What would you guys do?

 

type r all the way, their value is going up now

 

Mmm has someone else been eyeing the white S202 for sale?

I’m going through a similar thought process. As far as I can make out without having actually driven one, the benefits of the S202 are greater upside for power increases without significant investment required, better build quality, 6-speed box plus improved passive safety. Plus the feel-good factor of owning one of the most coveted Impreza special editions.

On the other hand, can it really beat a well-sorted classic for sheer fun and nimbleness down a B-road? The S202 is pretty light for a newage, but still a good 100 kg more than a classic, 2 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider.

 

Haven't seen the white one - got a link? Although I would prefer a blue one

Is the 202 really 100kg's more? I thought (sort of guessed) they were pretty much the same, which was a big draw to the 202

 

Definitely the S202, I have owned two and they are a far better car than any classic - forget about is weighing more it is just a better car full stop.

Take an S202 for a drive and you will know exactly what I am on about, they are to my mind the best no compromise Impreza model built.

 

Hurst Cars had advertised a white S202 which they were importing, but I just checked and the advert has been withdrawn.

I would love to try an S202 but getting a test drive isn't straightforward. So in the meantime I rely on forum comments, the more detailed the better . How exactly is the S202 superior to a classic? Bearing in mind that it will be used on weekends only for pleasure driving, and the balance, rawness and lightness of the classic is a large part of its appeal.

 

I've owned a few new age STi's and the JDM twin scroll was the best of the pic

However, that car (370/360 8.2K red line etc) was so immensely capable it was just 'too much' for the road to have any real (sane) pleasure. It just did everything too well

The Type R does a pretty good job of course

Mine's 330 horse IMO the classic sweet spot. But although you could say it is the lesser performer, you feel the speed, it's shorter geared, more noisy etc - all adds into the fun mix. And, it has a beautiful organic connectedness to the road

OK, so I've bigged up the Type R, over to the S202 convincing

This isn't a classic/new age thing, it's a specific Type R/S202 thing

CF - Why did you sell two of them??

 

The first one was stupidly sold as I wanted to try a twin scroll and ended up buying a Blobeye Spec C, don't get me wrong the Blobeye was nice but the S202 was better.

The second one because I wanted something a little bit more 'refined' and easier to drive for long periods of time without getting out of the car exhausted.

Because of the lack of creature comforts including no noise insulation can make the car very tiring to drive for extended an period of time, for weekend driving the S202 is perfect - plenty of performance, fantastic handling and loads of kudos as well.

Plus I am one of those type of owners who likes to modify their car to their own taste as is happening with my Hatchback STi - I couldn't do too much to either S202 without ruining what the car is and is meant to be.

Plus the S202 tends to go unnoticed as well, unless you know about these cars you won't really pay them too much attention until they pass you with ease.

 

Thanks for that - All those points I'm liking

I have the Forester STi for longer haul/poor weather

OK, while you're around, would it be better to import a fresh one, given the yen situation?

They're a bit like hen's teeth in the UK

 

My last car was imported into the UK for me by Brave Auto International UK, the owner Tom is great to deal with and nothing is too much trouble.

It all depends what is up for sale at the moment, you do stand more chance of finding an S202 in Japan but they are starting to dry up over there as well. I would contact Tom or any other importer and ask them what is available and go from there.

 

This sold recently in Japan

http://j-garage.com/sale/87805636.html

 

Great feedback - but (but but) – is it as fun as a well-sorted classic?

What I’m looking for is a combination of the “immensely capable” as bonesetter describes his JDM twinscroll blobeye above, with the rawness and connectedness of the GC8. When I’m pushing hard in the deserts and mountains of Spain with my mates in their 996 Turbos and GT-Rs, my 330 bhp RA is at its outer envelope of capability. One route could be to go for bigger power in the classic, but the idea of the S202 with some minor tweaks is very appealing if it delivers the same thrills as the classic with greater upside in terms of outright performance.

 

Thanks Banny

So, if I've got it right that equates to ~£11,300

Ball park - how much extra needs to go on top to get it OTR in UK?

 

So that 11.5K car could easilly end up being £15 UK OTR

And then there's the upgrades to consider

Here is an example of the total cost involved in importing a car that has been won from auction:

£3,700 winning bid
£110 auction house fee (not necessary when buying off the lot)
£100 delivery to port depending on distance
£100 customs clearance
£20 marine insurance
£480 freight to Southampton & Newcastle ( £570 Bristol, £670 Liverpool)
£600 JCD fee
=======
£5110 = CIF

UK Duty & VAT Structure:
£3,700 + £480 = £4,180 x 10% = £418 (car cost + freight x 10% = Duty)
£3,700 + £480 + £418 = £4,598 x 20% = £920 (winning bid + freight +10% duty x 20% = VAT)
£418 Duty
£920 VAT
£165 for the customs clearance agent
=========
£1503 Total UK customs clearance cost + £5110 CIF = £6,613

In addition to this, MOT and registration form the total to have an excellent piece of kit on the UK roads.

http://www.japancardirect.com/buy-ca...united-kingdom

 

S202. Just do it!

Loads of grip, excellent steering, awesome performance due to the light weight. Has the planted feel of a newage with the chuckable feel of a classic.

Absolutely love mine to bits.

 

Heh heh heh I got mine for a steal

But it's worth £15k I assure you.

 

No doubt Stu (53) will be along shorty, he has an S202 and a pretty sorted classic too.

 

Yeah, Stu is the voice of reason on the gamut of Subaruotica

However, my lowly, but worth a lot to me Type R is market value about £5K. Freash S202, with supporting tlc & mods landed before given the full hoon - upwards of £15... what gives

53........

 

Ask yourself, is a 202 10 grand better than your type R......

Imagine the machine you'd have if you chucked 10 large at your R !!!

 

Two epic questions

The first - I doubt it.

I took a mate out in it the other day around my all time favourite 120 mile loop.

IMO - I've covered the same loop quicker in 'faster' Scooby's but it's the same experience

Question 2 - Total cost is probably the same

 

If you like DCCD the Type R offers, you will miss it if you buy an S202.

 

Did someone say 202 1330kgs

 

Very juicy pic indeed :-)

 

They all look good!

 

I'll submit a retrospective invoice in lieu of the above?

 

Once you've had black there's no going back.

 

It does look best in black.

 

And by which method would you like me to pay you that five pounds?

 

Save yourself a load of cash and keep the Type R, I am sure the S202 is a great car but it's not the kind of car that makes you look back and smile when you walk away from it, it's more of a tool to do a specific job where as the Type R is a thing of beauty as well as being a **** load of fun, it's also the only car that gives me that motorbike grin from ear to ear as you walk away from it.

I like my New Age but I love my Type R.

 

I hear what you're saying Ditch, but the 202 is not your normal new age car - by a long stretch