BUT !

I've changed my mind .. damn.

Ok so now I've been dragged back into the must have a scoob mindset, could some of you guys gimme opinions on models .. for instance grey vr's UK.
I'll be spending around 6-8k (more if its worth it) and must admit I'm being drawn towards an imported Jap STI ver2 or above, something about the 270+ bhp (on 100ron at least) just makes me scream GIMME GIMME !!

Are there sufficient pluses to outway the fuel/service minuses that a grey import brings with it ?

I'm not quite at the dealer stage yet but I see JVS has a presence here so cant be too dodgy in an open forum *evil grin* and calders will definately get a body swerve, been up there are well best not to say anymore.

ezo.

so what made you want to own another?;) silly question eh

Am about to purchase scooby myself,have heard sti engine fragile on brit fuel, unless you run additive to boost octane,done a bit of asking.bell and colvil in guildford surrey reckon brit spec and tune,others ie 'importers' reckon sti,personaly being in motor trade althougth not up on jap spec,id get brit and tune.power engineering reckon brit spec cause yoo know whats been done..possibly.Friend got 300zx import and doesnt go as well as brit spec,possibly because meant to run 100ron fuel,so implications are burnt out valve seats etc unless been run on brit spec fuel since import???who knows

sparkster - my mates MY95 turbo + PPP had a temp sensor brake and i followed him through to the garage etc.. and had a look around one again (yes I'm weak willed and thats all it took) I havent seen him for ages.

toby - yep read about the fuel trouble although some peeps have mentioned "remapping" the ECU for 97RON when you get it, or just using octane boosters all the time (which would pee me off eventually - read within 2 months).

I was also trying to consider the (possible myth) that Jap cars are cared for more / thrashed less ? than their UK counterparts... although this is somewhat of an assumption on my part due to the lower speed limits everywhere in japan.
Also the generally lower mileage readings seen on advertised cars .. but it is a sticky point with the ease of clocking(dont care how strict they say their regulations are)

hehe contradicting myself a bit but *shrugs*

ezo.

Japanese spec cars are not any more expensive to service or maintain, if anything they are cheaper to run due to the number of specialists you can use.

You can get a remap of the standard ECU on the MY99 onwards, i just use Optimax or SUL with some octane booster, that costs me £2.50 extra a fill and takes 5 seconds to add, hardly a big effort or expense.

There are a lot of extras you get on a Japanese spec car, more power is just one of them. There are also a large range of models to choose from, so take your time and find what it is you are really after.

Not all Japanese spec cars are of unknown history either, mine was imported brand new with zero miles and has full service history etc.

[Edited by johnfelstead - 5/25/2003 2:32:28 AM]

I have had my JDM MY94 STI for 18 months now. It always uses Optimax and although it has not been remapped and it will produce 1.05 bar easily due to a good exhaust, it shows no sign of knock on the Knocklink, goes like a train, and is the most fun car I have ever had. I do my own servicing which is not difficult and take care of it. Oil change every 3K.

If you are sensible the way you look after it, respecting the fact it is a high performnce car, then you should have no trouble with it.

Les :)

My MY00 RA runs about 1.3bar on a cat back system with a VF29 turbo running on optimax and booster. Oil is changed about every 2000 miles max. Mine also has a full UK service history and has 10 miles on the clock when I drove off in it.


[Edited by chrisp - 5/25/2003 11:13:34 AM]

UK car and MOD?
A jap car is cheaper, and much better specced as well as much faster.
If you are going to mod the Uk car you might as well save your money and get the import sorted; an aftermarket ECU can be mapped for any fuel you want, and a knocklink will tell you if you're having problems, a lot of UK drivers run SUL or Optimax and booster anyway, especially if it's been modded. If the import is standard it will run on UK fuel (preferably with booster). It can take some modding on the Jecs ECU but a knocklink is a good idea.

To get a UK car to the same power levels as an STI will cost you a lot more than SUL and will probably need the same fuel anyway once it's done. To get the other equipment levels (ie suspension, brakes, extras) the same would cost a good deal more.

Vince

I'd go along with that Vinnie.

les :)

hmmm well time is on my side as I'm not rushing out to buy something I dont want. However after the comments made I'll start looking out for imports and if I cant see the one I want I may have a quick look at UK cars.

Guaranteed if i drive an import first it'll be a very quick glance around out the back of my house with my eyes closed... but a look none the less ;-)

thanks guys !