I'm looking at trading up to a new (or newish) STI and am having fun trying to work out which one to go for. Options I'm considering are:

- Type UK with PPP. Very nice, full dealer backup, but on the test drive it didn't feel appreciably quicker than my MY00/PPP. Expensive new, but there are a good few slightly used ones around at a substantial saving.

- WR1. Some still available, very good reviews, but hugely expensive.

- JDM STI. You get over 300bhp (with Litchfields' UK fuel remap), DCCD-A and quick steering, so that's the WR1 looking a bit less special already. You also get xenon lights, climate control, twin scroll turbo and an updated interior, and all for less than the Type UK PPP car.

So, what's the catch with the JDM car? Any horror stories about insurance, parts, servicing or depreciation?

 

Andy,

I picked new one up today!!!! 250 miles later and I'm loving it. Haven't driven a current shape UK car so can't compare. Got a lot of good avice from Nathan L on here - so have a word with him if you want some more info. I dare say the gap between the JDM and WR1 is not massive - one of the main differences I believe is the twin scroll turbo. Also not sure if WR1 has quick steering rack. JDM comes with RE070 tyres as standard - they're very hard - same as Spec C. Changing mine to PFF7 18" with Goodyeard GSD3's on Tuesday.

Few extra goodies - rear wash wipe, auto water spray (might be standard on UK cars now?), foldy mirrors, an extra oddment tray next to cup holder, variable illumination of display.

If you want DCCD-A then it has to be JDM or WR1.

Biggest issues is of course warranty - no independent ca ever offer anything as cast iron (?) as Subaru official dealer - but loads of specialists.

Already been in touch with Powerstation about Type 25 suspension set up....I feel Cheltenham calling!

Ian

 

NathanL's is supposed to be rather imprezive...especially with the remap and equal length headers he's had done.
Hopefully he'll give me a run out in it at the next meet

Piccies of it can be seen at www.eastsussexscoobies.co.uk

 

Did someone say JDM STi

Scott, I'm off for 2 weeks at the moment so if you're passing drop me a mail or text and I'll take you out for a spin no probs. Stopped the other day as it was too busy and the oil was brand new Castrol RS, so didn't want to over cook it.

Equal length tubular headers are now O.E on the twin scroll car

Ian, you picked you car up today? Fantastic. Glad the advice was useful.

Andy. If you're considering the JDM do it. You will not regret it. I certainly haven't.

Insurance was £70.00 more per year for me over a UK STi PPP. Servicing at an independent is no more expensive than a UK car as most of the parts are generic across the range. Depreciation is no worse than UK cars IMHO. In fact the JDM car is rarer so may ultimately hold it's value slightly better.

Nathan..

 

whats the retail price of one of these in Japan?

 

approx £17000

 

It's not precisely a no brainer though. Firstly there is the warranty...Litchfield is a great guy, granted, but I find far more piece of mind having an International Motors backed warranty than any aftermarket affair. Secondly I can get a UK scoob serviced easily wherever I am in the country, that kind of dealer network is pretty handy, specialists are around of course, but nowhere near as many..and do they have courtesy cars or a pick up and drop off service? Lastly comes resale/part exchange..if you want/need to change the car what happens. I seriously doubt many franchised car dealers would show much interest in a JDM STI shown in p/x.
Personally I think the JDM cars are a more convincing alternative than ever these days, but I can understand why some people would only consider a UK car when spending £25kplus.
Rgds
C

 

Well, OK - maybe 'no brainer' is a bit strong - but I do think the JDM car makes a good case for itself. Servicing is once a year at Powerstation with an interim oil change which can be done at any garage, so that's OK.

Warranty is a different issue, of course - I don't relish the prospect of having to take the car to Cheltenham every time it needs work. I can only draw on the experience of my last car here - nothing significant went wrong for the first four years apart from an interior light switch and a few bulbs. Then, at four years old, the engine spun a bearing and had to be replaced. I'm not sure what the moral of that story is, but 'official main dealer' peace of mind doesn't carry much weight with me any more

 

Sit behind the WR1 and have a look at the dash, then consider that this is a £30k car. (looks like it's from a bottom of the range car vs JDM!)

Then sit behind a JDM STi GL and consider it costs £26.5k. The saving alone will cover any warranty issues for the future should you be so unlucky to have an issue.

I have had mine a full year now . I have the GL with milltek exhaust and re-map.

Damian.

 

What's the difference, then? I know that if I order a new car now I'll get the 2005 model with the updated interior, but presumably your car is the same MY as the WR1 - right?

 

Andy,

Yeah I'm curious as to the difference also. I just took delivery of a JDM and as far as I'm aware the interior is identical except for the foldy mirror button, different/no hi-fi and the slidey out thing next to the cup holder below the centre air vents, stalks are other way round, and the instruments has 5 stage illumination (think its only 2 on UK cars)

Ian

 

The JDM 05 has: the wheelarch flares; 8" wheels; different rear bumper; a new spec front diff; new 3 spoke steering wheel; new dash; full air con; upholstered arm rests; underbody protection; new suspension tweaks (the spec c used to be different to the GL, now I think both are as the spec c); tinted front lights (these may be US model only though); new colours inc the new met grey; increased torque over the 04;.....think thats about it..