Conned?
15 January 2007, 04:14 PM
#1
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Conned?
I collected my Bugeye WRX two weeks ago, but have since found a few things that I was unaware of before.
I was told that it was a UK car when I made the purchase, and took the dealer's word for it.
However, it was only after getting home that I checked the service book that I realised it was not a Subaru issued one, but one from a car supermarket ( I know I was stupid, should have checked it at the dealer's, but was part excited, part in a rush).
After talking to a few people online, I realised that all UK Imprezas are fitted with an alarm. Now, when I asked the dealer, he told me it had an alarm, but after getting it home, I found I did not have one fitted.
To further confirm my suspicions that something was not right, I checked the VIN number on the engine, and it had kanji, so I now believe this to be a JDM.
Is my assumption correct?
If so where do I stand with the dealer, as he sold me an import but told me its a UK car?!
I was told that it was a UK car when I made the purchase, and took the dealer's word for it.
However, it was only after getting home that I checked the service book that I realised it was not a Subaru issued one, but one from a car supermarket ( I know I was stupid, should have checked it at the dealer's, but was part excited, part in a rush).
After talking to a few people online, I realised that all UK Imprezas are fitted with an alarm. Now, when I asked the dealer, he told me it had an alarm, but after getting it home, I found I did not have one fitted.
To further confirm my suspicions that something was not right, I checked the VIN number on the engine, and it had kanji, so I now believe this to be a JDM.
Is my assumption correct?
If so where do I stand with the dealer, as he sold me an import but told me its a UK car?!
15 January 2007, 04:16 PM
#3
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Just out of interest, how much would a 2002 JDM WRX be worth?
A HPi check on it shows it was first registered in 2003, and since apparently has had full subaru service history, and has done 34,000 miles.
Cheers
A HPi check on it shows it was first registered in 2003, and since apparently has had full subaru service history, and has done 34,000 miles.
Cheers
15 January 2007, 04:17 PM
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I would have thought that unless you had it in writing about the spec and whether or not it was a UK car you don't have a lot of options................unless the dealer will do something out of goodwill???
Was it a Subaru main dealer?
Was it a Subaru main dealer?
15 January 2007, 04:38 PM
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Jase-on. If its a JDM car you have a better car, and it will have a very short vin number, if it has the conventional number you may have a car first registered outside the UK but may have came from a European source i.e Belgium or even Cyprus......Not so popular when you come to sell but still the same car I think as a UK car.
Last edited by BeeSTi; 15 January 2007 at 04:40 PM.
15 January 2007, 04:41 PM
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The JDM WRX is a better car but for some reason doesn't come with 4 pot brakes, instead they have sliding 2 pots!!!! If they have subaru written on them then either it's had an upgrade or it is a EU/Cyprus/Malta import
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15 January 2007, 06:26 PM
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insurance will need notifying aswell if it turns out to be a jdm
kips
kips
16 January 2007, 04:42 PM
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Pics
Ok, here are some pics of the engine bay, please analyse and tell me what you think...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image022.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image020.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image019.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image022.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image020.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56...8/Image019.jpg
16 January 2007, 04:51 PM
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Am I right in thinking that all Imprezas - be them JDM or UKDM or what have you - are built in Japan anyway? If thats the case I wouldn't worry about a bit of Japanese on the VIN plate. Does the car have a rear wiper? If it has thats normally a quick way of confirming that its a JDM car 
16 January 2007, 04:51 PM
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16 January 2007, 05:47 PM
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16 January 2007, 07:11 PM
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16 January 2007, 07:25 PM
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If car was orig from car supermarket it will almost certainly be from Cyprus but with exactly same spec as UK. A parallel import or something its called. Worth slightly less when u sell don't know why. Maybe cos it cost 3-4 k less when new. These are the ones currently selling £15k for new Hawkeye at supermarkets.
16 January 2007, 07:30 PM
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My JDM WRX has a rear wiper, flare in the foot well and no rear spoiler. Did have two pots until I fitted Sti Brembos.
Best car I've ever owned - and it doesn't shout 'nick me', apart from the gold Sti alloys!
I reckon it looks much better without the spoiler.
Howard
Best car I've ever owned - and it doesn't shout 'nick me', apart from the gold Sti alloys!
I reckon it looks much better without the spoiler.
Howard
