Slomo

Hello everybody,

first post, so let me introduce myself quickly: I'm Thomas from Germany, 46 years old and into Imprezas for quite a while now.
I planned to come to Great Britain for the Festival of Speed at Goodwood this year and wanted to buy an Impreza on this occasion, but first of all I'm too short on money and secondly I only recently learned about the fact, that there is a jdm-hawkeye with the reliable 2.0 litre engine, which would be the car of my dreams...

Anyway, I'm right now staying near Chichester waiting for the FoS to begin and I would like to spend this time to at least LOOK at some Scoobys, preferably 2001+ models. Are any dealers nearby? Or would it be the best to have a look at autotrader or pistenheads etc.? Would be much appreciated, if you can put me in the right direction.

Cheers, Thomas

Slomo

What about this one?

2004 Subaru Impreza&search-target WR1 from Performance Car Company near Portsmouth

Any advice/experience with this car or the dealer?

Athame1

iTrader: (2)

Seems strong monies to me.

http://www.hurstcars.co.uk

Get mostly good reviews on here, not all that close to you.

Hopefully some members out your way will advise.

Welcome and good luck on your search.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Why on earth do you want one from the UK, why not get one direct from Japan? Will be alot cheap and will not have been subjected to harsh UK weather.

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

+1,Road salt,liquid english summers,freezing winters,unless its a garage queen japan is the way forward to get a quality example especially if you are planing to import one.SJ.

Slomo

Thanks Athame!

Unfortunately there won't be enough time left to have a look at Hurst Cars, as the next four days I'm staying at the Fox at Goodwood and will head back home on Monday.

But anyway a welcomed foe future visits, appreciated!

You are both right, when it's only about the better conditions in Japan and cheaper prices. But in Germany it's pretty hard and expensive to get a car registered, that has never been officially sold by the maker. So a JDM will be an adventure and risk.
On top of that I'm a little reluctant to give away Ł 10000 in advance for something, I buy over the internet. At least I would like to know an import company a little better, maybe by visiting them personally.

A JDM will for sure remain my dream, but a EU model in good condition and reasonable milage would be a much wiser decision, I guess...

I had a brief look on the internet for a decent import company, but haven't found one that I really liked. Any suggestions?

SouthernScooby

+1 for Hurst Cars - They seem to be the popular choice recently.

I live about 15 minutes from Chichester and you're looking at a 2-3 hour train journey to get there (They're more than happy to pick you up from Bedford station if that helps!)

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

The model your looking for if you wanted Hawkeye is the widetrack, they have a 2.0 engine. As for importing i'm not fully clued up on that, but there are UK import companies that will import you a car straight from Japan.

Other option is take a holiday to Japan yourself or see if you can get one cheaper from somewhere like Spain or Greece i'm sure they will be worth alot less there.

Slomo

Sorry..., took some time to answer...

Some news:
i had a great time in Sussex and at the Festival of Speed, but sadly without enough time to get my hands on a scooby.
Home again I did some research on importing a from Japan in general and for some trustworthy companies, but with no great effort.

Some days ago i stumbled upon an advertisement of a 2005 JDM hawkeye in decent condition, but without a german registration, because the car just arrived from Japan. After an extensive check, a testdrive and a long chat about the price including the registration done by the seller, I was like "Now, or never!" and made a deposit and now she is mine.
The car is prepared right now (new head lamps, fog tail light, spot repair of a little scratch, TÜV (= MOT)) and then FINALLY I can ride my very first Impreza!!! Can't wait...

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Well done bud, glad you took our advise. It makes so much more sense getting one from Japan, rather than UK. Any pictures?

silver-sub

Congrats Slomo,
Good choice.

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

What's your budget?

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

He's already put down a deposit bud.

Slomo

Got the ones from the advertisement, so all credits to the seller.
Here you go:
















































Cheers bud.


Yep, deal is done & dusted.

Soup

Very nice

silver-sub

Cracking car

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Well done bud, that looks in good condition. Seller has done very detailed pictures which is good to see.

Slomo

Thanks, guys. In reality the car looks even better. You can see, it was looked after.

Got a question:
seems like there is still the OEM head unit in the car, am I right?
Found this on the net:



As this looks like the same head unit in an original Subaru advert, I'd like to know, if this is the OEM head unit for only the JDM or for all models? I know, it's a Kenwood, does anyone have more specific infos on it?

The seller couldn't get the head unit to work properly (just cd eject and some lights/display, but nothing more) and suggested to give me another OEM one from another car. I'm fine with that, as I don't hear much music while driving. I more listening to the music the engine/exhaust make. But traffic announcements and some music now and then would be fine.
Is there a trick for bringing it back to life? I would like to keep the head unit, as i want the car to be as original, as possible (at least for now ).

Maybe this is better suited for the ICE-section...

G4rfo

iTrader: (1)

very nice m8 how much did that cost in total to do that as i will be in same boat next year

silver-sub

I have never seen that head unit before. Like you said, must be only for Jdm.

Slomo

All in all the car is about 13 grand, but that shouldn't be a measure for you, as registration including head lamps etc. is much more expensive over here in Germany.

Roughly totalized (if I had imported the car myself):

• 2005up Hawkeye JDM in mint condition and decent milage: 1,5 mio Yen (~ 8000 GBP)

• Commission Importer: 1000 € (~ 750 GBP)

• Transport/Shipping: 750 to 1500 € (~ 550 - 1100 GBP)

• Customs & Tax: 4000 € (~ 3000 GBP)

• TÜV (= MOT) incl. parts & registration: 2000 € (~ 1500 GBP)

My car has done about 75000 miles, which made it a little less vor me. All in in all it was a good deal, as I just have to sit in the car and drive away, instead of bothering with registration. An emissions expertise e.g. is easily 2 grand over here...