spark666

I will soon be on the market for a new car, well second hand.

Should i consider buying an import over a uk spec car or not? I am looking at a STi something about 03/53 with under 20k mileage. I want something thats going to be reliable. I wont be moddifying it much just the odd thing here and there.

Whats some of the problems with Import cars over the UK ones?

Cheers

Scoobyfan.

They cost more.

scoobfan

If your not going to say anything constructive then dissapear little man.

Rob

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I think worth more is more like it
Right, there are plenty of differences in the MY03 model year between the UK and the JDM cars, firstly ill just do the JDM cars (as after the description you wont want a slow uk one )
Better engine internals and twin scroll turbo, producing in excess of 280ps and 290lbs of torque (more like 300+bhp out of the box) and this gives you better low down power over the uk car.
A-DCCD and quick rack steering.
Some have the BBS lightweight alloys on, multi-spoked, similar to what the MY05 cars copied.
Those are the biggest differences, just about everything you need really, better engine and handling
Note though, that not all these cars came with the above, you will find some without the drivers pack, which was the A-DCCD, quick rack steering and BBS alloys, avoid these ones.

Tony

pippyrips

i bought an 04 jdm sti - pound for pound they are better in every way over a uk spec hence why i got it - only thing missing is the 'burble' exhaust note due to the equal length headers - apart from that it has everything a uk spec has plus a lot more

minted_aye

I have had many import cars and have lost loads when coming to sell them, non import companys wont touch them, the import companies dont want them because of the prices they buy at auction, insurance is normally higher, you normally need a tracker, the list goes on and on, I personally would never buy another import, there is some good import motors, somewere but a lot of rubbish that get clocked as soon as they arrive in the , only 9,000 miles says the garage that just had 50,000 miles removed by a guy in a mileage correction firm charging £60.
My advice is to stick to the UK Cars with full service history that can be checked.

Mark_S

I've had both UK and JDM, they both lose loads at re-sale, if you're looking for residuals then buy a Porsche or Mercedes. My 03 JDM STi has so far proved very reliable, is VERY fast, comfortable and quiet (if you want the burble get the UK). Servicing is actually cheaper than my old UK car as I get it done at a specialist garage without affecting the warranty. Insurance is about the same for me as I havent felt any need to modify the car in any way except to remap for UK petrol. But you should get some quotes before making your mind up, some charge excessive amounts for JDM cars others charge loads for PPP'd STI's as they are classified as "modified cars".

spark666

Cheers guys some helpful information there.

I suppose i will have to double check with the insurance side of things or wait until i am 25 lol.

As for dealers, i take it not all of them will be happy to service an import car?

minted_aye

Its not about residuals, basically as you are aware JDM cars have to be under written to obtain a prices this is were consumers come unstuck, they are not listed in any cap etc, as for Porsche or Mercs they lose just as much, I have a UK STI PPP, insurance company is direct-line did not require a tracker or additional alarm, a JDM would, you could go discuss all day but having owned no less than 4 imports, wrx, lexus sc430, skyline gtr r33 x 2, I personally would not do it again, thats all. I am not saying I am right what I am saying it imports do have pitfalls, that UK car do not have. lets not even start talking about parts....

THOMO

lol

Mark_S

Porsche and Mercs dont lose as much, residuals on the lower end Porsches (Boxsters) are excellent. http://www.whatcar.com/DepreciationIndex.asp
According to Which Car 2005-2006 the Impreza comes out "average", the M-B C Class was "very low", the M-B E Class was "low", M-B SLK was "low", M-B M Class was the only one classed as "average". If you want a low depreciating Subaru then you have to go for a Forester.

My Jap STi is insured thru Norwich Union £630 protected, my UK Impreza was £550, not an unreasonable hike considering the (+100bhp) increase in performance.

But I can see where ur coming from if youve had 2 Skylines, they are not cheap motors to run (if I had the money I'd be tempted though). But I dont think you should translate directly your experiences of Skyline ownership onto JDM Imprezas. There are a lot of companies out there geared up to servicing ALL types of Impreza. And major parts are readily available at reasonable prices from companies such as API.

pslewis

If you want history - its a UK car.

If you want to know the mileage is genuine - UK car again.

If you want to know its not stolen - Uk again.

If you want to pay more to run it - Import, everytime.

If you want to wait 6 months for that elusive part - an Import wins again.

You're in the UK, you drive in the UK, get a proper UK one!!

Pete

andy_scouser

don't agree TBH. Imports are fine in every way and offer more for your money. Just be careful what you buy...

Trout

iTrader: (1)

...Pete - what a helpful post

Of course it may be a JDM (import) model that was bought new in the UK and so will enjoy all the benefits of a UK history and all the benefits of the Japanese features. As for parts being an issue - six years of JDM ownership never saw me at a loss for a part. Even franchised Subaru dealers will get them if you have the part number and don't plaster their name all over the BBS.

And of course UK cars are never clocked and just like second hand Japanese cars they come with an objective assessment of condition...not.

Decide what you really want from the car and then see which one matches your needs best.

Rannoch

HOWY

Or a european one

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

OP, if you are under 25, check insurance quotes first - I'm not, but had 0 ncb, and it would have cost me three times as much to insure an import as a UK car, even with the specialist insurers.

Imports do seem to depreciate faster, which is worth considering if you are planning on keeping the car a few years, also, a lot of imports do have questionable histories so only buy from a well reputed import dealer, not some dodgy backstreet garage.

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Imported Cars from APi, especially lmprezas and Evos

Have history.

Have proven mileages.

Are proven not stolen.

Do not cost more to run

I have extensive parts off the shelf and can get almost any parts for any imported anything [ Japanese ] within 5 days

If you want the full Subaru experience its got to be imported Imprezas every time.

Go see www.apiengines.com/car_sales.php
Good luck call me if you want a sensible non PS Lewis type conversation.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza
www.apiengines.com
01926 614333

Nick Read

Don't know about the newer Scoobs, but I reckon I got the best of both worlds with my 'imported new' MY98 WRX. Because it was supplied as a brand new personal import by a Scooby garage then you can't go wrong - service and history from new in the UK with the better spec of an import. Win-win. Unless you get clobbered for insurance, but that varies from one person to another - if you're decrepid enough, insurance for any import is only a hundred quid more than an equivalent UK model.

My import spec is much better -faster, rear wiper, map lights, climate control, electric folding mirrors etc...glad I got a WRX and not a Turbo 2000. But I don't know if the differences in modern ones are worth it.

pslewis

Nice advert there!!

I'm confused ..... are you fluent in reading Japanese then? As thats the ONLY way you can confirm history (unless, of course, the jap who's selling you it tells you it's all there?? ..... slight conflict of interests there then!! )

Proven mileages ........... cannot be proven beyond doubt on ANY car!! Let alone one from the land of the rising sun!

I'm sure Imports are fine ... they just do not rock my boat, drop in value faster than a ****** knickers on payday, need re-mapping or Octane Boosters, cost huge amounts on Insurance and have no VERIFIABLE histories - whatever salestalk spouts forth .....

Pete

spark666

I think although i would love the JDM import version i will have to go for a UK model as I dont want any problems with the car, but if i did i would like to be able to sort then asap.
Just want something RELIABLE if possible, are UK models good for this?

Rasher

UK models are no more or no less reliable than JDM cars, it all depends on how their previous owner(s) have looked after them

flat4_ire

wudnt buy a uk spec scoob, jap is the way to go, id say stay away from "bargains" cos u aint gonna get one when it comes to top spec jap, u pay for what you get, owning a type r sti id say go for one of these but its up to you,ive been in a few scoobs, only 2 id chose over my type r is a 22b or may be a newage spec c

WRXewl

iTrader: (1)

Im in the market to buy a scoob myself and was looking about but the one question I have is that dont the Jap ones need 100 RON petrol and so you would need octane booster each time you fill up ?

E

spark666

I have just been looking on Autotrader.co.uk and Motorpoint are selling STi's with 6 miles on the clock for £18.999

How cheap is that

Mark_S

Helpful and accurate post as usual from Mr Lewis

Talking from personal experience are we? Exactly how many import Imprezas have you owned??

pslewis

I haven't burnt my hand off by holding a lit firework .......... doesn't stop me knowing that I shouldn't touch one!!

You're point being??

Pete

Mark_S

My point is what exactly do you know about the cost of running or getting a part for an import Scoobie FFS ????? Who are you to dish out advise on the subject!!!!

Most people on here know you for what you are but some unsuspecting Newbie might actually take your posts seriously!

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

I don't need to speak Japanese, this is Okamoto-san http://www.apiengines.com/car_sales_detail.php?id=25 who runs APi Japan.

YES! believe it or not there is an APi Japan and I've been going there regularly for over 20 years. Okamoto-san doesn't always buy from the auctions sometimes he buys direct off a dealer forecourt after the car is traded in. Most times l have the Japanese service books with service stamps and Shaken [MOT] test dates.

Now I am not naive enough to think that the Japanese motor trade is any more or less honest than any where else in the world. However, by trying our hardest to prove history in Japan we can filter out the doubtful ones.

Any Japanese auction seller has an accreditation which is forfeited very quickly if they misrepresent any car in any way. You can buy with complete trust off the description in the auction and not bother to even look at the car - MOST TIMES.

But, IF the owner [ not the dealer ] of the car clocks the speedo regularly before having it serviced or Shaken tested then the history will read right and nothing anyone can do will disprove it. That holds true anywhere in the world not just Japan.

Through my trade association BIMTA we try and succeed most times, to supply a money back guarantee certificate that the mileage is correct and also that the car is: Not stolen, not got outstanding finance and has not had major damage repairs carried out.

I will not buy a car that either Japan or I are not happy with - I cannot sell crap.

A number of people post on here who have bought cars from me and I am sure every one of them will vouch for the experience in terms of value and quality.

Imports are here to stay and thankfully the new SVA / ESVA filters out many of the stranger ones that were coming in, say 4 years ago, when everybody and his dog who had been selling either kitchens or cell phones or double glazing jumped on the bandwagon with the result that many dubious cars arrived here.

That is now over and the quality and value for money is there to be seen.

If you haven't had the experience I have had with imported Imprezas and Evo's don't just condemn them out of hand because of hearsay.

Apologies to anyone who has got this far for the long winded explanation, I felt Pete's normal negative approach needed a well thought out response.

David APi Impreza / APi Engines
www.apiengines.com

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

Nicely put Dave

stevie boy

decide what you want out of a car and what if any mod you'll be doing before you buy, a few mods to a uk to catch up a jdm may see that insurance deficit close right up. it did with me and was still at least 40 bhp down.

as far as dealers not touching jdm's, i wouldn't touch dealers with a uk.
my exp of 2 dealers and 2 specialists, scoobyclinic and well lane come out on top.

my exp based on 1 uk and 1 jdm albeit both classics (don't understand the jdm's cost more to run argument if the car is remapped, as mine is. for me that is no extra cost as the remap was booked for the uk.)

stevie