Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Gents.

I'm fuming ...

I'm actively searching out a JDM STi. I've seen 2 so far that I've liked. One was an 03 plate the other a 53 plate. Got a mechanical check on each by the AA who have advised that both have been involved in serious accidents at some point & are basically worthless! One appeared to have been rolled at some point! If I'd have bought one on face value (owners both advised all was ship shape) then I'd be crying into my beer at some point in the near future ...

It's put me right off. What can the JDM owners say to make me feel better about JDM's as I'm close to turning my back on them.

TX.

pippyrips

I've got one - love it to bits. Persevere, they are worth it. Now do you feel better

DIPSY

I have 05 jdm sti and its great .I bought mine from a garage

SPEN555

I have had an 03 STi since new and know it's history.

Maybe these people imported them used from Japan and did not know of the history?

If they have had it from new then they have been naughty.

bob r

iTrader: (46)

thank f*ck the aa did an inspection.

AudiMan

Speak to Ian Litchfield, not only will he be able to reassure you that the JDM is far better than the UK models, he will also be able to get you exactly what you want, almost ceratinly without the dodgy history.
http://www.litimports.co.uk/
No affiliation, he's just a top bloke, knows what he's talking about. I'd buy a car from him.

Ian

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

stilover

You don't say whether these are straight off the ferry or not. Are they? or are you trying to buy privately?

To be honest it's not just JDM cars. You could be looking at a UK car that's been repaired.

SPEN555

Ditto,

Got mine from Litchfield new, had it just over three years now. Hmm UK with warranty vs JDM one year warranty (at the time I bought)..... not had to make what would constitute a warranty claim yet, it's modded and I've done track days (touches wood saying this)

pippyrips

I bought mine privately, though it was only 9months old and had full service history (what there was of it!) and 3 year warrenty

~DrEaM~

mine was brought with Auction Sheets from japan to prove its condition

auction grade 6 (dont know they have 6?) interior grade A

and i am going for 360+ bhp/ 350+ftlb

wrc350+

better in what way, theres a wr1 tuned by rcm at 487 bhp. whose to say jdm are better than uk or vice versa

~DrEaM~

the RCM 487bhp is not on standard turbo... if you out all the same mods on the Newage sti i think i will have more power..

if you compare both stis with the same mods then the JDM is always the better car...

wrc350+

litchfields t25 is not standard in many ways

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Out of the box.... wr1 has 265ps, why? (hear shouts of no its got 320bhp, which it doesnt, its got 320ps but its also remapped
A JDM STi will be pushing over 300bhp out of the box (on its standard map).
There is your first answer.
The developement is far more advanced on the JDM cars with A-DCCD, quick rack steering, uprated engines producing more BHP and Torque (even more than a normal PPP'd car).
More gadgets.
Much nicer power delivery.
I could go on but you get the point?

TX, just keep on looking, there will be one out there with your name on it in good (very good ) condition its like any scoob, you just need to keep searching for the right one

Tony

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

One was from a garage albeit not a specialist like Litchfields, the other would have been a private sale. Both had spent time in Japan ie were not brand new when imported. Engineer suggested either (a) buy from a reputable specialist (b) buy a private car that was new when it entered the UK ie never driven in Japan hence will have a full pack of UK history since Day One.

I'm still fuming!

TX.

GC8

Theyll have been accident history cars when they were bought at auction; so the 'importers' if they did, in fact, import them, will have known very well that theyd been crashed. Id suggest buying a car that you can see the auction report for. You need to be looking for a Grade 4.5 ideally and nothing lower than a 4. Anything else (unless its a Grade 5!) is crap, no matter what anyone tells you.

Simon

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

It also depends on what your budget is...

http://www.litimports.co.uk/stocklist.asp?inc=84

Is under 17k

http://www.litimports.co.uk/stocklist.asp?inc=82

Is under 19k but has had some bits done to it plus this is an 05, so spec c geometry (longer wheelbase) plus the engine upgrades to the manifold etc and increased torque levels.

Tony

PS, id have either one

wrc350+

i was talking about rcms version of the wr1

Gav

I've just bought one mate and it is amazing. As said above, you get better toy's on the jap ones too

Mine was imported by Litchfields brand new too, take your time with it matey there are some great ones about and you will not regret it i promise

gav..

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I know, you could also talk about the ice car which is also an RCM car, though im not sure what its based upon, just a new age thats got a little more power than that wr1

Tony

GC8

Id doubt that the cars were as bad as was implied too. The AA/RAC are just as bad for 'adding value' as HPI are. An HPI example, from before cars were categorised: very lightly damaged sub one year-old car bought by a body shop to repair as a courtesy car..... "its been destroyed in a crash"! The Japanese car market is both open and honest (similar to Germanys; with regards to accident repairs too): itll have been repaired properly and itll all have been declared at auction. The 'worthless' comment was spurious at best.

Simon

stiscooby

What could they see that made them think it had been rolled etc?

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I'll post some extracts from the Reports shortly.

TX.

white

Go to Iain Litchfield. I cancelled my STI that I had order and have asked him to source me a JDM car. Confirmed my deposit earlier in the week now I just gotta wait for the right one to show it's face then it'll be on a ship bound for Southampton

Right from the very off he inspired me with the confidence that he was gonna do his best for me.

GC8

Grade 7 too: but a 6/A is in very good clean condition. A Grade 7 car will be new or as-new.

Simon

Jimpreza

Sorry to hi-jack the post, but after letting my mate drive my standard WRX he was well impressed. He currently has a type r and was gonna buy the new one but thinks it looks crap (i totally agree). He now wants a STI. He wants to know whether to go to a dealer 27k less £3k petrol = 24k or should he get a euro import from litchfields for £23K. These r his only available options as he doesn't want a jdm. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I probably should have noticed this stuff however I have not a mechanical bone in my body. Quote from Report:

The vehicle has undergone extensive accident damage repairs to the front and rear end
of the body. Panels affected include a new right rear wing panel, repairs to the boot floor
and left rear wing, extensive filler repairs to the roof and general repainting. Although
the basic repair is acceptable, the attention to detail and quality of re-build is below
manufacturers standard. This will have an affect on the re-sale value of the car. This is
mainly due to the clear evidence of accident repairs and deficiencies, in particular the
onset of rust corrosion in the repaired areas, which will lead to premature decay. It is
also possible the manufacturers anti perforation warranty will be compromised. . There
are also areas of un-repaired damage.

Still fuming ... why did he let me get a Report done & cause me to p1ss a few hundred notes away?!

TX.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

To be fair to the AA the "worthless" comment is mine not theirs, I was pretty mad when I first posted!

TX.

pippyrips

pursuade him to a get a jdm