tweenierob

I'm a new boy to this site so bear with me, i'm looking to buy an impreza at the end of this month but am still undecided to which model to buy, my budget is low so my choice is obviously limited, i have 8-9 grand to spend and have been looking on auto trader for a while at prices, my dilemma is..... do i get a uk model and pay a bit more or get an import wrx, also i have heard that import models have more power as standard but are a bstrd to get serviced or parts... any help would be appreciated however bias'd
thanks

miller

having owned both i would say there is not a lot in it.
for and against.
uk
cheaper insurance
franchised dealers will service it, and charge you lots
crap seats on early models
not much slower than import
no probs with parts.
import
franchised dealers wont touch them, they say!
better inside on early models
service history pre import is questionable
cheaper to service because there are plenty of specialists about now
insurance can be heavy
never found any probs with parts
slightly cheaper to buy
personally i`d go for the import.

tweenierob

what do you reckon the power difference is???
Rob

miller

not a lot in real terms a 95 uk turbo says 208bhp on the tin but is more likely to be in the region of 220-230 a 95 wrx import says 256 on 100 ron fuel so on 98 ron here in the uk is more likely to produce about 240- 250. Gearing is different though and i found the import had better acceleration.

tweenierob

Nice one, thanks for your advice
think its gotta be a wrx import, there's a white type RA for 9995 near me, but i need speed and some creature comforts....
nothing like being next to someone and having to lean over and wind the window down....

miller

Having re read your post you say you have 9 grand i would say you will get a later uk model for that much a 97 or 98 model, in which case i`d go for that because it will be a facelift model, don`t worry about mileage too much but avoid cars which are due for there45k or 60k mile service unless you plan keeping it. go for one thats just had the 45K.

tweenierob

excuse my ignorance but whats the difference between the facelift and old??

miller

92-97 was a flat bonnet with a more rounded headlight and larger slat type vents on the bonnet,the bonnet scoop was smaller and the front grill was shallower and had a central slat running the length of the grille, the whole front end looks less sharp.
after 97 the bonnet had two styling lines pressed into the bonnet with small honeycomb style vents a larger front grille again with honeycomb moulding and more angular headlamps, the bonnet scoop was larger.and after 2000 it all went **** up.

tweenierob

lol, hope that i can find a decent milage facelift model, if not maybe a model with a facelift???
cheers mate