Advice please on buying an STI Wagon Import - Pros / Cons
25 May 2005, 08:28 PM
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Advice please on buying an STI Wagon Import - Pros / Cons
Hi Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a '98 'S' STI (v4?) Wagon that I have seen advertised with Full service and 39k, one owner from newer and for sale by same importer that sold it from new. I would appreciate your opinions on the Pros and Con on an import over a uk spec, anything in particular i should look out for or walk away from.
I heard that the v4 STI couls suffer from piston melt if it had been used on low octane, anyone know if that is the case? anything to help me identify if this has already started meltdown.
One last question, would servicing and sourcing parts for this model be too much hassle, would it be less work maybe to buy a uk spec wrx and tune that for similiar power ... If money is not a factor that is ... Just sold house so want to treat myself, but need praticality of wagon (2 dogs, kid and a wife).
Anyone that has a wagon for sale, classic or new age please let us know. Seen loads of standard wagons, looking for something with that little bit more... hence being tempted by the STI
I eagerly look forward to your responses, cheers
-------------------------
Steve Miles
http://swrt.verio.co.uk -- High performance online solutions for SWRT.com
I'm looking at buying a '98 'S' STI (v4?) Wagon that I have seen advertised with Full service and 39k, one owner from newer and for sale by same importer that sold it from new. I would appreciate your opinions on the Pros and Con on an import over a uk spec, anything in particular i should look out for or walk away from.
I heard that the v4 STI couls suffer from piston melt if it had been used on low octane, anyone know if that is the case? anything to help me identify if this has already started meltdown.
One last question, would servicing and sourcing parts for this model be too much hassle, would it be less work maybe to buy a uk spec wrx and tune that for similiar power ... If money is not a factor that is ... Just sold house so want to treat myself, but need praticality of wagon (2 dogs, kid and a wife).
Anyone that has a wagon for sale, classic or new age please let us know. Seen loads of standard wagons, looking for something with that little bit more... hence being tempted by the STI
I eagerly look forward to your responses, cheers
-------------------------
Steve Miles
http://swrt.verio.co.uk -- High performance online solutions for SWRT.com
25 May 2005, 09:34 PM
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Hi Steve,
I had a 94 WRX Wagon for 3 years and loved it. OK, so it wasn't an STi, but it was still a jap import.
Pro's and Con's? Let's see
The first thing I'd do is check out the insurance. I've been out of the "scene" for a few years, so not sure how imports are treated these days, but it used to be a case of many places not wishing to insure imports, or they incurred a big penalty over UK spec models. Having said that, I used Schofields Insurance and they had fantastic service and more importantly gave me a decent quote, and this was for a modified Jap import too, something many places just quoted me silly premiums on, or would not quote at all.
Other con's? hmm, well, the piston melt thing is a possibility, if it's been run on 95 RON fuel, and more so if it's been modified. I used to run the WRX on 95 RON, until I had it decatted, then I switched to SUL/Optimax (when it became available). For an STI I'd always run it on SUL/Optimax, and if it's been modified, you might want to consider octane booster as well, really depends on what has been modified on it.
Sourcing parts should not be a problem, there are many very good independant specialists out there, and thank god for that, as the main dealers will not touch an import. If you ask for a part, they usually ask for a chassis number, and then start mumbling about not supplying parts for "grey imports" and crap like that.
If the car is at an import specialists they should, one hopes, know their stuff, but it might be worth searching on here to see if others have used them and how they are seen. If it comes with a warranty then that would be most handy.
Personally speaking, I'd get a specialist to give the car a good look over if you're worried, preferably before purchasing, or if not possible to do it before, after purchasing, then if there is anything wrong, go back with the report, and the warranty and have a chat with the place that sold you the car.
If it's a private sale, you'd want to get a specialist report before purchasing, you really don't want to buy it and then find it needs a new clutch, turbo and gearbox.
Hope this helps a bit
I had a 94 WRX Wagon for 3 years and loved it. OK, so it wasn't an STi, but it was still a jap import.
Pro's and Con's? Let's see
The first thing I'd do is check out the insurance. I've been out of the "scene" for a few years, so not sure how imports are treated these days, but it used to be a case of many places not wishing to insure imports, or they incurred a big penalty over UK spec models. Having said that, I used Schofields Insurance and they had fantastic service and more importantly gave me a decent quote, and this was for a modified Jap import too, something many places just quoted me silly premiums on, or would not quote at all.
Other con's? hmm, well, the piston melt thing is a possibility, if it's been run on 95 RON fuel, and more so if it's been modified. I used to run the WRX on 95 RON, until I had it decatted, then I switched to SUL/Optimax (when it became available). For an STI I'd always run it on SUL/Optimax, and if it's been modified, you might want to consider octane booster as well, really depends on what has been modified on it.
Sourcing parts should not be a problem, there are many very good independant specialists out there, and thank god for that, as the main dealers will not touch an import. If you ask for a part, they usually ask for a chassis number, and then start mumbling about not supplying parts for "grey imports" and crap like that.
If the car is at an import specialists they should, one hopes, know their stuff, but it might be worth searching on here to see if others have used them and how they are seen. If it comes with a warranty then that would be most handy.
Personally speaking, I'd get a specialist to give the car a good look over if you're worried, preferably before purchasing, or if not possible to do it before, after purchasing, then if there is anything wrong, go back with the report, and the warranty and have a chat with the place that sold you the car.
If it's a private sale, you'd want to get a specialist report before purchasing, you really don't want to buy it and then find it needs a new clutch, turbo and gearbox.
Hope this helps a bit
25 May 2005, 09:57 PM
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Many Thanks Markus for the speedy reply, its been very informative .
I've been out the scene for too many years too, previously owned one of most thing... renault 5GTT Wide Body, Renault 21 Turbo, 16v & Williams Clio... still have a 205 1.9 GTI, but needs to go for a more pratical car, so what bettert way to get bacck into the scene but with a wagon, power and praticality.
Ok I think we're ok on the parts and servicing then, that was one concern. I just looked on confused.com tonight... for a uk '98 tubo cheapest quotes were about 500, but when i put in import and the STi model it jumped to cheapest of £900 and there was only one company that would quote, so thats food for thought.
anyone else with any views, cheers
-------------------------
Steve Miles
http://swrt.verio.co.uk -- High performance online solutions for SWRT.com
.I've been out the scene for too many years too, previously owned one of most thing... renault 5GTT Wide Body, Renault 21 Turbo, 16v & Williams Clio... still have a 205 1.9 GTI, but needs to go for a more pratical car, so what bettert way to get bacck into the scene but with a wagon, power and praticality.
Ok I think we're ok on the parts and servicing then, that was one concern. I just looked on confused.com tonight... for a uk '98 tubo cheapest quotes were about 500, but when i put in import and the STi model it jumped to cheapest of £900 and there was only one company that would quote, so thats food for thought.
anyone else with any views, cheers
-------------------------
Steve Miles
http://swrt.verio.co.uk -- High performance online solutions for SWRT.com
Originally Posted by Markus
Hi Steve,
I had a 94 WRX Wagon for 3 years and loved it. OK, so it wasn't an STi, but it was still a jap import.
Pro's and Con's? Let's see
The first thing I'd do is check out the insurance. I've been out of the "scene" for a few years, so not sure how imports are treated these days, but it used to be a case of many places not wishing to insure imports, or they incurred a big penalty over UK spec models. Having said that, I used Schofields Insurance and they had fantastic service and more importantly gave me a decent quote, and this was for a modified Jap import too, something many places just quoted me silly premiums on, or would not quote at all.
Other con's? hmm, well, the piston melt thing is a possibility, if it's been run on 95 RON fuel, and more so if it's been modified. I used to run the WRX on 95 RON, until I had it decatted, then I switched to SUL/Optimax (when it became available). For an STI I'd always run it on SUL/Optimax, and if it's been modified, you might want to consider octane booster as well, really depends on what has been modified on it.
Sourcing parts should not be a problem, there are many very good independant specialists out there, and thank god for that, as the main dealers will not touch an import. If you ask for a part, they usually ask for a chassis number, and then start mumbling about not supplying parts for "grey imports" and crap like that.
If the car is at an import specialists they should, one hopes, know their stuff, but it might be worth searching on here to see if others have used them and how they are seen. If it comes with a warranty then that would be most handy.
Personally speaking, I'd get a specialist to give the car a good look over if you're worried, preferably before purchasing, or if not possible to do it before, after purchasing, then if there is anything wrong, go back with the report, and the warranty and have a chat with the place that sold you the car.
If it's a private sale, you'd want to get a specialist report before purchasing, you really don't want to buy it and then find it needs a new clutch, turbo and gearbox.
Hope this helps a bit
I had a 94 WRX Wagon for 3 years and loved it. OK, so it wasn't an STi, but it was still a jap import.
Pro's and Con's? Let's see
The first thing I'd do is check out the insurance. I've been out of the "scene" for a few years, so not sure how imports are treated these days, but it used to be a case of many places not wishing to insure imports, or they incurred a big penalty over UK spec models. Having said that, I used Schofields Insurance and they had fantastic service and more importantly gave me a decent quote, and this was for a modified Jap import too, something many places just quoted me silly premiums on, or would not quote at all.
Other con's? hmm, well, the piston melt thing is a possibility, if it's been run on 95 RON fuel, and more so if it's been modified. I used to run the WRX on 95 RON, until I had it decatted, then I switched to SUL/Optimax (when it became available). For an STI I'd always run it on SUL/Optimax, and if it's been modified, you might want to consider octane booster as well, really depends on what has been modified on it.
Sourcing parts should not be a problem, there are many very good independant specialists out there, and thank god for that, as the main dealers will not touch an import. If you ask for a part, they usually ask for a chassis number, and then start mumbling about not supplying parts for "grey imports" and crap like that.
If the car is at an import specialists they should, one hopes, know their stuff, but it might be worth searching on here to see if others have used them and how they are seen. If it comes with a warranty then that would be most handy.
Personally speaking, I'd get a specialist to give the car a good look over if you're worried, preferably before purchasing, or if not possible to do it before, after purchasing, then if there is anything wrong, go back with the report, and the warranty and have a chat with the place that sold you the car.
If it's a private sale, you'd want to get a specialist report before purchasing, you really don't want to buy it and then find it needs a new clutch, turbo and gearbox.
Hope this helps a bit
Last edited by Mutts Nutts; 25 May 2005 at 10:01 PM.
25 May 2005, 10:48 PM
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hello mutts!!! why are you after the wagon?????? i have a V5 STI for sale have alook at my home page, its up for 10500, drop us a pm and i will give you the full spec.
p.s you said about the piston melt! well i have just spent 4k on a engine rebuild forged pistons and rod being the main change. cheers m8 speedy.
p.s you said about the piston melt! well i have just spent 4k on a engine rebuild forged pistons and rod being the main change. cheers m8 speedy.
27 May 2005, 01:49 AM
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Hi Speedy,
If i had my way i'd be straight over with the cash , but have to compromise to keep the mrs happy, she wont let us have two cars, and need room for a couple of dogs as well, so wagon is a good allrounder from that score... still after a wagon.. anything considered ... STI one would be nice
If i had my way i'd be straight over with the cash
, but have to compromise to keep the mrs happy, she wont let us have two cars, and need room for a couple of dogs as well, so wagon is a good allrounder from that score... still after a wagon.. anything considered ... STI one would be nice
Originally Posted by speedystu
hello mutts!!! why are you after the wagon?????? i have a V5 STI for sale have alook at my home page, its up for 10500, drop us a pm and i will give you the full spec.
p.s you said about the piston melt! well i have just spent 4k on a engine rebuild forged pistons and rod being the main change. cheers m8 speedy.
p.s you said about the piston melt! well i have just spent 4k on a engine rebuild forged pistons and rod being the main change. cheers m8 speedy.
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