Imported 06 wrx from Malta
Discussion
Just been to see what I thought was a UK 06 Impreza wagon. It turned out to have been imported originally from Malta and as such seemed a little different. I wondered if anyone could shed any light?
Separate Sigma alarm fob not part of the ignition key - did they not come with the uk alarm system.
6 speed box? - uk are 5 apart from the STI as far as I know.
Anything else I should know/look for?
What should it do to the price and depreciation over the next 2-3 years against a uk car?
Thanks
Separate Sigma alarm fob not part of the ignition key - did they not come with the uk alarm system.
6 speed box? - uk are 5 apart from the STI as far as I know.
Anything else I should know/look for?
What should it do to the price and depreciation over the next 2-3 years against a uk car?
Thanks
You sure it's a six speed? 
Far as i know all WRX's are all 5speed (wagon or 4dr) whether they are EDM/USDM/ADM/SADM/JDM, and as you've said STi's are 6spd. If's it's 6spd it would involve a lot of work to make it that way if the car was originally 5spd.
You need new 6spd flywheel/clutch assembly, relocate gearbox mounts, STi driveshafts x4, propshaft and diff (Prop needs shortening and diff needs narrowing as STi's have a wider track and slightly longer wheelbase). It's a big job to be honest. I looked into this when i fully rewired and transplanted an STi lump into my wagon, but doing the gearbox was so much work and would end up being so bloody expensive that i left it 5-speed.
Everyone that's driven mine thinks it's nicer to drive than 6-spd due to the smoother 5spd box. If it really is a 6spd it's either a one of special from Subaru Factory or someone went to a shedload of hassle and expense to turn it into a 6spd.
Wouldn't be worth it IMHO.
Edited to add.... I imagine depreciation would be the same as a UK car and you may be even a bit better off. Even though Malta is surrounded by salt water it's generally a dry country and gets little rain therefore cars are less to be prone to rust. Plenty of dust but no rust.
Far as i know all WRX's are all 5speed (wagon or 4dr) whether they are EDM/USDM/ADM/SADM/JDM, and as you've said STi's are 6spd. If's it's 6spd it would involve a lot of work to make it that way if the car was originally 5spd.
You need new 6spd flywheel/clutch assembly, relocate gearbox mounts, STi driveshafts x4, propshaft and diff (Prop needs shortening and diff needs narrowing as STi's have a wider track and slightly longer wheelbase). It's a big job to be honest. I looked into this when i fully rewired and transplanted an STi lump into my wagon, but doing the gearbox was so much work and would end up being so bloody expensive that i left it 5-speed.
Everyone that's driven mine thinks it's nicer to drive than 6-spd due to the smoother 5spd box. If it really is a 6spd it's either a one of special from Subaru Factory or someone went to a shedload of hassle and expense to turn it into a 6spd.
Wouldn't be worth it IMHO.
Edited to add.... I imagine depreciation would be the same as a UK car and you may be even a bit better off. Even though Malta is surrounded by salt water it's generally a dry country and gets little rain therefore cars are less to be prone to rust. Plenty of dust but no rust.
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Monday 3rd November 01:23
It's a wagon so there weren't any STIs were there?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It's been here for all its life so no difference in wear etc.
Not keen on the tow bar - don't know what its been hauling around.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It's been here for all its life so no difference in wear etc.
Not keen on the tow bar - don't know what its been hauling around.
Hi mate,
I have an 06 WRX import from Malta and there are just a few small differences.
The Malta car does not come standard with an alarm, does not have locking wheel nuts and when new cost almost 5k less than the same uk car. Insurance companys class them as UK cars so no issues there. They are mechanically the same car made in the same factory but the Malta car may not have airbags in the seats as this is an option in mainland Europe. Personnaly i prefer the seats without airbags as they are a little smaller and hold you better. If fully serviced and under 60k it should still have a Subaru pan-european warranty too. As for holding its value, i havnt seen any real issues and my car is worth near enough the same as the UK car in terms of a private sale, part-ex i would get rapped, but when dont you!!
dont think i have missed anything.
Ian;)
Just looked at the listing, and the seats are the ones without airbags, £9000 is cheap too! Did you get it??
I have an 06 WRX import from Malta and there are just a few small differences.
The Malta car does not come standard with an alarm, does not have locking wheel nuts and when new cost almost 5k less than the same uk car. Insurance companys class them as UK cars so no issues there. They are mechanically the same car made in the same factory but the Malta car may not have airbags in the seats as this is an option in mainland Europe. Personnaly i prefer the seats without airbags as they are a little smaller and hold you better. If fully serviced and under 60k it should still have a Subaru pan-european warranty too. As for holding its value, i havnt seen any real issues and my car is worth near enough the same as the UK car in terms of a private sale, part-ex i would get rapped, but when dont you!!
dont think i have missed anything.
Ian;)
Just looked at the listing, and the seats are the ones without airbags, £9000 is cheap too! Did you get it??
Edited by Evil.soup on Wednesday 5th November 23:15
DKL said:
It's a wagon so there weren't any STIs were there?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It's been here for all its life so no difference in wear etc.
Not keen on the tow bar - don't know what its been hauling around.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It's been here for all its life so no difference in wear etc.
Not keen on the tow bar - don't know what its been hauling around.
AFAIK the only 6-spd wagon would be the bugeye STi - before that STi's were 5-spd and after MY01/02 they stopped making STi wagons.Thanks everyone for your help.
Didn't buy it. Arrived when I said I would, car buried in lot (it'll be 10 minutes to get it out), battery flat, mileage higher than ad (granted 37 not 35K) bonnet scratched and no particular urgency to talk and no mention of it being an import until you read the paperwork. Still a bit concerned by the towbar too.
9K is cheap but not enough to interest me.
Could be a bargain or could be a nightmare. Too chicken to find out.
Drove a Saab 9-3 Aero wagon too which was er nice but maybe a bit grown up.
What I need is to find a good trade deal on a well specced gb270 wagon but they're a bit few and far between and currently 3+k more than the equivalent age ordinary one.
Didn't buy it. Arrived when I said I would, car buried in lot (it'll be 10 minutes to get it out), battery flat, mileage higher than ad (granted 37 not 35K) bonnet scratched and no particular urgency to talk and no mention of it being an import until you read the paperwork. Still a bit concerned by the towbar too.
9K is cheap but not enough to interest me.
Could be a bargain or could be a nightmare. Too chicken to find out.
Drove a Saab 9-3 Aero wagon too which was er nice but maybe a bit grown up.
What I need is to find a good trade deal on a well specced gb270 wagon but they're a bit few and far between and currently 3+k more than the equivalent age ordinary one.
DKL said:
Thanks everyone for your help.
Didn't buy it. Arrived when I said I would, car buried in lot (it'll be 10 minutes to get it out), battery flat, mileage higher than ad (granted 37 not 35K) bonnet scratched and no particular urgency to talk and no mention of it being an import until you read the paperwork. Still a bit concerned by the towbar too.
9K is cheap but not enough to interest me.
Could be a bargain or could be a nightmare. Too chicken to find out.
Drove a Saab 9-3 Aero wagon too which was er nice but maybe a bit grown up.
What I need is to find a good trade deal on a well specced gb270 wagon but they're a bit few and far between and currently 3+k more than the equivalent age ordinary one.
There will be plenty others out there mate, and you can always spec the car up to above that of the GB270 for less than it would cost to buy one. Good luck searching.Didn't buy it. Arrived when I said I would, car buried in lot (it'll be 10 minutes to get it out), battery flat, mileage higher than ad (granted 37 not 35K) bonnet scratched and no particular urgency to talk and no mention of it being an import until you read the paperwork. Still a bit concerned by the towbar too.
9K is cheap but not enough to interest me.
Could be a bargain or could be a nightmare. Too chicken to find out.
Drove a Saab 9-3 Aero wagon too which was er nice but maybe a bit grown up.
What I need is to find a good trade deal on a well specced gb270 wagon but they're a bit few and far between and currently 3+k more than the equivalent age ordinary one.
The WRX GB270 will be nice though. Got some nice interior touches as well as the PPP, but maybe not entirely worth the extra £3K.
Personally i would go for the GB270 wagon, I think it's better looking (all in black with black wheels) than the 4dr 270, has the 2.5L engine of course so some real scope for mild mods and tuning later on down the line once the warranty has run out. I think it has the same semi-closed deck bottom end as the STi and should be good for maybe 370bhp before you have to install forged pistons and rods but very torquey and pretty quick in any case with just the PPP.
Proper Q-car stealth and performance.
Personally i would go for the GB270 wagon, I think it's better looking (all in black with black wheels) than the 4dr 270, has the 2.5L engine of course so some real scope for mild mods and tuning later on down the line once the warranty has run out. I think it has the same semi-closed deck bottom end as the STi and should be good for maybe 370bhp before you have to install forged pistons and rods but very torquey and pretty quick in any case with just the PPP.
Proper Q-car stealth and performance.
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