Subaru Forester STI purchase/import
Discussion
Hi All
After a bit of advice and potential recommendations
I’ve developed an urge to buy a Forester STI as a winter workhorse
Can’t find anything uk based that fits the criteria but unsure if these are advertised on specialist sites i’m unaware of or are just very slim pickings
Now considering importing one through “Torque GT” can anyone vouch for them or point me in the right direction
I’m after a low mileage relatively standard car preferably black
Thanks
Ric
After a bit of advice and potential recommendations
I’ve developed an urge to buy a Forester STI as a winter workhorse
Can’t find anything uk based that fits the criteria but unsure if these are advertised on specialist sites i’m unaware of or are just very slim pickings
Now considering importing one through “Torque GT” can anyone vouch for them or point me in the right direction
I’m after a low mileage relatively standard car preferably black
Thanks
Ric
Thanks guys
I spoke with Darren at Torque GT today very informative and comes across very genuine
Unfortunately white isn’t for me but that example looks very clean
Are there any major issues with the EJ25 engine to look out for
Had 3 Impreza’s over the years version 2 JDM STI wagon my first and bloody loved it , bugeye JDM STI (150 miles bottom end failure) blob eye uk Impreza STI PPP didn’t gel with it (was buying a type 25 but having done deal on collection seller couldn’t find paperwork and wanted to forward onto me as was moving house and had packed it I walked away shame bloody amazing car)
Little nervous about spending £15k + with no safety net
I spoke with Darren at Torque GT today very informative and comes across very genuine
Unfortunately white isn’t for me but that example looks very clean
Are there any major issues with the EJ25 engine to look out for
Had 3 Impreza’s over the years version 2 JDM STI wagon my first and bloody loved it , bugeye JDM STI (150 miles bottom end failure) blob eye uk Impreza STI PPP didn’t gel with it (was buying a type 25 but having done deal on collection seller couldn’t find paperwork and wanted to forward onto me as was moving house and had packed it I walked away shame bloody amazing car)
Little nervous about spending £15k + with no safety net
vxr2010 said:
Condition and mileage is way more important than colour , there are only four colour options , blue probably the best looking , but I’ve had all options , the dark grey colour can be more effected by the sun , but when there are not many around then there’s not as much choice , less are being imported and prices have gone very high , a fresh import 3 or 4 years ago around 12 k , now 17k
Hadn’t looked at prices for years and was surprised to find how strong they areTorque GT suggest total cost through them £15-20k all in for fresh import obviously mileage/condition dependent
lemmingjames said:
and as cheap as possible im guessing 
there was this one but its gone now but guess it gives an indication of the market, if you hadnt seen it already:
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2005-subaru-fo...
regarding the water pump, stay away from Gates Racing
If its OEM, and watch everyone get in a tizzy over this but whilst Subaru suggest 5 year/60k miles a change, if a car is only doing 3k miles a year, it doesnt need changing. I believe the same pump design is still on current gen Subaru's and Scooby USA suggest a 10 year cycle. Obviously if its doing the 12k/y then advisable to get it changed.
IM guessing youve checked out the forums and facebook groups? Forum is more knowledgeable, FB group more active but not all the information they give you is shall we say accurate and dont like to be pulled up on it.
I was bidding on that black one on collecting cars and finished at £12840 including fees but couldn’t find the time to get to Aberdeenthere was this one but its gone now but guess it gives an indication of the market, if you hadnt seen it already:
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2005-subaru-fo...
regarding the water pump, stay away from Gates Racing
If its OEM, and watch everyone get in a tizzy over this
but whilst Subaru suggest 5 year/60k miles a change, if a car is only doing 3k miles a year, it doesnt need changing. I believe the same pump design is still on current gen Subaru's and Scooby USA suggest a 10 year cycle. Obviously if its doing the 12k/y then advisable to get it changed.IM guessing youve checked out the forums and facebook groups? Forum is more knowledgeable, FB group more active but not all the information they give you is shall we say accurate and dont like to be pulled up on it.
Great price
It’s becoming a buyers market
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
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
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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