The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi all , today I very stupidly sat in an Impreza WRX (MY 99) for the first time and while I haven't driven one it left a good impression .

Obviously a late 90's car is going to look and feel very different to a mid 80's one and I was surprised at how similar the cabin area is to my vintage L RXT . I have read at times that the 93-2000 shape Impreza was designed to replace the L series and I guess it does - with some quantum leaps technology wise .

Now it would be very easy to sink lots of money/effort into my old RXT but the result would never be the same as a factory supplied package .
I'm still going ahead with a fresh Vortex engine and the L FT AWD box in my RX but the specs will be std . The 5 stud Gee kit will probably go in and a larger rear bar fitted .

Now back to Rexes , I looked over a 97 and a 99 version and the obvious things were the brakes and the dash dials - hate white faced gauges .
I would like to know all the significant mechanical/electrical differences between the MY97 98 and MY99-00 . I guess the 00 was the last of the original body shape so would have got most of the factory fruit ?

The biggest dig is the price and figures for a neat clean std 99-00 seem to be floating around 18G and up .

I'm interested in peoples opinions about Imprezas , the RX is fun but I can see it owing me lots and not selling for very much . I'm not sure if even enthusiasts would fork out 6G+ for an RX with a fresh Spider Vortex engine , reco L AWD DR box and 5 stud kit/conversion .

Thoughts ? Cheers A .

dude,well,,,,,my first suby was an rx 2.5 librty98'dark green tan leather trim.jiz
i got a family so finances demanded a downgrade so i swapped for a 94 wagon gx(ok)but i already had a motor to put in the rx so in she goes....
twin turbo family car-climate control too..... ej22 can go in the $400 Lseries i bought to get to work in....
you know it.. late model subies kill it for class...late gen.imprezas have stronger internals and solid cams--higher revs-- no rattling lifters(b4s aresame i think---near 8 grand redlines on tacho?!)probbly nicer gear box(think?)nicer paint jobs,nicer trim too prob,anyway nice toy all round....early sti(RA)has super lite weight everyhing...adjustable front --rear drive intercooler sprayers blabla......or get an rs liberty--or find a converted one?
much more to say and research but get into it... you might find you do less work on a newer car....?just enjoy it more?.....more to worry about though.. moire insurance!! how does your rx go? less luxury but id lve that car too!!
good luck

LOL mmmm thats life . I doubt i can justify 3 cars for me , two's expensive enough .
The RX was supposed to be the budget daily until I discovered other models OS with better options , L's/XT's I mean .
I hate it when people say nah rare bits mate you'll never find them - me the bandwidth thieving internet warrier ?

Anyhow , to finish the RX and learn to live with AWD . Hopefully make me appreciate later evolutions of the Subie range .

Cheers A .

Yeah ive often contemplated trading in on a newer model.

But i figure i will keep the L series for now.
Modify it, push its boundaries, learn all about it, and if i break something, thats when i trade up.