Help Buying A Subaru Wrx Wagon

[ScoobyDav]

Hi Guys i am after some advice on buying a import Subaru

I am going to hopefully collect my Subaru next Wednesday its a 1995 Subaru impreza wagon it was imported June 2006 by the guy i am going to buy it from. I think what happened is he bought it off a company that imports them anyway the car is completely standard as far as i know. The only thing that does not work is the aircon which made a noise last night and then broke the belt guy phoned me today to tell me this had happened He has replaced the brakes and pads all round and the powersteering pump and that's all in the last year

He also says that it has been serviced regular and he has some of the service history from japan and all the documents he got when he bought it and log book

My question is what should i look out for

Would it be advisable to do an hpi check on it ??? can you buy them on credit import cars that is

He says the clutch is biting halfway does that sound right ??????

Thanks for any help/advice given

[superstar_tradesman]

Hi Guys i am after some advice on buying a import Subaru

I am going to hopefully collect my Subaru next Wednesday its a 1995 Subaru impreza wagon it was imported June 2006 by the guy i am going to buy it from. I think what happened is he bought it off a company that imports them anyway the car is completely standard as far as i know. The only thing that does not work is the aircon which made a noise last night and then broke the belt guy phoned me today to tell me this had happened He has replaced the brakes and pads all round and the powersteering pump and that's all in the last year

He also says that it has been serviced regular and he has some of the service history from japan and all the documents he got when he bought it and log book

My question is what should i look out for

Would it be advisable to do an hpi check on it ??? can you buy them on credit import cars that is

He says the clutch is biting halfway does that sound right ??????

Thanks for any help/advice given

It's always a good idea to do an HPI check on the car, If he bought it from a legitimate importer he should have the BIMPTA milleage certificate which shows the mileage the car was at when it went through the auction house in Japan.Although it will be in KM but is easy to work out as miles. Also ask if he has the Auction Papers for the car too as this shows the grade of car 1 being poor and 5 being superb, has the car beem converted to MPH and de-restricted as Jap cars are limited to 112 mph by law.

Look out for the usual stuff, all panel gaps being even, no signs of filler or overspray indicating accident damage.

No smoke on start up or when revving, no nasty rattles from the engine, no nasty knocks when under heavy acceleration or braking. When braking hard make sure it pulls up in a straight line.

If you're not sure what you're looking for get an AA or Rac inspection done, these normally include an HPI report too.

The main thing is take your time look at lots of cars and don't dive in and buy the first one you see.

[ScoobyDav]

It's always a good idea to do an HPI check on the car, If he bought it from a legitimate importer he should have the BIMPTA milleage certificate which shows the mileage the car was at when it went through the auction house in Japan.Although it will be in KM but is easy to work out as miles. Also ask if he has the Auction Papers for the car too as this shows the grade of car 1 being poor and 5 being superb, has the car beem converted to MPH and de-restricted as Jap cars are limited to 112 mph by law.

Look out for the usual stuff, all panel gaps being even, no signs of filler or overspray indicating accident damage.

No smoke on start up or when revving, no nasty rattles from the engine, no nasty knocks when under heavy acceleration or braking. When braking hard make sure it pulls up in a straight line.

If you're not sure what you're looking for get an AA or Rac inspection done, these normally include an HPI report too.

The main thing is take your time look at lots of cars and don't dive in and buy the first one you see.

Thanks m8

The car i am collecting on Wed cos i have made my mind up now lol has just had a full respray the company he works for was getting a new window put in and it shattered and fell on the car so his company paid for a full respray due to scratches

The guy say hes has all the documents from japan it has a cobra cat 1 alarm and a tracker as well but no other mods

He has just replaced the disc's and pads but that is just threw wear and tear the car has done 77000 miles He had to replace a steering pump and the air con pump has just seized but again i think wear and tear

My worry was if there was any outstanding finance on the car but did not know if when you buy these imports from a company would you have to pay cash or if you could buy with finance

The car was only imported last may and he paid £4000 for it

I have always been a ford man and have a modded mark 3 at the moment so just a bit apprehensive about changing from what you know lol But i go down to London on wed to collect so fingers crossed

Everybody that i have spoke to say the Subaru's are very reliable so hears hoping

Edited August 31, 2007 by ScoobyDav

[superstar_tradesman]

Yeah they are reliable mate as long as they are well looked after, plenty of service history is the key.

As for finance buying an import from a dealer is just like buying any car you can get finance if you want it.

At the least you should HPI it but if I were you pay for an AA or RAC inspection as it could save you from buying a pup.

Good luck with it and I'll hopefully see you around some time.

[ScoobyDav]

Yeah they are reliable mate as long as they are well looked after, plenty of service history is the key.

As for finance buying an import from a dealer is just like buying any car you can get finance if you want it.

At the least you should HPI it but if I were you pay for an AA or RAC inspection as it could save you from buying a pup.

Good luck with it and I'll hopefully see you around some time.

Thanks for your advice m8

I will hpi it atleast that will put my mind at rest about the finance and that it has not had an insurance claim mind you its only been in the country 1 year

Edited August 31, 2007 by ScoobyDav

[ScoobyDav]

Thanks for your advice m8

I will hpi it atleast that will put my mind at rest about the finance and that it has not had an insurance claim mind you its only been in the country 1 year

Just done a check on it and it has came back all clear woohoo lol subaru hear i come

[ScoobyDav]

Went and collected the car today from London came back up the road with no problems

I was impressed at how much it cost me for fuel was expecting fortune the guy said it would take over £110 to bring it back up but i did just under 500 miles and it cost £75

[marky.t.s]

Went and collected the car today from London came back up the road with no problems

I was impressed at how much it cost me for fuel was expecting fortune the guy said it would take over £110 to bring it back up but i did just under 500 miles and it cost £75

dont forget the pics once you've washed the bugs off it then.

Edited September 5, 2007 by marky.t.s

[ScoobyDav]

dont forget the pics once you've washed the bugs off it then.

I will do m8