I'm in the market for a classic but i keep seeing cars advertised as 'wrx' 'sti' e.t.c how can i tell the diffrence? i dont want to buy something that im being told is an sti but is really just a normal turbo, thanks for any advice.

 

All WRX or WRX STI will be imported cars.
Easy spot is the indicator and headlight stalks will be the other way round.
Colour is quite often an early sign but by no means an exact spot. Things like green, dark red metallic and blue metallic are "usually" English cars.
WRX and STI models have electric aerials on rear wing (except RA) compared to manual ones on English cars.
Rear wiper for jap cars (again not RA)
But the most important thing to check is the 8 digit number on the vin plate. It determines the exact model of car.

It's easy to get caught out if your a newbie as many people transform their boring UK cars to look like an STI, and some do it very well.

Best thing to do is, if you find a car you like the look of post a link to the advert on here. Somebody will be able to help.

 

Nice bit of summing up there, Matty.
If you post the chassis number of any prospective purchase , folk will tell you exactly what the car is.
Some prefer todo this by way of pm.

 

Get the 'Applied Model Code' off the vin plate which is under the bonnet on top of the passenger strut and post it up on here or google it

 

Is there a guide somewhere for the chassis codes?

 

http://www.ken555.plus.com/sti/wrx.html

and some sti's dont have leccy ariel's like mine

 

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.p...ProductionRuns

 

Sorry mate yep there is, You can either use

http://www.catherineandken.co.uk/sti/wrx.html

although this is not 100% accurate and doesn`t cover all models
The better option is to type it in here and it will give you the details

http://www.scoobyprojects.co.uk/tech...iedmodel.shtml

Gaz.

 

Or just PM me fella.
I've got a list here of all the applied model codes.

What STI do you have Sonic ?
I know V2 upwards have electric arial, have you got the first STI model by any chance ?

 

sti v1 shell thats about all thats left of the original car now lol number 078/100 april 94

 

oh wait it's still got the original speedo 80,000 km on it but going to do a facelift dash swap or maybe a new age dash been told they fit strait in

 

Well, learn something new every day, lol.
Didn't realize the first STI's had manual aerials.

Just looked through my extensive range of Impreza books and yes, can see the manual aerial in the pictures.

Bet the rare split rim alloys have long gone.

 

Ooh does this mean somewhere out there is a left hand indicator stalk set?

Keep swapping to my wifes A3 and then using the wrong stalks.

 

18 inch super lightweight oz racing now lol and split rims dint know about them any pics ?

 

yep uk cars you can swap them over though

 

Yes buddy, just swap yours for a UK car. Not sure exactly what's involved but can't be that difficult.

OP, probably scrap the whole aerial thing. Just read that early WRX also had manual ones. I suppose if you see a car with an electric one you know it's jap.

 

Yea Sonic, got a pic somewhere. Give me a minute buddy

 

sti's dont have abs i/c spray bottel there insted

 

 

There you go chap.
This is what your car left the factory like.



My dad had one many years ago when I was a nipper. It was completely original, quite a rare thing at the time.

 

Applied model code is the way to go, I would use either the official subaru STI site or the SIDC site as these seem to be the most accurate sites.
Dont worry about the arials either, for instance the type R doesnt have an electric one (pillar mounted), what you have to look for is a car that hasnt had a dodgy MOT to get it into the country (no conversion to MPH or rear fog conversion), avoid these at all costs.

Tony

 

and now not even the doors are original as got fitted ally one's lol

 

i know you can only see the pound shop but is out side maccyd's as all scoobys should be pmls

 

You've got aluminum doors ??

Where from ?? and how much ??

 

scrap yard near me £100 for the 4 thats all i know about them got carbon bonnet and wings from the same car for another ton looked like it was a beast when it was on the road was taken for no insurence had lots off the car

 

If they are aluminum then they will be aftermarket ones as Subaru never made any aluminum panels other than bonnets. Some books say the early STI (like yours) came with aluminum boot lids but that is just a myth.
I'd be surprised if they are ally doors, I certainly have never seen/heard of anyone using them. Could be though I suppose, specially made for someone.

 

well you cant stick a magnet on them and there light as hell the door cards dont fit well ether lol as for the boot lid i was told they have ally ones but there is rust marks there it bolts on so think it's steel want a carbon on got the bonnet wings roof all to go on would like the doors as well but think that would be to much lol

 

+1

 

like i said scrap yard fined

 

Funny you mention that as I have a late UK 2000 and have always wnated to swap the indicators round the other way so they are on the right like my first Scoob. Makes far more sense to have them away from the hand that changes gear IMO!