What would you go for?

 

I'd go UK and ECUTec it straight away. Maybe even remapping the SDrive functions.

After driving a new one and also owning a modded twin scroll Blobeye, I think the 2.5 engine will be the better option going forward.

I would also be worried about residuals on the JDM car - only being 2.0. Especially as the new car is appealing to previous non scooby owners, (It is only £2-3k more than a boggo UK car was in 1999!), who would also be the ones buying them from people in 2 years time.

 

Where the option for neither?

If I had to though? UK every time.
One word "Warranty"

 

uk will hold cash better than jap ... also you have the warranty and the added bonus of being able to make use of the dealer network and not just be tied to getting all your work done from one place. in current economic climate i'd want to know I have the backing of a company with a strong balance sheet backed by a large holding co.

 

You should add the option for Euro Sport-pack! That's what I went for

 

Didn't I read that the ECU wasn't Mapable?

Or am I imagining that ?

God I am getting old



I would go UK just cause I have always done that

 

Haven't read that about the Impreza. I know Nissan were saying the new GTR's ECU was unmappable.

They're wrong though, it's already been remapped.

 

 

Actually they said they tried to make it unmappable as possible, but if the owner does find away around it the warranty will b canceled.

 

Its always been the case that a remap (except for PPP) will invalidate your warranty!

Due to the SI-Drive, remapping of the new STI will be difficult as there is now effectively three maps rather than just one. There is also the fact there is now a drive-by-wire throttle, which will further complicate the mapping!

I'm sure the new car is mappable (Ian Litchfield has managed it, hasn't he!?), but its certainly going to separate the men from the boys when it comes to getting a decent map done!

I would also hold off mapping it until the mappers have got some experience with the new car - wouldn't want to be a guinea-pig unless the mapper was willing to do it for free and pay for a new engine if it all goes wrong! (Consider it investing in their own future! ).

Personally, I'll be opting for PPP when its available

 

JDM

 

There is also the matter of inlet and exhaust Cam timing

Iain and Powerstation are on the case even bought a new Gas analizer to help get lowest emmissions test readings for the lowest Road tax


Driven both UK and JDM I found the UK a little light on the Steering for my liking, the JDM has a Quicker rack and no quite so light IMHO

JDM was also the quicker Car

If I were going for the 2.5ltr version I'd not buy the UK I would get the EU Top spec model far better value for money

Tony

 

JDM gets my vote. Technically it is the better car.

 

If I was in the market for one, I would chose the JDM version without a shadow of doubt.

 

JDM for me

 

what are the pros and cons of buying a euro import over a uk model??

 

Lower price and you still get the full warranty!

IIRC, you can get a Euro spec with sport-pack (GPS, Recaros, fogs etc.) for the same price as the basic spec UK car.

 

If that's the case, that's what i'd get. But seeing as it's UK vs JDM. UK for me. Warranty seems a bonus with this car with the problems it's having.

 

But minus alarm, tracker and breakdown cover maybe different service intervals too so check

 

Dunno about the 08, but the blobs are the same service intervals, plus you don't need a battery-drainer, i mean tracker for the insurance.

 

David Hendry was selling the top spec Euro model for £27,995 otr, so a little more expensive but do represent excellent value if the extra's included are what you want/need. For me I was really only looking at the gold wheels (the top euro model comes with the BBS rims) so comparing the UK with gold Prodrive's was favourable to the euro model. As a daily driver and a lardy **** I didn't fancy the recaro's and the sat nav is nice but not worth the extra I would be paying plus I'd have to travel further to collect, whether a future p/x would be lower I don't know or about the insurance given we don't have that spec yet? UK it was for me and I'm collecting tomorrow.

But I would be more tempted with a euro model than a JDM as a daily driver, if a 2nd car doing low miles I'd consider the jap model.

 

This is the prices i've been told but not in writing



JDM top spec £26,995 OTR (another importer)

UK/EU Engine: 2.5l Turbo with Dual AVCS,
UK/EU Cast unequal headers
Power: 221kW / 300PS
Torque: 407Nm

JDM Engine: 2.0l Turbo with Dual AVCS
JDM Equal length S/S headers.
JDM Twin Scroll Turbo
JDM Quicker Rack

Hill Start Assist!

Top spec/sports pack has

BBS Wheels Wheels: 8.5 x18" with 245/40R18 tyres
Recaro Seats
DVD Navigation system with VGA monitor
Keyless entry
Start/Stop button
Tinted rear windows

Available colours:
02C - WR Blue Mica
32J - Obsidian Black Pearl
51E - Pure White
61K - Dark Gray Metallic
83S - Spark Silver Metallic
87P - Lightning Red
C8P - Midnight Blue Pearl.

IIRC IMHO

Tony

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You're also forgetting that the JDM car has a twin scroll turbo, better designed heads with larger valves and more aggressive cams.

Personally I really cannot see why anyone would want the UK car over the JDM variant. Litcho and PCM would offer a warranty on their cars so surely there is nothing to worry about.

 

ditto, JDM all day for me

 

The only thing to worry about with a JDM is the resale value of a Jap Import!

 

What? 3 year warranty?

What if it goes wrong and you need some warranty work doing. I live in the North East, so would I have to drive/trailer it all the way down to Licho's?

OK if you live near by, but for me my local dealer/service centre is just that, local.

Also you have to remember resale value. Trade it in, and most UK dealers (Any manufacturer) don't want to know Imports.

 

Warranty's not worth the paper it's written on half the times.

 

I don't know. I've had both front and rear struts change on my car, all within warranty. Without it, it would have cost me a fortune.

 

I Agree,

over the years, I've had cracked windscreen replaced, faulty brake discs replaced, suspension struts replaced, intercooler hoses replace, and various other little bits and pieces! All adds up to being very worthwhile!

 

I think Litcho would happily come and collect the car by trailer for you, no questions asked.


Most JDM cars I have seen seem to be fetching more privately than a UK equivalent. If when the time comes you do wish to sell, I'm sure that the importer you got it from would happily try and sell it for you for a small fee.