Up_North

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a JDM Sti 8 (or 9 or whatever - anyway the latest shape!!!) from Litchfield, David Hendry, etc.

I'd like some feedback from existing owners please.

Suspension - I've heard it's not suited to UK roads - any comments - anyone done mods???

Servicing - who do you use (esp in North West)

Anyone had to make use use of the warranty provided by the importer?

Any problems with parts?

Any more info greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Ian

Andy H STi

I would recommend PROSPORT in Stockport for your servicing. I couldnt fault them, they are currently rebuilding my STi v5 TypeR with an STi v9 engine

www.prosport.ltd.uk

or

0161 432 9999

Andy

jason4656

suspension was fine on mine, parts needed a new mirror once, had to import it, took a week no problems. Servicing, prosport are good there are a few other good places around also. Didnt have a warranty on mine, but never had a problem with it either, reliable cars. If you are in teh nw why not try out wickedkit.com (langtree garage)

Up_North

Jason,

Yeah been to their website - got a couple in but I really don't want blue!!! Visited them some time ago so may give them another call.

Ian

jason4656

they may have my old one in there, 03 model without the diffs, i bought my evo from there that i own now, cant complain they are good guys, wouldnt hesitate to buy from them again, not the cheapest but good service

Nathan L

I've got one of these cars.

The one with all the trick diffs, HID etc is known as an JDM STi 'GL'

I will write a bit more but off out for dinner now.

May I suggest some light reading ()on this thread

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=283364

Nathan..

Up_North

Nathan,

Thanx for that - look forward to your comments. cheers

Ian

ANDYUK300

just traded my uk300 for one the other week.
wot a machine
like nathans, trick diff, intercooler spray, manual rev limiter gizmo.... oh and power that makes it go like stink!!! (on closed roads of course )

andy

Nathan L

IMHO DH Cars is overpriced, there are better cheaper importers. I.E. Iain Litchfield. However DH Cars does have the benefit of their own workshop and dealer backup type service.

My cars suspension is bog standard at the moment. However the ride is surprisingly good. I do about 10k miles a year and I never get tired of it. Yes the ride is firm but very, very smooth. The only thing I will do at some point is fit some Prodrive springs to lower it slightly as it looks like it's on stilts! The ride is better than a Type UK STi I tested and it has far less bounce than the standard UK cars.

You may be able to find a main dealer who will service you car on the quiet but its unlikely. Probably a long way from you but I would recommend TSL for servicing.

Most of the parts are generic across the Subaru STi range. If something breaks that is not available from Subaru UK it takes 2-3 weeks to come from Japan. There are plenty of independedent specialists who can help.

I personally would probably never buy a UK car again. In terms of sheer mechanical spec and equipment levels they are miles behind the JDM cars. The JDM equipment always ends up finding it's way over here but usually 4-5 years after it was first introduced in Japan!!

Just make sure if you do buy a JDM car you religiously get it serviced and only run it on Fully Synth oil like 10w50 or 10w60 after the running in period.

If you are not having a UK fuel map then use octane booster as Jap cars are designed to run on 101ron+ fuel.

My car

The link I gave you earlier is a very good write up of what this car is like. My car has now been tuned as per the thread starters car and is simply stunning.

Nathan..

Up_North

Nathan,
Brilliant comments - appreciate your time.

I was looking at DH Cars - cos they got a silver one ready to go. Ive heard good stuff about Iaain Litchfield but he's not the best person to track down!!!

By a bizarre coincidence, while I was filling up yesterday - what pulls into the garage.....a Blue JDM STi8!!!!

One final thing - is t possible to untint the back windows?

Cheers

Ian

Nathan L

Yes or you can order the car without the tints.

Iain can be a pain in the **** to get hold of but is worth the wait IMHO.

Nathan..

greasemonkey

Lol, time to nip the bad habit in the bud before you get too used to it then.

There's no such thing as an "STi8", officially speaking, and this number is regularly misapplied, both here and elsewhere.

The only true STi8's are the 2002 model year "bugeye" STi's. The "new" shape STi's are the 2003 and 2004 model year cars. Theoretically they're STi9's and STi10's, but it's less confusing all round if you just refer to them as 03MY or 04MY etc.

Up_North

Nathan,

You had chance to work out you fuel economy?

Also any ips for an insurer - most competitive for me was Norwich Union!!!

Ian

Nathan L

Fuel economy What's that?

Lol, on normal driving I get about 22 ish.

On spirited driving I don't like to think about it. The day I mapped my car I probably got about 8 max

If you are 30 or over try Liverpool Victoria, otherwise I've heard Admiral mentioned a few times recently as being competitive.

Nathan..

Up_North

22 isn't that bad.

I'm with LivVic at the moment - do they do Jap imports???

Ian

Nathan L

Not 100%.

I know they are popular on here.

Nathan..

Up_North

Just been to their web site - it specifically says they won't insure "cars not designed for the UK Market - for example Japanese Imports"!!

Will try Adrian Flux tomorrow.

Ian

PROBLEMCHILD75

I got mine from langtree garage and use prosport for service and am more than happy with the service from both. I have had no problems getting parts and I had the geometery set to prodrive settings and fitted a set of Eibachs and not looked back since.

Dont think about getting one go out and do it I bought mine without even driving it (not reccomended) but have not looked back since.

I have had it 6 months now and thats the longest I have had a car in 3 years and have even just bought a 12 month tax disc.

The only problem is the ecomomy £47 fill up and 150 miles if your lucky and 2500 miles out of the front tyres but trust me you will think its worth it.
Jamie

ps try tesco for insurance and fit a knocklink asap

Up_North

Problemchild - that 13mpg!!!!! "If I'm lucky"

What type of driving are you doing?

Ian

PROBLEMCHILD75

lots of of town driving and out with SMACS (reccomended) as often as possible attacking all roundabout and B roads wherever poss as quickly as poss.

I could probably get more but realistically I have no will power and probably never will

If you do get one get an exhaust im sure others on hear will back me up when I say they sound fab with one on.

Up_North

I'm kinda hoping it comes with an exhaust

Nathan L

Bloody hell, what tyres are you using? I've had my Toyos now for 5000 miles and I've still got 6mm of tread front and 5mm rear as I use the diff in open most of the time.

Oh yesssssssssssssssssssssss.

I've got an HKS Super Drager with BRD Downpipe and it sounds like a jet fighter on full chat

Nathan..

PROBLEMCHILD75

toyos on mine with the diff in auto
I have a fujitsubo exhaust on mine that you can turn the noise down if you so desire and am fitting the BRD downpipe on Sat

my friends have likened the noise of the exhaust to a sports bike wit a loud can on it

Nathan L

Deffo agree about the sports bike sound.

You will love the extra torque from the BRD DP. Are you getting Bob to map it as well?

Nathan..

PROBLEMCHILD75

yep 19 of june and cant wait. I can fit the inuction kit then too

Nathan L

You will not be disappointed

2000STI7

Ian,
I have owned MY01 JDM STI 7 since February.
The ride is hard but not unacceptable. I enquired about getting the tints removed it is possible but the company said they could not guarantee the heated rear screen would still work after removal of the tinting flim.
I got my insurance from Osborne and Sons link below.
http://www.osborneandsons.co.uk/specialcars.html

I have done my own servicing to date but have used Jap innovation to diagnose a CEL and they where very helpful and are based in Oldham.
http://www.jap-innovations.co.uk

I live quite local to Langtree Garage and if you want a JDM in without tints and not in Blue how about:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00416139585183

You can also check their stock at http://www.wickedkit.com/shop/index.php?p_mfr=1

I bought mine privately because I thought they were a bit pricey and I had no trade in.

Paul.