Check it out, the STi is going to be available in Australia in December.

Yep!! :D

Now it is our turn, damn it!

JJ
www.imprezawrxsti.com
All STi, All The Time

we should be next in line now

Um... not likely, sorry. The US is always last in line for the really good stuff, because it is the most competitive market. The 2002 STi model still has to be officially released in it home country, Japan. After that I'm sure it will hit Europe next, as it has traditionally. Then maybe if they can get some half decent emmissions control, it may hit North American shores. Just look at the history, FHI never strays far from its release periods for all its divisions (Subaru, Isuzu, etc).

Dude, Its already out in Japan.. and UK as well I believe... the UK version is even better looking than the J spec:D

Damian better do some research there, Subaru and Isuzu are both divisions of FHI?

Um, ya, right. They are both in partnership with General Motors (along with Suzuki etc etc) but not the same company at all.

They jointly own and opperate Subaru Isuzu Automotive (SIA) in Lafayette, Indiana but they are most certainly not both owned by FHI.

Fuji: http://www.fhi.co.jp
Isuzu: http://www.isuzu.co.jp
Subaru Isuzu Automotive: http://www.subaru-isuzu.com/

well, the STi's not quite in the UK yet

but it is conformed, and will be there in a couple months.

and yeah, I would wager we're next :)

Is this the first year the sti has been offered oficially in australia.

The STi has been offered Officialy in Australia by Subaru for some time. Limited availability has always been kicking the price up though.

Availability in the US has nothing to do with emissions any longer. The new UK emissions are at least as tough as the US, and they have sound/drive-by tests to deal with as well.

maybe our different crash / safty standards affect it?