3 Impreza Questions for the Subaru Jedi Out There...

[JT95]

1) '99 Outback Sport. I want to upgrade the seats to leather as soon as I can locate a doner. Does anyone know if the interior saw a major redesign in 2002? Up to what year of rear seat will swap into the '99? I'm not worried about getting front buckets to fit.

 

 

2) I want to upgrade the wheels. Will non-factory wheels not intended for this model affect the AWD system? If I stick with 15" wheels from another model of Subaru, will I be fine?

 

 

3) I would have preferred a stick, but can live with an auto trans; however, I'm not so sure I can live without a sunroof. Did Subaru install factory sunroofs in the Impreza wagons? I don't think I have ever seen one of this generation w/ a sunroof. Other than the threat of a botched job or future leaks, are there any dangers of having an aftermarket sunroof installed on this OBS?

 

Thanks.

[idosubaru]

wheels won't affect the AWD at all. keep the offset close to stock as possible to save your wheel bearings or just get another set of subaru rims that you like and put on there.

 

don't recall ever seeing an OBS with sunroof either, never noticed that.

[aircraft engineer]

I can answer the wheel question - your only problem will be with the max tire size. The 15 inch wheels will fit with no problem but at least on the 1997 the "max" tire size (to use with chains) is 195-60/15. The car is fitted with 205-60/15 so chains aren't exactly an "option" (not even cable chains)

 

(I've got a set of polished aluminum 15" 6 spoke American Racing wheels that were on an Impreza if you are interested - with the hub rings - see below for explanation)

 

The lug spacing pattern is 110 mm bolt circle, 5 lugs

 

12x1.25mm lug nuts

 

there are numerous cars that use the pattern (Chrysler mid 90/s cars and many of the "short" caravans for sure) Watch out for some wheels, though - you need a "hub centric ring" to make it fit the hubs on the axles (without it saying that mounting is "difficult" is being kind)