Jap car dilemma. Impreza or RX7?
Discussion
Hi guys. I was looking at importing an R32 GTR until they shot up in value recently and are now £20k minimum once here from Japan, plus insane parts prices.
I am/was all set on buying an Impreza, specifically a 2000 WRX STI 2dr Type R Version 6 Limited. I've wanted a 2dr blue Impreza since I was 6 and they don't have the 'GTR tax' that the Skylines seem to have.
Over the weekend I went out in my mate's 400bhp Silvia and weirdly it's got me thinking about RX7s (similar sort of car, light, fairly small, responsive, RWD, turbo). Always had a soft spot for the RX7 plus I love the mental rotary engine.
So now I'm not sure what to do. Do I buy an Impreza now and start saving again for an RX7, hoping they don't appreciate as quickly as the GTR?
Both cars are firmly on the list of cars I need to own at some point.
I think the Impreza is rising faster than the RX7 due to the American market anticipating them reaching 25 years of age. Values of them have shot up in Japan recently. For a nice Version 6 Limited you're looking at around £15k imported. So it seems to make sense to buy an Impreza ASAP before they get to stupid money? America had 3 years of officially sold RX7s so I can't see them having such a frenzy over them like they did with the R32s. RX7s are a bit cheaper to buy currently, I found a decent looking one for about £13k imported. Financial stuff out of the way - now for weighing up the actual cars:
Impreza pros:
Wanted one since I was a kid
Rare (1000 made of the version I'm after)
Should be less of a headache as long as I don't go chasing silly power
Tens or even hundreds of reputable specialists and parts suppliers in the UK
I'm used to Hondas with around 200bhp, an Impreza will weigh around the same but have more power and AWD - won't be likely to bite me and send me into a tree
Will still feel pretty special despite being based on a small cheap saloon
I'd expect it to be quicker than the RX7 as standard (Could be wrong on this one)
Guaranteed investment, 1000 made and it's the most desirable version of the Classic shape Impreza (except the 22B of course) - will be eligible for US import in 2025 which will send values through the roof. However I don't know if I'd ever sell so this might be irrelevant.
DCCD so I can have nice secure handling or full on McRae mode once I'm more familiar with its handling characteristics
Impreza cons:
Not much really. I'd want to do light mods and this would take away some of the originality - I guess I could always put it back to standard though.
Expensive now, although they are only ever going to rise.
RX7 pros:
It's a sports car in it's own right rather than based off an economy car so might feel a bit more special
Absolutely beautiful to look at
Wouldn't be too worried about ruining the originality - my budget won't get me a Spirit R so it's not the top model so originality doesn't really matter to me.
That rotary engine and the options it gives (huge power with a turbo, or insane ported n/a screamer)
Interior is nicer
I really like the fact that they're a bit weird and have their quirks
RX7 cons:
The dreaded rebuilds (I hear that the 13B can be very reliable without a ridiculous amount of maintenance, you just need to accept that it has different needs to a normal piston engine)
Not as likely in my eyes to appreciate as quickly
They're both firmly on my must own list. Current best plan I can think of is to buy the Subaru, hope it doesn't break and immediately start saving for an RX7. Then if I don't get on with the Impreza I can sell it on and import an RX7, or (hopefully) wait a bit longer and buy an RX7 to sit alongside the Impreza. This is doable for me within a couple of years as long as I don't get any massive bills with the Subaru and provided the RX7s don't go insane money wise before I've saved up for one.
I know the RX7 can be a money pit- tell me about your experiences with both cars!
(edited this post as some of it didn't make sense and I posted it without finishing what I wanted to write - I'd just finished a night shift and fell asleep half way through, hit post when I woke and then went straight to bed!
I am/was all set on buying an Impreza, specifically a 2000 WRX STI 2dr Type R Version 6 Limited. I've wanted a 2dr blue Impreza since I was 6 and they don't have the 'GTR tax' that the Skylines seem to have.
Over the weekend I went out in my mate's 400bhp Silvia and weirdly it's got me thinking about RX7s (similar sort of car, light, fairly small, responsive, RWD, turbo). Always had a soft spot for the RX7 plus I love the mental rotary engine.
So now I'm not sure what to do. Do I buy an Impreza now and start saving again for an RX7, hoping they don't appreciate as quickly as the GTR?
Both cars are firmly on the list of cars I need to own at some point.
I think the Impreza is rising faster than the RX7 due to the American market anticipating them reaching 25 years of age. Values of them have shot up in Japan recently. For a nice Version 6 Limited you're looking at around £15k imported. So it seems to make sense to buy an Impreza ASAP before they get to stupid money? America had 3 years of officially sold RX7s so I can't see them having such a frenzy over them like they did with the R32s. RX7s are a bit cheaper to buy currently, I found a decent looking one for about £13k imported. Financial stuff out of the way - now for weighing up the actual cars:
Impreza pros:
Wanted one since I was a kid
Rare (1000 made of the version I'm after)
Should be less of a headache as long as I don't go chasing silly power
Tens or even hundreds of reputable specialists and parts suppliers in the UK
I'm used to Hondas with around 200bhp, an Impreza will weigh around the same but have more power and AWD - won't be likely to bite me and send me into a tree
Will still feel pretty special despite being based on a small cheap saloon
I'd expect it to be quicker than the RX7 as standard (Could be wrong on this one)
Guaranteed investment, 1000 made and it's the most desirable version of the Classic shape Impreza (except the 22B of course) - will be eligible for US import in 2025 which will send values through the roof. However I don't know if I'd ever sell so this might be irrelevant.
DCCD so I can have nice secure handling or full on McRae mode once I'm more familiar with its handling characteristics
Impreza cons:
Not much really. I'd want to do light mods and this would take away some of the originality - I guess I could always put it back to standard though.
Expensive now, although they are only ever going to rise.
RX7 pros:
It's a sports car in it's own right rather than based off an economy car so might feel a bit more special
Absolutely beautiful to look at
Wouldn't be too worried about ruining the originality - my budget won't get me a Spirit R so it's not the top model so originality doesn't really matter to me.
That rotary engine and the options it gives (huge power with a turbo, or insane ported n/a screamer)
Interior is nicer
I really like the fact that they're a bit weird and have their quirks
RX7 cons:
The dreaded rebuilds (I hear that the 13B can be very reliable without a ridiculous amount of maintenance, you just need to accept that it has different needs to a normal piston engine)
Not as likely in my eyes to appreciate as quickly
They're both firmly on my must own list. Current best plan I can think of is to buy the Subaru, hope it doesn't break and immediately start saving for an RX7. Then if I don't get on with the Impreza I can sell it on and import an RX7, or (hopefully) wait a bit longer and buy an RX7 to sit alongside the Impreza. This is doable for me within a couple of years as long as I don't get any massive bills with the Subaru and provided the RX7s don't go insane money wise before I've saved up for one.
I know the RX7 can be a money pit- tell me about your experiences with both cars!
(edited this post as some of it didn't make sense and I posted it without finishing what I wanted to write - I'd just finished a night shift and fell asleep half way through, hit post when I woke and then went straight to bed!
Edited by Jaaack on Wednesday 28th March 19:42
I'd go for the RX-7 it's a cracking car I had a mate who had one (he very much regrets selling) he bought it knowing it needed a rebuild but after that he had 5 trouble free years but a little one ment it had to go.
The Impreza will be easier to maintain but I think the RX-7 will be more rewarding long term but the prices are rising on these so I'd take the plunge now.
The Impreza will be easier to maintain but I think the RX-7 will be more rewarding long term but the prices are rising on these so I'd take the plunge now.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd go for the RX-7 it's a cracking car I had a mate who had one (he very much regrets selling) he bought it knowing it needed a rebuild but after that he had 5 trouble free years but a little one ment it had to go.
The Impreza will be easier to maintain but I think the RX-7 will be more rewarding long term but the prices are rising on these so I'd take the plunge now.
If I don't get an Impreza now I never will, they're £15k now and I reckon they'll be heading towards £25k in 5 years. I think the RX7 will stay more affordable so hopefully I'll be able to own both alongside each other. The RX7 definitely seems the more special of the two though.The Impreza will be easier to maintain but I think the RX-7 will be more rewarding long term but the prices are rising on these so I'd take the plunge now.
designforlife said:
You've wanted the scoob for ages mate, so I would scratch that itch...but either are great cars.
I think you're right mate. I 100% need an RX7 at some point though.Original post now edited to make more sense and include pros and cons. (night shifts aren't healthy)
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