Well; theyre cheap in Japan. Has anyone moved from an Impreza to a Forester S/tb and can they tell me how their insurance was affected?

At this money (under £1,500 for a low mileage Grade 4 1997 car) I cant help but be tempted. 250PS and even more stealthy than my 'Wagon.....

Thats £3,150 landed, duty-paid; who wouldnt be tempted?


Simon

 

Down about 20% ( UK wrx to Import S/tb ~ both 2001 reg's )

 

Simon,

Buy one, they're a different vehicle to the wagon but great fun and we owners enthuse about them. There's several owners on this site and you'll find a european forum on http://www.subaruforester.com/ with lots of information......
The Liverpool Test center has the S/tb on its ESVA list so cars up to 2001 are possible ( http://www.ltc-sva.co.uk/acatalog/Su...er_Estate.html ) . We looking to change our '97 for a newer model and as there's so few on the market it looks like we'll have to import. From other posts you obviously have experience in this area, any recommendations?

 

obi; I honestly dont know what to say, other than go to an importer that you hear positive things about, preferably one that someone youre aquainted with has used. Its best to look for an importer wholl propose vehicles that are going through the next days auctions. Look for a Grade 4 (or a Grade 4.5) vehicle with a 'B' grade interior; the auction appraisal sheet will list all the observed faults, even barely noticable scratches. With this you wont go far wrong. 2002 SG5 XTs sell for about ¥1,250,000 btw (£6,100 at todays exchange rate). With only 220PS Id be tempted to look for an STI; theyre far from common though.


Simon

 

I went from a MY05 WRX PPP to a MY06 FXT. Insurance went down about £75.

Very happy with it so far - 230ps as standard and ppp or exhaust/remap if you want more.

I think they are great value - Leather/Cruise/Heated Seats etc for WRX type money plus a pretty unique blend of practicality and sportiness in the small mini SUV class..

 

have you driven one mate?

handling feels similar to a land rover freelander on acid

insurance is a meer grp 15 for a uk s/tb!!

jamo

 

they dont do a uk s/tb matey. the uk version is the s turbo or the XT.

As for handling, well id have to take you out in mine then see what your thoughts are on the foresters handling

 

I havent driven one James, but the Forester is essentially a high-capacity Impreza so it cant be that bad. When you look at the price I can actually land one for I wouldnt mind spending a little more to improve the suspension. The was an SF5 STI variant too, which Im sure handled.....


Simon

 

sorry thought thats what he was refering to s/tb, meaning "s turbo" yeah but yours is far from standard danny!!

I went out in a box standard s turbo, it was an awful drive because of the roll, if the suspension was hardened, then yeah a brilliant package, in fact I would have one, wasnt it the car of year, for like 5 years in a row?

James

 

UK cars have softer suspension than JDM vehicles. The Jap's roads are maintained to a far higher standard; this applies to Imprezas too... The S/tb is a Forester S, which is turbocharged; its a different car to the English model that shares its name though.


Simon

 

The UK S-turbo uses a smaller TF035 turbo and lower boost, where the S/Tb is a TD04L like the WRX's run at 10psi, S-Turbo rated at 177bhp as opposed to the S/TB 250/240/220bhp over the years.
You can remedy some of the body roll with a quick swap of its very thin 13mm rear sway bar, for a 20mm unit from the WRX/STI, and the suspensions will swap over as well, a WRX wagon suspension makes a nice balanced lowering setup, setan suspensions will sag a tad in the rear.

 

Joth; I assume that youre suggesting fitting Classic 'Wagon (GF8) dampers and ARBs to an SF5? Do you know what brakes the JDM SF5s come with, relative to Imprezas?


Simon

 

they come with the later variant of the 2pot calipers / 277mm discs..............the newer cars have changed 03>

alyn

 

2pots should be the 3rd thing to change after the arb and a set of wheels the 4pots will fit under......

 

It'll come with Geolanders....Oh dear

Changing the tyres is a must and 225 55 16's fit nicely

 

for an idea on prices in Japan check this webpage out

http://www.japaneseusedcars.com/auction/auctions4.htm

 

The prices that I have listed are accurate auction sale prices. Its because I buy cars at auction in Japan that Im considering one. Their prices are extremely high btw.


Simon

 

Why did I buy one

Handling
Its not an Impreza, but 20mm Arb, front and rear brace, 17" running 215/50R17, and the option to lower it if you fit Whiteline / Tein / etc springs, it will handle better than it has any right to

Braking

As standard, on a Stb is criminal, 250bhp and 2 pots, so 4 pots and 294mm discs and goodridge bolt straight on

Performance

The perfect Q car

Full H&S decat, P1 I/C, Forge R/D/V, Sti filter, Zero sports air flow, P1 Clutch, Fit a bigger turbo, Power FC, AVCR, remap, and warb speed Mr Sulu

PS I can park it up and it attracts zero attention from Chavs

Load it up drive to France

Not sure I want too many knowing how good they are as I like getting the drop on everyone

and fellow owners are

I rest my case M'Lud

 

It may not be cheap but ebay item 4591663966 might be of interest to those who don't mind automatics.

Obi

 

Going to go for one myself in a couple of years time.

more room in the back for the Lab than the Wagon.