UK versus import
17 May 2002, 08:20 PM
#31
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: In wrxshire
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Okay just to put the other side of the myths 
.
I run optimax + millers so I reckon my cocktail must be around 100 RON.
Its also well known that the later STI were pushing 300PS rather than 280PS. I do take your point a lot of people think all import are 280bhp and will argue all day about it.
I do have one question if all UK cars have 230bhp standard how come the PPP only boasts 245PS. Also surely they cant tell the insurance they have 215bhp and put them out as 230bhp. BHP sells cars and it seems to me they are unlikely to be on the wrong side for the standard figure.
Its a turbo you can always turn up the boost and if done right and the fueling sorted you "maybe" okay but then the worry is the gearbox and clutch which will be under more strain. Have you priced up a new clutch and gearbox recently . Luckily my import RA as been uprated for both as standard.
Also I suggest you ring up and get a quote on a 320bhp UK spec car thats an increase of 50% over standard they would have a field day.
I prefer the specialist I use and it cheaper have you seen the labour rates £60 an hour + vat 
. I can also chat to the mechanic and stand and watch them pull my car apart 
.
A standard UK will run out at about 140-145. I doubt a UK turbo or a PPP UK will get anywhere near 167mph as there are about as aerodynamic as a brick. As we already know the new STI Type UK is limited to 155 as well. The only UK which would stand a chance is a P1 but I doubt it will see more than 155 proper speed maybe 160 down hill . Then again a P1 was a lot more expensive than an STI.
Okay you got me I agree but when you tell them its been mega modified I am sure they are going to put a few quid on top.
Common myth the boot isnt ally it just lightened steel, well it is on my MY00 RA. I did a detailed metallurgical analysis and the outcome was that the fridge magnet stuck to the boot and not to the bonnet
Not sure but I know my RA is a lot harder than my 98UK, you get use to it and to be honest it aint that bad and I am running 18" with a 35 profile.
Yep neither car is good anymore but you are never going to make money on them . I would be worried if I have paid full UK list as euro imports are now hitting about 16K new OTR. Let face it they are going to sting you whatever you buy.
To get to 276bhp you wont have an engine warranty and the chances are the car is illegal (I am sure a full decat is not legal as every car after 1992 has to be fitted with a cat ) and the insurance will sting you. Thats why they say "Has the car been modified in anyway ?".
It will still have some components of a less spec. Unless you uprated all bits STI spec or better and then what have you got, an STI. Unless you change the ratios as well a 276bhp UK will be slower 0-100 than a short ratio-ed import. Okay it maybe quicker top end but anyone who drive at 140+ for any length of time is risking their license and engine.
Just the other side of the coin. I have had both and enjoyed them both in different ways. My UK was much easier to drive to be honest. Less frantic and was nicely setup for UK roads. I went for the import as I didnt want an MY01 and wanted more standard power which is what I got. They dont suit everyone but ya pays ya money etc.
Cheers
ChrisP
.
Ok, lets put some import myths to rest shall we??
WRX's dont all have 70+ bhp on uk cars, most only have 10-30 max bhp, the earlier 92-94 wrx's pushed out 240ps (around 238bhp) on 100 ron fuel! a uk car will in standard form more often then not push 230bhp running sul or optimax and given the loss that makes it on par with said wrx
WRX's dont all have 70+ bhp on uk cars, most only have 10-30 max bhp, the earlier 92-94 wrx's pushed out 240ps (around 238bhp) on 100 ron fuel! a uk car will in standard form more often then not push 230bhp running sul or optimax and given the loss that makes it on par with said wrx
Its also well known that the later STI were pushing 300PS rather than 280PS. I do take your point a lot of people think all import are 280bhp and will argue all day about it.
I do have one question if all UK cars have 230bhp standard how come the PPP only boasts 245PS
. Also surely they cant tell the insurance they have 215bhp and put them out as 230bhp. BHP sells cars and it seems to me they are unlikely to be on the wrong side for the standard figure.
UK cars are not as tuneable as jap imports?? LOL! i think that if you ask Rich W about his 320bhp uk car with only 2k's worth of modifications and no doubt cheaper insurance than a 93 wrx it may prove that earlier uk cars are tuneable, even the later cars are
. Luckily my import RA as been uprated for both as standard. Also I suggest you ring up and get a quote on a 320bhp UK spec car thats an increase of 50% over standard they would have a field day.
Dealers will service jap imports???
Nope, not unless they want to loose their francise with subaru UK.
Nope, not unless they want to loose their francise with subaru UK.
. I can also chat to the mechanic and stand and watch them pull my car apart .
Shorter gearing makes better car??
In some circumstances but how many wrx's will hit 167mph? i bet not many
In some circumstances but how many wrx's will hit 167mph? i bet not many
. Then again a P1 was a lot more expensive than an STI.
Insurance is cheaper if you look around?
Sometimes true but a uk car will in theory always be cheaper than its grey counterpart (due to one being grp17 and the other grp20)
Sometimes true but a uk car will in theory always be cheaper than its grey counterpart (due to one being grp17 and the other grp20)
Jap cars have a higher spec?
Yep this is true, they have a/c as std as well as alloy bonnet and boot (plus some alloy suspension parts) but look at the cost if you break anything!
Yep this is true, they have a/c as std as well as alloy bonnet and boot (plus some alloy suspension parts) but look at the cost if you break anything!
Grey imports suspension is too hard for uk b roads?
I think the only car this really affected was the 22B, most will bounce you around a little more and why in the end did the MY99/00 have sti suspension fitted for the uk market (i think im right there but not sure!)
I think the only car this really affected was the 22B, most will bounce you around a little more and why in the end did the MY99/00 have sti suspension fitted for the uk market (i think im right there but not sure!)
Jap imports hold their value more?
errrrrrrm nope, you will loose much more over time with a Jap import than you will with a uk car, look at an MY99 sti5 with 23k on the clock, 27k new, 16k now, uk car is 21k new, 14k now (both dealer prices) 7k loss on uk and 11k on jap.
errrrrrrm nope, you will loose much more over time with a Jap import than you will with a uk car, look at an MY99 sti5 with 23k on the clock, 27k new, 16k now, uk car is 21k new, 14k now (both dealer prices) 7k loss on uk and 11k on jap.
. I would be worried if I have paid full UK list as euro imports are now hitting about 16K new OTR. Let face it they are going to sting you whatever you buy.
Its all horses for corses in the end but if you get your uk car up to 276bhp and leave your jap import at the same, the uk car will in the end be slightly quicker and cost you less to insure even though the uk car has (in some cases) a smaller yet more efficient turbo
) and the insurance will sting you. Thats why they say "Has the car been modified in anyway ?". It will still have some components of a less spec. Unless you uprated all bits STI spec or better and then what have you got, an STI
. Unless you change the ratios as well a 276bhp UK will be slower 0-100 than a short ratio-ed import. Okay it maybe quicker top end but anyone who drive at 140+ for any length of time is risking their license and engine.Just the other side of the coin. I have had both and enjoyed them both in different ways. My UK was much easier to drive to be honest. Less frantic and was nicely setup for UK roads. I went for the import as I didnt want an MY01 and wanted more standard power which is what I got. They dont suit everyone but ya pays ya money etc.
Cheers
ChrisP
17 May 2002, 10:20 PM
#32
Scooby Regular
In the next fwe months, I'm chopping in my UK MY95 5dr Scoob for a new WRX. The main reasons for my getting a UK were:-
1. Re-sale price
2. Had the extra warrantee - paid for itself over and over
3. Cheaper insurance (by HALF!!!)
4. UK Dealer has given me a STUPID p-ex price (I'm well chuffed!)
5. Known service history and ownership.....
Granted, the import is a faster, more powerful car..... at a price.
Dan
1. Re-sale price
2. Had the extra warrantee - paid for itself over and over
3. Cheaper insurance (by HALF!!!)
4. UK Dealer has given me a STUPID p-ex price (I'm well chuffed!
)5. Known service history and ownership.....
Granted, the import is a faster, more powerful car..... at a price.
Dan
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