Heathers 2005 Subaru Impreza RS

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 3, 2009

EDIT: I gave this car to my wife and I upgraded to a WRX.

As many of you know I have been wanting a Subaru Impreza for a very long time. After about a year of searching, I finally found a 2005 Subaru Impreza RS with 26,000 miles for only $4,600!!! Its a salvage car that has been in an accident and will need work but its still less than half the price!! After I do all the work I plan to paint it that beautiful Subaru blue for sure. I figure after about another $1,000+ of parts it should be a pretty solid car. The WRX hood has the smaller hoodscoop. I will also be getting the smaller WRX rear spoiler. Not the huge STI spoiler.

Here is the current breakdown of parts I will need and the cost.
1. Windshield----------$169.00-----(installed)
2. Radiator------------$145.00-----(installed)
3. Elec fan pass--------$50.00-----(installed)
4. Elec fan driver-------$50.00-----(installed)
5. WRX rear spoiler-----$90.00-----(installed)
6. Door---------------$125.00-----(installed)
7. WRX Hood----------$200.00-----(installed)
8. 4 wheel alignment----$50.00-----(finished)

1/18/10 Most recent pic with hood latched and front bumper lowered an inch

11/29/09

11/16/09 with old stock hood and no rear spoiler

11/3/09

Jim Prower · Nov 3, 2009

Eesh. That's a lot of investment just to get it drivable in a decent shape again.

Still, if you're happy, then that's good. You're sure that the actual structure behind the bumper is undamaged, right? If not, then you're looking at some pretty high expense to pull everything back into place.

It is an auto...that may have to be rectified as well.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 3, 2009

The structure is damaged but not any way that is effecting any of the components. Nothing on the engine was damaged at all. The belts, pulleys,and everything else all work fine.
I wanted an auto, with fabric, and no sunroof. My current car has leather, sunroof, and is manual and its just not fun in the winter. Plus my gf will be driving this on the really bad winter days so that was another reason for the auto so its easier for her to drive. She can drive a stick but she doesnt like to.
So this car has EVERYTHING I want and was very very hard to find. Its drivable right now just has a radiator leak. I have been doing bodywork my entire life so as most of you know already, bodywork is no big deal for me. I just want it drivable for now.

TheCracker · Nov 3, 2009

Nice, Subies make nice all-weather daylies. What spec is the RS, it's not a model we get in the UK.

lpb-nissan-gt-r · Nov 3, 2009

So you have a Camaro, a Mustang and a Subaru pretty good garage.

Jim Prower · Nov 3, 2009

Okay, then, then all I can say is try the junkyard for whatever you can find. it does have AWD, should help in the winter, but, still, I'd be checking that front subframe like a hawk once the bodypanels are off. I know you're good with bodywork,though, seeing as you've done a lot with your Camaro and your girlfriend's mustang.

Duke · Nov 3, 2009

TheCracker
Nice, Subies make nice all-weather daylies. What spec is the RS, it's not a model we get in the UK.

Base-spec, non-turbo Impreza. 2.5l 4 cylinder, makes about 160 hp and a little more torque, 4-speed automatic. Plenty enough for a DD. CD player, cruise, A/C, decent finishes for a somewhat-better-than-economy car.

Bought my daughter a 2002 wagon just like that, but with 70k on the clock and no real body damage. I'm expecting she'll get 10 years out of it. She better not wreck it...

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 3, 2009

I will eventually get a pic with all the cars together at some point.

I have pics with the front clip off and its pretty banged up but like you said, I have no problem with bodywork. Nothing will ever be worse than how bad the Mustang was. Plus we converted it from a coupe to a fastback. So bodywork is no problem. If you have seen pics of that thing, you will understand what I mean.

Bummer only 160hp? Was hoping for a little more since its a 2005. Hopefully the towing capacity is over 1,000lbs since we currently tow 2 quads with a daily driver 2000 Saturn. I thought for sure it was closer to 200hp in 2005. Guess I should check Forza or GT for the specs. lol

Max_DC · Nov 3, 2009

CAMAROBOY69
I will eventually get a pic with all the cars together at some point.

I have pics with the front clip off and its pretty banged up but like you said, I have no problem with bodywork. Nothing will ever be worse than how bad the Mustang was. Plus we converted it from a coupe to a fastback. So bodywork is no problem. If you have seen pics of that thing, you will understand what I mean.

Bummer only 160hp? Was hoping for a little more since its a 2005. Hopefully the towing capacity is over 1,000lbs since we currently tow 2 quads with a daily driver 2000 Saturn. I thought for sure it was closer to 200hp in 2005. Guess I should check Forza or GT for the specs. lol

The later models have the 173 hp 2.5 litre engine. You won't come closer to 200 hp with non turbo 4 cyl. Subaru engines. Certainly enough to get you around...

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 3, 2009

Oh ok well as long as it has some decent power to pull 2 quads then I will be happy. 173 wouldnt be too bad. K & N filter should at least add another 5hp or so. Our 2000 Saturn has about 110hp and its a workout for it.

My main focus in the beginning will be the drivetrain and reliablity. Once that is all set I will start with the cosmetic less important stuff. Hopefully be driving it on a regular basis within the next month but we will see how everything goes. Paint wont happen until next year for sure. I also plan to install a remote starter for the winter. Since it has power locks I can also get keyless entry which will be real nice in the winter.

Eventually I want it to look like this. The basecoat / clearcoat paint will be this Subaru blue color for sure. I just havent decided if I want that hood scoop and spoiler. This is a member from Forzacentral.com site. I love his car.

buickgnx88 · Nov 3, 2009

TBH, Subaru blue is way overused. If you really want that blue, try and differentiate your car by throwing in some sort of pearlescent.

Giancarlo · Nov 3, 2009

What the hell kind of accident was that?

Murcie_LP640 · Nov 4, 2009

Ehh, base model Scoobie...Not bad, apart from the front damage of course. If only I had the money for the surprisingly unmolested '99 'Rex for sale going round town...AU$8000...

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 4, 2009

Giancarlo
What the hell kind of accident was that?

Mainly front end collision. I am guessing the driver slid into a snow bank or something low, then spun out and hit the side of the car on something else. Just a guess for now until I can inspect the car. I have repaired much worse than this. I am just surprised the air bags did not deploy.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 6, 2009

Tomorrow is the big day. I have a truck and trailer set aside for the trip. :dopey:

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Picked up the car on saturday. Weather was perfect and the entire trip went well. Took the car for a good 20-30 minute test drive before the purchase and inspected just about everything. The car is actually in much better shape than I thought.

I will be able to repair the front bumper cover so I knocked that off the list in the first post for now. The interior is flawless. NOt a single problem inside. The other thing that surprised me is that the passenger electric window actually works!!! I could not believe it with that massive impact and it still worked. No engine lights or codes are on at all. It really is a solid car that only needs a few things. It will need a windshield, radiator, hood, and passenger door for sure. But other than those, its seems to be an excellent purchase. I found the front two lower fog light covers in the trunk and will put those on asap.

I have also decided to go with the WRX style hood with the hood scoop and also the WRX style trunk lid with the spoiler. Those two additions just make the car look so much better.

Jim Prower · Nov 9, 2009

Um...I dunno. On one hand, it's a bit like the old 2.5RS concept, but, you also may be accused of the car being something it's not. (and thus, Rice,) I figure if you don't take guff for it, and don't act like a prat about it, (which, of the latter, i sincerely doubt you will,) you'll be awwwww-right.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Yeah I was a little concerned about the "rice" look too but overall I really like the look of these cars with the hood and wing. Takes it from a family car to a much more sporty look. Just like in the blue pic above. I am sure I will get some "rice" abuse but I am not worried about it.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Jim really has me thinking now. Maybe I shouldnt add the hood or the spoiler. lol I am still having a hard time deciding. One day I say yes then the next day I say no. At this point I will just wait.
I wonder how much "rice" crap the drivers get with these cars. I am so used to owning muscle cars so this will be a new experience for me. Its really only for a daily driver so if I keep it like this it wont get much attention at all. If I add the spoiler and hood scoop I will probably get some crap that I really dont want to deal with and sure as heck dont want my gf to have to deal with it.

Omnis · Nov 9, 2009

CAMAROBOY69
Mainly front end collision. I am guessing the driver slid into a snow bank or something low, then spun out and hit the side of the car on something else. Just a guess for now until I can inspect the car. I have repaired much worse than this. I am just surprised the air bags did not deploy.

You'll have to excuse my friend Giancarlo, as we're from south Florida. What is this "snow" you speak of?

Jim Prower · Nov 9, 2009

CAMAROBOY69
Jim really has me thinking now. Maybe I shouldnt add the hood or the spoiler. lol I am still having a hard time deciding. One day I say yes then the next day I say no. At this point I will just wait.
I wonder how much "rice" crap the drivers get with these cars. I am so used to owning muscle cars so this will be a new experience for me. Its really only for a daily driver so if I keep it like this it wont get much attention at all. If I add the spoiler and hood scoop I will probably get some crap that I really dont want to deal with and sure as heck dont want my gf to have to deal with it.

If you want a spoiler, I'd recommend the bug-eye WRX spoiler, the relatively flat one, and not getting too worried about the hood. I don't want you getting crap from people just because you've got a WRX hood on a non-WRX Impreza.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Someone suggested this spoiler and I like it a lot. Or is this the same one you are talking about? I need something back there and this seems like the perfect addition. Its a nice subtle addition to the car without being too gaudy like the huge WRX STI spoiler.

Jim Prower · Nov 9, 2009

Actually, I was talking about the First-gen GD WRX spoiler, but I think you're right...the STi Limited spoiler is even better-looking.

Omnis · Nov 9, 2009

Those boxy saloons don't look any different unless you get the big racy spoiler.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Here are a couple quick pics from Saturday. I havent started working on it yet. But when I do I will post pics of the updates. Windshield will be in by this saturday the 14th. Radiator should be here by next Monday the 16th then I can put that in. Still looking for a passenger door.
I will be taking off the "Prestige" emblem right away. haha

Pics from 11/7/09 the way I bought the car.

lpb-nissan-gt-r · Nov 9, 2009

Nice truck and this will be an intresting project to follow.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

Thats Heathers dads truck and yes it was very enjoyable to drive. Well not the gas mileage. lol I washed and waxed it before I gave it back to him. It was very dirty. His truck is also already starting to rust. Mainly because he doesnt wash it at all.

buickgnx88 · Nov 9, 2009

Tell him to get better brake pads up front.

CAMAROBOY69 · Nov 9, 2009

I just wish he would wash and take care of it but he doesnt take care of this truck at all. Since he hasnt been washing it properly, its already rusting. It needs a tranny flush really bad. Been telling him over and over but he doesnt listen.

buickgnx88 · Nov 9, 2009

Yeah, it's amazing what washing your vehicle properly can do for rust prevention. Our 1999 Chevy Tahoe looks almost brand new, except for a small rust spot on the bottom of the tailgate.

Heathers 2005 Subaru Impreza RS

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