Can an old subaru learn new tricks

[subarujim]

Good afternoon everybody, a while back I purchased a 94 impreza L sedan and I figured im just going to drive it for a while until I find something better....

 

But then this random thought struck me.. it dosen't have a cup holder.... so I thought to myself well I want one in here.. so I decided to think of all the things that would be needed to redo it and get a cupholder... but it didn't stop there..

 

Well after a little while I decided I want to make this car a project.. At the moment, I know next to nothing about cars, but I will be more then willing to read up and do things myself, and what I can not get done myself I will get someone who is qualified to do it.

 

But I would like to ask you all the community from a newb, Is a 94 subaru with 160,000 miles worth putting all this work into? And by work, by the end im planning on a new or refurbished engine new tranny, body work all the good stuff. Im not planning on this being a quick fix tho, this right now Im on a limited budget this is a project that will be going on for the next year or so.

 

But may i ask with your input, to get this car lookin good and be able to reflect its proud history honorbly how much do you see would take to make this project work?

 

Again thank you all for your input and have a great day.

[Subaru_dude]

Welcome to the board!!!

 

First off I would like to say... an Impreza is considered New Gen but I'm sure this thread will end up getting moved over there so don't worry about making a new thread.

 

Secondly, You do NOT need to refurbish anything on your Subaru. 160,000 miles is very young. I have a 225,000 mile Impreza and I wouldn't even consider a rebuild on either the engine OR tranny. They both work perfectly fine and the engine burns no oil.

 

Thirdly, I know how you feel when it comes to no cup holders. I haven't looked into a solution YET, but as for now I just use nature's cup holder.

 

Nice to see somebody so close. Tell us some details about the Imp.

[Flowmastered87GL]

This should be moved (by a moderator) to the new generation forum...

 

But you SHOULD have cupholders in a 94. There is a piece of black trim OVER the stereo but under the climate control dials. Slides out and up and then a piece flops down to hold the bottom of the cups.

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll90/JOHNRAMINTA/IMG_0482.jpg

 

Not my picture.... but shown here look at the top of the stereo how there is a horizontal line extending in the black trim to the side from the top of the stereo.... thats because that line is the cup holder meeting the trim.

[mountaingoatgruff]

my wife and i bought our 97 legacy l wagon with 180k and its at 183k now. i'll be doing the timing belt, water pump, valve adjustment, and brakes in a couple months or so then we're planning on driving it to denver and back from central ca later this year.

 

i've had a few project cars of more than a few different species and taken different paths with each them. with only 160k i think most folks would be happiest addressing mechanical needs first, mods and everything but the mechanical desires next, then maybe rebuild/replace engine/trans if it suits you.

 

oh, and as far as cupholders are concerned, i really don't like the cupholders in my wife's legacy. they're flimsy and poorly located. we just use the center console as the driver's cupholder. its kinda inconvenient and of course its not possible if the console is stuffed with junk!

[idosubaru]

rebuilt engines and transmissions are overkill on this car. they're too cheap and readily available to warrant that kind of work unless it's for a very specific reason. the Ej18/EJ22 in that car is rock solid. don't run it out of oil or overheat it and it will last as long as you care to maintain it and replace leaky oil seals.