Impreza WRX STI V5 as a daily.
Discussion
I’m seriously looking at importing a WRX STI V5 and want to know what it would be like as a daily. I’m aware that they are 20 years old and I will have it under sealed as part of the import process but what issues am I likely to encounter using it as a daily in all weathers?
Also will it be reliable?
Thanks all. 👍🏻
Also will it be reliable?
Thanks all. 👍🏻
Whilst not an STi my '98 UK2000 Turbo (Terzo) is my daily and has been for 5 years now and before that 2 more Classics. Between them ignoring tyres fluids and oils etc. they've needed 2 rear wheel bearings a water pump, a radiator and 2 hoses which I think is incredible. Just buy one!
I would say it depends on your mileage. I have had two classics (the current one is an STI 6 Wagon) and have personally come to the conclusion they're much better enjoyed as occasional use cars. I ran my previous UK turbo as a daily and that was costly what with low 20s mpg, 3k mile oil changes and a few age related niggles! For the age of them though I'd say they are reliable if serviced properly, driven sympathetically and not stupidly modified. Some of the costs can of course be negated if you do all your own servicing, which I don't.
If you do decide to run one year round, make sure it really is properly under-sealed if you want it to last.
If you do decide to run one year round, make sure it really is properly under-sealed if you want it to last.
Edited by PWeston on Sunday 11th February 17:57
I've got a V5 Type R that i used daily. It's fine. The gearing on the Type R is crap for motorway but it works.
The STi is a bit better. If you use a good company I don't see any reason not to import 1. Most already here need rust work. Defo get it undersealed properly. There was one on a subaru page on facebook for sale that looked mint.
As for reliability my nearly standard V2 sti had 115k on the clocks when I sold it. In the 10 years I had it it never let me down. Regular servicing and looking after and it should be fine.
Johnny.
The STi is a bit better. If you use a good company I don't see any reason not to import 1. Most already here need rust work. Defo get it undersealed properly. There was one on a subaru page on facebook for sale that looked mint.
As for reliability my nearly standard V2 sti had 115k on the clocks when I sold it. In the 10 years I had it it never let me down. Regular servicing and looking after and it should be fine.
Johnny.
I had a Turbo 2000 for a couple of years with no issues, it coped with commuting, snow, trackdays, you name it with no problems. Not cheap to run at 18mpg and the trackdays polished off plenty of tyres, brakes and a clutch but it was immensely reliable otherwise and would have another one in a heartbeat. Even UK turbo values are on the up so you won't lose money whatever you end up with.
My uncle used to commute a 40 mile round trip in his when it was new, my dad did the same commute in his 2000 Turbo, I hope to be doing my 10 mile round trip this summer in a 2000 Turbo. They're everyday cars, as long as they're well looked after they're perfectly usable every day. It'll be an incredible car though, faster than pretty much anything today still. Who are you importing from? Newera Imports get an extremely good rep for their work.
aaron_2000 said:
My uncle used to commute a 40 mile round trip in his when it was new, my dad did the same commute in his 2000 Turbo, I hope to be doing my 10 mile round trip this summer in a 2000 Turbo. They're everyday cars, as long as they're well looked after they're perfectly usable every day. It'll be an incredible car though, faster than pretty much anything today still. Who are you importing from? Newera Imports get an extremely good rep for their work.
I did try Newera but they were ages getting back to me and then I had a massive email saying that my budget is too small for what I want and it basically sounded like I was wasting their time. I sent the same email to Torque GT and they have been great we’ve discussed what’s around at the moment and what I can get for my budget so I will probably use them as soon as the money is freed up in a couple of months. Andy_C77 said:
aaron_2000 said:
My uncle used to commute a 40 mile round trip in his when it was new, my dad did the same commute in his 2000 Turbo, I hope to be doing my 10 mile round trip this summer in a 2000 Turbo. They're everyday cars, as long as they're well looked after they're perfectly usable every day. It'll be an incredible car though, faster than pretty much anything today still. Who are you importing from? Newera Imports get an extremely good rep for their work.
I did try Newera but they were ages getting back to me and then I had a massive email saying that my budget is too small for what I want and it basically sounded like I was wasting their time. I sent the same email to Torque GT and they have been great we’ve discussed what’s around at the moment and what I can get for my budget so I will probably use them as soon as the money is freed up in a couple of months. aaron_2000 said:
A company to use for any work you do to the car is Roger Clark Motorsport, they did the brakes, suspension and built the engine for my uncles car, they also get a good reputation in and out of racing. You should get a thread going when you get it.
Yeah I’m aware of Roger Clark Motorsport they have an amazing reputation. I’ll probably do a thread on it when I eventually get one. I also plan on setting up a channel on YouTube as there doesn’t seem to many on ther about the day to day running of a Classic STI. MDMA . said:
Was a nice V4 Type R on TypeRA this week, sold pretty quick. Have you seen the V5 wagon at Newera? Looks really nice.
This? This is my perfect Impreza, the absolute crossbreed of my dads old Impreza and my uncles old Impreza. My uncle had a grey V5 Type R, my dad had a 2000 Turbo Wagon on Speedline ST2's, so add them both together and you get this. I'd be more inclined to get the wagon, most certainly rarer than the coupe, that being said you could get a V5 Type R coupe for your budget if you haggle. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Not sure if it helps OP, but if you're interested, this is the response from Newera about the V5 Wagon:
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for your contact via Pistonheads indicating your interest in the Impreza Sport Wagon STi Version 5 - Pristine Throughout & Best Version 5 Example Available.
We are getting quite a lot of interest in our rare Imprezas at present. The white STi 6 was reserved just 3 weeks ago, so I expect with this rare STi 5 sports wagon in such beautiful condition, it won’t be in stock for very long at this price. They’re getting out of reach here in Japan & we expect supply to UK is to dry up by default.
It’s good that you’re familiar with these cars and obviously an enthusiast for them. The more modern offerings from Subaru just aren’t as fun or involving to drive.
Regarding your questions, the car’s engine and gearbox remain factory original. It’s never even had the speed limiter removed and has clearly not been driven hard either, but been well looked after.
A very rare specification that is now virtually impossible to find, even here in Japan, not least with this mileage and rust free, well cared for (since new) condition.
Having begun seeking out the best of these Imprezas from Japan in 1998, we are clear this PlayStation Generation icon set to continue to rise in value & this is why we bought this example for stock when it became available.
Most of the Japanese only spec. STi Sports wagons have long since been exported from Japan to UK (& other countries) over the last 20 years or so and being lower value and accessible to young drivers with lower budgets (until recent years), those examples have been mostly abused, crashed & rusted away. The majority have long since been scrapped, which furthers that demand is ever increasing amongst the dwindling supply of genuine quality cars, yet alone the last examples of the breed such as this one.
This value rise effect is not just with these rare STi specified classic Imprezas, but the majority of 80’s & 90’s JDM cult classics.
We are seeing everything in Japan that’s of strong interest steadily rising in value and naturally, being the original source, markets worldwide will have no choice but to adjust accordingly. We expect in 5-10 years cars like these will be out of most people’s reach, but the best ones will be worth a lot more than rusty tired rubbish that is typical now in the UK and elsewhere.
Just look at what the most desirable Ford models have appreciated in value, even as recently since 2007, as a guide to where classic Imprezas are headed, bearing in mind these were the cars that took away the attention of would-be Cosworth Ford enthusiasts at the time they mushroomed in popularity from the mid 90’s.
Knowing the market is why we invest in the best condition & most desirable icons. Not least there’s no capital gains tax with cars and no limit to the number of investments one can make, space permitting – so these cars will make good investments for those who continue to look after the cars we supply.
With desirability set to continue to rise, with demand ever stronger & supply ever smaller, its logical to expect this low mileage example to continue to appreciate for years ahead, provided its kept as well preserved as it has been to date.
With regard to your location, the way we usually supply customers in Germany is to import to UK and obtain full UK registration, then the customer comes to UK, collects the car and drives home. There, it’s easy to exchange UK registration documents for German registration, since the EU regulations are the same and there are no taxes payable between (current…) EU members. It’s possible to arrive in UK on Saturday morning and arrive home on Sunday and this car is perfectly ready for this trip.
A deposit of £1,000 will secure this Impreza STi wagon for you.
Once reserved, we’ll prepare the car for prompt shipment to the UK:
If you are able to reserve it by 17th March or sooner, it will be booked for scheduled departure from Yokohama port on 28th March - scheduled for arrival on the 25th May to Southampton, UK.
From there it will be collected by our contracted car transporter company, for completion and UK registration at the workshop run by www.rktuning.com
It typically takes 1 week for the transporter company to deliver to RK Tuning and thereafter 2-3 weeks to prepare, test, & UK register once they have the car so it would be ready from the 4th week of June to collect. The car would come with a V5C UK registration document and also MOT and our UK warranty.
You will probably like Ron at www.rktuning.com. He’s a humble but friendly and down to earth chap who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about cars – RK Tuning is like a mecca for Skyline R32 GT-R’s, not least his race car(s) but of course he also works on other vehicles such as this example to complete as we import them. Ron’s attention to detail & integrity in how he works is why we have him prepare our customer’s cars on arrival to UK,
For customers whose cars stay in the UK it also serves as a great introduction to what we feel is one of the UK’s very best people to continue looking after customer’s performance cars where possible.
I have attached details of how our system works, together with bank account details for remitting your payments.
Total OTR price is £10,495
Payment schedule is as follows:
Deposit £1,000 to secure. This can be paid via a credit or debit card over the phone, or bank transfer (Our UK bank details are attached herewith).
The 2nd payment due by 25th March March: £6,300.
Third and final payment to cover importation costs, preparation and registration in UK (OTR): £3,195 payable 2 weeks before arrival to UK.
Alternatively - you can pay the 2nd payment as full balance of £9,495 by 25th March, if easier for you.
If possible please quote reference: GF8-051326 with your remittances – this is your car’s chassis number.
This makes it easier for us to identify payment, but it’s not essential. An e-mail confirmation when remittance is made is also perfectly OK.
I have attached bank account details for your remittance(s) herewith.
Watch the documentary featuring Newera here: Skylines & Skyscrapers on Vimeo! For free!
This quality production shares a lot about Newera’s background and serves as a good introduction to the source of your future car and of course – real Japanese sports car culture!
Two subsequent DVD’s are available through www.neweramedia.com
See many recommendations for Newera Imports on the links below over a long period of time – you’ll find no other company specialising in Imported performance cars is as widely recommended as Newera:
Mazda Rotary Club Forum
Mazda Rotary Club Forum
Mazda Rotary Club Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Skyline GT-R Forum
Lancer Register
Should you have any questions if you’d like to call, at our Japan office, where I’m based, on the 0207 number below. All calls are automatically diverted from London to our offices near Tokyo – You pay only a national call to London. This makes it easy for our customers in the UK & Europe to be directly in touch with us here. Our contact number(s) within Japan are also in the signature below. If you leave a message I’ll return your call if unable to answer (Japan is GMT + 8 hours).
We are pleased to provide this beautiful Impreza Sport Wagon STi Version 5 - Pristine Throughout & Best Version 5 Example Available to you, an enthusiast so it will serve you proud for years to come.
Best wishes,
Miguel
Miguel Varella-Cid
Edited by aaron_2000 on Tuesday 20th March 00:36
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