Discussion
Well I don't know what prices are like on your side of the world, but I'd say go for an STi-RA, and preferably a V-ltd if you can find one.all STi's have a stronger, ,more powerful motor (206kw, 8000rpm redline rathr than normal JDM WRX 160kw, 7500 redline).
RA's are lighter (due to no central locking, wind-up windows, sometimes no aircon or stereo as well as thinner galss and some lighter panels), and also have the close-ratio group N gearbox which is just
, the DCCD (driver controlled centre diff) which has a 64R/36F torque split, with infinitely variable difflock up to 100% lock. (practical effect = no understeer problems like WRXs, but more traction in snow etc when locked.)
edit: also front and rear LSDs iirc, def. rear anyway.
V-ltd versions should have better resale value than normal RAs, they have a small plaque stating build no. (eg 434/555), often McRae etc autograph embroidered on front seats, otherwise are the same as RA except for a longer 5th gear in the c-r box for cruising and fuel economy. oh and they're 555 or WR blue depending on version. they also made some WRX and STI V-ltd wagons, but as far as I know none of the wagons ever has the DCCD.
theres also the type R, which is the 2-door coupe version, has the DCCD but not (iirc) close ratio box.
>> Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 12th February 09:50
RA's are lighter (due to no central locking, wind-up windows, sometimes no aircon or stereo as well as thinner galss and some lighter panels), and also have the close-ratio group N gearbox which is just
, the DCCD (driver controlled centre diff) which has a 64R/36F torque split, with infinitely variable difflock up to 100% lock. (practical effect = no understeer problems like WRXs, but more traction in snow etc when locked.) edit: also front and rear LSDs iirc, def. rear anyway.
V-ltd versions should have better resale value than normal RAs, they have a small plaque stating build no. (eg 434/555), often McRae etc autograph embroidered on front seats, otherwise are the same as RA except for a longer 5th gear in the c-r box for cruising and fuel economy. oh and they're 555 or WR blue depending on version. they also made some WRX and STI V-ltd wagons, but as far as I know none of the wagons ever has the DCCD.
theres also the type R, which is the 2-door coupe version, has the DCCD but not (iirc) close ratio box.
>> Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 12th February 09:50
as a quick comparison between a few cars, theres a wee road I take cars on whenever I'm test-driving them, its mostly fairly tight, twisty and bumpy, with a few shortish straights, crests and dips. tarmac not gravel, but always good for testing a cars rally-wannabe creds.
anyway late last year I was testing a '96 version 2 STi-RA V-ltd along there, and it was really very good. mostly backing out of it around 150kph in 4th with plenty of room to spare. I thought I was carrying decent speed through the corners, but could feel that I was a long long way from the limit of the car.
I didnt realise just how good it was however, until just this weekend when I took a '95 Legacy GT (2.0 twin-turbo 4WD, 260hp wagon) through on a test. felt like I was pushing it about as hard as I'd want in the situation, and it felt like I was hustling it along fairly quick. but when I looked down at the speedo, in most places I was around 20-30 kph slower than the STi had been, and the car was a whole lot less confident doing it.
anything that makes a Legacy GT look almost slightly incompetent is a damn good car. The STi was also more involving, more direct, and heaps more fun. mind you if you like a pillow-soft ride its not for you, its as stiff as a plank at low speed. absolute magic carpet though on demanding roads, just begs you to go faster.
anyway late last year I was testing a '96 version 2 STi-RA V-ltd along there, and it was really very good. mostly backing out of it around 150kph in 4th with plenty of room to spare. I thought I was carrying decent speed through the corners, but could feel that I was a long long way from the limit of the car.
I didnt realise just how good it was however, until just this weekend when I took a '95 Legacy GT (2.0 twin-turbo 4WD, 260hp wagon) through on a test. felt like I was pushing it about as hard as I'd want in the situation, and it felt like I was hustling it along fairly quick. but when I looked down at the speedo, in most places I was around 20-30 kph slower than the STi had been, and the car was a whole lot less confident doing it.
anything that makes a Legacy GT look almost slightly incompetent is a damn good car. The STi was also more involving, more direct, and heaps more fun. mind you if you like a pillow-soft ride its not for you, its as stiff as a plank at low speed. absolute magic carpet though on demanding roads, just begs you to go faster.
Good scoobs for 3k are obtainable. I mapped a sub £3k MY95 STI wagon for a friend today. It's a good example, and now it's mapped goes very well. It was a good find and he was quite lucky.
The best Scoob I've driven is my own - a low milage, modified STi 5 RA Ltd. But it's worth a little more than £3k!!
For the £3k, keep an eye out for STIs but the likelihood is that they could a bit rough... The cost of ownership is quite high when you find you need new suspension, new coils and a few new sensors in short succession... The usual buyer beware. Settling for a WRX wouldn't be so bad, as they are quite easy to modify - exhaust and chip will easily get 280 bhp from a 240 bhp WRX...
The best Scoob I've driven is my own - a low milage, modified STi 5 RA Ltd. But it's worth a little more than £3k!!
For the £3k, keep an eye out for STIs but the likelihood is that they could a bit rough... The cost of ownership is quite high when you find you need new suspension, new coils and a few new sensors in short succession... The usual buyer beware. Settling for a WRX wouldn't be so bad, as they are quite easy to modify - exhaust and chip will easily get 280 bhp from a 240 bhp WRX...
GravelBen said:
as a quick comparison between a few cars, theres a wee road I take cars on whenever I'm test-driving them, its mostly fairly tight, twisty and bumpy, with a few shortish straights, crests and dips. tarmac not gravel, but always good for testing a cars rally-wannabe creds.
Its a bloody fun road that one too mate
v15ben said:
as a quick comparison between a few cars, theres a wee road I take cars on whenever I'm test-driving them, its mostly fairly tight, twisty and bumpy, with a few shortish straights, crests and dips. tarmac not gravel, but always good for testing a cars rally-wannabe creds.
Its a bloody fun road that one too mate
glenno said:Make sure you check the FAQs and see how much the shipping, import duty, VAT, SVA charges etc mount up.
Gazboy
PH advertised STI's are already in the UK at UK prices, I am talking about importing one - done wisely, this can save a few quid. That's the idea anyway.
I'm not saying you can't save money, because you can. You just need to check your figures. It may be more economic to buy a Scooby that has already been imported.
glenno said:
Gazboy
PH advertised STI's are already in the UK at UK prices, I am talking about importing one - done wisely, this can save a few quid. That's the idea anyway.
As RSV also says you can save some dosh doing it this way, or at least you could a couple of years ago. These days everybody & his dog is importing cars & the guys that are doing volume are making the real discounts. Alternatively, (& much less stressfull btw) how far are you from southhampton? Get yourself down there on off loading days for frantic auction action. SVA can be done by several local companies on the day (add around £500.00).
Thanks for the mail GlennO ,not a prob. Don't personally know the place but will point a virtual finger over there in the next few days, if that's any help.
Matt
>> Edited by tuttle on Monday 13th February 11:42
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff