I bought a bugeye 2001 early
I bought a bugeye 2001 early this year. It was very nice inside, all working and the doors closed like a Rolls Royce...The rood paint was and is cracked the rest seemed ok but I would think maybe over-polished. Engine ran and accelerated well though I didn't drive the car. Brakes had been re-done. Engine bay clean but there's a leak in the exhaust crossover. Being in long grass I didn't get under it so I took some risks at $2000.00. Tyres looked ok but are not. I sent the car don to Sydney for suspension work as I do with all cars....must have spot-on suspension,steering brakes. Though my first Subaru wrx I could see a lot of junk is sold for them. The Chinese coil-overs are appalling and commonly wound down hard. There's a mania to join 'uprating' but in the wrong places, by wrong places I include the 6 speed box...The 5 speed is fine for people who drive well. When the car was checked-out...as I'd told them to bin the Chinese coil-overs...my heart sank with the other issues...notably worn timing idlers...the belt had been replaced at some stage without them being done and the radiator leaked. Every car I own and have owned over decades has had Bilstein shocks fitted by Heasmans… the best suspension place in the country and ...although there are pirates...the accredited Bilstein agents here. I trust Heamans without reservation as they have a mighty record and can modify Bilsteins to suit the car and driver. With the shock of mounting costs I decided to find some 'of the era' STI parts. The shocks are now good STI items, the strut brace is original STI, I've had new rear sway bar links fitted, The Radiator is STI, the sway bar and castor arms are STI. To me that sounds much more 'collectible' and faithful than a car with bolt on Chinese junk, boosted turbo and tuned. The tyres were pretty tired.I found. I then enquired around on Bridgestone Michelan and some others and was going to get Pirelli or Bridgestone then low and behold a set of new Michelan Pilot at Tempe tyres...for only $149.00 each fitted and balanced...bargain for the month...so 7 days to go..., from Mike Taleb. I checked that they were late 2019 or early 2020 manufactured...and that was a stipulation in the purchase.Had them fitted.
To my surprise one of the Heasman 'boys' served his time on Subaru so he gave the car the 'once over'. The engine, I was told at purchase had been replaced with a 2.0L rebuilt with forged pistons...I can't say. I hope so but are forged pistons really an advantage when the motor is not going to be flogged. The timing belt and parts as well as the water pump will be replaced with genuine parts....The expert youth told me that the car showed evidence of having a 'big' motor previously. He said there is evidence of extra solenoids being fitted. It's astounding that with about 300,000 kMs on the clock that it is in such spot-on condition...It hasn't been flogged and abused. The down pipe Cat has been replaced at some stage. The crossover pipe is a ridiculous price but can be built by exhaust specialist for less than half the genuine part....that not being genuine I don't mind so much. if that's how it ends up. Whether to keep or sell is a decision yet top make.
Trying to track back the car's history one of the 'history' decided to clam-up. By hard work and thinking I found much of the history from purchase to about 2000. maybe later. A woman in ACT had bought it from the major Sydney Dealer and it was well serviced along its life up until the mystery time when it was 'worked-on'. I wonder if there is a club or personal wrx register which might hep track it further (??) It's too good to NOT have a history. We'll see how it goes when I get it back as I'm in no rush. Cheers