I'm really sorry if you guys have heard all these questions before!

I'm going to buy an STI of some type... either a type uk or a jdm. You may or maynot believe the amount of varying info I have been given with regard to these machines!!!

It seems that lots of people 'think' they know it all but that cant be the case because the stories dont match.

What I would like to know is... the spec differences between a 2003 type uk sti and the jdm version, I have heard about things like aluminium suspension parts on the jdm which would be steel on the uk, different gear ratios, twin scroll turbo, electronically controlled diff, under body anti corrosion protection (or lack of it on the jdm cars) etc etc, I can't even be arsed to type all the different stories I have been told.

What would the service schudule be for the jdm cars? How often should the oil be changed? Is it the same as a type uk? Cambelt change intervals?

I have heard that most of the jdm cars have no jap service history, if this is the case how the hell do I know that I am not buying a car with starship mileage? As you can imagine, I'm a little nervous of handing over a lot of cash for a car that has no history.

Any 'good and acurate' advice is very welcome.

Again I apologise for asking questions that I'm sure have been asked before, but everyone has to start somewhere.

 

Whereabouts are you in the country?

Maybe someone can offer to attend a viewing of a car to assist?

Any secondhand car coming from Japan is open to having a dubious history. Personally I would stick with tried and trusted importers. I had my car imported brand new from Litchfield Imports and he also brings in used imports depending on customer requirements. He is a top bloke and can be trusted to find you a decent car.

HTH.

 

Do a BIMTA check on the car you want, it gives you some indication of history in Japan. BIMTA UK Motor Trade Association - Japanese & Grey Car Import Advice

 

Im in Worthing in Sussex but going to Kent to look at the car on Saturday. Whats worrying is that I've been in the motortrade for years and its still a nightmare!

 

Sii you should be able to find a huge amount of information on here about the differences between a JDM and UK STI, there is also changes in each of the Model years to understand as well What do you want to do with the car? if you want a nice quick day to day car then either the UK STI or JDM STI will suit. If you want to get into trackdays you might want to consider something like a JDM Spec C. The choice of Imprezas is massive but it does mean with plenty of research you can find the right type of car for you

With the Japanese cars it is worth having a BIMTA check on used cars and I'd also double check the age and date of original registration as there have been a number cases of paperwork being "doctored" to bring cars in. A side from that just do the normal checks.

Iain

 

As Iain said

It might have helped if you'd given us an Idea what model year Import your after

MY95-00 (classic)
MY2001- (Newage)

To indicate the variance between what youve been told and "Facts" you'll have to understand what you have asked

here are most of the different "Classic" Japanese Import models all are different to "UK" scoobs and UK special editions

A Nov.92-Sep.93
MY93 GC8A48D 240 WRX 4 door First Impreza Turbo
GC8A47D 240 WRX RA 4 door

B Oct.93-Aug.94
MY94 GC8B48D 240 WRX 4 door
GC8B47D 240 WRX RA 4 door
GC8B48D 250 WRX STi 4 door First appearance of STi, modified from production WRX
GF8B58D 220 WRX 5 door First appearance of 5 door
GF8B58D 220 WRX SA 5 door Auto transmission fitted after production
GF8B58D 250 WRX STi 5 door As per WRX STi 4 door, modified from production vehicle.

C1 Sep.94-Aug.95
MY95 GC8C48D 260 WRX 4 door
GC8C47D 260 WRX RA 4 door
GC8C47D 275 WRX RA STi 4 door Modified from production WRX
GF8C58D 220 WRX 4 door

C2 Sep.95-Aug.96
MY96 GC8C48D 260 WRX 4 door
GC8C47D 260 WRX RA 4 door
GC8C4ED 275 WRX STi2 4 door First full production STi
GC8C4ED 275 WRX STi2 555 4 door Special edition
GC8C4DD 275 WRX RA STi First full production STi RA
GC8C4DD 275 WRX RA STi2 V-Limited Special edition
GF8C58D 220 WRX 5 door
GF8C58D 260 WRX STi2 5 door
GF8C58D 260 WRX STi2 555 5 door Special edition
GF8C58P 220 WRX 5 door AT First production automatic transmission

D Sep.96-Aug.97
MY97
(Facelift) GC8D2DD 300 WRX STi R 2 door First 2 door coupe
GC8D48D 280 WRX 4 door
GC8D47D 280 WRX RA 4 door
GC8D4ED 300 WRX STi3 4 door
GC8D4ED 300 WRX STi3 V-Limited 4 door Special edition
GC8D4DD 300 WRX RA STi3
GF8D58D 240 WRX 5 door
GF8D5ED 300 WRX STi3 5 door
GF8D5ED 300 WRX STi3 V-Limited 5 door Special edition
GF8D58P 240 WRX 5 door AT

E Sep.97-Aug.98
MY98 GC8E2DD 300 WRX R STi4 2 door
GC8E2DD 300 WRX R STi4 V-Limited 2 door Special edition
GC8E2SD 300 WRX R STi 22B Wide bodied 2.2 litre special edition
GC8E27D 300 WRX RA V-Limited 2 door Special edition 2 door RA
GC8E48D 280 WRX 4 door
GC8E47D 280 WRX RA 4 door
GC8E4ED 300 WRX STi4 4 door
GC8E4DD 300 WRX RA STi4 4 door
GC8E4DD 300 WRX RA STi4 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GF8E58D 280 WRX 5 door
GF8E5ED 300 WRX STi4 5 door
GF8E58P 240 WRX 5 door AT

F Sep.98-Aug.99
MY99 GC8F2DD 300 WRX R STi5 2 door
GC8F2DD 300 WRX R STi5 V-Limited 2 door Special edition
GC8F27D 300 WRX RA V-Limited 2 door Special edition 2 door RA
GC8F48D 280 WRX 4 door
GC8F47D 280 WRX RA 4 door
GC8F4ED 300 WRX STi4 4 door
GC8F4DD 300 WRX RA STi5 4 door
GC8F4DD 300 WRX RA STi5 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GF8F58D 280 WRX 5 door
GF8F5ED 300 WRX STi5 5 door
GF8F58P 240 WRX 5 door AT

G Sep.99-Aug.00
MY2000 GC8G2DD 300 WRX R STi5 2 door
GC8G2DD 300 WRX R STi5 V-Limited 2 door Special edition
GC8G27D 300 WRX RA V-Limited 2 door Special edition 2 door RA
GC8G48D 280 WRX 4 door
GC8G47D 280 WRX RA 4 door
GC8G4ED 300 WRX STi4 4 door
GC8G4DD 300 WRX RA STi5 4 door
GC8G4DD 300 WRX RA STi5 4 door V-Limited Special edition
GF8G58D 240 WRX 5 door
GF8G5ED 300 WRX STi5 5 door
GF8G58P 240 WRX 5 door AT


Subaru Impreza FAQ