I dont think a Spec D will every command a premium. If you look at those cars that do and are relatively depreciation safe they have 2 unique traits. Performance and style. Look at the Focus RS and CLio V6 for example, they were all a bit special compared to the others in the range. If you take the spec D, it is no different in performance to all the other STIs and looks like a WRX with which there are plenty.

 

Very good points,

 

I suppose it's all down to if I get my money back when I sell it

The blob is local but it's a trader who gets bad feed back.

 

I'd say blob, aside from the points already mentioned, people will be even more paranoid about the 2.5 going pop as they get older so won't go near them.

 

In the 2 cars you've mentioned it the 2005 Widetrack all day long, that's the car that's becoming sort after due to the dccd Widetrack on rear and a more readily available power without it going pop and the cheaper road tax, win win.
A 2.5 is a 50/50 risk IMO will you dare thrash it just incase? What's the point in driving it like miss daisy in fear all the time, although there is some that have not had problems and double road tax too,
It's an easy choice to make IMO.

 

The only difference is the 2.0L against a 2.5L, All this widetrack talk... Its a Spec-D its a widetrack car anyway, They both are

 

Lol never knew

I've decided on the hawk, all the blobs are higher miles and also trade cars, whos sellers seem to have worse reps than keighly trade centre lol

If it goes pop it pops, been speaking to a Subaru mechanic mate and hell do me the head at cost of £300 at my own garage so not bad,

 

Is the Hawk a private sale?

 

Yip!

 

Yeah hawks private enthusiast, also thrown in now a modded 04 sti on 50k

 

Get the spec d, you ll need a new set of coilivers tho. The suspension is shocking.

 

I owned both a 56-reg Spec D Hawk PPP that I ran for 45,000 miles and an 05 DCCD Blob PPP for 15,000 miles after having the Hawk. Will be on the lookout for another STi Blob in 18 months or so as I'll have space for one then.

I thought the Spec D was a nice car but it couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be. It seemed too softly sprung yet the damping was very hard. Made it a bit hairy in the wet sometimes even after I had all weather tyres put on her. It also wasn't a particularly comfortable car to be in despite the pleasant interior.

The Blob in my opinion seemed a better car. It seemed to lack a little at the top end in comparison but was a much more agile car and far easier to place on the road when making progress. The steering was tighter and on Toyo T1s was a brilliant B road slayer.

One piece of advice though, NEVER feel rushed into a sale. You must always buy the car you feel comfortable buying and make sure it comes with a great service history from a dealer you trust.

 

I think the Spec D is gonna win it by a nose!!

 

Another vote for the blob, better seats, better engine, easier to mod up to 450 ish, better re-sale value, easier to sell, less tax.


I personally don't like the 2.5 even at circa 360 bhp, just doesn't feel urgent, theres no kick, add to that the very well documented problems, and the fact they run hot and burn oil, i just would not chance it.

But it's your money spend it how you like.

 

20mins away from the hawk lol.

If its not what I want I may be looking at a 340 bhp blob 04.

But I do prefer the drive of the 2.5 as I liked cupra rs drive

 

Get the hawk imho mate, much better drive the power is immediate then goes nuts when the turbo comes on, the blob feels gutless until turbo spools.

 

Drive the car hard giving it lots of boost. Then pull over and check for bubbles in the expantion tank.
That's an early sign of hg failure on the 2.5 they leak on boost and push air into the coolant system.

 

Bought it.

Fsh genuine un modifeid car. Needs me to work my magic. But yeah real chuffed.

 

The Spec D?

Pics???

 

Pics!

 

Yup,





Will get a full machine detail, then interior and engine followed by a autoglym life shine.

Really happy with the drive

 

This is the Impreza I should have got and have always wanted. I love the subtle but distinctly performance orientated styling.

 

For reference this indicates the wide track that is the same as on the STI Blobeye. The standard WRX, GB270 etc dont have this wide strip to accommodate the wheels sticking out further.

 

Your opinions do have some merit but that's just what they are, opinions.
I wouldn't not say the blob has a better or worse re-sale than the hawk. Some may buy the hawk because it's a newer car and imo better looking. Some may by the blob because its cheaper or they prefer the 2 L engine.
The 2L is more tuner friendly but may are higher mileage , so its horses for courses on the reliability front.
I have a 2.5 and it burns no oil. It kicks hard enough although mine is mapped. The 2.5 may not feel as hard a kick but that's due to the lack of lag and high torque low down the rev range. You are how ever correct on the higher VED. Fingers crossed they do go the tolls on motorways and scrap ved that's being debated.

 

Chopperman, i agree mate, not slating the car, just personal preference.

Nice looking car op, if they did one in 04 i probably would of bought a spec d instead of a WRX, love the subtle styling.

Hope it all goes well for you.

What did you pay for it.

 

You know that it will be x amount for most car and xx amount for those with cars producing more than 225g/km from 2006 dont you, lol.

 

Well thats how it is now so of course i know. After all i'm one of the poor motorists being mugged £475 a year.
Te government are thinking about VED and whether there is a "fairer"way meaning a way they could make more money. The higher rate cars always subsidised the lower rate but now the government are losing money due to the amount of zero rated cars on the road. Toll's on motorways is just one of the options being looked at. I do 3k miles a year and pay £475. My friend does 4k miles a month and pays zero. I look at that as unfair, the government look at it as losing money. I think VED is on its way out.

 

I can understand the appeal of the "discrete" look STi but never understood why they fitted the WRX spoiler. It maybe more discrete than the sti but i think the A-line lip spoiler would of set the spec D apart more and been even more discrete. just my personal preference .

 

Cupra jake, great choice. Enjoy. Where are you based btw?

 

Is this the one? Subaru did this as standard on the STI Limited version along with black Brembos rather than the gold ones to make it even more discreet. They should have called it the 'Spec double D'! I prefer the actual spoiler but I cant help think that it doesnt quite go with the shape of the car.