Subaru Legacy tuned by STi, and its variants

[mondie]

These are rare in the UK and I am pondering importing one. When I lived in Oz I bought a 2007 version enw which I really liked but would love to get my hands on a late model WR blue car with brembos/sunroof and the full STi goodies. Then there is the STi S402 version which I don't know a whole lot about. Does anybody own one or know of any of these models in the UK? Could cost up to £15k by the time its on the road and not sure if its worth that, but struggling to think of something else that meets the breif for the money.

Thoughts PH''ers?

[mondie]

Yeah the s402 would be the ultimate although its really not got a lot more to offer over the later TB STi from what I can work out. At £30k you would never get much back on resale. Furthermore, the front quarters and alloys would be imposssible to replace if you damged them. At £15k for a nice TB, I am wondering if that too is a black hole come resale time as these truly excellent cars are unknown? Resale is not everything of course but I would not want to have to give the car away.

Is the facelift car you mention for £15k a non Sti version, if so that seems very ambitous. I have trawled ebay but not seen it, will take another look.

Cheers

[mondie]

Thanks for the links MDMA, all three are great looking cars. I would buy an S402 no question if it had a proper value in the UK market but it unless few classic mags run specials on them, thay never will. I am a sedan buyer only, but if a wagon is your thing then no doubt you have seen this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-55-Subaru-Legacy-Tu...

Looks like a real bargain unless I am missing something obvious.

V8Taxi, I found the £15k wagon you were talking about and it just seems like its in the hands of a dreamer. Not even McIntosh audio which is one of the key features of the B4.

Does anyone know if a Jap SatNav can be re-programmed for the UK?

Cheers Simon

[mondie]

Given its an auto and the mileage, for <6k it still seems like a bargain compared to what else is around. I am disucssing bringing in a TB STi now with a couple of importers and if the right car were to come up - WR blue, manual saloon I think I would be struggling to resist. Likewise if I could get my hands on a top spec S402 for less than £20k I would be sorely tempted. The S204 WRX STi seems to be around 15k so a Legacy has to be worth similar coin to the right buyer I would have thought.

If only the IS-F was a 5 seater I wouldn't be in this dilemma

[mondie]

I would say its desirable to a limited niche i.e. someone like myself who has owned WRX STi's and Evo's but needs a bit more refinement and space as the family barge. Legacy STi seems like a good option.

[mondie]

Hey Pom,

I had a look at Carsales and as an Aussie, I bought my TME from there 18 mths ago. Most in Oz seems to have been well used with highish miles. Judging by this car posted upthread which can be bought for £9k without sales tax I am guessing they can be bought at auction for <£7k.

https://www.gtnet.co.jp/eng/usedcar/usedcar_detail...

I keep mulling over whether an S402 is worth double. Perhaps if I am going to do this, it just may be.

[mondie]

Spoken to a few importers and starting to get worked up over this. The going rates in Japan would seem to be about 1.3m for a TB STi and 2.4m for an S402. At a guess, OTR in the UK the TB STi would be around 13k and the S402 23k. I can see the TB STi being worth around 10k to the right buyer, but am a little lost on the S402. It shares quite a few parts with the WRX STi GpC RA-R so I wonder if that would buy it some extra kudos on the used market, or if they may have an collectibility which would put a floor under values. The Japanese prices would indicate so.

I just dont know, my heart is saying S402 in WR Blue but I dont want to burn money on resale either. Thoughts anybody?

[mondie]

Both TorqueGT and Imeka Cars who are based in Japan. TorqueGT were excellent when I brought in my Evo and I would trust them imp;icitly if I do this, their reputation in the UK is very good.

[mondie]

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.

[mondie]

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]

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!

[mondie]

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

[mondie]

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?

[mondie]

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

[mondie]

Oh well, I have gone and done it now. Pearlescent white S402 coming to the UK soon

[mondie]

Thanks Adam, it will be here before Xmas hopefully. I have a few auction pics I can post if I can work out how since Photobucket blew up. It should make a fun car and will be a joy in the great driving roads of Snowdonia.

[mondie]

I dont have any decent pics, just a few from the guy in Japan. I have attached about the best of them.

Cheers

[mondie]

[mondie]

[mondie]