Hi all,

Currently looking at upgrading my '94 WRX STi mk1 to a newer model, but Im finding that Im getting offered feck all for it on trade ins :(

Ive so far looked at a 2001 'new shape' WRX thats on offer for 18 grand and a lovely '99 STi5 Type RA Limited Edition for 16 grand which I nearly wet my pants at when I saw it!
The STi5 is more what Im looking for than the 'new shape' but in both cases Ive only been offered 6 grand back for mine, when I paid 12 for it two years ago!

The dealers just seem to look in the Glasses guide or similar, pick out a '94 Impreza Turbo AWD (which is in for 5,500 at the moment I think) and say "I'll give you 500 extra cos its a WRX/STi" etc.
This is arse, as I can see, cos the Glasses guides dont have Jap cars in them. The Jap cars were of a more superior spec to their same year UK counterparts, but I seem to feel like Im getting ripped off all the time.

Is this normal?
Should I be steering away from imports?
The car Im wanting though I dont think is available as anything other than import.

Ta
Mark...

conversely though, as you are discovering, the best sti 5s and 6s are raising good prices at the moment - as much as the same cars were going for 2 years ago. In fact - the last of the clasic stis are holding value better than mitsubishi evo 5s and 6s so its not bad news for everyone. There are also some absolute bargains coming in direct from japan at the moment so people aren't going to want to pay much for a car that has been in the uk for a while. Though the sti1 is fairly uncommon , the average punter won't know the difference and will class it with the rest of the early imprezas - of which there are far too many on the market has to be said.

good luck

Paul W

Hmmm, thanks for your input.

Its also not good, when I still owe about 7,500 grand on it!!

DOH!

Even the much revered mighty P1 is suffering depreciation wise.
The whole market is tough.

Evo7s for 22K etc.

Pound for pound import still good idea if u can find reasonable insurer.

Good luck.