new 2006 impreza owner with a question
 

Hello from a newbie impreza owner:)

I traded in my dc2 for a wrx 2006 last week. Very happy with it, performance is similar to my old car, but awd is awesome! Car wasn't my first choice as I wanted an sti ppp in grey, but couldn't find one within my budget, and although I could have got the older 2003 sti, i opted for a silver wrx as i prefer the looks of the facelifted model.

Ok, now to my question, can anyone clarify whether the car I have is an import or not?
Dealer said it was UK, but I'm suspecting otherwise. Hoping I haven't been mugged off here ;)

First, it didn't have an alarm (I thought all UK imprezas come standard with cat 1 alarm and tracker fitted)

Second, car doesn't seem to have xenons, I thought the facelifted (2006-2007) models have xenons as standard? My friend has a my07 sti type uk ppp and his has xenons, or are xenons only standard on sti?

Finally, the car has done 27k and has full subaru service history with 3 stamps, however the service book is not a Subaru one??????!!!
Can any uk 2006 owners tell me what their service book looks like please.
Thanks.

Give your nearest subaru dealer a ring with your chassis number and they will tell you if it's an import or a uk car:thumb: Welcome to SN:thumb:

ok. Will do

Any answers to my question regarding the xenons?
are these only standard on uk cars? stis? as mine don't seem to have them

Xenons are standard on 2006-2007 models as far as I know. Are you sure it doesn't have them? Can you post a pic of the headlights?

Don't wish to worry you but you are right, all UK hawkeye WRX's had xenon's as standard and we're all fitted with Thatcham cat 1 alarms, Tracking devices we're not standard though.

PM me with your reg no and i'll let you know if it's a uk car or not.

Phil

My car is a german one and xenons were still standard.

My 2006 WRX (Wagon) has a Subaru service book and Xenons (all uk WRX had Xenons according to the brochure - only the 2.0 non-turbo had std lights.

No. The non-turbos have Xenons too.

MY EU import has Xenons, simple way to tell is the UK car alarm has the ultrasonics half way up/down the A Pillers, also front seats differ on UK/EU, my EU has a dark grey (or light grey) patch between your legs when you sit down, the Uk models do not and have adiffernt seat cover design.

ta

This one has EU seats as an example

Subaru : 2.5 WRX

Would like to add that the car advertised above looks immaculate and superb value for money!

Thanks again for all the replies.

Anyway, regarding the xenons, i do have them, switched them on last night and lights were bright white, but after a while of driving they sort of blend in and you don't notice them (thats why I thought they weren't xenons, silly me):lol1:

As for it being a imported car, I think my suspicions are confirmed.
The car has no alarm, and hence no ultrasonics on the a-pillars.
And seats are same as the one uploaded by Monotokpoint (is that your car for sale?) with the padding for you crotch :lol1:

Anyway, despite the fact that it is an import, the car is running well and in good condition. I'm just a little p$$$ed that the dealer sold it to me as a UK car when it wasn't. Are they allowed to do this? Feel like I have been mugged off here because I'm sure he would have charged me more than a euro import?

How does a MY2006 WRX with 27k miles compare between a UK and Euro import in terms of selling prices? :confused:

Just out of interest, what does the service book look like on uk cars?
I have a white one, but it's not a Subaru one, just has a car company's name and logo on it, and says warranty book. At the back it has the subaru stamped services though.

My EU has a Subaru service book if its any help.

Same.

These aren't EU seats as you put it they are MY06 seats.

Sounds like yours is a definate import though mate.

^^^^^ so the seats in MY07 are different?

Might have to call up the dealer and have words with him LOL
ANy idea if I'll be able to get some money back since a euro import is worth considerable less?!

Damn!! Wish I'd used this forum before I bought the vehicle, then maybe wouldn't be in this situation.

Yup mines and import. They differ from the UK spec cars I have seen though. From what I can tell, the UK ones dont have the grey section on the base of the seat

The MY06 cars have different seats between UK and EU, the year has nothing to do with it, don't forget the chances are that an EU model will not have side airbags unless it was spec'd as an extra.

From new the euro imports are a fair bit cheaper so residuals should show this in the price you paid.

Was it priced as a UK car or did you find it was a little cheaper than elsewhere?

If you're unhappy you are entitled to complain to the dealer- was it a Subaru main dealer?

UK Service books are blue whereas the EU ones (at least from Malta which mine was) are white but still have the official Subaru logo on etc.

Hope this helps.

I'd politely return to the dealer if Subaru UK confirm the car is not a UK car. Whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with a parallel import, the spec is lower than the UK car and the car you paid for was misrepresented. If there is no offer of some compensation, then I would report the matter to trading standards. Turning up at the dealers ranting, raving and making threats rarely works. Keep your cool and put across a reasonable argument based on your evidence and take it from there. Best of luck. Enjoy the car...It's the dealer who has let you down. Bob