RIP - My Subaru Impreza Wagon 1999 - 2007
Posted by Stephen on
May 19, 2007
You never forget your first. First love, first kiss, first…ahem… Also on that list is ones first car. In the Winter of 1999, I pulled the trigger on a brand new 2000 Subaru Impreza Brighton Wagon. My new car represented freedom from bumming rides off people or having to borrow my parents car. It also represented one of the biggest purchase decisions I would ever make in my life.
I purchased my car from Don Docksteader Subaru in Vancouver in November of 1999. Since it was November, there was no lack of rain so it was a great time to really see what a car could do. After testing out every car from every manufacturer in my price range (yes, even domestics), it was a no brainer. The Impreza won hands down for being the best handling car I drove period and I drove a lot of cars. Even cars that were out of my price range. She was the one.
It didn’t take me long to make my Impreza a Dirty Impreza. To break in my car, I learned to drive it in the dirt in an off road rally clinic out in the middle of nowhere. It was good fun and very dirty.
After the first one, I was addicted to sideways offroad action so I did more clinics…
I even took my little wagon off road in the dark. It’s amazing what you run into in the dark, but no complaints, not even a squeak from this car and the all wheel drive got me out of situations that would have stranded a regular car. Ahh, the beauty of all wheel drive!
I will really miss my 2000 Subaru Impreza Wagon. We had some really great times together over the past seven years and she went down protecting me from severe injury and all the other close calls in the past. Now it’s time to move on and make some new memories in my brand new 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Wagon. Rest in peace old friend.
RIP Subie! Now get the new one dirty in the honor of her.
Aren’t the older ones great? Wonder if the newbie will squeak? We have a 1998 Subaru Outback Sport (Impreza Wagon with Outback Package) and even though my wife tried to break it a few times, it still drives like new (windshield wiper motor is now acting up), that’s about it.
I would be interested in hearing updates on how the newbie runs. We have been considering a new one.
I still remember the one time I rode with you in that car… You drove me from Lansdowne Mall to somewhere in Vancouver, then to my home.. and by the time I got home, I was nauseous from the bumps and stiff suspension, and I had a headache from the constant groaning of the loud muffler. I was miserable after that…
RIP Stephen’s Old Subaru… more like good riddance!!
No, that’d be DRONING not GROANING. Get your headache noises right!
Let that be a lesson to you kiddies to buy an expensive muffler, not one that looks expensive. I’ve always wanted to replace it, but I guess I’ll never get around to it now.
The harshness was from the caster kit in the front. It wasn’t the suspsension. The caster kit, AKA an ANTI-LIFT KIT prevents the front of the car from “Lifting” when power is applied, especially in a corner. It also gave my car a wicked turning radius. I could turn around on most two lane roads without backing up. However, the kit I had was fitted with very aggressive bushings that transmitted all shock to the car.
My new exhaust is literally HALF the volume and doesn’t drone, but it only opens up when I’m on the throttle. I have a new caster kit to install with different bushings that remove the harshness.
It needs a V8!
Let’s go play in the snow!
My Mustang looks hot in the snow! It just doesn’t move anywhere.
ROTFLMAO
Good choice on the new car Stephen. I just picked up an 05 WRX wagon, and I am LOVING it. It’s probably the novelty of a new(er) car, but I look for any excuse to go for a drive.
The 05 is a good year for the car with lots of aftermarket support. Good choice!
Wagons FTW!
where do you guys go for off road action here in Vancouver
You can’t in Vancouver. It’s all pavement. The pics above were taken in Chilliwack area and Squamish.
Good choice of car(s). Subaru makes great vehicles. I just bought a 2008 Impreza
Wagon 2 wks ago after some idiot ran a red light and totaled my 2005 Subaru wagon. Needless to say, my old car protected me and my passenger in what was deemed a high speed t-bone collision (50 mph in a 25 mph zone). Me and the passenger walked away with not even a single scratch but the idiot that hit us was hospitalized.
Love your post. It hits close to home.
I’m glad you’re OK! The Subaru’s are tough little cars. Yes, they have a few finishing quirks, and no, they aren’t the most luxurious, but they are built for drivers and they refuse to die no matter how hard you push them. That Rally heritage really comes through.
Enjoy your 2008 =)