So as some of you may have seen with my random ramblings. I've been looking at just about everything to replace the kit car. I needed something to tinker with, that makes you look back and smile in a car park. Whilst still being useable to ferry kids round on a weekend (I'm still not forgiven for gettin rid of the Choo Choo car), but be fast enough/have enough potential to keep me interested.. oh and I'm lowly plant fitter by day so plenty of exotica is out of the question (are car prices not coming down post COVID)...
I've looked at all sorts. You name it I've probably considered it. MK2 escorts, MK1 escorts, mantas, chevettes, Sierra's, I even considered a dolomite!!
Problem is what I really fancied I couldn't really afford. When an absolute dog of a mk2 Escort 4 door LHD is fetching £6k and a rhd south African import is £10k before I start engine swap and paint and God knows what. It all gets a bit silly. to give you an idea this mk1 is on eBay at 5 grand starting bid!! I mean come on. fold it up and weigh it in!! put it out of its rusty misery!
Even Sierra's that were scrap money a few year back are 2k upward now. And I'm not sure a spec of car I could afford would make me look back in supermarket car park. Or be that entertaining on the back lanes near me... and I didn't want to spend 6 months building summat to lose interest before the end.. Onto plan b then. A modernish classic. But what 🤷
Well I've toyed with the idea of a r53 or 56 mini. But was told in no uncertain terms I'd be unfriended if I did (cheers Lou 🤣), civic type R's are gettin on a bit now but prices for a tidy one are silly and there not particularly fun to drive unless you rev em to 187111111rpm.
I've considered several BMW's but again. 5k gets you an "alright" E36 but dig deeper there rusty and I'm not a massive straight n/a 6 fan.. I'd have an Evo, but parts are a fortune and even a dog is probably more than Id want to spend (this is me being sensible now, kids and holidays and stuff have to come first)
But what about... An Impreza. It would have to be a classic gc8 shape. The later Hawkeye's look good. And don't seem to hold there money particularly well. But £650 quid a year tax spoils job. The era in-between sort of went a bit weird, but that's just my opinion... Plus who doesnt love the classic shape. The original.. no sequel is ever as good haha.
Started having a bit of a look and prices seem to vary wildly. They also seem to rust like theres no tomorrow and have varying levels of chequered history with them. I test drove one years ago when I bought my skyline, and although it cornered like it was on rails it wasnt "that" fast. but I'm older and more sensible now, it doesn't have to be all about speed (does it)...
was beginning to think it might be another none starter with all the cars either clearly full of gobbo and bent tests, the wrong end of country (I'm short of time as much as owt cus of me workin days and the Mrs nights) or way out of budget...
then.. like a sign from the gods, one popped up, local, a w reg uk2000 turbo, sensible money, alright ish spec, not mapped to within an inch of its life, mot history looked good, could this be too good to be true? also had a pile of invoices from last 2 year including cambelt, clutch and all manner of expensive maintenance work..all carried out by sheffield Subaru service so atleast a real garage that exists.
few back and forward messages and agreed to view it. one of my main concerns was rust especially around the back end. there prone to basically dissolving behind the back arch. like this... yeah. not pretty.
checked it all over and story goes that bloke who had it before did a bit of a mild restoration on it.had it painted externally cleaned up and undersealed the underneath. then sat it in his showroom. bloke I got it from bought it as a lockdown treat and used it on weekends but was quick to tell me he never used it in the rain. and it looks like it. it's only done a couple k miles in last 2 years until the mot ran out August and he's not had time to get it tested since (not sure how much of that is true but wel see)..
pleased to report arches apear solid and original from what I can feel, corners of boot floor, cills that I can see, a pillars, front wings all seem solid. infact for 22 year old J metal it looks pretty decent. quick spin round the block it does everything it should and a deal was done!! it also makes hilarious Subaru noises with that exhaust!!
it's also got a few "mods" on it. some will be staying, some will be straight gone! but each to there own and all that. everything that's needed to be bolted on has been done by Sheffield Subaru service so should atleast have been done to a competent standard.
from what I can see it's got:
-front mount intercooler
-ally rad
-induction kit (going back to an air box I think)
-iffy aftermarket front and rear lights but original headlights are included
-coilovers
-bonnet bra (that's straight gone)
-freshly refurbed wheels and new budget tyres (why have they done em black)
-mudflaps (not sure how I feel)
-stainless exhaust with the most comical tip I've ever seen (may need t be smaller haha)
-aftermarket headunit with phone connection
It's also got an array of stickers that need to go. And a pile of original bits and another set of spare wheels with it
Unfortunately I've only got the pics from his advert at minute, but il get some more when I collect it. All being well I'm collecting it some point Thursday (working in London again tomorrow 😭😭).. these should give you an idea tho!!
Stay tuned for collection day, and all the horrors that come with owning Something old and J again... Will I never learn! 🤣
Cheers
I've looked at all sorts. You name it I've probably considered it. MK2 escorts, MK1 escorts, mantas, chevettes, Sierra's, I even considered a dolomite!!
Problem is what I really fancied I couldn't really afford. When an absolute dog of a mk2 Escort 4 door LHD is fetching £6k and a rhd south African import is £10k before I start engine swap and paint and God knows what. It all gets a bit silly. to give you an idea this mk1 is on eBay at 5 grand starting bid!! I mean come on. fold it up and weigh it in!! put it out of its rusty misery!
Even Sierra's that were scrap money a few year back are 2k upward now. And I'm not sure a spec of car I could afford would make me look back in supermarket car park. Or be that entertaining on the back lanes near me... and I didn't want to spend 6 months building summat to lose interest before the end.. Onto plan b then. A modernish classic. But what 🤷
Well I've toyed with the idea of a r53 or 56 mini. But was told in no uncertain terms I'd be unfriended if I did (cheers Lou 🤣), civic type R's are gettin on a bit now but prices for a tidy one are silly and there not particularly fun to drive unless you rev em to 187111111rpm.
I've considered several BMW's but again. 5k gets you an "alright" E36 but dig deeper there rusty and I'm not a massive straight n/a 6 fan.. I'd have an Evo, but parts are a fortune and even a dog is probably more than Id want to spend (this is me being sensible now, kids and holidays and stuff have to come first)
But what about... An Impreza. It would have to be a classic gc8 shape. The later Hawkeye's look good. And don't seem to hold there money particularly well. But £650 quid a year tax spoils job. The era in-between sort of went a bit weird, but that's just my opinion... Plus who doesnt love the classic shape. The original.. no sequel is ever as good haha.
Started having a bit of a look and prices seem to vary wildly. They also seem to rust like theres no tomorrow and have varying levels of chequered history with them. I test drove one years ago when I bought my skyline, and although it cornered like it was on rails it wasnt "that" fast. but I'm older and more sensible now, it doesn't have to be all about speed (does it)...
was beginning to think it might be another none starter with all the cars either clearly full of gobbo and bent tests, the wrong end of country (I'm short of time as much as owt cus of me workin days and the Mrs nights) or way out of budget...
then.. like a sign from the gods, one popped up, local, a w reg uk2000 turbo, sensible money, alright ish spec, not mapped to within an inch of its life, mot history looked good, could this be too good to be true? also had a pile of invoices from last 2 year including cambelt, clutch and all manner of expensive maintenance work..all carried out by sheffield Subaru service so atleast a real garage that exists.
few back and forward messages and agreed to view it. one of my main concerns was rust especially around the back end. there prone to basically dissolving behind the back arch. like this... yeah. not pretty.
checked it all over and story goes that bloke who had it before did a bit of a mild restoration on it.had it painted externally cleaned up and undersealed the underneath. then sat it in his showroom. bloke I got it from bought it as a lockdown treat and used it on weekends but was quick to tell me he never used it in the rain. and it looks like it. it's only done a couple k miles in last 2 years until the mot ran out August and he's not had time to get it tested since (not sure how much of that is true but wel see)..
pleased to report arches apear solid and original from what I can feel, corners of boot floor, cills that I can see, a pillars, front wings all seem solid. infact for 22 year old J metal it looks pretty decent. quick spin round the block it does everything it should and a deal was done!! it also makes hilarious Subaru noises with that exhaust!!
it's also got a few "mods" on it. some will be staying, some will be straight gone! but each to there own and all that. everything that's needed to be bolted on has been done by Sheffield Subaru service so should atleast have been done to a competent standard.
from what I can see it's got:
-front mount intercooler
-ally rad
-induction kit (going back to an air box I think)
-iffy aftermarket front and rear lights but original headlights are included
-coilovers
-bonnet bra (that's straight gone)
-freshly refurbed wheels and new budget tyres (why have they done em black)
-mudflaps (not sure how I feel)
-stainless exhaust with the most comical tip I've ever seen (may need t be smaller haha)
-aftermarket headunit with phone connection
It's also got an array of stickers that need to go. And a pile of original bits and another set of spare wheels with it
Unfortunately I've only got the pics from his advert at minute, but il get some more when I collect it. All being well I'm collecting it some point Thursday (working in London again tomorrow 😭😭).. these should give you an idea tho!!
Stay tuned for collection day, and all the horrors that come with owning Something old and J again... Will I never learn! 🤣
Cheers
