Going To Look At A Classic Tomorrow, What Problems Should I Be Looking For ? If Any?

[Ovv]

Right folks, as per the title, Im going to look at a Classic tomorrow. Having viewed a few Scoobs, Im still not really any wiser in regards to any problems I should look for when buying.

Having spoken to the current owner, the car has been slightly modified,has a full service history and has had some work done on it from AWD in Perth.

Apart from checking the usual paperwork, receipts for work done etc, what else should I be looking for? Im not really expecting any problems as the car sounds like it has been well maintained and cherished, however is there any specific problems which I should be looking out for.

The classic in question is year 2000 model.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Chris.

[davey l wrx]

Just like any motor check for blue smoke on start up or when you drive it (possibly a blown turbo). Check for knocks and whines from the driveshafts and diffs.

If like you say it's been cherished there should hopefully be no problems. Go to the FAQ section on the site there's a buyers guide in there.

Good luck and welcome to the world of scooby ownership. It won't be long before your local garage has a restraining order out on you for stalking the forecourt.

[rig-pig]

make sure its cold when you go to see it as if there is piston slap you will hear it more so from cold, do note tho a lot of scoobs have a bit of piston slap due to the short skirt pistons used, if pos take someone that knows about imprezas with you

[ciaranrb5]

Make sure you test the gearbox at high revs as i know classic boxes with worn synchros don't crunch under normal driving but do under load. Make sure it is straight and don't buy it because it looks mint as that means it has usually just been painted!!

These are from my own experiences and the car is still going strong although it's off the road eeing improved

[euan_r]

roost roost and mare roost. thats what will cost in the long term and old classics are starting to show signs if not looked after.

dont believe those that say its only a few hundred notes to touch up etc. it will need cutting out and done properly it costs.

any mechanicals that are tired wont be too hard to replace as there are loads of spares and new bits avaliable.

[scooby222]

rear wheel arches and top of the windscreen are common hotspots on classics for rust

[Ovv]

roost roost and mare roost. thats what will cost in the long term and old classics are starting to show signs if not looked after.

dont believe those that say its only a few hundred notes to touch up etc. it will need cutting out and done properly it costs.

any mechanicals that are tired wont be too hard to replace as there are loads of spares and new bits avaliable.

similar to this... (Sorry, pics bit blurry as was really sunny and couldnt see the screen)

Alarmingly the owner has tried to hide the holes in pictures four and five by taping over them with black electrical tape. When I opened the boot there was damp patch, then upon further inspection I noticed the tape, and the owner said, never noticed that before , and then said oh it must be to protect the rust underneath. Funnily enough he stopped just before the holes came into view, I only found them when I took the tape right off.

Rear arches were a mess and the roof was showing signs of rust as well due to deep unrepaired stone chips. Rather dissapointing as the rest of the car was good, drove well, no major dinks or dents. Lots of reciepts for work done at AWD and old MOTS and bills for everything down to items as small as lightbulbs. Such a pity that the the owner hadnt spend money on keeping the rust at bay as much as he had done on mods.

One plus point though, the chap had kept all the original parts, so it could have been returned to standard and some cash made from the mods, but too much work for my liking.

The search continues...

[rig-pig]

good on ya m8, there are a lot of scoobs out there you will get a good one, o just to let you know you can only get new rear 1/4's from Subaru and you cant get sills so if they are bad with rust you can only cut and weld, so i am lead to believe

[Ovv]

There was no chance I was gonna take it, scratchs and stone chips to the bonnet I could have lived with but dealing with rust isnt my cup of tea.

Im just going to have to be patient or just stop looking

[lewisscoob]

I'm going to be selling my green '99 turbo 2000 soon. PM me if you are keen.

[Ovv]

I'm going to be selling my green '99 turbo 2000 soon. PM me if you are keen.

Right year, wrong colour, thanks for the offer though.

[p10ant]

Got a mint Dark Blue Mica UK turbo, just in the process of putting my plate on retension, so will be up for sale shortly, it's a "99" on a T plate.

Cheers, Paul T.

[Ovv]

Got a mint Dark Blue Mica UK turbo, just in the process of putting my plate on retension, so will be up for sale shortly, it's a "99" on a T plate.

Cheers, Paul T.

Interesting mate, PM me the spec.