BlkPnthr

So they need remapping from Japan to suit the UK fuel.. then wouldn't the same be the case for NZ fuel? Looked at the site and they definitely look like they do a nice job! Anyone know of anybody in NZ that does a similar thing? Ah some old school footage from the High Octane guys.... and that STi was owned by Jono at the time who now drives the Buddyclub Integra. Yeah, that's the sort of vid that makes things difficult. I spend ages telling myself that i'll be happy with the Nissan or Mazda, and then they go and embarass both of them easily with a nice STI. Found this today, looks like a good condition low km version 8. Now to find out how negotiable they are on price. If i can get them down a reasonable amount, anybody want to go look at it for me? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=239020884

Did you have a sedan or wagon STI? I could never fit surfboards in my STI, I could get my snowboard in by opening up the gap in the middle arm rest, but that was it. You're right though, I put a fridge in the back of my old legacy! But my impression is there aren't any legacy's out there that perform like the STI forester (including the s401)

Ideally I'd get what I had before, but funds won't allow that anymore, plus they're still comparatively rare. V8 or 9 would be good, but again there aren't many good ones in my price range. I don't particularly like the shape of the forester, but seems to perform pretty well and still have room for surfboards , mountain bikes etc. In saying that, I'd still rather have something else (that's why I'm looking at multiple other options), but may turn out that the forester is the best value for money..

Excuse my ignorance, but how come a car tuned for UK fuel would be more powerful? I'm in the UK at the moment and they seem to have similar 95/98 fuel like we do (to my untrained eye anyway). [quote name='WRXER said: That one has been around for ages I see, doesn't catch my eye for the price you pay... Seems far too overpriced. For 25kish I would still prefer to either grab a v8 or 9 sti Yeah you're right, it's definitely overpriced and hence why no one has bought it yet.. although i wonder if there's something else dodgy that's stopping it from selling too? Just found a video from NZ (random!) that compares the RX8 and 350Z.. even has an STI in there too (kicks arse): url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZFXtiKxD6Y[/url]

I only just realised that that Spec C is the same as the damaged one here. He's said it needs the front crossmember to be replaced, front subframe needs to be repaired or replaced and the front bumper needs to be repaired or replaced. Also radiator support panel needs aligning.. that sounds pretty expensive to me, and also like a decent prang Can't stop looking, managed to cull my watchlist from 25 to 15 today, but found this as well: Modded Version 6 [Edit] Just noticed it was listed for sale on May 24th earlier this year, and at that time someone asked for pictures of engine bay and they said no??! Here's the old listing: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/WRX/auction-219072246.htm

Probably best to start a new topic of your own

I hear ya, but at least your budget's decent! Out of the non-subie, why the Z over the RX7/8? Just personal preference i guess, i reckon it's a bit classier and less boy-racer. Also i think performance is slightly better than the RX8, and it's a 3.5litre rear wheel drive! [quote name='hellmitt said: i dunno, i mean, lowering my car that much is just not my scene, i just dont get it, but, i would get a nice set of adjusties in a heartbeat, ive had them before, and they really do make a difference to the driving experience, plus thsoe are probably set to their lowest point. doesnt look like its been too "boyracered" but does have a couple of tasteful mods. Yeah i don't like them that low either, although the 19's probably make it look a bit worse too. I'd get rid of them for some 18's and raise it back up a bit i think. Have had a bit of a turn around after remembering and having another look at this video: url]http://videos.streetfire.net/video/208-Fifth-Gear-Impreza-UK_178097.htm[/url] (although i hate Fifth Gear!). The Forester could be an option. I contacted the dealer about this one, asking whether it'd have a 100,000km service done before sale, and he said "it would come with the engine already serviced" and "am I right in that you would buy it if I took care of the cambelt job".. so i've replied saying i would only consider buying it IF the cambelt was done, and what exactly does he mean by the engine being "serviced". Could just be an oil change!

Yeah, there's a couple in Tauranga, so i'm sure there'll be some in other places. I'm not a fan

The 2003 Version 8 i mentioned earlier has become appealing again, although i'm worried about what the previous owner has done to it. It looks as though it has light-weight pulley kit, custom intake + pod filter (not a fan), and adjustable suspension from a quick glance, who know's what else they did. Found the plate (ECN80) on the cert in the engine bay, stuck it on CarJam and reckons it's a Spec C RA?? Could bring the price down, sell the mags, get some nice one's (Work Emotion CR-Kai 8)) and it'd almost be like having my V10 again :'( Otherwise the ugly kit 2002 Spec C is tempting just since it looks in good nick and is a decent price. Non-subaru i'm swayed towards the 350z Decisions are so tough!! ???

The price on the 350Z has dropped without bargaining, more into my price range now. Read a few reviews on them and lots of people seem to love them, but others say the interior is crap and they're pretty noisy inside. But then not like an STI is luxury either is it.. Would anyone touch this: 2003 damaged Spec C? I guess you'd bargain down a bit, and then just assume the total is about 20k after getting it fixed. Problem is what sort of damage has really been done. If it's not too bad, that's a low km V8 spec C for cheeeeap! Also what's this? I didn't know they did a Spec R in this model.. 2007 2.0 Spec R Thanks for that, was always a bit concerned about that STI. Think i'll be dropping it off the list. As for finding a nice tidy untouched example, easier said than done i think when looking at a model that's at least 7 years old now :-\

Cheers, only had a chance to briefly peek at it, but does seem pretty tidy. Km getting up there but otherwise..

Yeah that's the "ideal" price range, problem is I'm too easily swayed by nicer cars that are more expensive. That's what happened with the V10, started just looking to upgrade my BG5 and ended up going as far as I could (didn't like the V11). But yeah, this time is different, aiming for the lower side of $20k

That'd be me I'm thinking if you're wanting a 99-03 Legacy then you're probably looking to spend slightly less. If you can stretch then that white BP5 i posted in that thread looks pretty nice (depending on your tastes of course). Otherwise as hellmitt said, TradeMe is a good place to look at cars and figure out what sort of prices they're going for. There's usually tonnes of Legacy's on there. Do you want auto/manual? Turbo/NA? Station wagon/sedan? When i was driving in Europe, took a bit to adjust to driving on the other side of the road, especially going the other way around round-abouts, but i was a bit concerned to find out that when i got back to a country that drove on the left-hand side of the road it almost felt wrong! Good luck finding a car, and hope the move goes smoothly

Oops, musta just looked at that huge list of things taken out and automatically added A/C by myself ;D Thanks for the suggestions, nice low km's on the blue one, but more cash than i should probably spend. Red is getting closer, might be a decent buy for more like $22k. And that last white one is tidy too. Think i have about 20 cars on my watchlist at the moment 8)

I think safer just to stay away full stop. My g/f wasn't pleased when i mentioned buying yours, she loved my V10 almost as much as me, but after driving from Croatia to Prague in the middle of summer with a rental car that didn't have air con.. apparently now any car without air con is to be avoided :

Was waiting for your input, since you went and sold yours before i got back, i'm forced to look elsewhere There's two on TM at the moment with the RA Spec C stickers on them. The other one was linked to by subiv5 further up. Seems even dodgier than this one i reckon. [quote name='WRXER said: If u ever want anyone have a closer looksy down here in chch, Im more then happy to go have a look for you mate. Thanks for the offer, if i end up looking seriously at something down that way then i'll let you know!

More for the list.. Nissan 350Z - Unless bargainable is out of my range really 2003 Version 8 - Cheap, been fiddled with somewhat, but since it's a dealer should be able to get the price down and then buy some decent mags

Cheers for the link! Interesting discussion.. Actually did find a decent one, slightly over price range but low kms: here Yeah AA would be a decent idea, but at that cost i could fly AKL-CHC return and check it out myself. Also you're right about the drive back being a good road test, but problem is that'd be too late cos i would've already paid for it. Could try fly into Christchurch on the way back and then carry on to Auckland, although test-driving jet-lagged probably not a flash idea It's got the same TMIC as mine too the barstard I'll have to find a strut brace like his me thinksit could of been rebuild to run higher boost at 1st guess or its run a BEB which isn't un-heard of in a subaru with less than 50k edit also has the car been painted as the engine bay is gray? Yeah i'm pretty sure it's been painted, haven't seen any others in that colour standard? With all that in mind i wonder if it could've also been in a crash.. Cheers for the links, unfortunately forgot to mention i'm hoping for manual. If i got auto i'd get bored of it, and want to sell and find a manual pretty quickly. Also after not working for 3months and spending all my money on Belgian beer and French wine i'm now a low roller doctor! Otherwise i'd just grab another low km late model STI My problem is i prefer the late model Evo's rather than the 5's or 6's, but will have a look. Also they seem to be more expensive for comparable models. All the cars you suggested are out of my budget, but thanks for teasing! [quote name='subiv5 said: There is this but the bumper on this is equally ugly. Looks WRX'y. url]http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/auction-227210259.htm[/url] What about this? But its blue : http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/auction-235762326.htm If you can stretch the budget then this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/auction-237916397.htm Great for the mountain, plus chucking bikes and boards in the back Cheap Version 8? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Subaru/auction-237056943.htm Something about that Spec C seems dodgy, i thought the other one looked in better nick and seemed better looked after. The blue car has expired, not fussed on colour really, in fact my white V10 was a pain in the ass to keep clean. Have thought about STI Foresters, don't like the look (never have liked Foresters but that's just my personal opinion) but they do seem like good performing practical cars. Cheap version 8 is potential, in fact a cheap 8 would be great but the nice one's seem to be (not surprisingly) too pricey for me :-[

Haha, very thought out and logical reasoning there, i like it

Unfortunately none that i like in my price range, otherwise there'd be some on the list as well :-\

Cheers for the opinion, the only other problem with that one is it's in ChCh and i live (or will be living when i get back) in the north island, so would have to be pretty much sold on the car before it'd be worth flying down to see. First choice AWD, second RWD. I agree that's an important factor, but if i found a great performing, nice looking FWD for a good price, i probably wouldn't turn it down.

So, after the joy of owning my old V10, then the pain of selling it so i could go overseas for a few months (it still hurts), i now need to find something to come back to that can partially fill the hole. I'm not back in the country for another month, but looking to line up something soon after i get back, so figure i may as well start looking now. Ideally want something with performance and practicality for a cheap price and with low kms, but that's practically impossible. Have looked through a few options, and they all have pluses and minuses, but thought since i'm only judging them by pictures and descriptions at this stage, may as well see what other people's opinions are, and if anyone picks up on something i haven't. Ideally: budget < $20k, mileage <100,000km, performance orientated. As you'll be able to see from some of the one's i've found, struggling a bit with the first two. Subaru's (Click on titles for links) 2000 V6 - This looks to me like a really nice example of a V6, but overpriced. Pretty keen on this one actually, potential to bargain with maybe mech warranty and/or price drop? CarJam says it was imported a year ago, only drove 200km since and only registered in NZ last month?? Mistake?? Or has it been sitting somewhere for a year for some reason... 2002 Spec C - Relatively low km, good example of a Spec C (is it definitely a spec c?). Not so keen on the bodykit, but have seen much worse 2002 V7 - Not sure on the looks, don't like the front kit, but think it looks ok from rear and side. Paint job means it stands out a lot which i'm also not keen on, but then part of me likes the colour. Low km's is the best bit, but worst bit is the previous owner put in monster tacho which i stereotype to be someone who may have thrashed it.. not necessarily but i'd be removing it straight away 2003 Version 8 - Cheap, been fiddled with somewhat, but since it's a dealer should be able to get the price down and then buy some decent mags 2003 Legacy S401 - High price, high km's, but nice car! Is this much different to a regular B4 RSK though or is it mainly cosmetic? 2004 Legacy GT - Quite like the looks, low km's and very practical with ok performance but i still think overpriced. Also emailed and they never replied despite relisting afterwards (i'm not going to call or text from Europe!) Mazda: Also thought about either an RX7 or 8, but never driven one and know lots of them are thrashed: 1997 RX7 Type RZ - Out of my ideal budget range, not at all practical especially with the subs in the boot but looks like someone has spent cash on it, and would be fun to drive? 1992 RX7 - Driver lost his licence and for some reason engine has needed rebuilding (i'm guessing potentially related to driving style and reason for losing licence) so a bit dubious. But at the same time, i think it's relatively tastefully modified (my opinion only, feel free to vehemently disagree). Overpriced again? 2003 RX8 Randoms: Trying to keep an open mind.. 2002 BMW 318i M - Low km, i like the looks, practical but performance? 2005 Holden Astra SRi - Pretty much new, very practical, but boring and also dubious performance Nissan 350z BMW 330Ci For practicality, performance and price, this would have been ideal, but apparently it's pretty much sold. Any suggestions, comments, criticisms welcome

Just watched a Top Gear episode in the UK last week, and it had James May going for a spin with him. Not sure if it's the latest series or a repeat, but missed the end of it. Suffice to say the bit i did see had him shitting his pants

Why not just try it without the original key and find out? Will only take 2mins.

Doesn't fortyone automotive do hose kits?