Older Impreza as a winter car?
- Thread starter Jarlaxle
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JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
So...worth $1200?
Just an FYI, but my brother just sold his 1998 Legacy Outback with 220K on it for his $1500 asking price (Craig's List). He did a ton of work to it in the ~4yrs he owned it. It had some rust, lots of dents and wasn't pretty. He sold it because they just bought a brand-new Forester and of course the Soob dealer wouldn't give him but $500 max for it.
Same brother also has a 2001 Forester he bought and is fixing up. He can pretty much remove and replace a Subaru boxer in his sleep now. Both his 1998 and 2001 needed head gaskets. The Forester needed a rear sub-frame that he replaced himself.
Joel
So...worth $1200?
Just an FYI, but my brother just sold his 1998 Legacy Outback with 220K on it for his $1500 asking price (Craig's List). He did a ton of work to it in the ~4yrs he owned it. It had some rust, lots of dents and wasn't pretty. He sold it because they just bought a brand-new Forester and of course the Soob dealer wouldn't give him but $500 max for it.
Same brother also has a 2001 Forester he bought and is fixing up. He can pretty much remove and replace a Subaru boxer in his sleep now. Both his 1998 and 2001 needed head gaskets. The Forester needed a rear sub-frame that he replaced himself.
Joel
I'd take it. I love Subarus and I wanted one so bad as my commuter but for the amount of actual bad snow days we get, I could not justify needing AWD.
If it were a winter only car though I could see it. That thing would be unstoppable with 4 General Altimax Arctic's on it.
If it were a winter only car though I could see it. That thing would be unstoppable with 4 General Altimax Arctic's on it.
I would jack it up and remove the tire at the gas filler tube. Then remove the plastic cover protecting the tube and inspect it for rust. My gf's 2000 Forester had lots of road grime built up in this area and had rusted large holes in the filler tube. The tube was less than $100 and wasn't too hard to install. Other than that it's been a great car.
$1200 is a great deal. Subaru's are built for the winter. Check out some of the Subaru AWD vs others videos on you tube. I so much look forward to winter here in Colorado.
Originally Posted By: dparm
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
Check it real close from underneath. My experience over 20year of Subaru is rust is a serious problem with some. This vintage Impreza did get pretty rusty but it depends on previous usage.
The ABS or non-ABS is irrelevant with a quality winter tire equipped vehicle in winter conditions. My ABS never engaged on my Subaru WRX or Legacy GT when they ran winter tires. All-seasons all-day long.
The ABS or non-ABS is irrelevant with a quality winter tire equipped vehicle in winter conditions. My ABS never engaged on my Subaru WRX or Legacy GT when they ran winter tires. All-seasons all-day long.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: dparm
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
I agree, ABS stinks on those older Subies. I had a 1997 Legacy and the ABS would kick in going down my snowy driveway and I would actually pick up speed shooting me right into the main road every day! I'd even tried to stand on the brakes to override the ABS, didn't work either. My wife's Grand AM would slowly, safely skid to a stop at will, so would my old F-150. Nearly killed me on several occasions. If U can actally DRIVE a car, you are better off without ABS and the other nannies (traction "control"), they put on them today. That 5 speed Subie would be great. AWD is 50/50 with the manual tranny.
Originally Posted By: dparm
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
I agree, ABS stinks on those older Subies. I had a 1997 Legacy and the ABS would kick in going down my snowy driveway and I would actually pick up speed shooting me right into the main road every day! I'd even tried to stand on the brakes to override the ABS, didn't work either. My wife's Grand AM would slowly, safely skid to a stop at will, so would my old F-150. Nearly killed me on several occasions. If U can actally DRIVE a car, you are better off without ABS and the other nannies (traction "control"), they put on them today. That 5 speed Subie would be great. AWD is 50/50 with the manual tranny.
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
My only concerns are rust and the fact that 190K is a LOT of miles.
Since it's only a winter beater, why would either matter that much?
No sale: it was rotted to the point the rear suspension is about to end up in the trunk.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
My only concerns are rust and the fact that 190K is a LOT of miles.
Since it's only a winter beater, why would either matter that much?
No sale: it was rotted to the point the rear suspension is about to end up in the trunk.
Originally Posted By: ridgerunner
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: dparm
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
I agree, ABS stinks on those older Subies. I had a 1997 Legacy and the ABS would kick in going down my snowy driveway and I would actually pick up speed shooting me right into the main road every day! I'd even tried to stand on the brakes to override the ABS, didn't work either. My wife's Grand AM would slowly, safely skid to a stop at will, so would my old F-150. Nearly killed me on several occasions. If U can actally DRIVE a car, you are better off without ABS and the other nannies (traction "control"), they put on them today. That 5 speed Subie would be great. AWD is 50/50 with the manual tranny.
I also agree... The ABS went out on our Suburban while coming down a ski hill a few years ago. I think it saved our lives. Now that the ABS is dead, it's a much better winter driver.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: dparm
No ABS in the winter? I hope they're used to that. Might make for some hairy situations in a panic stop.
I hate ABS in the winter time! I much prefer no ABS at all!
I agree, ABS stinks on those older Subies. I had a 1997 Legacy and the ABS would kick in going down my snowy driveway and I would actually pick up speed shooting me right into the main road every day! I'd even tried to stand on the brakes to override the ABS, didn't work either. My wife's Grand AM would slowly, safely skid to a stop at will, so would my old F-150. Nearly killed me on several occasions. If U can actally DRIVE a car, you are better off without ABS and the other nannies (traction "control"), they put on them today. That 5 speed Subie would be great. AWD is 50/50 with the manual tranny.
I also agree... The ABS went out on our Suburban while coming down a ski hill a few years ago. I think it saved our lives. Now that the ABS is dead, it's a much better winter driver.
I wonder--on the Subaru's, maybe you can pump the brake to "break" the ABS? I recall always being told to never pump the brakes on an ABS vehicle, as the ABS won't work properly--which, by the sounds of it, is what you want in an old Subraru...
I dunno. Never had an issue with ABS on my VW, but then again 90% of the time it only engages because I deliberately engaged it ("does it still feel the same? Yup, same as last year"), or because one wheel dipped off the pavement as I pull in my driveway.
I dunno. Never had an issue with ABS on my VW, but then again 90% of the time it only engages because I deliberately engaged it ("does it still feel the same? Yup, same as last year"), or because one wheel dipped off the pavement as I pull in my driveway.
Older imprezas are snow machines. Ive had 7 Suabrus. If the car is a 2.5 make sure HG was done and on front lower control arms check for rust out issues (NHTSA SAFETY recall). Also make sure T-belt/ water pump/ T-belt idlers have been done recently or, that service should be due at 60-90Kmi since last.
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ABS + snow = not stopping short. Bad ABS programming keeps releasing the brakes and extending stopping greatly in slushy icy roads. My honda has VSC asc that wont allow wheell spin in the the snow and I cant get up any hill. Car just stops and then starts sliding down backwards. Very safe. I often read that skilled drivers usually hate most of this "safety" garbage.
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ABS + snow = not stopping short. Bad ABS programming keeps releasing the brakes and extending stopping greatly in slushy icy roads. My honda has VSC asc that wont allow wheell spin in the the snow and I cant get up any hill. Car just stops and then starts sliding down backwards. Very safe. I often read that skilled drivers usually hate most of this "safety" garbage.
Last edited:
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Slacker
I would jack it up and remove the tire at the gas filler tube. Then remove the plastic cover protecting the tube and inspect it for rust. My gf's 2000 Forester had lots of road grime built up in this area and had rusted large holes in the filler tube. The tube was less than $100 and wasn't too hard to install. Other than that it's been a great car.
Good call on that one too! The filler neck was Swiss Cheese on my brother's 2001 Forester. Rear subframe too for that matter.
That's what I don't get about Subaru. They're ideal for snow belt but do worse than most for rust belt.. and the two basically go hand in hand.
Joel
I would jack it up and remove the tire at the gas filler tube. Then remove the plastic cover protecting the tube and inspect it for rust. My gf's 2000 Forester had lots of road grime built up in this area and had rusted large holes in the filler tube. The tube was less than $100 and wasn't too hard to install. Other than that it's been a great car.
Good call on that one too! The filler neck was Swiss Cheese on my brother's 2001 Forester. Rear subframe too for that matter.
That's what I don't get about Subaru. They're ideal for snow belt but do worse than most for rust belt.. and the two basically go hand in hand.
Joel
Ugh. Don't get me started on traction control. Pure stupidity!
I'm 47 and have been driving 31 years in snow. I know when I can get up a hill, except when the moronic traction control simply shuts me down!
Below a certain speed, traction control should be disabled. It's only meaningful at higher speeds. When you're trying to crawl up a hill... Traction control is highly detrimental.
I'm 47 and have been driving 31 years in snow. I know when I can get up a hill, except when the moronic traction control simply shuts me down!
Below a certain speed, traction control should be disabled. It's only meaningful at higher speeds. When you're trying to crawl up a hill... Traction control is highly detrimental.
Originally Posted By: crw
Ugh. Don't get me started on traction control. Pure stupidity!
I'm 47 and have been driving 31 years in snow. I know when I can get up a hill, except when the moronic traction control simply shuts me down!
Below a certain speed, traction control should be disabled. It's only meaningful at higher speeds. When you're trying to crawl up a hill... Traction control is highly detrimental.
Agreed, traction control can and does make winter driving more hazardous when wheelspin is desired. It does make getting going on flat ground easier, though.
Sounds like lacking ABS is a good thing in this instance. I recall a few instances in my mom's 1998 Legacy where the ABS did make matters worse instead of better. Thankfully the AWD shined brilliantly in correcting the car.
Ugh. Don't get me started on traction control. Pure stupidity!
I'm 47 and have been driving 31 years in snow. I know when I can get up a hill, except when the moronic traction control simply shuts me down!
Below a certain speed, traction control should be disabled. It's only meaningful at higher speeds. When you're trying to crawl up a hill... Traction control is highly detrimental.
Agreed, traction control can and does make winter driving more hazardous when wheelspin is desired. It does make getting going on flat ground easier, though.
Sounds like lacking ABS is a good thing in this instance. I recall a few instances in my mom's 1998 Legacy where the ABS did make matters worse instead of better. Thankfully the AWD shined brilliantly in correcting the car.
That sucks!
I'd still buy it.
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