tomac78

Hi, this is my very first time on this message board, and from reading through the various threads everyone seems really nice and helpful!

I was wondering if you could help me out with some queries Ive got:

Iam looking to buying my first Impreza in January/Feb time, and Iam a little confused by the models and country differences out there. Here goes

1. Please can you tell me the difference between a standard Impreza Turbo and a WRX version? Are they more powerful etc? Also is the WRX STI versions even more expensive/higher performing?, with STI internals on the engine etc?

2. Are there a lot of differences between the UK Turbo / WRXs and the Japanese Turbo / WRXs? I have seen '98 (I think) Impreza Turbos WRX's in my local area with large green WRX stickers on the back of the car (in the center under the boot) - are these Japanese or UK models or both? Sorry to sound stupid but Iam really not too sure! -Iam pretty sure they are offical stickers as I remember seeing them in magazine adverts etc.

3. I thought I had it figured (model wise), then rear spoliers come into it. What I thought was UK models both can have the larger rear spoiler (not P1 size just larger than normal), and also the flat style. Are these different year cars, or Japanese imports with the larger spoliers or 3rd party upgrades?

Again Iam sorry for being vague, but iam very confused - is there an easy way to tell if its a UK or Japanese car and what model it is?


Finally, would you recommend going for an import or UK car? Iam 23 years old, so insurance is sure to be higher on imports?

Thanks VERY much for reading through all that lot - I hope it makes sence and that you can help me! Please!


Paul

chrisp

Hi and welcome to the mad house

We can but try []

Upto 2000 models (pre facelift) WRX and STi were Japanese cars only (except the Austrialians had a WRX which was the same as our UK edition "ish"). To find out power for each year best to read the sidc faq www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm IMHO every impreza owner should read it.

As above only the new shape 2001 model was called WRX in the UK. BTW the UK WRX is 215bhp.

A lot of after market spoiler have been fitted. The UK model went from flat in 1998 to higher in 1999. The P1 and 22B type UK had bigger spoliers.


The faq is the place to start as I have probably just confused you even more .

Cheers

Chrisp



Paul

Chris L

Hi Paul

Welcome to the board. Your questions are fairly typical. When you've been involved with Impreza's for a little while you'll get to know them!

In answer to your questions:

1) Biggest difference is power. Standard UK cars are quoted at 208 or 215 BHP (the exception is the P1 quoted at around 270 BHP). In practice engine outputs vary and many UK cars will produce considerably more than their standard quoted figures. Up until the new UK model was released, WRX used to mean 'import' i.e. Japanese spec. To confuse things they now call the new model the 'WRX Impreza' - so that has blown that out of the water

2) Main difference? See 1 Also Jap spec cars have tended to come with different suspension setups (i.e. for the more forgiving smooth Japanese roads), little extras like automatic aircon and adjustable centre diffs. There are also special editions such as the Type RA's that take things even further - many engines will produce 300 BHP. Beware that Japanese cars are setup to run on 100 RON super unleaded. Therefore you are wise to run a Jap spec car in the UK on Superunleaded (97 RON) plus an octane booster.

3) Spoilers vary - both UK and Jap spec cars can have high and low spoilers. Also consider that many are changed by owners - simply personal choice.

If you are serious about buying one - go and speak to your local dealer - take a few out for a test drive before you make a decision. If warranties are important to you, go for a UK model, if not consider a Jap import. Be warned insurance ain't cheap and you will need a full Cat1 alarm and probably a tracker device as well. Get some quotes before you start seriously looking as you might get a nasty shock!

I'm sure you'll get more detailed replies, but I hope this gives you a start.

I think Chris p has hit the nail on the head - have a look at www.sidc.co.uk for more details

Cheers
Chris


[Edited by Chris L - 12/12/2001 9:51:33 PM]

tomac78

Thanks guys - very helpful..

Ive got one quote for a UK WRX 2000 and it was fully comp at £1300, from www.elephant.co.uk. Iam sure an import would be much more though..

Now that I know WRX around 1998 were all imports I may stay away until Iam older.

As for imports, do spealist dealers who sell them offer warranties etc?

Thanks again!

Paul

tomac78

BTW: I ment stay away from WRXs not Imprezas!

stiscooby

As far as your insurance goes, I am also 23 and looking at getting my first scoob, the best quote I have got so far is around £2300! thats with 3 years NCD and that was for a 1996 WRX STI - from Tesco's but they did require a tracker.

rob oneill

Try Privelege.
Im 24 with full NCB and pay £1300 on a 93 WRX with a few mods. I know the value is lower than you are looking at but I think you could do better than £2000 plus on an import.

chrisp

Yep some imports offer warranties but again there are good and bad. I had UK impreza and there are very good and quick and decided to by an import and it the same just a bit quicker . Insurance is big even with FNCB and I would leave it till you have FNCB before even thinking about an STI.

There are plenty of mods out there for the UK model to make it go quicker if you are so inclined.

cheers

chris

Deep Blue Mica

Welcome to The Wonderful World of Scoobies!

Go for a UK Turbo(servicing and resale of the Jap imports can be a problem, with insurance being hefty too) with some warranty left.....standard, unmodded car is safest to begin with until you learn more and find your feet.....and try Tesco Insurance..very competitive indeed!

I'll even let you drive mine if you wish.....honest!

Good Luck....you'll never regret buying a Scoob......DO IT!

Cheers
DBM

Tractor

Welcome fellow enthusiast - you will find everything you want here - it is undoubtedly the greatest Impreza resource on the net!

My 10ps worth - if you are concerned about specialist servicing, higher insurance, and the need for SUL, and thus want to buy a UK car, DO NOT TEST DRIVE AN STI!!!!!!!!!

I made that mistake. I am now on my third scoob - how many of them have been UK cars do you reckon?

Power corrupts.......

tomac78

Cheers guys for your help and messages - Iam going around a few places this weekend..

mirAGE

Hi there,
I have had a scoob for a year now - 00MY UK Turbo, Just about to go for a P1, Will be 24 in Jan and I have been paying 1461 with Barclays, thats Fully comp with Glass / Audio / 100 Excess + Girly who is 23 also, For a P1 it's only an extra 366.....

And do it - you will never regret it, Given the time of year that's coming up - make sure you go riding in the white stuff with the ABS fuse in your pocket... But thats another reason to own one !

mattski2

hi and welcome

you'll really enjoy it here... great bunch of peeps and really addictive in a scoobynet-when-you-should-be-working kinda way

anyway... you will pay more insurance (and potentially servicing) with an import, oh and Suburu UK won't touch imports but Mitsubishi will do Evo's... swines!

Insurance-wise I've just had the tough choice of an Evo 4/5/6 or an Impreza (import and UK) and shopped around for insurance. Tesco was the cheapest (for me) at about £1350, I am 28 have no NCB (company policies) and an SP50.

Evo 4/5/6 fully comp where about £2000 whereas an imported Impreza (STi 5) was about £1700. A UK RB5 (with mods) was only £1350 or so (including some mods). (all need Cat 1 + tracker)

Whatever you get you will really love but remember you need to run imports (and UK's really do benefit) on Super Unleaded petrol... that adds up!

ta,
Matt

tomac78

Again - thanks very much, all of you!


From reading what youve said, I think a UK Impreza Turbo is definetly the best way to go for my first scooby!

Insurance is not a problem, just finding one at the right price will be I think!

I'll report back over the weekend to tell you my findings..


Wish me luck...
Paul

mirAGE

LUCK !!!!!

MichelleWRX1994

Hi and welcome to the board.....

I can only reinforce the above comments I can't really add much more without repeating anything already written.......

Good luck on scoob hunting

Regards

Michelle