Sustengo

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, recently sold my golf r32 as I've always wanted an impreza, I thought I wanted a hawk eye but after reading some threads on here it seems the blob eye is the better car, is this the case? What's the best car to be looking at with a budget of 12-13k? Thanks

blackvenom

Get what ever you want we all have favourites, for me it's the classic. All models will have their problems, with that budget you could buy ones that already had the weeknesses removed for buy one but budget having to spend a couple thousand.

Sustengo

What's seen as the weakness with the hawk eye?

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

The 2.5 engine.

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

If you like the hawkeye then this should suit perfectly...
https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...ed-engine.html

Had the engine forged so problem solved, plus £3-4k spare for maintenance/mods etc

thenewgalaxy

These cars are approaching a decade old so as with any performance car a good service history is essential.

2.5 engines can be affected by head gasket and piston failures. Not all of them fail but not all of them are trouble free. Engine builders are very familiar with the problems they can have.

If you want a hawk you have these options

1. Buy with eyes wide open and anticipate a possible engine rebuild

2. Buy and get the engine rebuilt with e.g. Cosworth parts and run a 400+ bhp monster
(Or find one with an already rebuilt engine from a reputable specialist, expect to pay some sort of premium)

3. Buy a Jap import model with a 2.0 engine, these are more reliable and some people prefer them due to the way the power is delivered in these

Otherwise you can look at other models. The v9 STI has a wider track and a more reliable unit that can be tuned to over 400bhp with comparatively little work. Some of these engines can have bottom end failure if they've not had regular oil changes. The majority of these cars out there come with DCCD gearboxes but there are some import cars "fake tracks" that lack this option.

If the wider track and dccd don't bother you there's not too much difference between the earlier V7 and V8 STI cars that matters in the real world, apart from the way they look. They have similarly reliable engines to the widetrack model, at least in UK form.

jaygsi

iTrader: (46)

Yea thta sounds a good buy forge engine will last for years

Sustengo

Thanks for the replies plenty to think about, so the 2.0 engine is more reliable than the 2.5, might have a rethink and look at the 2.0 sti now

Carnut

Due to age and milage a blob sti can still fail, the bottom end is one example https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...ck-advice.html

In truth any performance car in the age range you are looking at can have failures, the hawkeye maybe more likely but with your budget i would be looking for peace of mind and to get a nice new rebuild. That then allows you to get the car you want rather than the one you think will not blow up.

05 Blob widetrack standard 8.5k-10k
05 Blob JDM widetrack standard 10k-13k
06/07 hawkeye standard 9k-11k
06/07 hawkeye with forged internals 400-450bhp 11.5k-14k

rebuild for forged pistons etc 3k

Just averages, not the rule, you can of course get a 2.0 with rebuilt engine and big power and the older you go the better the base car is, ie JDM blob spec c.
With your budget though i would want as new as possible, IMO too much money for a old car and a standard subaru isn't that fast these days, some fat rep in a German diesel on the motorway could potentially put you in your place.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Depends what you want really - as others have said you pays your money...
Ask yourself what you liked or didn't like about the R32 and (very) generally, the newer they get the more refined they are.

I liked my R32 - sounded great, really well made, solid ride/handling balance, poor mpg, not as dull as people thought but pick the Impreza you fancy and it'll definitely be more of an event to drive.

marco58

Buy another R32 and supercharge or turbo it job done

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

Or buy a jdm newage, 2.0 and very good

Sustengo

Loved my R32 wish I could of afforded to go down the forced induction route, I seen this impreza a few weeks ago but I'm suspicious as why you spend 2k then sell it within a month, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111479192448

BBB3

iTrader: (7)

^ agreed, strange.

If I was you take a look at the JDM twin scroll.

LUCKO

iTrader: (3)

Sustengo

Are the imports anymore to insure?

LUCKO

iTrader: (3)

depends on age location
over 30 decent area approx £500-£600

thenewgalaxy

Great cars to drive at six tenths. Lovely long distance cars and pull well on the motorway. Also one of the best sounding cars I've ever driven.

But completely in involving when you push them and ultimately too heavy as with a lot of modern cars.

Sustengo

I had a miltek non res on mine the sound it made was incredible but I agree far to heavy and ultimately under powered and getting any more power out of that engine is silly money

thenewgalaxy

And a bit expensive to fix when the DSG box inevitably drops the mechatronic unit on you.

Encouraged me to part with it

Sustengo

Similar thing with me, I had DSG, started to be a little jerky and hesitating, a couple of months ago