TIM WRX

I notice that the majority of people on this board are owners of UK Scoobys but that everyone seems to have upgraded engines and exhausts etc. Why didn't you just buy an imported WRX?

Before you come up with myths, please lets me dispel some:
1. It is very easy to ensure that the car you are buying is not stolen imported.
2. Insurance is only more if you don't shop around and speak to all the specialist brokers, I pay £760 with only 2 years NCB.
3. Every dealer I've ever been to has always been prepared to service my WRX.

But the key fact is that it absolutely creams all the UK cars with an extra 70+BHP, for the same price.

It just doesn't make sense to buy a UK Scoob, please explain..

NotoriousREV

Tim, which insurance company do you use, I'm currently insurance shopping

Oh, and I agree, I specifically want a WRX rather than a UK car.

SiPie

Not an expert on the subject but have heard of a few engines blowing due to people trying to run the imported STI's on normal unleaded petrol.
No undersealing on the imported cars.
Suupension set up terrible for uk b roads.
Huge number of insurance companies now refusing to insure jap imports and if they do then I was offered a 40% increase in premium (which they said would reduce after the first year).
Initial hassle with radio retriction/speed limiter and stupid bolt on fog lights.
Recently seen mate have huge trouble with imported MR2, lamba sensor trouble when it came to MOT time...
Oh and my local Subaru dealer won't touch imports.
Any specialist importer in my area charges huge premium on initial car then see what you get if you try to trade it against another import.
PS Ran an imported prelude 2.2si for over a year and local honda dealers also charged extra servicing fee along with a possible 2 week wait for any parts due to engine never being officially available in uk. Only Japan, US nad Belgium!
I fuly appreciate that with Subaru it's a bit different as there are so many specialists available to look after imports but in certain areas (especially in Scotland) these are few and far between.
Hence I chose a uk spec and modded it.....
These are only my opinions and no doubt some have been formed through ignorance.
Extra horse power would be nice though...!

fivepint

HI Tim Ive run various imports b4 here in ireland and insurance is not an issue, parts are sometimes quite difficult to get though... my main reason for buying a uk spec scoob was the sheer lack of SUL here in Ireland, as most import owneres will say it would be lunacy to run a wrx on anything less (engine failures were rife at first)... also as ive been researching my scoobie purchase for years, it was always a UK spec scoob the mags/tv raved about first (sure the imports came in and everyone siad more power etc) but it was a Uk spec that made them notice... the scoobie is a complete package, power, control, amazing grip so why not buy a warranted car that with a few simple mods will put out 240-260bhp any way? BTW Ive nothing against imports and i do take ur point

Cheers

SCOTTSCOOBY

yeah the wrx is better it seem to have more extra's and just feels better and with the extra speed its far better!

Jolly Green Monster 2

Lived with an Import for 3years (not a Scooby mind) and got fed up with the insurance speel "Oh its an import" etc..
Wanted to get the cheapest insurance I could as had just bought house, got married and a daughter had arrived in the last 3years so rather than shopping around for a reasonable policy I wanted to shop around for a cheap one.

Had no problem getting it serviced just that the dealer knew nothing of what he was doing or saying.. suggested they order in a non-turbo exhaust system and offered it up to see if it fits..
he obviously knows lots about how a turbo works then.
Also parts were marked up even when they were the same as UK parts.

A friend imported a couple of cars direct from Japan herself and I could not believe the mark up Import dealers were adding, so refused to give them lots of cash, but didn't want to wait 3months for a car to come in on a boat.

Resale was a nightmare as I was restricted where I could part exchange it.. and I don't do private sale, I am too in patient

The main reason that got to me was that I lost so much money because they were rarer in 1997 when I bought it but come 2001 they were two a penny..

So I bought a UK Scooby... have no regrets in doing so either.

JGM

chrisp

insurance is more difficult and more expensive. The best quotes I got on my UK model woudnt touch an import. Of the insurance companies which would a lot wouldnt touch a Type RA as it just is not listed. Ended costing me 400 quid more than my UK. Try and get a quote for a Type RA for under a grand I did just .

Servicing yes officially dealers wont touch them but I have had two dealers who said they were sure they could do something for me. As it is mine goes to a specialist anyway.

Fuel economy a couple of mpg worse but that probably due to close ratio sports box.

Parts can be difficult but it seems its body panels are the most difficult to get hold of. Surprising how many shared components there are.

Toys, yes the specs are higher on imports. I did the UK thing and decided to go for import. I doubt I would want to go back to a normal UK or even one with a PPP. Even P1's now feel slow .


[Edited by chrisp - 5/15/2002 11:01:26 AM]

kwakman

It aint quite that easy Tim. Insurance for me on a modded 93 WRX was a nightmare to find, and in the end I had to fit some serious security and bung it in a garage b4 I could find a half decent quote.

None of my local dealers will go near my car, cos they all work off chassis numbers for bits and they dont recognise mine as it came from the land of the rising sun.

I really does need funny fuel, so build in the cost of feeding it Optimax.

My brother bought a UK Impreza because of all the above hassles. I have to say that for me the extra hassle is worth it. The extra power, the shorter gearing, the aluminium bits, the standard aircon, the better seats, the way it goes. All this for 5 grand - wicked. What I saved on the purchase price I spend on running it. Just beware that although its a cheap fast car, you'll struggle to run one on a shoestring.

Sipies point is interesting - I'd heard Jap cars were overly stiff for bumpy roads but I find my car brilliant on b-roads - its as if thats what it exists for. It has got firmer springs than my bro's uk, but not overly so. Maybe its just the STi's that have solid suspension?

[Edited by kwakman - 5/15/2002 11:09:07 AM]

Markus

Tim,
you are very lucky with the dealers then mate, because none of the dealers I have spoken to will service the car, but that's cool, I have a local jap car specalist who does a great job of looking after the car.

As for why not an import, well, one thing is that they should be run on 100 RON fuel to get the actual figures quoted, so we're talking Optimax plus Octane Booster, which is an additional expense, when you can run a UK car on 95 RON (ok, so I did use to run the beast on 95 RON fuel, but that was before the decat)

Everyone has reasons why they would/would not go for an import.

Dizzy

er 4 me it was insurance insurance insurance and I phoned about 10-20 companies my uk spec was half yes HALF the price.

er.. modding your telling me you havn't modded your WRX from OEM? I wonder how many people here have a completly "Standard" car (I know its been done 2 death).
Fuel is an issue aswell but also the history of the car. Also the UK's DO hold there values better.
Getting to a WRX performance isn't that tricky either beyond that your talking megabucks on both WRX and UK (ok sti's u can push harder but the are more expensive).
Now I'm older I probably would get an import (as I could probably afford the insurance) but I dont even know if I'd go the scoob route next time.

[edited coz o krap gramor]

[Edited by Dizzy - 5/15/2002 11:13:18 AM]

chrisp

Dizzy so you are no longer interested then in my non-standard WRX

Dizzy

NO WAY! pah who puts stinkin mods on the cars
yours is too slow (how about 75p?) and get rid o them gold alloys

[Edited by Dizzy - 5/15/2002 11:27:17 AM]

MichelleWRX1994

Imports I am in favour of

Insurance was expensive for me cos of my age. I set myself a target of £3k and if my insurance was over that I would not buy the car.
However, I managed to get insurance for £2500 Perseverance is the key, I phoned 45 insurance companies with responses like a snigger to outright laughter and £10,000 down to £2500

In terms of the car itself, I had to put on a sh1te load of security on it, but that bothered me not as I was intending to put a load on anyway. fortunately at the time my insurance company was doing a discount on having a Tracker. I paid £500 for the Tracker, I also got £500 discount off my insurance. BARGAIN My Cat 1 alarm and immobiliser was £300, discount off my insurance of £200

The garage I bought it off serviced it, undersealed it, gave me a decent warranty and a full tank of SUL
I am able to get my car waxoiled every year free of charge

I can't believe that people whinge about the suspension, it is a MYTH!!! I found the car was not stiff enough!!!! I have since put GAB suspension on and have got a very firm (if not a little oversteery now ) ride that suit me just fine.

Dealers would not touch the car, and understandeable too. Still, I am glad IM won't be getting any of my money from services etc as I have a specialist garage near me who do a cracking deal on servicing and other work
No problem getting parts either, in fact it is sometimes easier than getting parts for a UK model!!!!

I have no problems running it on SUL plus octane booster (avoiding Optimax though)

Overall, my WRX has more toys than a UK, more horsepower, it suits my driving in terms of ride and gear ratios.
I wouldn't buy a UK model back then and I won't buy one now.

That is my opinion I love my rex

Cheers,

Michelle.

TIM WRX

I don't understand what's supposed to be wrong with the suspension on B-roads, I think that's where it excels.

For insurance try Academy Insurance on 01784 461131 or www.academyinsurance.co.uk

LG John

Er, Michelle how old are you if you don't mind me asking. I know you should ask a women such questions but £2500

LG John

Hey sipi, your local. What does your scooby look like so I can add you to my 'must wave at' list?

Welcome - BTW

MichelleWRX1994

Saxo boy,

I was 21 when I first insured the scoob, clean license but zero NCB, unfortunately now I have points on my license

I am now 23

Tractor

Maybe its because I live in London, but I have never had problems with my Sti Type R.

Optimax is readily available, I can reach Scoobysport or Power Engineering easily, plus my local Subaru garage are happy to work on the car.

Insurance is no different to a UK car and it has full service history!!

The ride is firm, but with 17 inch wheels and the correct tyre pressures it is not overly so. And on the average B road it excels at roll-free cornering, adjustable balance (love that rear bias with the diff open ) and it grips like, well a very grippy thing. Its a real point and squirt car, just with a VERY big squirt.

Finally with just over a grands worth of exhaust and filter mods only, I have 313 Bhp, total reliability, and better fuel consumption (weird, must be due to easier engine breathing).

Would I ever buy a UK car? Well no, because to get one as quick as mine I would be paying daft insurance due to all the mods. Imports for me all the way!!!

All MHO of course

LG John

So let me get this straight: You drive a scooby.........your the same age as me...........you like Scotland.........and..........your female!

There IS a god

DanTheMan

Tim, I totally agree.....
my old 93WRX was no trouble insuring/servicing so after a few years I upgraded to an STi5 Type R
Its basically a P1 but faster and rarer and more toys and cheaper

gibbo_ireland

Yeah but does she like Saxos!!!!????

A Triffid

Also, the lady wrx driver knows all you boys are like sparrows. Hop on, Hop off !

SiPie

Saxo Boy

Sorry for not getting back sharper... Stay out in the sticks (nr Penicuik) way) daily commute to work to town centre.
Deep Mica blue 4 dr MY99.. quite standard apart from Swana exhaust (via Nobles and ITG filter).

What should I be looking out for in return (as if the name doesn't give it away...!)

SiPie

MichelleWRX1994

I used to like Saxos

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

I have an import and know where you're coming from, but not everyone is in the same position are they?

A lot of members on this bbs have imprezas as part of a company car scheme, and I'm sure theres alot of people on here buying brand spanking new with their own cash, wanting total dealer support and the piece of mind that brings.

Justin

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

LOL. I meant peace, not piece Anyway i'm sure they'll provide that if you ask nicely

LG John

Tisk, hop on hop off - LOL, I have the skill and attention to detail to keep my FWD Saxo is some very long power slides, what does that tell ya

Well I think it's cool michelle, most women I speak to get bored of my car chat very quickly Especially when I start on about scoobies.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Ok, lets put some import myths to rest shall we??
WRX's dont all have 70+ bhp on uk cars, most only have 10-30 max bhp, the earlier 92-94 wrx's pushed out 240ps (around 238bhp) on 100 ron fuel! a uk car will in standard form more often then not push 230bhp running sul or optimax and given the loss that makes it on par with said wrx
UK cars are not as tuneable as jap imports?? LOL! i think that if you ask Rich W about his 320bhp uk car with only 2k's worth of modifications and no doubt cheaper insurance than a 93 wrx it may prove that earlier uk cars are tuneable, even the later cars are
Dealers will service jap imports???
Nope, not unless they want to loose their francise with subaru UK.
Shorter gearing makes better car??
In some circumstances but how many wrx's will hit 167mph? i bet not many
Insurance is cheaper if you look around?
Sometimes true but a uk car will in theory always be cheaper than its grey counterpart (due to one being grp17 and the other grp20)
Jap cars have a higher spec?
Yep this is true, they have a/c as std as well as alloy bonnet and boot (plus some alloy suspension parts) but look at the cost if you break anything!
Grey imports suspension is too hard for uk b roads?
I think the only car this really affected was the 22B, most will bounce you around a little more and why in the end did the MY99/00 have sti suspension fitted for the uk market (i think im right there but not sure!)
Jap imports hold their value more?
errrrrrrm nope, you will loose much more over time with a Jap import than you will with a uk car, look at an MY99 sti5 with 23k on the clock, 27k new, 16k now, uk car is 21k new, 14k now (both dealer prices) 7k loss on uk and 11k on jap.

Its all horses for corses in the end but if you get your uk car up to 276bhp and leave your jap import at the same, the uk car will in the end be slightly quicker and cost you less to insure even though the uk car has (in some cases) a smaller yet more efficient turbo

Tony

Robertio

iTrader: (1)

Insurance was the problem for me despite what you say the best I could insure an Sti V4 for was 50% more than I was paying for a 2 year newer UK spec car (if where you stay is a high risk area then an import will be more to insure) Despite that I was all ready to change, until my spoiler got stolen, I then had to use the £600 set aside for the insurance increase to replace it [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

mega_stream

I was looking at an STi5 earlier this year, I got put off by people saying that they have had engine/piston problems on their imports, not a problem I've heard people mention with UK cars...

Saying that, if I saw a nice STi5/6 I would still seriously consider it if the car was right