If I was looking to change I would go for the RB320. Of course you can buy warranted Imports that are quicker, handle better and are more exclusive but to me these are more for the hardcore enthusiasts. When talking about depreciation new or used, Import or UK, Special Edition or standard its your choice. I bought my 05MY STI PPP (in Crystal Grey like the one in the ad) from a Subaru dealer new so that I have peace of mind in the knowledge that I`ve cared for it from day 1 and have the backing of a Subaru warranty. This to my mind covers the depreciation. Any Impreza is going to have expensive running costs, insurance etc and we all know this before we buy one. I only mod my car with official Subaru/Prodrive options so the RB320 would suit me as the exterior extras looks good, its got the extra performance and should handle much better even though its undoubtedly been produced to shift a slow selling model. dubnut71 - When I buy a car I want to enjoy it and use it when needed aswell as looking after it regardless of cost, wether it is a Special Edition or not. If you can afford it, buy it! :)

If I was you mate I would consider a WR1 saw one on autotrader with only 5000 miles on it trying to talk my Dad into getting one think they are really nice fast as well :)

In my stocklist is a black spec c.I will get you some rb320 wheels and the front stainless grills and bobs your unlce you got the same awsome look,but better performance,5k cheaper and the roof scoop ;).

When i first seen the spec c it was the roof scoop that did it for me absolute class ;)

Does the roof scoop serve any purpose ?

Fresh air :wonder: :D

And looks COOL

Why not a Type25? :notworthy :notworthy

Always a good bet (in my modest opinion!)

You really cant help yourself can you....:lol1:

in reply to this, your comparing 2 cars that really are no comparison FFS


There aimed at 2 different markets for a start. now we are getting down to imported numbers are we, well, how pathetic do you want to go, lets just talk about the numbers SUBARU as a company realeased eh, because in time, there will be more. Christ, im fairly certain if i was to go buy 10 tomorrow and decided to import them myself, have the model report done my self, then hire it out, the price on your car would plummit, and what would that do to the RB price, might i suggest sweet FA.

That car you have sat there is an awsome car, theres no getting away from that, and if i had to spend the 30K on an impreza, i would take the RA no doubt about it.

But at the end of the day, the RB will be in 3 years worth more than the RA (standard guise), thats my oppinion anyway.


and Juggers, thats fine if you can live with it mate, but not everyone can and i still say that an RA is no way an ok everyday car to use. Yes you can fit the kids in, yes you can get the shopping in the back, but as suggested, this car is a comprimise, a good one, but never the less, its a harsh and not an easy car to start using for the work run.

I myself get totally sick of mine, driving back roads, early morining in traffic, not what you would call a smoothe ride. Sometime traveling in comfort is a nice thing to do, not an easy task in any impreza let alone the RA

Well said

Sounds to me like you have driven both a spec c type ra and rb320? :D

Each to their own :)

EVOLUTION, some fair points made but take a look at the price of the Type RA that's for sale on the Litchfield site. Then compare against the brand new Spec C and the second hand one in blue that's also for sale there. I would say the Type RA has slightly better residuals IMHO.

I do agree with you that the Spec C cars are aimed at a completely different market, there is no doubting that. Not everyone can live with a thinly disguised GrpN car no a daily basis, but for the few who can....:D

have driven the my06 spec c, not the RA and it was an awsome car,


but its not about whether i have driven them is it, im not doing a road test here am i.

That said, im driving the RB next month, so i will report back then for what its worth to you, but, please make a note to yourself, im not motoring journalist or scooby expert, so i doubt very much my findings will mean a great deal TBH.



Toatall agree with you there Mr RA, they will have better residuals, as they are a very limited run of vehicles, but, i still think that the UK car will have the edge when it comes to selling on in 3 years.

I would be interested to hear anyone buying one of these on finance, and what the GFV of this is at the end of the term, would be interesting to compare it to that of the normal STI,


Might have a trip down and see just what it is for myself

Get a Type25, and the pain will end!

I agree with you that the RB will be the easier to sell on, simply because it is a UK car, but I still think that you could sell the Type RA for more to the niche market that it is aimed at. Not many people are willing to spend to spend nigh on £25-£30k on a JDM model simply because of the issue of warranty.

Have to agree with both of you but having had a modified wrx before the type-ra this time round it was more cost effective to buy an impreza which ticked all the boxes and that was the spec-c type ra for me, Im happy, when I sell it on if I ever do it will more than likely go to somebody else like me who is looking for the best of both worlds and who does not mind spending a bit more if you know what I mean.

I am more of a warranty and peace of mind kinda guy so the PP suits more than a RA or a import mainly.

Any ideas on residuals in 12-18 months on an RB320? based on known sti residuals? I have a feel that whilst they may be the same tyhe limited numbers (a la WR1) may mean the opportunity to buy one comes up less.

Delaer I spoke to yesterday says he just loves WR1's , every one he gets just flies out the door at good money .

GC

Just bite the bullet mate and put your order in for one before it's too late. I'm sure you would then have countless sleepless nights waiting for it to arrive :D:D:D

Ha! Jeez Terry you are a mindreader!!!!!!
So in my situation you would just ignore the head and go order it!!!! I am sorely tempted, been looking at that RB320 site too damned much!
And alcantara AND leather rather than just leather right?

GC

16k and you can have this 360 bhp 323lb/ft
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10.../scooby013.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10.../scooby012.jpg

The subaru warranty is not worth the paper it's written on.
Plus i warrant all my cars for an extra cost which still works out cheaper ;)

Neilp1 that is a stunning motor :) either for the type ra,neils motor or a car in my stocklist :D

Lovely motor Neil, I would have to sell my WRX privately and endure the endless stream of wasters or the agony of no calls at all probably!!!!

PCM, I am looking at your stocklist cars as a viable option, its good to have such a rich field to choose from!! You driving the RS4 about??

Yes its the daily drive :)


Pop down and have a blast and then go test drive the rb320 then decide. But i honestly think you wont want to leave the RA behind.:)

You will probably want to punch me in my face and run off with the keys :norty:

was glad mine had the subaru warranty loved the new engine they put in for free

O well that just says it all, uk cars are Crap compared to JDM!!:D

I wonder how many jdm cars have blown there engines within the first 3 years :confused: 0?

Anyone out there ever had a problem with a new age jdm?

good job mine was older than 3 yrs then

oh and it isnt a new age either

I thought you was on about a MY06 STI :brickwall :)

no soz lol maybe the next person might be

GC

I thnk my own previous experiences resemble your current situation. Back in '03 I purchased a very special P1 - P666ONE - it had been in Jap Performance magazine and had all of the WR extras - vehicle was worth £37.5k brand new in 2000 and I paid £19k 3.5 years later. I absolutely loved that car - it was in amazing condition and I just knew that I was the envy of most others (except that Type R owners would say it was inferior - but I always joked with them saying they were jealous :D)

Unfortunately I killed the car in 04 doing what I enjoyed best - trackdays. I received insurance payout and went for what I considered the ultimate classic scooby for the track - STI 5 Type RA WRC Ltd - lighter weight, more hardcore and indeed this particular car had been well modded to produce a good 350bhp. I still have this car and it will soon be modded further to produce 450/450 as I now have a proper built engine :D

My own personal preference is a more hard-core drivers machine, but if I'm to be totally honest, I had a better ownership experience with the P1. It never let me down and was just more comfortable to drive everyday whilst maintaining a very good drive too :thumb:

The RA has given me nothing but trouble - that is no reflection on the RA, but on the previous owners that had thrashed it to death. This had been a major problem when the car was used everyday to go to work. However having nearly replaced all mechanical parts, it is now ready to be taken to the next level and I'm also fortunate in that I now don't have to drive it every day either :D

If it were me choosing the RB320 or the Spec C Type RA then I would go for the Spec C every time - but then I am a loon when it comes to these things as I would be using it mainly for track work - hence my Time Attack exploits this year and can't wait for 2007. But if I had to commute every day and wanted to keep the missus happy and wasn't going to do regular trackdays then I think I'd go for the RB320.

The other big part of this ownership experience is the club scene. The RB5 owners club is great and they always have a good turnout at events. I know a good few of the guys involved with that club have orders in for RB320s and imagine being parked up with the other RB320s in your own little reserved area - far better than a regular looking scoob amongst the masses of others,

Just my thoughts - sure you'll have fun deciding what to do :D

The rb320 suspension setup sounds as tho it is tracked based.So as for comfort i think it will be on par with the ra.

PCM