b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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*Warning - not-overly retro content* ^ But it is interesting in my opinion, and some other borderline retro/modern Readers Rides seem to have been well received recently! Obviously I won't be offended if you delete this thread mods as it does break the rules Why is it interesting then? Well first off all it's being imported direct from Japan via a guy I've only spoken to on Facebook... They get it as far as the UK then it's up to me to MOT and register it, which I've been told is easy! What could possibly go wrong! Being a JDM only model it's the 2L GT Auto with a twinscroll turbo - this means 260bhp standard with a 5 speed tiptronic auto gearbox and full 4wd (and I believe rear LSD). Close to 300bhp should be safe with a decent map and exhaust. All of this wrapped up in a fairly unassumingly estate body big enough to carry kids, dogs, furniture etc.
Never owning a Subaru it's all going to be new to me, I've never even driven one so it'll be a voyage of discovery from start to end. Let's hope A) it's real B) it turns up as described and C) I actually like it. If any of those things don't happen my wife will murder me So here are some low-res pictures I have of it, which are all I have. Oh and an auction sheet. From the photos it looks fairly standard apart from an STI front splitter (which I did want anyway), a strut brace and some silicone hose on the intake. Inside has the addition of an ugly Japanese flip out satnav which will be going straight in the bin. Auction sheet put's as a '4B' which is a decent grade for this age/mileage, which only a few small scratches and a couple of tiny dents. So, now just to wait 2 months for it to arrive and see what I've actually spent my money on!
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Last Edit: Jul 30, 2018 14:34:24 GMT by b3nson
'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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Ritchie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 765
Club RR Member Number: 12
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Looks good, I recently imported a Subaru Brat from the states and it was a doddle to do. I was really surprised and I would definitely import again. Where about did you see it for sale?
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Was already in contact with an importer via Facebook, he offered this one up as it fitted my budget. Deal seems too good to pass up even if it isn't my preferred colour.
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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brawr
Part of things
Posts: 650
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Good choice, I've had two Legacy wagons in this shape, the second is my current daily, a 2.5 auto, though until the reality of my long commute hit I did lust after a 2.0t or a 3.0. Brilliant cars, if it's been looked after I doubt you'll be disappointed.
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Good choice, I've had two Legacy wagons in this shape, the second is my current daily, a 2.5 auto, though until the reality of my long commute hit I did lust after a 2.0t or a 3.0. Brilliant cars, if it's been looked after I doubt you'll be disappointed. Good to know, it's had the cambelt done on time and looks to be in good condition so hopefully it's been looked after! I'm really hoping it will tick all the boxes as a fun, usable family car for not a huge amount of money. Fuel consumption is a slight concern but my current Volvo daily is slow as hell and still doesn't get 30MPG so a loss of a couple of MPG for twice the power seems a far trade!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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Milord
Part of things
Posts: 155
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Damn, I'd REALLY love one of these. Just gave up looking for a decent one as it appears it can't ever be registered on a Belgian licence plate because JDM.
Really sad as it looks to be the perfect combination between performance and luxury/useability!
Good luck with it, I'm sure it won't dissapoint!
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Currently: BMW E46 320i Touring BMW E34 525TDS Touring VW T3 panel van 1.6d Opel Kadett C1 Caravan 1.2 Fiat 411R
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Damn, I'd REALLY love one of these. Just gave up looking for a decent one as it appears it can't ever be registered on a Belgian licence plate because JDM. Really sad as it looks to be the perfect combination between performance and luxury/useability! Good luck with it, I'm sure it won't dissapoint! Thanks, I came to the same conclusion. I must admit I would really really love an Evo IX Wagon, but they are silly money and harder to maintain (in theory!), but this should hopefully be a perfect all rounder at a much more affordable price!
Should have a shipping date this week, hopefully it'll be soon so I'll get it before my 30th birthday at the end of July!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Going on the boat on the 30th June, should be with me around the 8th August. That’ll give me enough time to sort get all the service and undersealing bits ready for when it arrives.
And maybe enough time to sort the big rust hole that I've just discovered on the Integra
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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2018 13:57:04 GMT by b3nson
'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Jul 30, 2018 14:34:00 GMT
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Slowly watching this sale across the world... the boat got delayed by a week or so, so due in the UK around mid August now. It's currently just passed the Suez canal so at least it's in Europe now! Worst thing is I'm changing jobs and moving to a different part of the country, so even once it's here I'm not going to get to see it or drive it for a couple of weeks! Going to get it delivered to my old work where a mate with MOT it for me and report back on it's condition, which will be a very nerve racking couple of days...
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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Jul 30, 2018 18:22:57 GMT
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Amazing choice. I love a subaru, looking forward to seeing more pics of this once it has arrived!
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I imported my old Forester from Japland as far cheaper for a better condition car. All I can say is good things BUT... Get it rustproofed underneath whilst its still warm - they do nothing to stop the tim worm over there. Waxoil needs to be your bestest buddy.
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-( 10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily 03 Import Forester STi - Sold 98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-( 99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold 02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX 88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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I imported my old Forester from Japland as far cheaper for a better condition car. All I can say is good things BUT... Get it rustproofed underneath whilst its still warm - they do nothing to stop the tim worm over there. Waxoil needs to be your bestest buddy.
Haha yeah my Integra is already my rusty car, I don't need another to deal with! It'll be the first thing I do before I start using it.
I suppose this as good as time as any to explain my aims/thinking behind this car. Alot of focus nowadays is on the modern breed of hot hatches/small saloons, that seem to be able to do everything pretty well. I'm talking about the Golf Rs/Audi S3s/Focus RS's that are very popular at the moment. Working for a Hyundai dealer I was actually seriously considering a Hyundai I30N for a while as they're a fantastic car to use everyday and still have fun it at weekends. However, most of these cars are the best part of £30000 and depreciating like a stone.
So my aim with the Legacy is to have all of the good points of these modern hot hatches, but with a fraction of the cost.
Using a Golf R estate as a benchmark for performance is my starting point -
That has approx 300bhp with a kerb weight of 1593kgs (!!) The Legacy as standard has 260bhp and a kerb weight of 1450kgs. So once it's remapped safely to just under 300bhp it should have the legs on the Golf in a straight line. Both are automatic (albeit the Golf with a very good modern DCT and the Legacy with a somewhat more oldschool tiptronic 'proper' auto) Both are 4wd
Suprisingly the Golf actually has a bigger boot in estate form, which combined with it's weight goes to show how massive a modern day medium size car actually is!
Obviously there are certain areas that aren't going to compare as well in terms of interior refinement and gadgets, but I'm pretty sure with a modern Apple Carplay headunit upgrade I can gain some ground back. Also cost of maintainence/lack of any warranty would probably be factored in for for most people, but I'm going to ignore that for now!
So anyway, that's my aims with it so far. Get the modern fast car experience for the cost of a deposit on a new one!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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Milord
Part of things
Posts: 155
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Jul 31, 2018 11:02:27 GMT
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That was exactly my train of thought as well when I decided I wanted one of these! I think I'll settle for a SAAB 9-5 now, has about the same potential and weighs 1575kg, so should, in theory, be approx the same fun! No AWD though...
I hope it's going to be in superb condition when it arrives!
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Currently: BMW E46 320i Touring BMW E34 525TDS Touring VW T3 panel van 1.6d Opel Kadett C1 Caravan 1.2 Fiat 411R
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brawr
Part of things
Posts: 650
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Aug 11, 2018 20:27:31 GMT
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Looks like this should have arrived this week, have you picked it up yet?
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Aug 11, 2018 21:10:21 GMT
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Aug 11, 2018 21:44:04 GMT
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I was going to say, Supergramp's! Lol
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Last Edit: Aug 11, 2018 21:46:35 GMT by joem83
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Aug 12, 2018 14:47:14 GMT
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Looks like this should have arrived this week, have you picked it up yet? Not yet, it's about a week away! So should be a post-Gathering treat for me. May have already sorted a set of wheels for it though!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Aug 12, 2018 14:48:33 GMT
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Haha yeah I have recently watched that whole series, sadly they ditched the standard engine for another one, was hoping to get a bit more of an insight into mine!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Aug 21, 2018 19:38:47 GMT
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Good news today, the car is real! It has arrived today safe and sound at my former workplace, pity it's 3 hours away from where I am now. I would definitely recommend Tom The Car Mover for any transportation needs, very reasonably priced and his communication was fantastic.
So the next steps are: Actually see the car in person, that won't happen until Saturday so that'll be exciting when I can eventually get my hands on it. Next get an MOT, this is why it's at the garage I used to work out so shouldn't be a problem. I hope. Wait for the NOVA to be processed to tell DVLA that all taxes are paid, I'm told this can take up to 3 weeks at the moment which is a bit annoying as it should be a few days. Once all the above has occurred I can send it off with an Import pack that I've requested from the DVLA and the export certificate, and hopefully receive a V5 in return not too long after. I fear it could be well into September before I can actually drive it which is a shame.
Next update - photos of the car actually taken by me and first impressions of what I've actually bought!
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'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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b3nson
Part of things
Posts: 886
Club RR Member Number: 22
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Aug 25, 2018 12:25:07 GMT
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I've seen it, and driven it about 500m, and it works! Also I was too excited to take any decent photos, but here are some anyway It's easily the best condition car I've ever bought, which is remarkable considering it's 13 years old. Inside is immaculate bar some tape left over from stuff stuck on the dashboard, even the factory blue protective film on all the door sill trims is still there! It has a full genuine Subaru mat set too. Next step was to get it on a ramp and have a look underneath, which was also a very pleasant surprise! Apart from the exhaust system it's essentially perfect which little to no corrosion on most parts of it. It has Bilstein shocks too which I though was just the Spec Bs, and aluminium lower arms by the look of it. The exhaust will need replacing as it's blowing, but that's a good excuse to get a nice new stainless one. Xenons work, which is good. Looking around the car also added to my joy. It's got Cusco front and rear strutbraces (the rear hidden below the boot mat), so Zero sports goodies in the engine bay and a good quality reverse camera. The satnav is all Japanese though so I'm going to have to investigate whether it can be of any use in the UK. The STI lip on the front bumper is also in good condition. Also noted were the 4 brand new Bridgestone winter tyres, which makes me very excited to get some snow this winter! Everything points to being enthusiast owned and all the maintenance stickers in the engine bay would point to it being looked after to a high standard so all in all, very very happy with it! Won't be able to drive it until registered in a few weeks time, so let's hope it drives as good as it looks!
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Last Edit: Aug 25, 2018 12:26:03 GMT by b3nson
'99 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo '08 Panda 100HP
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