What to do with a non-runner?

SanjuNana · 05-29-2025, 05:37 PM

Hey all (if anyone's still out there, since this place is pretty dead) ... looking for advice or suggestions on what to do with my original owner, low(ish) miles 2001 RS Coupe. It's been garage kept, but idle and not running for 5+ years.

While I LOVED the car when it was my daily driver for almost 15 years, I think it's time to either move on and re-claim my garage space, or buckle down and (try) to get it running again. If I opt for getting it running, I'd want it to be reliable enough to use as a part time commuter and weekend fun car, but not auto-x or rallycross or anything like that.

I really have no idea how much $$$ it'd take to get going again, but I'm assuming multiple thousands, so at this point I'd probably be better off just cutting ties and trying to move it for whatever I can get for it, but it was so fun to drive back in the day ...

Any suggestions ... (including suggestions for posting this somewhere with more activity? Is there a subreddit, Discord channel or Facebook group that would be better?)

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Charlie-III · 05-29-2025, 11:14 PM

If it was running OK 5 years ago, I don't see it costing thousands to get running.
Likely items:
Battery
Timing belt (it's miles AND time limited, whichever comes first)
Fuel clean out
Oil change

Also good to do:
Fluid changes (brakes, coolant, trans)
Check HVAC
Spark plugs
Tires
Brakes

GF4dad · 05-30-2025, 03:49 PM

@sanjunana i msg you

GF4dad · 05-30-2025, 03:50 PM

Msg you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanjuNana

Hey all (if anyone's still out there, since this place is pretty dead) ... looking for advice or suggestions on what to do with my original owner, low(ish) miles 2001 RS Coupe. It's been garage kept, but idle and not running for 5+ years.

While I LOVED the car when it was my daily driver for almost 15 years, I think it's time to either move on and re-claim my garage space, or buckle down and (try) to get it running again. If I opt for getting it running, I'd want it to be reliable enough to use as a part time commuter and weekend fun car, but not auto-x or rallycross or anything like that.

I really have no idea how much $$$ it'd take to get going again, but I'm assuming multiple thousands, so at this point I'd probably be better off just cutting ties and trying to move it for whatever I can get for it, but it was so fun to drive back in the day ...

Any suggestions ... (including suggestions for posting this somewhere with more activity? Is there a subreddit, Discord channel or Facebook group that would be better?)

SanjuNana · 06-01-2025, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie-III

If it was running OK 5 years ago, I don't see it costing thousands to get running.
Likely items:
Battery
Timing belt (it's miles AND time limited, whichever comes first)
Fuel clean out
Oil change

Also good to do:
Fluid changes (brakes, coolant, trans)
Check HVAC
Spark plugs
Tires
Brakes

Thanks, that's a pretty good checklist and falls in line with what a neighborhood mechanic has recommended. I think I will at least go down this route and see if I can get her up and running again first without spending too much $$$ before deciding whether to sell.

Elbert Bass · 06-16-2025, 06:08 PM

Don't forget those 24 year old suspension bushings, joints, struts, brake lines, rubber hoses. Not to mention dry rot tires, mounts....

05-29-2025, 05:37 PM	#1
SanjuNana Scooby Newbie Member#: 3314 Join Date: Dec 2000 Chapter/Region: TXIC Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS BRP	What to do with a non-runner? Hey all (if anyone's still out there, since this place is pretty dead) ... looking for advice or suggestions on what to do with my original owner, low(ish) miles 2001 RS Coupe. It's been garage kept, but idle and not running for 5+ years. While I LOVED the car when it was my daily driver for almost 15 years, I think it's time to either move on and re-claim my garage space, or buckle down and (try) to get it running again. If I opt for getting it running, I'd want it to be reliable enough to use as a part time commuter and weekend fun car, but not auto-x or rallycross or anything like that. I really have no idea how much $$$ it'd take to get going again, but I'm assuming multiple thousands, so at this point I'd probably be better off just cutting ties and trying to move it for whatever I can get for it, but it was so fun to drive back in the day ... Any suggestions ... (including suggestions for posting this somewhere with more activity? Is there a subreddit, Discord channel or Facebook group that would be better?) * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-29-2025, 11:14 PM	#2
Charlie-III Scooby Guru Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: USA, North NJ, 07456 Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT	If it was running OK 5 years ago, I don't see it costing thousands to get running. Likely items: Battery Timing belt (it's miles AND time limited, whichever comes first) Fuel clean out Oil change Also good to do: Fluid changes (brakes, coolant, trans) Check HVAC Spark plugs Tires Brakes

05-30-2025, 03:49 PM	#3
GF4dad Scooby Newbie Member#: 360001 Join Date: Jun 2013 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: The Woodlands Vehicle: 00 RSTi Blue Ridge Pearl Metallic	@sanjunana i msg you

06-16-2025, 06:08 PM	#6
Elbert Bass Scooby Specialist Member#: 283429 Join Date: May 2011 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Down yonder. Vehicle: 2016 Crosstrek Silver	Don't forget those 24 year old suspension bushings, joints, struts, brake lines, rubber hoses. Not to mention dry rot tires, mounts....