Here's a good one for you all! I need a 2nd opinion on this. I've driven both & can't decide.

There must be some of you out there who, like me, have driven both the UK STI & the JDM version and I want to compare notes.

Many thanks in advance.

 

havent driven either, but my 2p's worth....

go JDM, as like every scooby before the MY08, the Jap versions are always the better car.

 

We all know the JDM is the technically better car so I would say go for that. Anyway, if you have driven both then surely you should be the one to decide???

 

Is the JDM a 2.0 or 2.5lt engine?
I thought it was the same spec as the EU 'sports' version (with Recaros, push button start etc.)
The only 'problem' with JDM cars is that there is no warranty.

 

Testdrove the jdm & bought the uk sti 2.5 litre

jdm was ok i suppose, but the uk car had a few more gadgets than the jdm & plus i wanted a full dealer warrenty and not some dodgy company offering to give a full warrenty.

ok jdm engine is the 2.0 and has a better build but i wanted the 2.5 block just for more torque once its mapped even though power will be limited at 400bhp but dont need anymore than that

+ insurance was cheaper and it has a tracker fitted to it with a thatcham cat 1 alarm

 

JDM = 2.0ltr
UK/EU = 2.5ltr
IIRC
UK STi = Standard Spec
EU 2 specs possible & optional extras list
EU Sti = Standard Spec
EU STi Top Spec or sport Pack = with Recaros, 18"s, privacy, Sat Nav, push button start, folding heated mirrors etc
JDM = with Recaros, quick rack, privacy, equal headers, push button start, folding mirrors etc but as with JDM most things are an optional extras so depends if "Ordered" or bought ready imported to a spec.
UK STi 330S will be a "Top Spec" version
IIRC they do come with 12months Warranty and Tracker

i've driven the JDM, EU & UK, all in "off the Peg" and a few "tweaked" very little to choose between them, IMHo i don't think I'd ever buy one without 18"s

here are my marks out of ten

UK with 17's 4 out 10
UK with 18's 6 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's 7 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 8 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18"s 8.5 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 9 out 10

All cars handled quite well(bar 17"s) but they all have very compliant suspension. To which suspension improvents can be made without compromising comfort to much, even coilovers felt like just "Spring" upgrades. I'd want coilovers and upgrade all suspension bushes.

All cars are IMHO far too heavily power assisted during medium speeds yet the JDM didn't seem that bad, maybe due to the "Quicker rack" in it.

The JDM engine was more powerful as STD than the UK/JDM,

The 17" base spec UK didn't represent GVFM compared to simular/cheaper price of the 19" EU Top spec (although this was 2007 prices)

IIRC IMHO

Tony

 

Not driven the MY08 but did drive the hawkeye UK and JDM and as standard/or at a low level of tune the 2.5ltr engine is better IMHO. I was willing to sacarfice the rear wiper for the extra torque and virtually zero lag

You will get very bias views on here as the party line is "JDM all the way even though I don't really know what I am talking about". Truth is the JDM does get a slightly better build but that does not necessarily make it the better drive depending on what you want from it of course.

EDIT: the party line was more valid to the classic and hence where the attitude originated.

 

Good luck with keeping your warranty but I suppose they will be restricting it to 400Bhp after the remap

My JDM was fitted with both a Tracker and a thatcham cat 1 alarm as standard Also Insurance was no different on a JAP to a UK even one quote for a 2.5 STiUK was dearer than for a 2.0ltr STi JDM

IIRC IMHO

Tony

 

All Litchfield supplied cars come with a 3 year warranty, not sure about PCM but I would also expect some kind of warranty there also.


JDM car would be the easier to get to 400bhp and the safer once there.

This whole JDM vs UK thing has been done to death anyway. JDM is the better car. Simple as, end of.

 

Why no pics of your RA-R Mr RA + will you be changing your username

TX.

 

Simularly there is also the UK "Salesman" Bais or UK "Party line" , which has many "common" myths about JDM's ( I'm an owner of two UK's and 2 JDM's Scoobs).

So here are my 12 "Internet" or "UK salesman" myths about JDM' compared to UK Scoobs

1) you can mod an expensive UK and Mod it and still kee the 3 year warranty
2) if you mod a UK by a £1K you'll be at the same place as if you modded a JDM with £1K
3) JDM's are far more expensive to Insure unlike a UK
4) JDM's have No Warranty(12months) unlike a UK
5) JDM's have aftersales service unlike a UK
6) JDM's are harder to service or repair unlike a UK
7) JDM's are more expensive to repair unlike a UK
8) JDM's have not got Cat 1 security unlike a UK
9) JDM's have not got a tracker fitted unlike a UK
10) JDM's totally uncomfortable to drive unlike a UK
11) JDM's are only slightly better (they've never been in one to compare)
12) Harder to sell a JDM unlike a UK, sorry all scoobs are hard to sell

IMHO IIRC

Tony

 

I had the same dilema.

After weeks of consideration i went for top spec EU and i am very pleased with my purchase.

JDM at the time of me buying did not tick the boxes and spec wise there was no competition.

Good luck

 

22k for top spec EU is best value for money IMHO...

 

Too lazy to take any pal , and MrRA doesn't quite have the same ring to it now

She's running well at the moment though. Fitted a front mount not so long ago along with a few other mods. Made 353bhp with the standard exhaust still on.

Seriously though, I have been meaning to post some pics up. I'll have to get round to it.

 

not what you know its who you know regards the warrenty 400 is a starting block


insurance was alot different especialy when iam only 23