V4JDMSTi

iTrader: (2)

Hi to all!!

I am curently looking around to buy my first Impreza after owning all sorts of cars. I was wondering what I should look out for and what the differences between an import and a UK Impreza are.

I will be going for a turbo engine model rather than the sport model.

Also what if any are the downfalls to owing an imported Impreza?

cheers for any help.

Matt.

Gutmann pug

Whats your budget and what age range are you looking for?

Gary C

And if you get an import, use optimax/'sul and octane booster or a re-map

prelude

depends on what engine spec you want ?
and like has been said how much you wanna spend ?
you can get 97/98 uk turbos for about £6500 ish and up, you do get a bigger choice with the imports but you have to run on optimax.
My fav is the p1, but to get one of thoes your talking over 16 grand .

only down side is insurance , that can be fun ringing round companys ;(.

Apart from that they are brill cars .

Dan

V4JDMSTi

iTrader: (2)

cheers guys. i guess budget is going to be around the £5.5k mark. Insurance wise elephant have quoted my £700ish full comp on an imported wrx. didn't think that was too bad as my bimmer is £620 at the moment. And for 25 i didn't think that was too sad.

so the imports need to be run on optimax, hmmmm could turn out to be a bit expensive but worth it i guess. what's fuel consumption like? most of my journies will be fairly short as the car will be used everyday for the run to work. my bimmer sees an ave of 17.9 but it is a 3.5

StiX

iTrader: (4)

Thats a good quote. I am 35 and pay the same, I have full no claims etc. in an insurance friendly post code too. Oh btw I have a 95 WRX import.

As far as fuel is concerned, you'll probably get the same as your bimmer near enough. Mine is running about 280bhp and the worst I have ever had is 15, best 25. I do a lot of short journeys also. Normally its about 19. Only use Optimax, used to use booster also but after fitting a knocklink realised I didn't need the booster. For £5.5k you should get yourself a 95-96 WRX I would have said. I paid £5.1k for mine last April.

V4JDMSTi

iTrader: (2)

insurance quote was with protected no claims (8 years) and i live near southend-on-sea, boy racer capital of the world to insurance companies!!!

i better not tell the wife about the fuel consumption then! my argument for getting one is that not only will it be newer and have less miles on than the bimmer but it should be more economical than it as well.

i had an rs turbo a few years ago and when i worked the fuel cinumption out on that it was at best 15mpg!! most of the time it was about 12.

btw what's a knocklink?

is the wrx the import version and the one with 280ish as standard and the uk version the turbo 2000 with less bhp?

RoRu

The 280bhp models would be WRX STI's from 96 onwards STI v3, UK turbo's are 212bhp ish and wrx's 230/260 depending on the age.

Not far from southend myself (C.I)

Rokay

Import guide This link will give you an idea what sort of power your get on various versions. As you are well awear the JDM modals offer a bit more power than the uk versions.

I can only speak of the JDM models as this is all i've ever owned. First the bad news. Insurance, expect to pay at least £150/£200 more on your annual premium.
Sourcing parts can be a problem because there not always available over a Subaru main dealer counter. Find a decent supplier and your be fine. No problems myself to date.
Servicing, Things seem to be changing for the better and Subaru servicing are now taking on work of JDM models. Very reluctant in the past mind. However i choose an independant specialist for mine.

Give you some idea STi version2 extras as std.....

Air con
Intercooler water spray
cup holder....lol
STi Momo steering wheel and gear ****
Colour coding
Electric folding door mirrors
Strut brace
STi seats

Day to day running.

Don't cane the car. Drive it hard, enjoy it but respect it.

Warm to car up well before any sort of boost is given. Don't exceed 3000rpm.This can take a good 7mile before oil comes right up to temperature so patiance is required. Cool down after spirted run. Idle for at least 2minutes before shut down. I practice this what ever run i have just experianced.
Feed the car on decent fuels eg Shell Optimax/BP Ultimate + a booster additive.
Well worth putting in a knocklink which looks at the detonation in the engine.
Link here explans more.

Your call mate. JDM all the way for me. Offer so much more imo.

wez_sti

"STi Momo steering wheel and gear ****"

pety mode on -> is it not a Nardi Steering Wheel? Is in mine...


mneame - i have an STi 2 V-LTD, if you want a huge smile on your face everytime you drive your car, buy one. (if you can afford it) i cant, i'm selling mine!

i'm 23 with 3 yrs no claims and pay 1k...

StiX

iTrader: (4)

WRX import for that age yes.

240ps (236bhp) MY93-94
260ps (256bhp) MY95-96
280ps (276bhp) MY97+

I think all STIs have the 280ps - may be wrong.

Have a look at the SIDC FAQ as someone else has suggested, explains all.

Mine has a cup-holder Rokay, and its a MY95 WRX?

Oh and the Nardi wheel, is there a different wheel in STIs?

V4JDMSTi

iTrader: (2)

how much you selling for out of interest?

V4JDMSTi

iTrader: (2)

cheers for all the other replies guys all coming in handy. might as well look for an import by the looks of it.

Rokay

Your right it's a Nardi. Dooohhhhhh.

Rokay

Look here and your see the power differ's through out the STi versions depending on year.

scoobfan

The saloons and wagons also have different power outputs.

wez_sti

horray, i was due a correct post of some sort!

mneame - Selling for around £7.5Kish. Havent really checked up on what its worth yet, it'll be around that though. Best thing i've ever owned, just cant afford it at the mo. wont be long till i can afford another one hopefully.

STi2 RA V-LTD

Deep Mica Blue, rare 17" Gold OZ alloys, 280bhp with print out, Standard apart from Blitz Dump Valve, close ratio gear box, light weight special edition, elec mirrors/windows etc.. climate control. 6 disc CD changer, lots of UK history, recent cam belt and clutch (2 of the biggest expenses out of the way!)

Basically one of the fastest 'out of the box' imprezas money can buy (apart from spec c's/22B's etc...)


Wez