Hi,

Im looking at an 05/06 sti I have found that I can get insurance for the same price either way.

Can anyone list the pros and cons of JDM vs Type UK?

Thanks.

 

If the insurance is the same and is out of warranty, there is no 'con' by going JDM, only Pro's!

 

JDM will be older/higher mileage for the same money, but from what I understand everything else favours the import. EXCEPT...trading it in at a dealer might be tricky when you come to sell.

 

oh ok thanks. so it doesnt cost extra for tax or parts or anything?

 

Dont you mean less millage.. I have an 03 JDM and its only got 25k. Of all the ones i found when looking back in july the most i seen on any 2003 or newer sti was 33k, lowest was 9k. I wont say what i bought my car for but its twice the car a uk spec is with more than half the Millage.

I dont know why i didnt buy a JDM in the first place. (used to have a 2003 Type uk)

PLG rate on tax if imported before 2005. £185 per year. Also there is no CO2 reading on my V5 so i dont think it can ever be taken off this even when the tax hikes are introduced. We will see though.!

Dont buy a UK one.. JDM twin scroll sounds so much better!

 

How much power do want? How much are you looking to spend?

 

Im Looking to spend between £14000 - £15000 anything around the 320-400bhp mark would be nice. Id prefer to go a low mileage 05 model if I can get one for that price.

 

is it true you can get more hp from the jdm's?

 

Couldn't agree more, I too have a 2003 JDM STi. Bought it with 16k on the clock and full service history. Twin scroll, quick rack, DCCD-A, auto water spray. Basically a 2005 model for 2003 prices

 

How about this mate?
Subaru : Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti type uk 06

 

You will definitely get one for that price, especially with todays economic climate. My JDM was one of the best Impreza's i've ever owned. MUST have full history, with Japanese auction certificate which clearly verifies whether the car has been accident repaired or not. Also, make sure it's had additional underseal here in the UK.

 

It is a slightly better spec.

OP - you also need to consider in the 06 model whether you want a 2.5ltr or 2.0ltr engine as it's the UK spec that gets the 2.5ltr. IMHO the 2.5ltr is the better engine once lightly modified, but that really depends on the driver and your preferences. Test drive both is my advice.

 

I bought my K Reg Wrx jdm two months with only 67k thats a good mileage for its age, i have all ther service history even though its japanese lol .

I'll always be going for a jdm from now just because the extras you get and the extra power over the uk spec.

I say go for it

 

lots of pro's no real cons

 

Sound preferences are subjective ......

BUT

Are you out of your mind!! The flat four rumble is half the reason people go for a scooby, robbed of that it sounds, well, ordinary-ish!

Ns04

 

Nope, I mean higher mileage. I reckon (and I am never wrong) that the JDMs will hold up better in terms of depreciation. There are fewer of them, they are better cars and once warranties are out of the equation they will become more desirable to the Scoooby enthusiast.

FWIW I reckon that blue STI in the link above is well overpriced. Don't pay more than £14k for an 06 STI. And even then it had better be a good 'un!

 

Jdm all the way mate, i've got a uk turbo 2000 and although it's running 330 that's the limit for a uk, whereas if i had spent the £1000's that i have spent a jdm would be 400+

 

Rear wiper, nuff said

 

LOL that will be what makes it "twice the car"

 

JDM All the way!

The JDM are stronger engines as the Japs dont scrimp like the UK does!
Twin scroll gives you a quicker spool up and once mapped with a full pipe and airfilter you are looking easy 350!

Twin scroll sounds different.. and yes you dont get that growly burble that you get with UK cars because of the equal length manifold. The sound they do produce how ever is lovely! Just sounds like a real performance car!!

Speak to Juggers about a JDM Stocklist - Performance Centre Manchester if anyone can sort you out it will be him!





Just make sure you get your JDM mapped! They new engines are much more reliable than the classics.. but if you have a heavy right foot you dont want to take any chances



Vash

 

your car is very tidy mate, i need to get older quicker so i can afford to insure a sti newage.

White is the best colour of all


makes me laugh at my local Mc D's appreciation massive, because they own a honda or toyota they think its ok to plaster JDM stickers all over there car even though it was made in derby or wherever they make them over here.

 

You may think its well over priced mate but have you seen the state of some of the used sti's out there?
This one is mint.

 

Not wanting to rub anyone up the wrong way, BUT my local specialist who knows his stuff ex Mitsubishi and Subaru works rally team mechanic has many subaru's parked outside his workshop with blown or very sick engine's, five out of seven are imports. Some are showing very low miles. Speaking to Vince [mechanic] he states other than the clasics the majority of his work is on imports same with the Mitsubishi. He did also coment that most are down to bad tuning back to the mapping isue again. Im on my 3rd uk Scooby with no probs apart from a gearbox x 2 on my clasic and that was down to running big bhp. 2nd car bugeye wrx 320 bhp 80k no probs, Ive had my bugeye Sti for three years now i bought it with Tsl 333/300 bhp lbs .Now running Td0520g + suporting mods and again no probs and i do use them how they should be. I cant see subaru japan building two engine's one for them and another lesser engine for the uk, After all the japs are known for there buisness like aptitude. UK all the way for me thanks. rear window wiper like it

 

Taken from Litchfield

Mechanically the Japanese STI is much improved over the UK cars engine and chassis setup featuring:
Revised Engine internals
Equal Length exhaust Manifold
Twin Scroll Turbo
Revised ECU
Different inlet Cam
Revised exhaust
HID Drivers headlights
Automatic intercooler water spray button
Sports ABS
Front mounted water spray bottle
Red backlit dials
Additional card holder

Tyre width up from UK’s 225/45 17” to 235/45 17”
Improved Steering speed and feel
Rear windscreen wiper
The Japanese STI and Spec C also features Front
Revised centre diff control unit with additional sensors
New larger intercooler design

JDM's Rule!

Just make sure its mapped correctly and you will enjoy many years of happy motoring!

Vash

 

I'd be interested to know what the revised engine internals amounts to, because other than that you have a rear windscreen wiper over my UK spec... I personally wouldn't sacrafice my 2.5ltr engine for that and a twin scroll. I see the equal length manifold as a negative btw.

I got Sat Nav, a leather interior and a decent stereo in mine too, which makes up for that wiper lol

 

Really helpful

 

OK thanks. So go jdm and remap. now what do you guys do about the km speedo? do you have to get it changed? I really wanted one with warranty but the jdm does sound a lot better so I guess thats the gamble!

 

if it helps the insurance from a MY00 uk classic wrx to a modified MY03 JDM STi was hardly any different.

 

If you get a JDM that is done properly the KMPH sensor or what ever you want to call it will have been changed to MPH.. Same Speedo .. Just instead of the 70 being Kilometers its now telling you your speed in miles..

But they do cover the K at the stop of the dial to help people remember

 

I got mine down to £650 with A-Plan including Wheels, Suspension, Filter and Exhaust.

I'm 29 with full no plans blah blah