Where to start importing v1 impreza

[Jamina]

As title really...where do I start. 
 

Have looked into this a bit and it seems like the UK market price the early imprezas well above the Japanese do. 
 

I get it - but pushes me to look at importing. 
 

Anyone have any experience? So far I have been advised that after all the expenses it will round out pretty samey to purchasing a UK spec but with the advantage of little to no rust plus lower mileage as the Japanese market cash in with much lower mileage. (KM in their case)

 

any advice appreciated - not rushing to do anything just want to get some info. 

[savage bulldogs]

Think it depends what it's for,  daily ,summer /weekend car or investment. 

If its investment then sti's, ra's , limited version and type r's, in rust free stock condition seem to be going up on value .

Most uk cars do have rust issues but that makes the clean ones worth keeping hold of too imo . Seen Rb5's , Mcrae's ect starting to rise in price lately too .

If you intend on modifying it , I'd probably get a clean wrx Shell and mod as you go . As you never really get your money back on mods and probably just end up making the resale harder not being stock .

Think there's a few on here that have imported cars , personally I'd use a recommended importer . So there's someone reliable looking at the cars over there and recommending the ones to bid on . Rather than someone bidding on a car online that they haven't seen with your money .

@david1972 has imported a few lately 😉

 

[Jay762]

As above - contact an importer (recommended) there are a few that people speak highly of

[Jamina]

Thanks @savage bulldogs I am specifically looking for GC8A/B/C so anything pre 1996ish with the intention of keeping, it would be a car to appreciate and take to car shows. I wouldn't be looking to track it, modify it extensively or bolt on a load of wide body kit parts. If it came in stock form I would probably look to give the brakes an upgrade, stiffen up the body and sort out any rust issues.

I have never owned a classic impreza, so thoughts were to get the earliest example I could find, with as little technology as possible.

These is all future thinking and not something I would rush to do, I would like to wait until I have garage space ideally anyway so lots of time to figure it all out.

@david1972 if you don't mind me asking, how have you found importing? Where do you start in terms of who to contact? How long does the process take (generally)?

[savage bulldogs]

I haven't used them myself but know a few people on other forums that have . I just saw them put a post up saying there was 2x V2 sti ra's , a v2 sti 555 and a v2 wrx vlimited going up for auction soon .

Might be worth contacting them to get a idea of process and total price once in the uk and registered 😉

https://www.jdmauctionwatch.com

Think you'll find a classic a much more raw car to drive compared to bug onwards 😊

All the best with the search , mate 

[Jamina]

Thanks @savage bulldogs I will be taking a look into it, raw I am happy with, so long as there are airbags im all good!

[savage bulldogs]

 my v1 sti hasn't got air bags or abs 😊

 I think the ra's or v2sti's dont have airbags either but early UK limited editions and maybe some WRX's will though . I know my old v3 UK had a airbag but unsure if the Jdm's of the same age did tbh 

[Jamina]

I will have a bit of a look into that then - would rather the little ones had some protection. 
 

abs I’m not so bothered about.