OK So I'm kinda stuck; Last month a scored a good deal on a set of Tokico HP Blues with lowering springs on eBay. Listing said "10 available". I now know this is total BS.. So after paying I get a UPS tracker, but it goes nowhere, seller says no worries, it's insured, however he's out of stock but will get more on 6/27, naturally he doesn't.. Now I also think the UPS thing was BS, I think he drop ships. I'm frustrated now since it's 3+ weeks later and I have no idea when (or if ) I'm getting struts. SO I look around and 3 or 4 other sellers have the same set up, about the same price including this jackwagon. He relisted the item... None of the sellers have them in stock (at least they were honest) and none of the interweb places do either. So basically it's a bad time to buy Tokico struts.. (everyone is blaming the earthquake) Now the guy with my money is offering me some KYBs (GR2 I'm betting since he has a bunch listed for the WRX) but my searching seems to indicate KYB are no better than stock. So what do y'all think? **Wait it out for the Tokicos (This guy is as likely to get some in stock as anyone else) **Take the offer of KYB (he said $50 cheaper. I'm thinking I should get a discount on top of that) This guy has good feedback. Only one negative the rest are neutral (refunds etc) he has been moving struts for 5 years on eBay..
KYB GR2s are OEM stock replacement IIRC. There's nothing wrong with that really. The KYB AGX would be a set up if they still make them.
The question is what would the total price be for the kyb's with the 'discount'? Then shop the vendors and see if it is a better deal or not. If it was me, I'd be too pissed already and just demand a full refund. Kyb's are slightly better than stock from what I can gather, but they are essentially just stock replacements. Full sets are cheap as hell
What made you initially think that the "10 available" was BS? I actually tend to trust those numbers because the seller is bound by the eBay seller's agreement that says you are required to refund your customer if you can not provide the quantity you advertised for some reason. You can easily get a refund through eBay's dispute center because it was effectively false advertising and the seller will not ship the promised quantity. I do believe that Tokico will be hurting because of the natural disaster in Japan. When Tokico hit the Subaru market, they were never able to keep production up with the demand. For the first few years that the D-Specs were available for the WRX, most people had to wait 6 months for delivery. I think I had to wait 2-3 months for my D-specs, and there was no natural disasters at the time. The UPS tracking numbers do not go anywhere until the item is actually shipped, and it will remain a valid number, with "no data" until shipped. The KYB GR-2 strut is equivalent to the stock strut, so it isn't considered an upgrade. But new struts are always nice if yours are worn out. My advise is if you can wait 2-4 months, then the Tokico's are worth the wait. But if you need them sooner, then find another strut to buy, such as Koni inserts, revalved STI struts, or some coilover (if you are willing to go that route). ~Dan
$450 struts and springs. But as I said I would expect something fr my trouble.. I paid $560 including shipping for the HP Blues with springs, looks like a set of KYB GR-2s go for $325 (no springs) Well as I said go search for the HPs with springs on eBay. All those sellers have told me they do not have them in hand.. So yeah, technically a violation of eBay policy. Plus as I said the guy I bough my set from is currently listing 10 available, if that were true mine would be on the way. Yeah that's all it did, so I think they are full of it. I don't need struts now, but I don't want to be installing them in November. So no I don't want to wait 4 months..
GR2s will wear out REALLY fast if you use stiffer springs than stock. Mine (on an 02 Impreza) with Prodrive blue springs lasted at most 30k before they were absolutely dead and rode TERRIBLY. As Mix said, AGXs would be a better choice. I know in the Miata community Tokico blues are the most laughed at shock around. Utter trash that blow their seals if you look at them funny. If they make Illuminas for your specifications, go for those. Illuminas also have a lifetime warranty that includes wear.
I think the D-Specs are another notch above Illuminas. I think they are a well-respected strut. Konis are well reviewed as well. If you keep going up in price, just go for some Ohlins coilovers.
Ohlins? Right, that's above my pay grade on the motorcycle and that's only one, I can't imagine what four for the Subie are... I'm gonna see if he'll do a deal on the D-Spec..
