MrShades

I think my Mitsubishi FTO GPX is ready to go to pastures new....

After doing much looking and thinking over the past few months, I think I've come up with a plan to buy a new WRX of some sort. I'm just a bit new to this Scooby thing, and wanted some advice from anyone that might have been down the same path before.

I've got two prospective purchases:

1. www.motorpoint.co.uk - Brand new WRX STi for about 21000 + a couple of hundred OTR costs. Euro import I guess.

2. www.hondasuk.co.uk/hondasuk.htm - Brand new 2003 model WRX, full UK spec, again a Euro import I think - 16750 on the road. Yup. 16750 OTR!!!!!!!


Option 2 is looking so tempting I almost cannot resist, however I'm trying to sort of the pros and cons of upselling myself to the fun-mobile and going for the STi.

Running costs, performance, insurance, purchase cost are all factors - obviously so is the credibility of the dealer - so if anyone can comment on any aspect I'd very much appreciate it.

Is it cost effective to take a WRX and tune it to STi spec and looks? (Perhaps without the Brembos as they ain't gonna be cheap!)

Anyone want to buy a nice FTO - cheap?

Thanks for any help......

Shades

DominicA

at those prices it will not be cost effective to TRY and get the wrx upto the STi spec...

Chris L

Shades - be careful with Motorpoint. It does appear that the cars they have are coming from Cyprus which isn't part of the EU (yet) and therefore not a European import and not covered by the Subaru warrenty. Somebody will correct me if this is not the case.

If you are not worried by this, then go ahead!

Honda price looks good - don't know anything about them so can't comment.

Do consider servicing - officially, Subrau Uk (International Motors) dealers can't touch Jap import cars, so you'll need to find an indenpendent.

Mod the car? Standard WRX is around 220 bhp. STI 270 ish. There are the normal chips / brakes / exhausts around that could get you to that bhp. You would also need to consider suspension - maybe Leda - budget around 5K for the mechanical mods. Budget another couple of grand if you want to make the cosmetic changes to the car. Hell you might as well buy a UK STI!!!

Chris

speedking

Most Euro imports don't come with Cat1 alarm = £300
Add tracker for insurance = £500
Locking wheel nuts = £20
1000 mile service = £100
say +£1000 for true OTR comparison.

Then its difficult not to have CD changer etc., etc.

davyboy

As if I really need to say it, buy mine!

Jon1T

...or mine - 2002 Belguim car with full scoob warranty!

Don't thing hondas.uk cars are EU (as opposed to Cyprus) imports - when I asked about 6-7 months ago they had no service books, warranty etc etc

MattN

I want another FTO Mail me.

J Bee

A word of warning about imports - i cannot regret more buying an imported VW Golf GTi 1.8T from virgincars.com who offer substantially more 'customer care' than most importers, esp. motorpoint. I won't go into details but basically you're better off taking advantage of good discounts many Subaru UK dealers are offerring as well as the lowest apr rates i've seen 5.5%! You can also get an STi at a discount from subaru dealers, especially if you speak to fleet sales and Subaru Insurance direct are heavily discounting STi insurance which often makes it less than the WRX via other insurers. I'd go for a UK, you'll lose the money you saved on an import on resale and alarm, etc.

chuckster

Making a WRX into an STI is alot of work. Front LSD, 6 speed gearbox and quickrack are 3 immediate things that spring to mind as 'difficult' upgrades. Just matching the horsepower won't come close to the STI experience IMHO.
C

Jon1T

....but why make a WRX into a STi? I thought about this until I went in Paul's WRX at Scoobysport - far far far far far superior to an STI....KAD bakes, Leda susp, full decat and PPP - it was quuuiiiiiccccckkkk! Accelerated, corned and stopped like nothing else and would kick STi butt ;D

So EU import WRX = £16500k - scoobysport mods = 4/5K and you have a £20.5k car that's better than the STI IMHO.

Flame suit on.

speedking

Have a look at Keyring Cars. They are Subaru specialists, so less probs than generic importers like Virgin. Their service is very good. Saving about £4k over a UK car. If you can hack the wait then it is the only way to go IMHO.

Jon1T: why are you selling?

Jon1T

...partly because after going in the scoobysport car i realised that i had to get the mods, as going back to the standard car is disappointing - and the wife won't have it. It's also a bit small now we have a baby - but I'm still ummming and ahhing, as the wife want a new CRV.

NewWrX

I agree with Speedking when I contacted Virgin they just sounded well need I say more Keyring are ace.

clubby

Why not do what I did - buy a Litchfield Imports modified Sti 7 with 310 bhp. I think they sell the standard (UK Spec) Sti7 at about £23.5, whilst £2k gets you the conversion. For the £23.5 they also fit a tracker and a Thatcham 1 (Cobra I have alarm)The conversion consists of Magnex freeflow exhaust, Unichip, Dawes Device, uprated rear anti-roll bar, Eibach suspension (lower).

I also have a warranty for 3 years. The car is excellent, I love it.

Phil Harrison

I number myself among those who rejected WRX + upgrades and went for STi(UK) on cost grounds, tho' I'd rather not be shelling out for PPP to make it into the car it should be....

Phil