Ok - I'm new to this (Subaru's) and would like some questions answered please.

I'm looking at buying a 94 to 96 impreza turbo sportwagon.

1.What's the difference between the UK version and the WRX (That's the import right!) Inside cabin and power output.

2. i've read alot about Octane booster's and you need them for an imported car,
is that correct?

3.Can anything be done to the engine so as you don't have to keep buying Octane booster?

4.How much does it cost and how long will it last.

5.Please add anything you fell i should know as a Scooby Virgin.


Thankyou all in advance for your time.

ROB.

 

Come on guy's, 10 viewings and no help yet !!!

 

Classics aren't my bag, but WRX jap imports are mapped to run on 100RON fuel, and hence need octane booster, but they can be remapped to run 98 Optimax. If the car has been running over here for some time it may have been done, but check receipts for this work carefully, and follow it up by contacting the place that did it. Ask on here as to their reputation. UK cars had around 208bhp back then and IIRC JDM's started around 240 upto 280 bhp. The basic structure of the car is identical (apart from perhaps undersealing) but there were many dealers who would insist on sourcing parts for JDM cars in Japan, and then making you wait weeks or months for them to arrive. It was mostly sour grapes to try and stem the tide of imports, and these days there are plenty of other places to source most parts quickly.

As I stated, I'm no expert on earlier cars, so someone may be along to correct me. Welcome to SNet

 

Thank's bud, someone did say that the UK version has a bigger Turbo, is that correct ?

 

Dunno Sorry

 

The WRX's come with some added goodies (aircon, folding wingmirrors etc), but you have to check the early ones to see if they have ABS as it wasnt an option on some of the early cars.
Power wise:- UK=208bhp(95 ron fuel), bigger TD05 turbo
WRX=220ps (218bhp on 100ron fuel), smaller TD04 turbo

Yes, it is recommended you run the highest octane you can to get towards the 100 ron mark, if you have to use octane booster to do it then do it, and no matter what anyone says, this car was designed to run 100 ron fuel, not 97/98 ron.

Yes there is, scoobyecu (not sure of their website) do a piggyback chip to convert to 97 ron fuel.

Its permenant, you may have to inform your insurance co though, cost? less than 100 quid i believe, no firm pricing, hopefully someone will have more info on this for you

Service intervals are 6 month, 7.5k, whichever is first, cambelts at 3 year/45k, only use proper parts, especially oil filters and cambelts, and id put some cash on one side for a major service inc cambelt if it hasnt been done recently (id personally do it anyway).
Brakes suck on the early cars (2 pots) so i hope you have a nice insurance co who let you change these, start with the subaru 4 pots, not magnificent but considerably better than the 2 pots.
HPi the car, a must!
Get it inspected by either a subaru speciallist (depends where you are in the country, ie yorkshire/lancs/cheshire etc, people will give you names of dealers to use ) or someone who knows impreza's.



Tony

 

UK classics have the bigger TD05 untill late 1996 then have smaller TD04, WRX have the TD05 as well but dont know what years ???? cheers

 

Parts to buy!!

First is a knock link, id fit this to any JDM car (japanese domestic market).
Available from www.jap-innovations.co.uk
You also need the sensor. (it detects det in the engine, some nice lights light up if this happens, lets you know whats going on under the bonnet )

Tony

 

Pre 97, and a wagon, get the UK car, unless you can find a WRX car you want that is at least 1500 quid cheaper than the equivalent UK car.

If you are hands-on, and are planning to modify, want a new turbo and ecu map anyway, the the WRX may be the cheaper option.

 

I've previously owned a '99 UK Turbo 2000 and now have a WRX STi Type-R Version 5. I would say without a doubt that my import is a much better car than the UK Turbo. Its much faster, revs up to 8000rpm (uk turbo-7000rpm), far more pull through the revs, better exhaust, better brakes, folding mirrors and climate control (which UK model doesn't have). Although I need to do a few things to my car when I take it back to the UK. What the guys wrote above about fueling etc. is good advice.

I would take an import over a UK model every time, and I think most owners here would agree with me. Insurance will be a wee bit higher for an import though, but I found that its not that much. Imports tend not to come with an alarm eithier, which is a must have in a Scooby. You will need to make sure that if you choose an import, that it has a rear fog light fitted and it has a new fuel filler neck (to accept UK petrol pumps). General consus on here seems to be to get your ecu re-mapped to accept UK fuel as it will be expensive to just use octane boosters all the time (I will have to get this done when I take mine back to the UK) and get a Knocklink fitted. Also make sure it has been recalibrated into mph from kmh and that the speedo clock has mph on it, and that it has been de-restricted (imports are restricted to 112mph). When doing this make sure the speed rating on the tyres is enough for the new speed as imports just tend to have 'V' rated tyres (up to 120mph I think!). You will also have to get an import undersealed.
Dont let all this put you off an import though, as they are far more fun than a UK model, and STis hold their money better.

 

i have a wrx and i heard that it is faster then the uk spec model also more comforts but i havent found them yet...but go for an import mate from experiance also i run optimax and havent started putting in oct booster yet and its fine

 

Wow - Thank's guy's, i must admit i am swayed towards the import as i'm a bit of a gadget man and like all the extra's.

I've seen the inside of some UK cars and i'm not over impressed, i like the recaro's.

It's great to know that if i need any advice i can come to you guy's.

A big thankyou !!!!

 

If I was buying now I would get a JDM STi wagon.

Remember, with an early wagon a JDM WRX car has a TD04 turbo. You may want a TD05 like the uk car has.

If you get a good uk car you can get an EBC or remap to get JDM saloon performance++.
If you get a JDM wagon you need a turbo + a remap to get the same performance.

Your choice.

I bought a JDM WRX wagon 1994 that only has 60000 miles on it and I am very happy with it. It's black for a start and I don't think the UK cars came with as many colour choices. I have spent about 1200 quid on turbo and remap though

 

Surely the differences are more down to your new car being a Type R STi more than it being an import.

Isn't that like saying the Escort RS turbo was faster than the GTI?

My UK car has air con but not folding mirrors(had to check though!)