hi,a little question 4 u all,basically im going to be buying an impreza wrx sumtime this month (classic style)..however im not surew wether to buy a uk model or import cud anybody let me kno of any problems with buying imports and let me kno of any suggestions u have
cheers

 

Well if you buy a classic wrx it will be an import as there is no such thing as a uk wrx in that shape.

 

Check your insurance first, if you are young(ish) you may find that the UK car is a cheaper option over the WRX, though the WRX's come with a better specification equipment wise and have slightly more power, the extra premium may not make it worthwhile going for the import over the UK car (and also check on running costs, 6 month service intervals and major services every 2 and 3 years can cost you 4-600 quid a shot).

Tony

 

are the classic sti models uk or are all of them imports also.thnks for the replies as im only new to the scooby scene and only 18 so cud do with the help

 

Classic STi's are all JDM cars, the only STi that the UK got (properly) was the 22B, and we only had 16 of those but check your insurance, you may not get insured on an import at all as they are all group 20, UK cars are group 17 so slightly cheaper, but note that most of the current hot hatches are nearly as quick if not as quick as the early WRX and UK cars and a damn sight cheaper to run

Tony

 

All classic shape wrx, sti, type R and RA are all jap imports. UK cars are called turbo 2000.

 

Tony.

These young upstart GTi's are as quick as my old STi no way!

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1084300/sub2.JPG

Agreed that an 18yr old should probably not darken the door of a STi due to high insurance & high running costs. This chap is a bricklayer though (checked his username) so may be loaded!

TX.

 

I went for the uk model after seeing a few of my mates buy imports, 30k genuine miles honest mate, only to see them blow up a few months later. You just dont know how they have been driven, serviced, maintained etc, i would say they are a clockers favorite. Ive got a year 2000 model and have made a few changes so the power difference is not that great now, plus i have every bill from new, every mot and the full subaru history and no problems so far.

 

You may not know how a Uk car has been driven though.
Is a car with full service history better then one without as it may have been serviced regularly but still could have been driven by a Colin McRae wannabee and thrashed at every moment.

I've had my import for 4 years(only thing to be changed was the idlers,cambelt tensioner and cambelt but this could happen to any car) and hasn't missed a beat.

 

hmmmm decisions decisions...im thinking i may have to look 4 a uk turbo instead of imports ....the trouble with some imports is that they are limited to around 112 mph arent they??

 

I said early wrx's and uk cars

Tony

 

I went down the route of buying a uk turbo as cheaper on insurance and after one of scott t's chips and a decat exhaust i nail the wrx's so more power and cheaper insurance bargain i say

 

tbh i think he's going to be screwed on insurance as he's only 18.

 

And why do you need to do more than 112mph

Which ever version you go for you will enjoy it

 

ive had two uk wagon turbo 2000 cars and imported 4 imprezas, type ra, sti 555 etc etc and all of which were mint for age and sound mechanically...just do your homework and you will be ok..........take someone with you that knows the cars and you should be ok. just as safe as buying a uk car and wont have the same amount of weather damage neither !!!! jdm all the way !!!!!!!!!!

 

unless you have lots of £££ for insurance, i wouldnt even consider a wrx or sti. you will really struggle for any sort of sense insurance wise.

uk turbo will be a struggle too because of your age. but search round for insurance first. dont make the mistake of others...

only example was a gentleman on here named Multijfj. he was 18 and had a lovely newage sti. but most of his earnings went on insurance and running if i remember. he was prepared to pay it, but his insurance was 1000s and 1000s.

 

UK car everytime

In the past you had to settle for an Import as there weren't enough UK cars to fill demand ...... these days you do not have to settle for anything less than a Bona-fide UK car

 

got 1 of each ( UK Turbo 2000 and 96 Jap WRX ).......................Personally find the Import far better power wise but the Turbo 2000 more comfy wise

 

At 18 years of age I think you will struggle with insurance, the UK will definitely be cheaper over the import WRX. Later, when you've got a few years driving under your belt and hopefully some no claims bonus then try the real thing, a bona-fide STI import.

 

...and the effect of the mods on your insurance was....?

 

UK 2000 turbos are slow and have a crap spec.
IMHO obviously

 

My thoughts too bud...
all you need is full zorst system and a remap.

 

Fair point