It's been a while since I owned an Impreza. Maybe 8 years I reckon. I had 3 up to that point with the last one being a 2004 JDM Litchfield sti which was a cracking car but I'm after something a bit more hardcore for the odd track day and highland road trips.

From experience, a twinscroll JDM is a must. I'm thinking along the lines of a 2005 wide track, spec c type RA as a base car. I'm going to be picky and opt for a mint one with low miles(sub 50k). I'm looking for as subtle as possible so stock looks.

What's the consensus on importing currently? Buy one from an importer or commission someone to look for exactly what I want?

I feel the safest option is to get one imported myself. That way I can get it remapped and under sealed from day one. Not sure if it's still the case but I remember years ago there was all sorts of blown engines and corrosion issues on imports.

Who's recommended to help and is there anything I should be looking out for?

Thanks

 

ive imported my hatch jdm sti into ireland on nov 25 this year from a company called ibc japan very straight forward process car aas grade four at auction immaculate

 

Thanks for that. Would be great if I could do it direct. I'll look them up

Any issues with the sva? I think I'm right in saying that it's not needed for a 10 yo car?

 

whats your budget ?

 

Good question. Will depend slightly on the actual car but looking at some online prices I reckon 12k should get what I'm after

 

you should get a nice blob spec c for that, i have a hawk spec c

 

Very nice it is too but a bit too much for what I need

 

i hardly use buddy, just sit's in the garage.

there was a nice blob on ebay the other week

 

I think £12k is not enough for a mint low mileage 2005 wide track spec c type RA or Spec C, probably pick a Blob Spec C up at a push, but it wont have low miles or be mint/clean might need some work/paint etc.

You would probably have a better chance of finding a very clean sub 50k mile widetrack JDM STi for that budget and probably have more choice, also depending what your using the car for???
Is it a occasional track car??? or clean/mint road car??? does it need to be a Spec C?? or would a normal widetrack JDM STi be just as practical for your needs and just as good.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...2000&logcode=p




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...2000&logcode=p




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...5000&logcode=p




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...reza&logcode=p

 

My 03my blob eye spec c maybe coming up for sale shortly

 

It would be a blobeye I'd be after. I see a few decent ones at dealers for @ 12k. Needs to be a spec c. I've done the standard jdm sti but after 4 years with a lotus I want something a bit sharper than the stock car. It's a toy, nothing more really. Something to fiddle with in the garage, do the odd td and highland hoon.

 

Pm me some details. Cheers

 

Thanks for that. Couple there I really like. Keep forgetting to check auto trader for cars these days. Tend to look at eBay and ph!

 

Really like the look of the red 1 in the above list

 

I've emailed about one. Not the red one though

 

I like that red one, yeah to be fair they all look ok.

But we'll all know pictures can hide a thousand problems

 

I'll be sure to get a load of high res pics first

 

Liking the red one a lot, thinking the spec c type ra is the next on the list

 

http://www.quayvehiclesolutions.com/...01510037473904
http://www.quayvehiclesolutions.com/...01508035749763
http://www.quayvehiclesolutions.com/...01508316500439

 

Pm sent

 

Just a random thought but if you want to use the car for touring in the Highlands (where 99 RON fuel stations can be few and far between) and you like to make progress, you may find the 50 ltr tank in the Spec C a limitation.

It's the reason I opted for a non Spec C JDM for my first newage. Of course a 60 ltr tank can be retrofitted to a Spec C, which is what I'll likely do on my next car.

 

Copycat

 

That's a fair point. I am thinking about mapping it for regular unleaded(maybe even a switchable map if that's doable) but didn't think about the range. I've ridden bikes up there a fair bit with 120mile range. I'm guessing maybe 200miles on a 50litre tank? Should be ok. Cheers

 

Phoned up about the red one, says he's all of a sudden had a lot of interest in the car from all over the country

 

The power of social media!

I'm in negotiations with a dealer about a new import. He says he doesn't normally remap them as they will adjust for 99 Ron. I was always under the impression that a remap was essential and I know Litchfield remap all their imports

I may be thinking of older cars though

 

The quantity of models is driving me nuts! Spec c, spec c type ra, spec c type ra v ltd, wr, etc!

I wouldn't mind but there doesn't seem to be a definable difference between them. Some spec c's have all the toys, some have nowt!

Do they all have the aluminium bonnet and boot lid?

 

Depends on how much you like to use the fun pedal. I get 230-240 miles if I'm cruising, 170-180 if going briskly, and 120-140 when properly hooning. That's on a 60 ltr tank.

 

Ooft i get more than that on my jdm and close to 500bhp

 

Think you'll find the go pedal used rather more than may be the norm in places like the Scottish Highlands