Shanevo6

Hi,
Has anyone bought a 2006 Euro import from Motorpoint (£15000), they say the only difference to UK spec is no security & no underseal? They will add security (Cat1 & Tracker) for about £800. I see a link on here for Motordepot, I assume they're Euro imports as well??
Please let me know any experiences or negatives.

Shane

KiwiGTI

I thought they were undersealed, only the alarm and tracker were not there.

bigman

Last time I looked at one from Motorpoint they were imports from Cyprus

They required undersealing, Cat1 alarm and immob.
They also didnt come with locking wheel nuts either.

The main downside is warranty, most dealers will not allow you to claim under the 3yr/60k subaru warranty and are not really interested in helping you. Most importantly though is that Motorpoint have got a terrible reputation and there after sales is non existant.

Try another supermarket like motorhouse 2000 in mansfield or similar. Same sort of price, but far better service. 2 members of staff at my work have sued Motorpoint in the last year for not honouring various work or warranty's.

Gutmann pug

Most european country cars are now covered by the proper IM warranty I believe........

I had a car from Cyprus I think and never had a problem in the slightest.....

People will try to talk you out of it as you are getting a better deal than they did

redragon

got mine from motorhouse 2000
but im still waitinng for them to get me a service book and paper work for alarm over 6 months ago
scoob was a great price but when you hand the cash over they dont want to no you

corradoboy

I believe the warranty issue was sorted out recently, see HERE and HERE. The company referred to in those links, Alliance Imports, seem to be well respected on here, as are Litchfield Imports.

Underseal you can do yourself, but shouldn't cost more than £80-100 if you get someone else to do it. Sigma S30 Cat 1 alarm, which is the newer version of the M30 used by IM/Subaru UK can be had for £220 fitted inc vat. Locking wheels nuts are McGuard and are IRO £30. Various tracker units available, but only fit one if your insurers require it. Let's face it, you probably don't want it back if they knick it. A better option is the Clifford Blackjax, available as a standalone item, or as part of a Clifford system. Standalone units can be had for £130-180. Scoobs can't be knicked without the keys or a tow, so with Blackjax even if they get the keys they won't get more than a few hundred yards.

pslewis

Remember the hard fact that it will have to be very much cheaper than a proper UK to sell when you come to sell it ..... and as for a decent part ex value from a main dealer - forget it!!

Stick to UK and do yourself a BIG favour ... there are outstanding deals out there for proper Imprezas!!

Pete

WRX300MAN

Should be especially careful with imports from sunny Cyprus, as many stolen cars end up there . . So the rumour goes . .

Gutmann pug

No it doesnt have to be much cheaper when you sell it...... Once its 3 years old its irrelevant whether its a UK car or not. Dealers other than Subaru dont really mind Euro cars, its the jap ones they aren't keen on ....

pslewis

Try selling a 6 year old IMPORT on AutoTrader for the same price as a proper one!!

Pete

Gutmann pug

Sold my euro import for good money, car was just under 3 years old. It made the same money as a UK car would with the same extra's fitted.

Buyer might haggle an extra £500 off you but not £2 or £3K which you save by buying from a supermarket .

Just my humble opinion......

white

IIRC Litchfield get their cars from Malta. Was told that the only difference between UK spec cars was side airbags and alarm and immobiliser. Warranty is exactly the same as well due to new EU regs.

pslewis

Yes ..... but it will NEVER be a proper one!!

You will always know you cheated and will walk forever with your head hung in shame ..

Pete

jfrf

after 6 years i cant see there being any significant difference in price

at the end of the day both uk and cyprus cars are imports as they are all made in japan at the same factory

Shanevo6

Thanks for the info guys, just had Motordepot offer me one for £14495 (£1000 off) any colour too!!!

Should've had a search around the forums before my post, don't see a problem with an import now.

Gutmann pug

Is it a 2.5ltr MY06? Make sure of that .....

white

That price would be for a WRX, not an STI. They offer an STI for 21995 without alarm and tracker.

pslewis

Remember the Insurance can be a BIG issue!!!

Pete

Gutmann pug

bbbbbbbbbbbull****

pslewis

What do you say when they ask, 'Is it a UK car Sir?'

Pete

Gutmann pug

Its a Euro car which is the same spec as a UK car, yes it has a CAT1 alarm and yes it has a tracker.

Daz1121

When I went to insure my 1st and current Scoob MY00 UK spec T2000 I was askes if it was a UK car or import. Asked what the difference would be in cost and they said about £200-£300 more expensive for the import. Now oh so glad I bought a UK spec car and the classic is a good choice

robs

I've got a MY06 from Litchfields - not sure the insurance is an issue ....it's an EU car, not a Japanese import....but even so, £200-£300 a year more in insurance....is going to take a lot of years to equate with the £4.5K saving on the purchase price... ;-)

pslewis

Yes, but you have to make do with second best all the time you own the car!

You will know its not a proper one .......... the shame!!

Pete

Gutmann pug

Its hard to keep going when no-one bites isnt it Pete?

DR Motorsport

My JDM STi currently costs £52 per year more than a UK STi through Admiral.

For a Euro Import against a UK model, a £200 difference is time to shop around.

It's a major saving just now. £5k on a WRX. Euro versus UK.
So you pay £500 for a tracker and Cat 1 alarm.
Oh and £30 for locking wheel nuts.

3 years down the line, at selling time, you sell it for £1000 less than a UK model.
Big deal.

You still saved £3000+


David

pslewis

I thought that this was a definate furtile fishing pond!!

Pete

Gutmann pug

no-one wants ''proper'' cars anymore pete ....... Get back to sports and start biggin Boro up again

white

Nothing wrong with the Boro mate . I'm not a big footie fan by any means by I do like the Boro for some strange reason

gubby

Why when someone asks for simple advice are they told complete rubbish by some on here.

Lets start with what you don't get if you buy from Motorpoint.
1. You don't get locking wheel nuts. - £25.00
2. You don't get a Sigma alarm - £350.00
3. You don't get the Labour free on your 1st service - say £80.00
4. You don't get UK front seats with side airbags.
5. A cup of coffee from your friendly dealer and a nice bedside manner as you hand over the cheque.
6. You don't have to haggle with a UK dealer to shave a measly Grand off the list price.
7. A stolen car
8. !2 month Road Tax is not included in the headline price, nor is their admin and preparation fee!! - c£275.00

BUT You do get:-

1. Underseal (on Maltesers from Liaco anyway)
2. If you buy from Motorpoint their manner is businesslike but never unpleasant.
3. More comfortable front seats.
4. A £5,000 saving on list without asking.
5. A 3 Years Manufacturers Warranty.
6. Exactly the same car as from a UK Dealer. No difference except for the comfy seats.

As far as Insurance is concerned they are parallell imports and are treated the same as UK cars by most. My insurance is with Barclays £415 for my WRX Wagon.

UK dealers are more than happy to take your money for Servicing & repairs. Why wouldn't they be?

You pays your money and takes your choice. If you are more comfortable shelling out and buying from a dealer then go for it. If you want to save a wedge of cash up front then Motorpoint are fine or maybe Lichfields would offer you more of a bedside manner if thats what you crave.

It's your choice but don't listen to some of the bollox posted on here about drastic reductions in resale value or insurance companies charging extortionate premiums or the cars being stolen as it is all nonesense.

Only get a Wagon they are far superior to the saloon