I know the JDM debate has been done but I couldn't quite figure this one out:

JDM STI MY03 in this country since the beginning. Plenty of service history. Mileage at 77 000. Remap, exhaust, coilovers

UK STI MY05 again full service history. Completely standard. Mileage at 33,000.

Both are advertised at the same price. What are your thoughts please?

Won't be looking to do crazy mods with either, do the mods on the JDM outweigh the mileage?

 

The JDM is a vastly better car even MY03 vs MY05 ... you need to choose between the better car with higher miles vs lower spec car with less miles!

Me? I'd choose JDM every time.

TX.

PS. Remap, zorst, coilovers must have cost the owner £3k? Must be why they are the same price.

 

look for a std JDM

 

Indeed, he's not getting his money back on them but then I don't suppose that anyone ever does.

I would probably look to do this level of mods at any rate. Seems cheaper to do it this way. Mainly road driving with the occasional track day thrown in. Is the higher gearing of the JDM enough to sway opinion in favour of the MY05 UK?

 

Jdm is lower geared, but still ok on motorway, I would look for a my05 jdm. Uk car in a my05 is still good car unless you specifically want a jdm. Jdm cars are superior but not to everyone's taste. It's a difficult one really as the lower mileage and my05 upgrades puts it pretty close for making a decision

 

a remap exhaust and coilovers could cost well under 1500 quid, even new

 

^^ *cough* where from?!

TX.

 

remap 300 quid? bc coilovers 670 odd quid, exhaust 400 quid?

 

£300 is open source?
Fitting of exhaust and coilovers to be taken into account (I can't even do Maccano)? How much now?

Exhaust on the model I am looking at is a catback afterburner vortex.

It also has some silly 19" alloys I'm keen to get rid of.

 

My RCM zorst cost £1200 just to buy ffs

TX.

 

£1200 just for an exhaust - you must be nuts

 

It was RCM

TX.

 

paid 400 quid for a 3.5" full decat APS exhaust, BC coilovers were 650 odd quid (add another 100 quid for fitting?) 70 quid for geometry setup.

if going down the open source map then yea 350 odd quid is the going rate is it not? all decent equipment for good money. Obviously aftermarket ECu will cost alot but you can pick up a second hand simtek for a newage for 5-600 quid still. so still around 2k or less all in.

 

alright there Jevs! Did you go look at the car today then?
You don't need to pay anyone to change an exhaust just bring it round mine.
You can get a complete exhaust system for £200 if you don't mind second hand and aren't fixated on roger clark.
Open source remap £250-£350 depending on who you go to.
No need for an aftermarket ecu if he goes jdm surely?

 

Yes mate, went to look yesterday, it had:

Certificate of milometer conversion
RAC Trackstar
Service history up to 56 000 inc timing belt
Receipt for ECUtek remap and exhaust 2009 scoobyworld.

No history between 56 000 and current mileage of 77 000. I have argued the price down to what I am happy to pay for it. My only question is if it hasn’t been serviced during this period (it may have, the oil looks ok and it drives well) is it likely to have done any damage?
I am having a technical inspection done on it and it seemed problem free on the drive.

Thanks for any advice.

 

Hi all, still looking for advice on the above. I'm having the vehicle inspection done tomorrow.

Thanks

 

Has the owner not even got receipts for parts bought in recent times, but if you having an inspection then should find out if it's all ok. If price right for you and cars a good one then go for it, any used car is a gamble but at least you are going in with your head right, if you do buy it then just get a full service done to be on safe side

 

That was my thinking. But nice to hear it from someone else. Have asked the engineer to have a look at all the fluids etc so will wait to hear what he says.

Thanks

 

Well if it has full history then i would assume as the cambelt has been done theres nothing much to worry about as long as the oil in it looked good the owner probably changed it himself between 56 and 77 there is nothing much else to do if everything else has been done previously other than brakes which were probably done once, how much time has passed between then and now could be a factor, all things being as they should i would not worry too much as many people do oil changes themselves as well as pads because there is nothing to it and with garage charges being what they are it's a couple of tanks full of fuel in labour charges.

 

I agree mate,
Just treat her to a full service once you got it and enjoy the car.

See you next week

 

Before or after I spank it to Cornwall and back?

 

Just to say thanks for all the help. I got the JDM in the end and its bloody brilliant. Got is fully serviced and going for a geometry set up this week. Excellent.

Thanks again

John