low mileage 2003 sti or higher mileage 2005?
 

Hi all,

I am soon re-entering the world of scooby ownership after 3 years in the wilderness. :luxhello:

I have narrowed down the choice to a JDM blob-eye Sti but have a question:

For the cash I will have I could get a 2003 with about 50k on the clock or a 2004/5 (wider track, dccd, auto water spray etc) but with 80-90K miles.

I will only be doing 3-4k a year so the later car appeals (I think :confused:).

What would you go for?

Cheers

deZ

2003 sti,

The 2003 Jdm STI should still have Dccd and auto water spray as mine does, I'd go for the lower mileage one.

if you go jdm, then im sure you get the dccd and auto water spray anyway. if you really want the wider track, bigger hubs etc then go for an 05. although the wheel fitment is different, so a lot of the wheels for sale second hand won't fit it.

High mileage plays a big part in re-selling.

If it were my money i would go for an 04 jdm sti- pre widetrack.

Wow, quick replies, great.

I kind of forgot the JDMs are better in terms of the DCCD and the water spray. I read that the wider track made a difference to the handling but I doubt I'd notice in the real world.

JDM STI engines are strong as hell. 90K is nothing as long as it's been serviced properly and on time. It should have had a cambelt at 50K so would be due one soon'ish. Don't be put off by miles, even low milage cars can go bang fella.
Me, personally, I'd go with a 2005 JDM STI all day long. Just make sure the history is good and service intervals have been kept up to date.

I agree. I have an 05 jdm and previously had an 03 jdm, which in several ways i preferred. As you say, in real world driving, there is no difference between the 2 cars. Go for the lower mileage one.

im in a similar postion and have seen a JDM sti bug eye but as its an import theres little history other than mot's although its only done about 30k, were as ive also seen a 04 blob WRX
with a lot of mods and full history with about 80k on the clock the WRK is best part of £500 less. both are forum members cars with the JDM being a trader. hard to no whats best to do..

sti bugeye

I think it would come down to the car in question not so much anything else. Personally I would go for a 05 onwards as I would want the wider track and revised interior plus I think more people would be looking for the later model come re-sale time.

What's your budget if you don't mind me asking

Or better yet,
Buy a highly speced type R. Much more fun in every way. Your only doing 3/4 K a year so refinement isn't an issue.
You would probably get a handful of change too.

budget 7-9.5k lower the better really.

Remember it's a buyers market for these cars at the minute, fuel and insurance costs are dictating it now. There are some bargains to be had because of this.

Stick by what I said though, classic every time.... Can pick up a lovely type R with awesome spec for well under 7K.

Well you can have the best of both worlds, the 05 plate with 50k on the clock is up at 8.6k saw a couple on pistonheads I am sure if you turned up with cash a seller may take close to 8. There's a nice 05 jdm sti on there to and a 04 litchfield type 25 well within your budget.

Plenty of choice but you can forget about the older v newer v high v low miles and get a nice all founder for that.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556024.htm - uk
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2755048.htm - uk
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2686274.htm - jdm

If you could stretch a little more this would save you some cash in the long run as we always want more power
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2755278.htm
Try and knock it down to 10k so only 500 bucks more but well worth the long term cash

And i was tripping about the type25 was thinking of a different car and its price lol sorry

Thanks for the replies people!

Yeah, saw the blue one with the white wheels, an '05 plate but without the wider track I notice (no arch spats):confused:.

Really want JDM whatever the spec as I love the idea of the twinscroll turbo and the other extras compared to Type Uks make it so much more appealing.

In what ways did you prefer the 2003 over the 2005?

Wide track my05 jdm is the way to go, that's what I bought and so glad I didn't get a uk car, think there are quite a lot of differences over the my03 jdm. Unless you find a my03 spec c, as at your low mileage the lack of sound deadening and other luxeries won't matter

wow, I just had a look at the blue jdm one, and it looks mint for the price!! almost tempts me to sell my WR1 and go with that! hehe

that 05 jdm, log book says uk sti though :(

hmm, interesting.... there are always little things that pop up to make you wonder... :wonder:

My first spec c said wrx, I just sent it back and they corrected it lol

Tony:)