san_STI

Hello there

looking for some advice on making a decision. Been looking for a good condition blob Sti for a while, preferably widetrack PPP. With a budget £10-12k do I keep looking for a good condition Uk spec at lower end of budget or take the plunge and import one for 12k which all considered is more than I really wanted to spend.

I know comparing uk vs jdm is no contest but is there anything between the two I should be considering to help make a decision. Interested in hearing from anyone who has owned both uk and jdm models.

many thanks!

Sean 2000

Most UK cars I looked at before importing my JDM where ALL starting to rust, whereas my V5 Sti that is now 21 years old has ZERO rust.
The rock salt really really kills our cars here unfortunately.

san_STI

Yea rust, or lack of it is the plus point. I am concerned that imports don’t usually come with service history. Anyone know if that affects the resale value and what the value of jdm’s are likely to go in the future?

mike74

You need to get a car.vx report on any import, as good as a HPI report in the UK.

Tim_

I’m doing exactly the same as you and after viewing lots of ‘immaculate’ WRX UK cars which turned out to be rust buckets and upped my budget even more to £10k-£12k to avoid rust I’ve gone for a JDM instead. I’ve seen a few UK blobeye widetracks in that price range which are circa 100k miles, questionable history and/or questionable modifications and a fair chunk of rust being passed off as ‘minor’ for that price point. Talking to an importer you need to be £12k-14k landed from someone reputable for a widetrack or a Spec C worth having but it’ll be a good condition car. Hawkeye WRX STI’s with the 2.0l creep in at £14k too.

I’m not willing to stretch that far with my budget on a car I’m not 100% sure I’ll still enjoy driving in 6-12 months time so instead I’ve stuck with my budget and found a JDM WRX STI (bugeye) which is fine by me because I like all the front end shapes and that’s also the generation I first got a passenger ride in one as a 10 year old kid, if I really feel the need I’ll move up to a wide track at some point in the future. I’ve yet to properly view and pick mine up so I may end up in a widetrack yet!

I would certainly consider looking at a reputable importers stock that’s already in the UK rather than trying to import one unseen and taking a further risk. Good luck with the hunting!

san_STI

Thanks for the advice. Torque GT seem to think 12k otr is doable for a good condition Blob.

most good condition UK ones I see are priced at that.

ZANY

another £2k you can have my jdm widetrack with vx report imported from new just reaching 46k miles

subtly modified

Nelzsti

I thought i had bought a mint car a few moths back , Its in now for some engine work ,and i have had to have a front sub frame and engine cradle due to rust.

johno01

what’s car do you have mate and what is wrong with the engine?

Nelzsti

05 sti uk widetrack i Paid 12k as it looked mint with a recent engine refresh ... Its in at Cotton Competition having a bigger turbo, baffle sump, headers ect ect,,, I,m still Happy with the car mind

johno01

happy days mate, thought you meant you was having engine problems as well.....yes more power!