Stuart2

Hello all,
I would appreciate any help you could give me.
I'm going to look at a '95 WRX Turbo the weekend and i am no expert.
Are there any bad signs i should look out for ? The seller told me it had an electric sunroof - this is the first WRX i've seen with a sunroof, is this legitimate ?

He also told me the mileometer is in KM, is this the norm ? Taking into account it is 5 years old and only done 57000km this strikes me as suspicious.

Other than that is there any documentation (import etc.) in particular i should look out for ?

Also, is there anywhere i can get a Sabura specialist engine check on an import before buying ?

Lasty .. Do you think 12k is a good price ?

I would greatly appreciate anything you can offer me. Thanks for reading this.

Paul Wilson

Have a look at the FAQ for the power output, it should be about 220 bhp I think, If the seller is claiming 280bhp (as a lot do) he's telling porkies, unless it has had some mods including ECU work.
If it's had a chip fitted that fools the ECU into seeing lower boost pressures walk away.
Speedo should have been converted to MPH when it came into the country for the SVA. Easily sorted with a converter box and an MPH sticker, cost about £150.
Bit difficult to give you any recomendation
for inspection as you profile is a bit lacking, where are you?
Price seems a bit high, remember that 95 WRX is not all that different from a UK car and Japanese history is nigh on immpossible to trace, so don't pay a premium over a UK car with tracable history.
Don't get me wrong imports are great, I've got an STi2 myself.

[This message has been edited by Paul Wilson (edited 02-05-2000).]

frisby

Stu,

Firstly you could check the FAQ at

Stuart2

Thanks Stef,
I'll keep my eyes open. I've been looking for a couple of weeks and that seemed a good price .... i'll persevere.

[This message has been edited by Stuart2 (edited 02-05-2000).]

Stef

Stu.

It sounds very pricey to me for a 95 car.
My mate just bought a '96 UK car with fsh, Prodrive leather and 50,000miles for the same price!
It definitely pays to take your time and look around. It can be tempting to rush into buying your first Scoob, but if they do go wrong it's normally expensive, so history is useful.
Good luck though!

Stef.

Paul Wilson

Where are you Stuart? It's probably worth coming along to a meet for lots of useful info and a look at cars of different specs. If your local to Aylesbury area drop me an email, and we could sort something out.

Stuart2

I've just checked the FAQ, this is a 95 WRX hatchback, i think i read that was the lowest spec. I'm better off with a saloon. I'll keep hunting.
Paul, i'm in Essex (and work in Dover ...), and am currently borrowing a car .. don't have much time at the moment. Would have been ideal to speak to an expert though.

Yex

Stuart,

As you live in Essex and drive to Dover take a small detour to Basildon one day and speak to Pete at Scoobysport about your potential purchase - he can be reached on 01268 590085. Scoobysport is about 2 mins off the A127 Basildon exit.

The alternative is to keep an eye on the events section and go along and meet a few faces and speak to them. Also, keep looking through the for sale section and asking questions, you will get what you want eventually

Welcome aboard

Yex

Scott J Davies

Stu

Couple of things to be really cautious of

1. Price seems high to me
2. Crash Damage, thoroughly check the car for overspray and panel alignment. A surefire way of checking crash damage is by checking under the bonnet and making sure that the retaining bolts that hold the wings in place are the same on either side.

If it is pukka you have just bough the dogs ging gangs of a car.

Happy hunting

Markus

Stuart:
I was in the same position as you about 2 months ago. I'm now the proud owner of a black MY94 WRX Wagon. It's got 68,000 on the clock and cost me £10,500, which is not too bad, especially when you consider it's got modified suspension, non standard alloys, full HKS SuperDrager exhaust, HKS Air filter, turbo timer, and a few other goodies. The price also includes SVA, MOT, VAT, 1 years Warranty, locking wheel nuts, and probably other stuff I can't remember.

The car came direct from Japan. I got the car from Dacar Imports, who provide an excellent service and I'd recommend them to anyone who wants to import a car.

Unless you are in a real hurry, or want to get a WRX that's already in the UK, then I would strongly suggest that you speak to Dacar. You can find thier contact details on the 'car importing' section of my website, plus there is also more info, plus pics, of my car.

My website URL is:

pnebbs

Markus,

Why all the embarrasment and fuss about buying and fitting locking wheel nuts if they were already included with the car

Markus

pnebbs:
oops! I've been found out! Seriously though. I wanted the car before the easter weekend, and as Dacar obliged, but as I was being impatient and should learn to wait (my words not thiers!) the car had not yet had the nuts fitted. Thus David at Dacar said to get a set and fit them myself. (or try to, ahem!)

Under normal circumstances the car would have come with the nuts 'pre-installed'

I must stress that the nuts not being on the car was <B>NOT</B> the fault of Dacar or thier service, but it was me being an impatient type of person. I don't want people getting the wrong impression of Dacar, they are very, very good.

[This message has been edited by Markus (edited 03-05-2000).]

Stuart2

Thanks all, i appreciate you spending the time to help a newbie such as myself. I will try to be patient and wait for the right car. It's not fun though covering about 150 miles a day in a borrowed 1300 Fiesta ...

Yex - i got Peters number from his (and my) accountant. He pointed me to this web site and he was dead right, you are all very helpful. It's a refreshing change to find a friendly, sensible bbs.

Showtime

Do a search through the 'private' section, loads of cars probably still for sale and anyone close to your 12K mark is gonna want to do a.deal (P1 on order etc). saw a V2 STi recently for 12900.well worth a look at.

(i've a V2 STi meself..better IMO than a WRX but for only a little more money.

Stuart2

My thanks to everybody who helped me. I am now the proud owner of a 4 door 97 WRX. Picking it up on Wednesday, can't wait.

AllanB

Congratulations.

You'll soon be wearing the typical Impreza, cheshire cat style , ear to ear grin.

Have fun and hopefully see you at one of the meets in the near future.

AllanB

Steve Hartland

Well done Stuart,

Out of interest, as I'm also in the market for a WRX of around that age, where did you get it from, private or dealer? What was the price, any extra's,

Cheers Steve

Stuart2

Steve,
I paid 14.5k for it, this sounds high but .. It's got 24 months warranty and only 11,000 miles on the clock. It's also absolutely immaculate, and completely un-modified.
Obviously , from a dealer.
Good luck, it seems to me to be a case (as ever) of only getting what you pay for.
Picking it up Wednesday, can't wait !