Hi,

I'm a newbie here and hope to get my first scooby soon.

I know my question is a little bit boring and noob but I'm really in a dilemma at the moment so hope you guys can help me out with your expertise.

My budget is around 12-13k and I've got two options.

1. Nicely maintained modified MY04 STi JDM, 2003 V-Limited edition. About 360bhp and really low mileage.

2. MY05/06/probably even 07/ STi UKDM, standard or with light mods.

They are about the same price so I'm really confused now.

Performance wise I know the JDM one will be better. (dunno if it's better in low end torque compare to 2.5Ltr hawkeye). However the Hawkeye STi is newer, bigger size engine.

p.s. I don't think I will keep the car for over 2 yrs so I also need to think about the after sale issue (depreciation and stuff like that). Please help! Any advises will be highly appreciated!

 

id say buy the hawkeye, its newer and with light mods already fitted (exhaust, fuel pump, air filter) and with a remap you can take it up to 360 too, alot more torque too

 

If it's an 04 plate and imported in 04 the tax will be £210.

The Hawkeye will be £400. The rates are frozen at the mo so make hay while the sun shines.

The Blobeye JDM is better specced, rear wiper, elec folding mirrors, rear tints and a much more "focused" car than the UK version. You'll get 360 bhp from the UK STi but will have to spend. You say the JDM is already there.

As for resale, it's crap for all cars but the rarity and the specific market for JDM may help in the future.

 

Thanks Juicep1 and Blue Dragoon..

It's a really tough decision for me..

 

I know right now it's really hard for car selling in the market..I'm still struggling to sell my Civic Type-R..

So you reckon the JDM will be better for resale even it's older don't you?

Again thanks for your reply..

 

I agree with Blue dragon but agree it's a Toughie, close call

but as your first scoob, If i was you i'd go for the newer hawkeye as

1) I prefer Hawkeye looks
2) still warranty left
3) Age and millage is everything

Down side TAX if that goes ahead??

I actually would buy the JDM

IIRC IMHO

Tony

 

The tax issue - aren't some early hawkeye STIs in the lower tax bracket - at least for the time being?

Personally, blobeyes are my least favorite of the newage cars so I would go for the UK car. If its an 04STI even though its JDM it won't have the wider rear track - AFAIK anyway.

 

They will both drive differently, so your best bet is to try both and see which you prefer.

 

What's the major difference between them? driving wise..

 

Shorter ratios on the JDM gear box & a quick rack with the steering, think there may be some suspension differences too.


Power delivery will be different too. JDM is a 2 litre with a twin scroll turbo and equal length headers and a maniacal rev limit. UKDM is a 2.5 with a lower limit and the power curve will be different.

 

Thanks.

I assume the 2.5 Ltr UKDM one will be smoother at low end and bigger torque meanwhile the 2 Ltr JDM one gives you more boosts when the turbo kicks in?

 

The JDM is no torque slouch, it provides 80%@2500rpm which is pretty impressive for a 2ltr, also its twin scroll power delivery isnt nothing to everything, its very smooth in the way it drives, more like a V6 car, but its more revtastic over the 2.5 with an 8k redline

Tony

 

as in the JDM is better

 

or even a supercharged car, very smooth from low revs right to the top.

 

Thanks Tony it really helps..
It looks like I should get the JDM one as it's performance and low depreciation even it's older...

 

i have a 2003 sti jdm with approx 350 bhp and i think its great, if its your first impreza it prob wont matter which you go for you will like it anyway!

 

Don't worry Ryan, not a tough decision at all. If you yourself drive drive both cars, I would be pretty certain you would pick the jdm. The jdm has a better engine...., better stronger internal components. That's why that engine was used by Prodrive as a base for building rally car engines. The 2.5 UK car will sting you in tax, as someone else has mentioned. I have had 7 Impreza's, and I always went out and drove them myself so I knew exactly without any doubt what they felt like to drive. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks GREGGYG..
The only concern I had was the JDM one is a little bit old and I was worried about the resale problem due to its age.
I think I can make my decision now..

Again thanks for all your replies and I'm super impressed by this forum which is filled with warmhearted people.

 

Cheers mate, like you said I think I will enjoy either of them no matter what but it's always nice to pick the better one at the first time isn't it..

 

Oh and speak to Moley at Keith Michaels about insurance

 

Thanks for the tip mate..
I will try KM and A-Plan and other specialists to get the best quote.

 

My old Leggy WR Ltd GT Spec B. Twin scroll 2.0l. Scared the pooh out of some big German metal. Now for sale in Litcho's.

 

i would say jdm all the way, but then i am a bit biased

The twin-scroll set up on the jdm is fantastic - really quick to come on boost, and with the higher rev-limit it's really easy to drive.

Oh and go for Chystal Grey - the best colour

blatant excuse for pics . . .

 

no, I think you'll find Blue is the best

 

I have had my 2005 Blobeye STI JDM for 2 months now and it is without a doubt the best car I have ever had. It's got grunt in bucketfuls, handles brilliantly and looks the dogs.

I managed to get one less than 3 yrs old (not even had 1st MOT) 22,000 miles on the clock for £10K. A lot of car for the money IMO.

Re Insurance - I agree with Milamber. I wasted a ridiculous amount of time trying to find insurance for it by looking for Jap import specialists on Google. Most of them tell white lies. You fill in their form online or speak to someone and go through the rigmarole of giving them all your details and then they ask whether it is a Type UK 300??!!!!

Save yourselves a lot of time and go straight to Keith Michaels. They really ARE experts with Jap Imports and give a great price too. incidentally - for me the only other company that came close was Swinton, but am not convinced they were quoting the right car.

 

not bad for a blue one

you're much better with the camera than me

 

my old one was silver

 

You guys all make me freaking jealous.. what cracking cars you have..!
So sad I need to wait for few weeks...

 

forgot to say that with the JDM you won't be able to start the car unless your foot is on the clutch, you get HID's as standard and you get a really annoying/endearing beep beep noise to tell you it's in reverse

If you have 2 cars and one of them has a reverse parking sensor I BET you'll be reversing in the scoob one day and forget that it's not a sensor...... woops

 

How did you manage to get a 3 yrs old JDM for £10k?! It's a big big bargain I have to say..