Which to go for?... I looking at changing my car and Scooby is fav, but is it worth the extra getting an Sti over a WRX PPP?

Also, where is the best place to buy from?..place near us www.allianceimports.co.uk seems to have good deals, anywhere else recommended?

Thanks

 

Here we go again ........

My best advice would be to do a search over the last few days on here and you will find reams and reams of threads on the subject.

Gary

 

Cheers will do a search

 

As GP says, it's an old chestnut that's been discussed many times in the past. If you drive hard and fast and ultimately want a serious performance car then go STi. The slightly firmer suspension, better diffs, much tighter steering and better brakes (once the pads have been changed ) all make for a much more focused drivers car than the WRX. I have a WRX PPP and don't get me wrong, it's a quick machine, but when I drive anyones STi I can't help but wish I'd got one If you want a family car used daily for commutes and shopping etc and occaisionally for spirited drives then maybe a WRX will suit. You really need to drive both to see how you feel in each, but if you do drive both you will buy an STi. The reason most ask this question is because they compare the 0-60 times and relate them to the price and the WRX PPP seems like a bargain. In reality, on the road an STi is much quicker, and the reason for the misleading 0-60 time is the need for a change to 3rd to hit 60 on the 6 speed box.

As for where to buy, if you but an import you obviously won't be getting the full support of the dealers, or the safety of the 3yr warranty (extendable to 5). Dealers are doing some good deals ATM on leftover 04 cars (better option for WRX's than STis as 05 STis are much improved) and if you go the right way, you'll be able to get a bargain. I always recommend getting prices from www.tins.co.uk and www.drivethedeal.co.uk first, and then play at least 3 dealers off each other with those starting prices. My mate just bought a Forester following this advice and saved £2k The benefits of imports can be outweighed by the negative aspects relating to warranty and insurance, but big power and being simply better cars they are worth consideration. www.litchfieldimports.co.uk are very well respected on here, and IIRC offers decent warranties too.

 

Sorry for repeating an early thread. A few places i've seen like alliance still offer 3 yr warranty with new cars. They have MYO5 WRX for £16,495. Is there anything else to look out for with spec etc. heard some diffeent alarm systems.

 

You (probably ) won't find a dealer who'll fit a PPP to an imported WRX, and it will more than likely invalidate the Alliance warranty anyway. Is the Alliance warranty a 3rd party insurance based policy ? If so, I'd be wary. There are alternatives to PPP which can be both cheaper and more effective (full decat, TEK3 map etc) but will invalidate any warranty, UK or otherwise As for alarms, UK cars have the Sigma M30 Cat1 system. If they have anything different, just make sure it's Cat1 and fitted by a VSIB registered installer. UK STi's come with a tracking system already fitted, which is a requirement for virtually all insurers, most also require WRX's to also have one. Is it £16.5k OTR ? There are some other issues relating to imports, all of which can add up, making UK cars seem worth not bothering with the hassle. Some cars are not undesealed (remember, UK cars have 6 year corrosion warranty), so possibly budget £100 for this. Many don't have locking wheelnuts, another £30. If it doesn't have an alarm, or it isn't Cat1 add another £300. Tracking units start at £300. Check the insurance difference UK/EU/JDM. And finally, take into account that on resale, you will lose some of what you save, as most pay around £1k less for an EU car compared to UK, although JDM STis hold their value well as they generally are bought for better reasons than saving a few bob.

 

and some dealers, subaru and others WILL NOT part ex non UK cars as they cannot warranty them. Not apparent when you buy the car, but important if you want to trade it in, in a couple of years or more.

 

Worth adding that an sti should be easy to insure whilst a wrx ppp isn't coveted by many companies. Also, those who do cover a WRX PPP often charge more than they would for an STi.

 

Price is OTR and includes 3 year Subaru warranty, but not being able to get PPP done on it does worry me. If that is the case i would definatly go for an Sti which they have at £21,000 for a 2005.

I noticed alot of dealers have good deals but after checking them they are for 2004 spec.

 

Remember its an import so you more than likely cant have the PPP package fitted which you WILL want for sure. It will make it almost a real car

 

Before you sign for the car (or even before you pay a deposit) contact IM with the chassis number to get confirmation that they will honour the warranty. It's no problem with cars from within the EU, but if it's JDM, or European but not EU, then they may not touch it. That used to be the case with Motorpoint and Malta/Cyprus cars, but AFAIK they are now both EU members.

 

He means the Alliance Warranty is actually the Subaru pan-European 3 year/60k warranty, identical to the UK Subaru warranty except he doesn't get roadside assistance. Other places doing very good deals on UK spec EU cars is Motorpoint, Derby, Car Imports Direct, Bristol. Have a look in Top Marques magazine!

 

I went through the same process as you recently - all the advice above is the same as was given to me. The only other thing mentioned was that the Sti really needs PPP as well to get the best from it in terms of low down grunt etc. Perhaps some Sti owners can confirm.
Not sure if getting PPP fitted on and EU import is still such an issue, Litchfields for instance told me they can get it fitted for me on a new WRX MY05.
I ended up going for a UK Spec WRX with 18" alloys and will get PPP at the first service

 

our MY04 STi is insured through Diamond who actually dont require the tracker to cover it !

most companies seem to though.........

 

Is this myth still flying round ? You CAN have PPP fitted by a UK dealer to a EU import WRX or STi !! I drive one ! And EU cars have a 3-year pan-european warranty, so you don't need some spurious third party warranty which will probably be invalidated if you drop a tab end on the floormats

 

PPP can now officially be fitted to 05 models, EU Imports.

 

I had a MY01 WRX and was thinking of PPP, but then thought I'd only regret not owning an STI, so bought 04STI and considering ppp

 

i would not buy a sti without ppp. Then i again i did not like it with the ppp so i bought JDM now that is a far better car

 

i haven`t got PPP on mine 03 STI, just as much fun in my eyes. You just need to know how to work the engine! P.S. I have driven a PPP car and wasn`t that bothered, didn`t think it was worth 2K and the additional cost in insurance!!

 

I prefer my STI with PPP. You don't need to work the car into boost before getting a reaction. I feel it's better around town.