SDB

Hi All

This is perfect timing.

The Lotus has gone back and the dealer have given me a full refund (credit to them).

I am on the verge of buying a Sonic Blue STi Type R V Ltd. Both 98 'R' Reg

There are two I'm looking at:-

One has done 7K Miles from Track Marques
The other has done 16K Miles from The Japanese Import Centre

A couple of questions

1) How much should I be paying for either?
2) Any experience (good or bad) of either dealer?

Oh also, what sort of warantee should I get.

Any other advice?

Thanks chaps

Simon
PS Can't wait to be one of the gang again!!

Ian Sutton

Bought my STI V5 from Track Marques a year ago (before they had dealer facilities). Got full 3 yr warranty ,they are very good at answering any questions on the said vehicle even now .I think they are the choice for you and you could probally get a track day test of your possible purchase.

They also were the cheapest back in Feb 99 when mine was imported.

harj

Have you thought about importing one yourself from Japan? you could save upto 5 grand off a used one from a dealer in the UK. There are loads of direct importers who can handle everthing and that have no overheads, just a small commission. Try Homestraight or MVI, MVI also offer full warranties and there are no hidden extras.

My advice would be choose the model and exact spec by trying a few over here, and then place an order for the same.

Harj

SDB

Thanks guys

Re Importing. I'm too keen! I can't cope with waiting for it.

I'm currently driving round in the shed I use for towing the rally car.

I NEED IT NOW!!!

Cheers

Simon

chuckster

Simon,
The only prob with the V-Ltd is that they command a premium for the colour.
Some also have airbags or abs - the specs change from car to car.
Better a regular STI type R - cheaper.
Still who am I to talk, I just blew thick end of £40 for a blue slightly modified Version IV type R.
Regards,
Charles

Imran

Er.....ask a silly question, but why did the Lotus go back?

A refund in the motor trade? Must have been serious.
Nice to see you're back to Scoobies though.

Imran

chuckster

On a more constructive note I was looking at them before I bought mine and saw a private one (with ABS) for £19k a couple of weeks ago
with 6,000 miles on it - the guy had recently reduced from £20k
Cheers,
Chrles

Adam M

Simon

I am also interested to know what happened to the lotus? Still equally pleased to have you back as a pure scoobynetter.

I know it is a lot to ask but waiting is definitely the best option. The yen is strong at the mo so you are looking at a not a lot for your money, I would go to a private dealer, ask anders his was v. honest and order exactly what you want. By the time it comes through and money is required, the yen should have dropped.

MorayMackenzie

Chuckster,

Fancy wheels, flared arches, 200cc and a bumper and spoiler command a small premium to, small enough to buy another V-Ltd in many cases!

Oh, and as far as the "exclusive" tag goes, there were, IIRC, a little over 400 of the widearch type R made (including the few number zeros alledgedly made ), which isn't that much less than the 555 cars made on the STI 3 V-Limited run.

Ok, so maybe I am a little envious of the cars looks, but I know I wouldn't want to own one, just driving one occasionally would be fun. I used to think the same about the escort RS cosworth, and I was right! (ok, it was a highly modified 408bhp (PE figures...) escort cosworth, so I can be forgiven... I hope ).

Moray
(STI Version 3 Type RA V-Limited)

Mike Tuckwood

Simon.
Don't do it waste of money

Mike.

SDB

Hi All

Re the Lotus. I had a list of problems with it which the dealer was unable to resolve.

Although I was dissapointed at the time, they have proven to be highly professional in the way they have agreed to give me a full refund which has now gone though. (phew!! )

Moray
No way can you ever be forgiven

Mike
At least I'm not trying to palm off some old rust bucket onto the scoobynet community

How long before you pick yours up?

Cheers

Simon

Mike Tuckwood

Planned for Thursday, the amount of time its taking to get this mobile version of a B&O music centre out of my car...... It will probably be first thursday in June!!!!

Mike.

Dave Thornton

Simon,

You need to establish for certain which version they are. I presume they are a V4. IIRC, there are no type R 2 door models with ABS as they have the manual diff lock control. Feel free to mail me offline with any other questions.

Mike Tuckwood

Type R does not have ABS due to the fitting of a LSD in the front axle.


Mike.

<I>Always keen to learn new info particularly about STi 5 Type R V ltd's.</I>

SDB

LO

Looking forward to see it Mike!

Dave, they are both Version 4

2 Door, Diff control.

Nightmare

after the success of my last piece of advice Im staying completely schtum!

Anyway - it was all that nasty Mr Rainbirds fault - he was the one who told you to do it

Adam M

Calling experts specifically Moray (Moray - expert? what am I saying?)

Type RAs 4 door no frills light weight, short gearing, thought they only come in white but have seen in blue with electric windows? can they do 150mph as I have heard they can? but with short gearing?

Type Rs two door diff lock no abs, different gearing from four door or not?

V limited. lightweight or normal?, short gearing or normal?, roof vent or not? two or four doors?

Finally. why would you buy a version V when it is known for having the weakest engine most prone to detonation and discrepancies in low ron fuel?

surely its not worth the risk? why not go for a STi IV that only really differs by the design of the front bumper?

Can anyone attempt to answer all these questions?

Mike Rainbird

Cheers Night,
But I haven't had any problems with mine - must be a dodgy one....

Oh well. Anyway, Simon - you never did list exactly what went so badly wrong with it that you got a refund...?
Mike

Nightmare

Mike,

No problem - I feel it's always best to share all due credit

I've never had any real problems with mine either...perhaps its the way he drives it?!

lol
Night

Blow Dog

Hey Simon,

I am also looking at buying a v-limited, not sure which version though. I have a budget so i think a v5 would be a little over that. I am very keen to hear from owners also as to how this car compares to perhaps a UK car in sound, performance and handling. (my 3 main reasons)

They do look the dogs and the exclusivity warrants the extra dosh. I have seen v5 v-limiteds for under 20k in top marques this week, there were 2 in fact.

Cem

SDB

Hi All

Thanks for the replies.

I'm going to go for the 7K miles one from Track Marques.

It's a Version 4, so it's got the new dash board but unfortunately not the huge wing.

Can't wait!!!

Regards

Simon

Mike Tuckwood

I can resolve your wing situation if it takes your fancy.

Mike.

DazW

iTrader: (1)

Just a couple of questions to add to this thread!

If the V5 Type R V Ltd's are going for about 20K, How much should a standard V5 Type R cost?

What kind of price should a V4 and V4 ltd Type R cost?

Regarding the reliability of V5's, does anyone actually know of someone's going 'pop' or is it the usual a friend of friend, chinese whisper bbs thing!

Mike Tuckwood

Don't panic, they are safe if you are careful otherewise I wouldn't have just bought one.

I have seen Type R V5's most of which are selling just shy of £20K, (R & S reg's) .

Anything newer and V ltd's go anything up to approx. £24K dependant on age, mileage (and which dealer is selling it).

Mike.

Dave Thornton

Adam M/All

Cars with short gearing are: all type R which are all 2 door; all Type RA which are all 4 door. Top speed with short gearing is about 130 mph.

Type RAs are always white, but there is a V5 type RA V-limited from 1999 which is blue.

All V-limiteds are sonic blue (except the V2 which is Rally Blue - same as McRae special, and some V3 models which are yellow

Roof vents on all Type RA and all other V-limiteds from V3.

Best versions to buy are 3 or 4.

All this info and more is in my book "The Grey Guide". See

steve McCulloch

Chuckster

Does this meam you have Mark Whalley's old car!??

The most modded Subaru in the country!

Gilbert-RA

My RA (model No. GC8D47D) is white 4 door, no roof scoop, no diff gizmo, short ratio box (145mph at max revs), P reg, paid 16K5 last year when it had 29K miles on the clock.
What's this about a type R/RA with ABS?
I WANT ABS FITTED. Whaaaaaa.......

chuckster

Re ABS on type R, Park Group Auto's near Southend offered me a 97 'R' reg Type R which was spec'd as a WRX V-Ltd - in sonic blue it had the straight skirts (as opposed to flared on STI), roof vent and WRX brakes (as opposed to the bigger STI ones) and had ABS and airbags (which was apparently fitted as an option at the factory). The seats were all blue with Rally Champions logo stiched in between the shoulders.
I'm not saying ABS is common - but it was available. I agree though that you can't have it with the STI type R, therefore it's not really relevant to most prospective owners.
Charles