I have been trying to weigh up which type of Wrx Sti would be right for me. A late Blob-eye or a 06 Hawk-eye (Lower tax bracket).

My reason for this post though is that I have heard that the 2.5 litre in the Hawk-eye has lost the trade-mark Subaru 'burble'.

I am not all for performance, just a clean model to look after, aslong as it has that loud 'burble'. Would a Hawk-eye be a lost cause or can you still get that fantastic 'burble' from the 2.5 litre?

Thanks

 

It's nothing to do with engine size per se mate; it's whether the car is fitted with equal or unequal length headers. All UK STi Imprezas, 2.0 litre or 2.5 litre, have unequal length which generates the lovey burble!

The 2.5's, just got fitted with a very quiet exhaust systems as std that mask the sound. Better centre section and backbox = Burble is back. :-)

Japanese domestic market models use the 2.0 litre engine, but also use equal length manifolds, which do rob the car of the burble, no matter what kind of exhaust back box and centre section you put on them!

 

Ok, but if I get a UK Hawk-eye with a PPP fitted, will I be hearing the same trademark burble or does it need an entirely new backbox etc?

 

It's there, but it's quite quiet with the PPP backbox.

 

So put a Miltek on there and were back?

 

Bingo ,correct

 

I have H&S personally on my 2.5, and burble's like a ****......bare in mind you have a tough search for that 2.5 in cheap tax bracket....needs to have been registered prior to 23rd (or 26th, cant remember) march 2006.....so an early 06' plate indeed.....good luck!

 

Great news, im currently looking at a 06 Hawk-eye but I think it was first registered in July. Is that right? If its registered in July wouldn't it be a 56 plate?

 

56 starts in september.

 

Without wishing to sound like a snob, and I know the government are a bunch of thieves which grates !....but... if you can't afford £16 a month extra for a newer impreza your gonna be broke owning a subaru Buy the best scoob you can afford and worry about the ownership costs rather than the small change tax increases

 

I thought the difference was 55 blob-eye at £230 tax vs 06 Hawk-eye at £420 odd. Thats a fair bit more than 16 quid. Am I wrong?

 

...a month not really a great deal in the scheme of things for the right car IMHO

 

If you get a 55 plate hawk you'll be ok as thats what i have . Mine was registered jan 06 and its in the cheaper tax bracket . But what is £400 Once a year

 

Excuss my ignorance but I thought after 23rd March tax on the scoobys went up to over 400 quid a year?

 

Mine was first registered just prior to 23rd march 06 and costs me £245 per year, It's a Hawkeye.

Tim

 

Yup, not really a deal breaker though

 

Correct

If registered prior to 23rd march 2006 it will be £245, if after that date it is £435.....sounds a lot ah......then reconsider your choice in car, it a one off payment, something that is few and far between with an Impreza....53WRX is right, i was sniffing around for an early 06, like you are now for the cheaper tax....i bought a clean solid 2007 Sti....and i will enjoy the re sale just the same, its a matter of time before the governement alter the rules i'm sure!

 

Tbh the low tax was a bonus and not a deciding factor as I probably spend almost the difference in tax cost each month on goodies for the car so in scheme of things it's not a factor which has any bearing on a purchase for myself as they'll get me next time round for sure when I replace the car.

 

This one??

http://www.themotorhouse.co.uk/car_d...aspx?vid=37422

 

Silvers not my thing, but thanks for the link. I am really apreciative of all the help, so apart from the tax, what would swing me to go for a hawk-eye over a blob-eye? Stupid question? But some of you must have a good reason aprt from the difference in looks.

Will the .5litre be worth it etc?

 

m8t iv just purchased a hawk 56 plate 07 year with ppp mine has a lurrvley burble.

 

OMG i don't think Subaru ownership is for you fella.

By the sounds of it, i think a Volvo might be better.

 

Lol, I know the Hawk-eye engine has more torque throughout the range ect but people seem to feel that the 2 litre in the blob-eyes was/is overall a better engine.

 

In standard form MY 05 STi Type UK had a cracking flat four burble.

MY07 RB320 was quiet in comparison, until I fitted the Blitz Nur Spec R!

On the 2.5ltr, you’ll definitely need to get rid of at least the centre resonated section & a decent back box will make it sound all the better.

 

That seems to be very subjective. The 2.5 is smoother and offers more grunt throughout the rev range where as the 2.0 gave you the lag...woosh, in a fast and furious kind of way, i.e. on or off. I would personally prefer the 2.5 style but I can easily see the 2.0 attraction.

 

Hello it's your storker lol,
Depends how you like your power delivered, 2.0l kick in the ***,2.5l wave of power both end in the same result= smiles, but im more a kick in the *** type of a guy Iv'e had both in a 04wrx tuned to sti power with supporting mods,both were good i just prefered the urgency of the 2.l.
On a side note there have been a few headgasket failures on the 2.5l not sure which model / yr but its in the age of cars your looking at.
The only way to find out is book a couple of test drives and see for yourself.

 

Hahahahaha,,, you could be right fella.
If your worrying about the extra couple of hundred quid a year for tax then maybe a Impreza isn't right for you.
If it has to be scoob, why not start off with a cheaper model and see how you go. These cars are not cheap to run and jumping in at the deep end may well be a mistake.