Please Help!

Looking at finally getting hold of an impreza & I've currently got a choice of:-

1)54,000 mile '96 WRX at £7200
2)32,000 mile '99 UK spec at £9500 (with air/con)

Both are 5 doors. I would assume looking at the dyno runs, there is not a lot to choose from in terms of performance/economy when run on the same kind of fuel. Is this correct, & which would you go for & why?

I've looked through the SIDC FAQ & can't really see any advantages to either (cheaper insurance for the UK spec seems to counter the lower price of the WRX over a few years)

Cheers
Mark

Blimey, they're quite different really, but this depends more on whether the 96 WRX is the facelifted model (MY97) or not (MY96). If it is facelifted, it will have the same bonnet and headlight design as the UK car, but the bumpers will be different. If it is a MY96, it will have a different front end altogether.

Performance wise I agree that they will be similar as the Jap wrx 5 doors of that era only have 240Bhp or so. But, they should still be run on SUL, whereas you can use Normal UL in the UK car. I think but am not sure that the WRX will have shorter gearing. Check it has been fully delimited/derestricted etc.

Handling wise, the UK car will handle better as I think the chassis was tweaked quite a bit between those two dates, and the UK car will also have 4-pot brakes, whereas the WRX won't. This is a big difference.

In terms of toys and such, the UK car will have the newer interior and seat fabrics etc. so it will feel nicer inside and more solid (more sound deadening etc.), but the WRX will have more toys as standard (air con, electric folding mirrors etc.). The UK car may not have aircon so check this (D'oh, just seen it has)

They really are potentially very different so I would drive and poke around in both extensively. I would say that the UK car represented better value for money though.

Good luck!

Mike

[Edited by Tractor - 1/23/2002 4:08:04 PM]

I think you'll have a few people asking where you found a UK MY99 for that price.........should raise a few eyebrows.

I'd go for the UK model. Good Price.

I'd go for the MY99. That's a great price for the millage and the MY99 had lots of nice goodies on it that were taken from the STI.

Brakes are better, shorter shift and better interior.

Rich.

Definitely go for the UK and that is a very good price.

hmmm, uk spec or import, difficult one this.

I'd suggest you ring a few insurance companies (Schofields being a good one!) and see what the import vs UK spec would cost in insurance.

Then find out where your nearest suabru dealer and independant garage are, because most subaru dealers won't touch the import.

for a list of independant garages have a look here

Go for the UK car, if it's a real one at that price. I'd be gutted to sell my MY99 5door with air for that price. But then, I'm not selling.

Go for the UK99 M8 as I would trust me it's the better choice. ;) I had my UK98 for 5 months and traded up to a UK00

Osama

UK one sounds a bit on the low side. Is it a Euro import?

I have a 94 WRX and I would go for the MY99 ;)

The MY99 engine is slightly weaker, relatively speaking (not a closed deck block) and it has a small turbo but that's only relevant if you are REALLY going to town on tuning it - apart from that scenario, the MY99 wins on all counts.

Insurance should be the clincher - get a quote for both and you should see quite a difference!

Thanks

Gavin

The MY99 is a very good price!

I sold mine privately (MY99 4 door, 33k, with air con and full Scoobysport system) for £13k!

Drive it for about year and not lose any money on it!! :eek:

Andy

PS - The UK will be cheaper to insure! ;)

From a tuning aspect, if the MY99 is done correctly I've seen one get 356bhp on the rollers!! ;)

....and it needed it because of all the "tarty" add-ons.... ;) ;)

Thanks

Gavin

UK car definitely - but like people say - it sounds too cheap?

Make sure you get a HPI report and an independent inspection.

lol@Gavin and his automatic!! ;)

Thank for the feedback guys..

All a bit academic now 'cos the '99 UK model was sold last night :(

Why does that not surprise me?

Cheers
Mark