Senior_AP

Hi there Scooby lovers. I just want to know how good the STI-7 Jap spec is. Maybe compared to a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6. I would really appreciate the input of a knowledgeable person(s) regarding this as I may be spending my hard earned cash on one very soon.

Any and all info would be appreciated (performance, speed, handling, ride, cabin volume at speed) Everything !!! Cheers all.

Neil Smalley

To be honest, the only way to tell is to drive one of each yourself. Litchfield importers usually have both in stock.

Senior_AP

Fair play, just want a rough idea as I am travelling a reasonable way to look at it. It isn't loud (on the inside) and squeeky is it?? I am used to a BMW M3 so will get upset with cheapo quality. DAVYBOY has a MY01 and the quality of that is far superior than previous models and impresses me - can the same be said for a Jap STI??

Neil Smalley

Evo Much louder, Sti Quiter but IMHO 10% Noiser than a MY01.

If you want a reasonable ride quality then Evo is not for you. IMHO

Senior_AP

IMHO - sorry, new to Scoobynet. Whats this mean please? (sorry)

Neil Smalley

In my humble opinion

I've got a UK STI-7. Although I tested an EVO 7 and it was the faster and 'nippier' car I have to live with a car as well as enjoy it. The STI was the more practical. I can sacrifice a 10th or so of a second difference in performance for a modicum of comfort.
Some people can live with the Evo day to day, honestly you do need to try both to see if you are one of them.

Senior_AP

Thanks very much indeed. As an owner what would you say you "don't like" about it - anything over time bothered you and make you say "Aaarghh, if only...."??

Neil Smalley

Not much, running in is a nightmare for the 1st 1000 miles. The largest one is that does'nt really get going until 4000Rpm.. Why go for a jap one?

Senior_AP

There is a nice one for sale. STI-7, 2000 X reg with 1'800 miles on it. Totally standard ex-demo car from Japan. They are more powerful than Euros aswell (I know its only exhaust/cats but it still costs to make a euro upto Jap performance).

Neil Smalley

A few things.

Ex Demo's tend to have been thrashed from new, and the STI 7 NEEDS to be run in properly on pain of later engine failure. Also it's unlikely to have been warmed up correctly, and even worse not allowed to cool down(as with all turbo cars, they need to be left to run for a minute or so to let the turbo cool down). Some people have had no problems with ex demo cars, but most tend to steer clear.

Subaru issued an edict to the UK dealers that the running in process for the STI MUST be adhered to, the first time that they have done this

Being a jap import you won't be able to get it serviced at a UK dealer and will need to go to a specialist. You won't get a full Subaru Warranty either, so will need to get one from the dealer.
Insurance tends to be be more expensive and you may well have to fork out for a tracker and cat 1 alarm.

Many,many many people run an import quite happily, so it is doable, just that sometimes it can be more of a pain than running a UK car.

Senior_AP

Thankyou very much indeed for that information. Most helpful. This is the ad for the STI-7.....

2000 X SUBARU IMPREZA STI VERSION 7. 2000 X , WR BLUE MET, 1,800 MILES , 4 Door, 6 Speed Manual, Alloy Wheels, CAT 2 Immobiliser, Central Locking, Climate Control, Electric Windows, PAS, Spoiler, Tinted Glass, Twin Airbags.CD and Mini Disc / Tuner, Gold Wheels , Awesome Performance , Estimated 310bhp ,Full Dealer Facilities inc Finance , Extended Warranty , Part Exchange ,Press Dealer Stock For More Examples and Location , £20995. Auto Select


http://www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/_asel.htm

Above is the dealer web address.

Tractor

If you go Jap make sure it has the suretrac front diff like the UK cars - this is the GL model I think. Not sure though. Won't handle as well otherwise.

Senior_AP

Tractor, how can I tell about the diff?? Anything else to consider.??

chrisp

Thats a strange car, its a 2000 X reg STI 7 so its ones of the very very early ones (I knwo its a Jap spec but did they make them that early ??) and its only done 1800 miles. I would double check its not an STI 6, easy enough if you have a picture.

The other is the "estimated" 310 bhp yep possible with a decat but it may cause you problems when you come to MOT it which because its a 2000 car is next year. You need to see if they have the catted exhaust as well or if there are any cats still on it.

Personally I would be careful and double check everything and ask for the import paperwork. The other point is that someone like Litchfield imports will do you a euro type UK brand new 2002 model for 23.5K ie 2.5K more and you know the history.

Not trying to be negative as I drive an MY00 Japanese import myself but you have to be careful.

Cheers

ChrisP


[Edited by chrisp - 5/31/2002 8:30:33 PM]

Senior_AP

Chrisp. Jap STI7s are "officially" 276bhp but the STI 7's are closer to 310bhp in real terms. It is an STI7, one of the first. I understand what you are saying though - 2o grand is a lot of money if it turns out to be a sh!tbox.

It is totally standard though.

[Edited by Senior_AP - 5/31/2002 8:57:12 PM]

carl

You can get an EU import STi7 type UK for not much more than that.

chrisp

Yep the STi 5 and 6 were rumoured to be around 300PS about 295bhp when run on 100RON fuel. Just worried someone may have decatted it thinking they have added 30bhp and you would be left with a bill for a centre cat come MOT time.

Make sure you run it on good fuel and octane booster. I run my Type RA exclusively on optimax and miller o+, and with a kerb weight of around 1230kgs and full Japanese power output I should need a pilots licence .

Good luck

ChrisP

Deep Singh

Senoir d'ont beleive the 310 BHP line,they are about 280BHP.
They did make them from Oct2000.You should also make sure it has a Cat1 not cat 2 at that price.Also its not just a cat/exhaust difference over the Euro the ECU is configured differently.
Senior you should be able to get these cars cheaper than 21k,a few more thousand miles on the clock perhaps.Having said that I've just read the other post about bona fide Euro STi's for 21k.Even though I'm generally pro import this seems to make alot of sense for a lot of people.Not for me though as I like to modify the car.

benview7

see my car for sale in FOR SALE 2002 (02) sti7 FULL UK spec plus more