UK vs JDM Impreza STi

Mk4sup

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Hi everybody

I know this has probably been covered many times and on paper the jdm is a much better spec but I wanted to see if anyone on here has actually experienced both models? If so is it worth the extra few grand to bring in a jdm?

thanks!
 

Sonny

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Yes if you don't mind the loss of the burble. Very unlikely for it to be rotting away underneath too.

This is my JDM.

DSC_0618.jpg
 

Lappintyre

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Yes, I had a 2002 UK STI prodrive many years ago, in around 2004 IIRC, a very good car at the time.

In around 2012 I then had a 2002 JDM STI (image in my avatar <), found it much more aggressive all round.

Having the option to have either of them again, it would be the JDM all day long.
 

Eager

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Your issue is most uk could be suffering rust, often hidden underneath.
the 2.5 U.K. hawkeye is meant to be weak but the jdm is supposedly much stronger.
 

Neil_M

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I've experienced and driven both quite a bit. I owned an 2004 JDM STI and a mate had an 2005 UK STI (PPP), so a good comparison.

In short both are awesome fun machines, a bit like any rally rep.

However the JDM machine, really is worth a few grand extra in my opinion. Unless you are going to tune the life out of it.

The JDM is a much sharper, responsive tool. Engine internals, turbo, faster steering, shorter gearing, tweaked suspension etc.

The engine itself, felt like a massive move on over the UK car. Revs much harder and higher, it was less old school in it's power delivery etc.

I had mine mapped by Andy Forrest to 333 odd brake, which transformed it even more (mid range and all round response) and adjustable boost. The drive home was probably one of my favourite ever road runs.

I drove mine daily, so it coped with the M2 commute no problem... I found it very comfortable. The gear shift can be heavy.

There's a wee thread on mine - My 2004 JDM Impreza WRX STI
 

Mk4sup

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Mk4sup
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That was a great read Neil- had a chuckle at your headlight washer “fix”. I think as rust is a major concern the extra few grand is money well spent on an import.
 

Neil_M

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That was a great read Neil- had a chuckle at your headlight washer “fix”. I think as rust is a major concern the extra few grand is money well spent on an import.

I do remember the MOT tester having a laugh at it too.

He did query how long it was going to stay on for :monkey:.
 

Eager

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Always worth getting any of these mapped be it uk or JDM. Makes them drive better and safer. A poster/member on here has a good reputation for that, bludgod or something is his username. Andy forest too is great but over in Scotland I think, he might do the odd trip over here tho
 

brendy7

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Always worth getting any of these mapped be it uk or JDM. Makes them drive better and safer. A poster/member on here has a good reputation for that, bludgod or something is his username. Andy forest too is great but over in Scotland I think, he might do the odd trip over here tho

Bludgod mapped mine couple months back made a great job of it now just to get a bigger turbo and get it back to him for more power lol
 

RComms

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Just out of sheer curiosity, is it possible to put unequal length headers on JDM? I was flirting with the idea of another impreza 6 months ago, and as sad as it was, the loss of the flat four burble on the JDM's seemed abit of a shame.
 

Artoir

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Always worth getting any of these mapped be it uk or JDM. Makes them drive better and safer. A poster/member on here has a good reputation for that, bludgod or something is his username. Andy forest too is great but over in Scotland I think, he might do the odd trip over here tho

Davy Murray in Hilltown has Andy over fairly regularly.

I bought an 05 UK STI PPP out of England a few years back (think there’s a thread on here) and it was superb. Mapped to 330ish and went like stink. Decently fast in a straight line but on the back roads is where it shines really. I had it on the Dundrod loop a few times a week at night, always amazed me how much mechanical grip they have on standard suspension with good geometry set. Definitely far beyond my own capabilities.

I think I paid £5k for it (FSH, 60k on the clock) spent about £1k sorting a burnt valve and then sold for £6.5k with 75k miles. Definitely one I regret selling.
 

Burt2000

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JDM car as said is just a bit more aggressive all round and would be a stronger all round unit. The main thing is most UK cars unless they have been kept away feom salt might be felling the effects of tin worm so an import is worth it for that reason alone. The thing is import price and have went through the roof recently for some reason. Up by about 30% in the last few months, the likes of a classic type r or other limited editions grade 3+ Would easily be £20k landed and mint ones at least a few k more. Not sure if newage have followed the trend but anything JDM these days seems to be a fortune to import, you might get better luck finding one that’s already in the country
 

Mk4sup

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What do everyone think of jdm values, 02-05 MY? I’m trying to decide whether makes sense financially to import one and whether I’d get my money back If I decide to sell in a few yrs. hardly ever see jdm Imprezas for sale so it’s hard to judge.
 

Neil_M

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What do everyone think of jdm values, 02-05 MY? I’m trying to decide whether makes sense financially to import one and whether I’d get my money back If I decide to sell in a few yrs. hardly ever see jdm Imprezas for sale so it’s hard to judge.

I'd say at ~ £13k they are probably a safe enough place to put your money.

It's a little young to rocket money wise IMHO.
 

Crow555

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What do everyone think of jdm values, 02-05 MY? I’m trying to decide whether makes sense financially to import one and whether I’d get my money back If I decide to sell in a few yrs. hardly ever see jdm Imprezas for sale so it’s hard to judge.
I can't really speak for Imprezas (I really want a GC8 type R but values have rocketed in the last few months) but newage imports should be a good place to invest, especially if it's a JDM special like a Spec C or S20x model, although you're approaching £20k for those by now I'm guessing.

The other aspect is that the Yen rate isn't fantastic at the moment either, but probably won't improve anytime sooner either.

 

Burt2000

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If you buy a good car that crash and rust free you will easily hold your money or make on it in a few years time. Once they hit about 20 year old they seem to appreciate more in value. The hard bit is getting one over here from Japan without spending big dough now what with the exchange rate and all of the taxes and duty etc to pay when it comes off the boat.
 

Mk4sup

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Mk4sup
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It’s been a while since the exchange rate has been significantly lower. It’s the actually selling price which has went up considerably in the last 6 mths for whatever reason.
Im just finding it hard putting my faith entirely in a company to buy a car from other side of the world!
 

Crow555

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I used Torque GT simply because they have a good reputation for getting good examples. The pros are they do all the legwork for you, all you have to do is insure it and you're good to go. The downside is it's a bit dearer than doing it yourself. Hurst Cars (not to be confused with Charles Hurst here) also have a good reputation for Subaru.
 

Mk4sup

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Mk4sup
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Yea been keeping an eye on hursts for a good blob to come up, pros with them are they come fully serviced and cambelt change etc. I’d request Torque do that anyway I suppose. Just out of curiosity did you have any unexpected bills with torque? Ie once it was landed?
 

Burt2000

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Just be careful with hursts, they aren’t all good stories from there. If you want top quality Harlow Jap autos are brilliant, their stuff is dear but it’s top class, guy Francis specialist cars is a small outfit but he also buys great stuff. Whatever you decide do a Car VX check before you buy, it’s worth the $20. Patrick at JDM auction watch is a great importer and will find you a good car, you can register on the site and see what’s going through the auctions. Or if you want to buy off a car dealer in Japan, Goo net exchange is like their auto trader. You prob already know that though of you’ On the hunt for one.

Some of the hammer prices for Subaru’s recently are mental, 7 million yen for a type r last week although it did have less than 10k miles but it would be a 70k odd car landed in the UK!
 
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