MY08 STI - JDM or Type UK? Please discuss!
#1
MY08 STI - JDM or Type UK? Please discuss!
Here's a good one for you all! I need a 2nd opinion on this. I've driven both & can't decide.
There must be some of you out there who, like me, have driven both the UK STI & the JDM version and I want to compare notes.
Many thanks in advance.
There must be some of you out there who, like me, have driven both the UK STI & the JDM version and I want to compare notes.
Many thanks in advance.
#5
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Testdrove the jdm & bought the uk sti 2.5 litre
jdm was ok i suppose, but the uk car had a few more gadgets than the jdm & plus i wanted a full dealer warrenty and not some dodgy company offering to give a full warrenty.
ok jdm engine is the 2.0 and has a better build but i wanted the 2.5 block just for more torque once its mapped even though power will be limited at 400bhp but dont need anymore than that
+ insurance was cheaper and it has a tracker fitted to it with a thatcham cat 1 alarm
jdm was ok i suppose, but the uk car had a few more gadgets than the jdm & plus i wanted a full dealer warrenty and not some dodgy company offering to give a full warrenty.
ok jdm engine is the 2.0 and has a better build but i wanted the 2.5 block just for more torque once its mapped even though power will be limited at 400bhp but dont need anymore than that
+ insurance was cheaper and it has a tracker fitted to it with a thatcham cat 1 alarm
#6
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JDM = 2.0ltr
UK/EU = 2.5ltr
IIRC
UK STi = Standard Spec
EU 2 specs possible & optional extras list
EU Sti = Standard Spec
EU STi Top Spec or sport Pack = with Recaros, 18"s, privacy, Sat Nav, push button start, folding heated mirrors etc
JDM = with Recaros, quick rack, privacy, equal headers, push button start, folding mirrors etc but as with JDM most things are an optional extras so depends if "Ordered" or bought ready imported to a spec.
UK STi 330S will be a "Top Spec" version
IIRC they do come with 12months Warranty and Tracker
i've driven the JDM, EU & UK, all in "off the Peg" and a few "tweaked" very little to choose between them, IMHo i don't think I'd ever buy one without 18"s
here are my marks out of ten
UK with 17's 4 out 10
UK with 18's 6 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's 7 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 8 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18"s 8.5 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 9 out 10
All cars handled quite well(bar 17"s) but they all have very compliant suspension. To which suspension improvents can be made without compromising comfort to much, even coilovers felt like just "Spring" upgrades. I'd want coilovers and upgrade all suspension bushes.
All cars are IMHO far too heavily power assisted during medium speeds yet the JDM didn't seem that bad, maybe due to the "Quicker rack" in it.
The JDM engine was more powerful as STD than the UK/JDM,
The 17" base spec UK didn't represent GVFM compared to simular/cheaper price of the 19" EU Top spec (although this was 2007 prices)
IIRC IMHO
Tony
UK/EU = 2.5ltr
UK STi = Standard Spec
EU 2 specs possible & optional extras list
EU Sti = Standard Spec
EU STi Top Spec or sport Pack = with Recaros, 18"s, privacy, Sat Nav, push button start, folding heated mirrors etc
JDM = with Recaros, quick rack, privacy, equal headers, push button start, folding mirrors etc but as with JDM most things are an optional extras so depends if "Ordered" or bought ready imported to a spec.
UK STi 330S will be a "Top Spec" version
IIRC they do come with 12months Warranty and Tracker
i've driven the JDM, EU & UK, all in "off the Peg" and a few "tweaked" very little to choose between them, IMHo i don't think I'd ever buy one without 18"s
here are my marks out of ten
UK with 17's 4 out 10
UK with 18's 6 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's 7 out 10
EU (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 8 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18"s 8.5 out 10
JDM (topspec) with 18's handling & power tweak 9 out 10
All cars handled quite well(bar 17"s) but they all have very compliant suspension. To which suspension improvents can be made without compromising comfort to much, even coilovers felt like just "Spring" upgrades. I'd want coilovers and upgrade all suspension bushes.
All cars are IMHO far too heavily power assisted during medium speeds yet the JDM didn't seem that bad, maybe due to the "Quicker rack" in it.
The JDM engine was more powerful as STD than the UK/JDM,
The 17" base spec UK didn't represent GVFM compared to simular/cheaper price of the 19" EU Top spec (although this was 2007 prices)
IIRC IMHO
Tony
Last edited by T5NYW; 25 September 2008 at 06:55 PM.
#7
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Not driven the MY08 but did drive the hawkeye UK and JDM and as standard/or at a low level of tune the 2.5ltr engine is better IMHO. I was willing to sacarfice the rear wiper for the extra torque and virtually zero lag
You will get very bias views on here as the party line is "JDM all the way even though I don't really know what I am talking about". Truth is the JDM does get a slightly better build but that does not necessarily make it the better drive depending on what you want from it of course.
EDIT: the party line was more valid to the classic and hence where the attitude originated.
You will get very bias views on here as the party line is "JDM all the way even though I don't really know what I am talking about". Truth is the JDM does get a slightly better build but that does not necessarily make it the better drive depending on what you want from it of course.
EDIT: the party line was more valid to the classic and hence where the attitude originated.
Last edited by Mikkel; 25 September 2008 at 07:50 PM.
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#8
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IIRC IMHO
Tony
#9
All Litchfield supplied cars come with a 3 year warranty, not sure about PCM but I would also expect some kind of warranty there also.
JDM car would be the easier to get to 400bhp and the safer once there.
This whole JDM vs UK thing has been done to death anyway. JDM is the better car. Simple as, end of.
This whole JDM vs UK thing has been done to death anyway. JDM is the better car. Simple as, end of.
#11
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You will get very bias views on here as the party line is "JDM all the way even though I don't really know what I am talking about". Truth is the JDM does get a slightly better build but that does not necessarily make it the better drive depending on what you want from it of course..
So here are my 12 "Internet" or "UK salesman" myths about JDM' compared to UK Scoobs
1) you can mod an expensive UK and Mod it and still kee the 3 year warranty
2) if you mod a UK by a £1K you'll be at the same place as if you modded a JDM with £1K
3) JDM's are far more expensive to Insure unlike a UK
4) JDM's have No Warranty(12months) unlike a UK
5) JDM's have aftersales service unlike a UK
6) JDM's are harder to service or repair unlike a UK
7) JDM's are more expensive to repair unlike a UK
8) JDM's have not got Cat 1 security unlike a UK
9) JDM's have not got a tracker fitted unlike a UK
10) JDM's totally uncomfortable to drive unlike a UK
11) JDM's are only slightly better (they've never been in one to compare)
12) Harder to sell a JDM unlike a UK, sorry all scoobs are hard to sell
IMHO IIRC
Tony
Last edited by T5NYW; 26 September 2008 at 05:25 AM.
#12
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I had the same dilema.
After weeks of consideration i went for top spec EU and i am very pleased with my purchase.
JDM at the time of me buying did not tick the boxes and spec wise there was no competition.
Good luck
After weeks of consideration i went for top spec EU and i am very pleased with my purchase.
JDM at the time of me buying did not tick the boxes and spec wise there was no competition.
Good luck
#14
She's running well at the moment though. Fitted a front mount not so long ago along with a few other mods. Made 353bhp with the standard exhaust still on.
Seriously though, I have been meaning to post some pics up. I'll have to get round to it.