I now realise that selling my Impreza was a mistake, as I've missed it every day since I sold it a few weeks ago. It was perfect/mechanically sound, but selling it was perhaps a good thing anyway: an Sti would be a much better platform to start with.

I'm looking for a totally standard mint example. So what can I expect to get with a budget of £5000? Would pay less, or a bit more than that for a car I really liked the look of.

Also, if possible I would prefer a car which has just been imported, as I'd have it mapped straight away so it's running properly on V Power or similar from the off.

Any import experts about? All advice welcome. People on Scoobynet talk about bargains to be had at the moment, but looking at pistonheads and the like, they all seem to be overpriced...and they aren't even that clean.


All input welcome.

Alan.

 

hi Alan

just a quick question. what did you sell your terzo for as thinking of selling mines soon. dont want to price it too low

 

Neil - if you go into the 'Impreza' section on Pistonheads and type 'Terzo' into the title filter, you'll see what's available. There are cars priced higher than mine which don't look like they are up to much...but they have been on there for ages! I priced mine to sell - Subaru : Subaru Impreza Turbo Terzo


Edited to say - I let it go for £3500 in the end.

 

cheers mate

mines got similair mods but got link ecu and 4 pots from a bugeye, white line stuff on it and strut braces

 

5k should get you a nice v6 sti these days, though finding a nice one is the issue

i wish i waited instead of buying my V3 sti for what i paied for it,,, though i paied 4500 quid a year ago for it and it aint had any issues with it so it balances its self out i guess

 

i bought a nice car about 4 weeks ago

a nice 2003 blobeye wrx with ppp kit and pp handling pack, fssh and still on orginal owner, and it cost less than ginge paid for his V3 sti

 

that is depressing pmsl

ive spent about 5k on the car since but on mods and repairing the front end i dented

 

View my scoob mate, I paid under 6 for mine and im very happy with it

 

That really is impressive. What was the mileage?

 

5k will get you looking at type r's

 

Hmmm, I'm now thinking about UK Sti bugeyes, as insurance would be cheaper. Or maybe could stretch to a Blobeye. Obviously 5K budget would be out the window though...

 

uk sti bugeye is a god option, whats a blob eye and hawkeye ?

PERSONALLY i would say get a STI RA or even a type R just as its not gonna go down in value as much as the others if you get a V5 version

 

Blobeye's could start from maybe 7k - 7.5k. And hawkeye's probably 11-12k. I haven't really had a decent look at them yet.

 

i ment what is the difference between them looks wise ?

 

Alllllllllaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnn what are you like mate!! lol

Were in the same boat now I'll have 5K to spend to and have been looking for ages now while i wait for the 182 to sell.

5K will get you a Bugeye STI which IMO is the best option.Classic your looking at a VERY well looked after UK classic with power or a nice Type R...i'd stay clear of a Blob WRX unless it's got PPP as your used to the roarness of the Classic.

You not buy yours back for a bit more than you let it go for? You never know

 

Tell me about it. I knew I'd be back, just didn't think it would be this soon. Need a Subaru in my life.

I'm definetly thinking UK Sti bugeye now. Would rather that than have my old car back, as I've said already, because a Sti a better car from the off anyway...for what I want at least. Standard engine in a bugeye is good for fairly big power with standard internals.

 

Blobeye



Hawkeye

 

Best of all the factory New Ages, beautiful.

 

If youre looking for a recently imported vehicle, then insist on seeing the Japanese auction appraisal sheet. Any legitimate importer (not someone who resells bobbins he bought from a docks auction, selling a decent vehicle, will have a copy. Id still be hoping for a Grade4 car, with an A interior: the odometer reasding will also be confirmed.

Simon

 

Thanks Simon. Didn't notice your reply when I was on ealier because the thread was on the second page.

Good to know what I'd be looking for, since as you say: there are alot of dodgy companies, and cars out there!

 

This is just a quick look,

2004 54 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX TURBO MET BLUE 1 OWNER FSH on eBay, also, Subaru, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 27-Feb-09 19:31:34 GMT)

or a nice 1 owner black 1 for ya

2004 54 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0 STI WRX UK TYPE ONE OWNER on eBay, also, Subaru, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 26-Feb-09 16:34:34 GMT)

 

Unless you get an STI blob with the wider track and DCCD I see no point in not getting a bug - unless you really can't stand the look.

Bug Prodrive STI are 7K.

Personally I'm sticking to 5K no matter what so good classic is all I shall be getting.

 

Now isnt going to be the best time to buy a recently imported car, because the exchange rate has taken a terrible pounding. Youre currently looking at about ¥145 to the pound: not too long ago the rate was closer to ¥230 : £1 and its seldom been less than ¥200 : £1.

I honestly cant say whats happening now; but in the last a drop in demand in our market hasnt had much, if any, impact on the values of the cars in Japan, so youll be getting a lot less for your money.

 

Would this be why freshly imported dealer cars appear very expensive compared to private sales - I know dealers always charge a bit more but recently they've looked very expensive.

I had been dead set on something like an import STI RA but I have to admit I suspect it could just be too hard for what I'm after. So probably settle for a decent UK car with a power increase or a late classic STI.