twintracks

looking to spend approx 5k on an impreza sti type ra
what sort of age of car should i be looking at ?
also if anyone has that link with info on the different revisions etc that would be great

S300BY J

Try this site for advice twintracks


http://www.type-ra.co.uk/



Julie

GC8

Personally (and i realise that this is a little easier for me as Im able to import cars from Japan), Id go for an early C-Series (MY95) Type-RA. 260PS with an ECU that can easily live on SUL. Go for an unregistered car and ensure that you can see the auction appraisal sheet: look for a grade 4 car or possibly a grade 3.5 and youll be laughing....


Simon

suffolkdar

Look into importing a car, it's not as hard as some will make it look! And you could save ££££££££££££££££££££!s There are a few web sites about.....
Hope it helps keep money in your pocket and out of thiers!

S300BY J

Yep l agree, l looked into all this, think they buy cars in for about £1700 but costs of importing put them too about £4,500, well worth it. Also they are low mileage, not thrashed as speed limits are about 25mph, and body work should be reasonable as they dont salt their roads

Julie

GC8

I think that youve misunderstood me; I have imported numerous cars but Id disagree; its far from straightforward and there is a lot to it. Its easier to have your leg lifted of course and itd be a mistake to think that all you need is Google and faith in human nature.

By only buying a car for which you can inspect the appraisal sheet you will avoid most of the probelms associated with unknown impoerts; and youll avoid most of the fools who give the 'industry' such a poor name...

Simon

suffolkdar

Don't get me wrong!, i have never imported a car from japan.....,But i work with a couple of chaps who have/do import skylines from japan and it seems straight forward to me and they make lots of cash!, You just have to have the readies up front and be prepared to wait a couple of months for the boat!

GC8

As with so many things; its easy when you know how. Learning how can hurt though.....

Simon

suffolkdar

Surely it's got to be worth a try, If importers sell a car for say £5k they only paid 2.5K inc tax shipping remapping etc etc.... so if you did buy a dud it's worth it for scrap/ parts? Just my thoughts!

fulla

good grade cars a getting thin on the ground in japan now especialy early classic imprezas.like mentioned above its not as easy as some make out.firstly you have to find yourself an agent you can trust and make sure you get a copy of the auction sheet before you buy anything.In my opinion its not worth doing any more unless you just looking for personal car,people wont pay a bit extra for decent motor these days they want a mint classic impreza for peanuts, theres is no money in it now unless you by crap grade stuff which is what a lot of poeple are doing including bigger importers! to be honest you can buy stuff over here now cheaper than you can buy decent stuff in japan.

twintracks

never thought about the fuel , although i've read about it...
is using high ron pump fuel not enopugh for every model then ?

Jap Import

I use Optimax and a bottle of Millers Octane boost on every fill.
You can get an import remapped to run on lower octanes like SUL

twintracks

much, if any power loss ?

CyprusScooby

Try and get a Version 5(1999) or Version 6 (2000) model as they have the better engines (Phase 2 boxers).

Jap Import

I dont know about that.
However, when I had no choice but to use 97 ron SUL Ibeleive I noticed a difference in performance to using Optimax and Octane Boost.

Maybe there was no real difference, you know how your mind plays tricks on you.
Every time i've taken my cars off the road and then got back in them they seem faster than before

twintracks

ye i know what you mean, i used to think my car was faster every time i left a petrol station after filling it up, can't remember why, something to do with the fuel tank but it was nonsense !! lol

think a version 5 is a bit out of my price range, from looking on autotrader
or are they THAT much cheaper if you import them yourself ?

Jap Import

I looked into importing one myself, using a friend who imports motorbikes.
To be honest it's allot of effort if you've never done it before.

Theres loads of importers out there who can match your requirements, however it may take a while to source the right car.

I've got a V2 Sti RA and I managed to get her for just under the 5K asking price (bear in mind this is a minter, and your'll get what you pay for) and I'm more than happy with her, although I am basing her round the whole V6 styling.
These cars are awesome!

Whats made you want a Type RA? Have you driven one yet?

twintracks

basically want a type RA as they look like awesome performance for the money, currentl driving a mk2 astra so wanted something rwd/4wd for a chnage, but the straight line speed between an impreza turbo and the astra isn't THAT much...so if you're gonna do something may as well do it right, sti's would be fine too i suppose but the RA just sounds like fun!

never driven one...I've been told to be prepared when I do though ha

Jap Import

Your'll certainly need to be prepared going from an astra to the RA.

Before taking mine out, an ex rally driver friend took me out and showed me exactly what this cars all about.
It's good to know the power and handlings there, but I dont think I'll ever drive it like he did I nearly died!!!

0-100 is feckin quick

If/When you get one, cherish it, dont race these little corsa's who will push you through the 30's and 40's and then you blow them away at the 60's.

You wont have anything to prove when your wearing the type RA emblem.

The cars made for acceleration not 150MPH, so it's ideal for me, Top end means nothing!

GC8

I dont subscribe to the 'RA-myth'...... Theyre ok but they were actually the cheapest WRX available. Early cars have a closed-deck block but the chances ofthis benefiting you are remote; and they have slightly revised gear ratios (revised to std in later cars) along with some deleted options.....

Simon

jamesbWRXRA

Ive owned an ra now for 6 weeks its the quickest thing ive been in by far.The short gear ratio just makes it pull all the way.Buy one mate they are awsome.

twintracks

are all sti's of the same age the same bhp, or is the RA different
I've seen that there are some 240bhp etc...what age are the ones that are 280 ?

scooby-ra

get an 95 - 96 sti type ra they are rapid mine is 330bhp and
the force the way it puts u in ur seat is unbeliverble

defo put a smile on ur face

twintracks

not standard then ?
so many variations

scooby-ra

the 280 bhp ones are the sti ,s type ra u can spot them cause they
have a roof vent and ones made after 96 have a open deck block the
ones between 95- 96 have a close deck block the type ra's without the roof
vent are the ones that are 260 bhp

GC8

The greater majority of WRX Type-RAs were 47Ds and have a similar output to the WRX from the same year. The A (1993) & B (1994) Series cars produced 240PS; the C (C1-1995, C2-1996) Series cars produced 260PS and the D Series (1997) onwards cars produced 280PS

Only the very early cars had a closed-deck block; but that doesnt make the slightest bit of difference to most people (in fact; most people dont even know what it means or what practical difference it makes).


Simon

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

I can vouch for your car chris!

The acceleration on the Type RA's are amazing, My Evo feels slow once ive been out in your car!

Dill_typeR

What does it mean and what are pro's and cons (if any)???

GC8

A closed-deck block provides a better sealing surface for the head gaskets.

Dave uk blue mica

i bought a MY95 sti ra a few months ago, had the roof vent and dccd etc and i bought it for less than £4k so cheap cars are about, it was a good car and i only sold it due to a change in road rally rules, its now a gravel rally car and its been faultless.