Im looking at buying a impreza but unsure whether to get a uk for insurance purpose or an import, could someone tell me the ups and downs of each car please any info appreciated!

regards dan

 

If your talking classic then a UK may be a safer bet due to the ammount of crap that gets imported by the cheap n cheerful importers
Most of the JDM wrx's/STi's you see now are pushing it a bit age wise, the older wrx's (92/3/4) should be avoided in fairness, but there are some bargains out there, you need full service history really, and no matter what, an unmolested car is in 90% of the cases a better car to get (plus one thats been run on super unleaded or mapped for uk fuel is a must)
JDM's are normally a little bit more powerful over the UK cars though, for example a 95 uk car has 208bhp, a JDM 95 saloon (note the saloon as the wagon has less power, ie 218bhp) is 257bhp (260ps) and they are normally better equipped over their uk counterparts.
UK cars are normally easier to track (HPI, service history etc) so thats their biggest advantage, and they can be tuned to similar power levels as the JDM cars, but you do need to specify if your after a classic or new age really

Tony

 

For classic shaped imprezas the imports are better equipped (electric mirrors,air con,better seats etc) and have a higher power rating e.g. 92-early 94 wrx is rated at 240ps (236bhp).
Most people run their imprezas on SUL (min 97 ron) but the UK spec cars can run on 95 ron (classic shaped not sure about newage)
It all depends really on how much you have to spend on an impreza,your age and if you have any offences on your license.

 

sorry m8 forgot to say, after a classic ,reliability wise is my main issue!
Heard lots of stories about subarus, headgaskets, diff probs. i got a bmw 523i e39 at mo and its good as gold just wanting a different car?

 

im 26, clean liscense, 3 yrs no claims, trying to do a deal with a subaru on my bmw, id say around the £3500 mark

 

Reliabilty imo isn't an issue on standard or slightly modded cars (exhausts etc) it's when people start fecking about with electronics,boost controllers etc) without doing it properly.

I've had mine for about 6 years (93 wrx) and the problem i've had was the cambelt stripping itself because the rollers were wobbling so i replaced all of them and the tensioner which wasn't cheap .

With imports you get more choice (wrx,sti ,Type R, type RA) with the UK you get the Turbo 2000 and that's it

 

im looking at buying ebay item number 170271034824, what do you think? also what should i look out for!

Thanks for your help!

dan

 

Outwardly it's purporting to be a...

Model

JDM WRX STi Version 3 4-door sedan


Date first registered

MY97 (Sep 1996 - Aug 1997)
If a 1996 version 3 as stated, then V5 registration document must read either Sep 96, Oct 96, Nov 96 or Dec 96


Applied Model Code (check VIN plate on passenger front suspension turret)

GC8D4ED


Engine Code (check VIN plate on passenger front suspension turret)

EJ20KDW6PR
'EJ20K' embossed on engine block also


Transmission Code (check VIN plate on passenger front suspension turret)

TY752VBCAA
Label on gearbox casing also

 

most to pay is around 3- 3.5k id say no more than that mate

 

There's no mention on how he's running 320bhp,as cat back exhaust and filter won't give 40-50bhp.
Phone him,you can gauge a lot by how they are,if he sounds like he's talking rubbish. Find out what make the suspension is,and what he wants for it,he could have a unrealistic reserve

Mit

 

Subaru : Impreza STI 300+BHP (stis are 280bhp as standard)

Free plug for myself:>

 

That looks like a nice car,not messed with too much.

 

view my scooby lovely type r standard spec never been messed about with.

07808924417 keith

 

im looking at doing a straight swap for my bmw, looks like a really nice car but then i know nothing about scoobys, so you think on mods hes saying its not running that bhp!

regards dan

 

are you selling your type-r mit if so how much,millage and service
cheers matthew

 

extract from the ebay listing.

IT ALSO HAS A TURBO TIMER WITH 5 DIFFERENT SETTINGS, ALWAYS LEFT TO WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING AWAY AN ALWAYS LEFT TO WIND DOWN BEFORE TURN OFF.. VERY IMPORTANT!! I HAVE OWNED MANY TURBO'D CARS AND HAVE ALWAYS TREATED THEM THE SAME.. GENUINE SCOOBY MATS, FOLDING MIRRORS, ABS , AIR CON, THE CAR IS 100% RELIABLE, RUNS AN PULLS LIKE A TRAIN, NEVER USE'S ANY OIL OR WATER BETWEEN SERVICES, I LOOKED AT MANY BEFORE BUYING THIS ONE AS IT WAS THE BEST BY FAR..... ANY INSPECTION WELCOME BY ARRANGEMENT. FIRST TO C WILL BUY.. MANY THANKS AND GOOD LUCK.. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL MY BROTHER OR EMAIL..


now extract these parts from it?
I HAVE OWNED MANY TURBO'D CARS AND HAVE ALWAYS TREATED THEM THE SAME..

LOOKED AT MANY BEFORE BUYING THIS ONE AS IT WAS THE BEST BY FAR.....

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL MY BROTHER OR EMAIL..

dont want to sound like im being picky but whos car is this?his or his brothers.

 

Blimey TB, can't believe you haven't gone in all guns blazing about how superior the JDMs are
dnc

 

I think you mean Winker!

 

If he's only done the exhaust from the cat,and the air filter,then he's not running 320bhp bhp sure. Standard car's 276,so 44bhp's a big hike! If the cat was removed it would be closer,still not 320.

 

I have had two scoobs, both JDMs.

Wouldn't have anything else.

First was a classic ver 6 and the second (currently for sale) is a 2004 Litchfield Type 20.

Can't really fault either of them and as noted above in previous threads they are better specified and of course more powerful.

You just have to be sure of the history.

 

cheers guys for all your help, i will find out when i go view car about the "extra" bhp gained, ill keep you all informed!

 

Julian,fancy a swop? I would need some cash my way!

 

Well im pointing out the con's of the "older" JDM cars, now if it were a new age JDM, id be singing its praises over the uk cars no problems its just that the ammout of junk in the classics which has made is way over here is astounding so finding a good one will be quite difficult plus the older ones can be a little tempremental and throw their oil pumps in the corner for no reason oh and they are always advertised as "mint"

Tony

 

Thats why i did the oil,cambelt,Api oil pump,and plugs when i got mine in December. I was the first UK owner. It did come with a cert to guarantee milage.Also only ever run it on v power. Trouble is,if it's been in the country a while,you've no idea how it's been treated.

 

lol sorry mate

 

just lookes at your profile mit
very nice and its the fastest colour

 

Yes it has 65000 miles service history type r version4.
£4800.

 

Thanks!
Only had it 10 months,was totally standard when i got it. I had a UK 2000 before,did a 2.5 conversion on it. I just can't leave them alone!
The RA is way better than the soft UK cars,as is the type R's,sti's ect.
But thats my opinion........

 

when i went to change the log book on my jap wrx, it only said subaru as the make and saloon as the model. therefore i insured it as a non turbo etc, i only do 2k miles a year etc. i'm 25, 4 years no claims, no points and i paid £380 for mine. good old admiral

 

So you're not insured then?