Gedi

Hi all,

I decided to buy a subaru a while ago and after pondering over the specs of both the UK scoobys and the Japanese ones I settled on a Japanese one. (settled on the STI-6 TypeR)

I know what my reasons were for my final choice, but I was wondering what made people settle for their choice, either UK or Jap.

I know most of the Jap boys are gonna say the reason was the higher performance and specification. But is there more to it than this. I think there must be, or else everyone would drive the Jap cars and UK dealers would crumble.

Is it the price, warranty, resale value, ease of choice or just that people are wary about importing cars? I don't know, I would like to though.

scooby-new

Went for UK as I live in France for the most part and its hard enough to find a dealer here never mind someone with import knowledge. Also wanted the warranty and Subaru assistance.

pbee

Went for UK spec (euro import), baecause im 24 and the insurance is exspensive enough without going for a JDM sti, maybe next time.

Peter

Gedi

(Hi pbee,
in a quick resonse to the ins thing.
I am 23yo and I got quoted £1800 FC on a Jap import STI-6 TypeR.
I didn't think this was too bad considering todays rates.)

Anyway, back to the topic

fivepint

went for Euro/Uk cos SUL is hard to find here in ireland, easier resale, and dealer warranty still had 1.5yrs on it... and from what id researched slightly cheaper to look after overall

barge

I went Jap import cos there were not decent Uk cars around when I was looking

pbee

Gedi

Compared to £ 700 for a Wrx. When I can insure a JDM sti for circa £1000, I will be looking again. Im kind of hoping to keep the wrx for 3 + years hopefully I can then go for a Sti probably type 10 by then.

Andy McCord

Gedi,I went for my STi V firstly for performance(its nicer to own a car nearer to the real WRC) then extra goodies A/C etc, also theres more specialists stocking JDM cars near me so choice was good, insurance never really came in to it as i only pay £680 ive nothing against uk cars but its nicer to be part off a smaller band off few (do i sound like a snob )

Fantom

I got an import wrx (1993) as I couldn't afford anything newer!!
Only £7k and its better spec than the uk car that came out 2 years later?

coco_scooby

hi

uk for insurance only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jap for extras as standard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jap for extra bhp!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TBMeech

For me it was a STI-V

1) A good friend already owned an STI-V and I thought it was the nadgers

2) I knew the dealer who had my one and he cut me a sooperb deal

3) I was looking at an RB5, but the extra power, seats and little things like foldy mirrors etc etc sold it to me lol

4) I wanted something a little different from the norm

5) 60 claimed bhp over a UK car is quite nice as std

6) Personally if the JDM car comes with much better spec as std i'd always go for it now

chrisp

My choice was an MY01 (without PPP because it wasnt available) or a new MY00 JDM WRX limited edition with loads of extras. Insurance was an extra 200 at the time. Went for the import and pleased with it so far after 2 years.

turbo bob

got a uk
1; for insurance(was only 18)
2; i compared the dyno graphs on this site,with surprising results

mega_stream

I've had both

Had a MY99 UK Scoob for 18 months, now had my STiV RA for 6 weeks or so.

The STi is a very different car, power delivery is massive, a case of foot down and hold the **** on

I like the trick bits aswell, folding mirrors, watercooler spray, diff control, roof vent, also got leccy windows and climate control on mine.

I wanted a JDM car from the start, but I made the mistake of asking a main dealer for advice, he scared me with you can't get parts, the windows are different tints, they can't be fixed as they don't work on their diagnostic gear....all of which turn out to be crap.
There's plenty of places that can get spares, most of which are the same as a UK P1 on my engine.

Go for it I say

chrisp

LOL speaking which I have learnt to breathe during gearchanges. Do find you are in 5th after 100 yards and 4 breaths ?

mega_stream

lol, I took SideShowBob out for a spin today, scared the shyte out of him I think

True though, I also find I used to look at the boost gauge in my UK car while accelerating, I ain't got a clue what this boosts too on full chat Don't even have time to look at it

You gotta love it

Reaper03

Plain and simple......
Im about to buy a scooby and its down to insurance!!!!!!!
about £1200 for a uk one, £2700 for a jap one

Jooles

Drive an STI Type UK - scary fast with all the advantages of being a UK car. Lots of pennies though.......

importsti

Once I had secured a decent insurance quote for my STi V5, there was absolutely NO reason to buy a UK car instead.

Pound for pound an STiV5/6 is the best Scooby to own. The mags like to scare us as they want to keep in the good books of Subaru et al.

Trust me nearly 3 years of import ownership and the costs have been no more than a UK car (apart from insurance)

I recommend it to anyone out there with 10/12k to spend.

AlanS

I'm on my second JDM sti. Currently this is a v7 sti. I bought the first one after following this board for 4 months, listening to everyone raving about the sti.

The only sti available at the time was a JDM, so I took the plunge and never looked back. Did 35k in 2 yrs taking it from 40k to 65k and never had a problem. When I test drove it initially I pointed out that I thought the clutch was slipping and they agreed, so they replaced it. That was my only concern when I was looking for my first car. For the extra power, handling and overall performance I would definately recommend a JDM. I always ran it on Optimax which locally to me was only ever 4p/litre more than normal UL.

Recently went to a local dealer to test drive a JDM Evo VII just to see what the fuss was about and ended up also test driving the JDM sti v7 for comparison. I rang the insurance company (Tesco) and was shocked that my premium of £900 wouldn't change if I bought a brand new car until it was over £30,000. I'm not lying when I say I went back the next day to put a deposit down on the sti v7 which is the car I drive now. It is simplying an awesome performer and I now even like the look/shape, which eventually grows on you.

scoobydu

Had about £6500 to spend on a car and found that the Jap imports were better specced and more power than there UK equivalants. Also the Jap cars haven't had 7-8 yrs worth of salt and grit thrown at them!!! and in general it made more sense for me to buy a Jap import. I found the car I wanted to buy via scoobynet on www.scoobyscene.co.uk

Cheers

Al

1994 (my95) wrx 256bhp (as standard) A/C, climate control, etc!!!

Turkish1

I have had both UK and Jap scoobys, bought the UK first about 3 and a half years ago, standard my96 turbo was forced to get shot of it about two years ago and promised myself I would get another, and I have, a my93 wrx. I have only had it two weeks and to be honest I found nothing around to match it for the price.


Turkish1

johnfelstead

i wont buy another scoob without the DCCD. It makes the car great. The rest can be compensated for, the DCCD is where it's at.

Eastern Promise

Japs for me to definately. Better performance, higher specs and many exoctice derivatives at great prices.Also if you have some driving years under your belt the insurance is in the 800-900 region, so it can be affordable dependent upon circumstances.