IM as usual are damned if they do, damn if they dont. IMHO the WRX at under 20k has been on the cards for the last year. With that the STI had to come down as well. 7.5k is too much of a price difference.

Well done IM on this one, although I feel sorry for those who have caught a cold

Jonathan

This makes me a bit glum but you need to look at the bright side. I was lucky 18 months ago to have a bit of spare cash. With a reasonable trade in I managed to get a UK 300 which I love to bits. When the STI 7 came out I thought I wish I'd held off but I needed a new car at the time so a 300 it was (hopefully I've saved a bit in insurance too). 25000 miles later I'm still very happy with the car.

What is good is I know feel there is a chance that I'll be able to afford another Impreza in a (good) few year time but that I'll get a lot of fun out the 300 in the meantime.

Its clear from this thread the new WRX still isnt the finished article and maybe in 4 - 5 years time there will be a newer model with a few nice wee extras on it (and hopefully a little cheaper too).

To put things in perspective I paid 2 grand for a computer 2 years ago that you could buy for £500 now. Its life, just need to accept that and get on with things.

I've not seen the write up on the Evo8, but if it's as good as/better than the Evo7, why would ANYONE pay £3k MORE for a Subaru? Especially when IM have no intention of importing the best version, yet again?
:(:
Alcazar

"EU import prices are supposed to be on the increase so hopefully the gap will close even more." - Spoken like a true money grabbing selfish dealer.

I think the 22k Evo is the 220 bhp 'cooking' version, designed to compete with the WRX. Looks like Subaru have undercut it by 2k :eek:

Dan4,
I think your comment is a little harsh.
The man is in business and we are all in business to make money. I thought it was nice that he took the time to announce the prices, good luck to the man, if he sells some cars out of it then he did well.
M

The prices will bring Subarus more in line with what is available out there. I was 'leaked' these prices well before Christmas!! ;)

It also looks like MY01/02 owners are in trouble!! :eek: I was told I should be able to get a 'UK' bugeye for the £10-12k mark soon!! :eek:

MAC,

My opinion and this is where we air them is it not? Just pi$$es me off the attitude of some dealers. However if you want to give them more of your hard earned cash than is necessary, then that is up to you. I'd rather spend it on a holiday or gifts for my kids etc. Opinios are like dealers, everyone has one! ;)

Dan

PS - UK cars should be priced at the same level as EU cars to start with, that would close the gap. Why are cars over here more expensive?

Prices & Equipment
Evolution VIII GSR £27,795 OTR
Full 6-Speed GSR + Titanium Turbo
Delivery
Additional Underseal
Warranty
PDI Inspection
Complete Valet and Polish
12 Months Road Fund Licence
Category 1 Remote Alarm
RAC Trackstar

Evolution VIII RS £26,995 OTR
RS 6-Speed with Titanium Turbo
17" ENKEI Alloys & Brembo Brakes
MOMO Steering Wheel
Recaro Seats & Passenger airbag
Delivery
Additional Underseal
Warranty
PDI Inspection
Complete Valet and Polish
12 Months Road Fund Licence
Category 1 Remote Alarm
RAC Trackstar

Evolution VIII RS £22,995 OTR
RS 5-Speed with Titanium Turbo
MOMO Steering Wheel
Recaro Seats & Passenger airbag
Delivery
Additional Underseal
Warranty
PDI Inspection
Complete Valet and Polish
12 Months Road Fund Licence


Andy

All with 276bhp.....

Agree partly with Dan4:
WHY are car prices higher over here?
I've not heard a convincing argument yet!!![img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Alcazar

Well to me the EVO VIII at 23K looks a fantastic car. Maybe it doesn't have all the toys that the other have including the STi but to me it's an up to date "classic" Impreza equivalent for the new century. Forget all these flabby cosseted cars and go back to what the Impreza is all about, bang for buck performance even if it means a slight sacrifice in the old luxury department. And with 276bhp to start with :D:D:D Well done Mitsubishi!

They are not for us over here.

When we are finished paying VAT & taxes, or BPM and VAT in The Netherlands, the pricing is not that much different.

Sti,
The RS is only 5 speed though and comes as standard with tiny brakes and wheels I believe. It is normally used as the base for rally cars and as such, is stripped of all luxuries as aircon, climate control, electric windows and so on.

The more likely base 'road model' will be the RS at £27k that has the 'extras' fitted.

Rumour has it that the prices may well be lower than those above as well :D

Andy

Oh Well :( At least it's got the same engine though :D

Does the EVo have to meet type approval in the same way as the STi?

Sti,
A bit more info for you at http://www.litimports.co.uk/evo8.html

290 ft-lbs of torque and a bigger fuel tank

Andy

Pete

No change to the 3 year warranty as far as we know, but I will inform you if the sitution changes.

Scooby Si

STi has 265BHP but changes to the power delivery have made throttle response better, plus handling improvements.
Talk to me about group buy through phone or email.

Where to start on EU pricing against UK pricing. They should be the same as far as I'm concerned, but they are not.
Until we are all in the Euro and local taxation is equal accross europe there will always be a disparity.
Subaru say they subsidise the pre taxation price to the dutch and belgium dealers because of high car taxation in that country.
Thus allowing the importers to pay a low pre tax price abroad and then pay the 17.5% in the UK.

As for dealers being money grabbing ba$tards, I hate generalisations. No 2 customers are the same so why tar all dealers with the same brush. Yes we are here to make a living but not a killing. The average dealer has invested over a £1,000,000 in a Subaru dealership and has to make a return. The margins have never been tighter and the overheads have never been higher so don't think we all sit in our air conditioned glass palaces counting our cash. We have to work for a living just like everyone else.

I'll now go and put my flame proof suit on !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers for all the positive comments its nice to see ScoobyNet has not gone completely down the pan.

Ian

Ian,

Nice to see that you agree with your customers that UK and Euro prices should be the same. However your comment about the gap closing due to Euro prices rising suggetsed that profits would become better for you, not savings becoming greater for your loyal punters. That is what caused me to comment as I did, not because I like to generalise about dealers (my local dealer is actually very helpful with my EU import).

As for your comment about ScoobyNet going down the pan, I hope that I am just being paranoid and that wasn't directed my way!

Dan - Who would have been glad to buy his car from a UK dealer if he could see £6000 of extra value in it!

Dan

No thats comment was not directed directly at you. I just hate some of the small minded people who take pleasure in slagging dealers at every oportunity.
I like a fair and balanced debate, just like I'm sure you do.

The comment about prices rising on euro imports was only what we have been told, as the subsidy Subaru Japan currently give these markets due to their high local taxation is to be reduced.
I think a level playing field would stop the duel market currently active and thus help residual values for us all.
The more we can give for part exchanges the more cars we sell, and with the best will in the world you have to agree Euro imports have hurt the WRX residuals along with many other factors I know.

Cheers

Ian

Nobody has heard a convincing argument for the UK/EU price difference, because there isn't one. There never has been, and I find it a little strange that some people seem to be talking about it as if it's something new. If the difference is reduced because the EU prices are increased the only people who should be complaining are the EU dealers and importers. I'm pretty sure the UK dealers aren't going to see bigger profits.

As for the Evo VIII being £22k, I'll believe it when it happens. The magazine price estimates are so far off the mark, it's hard to believe they know anything we don't. Only a few weeks ago I recall Autocar stating that the STi price would be £30k, so I wouldn't give another mag's £22k price tag for the Evo much credence. If 01/02 owners feel they've been stitched up, just think how Evo VII owners would feel if it were true.

Anyway, I'm quite pleased I order my STi8 way back in November now.

Josh

At the end of the day its each to there own ive always bought uk will always buy uk and i love my 02 wrx and wont swop it for anything ok ive had to modify to my taste but i had to with my my95 and my00 its rare you get anything back on the mods but such is life!


Mark:D

Markbluemica, once again speaking my thoughts. Totally agree. Would have been slightly more miffed had I bought pre-price cut, but still, that's life. And I think I still prefer an 02 with morettes to the 03 car.

Me too;)


Mark:D

CHEAPER AT LAST, THAT SHOULD HURT THE FOCUS RS

Of course the real "Rip-off" is done from Japan. No-one will convince me that Imprezas need to cost as much more over here than they do in Japan. Not when Honda can build a hotter, better specced Civic in Swindon, and export it to Japan for less than we pay for a lesser model?
The Japanese refer to Britain as "Treasure Island", and not without cause.
You only have to look at the £ for $ rate: A Japanese item costing £1000 in Britain costs $1000 in the USA That's an immmediate saving of 30%. It's disgusting.[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Alcazar

does anyone know whether they are still going to do the PPP on the MY03 STi8? that would be 27k with that also....

I think I will stay well out of this one

PPP will be available for £2000 on Impreza III

Good idea Arron, got your car back yet.
Could you please send reg doc for the 51 plate car you had.

X2WRX / Pete,

I too have heard 3yr manufacturer's warranty is being issued with the '03..

Regarding '01/'02 prices, once the used car market stabalises, surely the second hand value is going to be no more effected than the when the '01 came out and replaced the '00, albeit considered a lesser car by the old-timer enthusiasts on here.

Rgds, Alex

Never actually recieved a reg doc.Suggest you contact DVLA. Flogged it to any other poor un-suspecting punter yet.
How are your squeaks and rattles.
This car is fine........now.

Just as a note EU prices have recently been released. and they are LESS than the old prices. I ordrered my import for 16300. Then the dealer got back to my import company with a price of 15900. Prices have gone down throughout the whole EU for the new model - i think.

So IMO it still makes sense to go abroad.

The delivery time is approx 4 months. dunno what uk dealers are quoting