jamesred

What a fine write-up..... I wish I had the cash to own a new STI! I actually like the shape too... I suppose I am a bit biased since I own a sportswagon shaped blob-eye (in black) and have always liked that shape as much as the saloons. The squat stance of the car reminds me a little of the old Lancia Delta Integrales which I used to dream of owning. Enjoy skiing and the autobahn!

Aha... I think I've worked out how to post pictures (just signed up for a "Photobuckets" account)..... here's the black beauty :

Tried to upload a pic last night - but have to admit I am not sure how to! I can only see where you add "weblinks" and don't have any pics on a website to point to.

And one more new Wagoneer (WRX with PPP) to join the long list! Best all round car I've ever owned and can't see myself ever letting go of this one......

Took the car to Subaru4You (Newbury) yesterday so they could have a listen. They were extremely helpful and gave me an hour of their time. From test drive and then popping it up on the ramp for a listen, they think transfer box / transfer bearings. Unfortunately they can't be sure until they strip the box..... and the 1st date they can look at it is 3rd March. They recommended I drive it as little as possible until then..... bit stuck as I have a 25 mile daily commute and no public transport. I am trying some others who may be able to help sooner.... In the meantime, I shall limp along and keep my fingers crossed! Does anyone know how long a job it would be to replace a Transfer Box (assuming that is the only bit that needs doing, when it is opened up)? James

Hi Iain, Thanks for the note. I am going to let my local Subaru garage have another listen a week on Monday ..... they can have it for the day to drive it. The car seems to drive ok, but definitely making some nasty whining / grinding noises on accelarating and change down (plus high pitch "rattle" above 40mph).... perhaps the gearbox will go many more miles before it packs in.... I just wish I had a crystal ball and knew how serious a problem I have with the gearbox. Problem is for anyone to find out is probably going to cost me at least a few hours of expensive labour. Tempting to just keep driving it as normal until the box goes (or not as the case may be).... however, the noise does bother me! Cheers James

Thanks MT - I did some research on the Forums and saw his name pop up - seems like the man to speak to. I called his office and he is away until Tuesday and they'll get him to call me then. In the meantime, I shall limp the car around carefully and hope the "noises" don't get worse!

PS... if I need to buy a reconditioned gearbox, what info will I need to give a supplier (i.e. some sort of gearbox number) and where would I find that number? ...... I just want the car to run well again!

Dear all, Have owned an Impreza for 9 months. Car is 2004 Impreza WRX (Sportwagon) with PPP fitted from new (standard 5 speed). 50,000 miles (and just had service). Loved every minute of it ..... until I started getting "a noise".... Slight rattling sound from the front and now a whining from somewhere in the middle / rear... Engine runs fine - no unusual sounds when car is still and I rev it. I have had a Subaru garage have a quick listen and a gearbox specialist too... both think something gearbox but not sure what - gearbox specilist said "transfer box".... not sure what that means. Anyway, gearbox specialist (they do all cars) will want to strip and rebuild, plus any parts when they see what is wrong. Labour alone approx £600 - plus parts they reckon a £1000 - £1200 job. I am thinking of buying a new or reconditioned gearbox instead and paying someone to fit that as maybe cheaper? I live near Guildford in Surrey, South East. Questions: a) any thoughts on what is going on! any thoughts on whether to have it repaired or just buy a whole replacement gearbox and have that fitted to save labour c) does anyone know a reliable place to get a reconditioned (or new) gearbox d) what info do I need to provide to find a suitable gearbox Big thanks to all. James

Thanks for all your input. As it turns out, I believe that Paramount Performance actually farm the job out to a Subaru specialist it seems. Probably best I go direct to a specialist as you say.

Hello all and Happy New Year. I am still loving my '04 WRX PPP (owned since June 07), but already am thinking about upping the performance....... I went to a chipping company called Paramount Performance (based in Slough) today with a friend who is getting his diesel Range Rover chipped by them. They seemed very knowledgeable, professional and friendly. As such, I enquired about chipping my Impreza (2004 UK WRX that already has the Prodrive Performance Pack fitted - so approx 265 hp as it is now). They reckoned that they could remap and tune to give me approx 300-315 hp and that the car (gearbox etc) would be able to handle that without any further modifications. Price approx £500-600 as its a full day's work tuning the car. Has anyone had any experience with this company and do you think that a standard Impreza WRX could handle the 310 hp or so that they reckon they can give without any further mods? Your thoughts and experience much appreciated. Cheers James

Thanks for all the input... I am more relaxed about the idea of doing a track day. How do I best go about coming to one... should I look out on the "Track Days and Events" forum? Do I need to joing anything? Do I need to by any extra equipment etc? Thanks J

Thanks HairyDJ and Mother Theresa. I reckon I will start with the Prodrive day anyway for a bit of fun and see what that is like ... then perhaps I will venture out onto a track day. Sadly I don't have the space to be storing extra sets of wheels for track days, so would have to just go with the set I drive to work on!

Thanks for the advice. Yes, the Prodrive day in Warwickshire is coming out tops for me at the moment.... part of the day is 4x4 off road stuff in a Forester which doesn't interest me so much, but the other bits of the day look pretty good.

Hello all on SIDC. I have owned a 2004 Impreza WRX (with PPP) since June this year and absolutely love it! I am not ready to thrash my own car around a race track yet (mainly because I commute in it every day and don't think I could afford the tyres, brakes etc etc), but I would like to learn a bit more about the potential of these cars and how to drive mine quicker / safer . I guess the best introduction to this for now would be to do a "driver's day" in an Impreza. There seem to be a lot of "driver's days" around on the net... most of them only seem to offer a max of around 5 or so laps of a circuit.... or they are split between driving an impreza and driving something else (like a single seater or Lotus Elise.... or doing off-roading). I basically want to learn to drive better on tarmac...... cornering, braking, control under skidding etc... but wouldn't mind if a little "gravel" driving was thrown in too. Can anyone recommend any good driving days for Imprezas that actually give you good instruction and some decent time behind the wheel? Ideally I would like to spend less than £200 but am guessing it will be more expensive to get a decent driving day / course! Cheers.