looking at 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS to buy
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looking at 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS to buy
Hello all,
I have a few questions concerning an upcoming purchase I am likely to pursue.
The vehicle in question is a 2001 Impreza 2.5RS Coupe 5Spd AWD. I drove the car and it feels really solid and I enjoyed what I got out of it. Obviously I would like a WRX but I do have to look at my own budget (im 22, been in and out of school, working full time, etc)
The car felt tip top, I did not notice any type of hesitation, brake fade, odd shifting, odd noises etc. It has about 60k miles on it. The car does have everything I want, sunroof, manual transmission, silver in color
As I migrate to an AWD car are there any specefic things I should watch out for on these cars while purchasing? Axle Shafts issues, etc.
Are there any specefic problems with one of these to look out for? Timing belt? Head gasket?
I am comming from a background of older model RWD Toyotas/Mazdas. (corollas, celicas, old school rx7s) I want a little bit of a change and have always liked Subarus.
And yes I will be AutoX'ing it whenever I get the chance
Any help is greatly appreciated.
-AJ
I have a few questions concerning an upcoming purchase I am likely to pursue.
The vehicle in question is a 2001 Impreza 2.5RS Coupe 5Spd AWD. I drove the car and it feels really solid and I enjoyed what I got out of it. Obviously I would like a WRX but I do have to look at my own budget (im 22, been in and out of school, working full time, etc)
The car felt tip top, I did not notice any type of hesitation, brake fade, odd shifting, odd noises etc. It has about 60k miles on it. The car does have everything I want, sunroof, manual transmission, silver in color
As I migrate to an AWD car are there any specefic things I should watch out for on these cars while purchasing? Axle Shafts issues, etc.
Are there any specefic problems with one of these to look out for? Timing belt? Head gasket?
I am comming from a background of older model RWD Toyotas/Mazdas. (corollas, celicas, old school rx7s) I want a little bit of a change and have always liked Subarus.
And yes I will be AutoX'ing it whenever I get the chance
Any help is greatly appreciated.
-AJ
VIP Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,133
From: Lastweek Lane - Watertown, NY
Car Info: 02WRXpseudoSTiWannabeWagon
I'm a WRX guy, but there are not many variances between the two cars.
If you leave that car completely stock, I would tell you that the odds of it developing any major problems are very low. That doesn't preclude any manufacturing defect that may have been overlooked in the QA/QC of your particular car, though.
The tires, if they're still stock, suck terribly.
The drivetrain and half-shafts are solid; at least until you decide you want to learn how to 'launch' an AWD car.
Can't think of anything else. Ironically, I'm looking at a 2001 5spd right now, as well.
If you leave that car completely stock, I would tell you that the odds of it developing any major problems are very low. That doesn't preclude any manufacturing defect that may have been overlooked in the QA/QC of your particular car, though.
The tires, if they're still stock, suck terribly.
The drivetrain and half-shafts are solid; at least until you decide you want to learn how to 'launch' an AWD car.
Can't think of anything else. Ironically, I'm looking at a 2001 5spd right now, as well.
I owned a 2000 RS before my wrx wagon. A lot of what applies to a wrx also apply to a RS. Change the rear sway bar. If you thought the wrx sway bar was skinny, the RS' one looks like a toothpick. Sway bar is a very good cheap upgrade. Get links while you're at it. Then I would look to a struts and springs. The rims are pretty good for 16's and wrapping some new shoes would help a lot. To steal a line from our fearless leader: Happy Motoring! 
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 116
From: Orange County, CA
Car Info: '93 Subaru Impreza L
I'm buying a 2001 RS right now with 51k miles and it has an external head gasket leak, which I haven't heard of happening before. My 1993 1.8L Impreza L has 274,000 miles and i've replace the tranny at 230k, the water pump at 200k, but thats it. Good Buy!
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iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 25,095
From: Funtown
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
The 2001 RS should have the phase II 2.5 that fixes headgasket issues found on the 99-00 models.
Can't go wrong with the RS. I just bought an '01 2.5 a couple months ago and it's awesome.
Can't go wrong with the RS. I just bought an '01 2.5 a couple months ago and it's awesome.
VIP Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 25,095
From: Funtown
Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer
Originally Posted by gpatmac
I'm going up to Chi-town tomorrow morning to pickup a 2001 w/ 66.5k miles on it.
I am REALLY looking forward to this.
I am REALLY looking forward to this.
VIP Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,133
From: Lastweek Lane - Watertown, NY
Car Info: 02WRXpseudoSTiWannabeWagon
I wonder if Akele ever checked back here.
Anyhow, Christmas...bleh. I can take it or leave it, but I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PICKING UP THIS CAR LIKE A LITTLE CHILD WOULD! I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Anyhow, Sonic I'll probably be PMing with silly questions in the future. You know I don't think this is too OT, but for as long as I've owned my WRX I've always thought that most any EJ series Subaru was pretty much 'hot-swappable' between each other. As I look around at different aftermarket suspension options, it would make you think that there are some differences between '02 WRX and 99-01 underpinnings.
Will 02-03 WRX suspension options fit 99-01 RS's seamlessly?
Anyhow, Christmas...bleh. I can take it or leave it, but I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PICKING UP THIS CAR LIKE A LITTLE CHILD WOULD! I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Anyhow, Sonic I'll probably be PMing with silly questions in the future.
You know I don't think this is too OT, but for as long as I've owned my WRX I've always thought that most any EJ series Subaru was pretty much 'hot-swappable' between each other. As I look around at different aftermarket suspension options, it would make you think that there are some differences between '02 WRX and 99-01 underpinnings.Will 02-03 WRX suspension options fit 99-01 RS's seamlessly?
Originally Posted by cars101.com
RS Dimensions
Wheelbase/Length: 99.2"/172.2"
Overall width: : RS: 67.1"
Overall height: RS: 55.5"
Towing capacity: 1500lbs
Ground Clearance: 6.1"
Curb Weight manual:2825 lbs
Turning circle: 33.5'
Wheelbase/Length: 99.2"/172.2"
Overall width: : RS: 67.1"
Overall height: RS: 55.5"
Towing capacity: 1500lbs
Ground Clearance: 6.1"
Curb Weight manual:2825 lbs
Turning circle: 33.5'
Originally Posted by cars101.com
WRX Dimensions
Wheelbase/Length: 99.4"/173.4"
Width 68.1"
Height, overall 56.7"
Ground clearance 6.1"
Curb Weight manual:3085 lbs
Towing: 2000#
Wheelbase/Length: 99.4"/173.4"
Width 68.1"
Height, overall 56.7"
Ground clearance 6.1"
Curb Weight manual:3085 lbs
Towing: 2000#
VIP Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,133
From: Lastweek Lane - Watertown, NY
Car Info: 02WRXpseudoSTiWannabeWagon
Originally Posted by Gravel Girl
I'm buying a 2001 RS right now with 51k miles and it has an external head gasket leak, which I haven't heard of happening before. My 1993 1.8L Impreza L has 274,000 miles and i've replace the tranny at 230k, the water pump at 200k, but thats it. Good Buy!
http://www.subaruproblems.com
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,369
From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by gpatmac
I wonder if Akele ever checked back here.
Anyhow, Christmas...bleh. I can take it or leave it, but I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PICKING UP THIS CAR LIKE A LITTLE CHILD WOULD! I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Anyhow, Sonic I'll probably be PMing with silly questions in the future. You know I don't think this is too OT, but for as long as I've owned my WRX I've always thought that most any EJ series Subaru was pretty much 'hot-swappable' between each other. As I look around at different aftermarket suspension options, it would make you think that there are some differences between '02 WRX and 99-01 underpinnings.
Will 02-03 WRX suspension options fit 99-01 RS's seamlessly?
Anyhow, Christmas...bleh. I can take it or leave it, but I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PICKING UP THIS CAR LIKE A LITTLE CHILD WOULD! I wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight.
Anyhow, Sonic I'll probably be PMing with silly questions in the future. You know I don't think this is too OT, but for as long as I've owned my WRX I've always thought that most any EJ series Subaru was pretty much 'hot-swappable' between each other. As I look around at different aftermarket suspension options, it would make you think that there are some differences between '02 WRX and 99-01 underpinnings.
Will 02-03 WRX suspension options fit 99-01 RS's seamlessly?
Me=owned 2001 RS for 4.5 years, 77k miles, tons of mods. Basically, RS suspension = WRX suspension, minus a few details. Front sway bars and endlonks are different, due to the different crossmember, and different front track width. The WRX aluminum control arms don't fit the GC/GM, however, there's always the old V1-6 control arms. Those happen to fit a GG too...
you can use any '02-'04 WRX coilover or strut/spring combo, as long as you use GC/GM specific rear top hats. For non-competition use, STi GrpN tophats rock. Cheap too.Umm... what else... oh, WRX catbacks work if you rotate the flange on the midpipe, and mod or ignore one hanger on the axle back. there are other differences, but those won't come into play until you really get heavily into modding the car. So, I'll save those answers for about 6 months from now.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,122
From: Rockford, IL
Car Info: 98 RS
Originally Posted by gpatmac
I'm going up to Chi-town tomorrow morning to pickup a 2001 w/ 66.5k miles on it.
I am REALLY looking forward to this.
I am REALLY looking forward to this.