burgers22

Hi

The GF & I are thinking of changing her 172 Cliosport for an Impreza, we simply can do without 4 doors you see . We're after any advice on which modle to chose & what to look out for when buying. We've got a budget of £13K or so. The models we like the look of are the 2000 STi type IV, V & VI, as we're looking for a fast, but easy to live with road car, 4 door & with all the creature comforts, Type R & RAs are realy a bit to extreme for us. Possibly a bugeye STI 7 could also be in the running, how do these stack up against the classic shape STIs?

I think I'm right in saying the 2000 STi's are Jap import models, again any advice about getting an import? I belive undersealing is an issue, along with getting a dealer to sevice them & insurance. Can these models be traced to the importer & if so any good or bad importers to look out for.

A bit of help on the boring but importanit stuff, like servicing, good or bad dealers (we're in Kent), insurance, got a quote for £1300 not sure if this was for an import as it was on line, tyre wear, things that go bang, etc. I've done a bit of reaserch on chassis numbers & specs, so I hope to know I'd be getting the real deal, not just some pink stickers! Any other pointers would be great. Thanks in advance.

MB

rizzy

welcome to scoobynet its IMPREZA by the way,i reckon the ideal car for you is the rb5,nice ltd edition.

burgers22

Hi

Da, soeone nicked the /\/\ key fro y keyboard, no, no I've found it now.....

I'll have a look at the RB5 spec, is that a UK car?

MB

Ray_li

RB5's are UK cars.
Cant go wrong if you want a 4 door scooby. check out www.rb5oc.co.uk for more info

There is a mint UK 2000 turbo for sale at the mo with 13k on the clock for £11k

Ray

kilo_4que

check ure PM matey

burgers22

Hi

The RB5 is a very interesting choice, I was under the impresion that the RB5 had only 2 doors, but I can see this is incorrect. I'm guessing that the RB5 would be a bit slower than a STI 5/6. On the up side it is a UK car, a bit rear & very good looking. Anyone have experiance of an RB5 & STI5/6, or maybe an STI 7?

All feed back apriciated.

MB

Stiver3

Hi


Your scope is huge for the budget you have. You could buy a new shape or bug eye for that price, but then for me and many other you do away with a lot of the impreza history and styling.

As a few have posted, the RB5 is the perfect choice. 22B's and P1's are 3 dr and the old UK special models are terzo etc.... not what you are after thought.

RB5 is a great model but make sure you select one with the upgraded prodrive package model (well worth the extra £1K or so on top), a lot more desirable.

Imports eithet should not be overlooked. I have recently bought an import STi Ver 3 (rare) with a lot better spec and performance than an RB5. 280ps, hand finished engine, sti seats, high rear wing, climate, air con etc (usual Sti refinements)

Depends upon what sort of performance and lengths you are willing to go on risk of not knowing the total history of a japanese impreza and sourcing parts etc.

Cheers

Ray_li

how old are you? If you are under 25 no chance getting insured on an import but if you are. STI5

Chris L

Hi MB - welcome to the forum - I changed your thread title

Neil Smalley

As mentioned above your choice is huge.

Imported cars (any Sti under a late 51 or 02 reg) will need to be run on Super unleaded plus octane booster, and will also need to be serviced by a specialist dealer.

A Bug eye Sti TYPE UK (It'll have type uk labelled somewhere on it) is not an import and can be serviced at any subaru dealer and may well be in your price range. They do not require octane booster to be used safely.

An RB5 is a good choice, so long as it's been looked after and has the prodrive performance pack fitted(ask to see the certificate) as it will be as quick in the real world as a bug eye STI.

In terms of performance the imported 'classic' MK1 STI will be fastest, followed by a bug eye STI and then a UK car. A bug eye WRX will be about as quick in a straight line as your 172.

Personally I would look for a Bug eye STI type UK as this will have full dealer support, cost less to insure and run and has the option of upgrading to 300Bhp with full warrenty.

Having owned both I would say that classics are still great cars, are a lot lighter than the new ones but feel like tin cans connected to a rocket booster. The new cars are heavier, but feel a lot more solid and the interiors are of better quality. It Depends on what you want. Don't be afraid to take your time, go test drive a few, as everyone will have different opinions and preferences.

Ray_li

Take this onboard. Neil gave me top advise b4 I bought my scooby

burgers22

Ha! If only mate, I'd be on an R1 or GSXR forum, I'll be 41 this year.

Neil & STIver3, this is great advice, I've sort of got it down to the STI5/6 or the Bugeye STI7. As you point out the standard WRX isn't much of a move up from the 172

Years ago it would have been the classic shape STI or a type R, but I've got use to a bit of comfort over the years & after a few (boring) company cars have got use to getting things dealer serviced. I still like to do a bit of tinkering but only if I chose to.

Yep a couple of test drives are in order, can anyone recomend a good dealer in Kent who would oblige?

MB

STi Blues

Hi mate,

Suggest you try Autoworld near Canterbury - they have done a lot of work (all of it good) on my classic Sti. Alwys have a good delection of imports in stock and can order to your own spec/needs.

burgers22

Hi

Thanks, I'll go & have a look at them. If I get a JDM STI5/6 I'll get one thats allready been imported, I realy like to see what I'm buying. If I go for a STI7 I'll get a UK car. Cheers.

MB

Keef69

Complete rubbish about having to use octane booster and get main dealer services for the jdm sti's. Mine (V3 sti) has been in the country since 1998 and run on SUL or Optimax only. I have a very good mechanic who is an Impreza lover too, not a main dealer by a long shot!

Yes, do the test drives, the difference between mine and an 04 WRX STI with PPP for instance, is amazing. And that's supposed to be 320bhp. BHP is not the B all and end all, look at weight and gear ratios too.

Neil Smalley

Keef, a lot depends on the mapping of the car. If the import has been remapped to use <100 RON fuel you'll be ok. If you fit a knocklink to your car you'll see that it lights up even with optimax/SUL. Of course by now your cars ECU will have retarded the ignition to try and cope with lesser octane fuel, but I think you'll be surprised at the difference between SUL and SUL+octane. If you only do short trips, with small amounts of boost you'll be fine on SUL. If you want to track your car or do long high speed runs(with lots of on/off high boost) then IMHO SUL+octane is a must.

Main dealers won't(in the vast majority of cases) service Japanese imports, which I why I said specialists.

burgers22

Hi All

Thanks for all the input. The GF & I have been looking at a few cars. We went to Riverside near East Peckham who have a few classics in, & also to the Subaru dealers on the A20 at Larkfield, to have a look at the bugeyes.

We have upped the budget to £15K so we can have a chance at getting an STi7 hopefully with PPP. The reasons for this, are mainly with getting a lowish milage car with a known UK history. The classics have a differany appeal, which would have suited me a few years ago. It is as ever horses for courses.

A couple of questions about the STi 7, are the service intervals the same as the older Stis at 6 months/7500miles or the same as the STi8, which are yearly/10000 miles I belive.

Is there an easy visual check that can be done to see if the car realy has a PPP? Can Prodrive be contacted to see if the bar has had a PPP?

MB