Bryony84

Hi All
After 6 years in the modified VW scene, I've decided its time to move on and I'm after a blob eye scooby. Seen a couple of lovely ones around my area and had a passenger ride in a friends recently which is probably what has made me start looking into buying one.

My boyfriend has a Nissan 200SX so I know a fair but about them and have been to Japfest etc, but I don't know a huge amount about scooby's. Want to do my research before I buy so any info/tips you can give would be much appreciated.

Will probably go for a WRX for cost reasons unless I can find a good clean STi for decent money. What are the pro's/con's of each?

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

do a search the sti v wrx thread comes up every week lately
heres the latest
https://www.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-...ot-an-sti.html

Bryony84

Thanks, had seen that thread but didn't realise it was such a popular topic.

I'd be inclined to think that a WRX would be the better option for me, It will be a daily driver (although only 16miles round trip to work) I'm not likely to do any large scale engine mods as enough money has been spent on the other half's 200SX (now 380bhp). Would probably be able to get a better lower milage example for my money as well. Contrary to what some have said on that thread though, I do like the look of the STi with the exception of the gold wheels.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

basically the wrx is a good car but the sti has better performance parts fitted i.e. 6 speed box brembo brakes and the large rear spoiler.
if the performance is not so much of an issue the spoiler is an easy part to fit and its cheep enough to get the wheels refurbed in a different colour.
a lot of newage imprezas dont have the gold alloys anymore as a lot have had them refurbed, i did mine straight after i brought it and it was only £200 .
sounds like a low mileage wrx is best for you, try to get a 2005 model version as they have the updated interior which looks a lot better.

Bryony84

I'd agree with the low mileage wrx I think, glad the high level spoiler is an easy one as I do like the look of them. Thanks for the tip on the interior, that's one of the things I was prepared to be disappointed with coming from a VW Golf with factory fit Recaros.

Luckily I have a good wheel refurb company literally down the road from my house (the wheel specialists). They did an amazing job with the wheels on my Golf, I think those wheels will be the bit I'll miss the most.

Am I right in thinking that white blob eyes are pretty rare. I keep seeing one driving round where I live and its absolutely gorgeous, but most I've seen for sale are the 'scooby' blue or silver.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

What area are you from??

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

yes there are a few white ones but it is very rare but looks great.
i would imagine that most the wrxs are blue as its the "subaru colour"
i doubt even the updated interior is anywhere near the quality of a german car, the plastics are very poor in my opinion and the seats arent recaros in the wrx or the sti for that matter.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

White blobs (UK ones especially) are rare, JDM STI Spec C's had white paint as standard but UK cars and standard JDM STI's needed to be special factory order.
Now you have not told us your budget? and if your going to modify then a wrx isnt a good starting point (crap brakes for instance).
Then you have the different domestic market cars, ie UK/EU domestic market cars, JDM (japanese domestic market) cars, of which the JDM's are a totally different beast.
If you look at a standard UK 2002-2005 STI they are 265ps, probably pushing out 270ish bhp in basic form, more with the PPP (prodrive performance pack) fitted, which is 301bhp or 305ps.
The JDM cars were quoted at 280PS or 276BHP, I have yet to see one thats not pushing over 300 (twin scroll blobs), mine is pushing 312bhp and 323lbs of torque, much more drivable than a UK 2ltr, much more fun too as they are better equipped (faster steering rack, A-DCCD on all but the KL and 16 inch Spec C models though the KL only existed for 2 years, 2003 and 2004 model years before the wide track cars came in).
So we need to know what your budget is and you will have your arm twisted away from the wrx

Tony

Bryony84

Budget based on selling my current car is going to be somewhere between 4 and 6k, could go a bit higher if I wait a few months and save so really depends on what spec I decide on.

I can't see me doing a lot of engine mods, probably just uprate parts if/when they fail as I did with my current car. I'm not going to be trying to push huge power out of it as I don't want it to turn into a total moneypit (although I say that now...).

The car that pushed me towards scooby's was a blobeye WRX, although I haven't driven one myself yet.

Craigy - I'm from just outside Portsmouth

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

its true the sti is a better car but you will get a nice late low mileage wrx for that budget with a bit left over for the odd mod.
i would drive both and see which one suit best, i did this and the wrx is a more comfortable day to day car but the sti a far better performance car

Bryony84

Test drive it is then I think, I'll have to go on a mission to find local dealers with an example of each that I can test drive to decide what I want.

Coming from a Golf GTi, I can safely say that either is going to be a million miles away from what I've been used to for the last 4 years, but then that's why I'm changing cars.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

There are couple of local clubs

http://www.hampshiresubaru.co.uk/phpBB3/

http://dsoc.heavenforum.org/

So may be worth turning up to their meets and getting some advice and possibly a drive in one

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

Any idea on numbers sold?

AN07 PTN

having had both the blob eye sti and a hawkeye wrx i would have to say for a more enjoyable drive and ride as a passenger it would have to be a wrx. but thats my opinion.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Hi, i think you will struggle to get a nice clean sti for that budget, but you should find a nice wrx for 6k.

Don't be put off by the sti fan boys as for what you describe sounds like the wrx is perfect and the brakes are fine with the right disc and pad combo up to 300bhp for all but the most dedicated of drivers.

The wrx is a fantastic daily driver and unless you are a bit of a hardcore girl racer you will be very happy with one.

Blob eye wrx in black looks fantastic and when i had mine it never failed to put a smile on my face.

03/04 interiors are just fine its still a nice enough place to be.

Just make sure its got a full history and the owner knows their scoobys, as well as doing all the usual stuff like hpi checks.

When you find one you like post a link and the girls and boys of snet will give you the yay or nay.

Happy hunting.

oh and welcome

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Lol sti fan boys! I have an sti but i would recommend a wrx for you as when I test drove both cars I thought the wrx would be a nicer daily driver.
As for the interiors it's really just the centre console that is different but the 05 have full climate control I.e. Air con is auto where the early ones don't but the centre console looks far better in the later models.
And for 6k you'll get a much better wrx

wrx sti ppp

if your budget could stretch a little...i am selling my lovely blobeye STi Prodrive in the Scoobynet for sale section.

bigsinky

WRX??? Purleese. the number of people on here who have bought a WRX because of budget, insurance, looks etc etc only to wish 6 months later they had bought an STi.

they end up spending far more upgrading to an STi spec than if they had spent the money buying an STI in the first place. I know the OP said she would not be modding the car but being attached to a 380hp 200SX owner will rub off trust me.

start off on the right foot buy an STi. Trust me on this. I am almost embarrassed to tell you what i have spent on my WRX.

wrx sti ppp

Big +1 from me! For not a lot, in the big scheme of things, an STi is a much better place to start with. If youre not wanting to get the modding bug then again STi is a great place to start. Although mine is a Prodrive equiped car, I wouldnt ever want any more performance from a car therefore in the long run i would save money by not needing to mod it.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Just for the record i have an sti type r, so im a fan too but in this case like you i recommend the wrx, for the reasons above

Bryony84

Wow, definitely a split opinion. I must admit to still veering towards the wrx, this is going to be our practical car so I won't be going too crazy with it. I guess I won't know 100% until I test drive so am going to be taking a wrx with ppp for a spin at the weekend to see what I think. Thanks for the club links, I'll definitely investigate those and try to get along to some meets.

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

Wrx with ppp is a great car and good daily drive should get a good one with your budget, I have owned both blob wrx and jdm sti and even though my sti is much better for my needs I never regretted having the wrx, mine had ppp sti brembos and updated rear rollbar and was superb I just wanted a more focused car so bought a jdm but not everyone wants the same from a car. But realistically at the budget a good my05 wrx with ppp would be best. Just enjoy the test drive I don't think you will be disappointed as the wrx with ppp in my opinion is a match for a STD uk sti the quick spool of the wrx is a good plus point. And must agree with above the wrx is much more comfortable as a daily driver. If you think you may want more power than the ppp then save some more money and get a my05 onwards sti

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I would go for a remapped wrx with light mods, panel filter and a 3inch 1st cat back exhaust is the accepted route, this will see you around 260bhp with a map that is specific to your car, and will stay with a standard sti, but have a nicer ride for day to day use.

ppp is a generic map and not really worth the premium, the only reason to have ppp is for the warranty and since the cars in your budget will be out of warranty there is no point, but by all means test drive it and then think how much better it would be if done just for your car.

Gary WRX

I have a blobeye WRX with stage one mods which I bought as a daily driver and most people that have been in it are surprised how refined it is.

Not as good as a German interior (I also used to own a Golf GTi) but comfortable enough day to day

morpheus1870

I have owned both an 04wrx modified and an 05 sti modified. Both excellent cars, in fact I preferred the wrx for everyday use and with it being modified was plenty quick. I'm standard form I wouldnt bother with either one. I prefer the look of the wrx though especially the side skirts and front fog lights, many NASIOC members running blob sti cars do that swap.

monkfish2

For your needs there's only one car, a WRX. You could listen to some on here and get an old shed of an sti for £5k with a potential to go to 450 bhp which you don't want or you could get a nice modded wrx 05 blob which will be plenty fast enough and have more comfort on you daily drive. Don't get me wrong, sti's are a great car but horses for courses.

Bryony84

Monkfish - this is exactly the thoughts that I've been having. I'd rather have a tidy, well looked after example of a WRX without blowing my budget that will be a fun yet still fairly practical daily driver. We only have the 2 cars and with the 200SX being extremely impractical, stripped out etc this will be our practical car (and I guess in time the 'family' car *gulp*).

The Golf has been a great car for the last 4 years but it just doesn't give me much enjoyment to drive anymore, judging by the passenger ride I had in a WRX, it would certainly solve that problem.

jr758774c

iTrader: (21)

Bryony - I've got a Mica Black Blobeye which I'll be looking at selling in the next week or so, and I'm only in Gosport so pretty damm close to you - You're welcome to pop over one day and go out for a drive in it and see if its the kind of car for you! It'll be priced at the lower end of your price range and has the STI spoiler already fitted so should leave you with a few bucks left over to modify it a bit should you want...
Certainly won't be a hard sell, just a chance for you to have a decent look around one and see if it's what you want, without the hassle of traveling miles to find the right one, like I did (I had to go to North Wales for it)
Mark

EddScott

Something I've noticed today after doing some insurance quotes. For some reason, no matter what car reg I put in, a WRX blobeye is about £70 to £100 than a Prodrive STI bugeye.

Seems very odd considering the WRX is more expensive than the STI - guess it's a claims thing.

You could argue that replacing the front discs of the STI compared to the WRX will instantly negate any savings.

I'm assuming apart from things like brakes, servicing costs of a WRX Vs an STI are fairly similar?

Is there much difference in MPG comparing WRX and STI? Is the STI a bit better on long trips having the 6th gear? Assuming neither have anything more complicated than zorst and map?




And before anyone says anything, my Jeep makes Impreza MPG look positively tree hugging (it's also group 17 and more expensive to insure than the S3 I test drove yesterday - oddness)

Bryony84

Thanks for the offer Mark, I may take you up on that as you're so local, although I was originally planning on going for a blue one. Certainly wouldn't hurt to have a look round another car, especially if its a nice unabused example. Can you pm me the specs (mileage, history etc).