has to break...
AWD is sooo much safer too....

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

subarus are now a great reliable well built car, weve owned a late model impreza & liberty in the last couple years and missus is very happy with them

but the fact is between 1997-2004 the engines were plagued with leaking headgaskets, but the good news is just like with e-series there are revised aftermarket headgaskets you can fit which will virtually eliminate the problem

The only engine with head gasket issues was a ej25 DOHC from RX Liberty gen 2 . I owned several and one still in the family - 2.2 and 2.0 and later SOHC 2.5 had no issues.

[5.8]

Thanks to everyone for their info. Going to have a look at it now and if it checks out ok and he comes to the party on the price I'd say it will be a done deal. I'll let you know how I go. Thanks again.

Regards, Jono.