Subaru Legacy tuned by STi, and its variants
Discussion
mondie said:
As I have eductaed myself more on the various STi variants I have now added a WRX STi S204 to my maybe list. They can be had for around 1mill Yen less than an S402 and dont look anywhere near as boy racer as a standard STi while being more hardcore. Its a tempting compromise over a Legacy.
Do it - I have been in and around Subaru's for the last 10 years and recently acquired an S203 - brilliant car. V8Taxi said:
Seen the TBSTI in the link, but the relatively high mileage and auto box I think are the reasons it's not selling. It's been on there for a while now.
I'm told the Japanese sat nav is useless over here, but apparently it's easy to swap a UK nav in place of it. How good it'll be, I don't know. I'd imagine a half decent smart phone these days has better nav than a car of that age? That was certainly true of the 2005 E46 M3 I had a while ago; I just used my Samsung.
SatNav's in subaru's are generally muck. I have one in a 2013 legacy and its muck. dont bother your hole. just use the iphone. I'm told the Japanese sat nav is useless over here, but apparently it's easy to swap a UK nav in place of it. How good it'll be, I don't know. I'd imagine a half decent smart phone these days has better nav than a car of that age? That was certainly true of the 2005 E46 M3 I had a while ago; I just used my Samsung.
adamfraser said:
Do it - I have been in and around Subaru's for the last 10 years and recently acquired an S203 - brilliant car.
The S203/204 is very tempting Adam, there is a lovely S204 on eBay right now that I have spent too much tome studying I am talking to an importer now about a WR Blue S204 thats come up, Just a couple of days ago a WR Blue S402 wagon went through the auctions with just 10k on the clock but I havent been able to find out the selling price. It was graded 5A too, if it was a sedan then I may have taken the leap of faith 
mondie said:
The S203/204 is very tempting Adam, there is a lovely S204 on eBay right now that I have spent too much tome studying I am talking to an importer now about a WR Blue S204 thats come up, Just a couple of days ago a WR Blue S402 wagon went through the auctions with just 10k on the clock but I havent been able to find out the selling price. It was graded 5A too, if it was a sedan then I may have taken the leap of faith
Is that one of the two cars at Motorhub that you are looking at? There's a clean S203 in Lancashire for sale, but it's been up for ages, wheels have been refurbed so (in my opinion) a bit of the originality has been lost, but it is clean. Bringing one in yourself may be the best way forward, as long as your importer has a reliable guy to inspect them! Still shiver at the thought of the low mileage Tommi Mak Evo that everyone was crawling over last year that was rotten on closer inspection!!
A WRB S204 would be lovely.
Here's mine, 2005, 90000KM on clock, hasn't been touched since it came off the boat, previous owner done 10 miles in it before I purchased it. Seats take a fair bit of getting used to unless you are small and ridiculously thin, but it's worth it! Any excuse for a picture!
That is lovely Adam, what a great looking car. I have oogled the S203 in Lancashire, it looks like a very clean car and its good to know about the wheels being redone. Its a lot of car for the money, wonder why it just hasnt sold. How long has it been on for? Motorhub is a dealer I would be cautious of, but their two s204s, which look ok in photos, and the s203 are all close by so I could view all 3 quite easily. I would be happy in any of them provided the condition was excellent and they have no accident history. I want a car to drive not store away so it doesnt have to be a minter but does have to be very original.
I was contacted today about a grade 4.5 WR blue S204 with 50k miles, looked great but the previous auction house had graded it an RA. You do have to be very careful with the Japanese auctions and have someone on the ground for sure. I remember that 9,000km red TME, it was a shocker!
I was contacted today about a grade 4.5 WR blue S204 with 50k miles, looked great but the previous auction house had graded it an RA. You do have to be very careful with the Japanese auctions and have someone on the ground for sure. I remember that 9,000km red TME, it was a shocker!
ericmcn said:
Or just buy a UK SpecB? Much cheaper, With a remap its truly a rapid beast -
i am not mad into the Japanese variants with the KM speedo, weird stereo frequencies and potential turbo issues, much prefer a raw 3 litre N/A myself with manual.
That is something I have given some thought to Eric but I think I want the full package, handling, looks etc.Standard I find them a little soft. A remap though is mandatory i am not mad into the Japanese variants with the KM speedo, weird stereo frequencies and potential turbo issues, much prefer a raw 3 litre N/A myself with manual.
mondie said:
That is something I have given some thought to Eric but I think I want the full package, handling, looks etc.Standard I find them a little soft. A remap though is mandatory
I have a remap, its a match for any 2.0 turbo in S# mode (using the sport sharp in city driving is not comfortable as the throttle response is insane). Not sure what you mean by handling - SpecB has the best handling around and with the tight chassis on the saloon its ridiculous fun to chuck about the place.mondie said:
That is lovely Adam, what a great looking car. I have oogled the S203 in Lancashire, it looks like a very clean car and its good to know about the wheels being redone. Its a lot of car for the money, wonder why it just hasnt sold. How long has it been on for? Motorhub is a dealer I would be cautious of, but their two s204s, which look ok in photos, and the s203 are all close by so I could view all 3 quite easily. I would be happy in any of them provided the condition was excellent and they have no accident history. I want a car to drive not store away so it doesnt have to be a minter but does have to be very original.
I was contacted today about a grade 4.5 WR blue S204 with 50k miles, looked great but the previous auction house had graded it an RA. You do have to be very careful with the Japanese auctions and have someone on the ground for sure. I remember that 9,000km red TME, it was a shocker!
The Lancashire S203, wheels look like they have been powdercoated silver unlike mine which is the standard BBS diamond black finish. Only downside of the originals is availability of getting the wheels properly refurbished, an issue I'm currently facing. I was contacted today about a grade 4.5 WR blue S204 with 50k miles, looked great but the previous auction house had graded it an RA. You do have to be very careful with the Japanese auctions and have someone on the ground for sure. I remember that 9,000km red TME, it was a shocker!
That car has been for sale since April last year from what I can see. Suprised myself it hasn't sold yet!
I suppose it's just your luck with Motorhub, just need to keep a good eye out when inspecting them, just like anything I suppose. All their cars can't be bad ones, they wouldn't still be there if they were!
Shame about the S204 being RA - have you looked at what's in stock at dealers? When I had a look the other night, there was at least 7/8 S203's, a far more expensive way of doing it though I guess, but some immaculately presented cars!!
Appreciate the comments on the car - it's nice having something that little bit different!
Hi Adam,
I see the s203 sold a few weeks back, before I get over east to have a look at it. There is an S206 at Motorhub at the moment that looks fantastic and that I will try to view next weekend. Seems a great price compared to what you can import one for, but I understand the dealer can be difficult to deal with. Be nice to have a look over the 2204 at the same time just to get an idea of these cars in the flesh since you never see them on the road in the UK.
Have bid on a few cars in Japan in recent weeksmbut havent won anything yet.
Its looking like I need to goto about £14.5 OTR for a late Legacy TB STi in WR Blue. It is quite a bit more - £23.5k OTR for a Legacy S402 in pearlescent white. I really want an s402 but just haven't built up the courage to spend so much on a 10 yr old car with such niche appeal just yet. That doesnt mean I wont If had to resell either car in 12 mths I reckon the TB STi might make 11k and the s402 15-17k. Do these sound at all realistic?
I see the s203 sold a few weeks back, before I get over east to have a look at it. There is an S206 at Motorhub at the moment that looks fantastic and that I will try to view next weekend. Seems a great price compared to what you can import one for, but I understand the dealer can be difficult to deal with. Be nice to have a look over the 2204 at the same time just to get an idea of these cars in the flesh since you never see them on the road in the UK.
Have bid on a few cars in Japan in recent weeksmbut havent won anything yet.
Its looking like I need to goto about £14.5 OTR for a late Legacy TB STi in WR Blue. It is quite a bit more - £23.5k OTR for a Legacy S402 in pearlescent white. I really want an s402 but just haven't built up the courage to spend so much on a 10 yr old car with such niche appeal just yet. That doesnt mean I wont
If had to resell either car in 12 mths I reckon the TB STi might make 11k and the s402 15-17k. Do these sound at all realistic?mondie said:
Hi Adam,
I see the s203 sold a few weeks back, before I get over east to have a look at it. There is an S206 at Motorhub at the moment that looks fantastic and that I will try to view next weekend. Seems a great price compared to what you can import one for, but I understand the dealer can be difficult to deal with. Be nice to have a look over the 2204 at the same time just to get an idea of these cars in the flesh since you never see them on the road in the UK.
Have bid on a few cars in Japan in recent weeksmbut havent won anything yet.
Its looking like I need to goto about £14.5 OTR for a late Legacy TB STi in WR Blue. It is quite a bit more - £23.5k OTR for a Legacy S402 in pearlescent white. I really want an s402 but just haven't built up the courage to spend so much on a 10 yr old car with such niche appeal just yet. That doesnt mean I wont If had to resell either car in 12 mths I reckon the TB STi might make 11k and the s402 15-17k. Do these sound at all realistic?
Nice one - is that the white 2012MY Saloon they have? I see the s203 sold a few weeks back, before I get over east to have a look at it. There is an S206 at Motorhub at the moment that looks fantastic and that I will try to view next weekend. Seems a great price compared to what you can import one for, but I understand the dealer can be difficult to deal with. Be nice to have a look over the 2204 at the same time just to get an idea of these cars in the flesh since you never see them on the road in the UK.
Have bid on a few cars in Japan in recent weeksmbut havent won anything yet.
Its looking like I need to goto about £14.5 OTR for a late Legacy TB STi in WR Blue. It is quite a bit more - £23.5k OTR for a Legacy S402 in pearlescent white. I really want an s402 but just haven't built up the courage to spend so much on a 10 yr old car with such niche appeal just yet. That doesnt mean I wont
If had to resell either car in 12 mths I reckon the TB STi might make 11k and the s402 15-17k. Do these sound at all realistic?Be interesting to see your opinion on the place - have often fancied taking the trip down just to see what it’s like as their stock list always seems impressive.
Price wise, Legacy’s are a lot harder to place. Older stuff is starting to appreciate (there was a white 96 GTB went through recently for 3k landed in UK - couldn’t get rid of my old one for 1k 2 years ago!), saying that, special editions will always command a premium, just how much on Legacies i’m not sure. Have you been onto uklegacy forums? Great resource, was a member for years when I had mine.
I’m aiming my S203 to be 16k next year minimum - so I think 16-17k for an S204 isn’t far off the mark. Just depends how well kept it is I suppose. Target market is hard unless you are a die hard fan, most people unfortunately will settle for a UK spec that’s rotten underneath!
If you are ever down SW Scotland way, you are more than welcome to come down and have a look at the one I have!
Yep thats the one, its a lovely looking car but then it is 27k, however, importing one yourself looks to be over 30k. Something seems amiss but I would still like to see one.
Been looking into the s402 a little more today. I am told that they cannot be registered until they are 10yo because they went down the STi production line and the codes needed for IVA testing were removed. Makes me think there could be a few Brits waiting until the S204's are 10 in mid 2018. Think I am slowly talking myself into one because at 23k they just make such a compelling daily driver and a real compromise between an s204 and a slightly larger, more middle aged cruiser I am reassured by your comments on s402 values and what i was told today, all opinion of course but just maybe the s402 isnt a financial black hole.
Thanks for the tip on the legacy forum, will check it out.
Cheers
Been looking into the s402 a little more today. I am told that they cannot be registered until they are 10yo because they went down the STi production line and the codes needed for IVA testing were removed. Makes me think there could be a few Brits waiting until the S204's are 10 in mid 2018. Think I am slowly talking myself into one because at 23k they just make such a compelling daily driver and a real compromise between an s204 and a slightly larger, more middle aged cruiser
I am reassured by your comments on s402 values and what i was told today, all opinion of course but just maybe the s402 isnt a financial black hole.Thanks for the tip on the legacy forum, will check it out.
Cheers
Congrats!
Plenty of pictures needed!
Just about to do a deal on a MK4 twinscroll Legacy, just an early model to run about in over the winter to keep the miles off the S203. Having had a MK2 and a MK3 GTB, it will be interesting to see how different it is!
When will it be landing in the UK?
Plenty of pictures needed!
Just about to do a deal on a MK4 twinscroll Legacy, just an early model to run about in over the winter to keep the miles off the S203. Having had a MK2 and a MK3 GTB, it will be interesting to see how different it is!
When will it be landing in the UK?
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