This Subaru Impreza is so badly beat-up, it surely has to be a one-owner car!
Subaru Impreza numbers have dwindled in recent memory, especially the “second golden era” that the Impreza had from the second-generation to third, from the early 2000s to early 2010s.
I know this myself, as even in 2019 or so did I remember calling them rare when my father bought his Impreza 1.6A, a 2007 (perhaps?) hatchback in black with matching black wheels. That car was already renewed on a 5-year death penalty, and was promptly executed early courtesy of mechanical problems and a minor accident.
They are much rarer now with many Impreza – from 1.5 to 1.6, WRX 2.0, WRX 2.5 and WRX STi 2.5 – scrapped from similar 5-year COE renewals. The first-generation GC platform is surprisingly not a lost cause, with around 15-20 units total left thriving back in 2023-2024. Shockingly is a single 1.6-litre unit still running around – but its on a WRX bodykit – not a big surprise!
But this one… this car doesn’t need the WRX kit – it needs the afterlife.
Normally, one has to go across the border to find genuine shitboxes (I have to say it) in this condition or worse, but give an old man enough time with his pride and joy – which is his time and supporting activities – and be amazed that he will absolutely cook his car (literally under the sun).
This is definitely owned by an older folk – its a manual – no kid or adult would buy into a manual when new!
Aside from the extreme clearcoat damage, the door sills are damaged, numerous scratches, a big dent on the rear quarter panel and no fussy modifications. Surprisingly, there is no seat covers on this car, and… holy hell, how do you destroy a handbrake cover?
This is amongst the worst condition Singapore cars that I can recall in recent memory. Some can have layers of dust or huge accident damage, but if it got into such a hit, its not drivable. This… is drivable, but I reckon on learned skill and prayers by the car itself. Whoever who drives this car probably cared more for his time than his steed!
For those keen on basic specs, these “economy” variants that is the 1.5R makes use of a 1.5-litre EL15 four-cylinder boxer-configuration engine producing 104 horsepower. The EL15 is based on the EJ15 that it replaced – although none of the same grit that would put it spec-for-spec with something like the newer 1.5-litre Toyota GR Yaris.
The EL15 in this usage was not turbocharged like the WRX but still came standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD), meaning better road grip and more expensive towing costs when needed!
MotorImage – it wouldn’t be an economical stunt but it would be funny to track down the owner of this Impreza and gift him a new car. For some reason, I do want this car to eventually be renewed – I think its capable of telling much more stories…
~Efini
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Read more: SG Archives: Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Wagon
