Subaru Forester STI purchase/import
Discussion
There was a skyline an older version bought in , not sure If a dealer was used , I think it got scrapped in the end as the rust was so bad , and a vague memory of a scooby and evo bought in , both a bit rotten , but that is very rare , there’s two auction houses in japan that are up in the mountains so very similar as the uk climate, so they likely came from there , but I’ve never had an issue with mine , it’s like buying a new car with generally minor wear and tear marks , a much safer option than buying an older used uk car , it’s like California cars you see on a number of car shows , old / older cars in very good nick
Having owned 4 JDM imports now I'd never buy a UK domestic car again tbh.
As mentioned, they're generally far cleaner rust wise, and generally the Japanese take better care of their cars mechanically.
Just for balance, I have a minor horror story for you-
Mate of mine is currently importing a suzuki Alto works, it was actually on the same boat as my scoob. A few weeks ago at the importer they were moving it around and the HG went (I'm not sure the extent of the damage or if the head needs skimming etc).. so there's going to be a fairly big bill and long wait for parts to get that sorted, and I doubt the importer will foot all of the bill as its just one of those wear and tear/luck of the draw things.
However, I'd say the probability is that you will end up with a good one, especially if you use a decent importer like Torque GT.
As mentioned, they're generally far cleaner rust wise, and generally the Japanese take better care of their cars mechanically.
Just for balance, I have a minor horror story for you-
Mate of mine is currently importing a suzuki Alto works, it was actually on the same boat as my scoob. A few weeks ago at the importer they were moving it around and the HG went (I'm not sure the extent of the damage or if the head needs skimming etc).. so there's going to be a fairly big bill and long wait for parts to get that sorted, and I doubt the importer will foot all of the bill as its just one of those wear and tear/luck of the draw things.
However, I'd say the probability is that you will end up with a good one, especially if you use a decent importer like Torque GT.
designforlife said:
I've got a 2006 hawkeye wrx sti with the EJ20, remapped for UK fuel through Torque GT by Enginetuner in Plymouth... i'd advise budgeting in to have this done (£500ish), peace of mind that the map is right for UK 99, and it'll release some extra ponies.
This is what I wanted to bring up. £500 well spent.Japanese super is 98+, often 100 octane (RON). You'd want to run at least one of the UK99 fuels.
Whilst knock is never a good thing, many engines can 'take' a bit over their life. An EJ can be a very reliable motor but it WILL NOT thank you for any form of knock and will likely respond with a much more expensive knock from the bottom end (and I suspect the weaker 2.5 pistons don't need any additional pressure in their life).
If getting 99 is impractical for you, the first thing you'll want to do is have it tuned on a tank of whatever 97 you plan to run.
When I first brought my legacy in, I tested it out on Shell 99 and it wasn't all that bad - there was a little bit of noise picked up at the top end under full load (6000rpm +) but was actually really clean everywhere else, so I adjusted the mapping myself, added a little boost in and pulled a little bit of timing up top. Ran that for years before I got around to a full map on it on a rolling road with a well regarded tuner.
The good news with a map to UK fuel is that the FSTi will generally respond well and you'll see 300+ HP from it if you want to go that way (a lot of them list 330).
All my imports have been fine on tesco momentum, which was on test recently and came out top as best fuel to use , a remap on a Fsti standard down pipe is around 300 to 310 bhp , a sports cat 200 cell is around 330 , I’ve got elh on one of mine and it’s around 340 , but the turbo is getting to the max on it’s boost around 1.25 to 1.3 bar , keeping the original Fsti turbo means you don’t get much lag , with a 200 cell sports cat downpipe and a remap it’s full boost around 2000 rpm
vxr2010 said:
There was a skyline an older version bought in , not sure If a dealer was used , I think it got scrapped in the end as the rust was so bad , and a vague memory of a scooby and evo bought in , both a bit rotten , but that is very rare , there’s two auction houses in japan that are up in the mountains so very similar as the uk climate, so they likely came from there , but I’ve never had an issue with mine , it’s like buying a new car with generally minor wear and tear marks , a much safer option than buying an older used uk car , it’s like California cars you see on a number of car shows , old / older cars in very good nick
There's a young Aussie guy living in Japan that does YouTube. Can't remember his name but he opened my eyes to some of the Japanese auctions. EVO's with the terminal rust covered in fresh underseal, looked beyond repair, atleast economically.
Thought the Japanese auctions were above that but clearly not.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...
Thoughts on this one please
There are a Couple for sale on marketplace and the price point seems much lower than autotrader and pistonheads prices seem all over the place
Thoughts on this one please
There are a Couple for sale on marketplace and the price point seems much lower than autotrader and pistonheads prices seem all over the place
Bit of a departure from your initial requirements 
Mines currently undergoing the forged engine route at the moment so your engine should be as good as new. Try and find out the spec. Plus it's been given a new clutch and full fluid change.
Light corrosion on the arches will need sorting out. How soon depends on you really. Its double skinned so what you see on the outside, the inside will most likely be worse but an easy fix.
Mines on similar mileage so I'm using mine as the comparison model but check the fuel filler neck (this applies to all scoobies) as this is a known rusty spot (Mines getting changed) and check the suspension bushes as some of mine have disappeared.
As it's a 2006 example, I think it's got the more expensive tax but then if you live in London or anywhere that will get a ulez zone (It'll roll out countrywide at some point), this extra fee could counter the ulez fee etc.). Could be wrong here obviously
The engine should be good for a remap to around 350 if you want but that's roughly the max the turbo will do.
If its close enough to you, go and have a look as it sounds like a cared for example.
Black can be wrapped to something more exotic as well if required
Did you join the Facebook group?
Mines currently undergoing the forged engine route at the moment so your engine should be as good as new. Try and find out the spec. Plus it's been given a new clutch and full fluid change.
Light corrosion on the arches will need sorting out. How soon depends on you really. Its double skinned so what you see on the outside, the inside will most likely be worse but an easy fix.
Mines on similar mileage so I'm using mine as the comparison model but check the fuel filler neck (this applies to all scoobies) as this is a known rusty spot (Mines getting changed) and check the suspension bushes as some of mine have disappeared.
As it's a 2006 example, I think it's got the more expensive tax but then if you live in London or anywhere that will get a ulez zone (It'll roll out countrywide at some point), this extra fee could counter the ulez fee etc.). Could be wrong here obviously
The engine should be good for a remap to around 350 if you want but that's roughly the max the turbo will do.
If its close enough to you, go and have a look as it sounds like a cared for example.
Black can be wrapped to something more exotic as well if required
Did you join the Facebook group?
A bit of arch rust , is more likely to be more than that , the drivers side rear window , if the paints uneven on the bottom of the window , the sill at the back will have rot and i expect the rear suspension turret on the same side , can be sometimes seen from inside the wheel well or removing some interior trim as the inner turret goes too , big job to sort
lemmingjames said:
Bit of a departure from your initial requirements
Mines currently undergoing the forged engine route at the moment so your engine should be as good as new. Try and find out the spec. Plus it's been given a new clutch and full fluid change.
Light corrosion on the arches will need sorting out. How soon depends on you really. Its double skinned so what you see on the outside, the inside will most likely be worse but an easy fix.
Mines on similar mileage so I'm using mine as the comparison model but check the fuel filler neck (this applies to all scoobies) as this is a known rusty spot (Mines getting changed) and check the suspension bushes as some of mine have disappeared.
As it's a 2006 example, I think it's got the more expensive tax but then if you live in London or anywhere that will get a ulez zone (It'll roll out countrywide at some point), this extra fee could counter the ulez fee etc.). Could be wrong here obviously
The engine should be good for a remap to around 350 if you want but that's roughly the max the turbo will do.
If its close enough to you, go and have a look as it sounds like a cared for example.
Black can be wrapped to something more exotic as well if required
Did you join the Facebook group?
Loving the humour Mines currently undergoing the forged engine route at the moment so your engine should be as good as new. Try and find out the spec. Plus it's been given a new clutch and full fluid change.
Light corrosion on the arches will need sorting out. How soon depends on you really. Its double skinned so what you see on the outside, the inside will most likely be worse but an easy fix.
Mines on similar mileage so I'm using mine as the comparison model but check the fuel filler neck (this applies to all scoobies) as this is a known rusty spot (Mines getting changed) and check the suspension bushes as some of mine have disappeared.
As it's a 2006 example, I think it's got the more expensive tax but then if you live in London or anywhere that will get a ulez zone (It'll roll out countrywide at some point), this extra fee could counter the ulez fee etc.). Could be wrong here obviously
The engine should be good for a remap to around 350 if you want but that's roughly the max the turbo will do.
If its close enough to you, go and have a look as it sounds like a cared for example.
Black can be wrapped to something more exotic as well if required
Did you join the Facebook group?
With my man maths rebuilt forged engine and suspension refresh removes a lot of potential cost giving me budget for other work
Also has apple CarPlay which will make easier to live with
Needs to undertake daily/work duties and reduce mileage growth on the 7.5 Golf R and allow missus to use golf over winter if needed
Will join Facebook page
Appreciate all the information on potential pitfalls please keep it coming
Thanks!
vxr2010 said:
A bit of arch rust , is more likely to be more than that , the drivers side rear window , if the paints uneven on the bottom of the window , the sill at the back will have rot and i expect the rear suspension turret on the same side , can be sometimes seen from inside the wheel well or removing some interior trim as the inner turret goes too , big job to sort
Thanks Will ask seller to confirm condition of Rot
RicM5 said:
Thanks
Will ask seller to confirm condition of Rot
That's the worse case scenario, could just be surface rust/rot on the arches as well that doesn't need alot of work.Will ask seller to confirm condition of Rot
The Facebook groups ok but they are abit sensitive and nor all the help they give is correct or helpful (pending on who it is).
The forum is more knowledgeable but can be abit clique if you like
I had a look on the marketplace, prices seem all over the place like you said. There's an sti with a sun roof as well, which I never knew existed so not sure what the story is with that one.
RicM5 said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...
Thoughts on this one please
There are a Couple for sale on marketplace and the price point seems much lower than autotrader and pistonheads prices seem all over the place
Did you buy it as it's disappeared from autotraderThoughts on this one please
There are a Couple for sale on marketplace and the price point seems much lower than autotrader and pistonheads prices seem all over the place
No unfortunately the seller had given someone else first refusal and he must have bought it
I contacted him when it disappeared but had no response
White one ( I know I said not white) for sale in Malmesbury on pistonheads at £8500 seems cheap
And a blue one with no reserve coming soon on collecting cars that I love the look of
Did an mot check and a little concerned about 2022 mot where it states
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))
Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))
This must have been rectified as not an issue on 2023 mot but will need clarification of what issues were
Still in the hunt
I contacted him when it disappeared but had no response
White one ( I know I said not white
) for sale in Malmesbury on pistonheads at £8500 seems cheap And a blue one with no reserve coming soon on collecting cars that I love the look of
Did an mot check and a little concerned about 2022 mot where it states
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))
Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))
This must have been rectified as not an issue on 2023 mot but will need clarification of what issues were
Still in the hunt
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