If warranty is important to you just be careful that the import is a Euro import and not one from example Cyprus or other non EU recognised countries. If its NON EU then you wont have a Uk warranty with Subaru UK. If in doubt get the chassis number and check with you local dealer or SUK/IM, you have been warned

[Edited by chrisp - 10/4/2002 1:07:08 PM]

 

Ive found both cars new for near enouph the same money, the UK WRX from a local Subaru dealer - admittedly with a couple of extras, or the STI from from a car Super Market obviously imported.
Which to buy?
Do the benefits of the relationship with the local dealer outway the imported better car??
I havent driven the STI, will it be the case that once behind the wheel i'll wonder why i even thought about the WRX??

 

or wait for face lift to be available early next year.....

 

yes...

How will that affect the depreciation if i get the current model?

 

The STi is a better car than the WRX but your insurance will be higher and you will have slighly higher fuel bills as the STi can only run SUL fuel.
The other downside to purchasing from a car supermarket (like motorpoint) is that some of the STi's they import are from NON! EU countries and thus you loose out on the warranty front (sourced from Cyprus and Malta).
If you can prove that the STi is sourced from an EU country like Holland or Belgium direct then buy it (get the chassis number and check it out with International Motors or your local subaru dealer if they are willing to help) to see where the country of origin is, and if it is an EU country then buy it you wont regret it

Tony

 

Theres an echo in here . Mind due must have taken 10 minutes to type that lot in .

 

Why not buy a WRX from Belgium for £16K

 

The car is to be a company car, it has to be bought with finance over 3 years. I couldnt do that if i wear to get it from belgium.

The STI im looking at are from Motorpoint, are they known to import from non EU countries?

 

Read Tonys reply

 

is it a big risk to get a non EU car?

 

Are you sure you want any Scoob WRX or STi to be a company car?

CO2 emmissions are not good (242 g/km) can't you get the cash instead?

BB

 

were not doing it as a normall company car, its quite complicated... The tax isnt an issue.

 

Just to let you know that I was in exactley the same position as you 2 months ago.
I decided to go with the euro import, and not as acompany car (mainly due to tax reasons, which isnt an issue for you apparently - lucky bar***d).

No regrets. Go for it, be careful with Motorpoint though.

 

Are mototrpoint a bit dodgy?

 

I can only speak from other peoples experiences. They operate on very small margins and there service reflects this.
Just check the cars origins (like already advised) and make sure your "garage warrenty" is covers everything.

 

I faced the same issue in June.

However all the STi imports were quoting at least 3 months or more to be imported. I went into a dealers and they offered me a WRX ready in 10 days.

I crumbled and brought the WRX. No regrets tho, plus I'd probably still not have the import now, at least I got to drive my WRX over the summer.

 

go for the uk car

 

but for the same money i can get a superior car with the only difference being no warranty? or are the other problems with imports?

 

I just spoke to Moterpoint, the cars come from Malta, with 1 years manufacturer warranty

 

If it's Malta then it'll be classed as a 'grey' and SUK won't touch the warranty.

Euro imports now have a 3yr warranty, which is a better deal all round.

I was in the same position as you a few weeks ago, very attracted by the Motorpoint option, until you start adding it all up - and then you realise where they source them from and the implications of that...

...So I spoke to Ian Litchfield at Litchfield Imports in Cheltenham (www.litimports.co.uk I think) and ordered my MY03 STi earlier this week through him. A little more money (on an MY02 the difference between Ian and Motorpoint is probably about a grand all told) but a much safer option, and whereas Motorpoint tend to get black marks for customer service, Ian Litchfield gets nothing but positive feedback (mainly on here!)

Would be nice to get some confirmation that you've actually got my order though Ian, if you read this...

Talk to Ian!

Shades
(Adrian Wright, Ian!)

 

Go for the Euro.

Ive had no problems, brilliant, superior car (sorry WRX owners!).

I didnt buy mine from motorpoint, but they should offer you a 3 year GARAGE warranty though.

Mr shades option seems the best.

 

These cars never go wrong! Dont worry about it!

My lovely loaded (electric aerial you know ) STi V is 4 now, and not ONE single fault other than shagged anti roll bar bushes after a trackday! Amazing really!

 

Cue.... Big End Failure!..........sorry, I used to say things like that and then guess what happened......!

 

Chrisp,
10 mins to type that? more like 4 mins
didnt i say that i use to type for a living?

Tony