nametakennow

I'm relatively new to Subarus, I know I've always liked them, and I'm a big fan of the WRX (and of course the STi). I have looked at S14 240SXs, Mk3 GTIs, and P11 Infiniti G20s for a while, and joined boards tailored to those cars to find out more. I've been looking at options for my first car, and today I saw a beautiful 98' or 99' 2.5RS. I'd looked at them before, but I guess I just kinda forgot. Pretty much I'm looking for a car for under 8000$ with decent speed (particularly acceleration), good handling, and, of course, good looks. I don't do big wings, fart cans, screwy paint jobs, nasty wheels, Altezzas, etc. I also want a car that's a little bit different from what most people get. So would it be a good first car? Is there anything I should look out for? How big is the aftermarket? (will stuff be particularly expensive/hard to find?) Thanks!

IllNastyImpreza

I bought a 98 RS a couple years ago. All I can say is that: It is the best car you can buy for the money PERIOD. AWD sticks like glue. the car handles and axcelerates like a BADASS. I have driven pretty much every car there is out there. And all I can say is....gc8 OWNS. For 8 thousand dollars how can u go wrong??? a stock 15 second car, with more potential then ANY other car on the market. The aftermarket for this cafr is unbelievable. The boxer engine is by far the best engine design, used by companies like PORSHE and BMW. Though not as efficient as the rotary engine( the rx-8, 1.3 liter rotary engine produces 250 horsepower! ).

subaru Impreza owners are a huge family of rally racers, street racers, gaget freaks,artists,mechanics, engineers, etc etc and most imprortantly PROUD Impreza owners. As soon as I got behind the wheel of my 98 RS I KNEW it was the car for me.

You will see that 99% of impreza owners have just about the same taste as far as designing a kick *** ride. everyone wants a car that they can appreciate. whether you turn your impreza into a showroom quality masterpiece, or you just love whipping through the backroads at rediculous speeds. Everyones car is a reflection of who you are. and whether you like it or not, You will become adicted to this car. WARNING prepare to spend all your money on aftermarket parts =).Though some of the parts people choose may look different =p

As for being your first car. If you do buy one, baby it untill you learn how to drive a stick better, and adapt to your cars unique personality =). you will probably burn out the clutch pretty fast....I burnt mine within 4 thousand miles of purchasing(28,00-32,000 miles). Now this was my 3rd car, & you can power shift with the stock clutch pretty effectivly ! This car LAUNCHES like no other! Do u know how to drive a stick ? might wana practice on someone elses car untill you get it down.

anyway...I HIGHLY recomend a subaru of any type, my entire family, and neighbors drive them =). easy to work on....and a verry veliable car. Plus, everyone will like you more =)

nametakennow

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm starting to really lean this way. I learned to drive a stick 2 summers ago, so I've had plenty of experience (that summer, the next summer, and the past year). I'll be 16 in July, so we'll be buying the car then, I hope I can find one. I already planned on spending a good portion of my money on mods. What kind of power numbers can I expect from ECU, intake, exhaust, and headers? What is the most effective performance mod? (try not to start the common arguments I see with that kind of question, I'm guessing stickier tires or an engine mod) Also, I'm 6'3, will I have trouble fitting? (I saw a review from an Impreza driver who said he was 6'4 and fit fine, but consumer guide said taller drivers may have trouble sliding the seat back far enough to make the pedals comfortable...) Basically, I plan on having a fun, nice, quick, different car very capable of spanking all the Civics, Integras, Eclipses, Celicas, etc around here. Thanks again! edit: Oh yeah, how about insurance? Is it really bad (BMW level?) or what?

nametakennow

Thanks! I'm finding it hard to find a RS... I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes open and search broad.

IllNastyImpreza

I let my boss drive my car(98 RS) the other day, hes 6'5'' and he didnt have any problems driving it.

hhmm most bang for the buck you say....well , what do you want to do with your car, Look good?, Go fast??stand out, or just RACE?

A verry famous person once said " speed costs money, how fast do you wana go?" verry true lol.

As far as mods go, READ READ READ....and then READ some more.
there are HUGE selection of TOP QUALITY aftermarket performance products for the impreza.

First off you wana pick wich type of car you want. The 98 is the only RS (untill the STI) that has a DOHC(duel overhead cam)
In 99 - now , they went to a "rocker cam" design wich is a single over head cam. it produced the exact same horsepower but 4 more ft lbs of torque......

anyway the 98 is the most unique...there are many subtle differences between all the imprezas wich you will learn over time.
the DOHC has more "potential" then the single OHC for obvious reasons. But the block from the SOHC is sapposedly stronger and can take higher levels of boost when turbocharged. But when properly tuned the DOHC is far more superior. the 98 had a verry limited # of cars produced. the 98 is the Premere of the 2.5rs.It is also the least expensive. But It will be worth ALOT more money 30 years from now =)

EG1

C'mon guy, it's a nice car but lets not get carried away.

My buddy had a 98 w/ 17's, rear sway and I/E. Was definately a fun car to drive since you would throw it into corners instead of having to take a smooth line. Talk about a car you could scare people with. Come into a corner really hard, lift for a split second and just yank the wheel, good stuff. You can't go wrong w/ an 2.5RS.

nametakennow

I'm looking for a car that can beat most of the things around (that's not saying much, most of the people around here are all-rice), not V8s or anything crazy, I just want to be able to have fun with a quick car. I'm more interested in acceleration than top-speed. I also want a car that handles well so I can take people in the corners a bit too. Of course, with all this, it has to look pretty good as well, which it does stock, a nice lowering job, and some 17s would finish that. Uniqueness is a big deal, I'm getting tired of the same old big-wings and altezzas look (never liked it in the first place), and I think a Subey would stand out (I see one a month at the most around here). As I said, I don't plan on doing internal work, just ECU, intake, exhaust, and headers as far as engine goes. What is the "weak spot" on a RS? (e.g. the GTI VR6 has a bad intake/exhaust system) Thanks for the stats VA, and thanks for the replies!

nametakennow

I may do cams, but I'm going to try to avoid internal work. In Georgia ground clearance really isn't an issue, it doesn't snow much if at all, the only problem is huge speed bumps, so I wouldn't lower it very far, just eliminate the gaps. Thanks for the info, I'll look up sway bars tonight. I see an insurance post, so I can hopefully find that answer there. Thanks! edit: I guess not, that's a WRX and he's a bit older, what do you pay VA? What conditions make your rate?