Hi All!

I'm new to subaru's, always loved them but could never really afford to run one but due to a change in work circumstances (Doing 6000 miles a year compared to my old 25,000!) I can afford one

The main question I have, and I'm sorry to ask this as i'm sure you've had it all before, which is the best subaru to go for out of the below options (with cost factors as well)

I'm trying to achieve a 350/350 subaru, as i feel this will be a perfect fast road car. My budget is £7500 give or take a bit.

1) Subaru wrx sti Blobeye 2003-2004 (none widetrack) circa £6-6.5k initial cost with £1k for mods

2) Subaru wrx sti blobeye 2005 (Widetrack) circa £7-£7.5k no mods

3) Subaru wrx hawkeye 2006 (lower tax band) circa £5-6k with £1.5k for mods

I'm swaying towards the hawkeye due to my understanding that to reach the 350/350 goal on either engine size I will need a new turbo? which is £1000 average unless I can grab a bargain on here. I have also heard that the 2.5L with better Torque/driveability will suit a fast road car better?

The car is only going to be used for around 6000 miles a year so fuel costs is negilible, insurance is relatively the same for either sti or wrx (I don't fully understand this but that's what it is!).

All your help would be greatly appreciated, I'm still looking into it at the moment as understanding gearbox limits/engine power limits etc (Another reason for picking the 350/350 spec )

Cheers!

 

Personally I'd suggest number 2, the widetrack blob sti. I've got an 05 WRX at the moment with a TD05-16G and supporting mods making 320bhp, and in terms of reliability I wouldn't want to push it much further without swapping the transmission and getting forged internals (not cheap).

Another factor to consider is if you're already chasing improved power figures, the 350/350 figure won't satisfy you for long!

 

go with the widetrack and a few mods and a map

 

Option 1 for me, everyone clammers for the widetrack but the 03/04 cars are still very good and can be had for sensible money with change for mods to reach your goal.

Forget the hawk unless it's been forged, too many engine issues.

 

I would say go with the hawkeye wrx (biased) and check on this site for cars as you can pickup good deals. ie I bought this a few years back for 4.5k - https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...06-wrx-sl.html

 

There is more to be thought about than just the above.

A 2.5 STI engine is not as strong as a 2.0 STI ( think of the future)
Tax on the latter Hawkeye is almost double the Blobeye
The Hawkeye will probably hold its value (younger car), if the engine is regular serviced etc
Insurance will vary slightly if that matters?
I would say 350/350 is cheaply done, but if you ain't got a Subaru yet, then I would test drive them
Plenty Blobeye's within budget with good history inc mods already, saves the heart ache for a novice.
Remapping doesn't need to be as expensive as some likes to make out, £350 remap on a basic motor with a few products swapped over will see well over 350bhp.

Rob

 

what the hell? iv been looking at paying 4.5k for blobeyes with 70k miles!
thats a bargain!

edit*
just been looking and the hawk eye wrx are cheaper that the blob eyes
very odd

 

Because nobody wants the 2.5.

Get a blob sti (widetrack or non widetrack, makes no odds), spend a grand on mods and a map and away you go.

 

Get a JDM mate.

Panel filter, full system and a remap is all mine has. 349 / 340 is the result. Plus the added benefit of a stronger lump

 

+1.

It's worth the extra (or having a slightly older car) due to reduced engine costs later. Also, if (when) you wanted to up it from 350 you wouldn't have the expense of having to forge it first.

I presume that the Hawkeyes are cheaper because they will be approaching rebuild time.

You'd obviously prefer to spend your £1K budget on enhancements, not repairs.

 

Explain what the differences are between a jdm blob sti and a uk blob sti, engine wise.

 

jdm engine is not stronger it just has different cylinder heads (big port) and twin scroll turbo
the strong part is another jdm myth

 

Could I clarify that your intended Hawkeye choice is not an STi. Can't help feeling that would be a challenge to get 350.

in my opinion, Hawkeyes look a lot better than blobs and bugs, etc

 

The best route is the M5 then A38 to Enginetuner

 

+2

but out of your choices id leave the hawk wrx out! If it was me choosing I would always go down the the sti route, you get better breaks ect and i personally think its just a better base to start with.

All the best Greg

 

Hi guys,

Thank you for the responses, I'll try to answer all your questions!

The hawkeye would be a wrx - the STI variants are still a bit too pricey for my budget.

As I understand with the JDM variants, you loose the trademark subaru burble? If so I would rather keep the noise of the engine although upon reading certain websites like powerstation/andy forest it seems they are the best way to reach 350/350 cheaply - Maybe a few more youtube videos to see if i like the sound!

I can understand the STI arguement, I was suckered into thinking that a wrx is just a 'toned down' wrx but there are very subtle but vital differences between the two that I didn't realise! The obvious ones like the 6 speed gearbox which can actually handle my power aims is a big plus - reading on the hawkeye/2.5 side of things, it seems that there could be reliability problems at that level of performance!

Its a shame really as I really love the front end of the hawkeye, but after doing some more research I may well do a blobeye to hawkeye front end conversion in the future.

I have really taken a shine to the bugeye models but again I would only consider one of these if I could get it reasonably cheaper than the blobeyes (circa £4-5k). You never know something may pop up!

In terms of how I spend the remainder budget, I prefer to complete a full fluids change (gearbox/diffs/engine etc) and make sure the engine/drivetrain is in rude health before spending the money - No point upping the power if the drivetrain isn't looked after, only asking for trouble! I have a two post car lift at home and a very modest sized garage (12m x 8m to be precise, can you tell its my pride and joy ) so any modifications will be done by myself bar mapping.

again thank you for the responses, its nice to see a bustling community on this forum!

 

only the jdm spec c came with twin scroll afaik.
jdm had nitrated crankshaft.
both 2ltr and both good engines,
normal jdm sti blob was single scroll I think.

 

My bugeye STI made 340 bhp with a re-map and a sports cat'd exhaust system. Beware of synchro issues and wheel bearing problems.
Otherwise simply pick a low mileage pampered "pet" at a good price...

Upgraded brakes help also an adjustable rear ARB !

dunx

P.S. A hawkeye STI with a health check could replace my bugeye....

 

Huh? You thinking of taking it easy Dunx?

It was only 12 months ago you had plans no?

Rob

 

I'm pretty sure all the JDM sti's are twin scroll bud.

Mine is an 03 and is deffo a twin scroll setup

 

I know the bug sti (non spec c) is single scroll,i thought it was the same for blob,the uk blob is defo single scroll.is yours a spec c or sti?

 

Not all JDM are Twin scroll,Bugeye JDM STi(Spec C too) are single scroll,Bugeye STI have VF30 and Spec C Type RA have VF34

Jura

Yes that's truth,Bugeye JDM(as above I've explained) have single scroll VF range(VF30 on JDM STI or VF34 on Spec C/Type RA)

All JDM have Big port heads with different cams,but beware JDM WRX have too Big port heads with different cams

Jura

 

All jdm sti blobs are twin scroll.

 

Correct VF37 turbo