jason4656

Hi all, very good forum, spent many hours reading up so far, I have recenty entered back into the fast car market, having lived overseas for many years, and last go at it was many years ago when i was messing with rs2000 and stuff (yes many moons ago) anyway I wanted a scooby for many years just never had money for insurance or to buy the model i wanted, but now i can. Ok I bought a v5 170bhp and its ok, but, its just ok, i want something that exilarates a little more, im sure im in the right place now. I have some questions and if anyone can answer and tell me what else to look out for would appreciate it.

There seems to be many models people say "uk car" "uk spec" im quite sure when someone says "uk spec" to me they are basically saying import, allbeit a uk spec import from europe, what are the main differences with these cars, not being to model specific? warranty? resale value? problems? insurance?

I am looking at spending close to 15k so from what i can see to get a uk car, i can get a nice wrx, or just over 15k I have seen an sti typeuk with not high but slightly higher mileage, does that sound about right? or am i way out here? what should i be expecting to get for that money? of course i would love the sti.

Now the differences in the 2 models? all i have been reading i found out so far, 220bhp vs. 260bhp, 6 speed vs 5speed, limited slip diffs on the sti, and the facial differences, wheels and looks and so on. Is there some other benefits?? or ?

Is the basic WRX still a fast motor? I am sick of just beating the latest diesels lol, I would like to be more like chewing them up, I want something that handles solidly, and that goes like S**T of a shovel from the traffic lights.

I just want a hobby, and something to get me away from the gf lol that exciting, any suggestions or ideas welcome, sorry for the long first post


thanks

misty

Welcome to the forum mate. You need to get Mr G.Monkey to have a word with you.
dave

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Hello
Well for 15k i doubt very much if its an STi type uk, even with 100k plus on the clock it would still be more than 15k! (these cars came in last year as an MY02 year car so at 24k new for the lesser none prodrived version they wont drop 9k in 1 year )
You may be able to pick up an MY01 and possably an MY02 WRX for the 15k your after, performance will be around that of a quicker end of the market hot hatch but with better midrange and terrible fuel consumption
You also have the JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, they will be cheaper and have more bhp but you will not have a dealer network to go to, it use to be a disadvantage but with the ammount of speciallists around (ProSport in Stockport is where i take my scoob and they look after her very well ) you dont need to worry as much (but you should be warned that JDM cars are designed to run on a higher octane fuel than our uk cars and running on less, ie 95 ron fuel, can kill your engine rather quickly ).
It also depends on what your after, the WRX is a quick car, not really a fast car in standard form, a PPP'd one is better with more torque/bhp and better drivability, it will grip better than most cars, but hard use can effect the clutch and gearboxes which are a weak spot (but can still take a good 300bhp unless slammed in, dropped clutch etc).

Tony

v5 man

iTrader: (4)

Hi, if you mean you had a Golf V5 170 model, then I can give you my thoughts.
I had a V5 150 bhp model and stepped up to a scooby WRX MY01. I found the difference huge, bottom end, and top end. paid £14k for it with 24k on the clock. mine is standard except for b/box, but more power is not far away if you have some money, £1000 will get you an upgrade to 260 ish, including exhaust and ecu at PEngineering. My scoob destroys golfs and theres no way im going back to that kinda power ever again. plus the 4wd is unbelievable for bends, unlike the Golf.

jason4656

thanks for all the replies guys, I have seen quite a few wrx (bug eyes) 2001-2002 for the 15k mark even in autotrader now, but again im not sure where they came from. Are the uk spec cars imported from europe any good? ok? just the same? i think insurance is bad enough on the uk cars, each time i add import to an online quote it goes crazy or wont quote me!.

I have the 170v5 which is quite a bit faster than the 150 but again i hear what you are saying with the step up to the wrx.

I also read what alot of people are saying about modding stuff then having to tell the insurace, as if you dont and you have an accident, im sure its the first thing they will check just to see, but then when you do tell them, i tried one on elephants site, and just to add a 10% increased bhp chip it went up 500 pounds, which is quite bad, cant imagine what will happen if i had more than 10% a new pipe and so on.

So i am looking then at a wrx, then adding some form of full or just back pipe and remap of the chip. Where in the northwest does this with rolling road facilities?.

If you get it up to say 260 will you have the equiv performance of the sti? i mean in power obviously some things you cant have.

There is a "dealer" ex subaru main dealer that deals with some imports and that near to me, they still have all subaru stuff up, called Gibsons, and claim to be subaru specialists, they seem to have a few cars, does anyone know if they are reputable?

Again sorry for so many questions in one post, hope i can get more info towards making the decision

thanks

jason4656

any more info?? thanks

Jap Imports

You could Go for a 1998/99 Type R, Jap Import, and they are very fun car.

wrxmania

Yes, the basic WRX is a fast motor - general power at 225 PS, 0-60 in 5 and a half seconds and other good times, only marginally slower than an STI - best bet is to buy a WRX, the best you can - UK if you want dealer support and easy re-sale. Then, when you get some cash, get some ECU upgrade etc, ie the Prodrive Pack or various others available for £1000 - £3000.

The STI has verious mechanical and several cosmetic upgrades over a WRX, but aside from those, both cars are pretty similar in performance, if the STI is a bit zappier on the track. The WRX though is a, dare I say it, better every day car for comfort and economy with very little loss in performance - it will easily beat the Golf in most areas.

All the best with the quest!!!

jason4656

thanks that sounds like what i am going to do, i wouldnt bother with an import, nothing against them who do, just how i feel myself.

Ill check out the finances would love an sti typeuk but if not then a good low mileage wrx standard car is what im after, then work on some mods myself.

Thanks for all the help, can i ask, what does PPP mean? i presume its something to do with mods but still havent worked it out?

thanks

v5 man

iTrader: (4)

PPP = prodrive performance package. a main dealer fitted upgrade kit. exhaust/ecu/etc. still retains the warranty as well.