WRX or UK Turbo
10 March 2003, 12:17 PM
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Im looking to buy my first impreza turbo soon,cant decide beetween UK Turbo or WRX.Can You tell me what problems i might have with a import car Petrol,ins,parts ect,i now these things come up a lot on this sight but i wont to target South Wales area.
Thanks Paul.
Thanks Paul.
10 March 2003, 01:27 PM
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Hi Paul
I am no expert I can only state what I have found:
I bought an WRX STi4 about 9 months ago, import of course.
It runs around 280+ bhp with no mods and comes with a lot of nice toys as standard the UK cars don't air-con, electric mirrors, etc.
Downside is that "most" UK Subaru garages wont service it or supply parts, although some friendly garages will. I am lucky that I have a friend who runs and services Group N rally cars so he does my work much cheapness, but there are plenty of good specialist garages around who will give you a superb service at less cost than a franchised Subaru one IMHO.
One downside so far:
I have had " Piston Slap "( look on links for what this is ) and spent £3200 getting that fixed and taking away the problem for the future. Although UK cars have had this done under warranty.
I run the car on Super Unleaded or Optimax and Millers Octane Boost to get to 100 RON. But I am taking it to Owen Developments in April to have a MoTEC ECU fitted and re-maped to 97 RON which will mean no need to add the octane boost, and a few more bhp.
All Jap cars have been limited to 110 mph, although you can remove them easily, mostly done on import anyway. So in Japan it's had a good life as they tend to cherish there cares a touch more than some muppets in the UK.
I have run various Jap imported cars over the years and have had no issues.
Insurance is no different I don't believe to the UK cars.
But it's always a case of you pays your money you take your choice. I sound like an import agent but thats just my opinion
The UK car in all its spec's is a superb machine and I would recommend it to anyone.
That has probably confused you even more.
Cheers
Sean
I am no expert I can only state what I have found:
I bought an WRX STi4 about 9 months ago, import of course.
It runs around 280+ bhp with no mods and comes with a lot of nice toys as standard the UK cars don't air-con, electric mirrors, etc.
Downside is that "most" UK Subaru garages wont service it or supply parts, although some friendly garages will. I am lucky that I have a friend who runs and services Group N rally cars so he does my work much cheapness, but there are plenty of good specialist garages around who will give you a superb service at less cost than a franchised Subaru one IMHO.
One downside so far:
I have had " Piston Slap "( look on links for what this is ) and spent £3200 getting that fixed and taking away the problem for the future. Although UK cars have had this done under warranty.
I run the car on Super Unleaded or Optimax and Millers Octane Boost to get to 100 RON. But I am taking it to Owen Developments in April to have a MoTEC ECU fitted and re-maped to 97 RON which will mean no need to add the octane boost, and a few more bhp.
All Jap cars have been limited to 110 mph, although you can remove them easily, mostly done on import anyway. So in Japan it's had a good life as they tend to cherish there cares a touch more than some muppets in the UK.
I have run various Jap imported cars over the years and have had no issues.
Insurance is no different I don't believe to the UK cars.
But it's always a case of you pays your money you take your choice. I sound like an import agent but thats just my opinion
The UK car in all its spec's is a superb machine and I would recommend it to anyone.
That has probably confused you even more.
Cheers
Sean
10 March 2003, 02:11 PM
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I`ve had both mate and after buying my latest STI 5 Type R,
I definately wouldn`t buy another UK Specced car.Insurance wise
its only costing 100 quid more than a same year UK car (my99),
I do run it with NF Octane Booster (£13 a bottle/does about 4
tankfulls)to safeguard against detonation and as for servicing I do most of it myself anyway (oil,filters etc).You can get all the parts you need from specialists easily enough.If anything major goes wrong theres a place in Carmarthen called DRJ Motorsports that run an STI 5 Rally car so they should know what they are doing (they used to be a Subaru main dealer also).
No contest for me I`m afraid.Drive both and see what u think.
I definately wouldn`t buy another UK Specced car.Insurance wise
its only costing 100 quid more than a same year UK car (my99),
I do run it with NF Octane Booster (£13 a bottle/does about 4
tankfulls)to safeguard against detonation and as for servicing I do most of it myself anyway (oil,filters etc).You can get all the parts you need from specialists easily enough.If anything major goes wrong theres a place in Carmarthen called DRJ Motorsports that run an STI 5 Rally car so they should know what they are doing (they used to be a Subaru main dealer also).
No contest for me I`m afraid.Drive both and see what u think.
10 March 2003, 02:40 PM
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Sounds corny and cheesy but have you tried Tesco's ?.
Failing the insurance get me a large brown sliced and some wafer thin smoked ham.
Seriously they provided me with a belting quote I used to beat my own broker into submission with.
Cheers
Sean
Failing the insurance get me a large brown sliced and some wafer thin smoked ham.
Seriously they provided me with a belting quote I used to beat my own broker into submission with.
Cheers
Sean
10 March 2003, 04:09 PM
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paul ukt
I currently have a UK car which i'm very pleased with. Agree with most of the comments above .... WRX has more power more toys etc etc.
2 points to be careful of though
1. Insurance - there are differences.UK is group 17 import is 20. If you can get the import insured for only £50 more, go for it but make absoultely sure that the insurance company understands it is an import ( and probably modified). If you don't declare all the details you run a strong risk of voiding the insurance.
2. Got to disagree with daiscooby's comment :
"So in Japan it's had a good life as they tend to cherish there cares a touch more than some muppets in the UK."
Lived in Japan for 7 years and came to the conclusion that the Japanese have no mechanical sympathy whatsoever. By this I mean they will rev the @rse of the car in every gear - particularly those living in Tokyo. The fact that they do not exceed 110mph means little - the traffic jams are horrendous with traffic lights everywhere meaning more drag race start/stop conditions. This was my main reason for buying a UK car.
Having said that - it is possible to buy a very good import car which has been cherished - but they are not easy to find and even more difficult to prove.
Sorry daiscooby - don't mean to be a pain in the @rse but i've seen an awful lot of Japanese drivers do things to cars that make me cringe.
Paul ukt - i hope you join the ranks of scooby owners soon, be it UK or WRX - most important just enjoy they are incredible cars.
jhdee
I currently have a UK car which i'm very pleased with. Agree with most of the comments above .... WRX has more power more toys etc etc.
2 points to be careful of though
1. Insurance - there are differences.UK is group 17 import is 20. If you can get the import insured for only £50 more, go for it but make absoultely sure that the insurance company understands it is an import ( and probably modified). If you don't declare all the details you run a strong risk of voiding the insurance.
2. Got to disagree with daiscooby's comment :
"So in Japan it's had a good life as they tend to cherish there cares a touch more than some muppets in the UK."
Lived in Japan for 7 years and came to the conclusion that the Japanese have no mechanical sympathy whatsoever. By this I mean they will rev the @rse of the car in every gear - particularly those living in Tokyo. The fact that they do not exceed 110mph means little - the traffic jams are horrendous with traffic lights everywhere meaning more drag race start/stop conditions. This was my main reason for buying a UK car.
Having said that - it is possible to buy a very good import car which has been cherished - but they are not easy to find and even more difficult to prove.
Sorry daiscooby - don't mean to be a pain in the @rse but i've seen an awful lot of Japanese drivers do things to cars that make me cringe.
Paul ukt - i hope you join the ranks of scooby owners soon, be it UK or WRX - most important just enjoy they are incredible cars.
jhdee
10 March 2003, 04:29 PM
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jhdee
Only my experiences
I've had these as imports
Celica GT4 - ran for 2 years no a problem, mint car.
Supra Twin Turbo - Could have ate your diner off it, mechanically excellent.
RX 7 - As above.
I to have been to Tokiyo and Hiroshima ( had a bomb oohh ) and have seen the way they drive there cars. But if you have a good importer, I have used two, and they are knowledgable about there cars then you are in good hands. There are some right cowboys out there, but they dont last. The "norm" is the cars that are offered through to auction if you know there grading system and the car is of Grade 4 then that is a mint car in all respects. And again same rules as anywhere look for dealer services and proof of such.
Again it's just my experiences but I wouldn't look anywhere else but Japan for my next car if I stay with performance cars and that looks likely.
Damn you, you've turned me into an import salesman !!
As you say though what ever you choose it's smiles all the way.
Only my experiences
I've had these as imports
Celica GT4 - ran for 2 years no a problem, mint car.
Supra Twin Turbo - Could have ate your diner off it, mechanically excellent.
RX 7 - As above.
I to have been to Tokiyo and Hiroshima ( had a bomb oohh ) and have seen the way they drive there cars. But if you have a good importer, I have used two, and they are knowledgable about there cars then you are in good hands. There are some right cowboys out there, but they dont last. The "norm" is the cars that are offered through to auction if you know there grading system and the car is of Grade 4 then that is a mint car in all respects. And again same rules as anywhere look for dealer services and proof of such.
Again it's just my experiences but I wouldn't look anywhere else but Japan for my next car if I stay with performance cars and that looks likely.
Damn you, you've turned me into an import salesman !!
As you say though what ever you choose it's smiles all the way.
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10 March 2003, 09:55 PM
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I have had both a uk car, 96 turbo 5 door and 93 wrx 240 bhp 4 door, both are great cars. Lets face it, its a performance car so no matter where you get it from its going to have been driven hard so I think the service history and milage are the important parts.
The wrx import is noticably slightly quicker than my old UK scooby off the mark and has nicer seats (the UK car had the farmer spec pre face lift seats lol) other than that they are both the same, both had air con and leccy mirrors/4 leccy windows.
If I were you I would go for the import even if it is just for the extra performance and your favourable insurance quote, but as has been said, you pays yer money and takes your chance. Let us know what you decide though mate.
Turkish1
The wrx import is noticably slightly quicker than my old UK scooby off the mark and has nicer seats (the UK car had the farmer spec pre face lift seats lol) other than that they are both the same, both had air con and leccy mirrors/4 leccy windows.
If I were you I would go for the import even if it is just for the extra performance and your favourable insurance quote, but as has been said, you pays yer money and takes your chance. Let us know what you decide though mate.
Turkish1
10 March 2003, 10:51 PM
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just to add my 2pence worth i wouldnt know about a uk spec turbo as ive not drove one, i currently run a my00 uk sport<no-turbo>
and after driving a mondeo/saxo vtr amongst others was noticably qwiker but i have just <10mins ago> had the privalage of driving daiscoobys wrx and wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooooowwwwwwww wwwwwwwww
i want one, I got a big smile on my face
<and i wasnt driving it hard/fast>
DEF my next car
<homer mode on>
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm import mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
<homer mode off>
and after driving a mondeo/saxo vtr amongst others was noticably qwiker but i have just <10mins ago> had the privalage of driving daiscoobys wrx and wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooooowwwwwwww wwwwwwwww
i want one, I got a big smile on my face
<and i wasnt driving it hard/fast>
DEF my next car
<homer mode on>
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm import mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
<homer mode off>
11 March 2003, 08:51 AM
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Gareth
Cheers for the mega wow.
Told you anytime you want a blast, all yours.
When we go Karting on the run after you can drive mine and I'll drive yours, deal ?
Catch you later
Sean
Cheers for the mega wow.
Told you anytime you want a blast, all yours.
When we go Karting on the run after you can drive mine and I'll drive yours, deal ?
Catch you later
Sean
11 March 2003, 09:25 AM
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I bought a Uk turbo back in December, I found that the insurance was a hell of a lot more for a wrx as I really wanted to buy a Type R. The problem I found when trying to get quotes was that the guys on the phones did not always quote for an import. The cheapest quote I had was £350 pa more for a wrx than the uk car... and I also found Tesco the cheapest by a long way...
The imports can have a slightly higher spec but if you are prepared to wait then you can get a uk car with just as high a spec, mine has a/c and full leather, but did look for a while !!
If you plan on Modding the engine at all then best off go for an import though...
Happy hunting Rezboy
The imports can have a slightly higher spec but if you are prepared to wait then you can get a uk car with just as high a spec, mine has a/c and full leather, but did look for a while !!
If you plan on Modding the engine at all then best off go for an import though...
Happy hunting Rezboy
11 March 2003, 09:53 AM
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Thanks again guys,it looks like i need to drive both and go from there im away all this weekend so will look at getting it sorted early next week.
It seems to me that cars outside of Wales are better priced so it may mean a trip across that big bridge ill let you now how i get on.
It seems to me that cars outside of Wales are better priced so it may mean a trip across that big bridge ill let you now how i get on.
11 March 2003, 11:15 AM
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sean that is ssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooo tempting but as im gunna be the front runner in sum narrow/tight lanes with the rusty fiesta/nova club coming the other way at there full speed <35mph wow> i wouldnt want it to be your car making the first scoova of scoosta, i wouldnt want it to be mine but at least i could live with myself if it was...
12 March 2003, 08:58 AM
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Hi mate.
It's Peter Davies, at NG Davies and sons.
He is a top oil monkey on the scoob's. Knows a lot of people in other garages, Gwynnes, SWRT, Owens etc.
It's Peter Davies, at NG Davies and sons.
He is a top oil monkey on the scoob's. Knows a lot of people in other garages, Gwynnes, SWRT, Owens etc.
12 March 2003, 10:14 AM
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sean i didnt know he was so into scoobys
when i used to know him he had the legacy and was telling me all about it but like i said i aint seen him for ages now since he moved from gaskell street where do they run from now??? i will pop in and see him
gareth N_W_S
when i used to know him he had the legacy and was telling me all about it but like i said i aint seen him for ages now since he moved from gaskell street where do they run from now??? i will pop in and see him
gareth N_W_S
12 March 2003, 10:56 AM
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Hi Gareth
He is in Granville Lane by A+A Tyres bottom of George Street Bridge.
He was a diamond when I had the piston slap, saved me thousands. My cars back in there 4th of April for new brakes and disks and a new pinion bearing on the diff. A real good guy.
He is in Granville Lane by A+A Tyres bottom of George Street Bridge.
He was a diamond when I had the piston slap, saved me thousands. My cars back in there 4th of April for new brakes and disks and a new pinion bearing on the diff. A real good guy.
12 March 2003, 12:12 PM
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Gareth
If you slip Paul who works with him £25 he will probably let you.
There was a smashed up 22b in a scrappies in Ystrad Mynach in Jan and I was going to have the engine out of that. But to sus on the mechanicals to be confident it woudn't go bang. Keep your eye's out for something like that and hey presto instant grunt. Tell you what though your motor looks a lot more the article than mine. I must keep an eye out for the pucker spots and coveres for mine. The searchlights on the front of mine make it look to messy.
Catch you later mate.
If you slip Paul who works with him £25 he will probably let you.
There was a smashed up 22b in a scrappies in Ystrad Mynach in Jan and I was going to have the engine out of that. But to sus on the mechanicals to be confident it woudn't go bang. Keep your eye's out for something like that and hey presto instant grunt. Tell you what though your motor looks a lot more the article than mine. I must keep an eye out for the pucker spots and coveres for mine. The searchlights on the front of mine make it look to messy.
Catch you later mate.
12 March 2003, 05:40 PM
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there was a myoo front bumper in the for sale section last week if you wanted the same front end as mine but then you still have to find the spots anyway, im sure you could sell/swap them on hear to get the ones you wanted???
im not to up on what else would need changing would be nice to just change the eng, then i still got a Wreg car.<but it would need bigger brakes for deff as thease aint that good at the mo anyway <drum rears????> lol
im not to up on what else would need changing would be nice to just change the eng, then i still got a Wreg car.<but it would need bigger brakes for deff as thease aint that good at the mo anyway <drum rears????> lol
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