JDYAM Subaru Goodness

Yeah, it's not even remotely about safety - the dealership lobby (a.k.a. the third- or fourth-most evil, corrupt organization in Canada) had a conniption that a few thousand imports a year were might possibly cut into their business and started leaning on the governments to change the rules. Yeesh... "democracy" in action.

And don't even get me started on the Canadian insurance racket...

BTW my German insurance company gives me a break on my RHD Elan because I'm a member of a large enthusiast club over here. I guess they assume I'm going to be more careful and protective of my prized ride than the average slob with an Opel Corsa. I'd like to see that happen in Canada. Hah!

Jay wrote: I'd like to see that happen in North America. Hah!

I shed a tear

HiTempguy wrote:

NGTD wrote: In Quebec, you cannot even register a RHD vehicle anymore. Those that were legally imported before some date (I can't remember exactly - I think sometime in 2010) can stay and be used till they expire, but no new ones.

As Keith mentioned, it also sounds like Ontario is leaning this way. What utter crap! Having driven thousands of kilometers in RHD vehicles, the only issue is left hand turn lanes at lights, and all you have to do is wait longer for a better view (its like, being a defensive driver or something, gasp!) In fact, certain things (passing on highways, parallel parking in cramped downtown quarters, etc) are MUCH easier in a rhd car.

In Ontario, it seems to be the insurance companies that are getting twitchy. So while you may be able to legally register a RHD car, you might not be able to insure it. It's worth a call to your insurance broker before you drop big coin on something oddball.

Soooooo, a bit of an update: this did not end up going as well as I expected (surprise)!

The original car in question was not an auction car but an actual dealer car (so I'd be buying it outright versus bidding on it). The word I received was that the original buyer backed out when the dealer RAISED the price on this car from $6500 to $7900 So, I told my broker to politely tell them to get bent, and the search continued.

Lately, lots of 1996 stock is becoming available since Sept. 96 is when most cars built back then will be legal in Canada. The problem with this is that the '96-'97 WRX's/STi's used an EJ20K motor vs the EJ20G. Numerous differences, almost all favouring the EJ20G except for the heads (but since this is a turbocharged application, who gives a flying leap). Also, the EJ20K makes a good 30hp more from the factory due to very aggressive boost/timing maps, which has led to a lot of them blowing up in swaps due to people not getting them tuned for 91 octane. So while there have been quite a few 96 STi Type RA's available, I have passed on them due to their issues (as well as the added complexity of OBD2 so I could no longer get a 380hp reflash without going to a VIPEC plug and play standalone).

Which leads me to what I may be purchasing this evening:

It is a '95 STi in decent shape. Since it isn't an RA, it has a standard box (but it is "supposedly" stronger than a WRX box) and power windows/power locks. Same motor, all of the other goodies STI's get, I just miss out on the DCCD, close ratio box and 100 pounds of lightening. Basically, it should be a better all around daily driver, and on pavement shouldn't give up much (if anything) to the type RA around the track. While I am slightly dissapointed that I won't be in a gnarly DD, having something with a couple of creature comforts would be nice!

Question from the Toyota fanboi:

You can get the ST205 Celica GT4, yes? Have you taken a look at them?

If it was good enough to get banned from WRC, it's gotta be good, right? RIGHT?

I don't think the Celica GT4 was banned from WRC.

Toyota got caught playing with a rather unique restrictor design!

NGTD wrote: I don't think the Celica GT4 was banned from WRC. Toyota got caught playing with a rather unique restrictor design!

True true.... Toyota themselves got slapped or something. They didn't return until the Corolla.

HiTempguy wrote: I guess we'll see if it is mine tonight. 1995 WRX STi Type RA (so it has DCCD, is lighter, and has a different valve train that allows a higher rev limit compared to the stock wrx's of that era). The 95's could come with A/C and power windows (this one has A/C which I'll probably remove, am unsure if it has power windows/locks), unlike the 93/94 WRX Type RA's which did not. If everything works out, it should have close to 400hp in ~2 weeks. And then its Time Attack baby! Along with judicial amounts of rally-x of course It should also look nice next to my buddies wagon (we're so jdyam it hurts!)

Buddy of mine has literally that same car. Not that EXACT one right there, but one identical to it. Only difference is it has no roof scoop. It's a helluva party....

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Question from the Toyota fanboi: You can get the ST205 Celica GT4, yes? Have you taken a look at them? If it was good enough to get banned from WRC, it's gotta be good, right?

Define good? Good at putting a smile on your face? Sure.

Good at being as portly as an Audi? Sure. Good at being as impractical as a Talon but with no parts support here in North America? They are heavy beasts that were starting to be underpowered near the end.

But sexy

How much does the Subie weigh?

Average ST205 weighs between 3200-3300lbs, and they make 255hp, stock.

But if the Subie weighs something like 2700lbs, then i've got nothin'.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: the Subie weighs something like 2700lbs

And the sti's make an "assumed" 280hp due to a "gentleman's agreement" all of the manufacturers had with each other so their cars didn't get dinged with stupid taxes.

The Subie does weigh something like 2700lbs wet, and is known for being underrated power wise. It's fairly well known that that particular motor was good for 350whp on a manual boost controller. Lemme tell ya, I ran against the friend of mines, and I've got close to his crank rating at the wheels of my ms3, + less powertrain loss, and I got my ass handed to me, from a roll. On a track.

Ah, so it's outpacing the ST205, then. I will cry a little, but be ok with the 335-340whp that car will put out with a boost controller.

Hrmm... seems i was wrong on the weight on the ST205, too. Jap market was a touch over 3000lbs. Looks like i need to make sure i get a jap market one when they're legal.

I say this because:

BTW Adam here you go:

http://northbay.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1991-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Right-Hand-Drive-W0QQAdIdZ261671882

Pic is not the same car, but looks similar - PS - Not mine.

NGTD wrote: BTW Adam here you go:

Can't afford it, as the STi is now mine Let the waiting games begin

I believe snow mexicans is the coined term...

NGTD wrote: BTW Adam here you go: http://northbay.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1991-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Right-Hand-Drive-W0QQAdIdZ261671882 Pic is not the same car, but looks similar - PS - Not mine.

I've got to be a twisted individual, because that is my favorite Nissan, EVER. I have a thing for insane hatches. This car, and the Mazda Familia GTR push my happy buttons.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

NGTD wrote: BTW Adam here you go: http://northbay.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1991-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Right-Hand-Drive-W0QQAdIdZ261671882 Pic is not the same car, but looks similar - PS - Not mine.

I've got to be a twisted individual, because that is my favorite Nissan, EVER. I have a thing for insane hatches. This car, and the Mazda Familia GTR push my happy buttons.

I showed that to my girlfriend last night. She officially dubbed me insane. I would TOTALLY drive that though, how sick!

Maroon92 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

NGTD wrote: BTW Adam here you go: http://northbay.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1991-Nissan-Pulsar-GTI-R-Right-Hand-Drive-W0QQAdIdZ261671882 Pic is not the same car, but looks similar - PS - Not mine.

I've got to be a twisted individual, because that is my favorite Nissan, EVER. I have a thing for insane hatches. This car, and the Mazda Familia GTR push my happy buttons.

I showed that to my girlfriend last night. She officially dubbed me insane. I would TOTALLY drive that though, how sick!

Well, to the uninitiated it appears to be the worst of the ricer trends.

• Weird hood venting? Check.
• Big-ish wing tacked onto a hatchback? Check.
• Obscure, yet pedestrian econobox body shape? Check.
• Totally awesome to 90's Japanese compact geeks? (referencing myself here, I'll let the rest of you self-deprecate yourselves) Double Check.

BTW - Congrats on the Subie! I'd take one of those over any other rex any day of the week. On that note, Canada sucks (because I can't have it).

Here's what the GTI-R looks like underneath

They drove it across the finish line!

I have nothing useful to add, I'm just waiting to hear more about the STi.

Keith wrote: I have nothing useful to add, I'm just waiting to hear more about the STi.

Me too! Next week is when I'll get a kajillion pictures of it, then another 4 for delivery

I contemplated both GTi-R's and Familia's, but in the end out of all the AWD cars, the Subies are most plentiful, pretty close to being the most reliable, and have the greatest ability to go anywhere any car should ever go. If I was looking for straight up tracking ability, I would have went with either a RX7 or GTR (both which are known for making tons of power, but also having poor reliability until built).

I'm still of the opinion that 400hp at the crank, in a 2800 pound awd car should MORE than suffice to make me giggle like a school girl (especially on gravel)!

In reality, since I went with a regular STi, I should have gotten a wagon as they are exactly the same... I'll just pretend it was all about the 70 pound weight difference and lower centre of gravity.

You can also reassure yourself with the knowledge that, while the Legacy wagon is one handsome beast, Subaru has never made an attractive Impreza wagon.

Pretty side:

Ugly side :

The good news is that the interior is s00per clean, and as far as I can tell the car is essentially 100% bone stock (not even a lame outdoor's thermostat, crappy boost gauge, or turbo timer has been added)!

Nice!

I'd take it, even with the funky body damage.