oHUTCHYo

Hi All,

New user, but occasional reader.

Firstly, I apologise for what is most likely the 1000th similar question to asked on these forums. I have read the legacy threads but would also like to ask questions more personal to my situation.

I understand the difference on tax. I'm also aware of the perceived weakness of the 2.5 engine versus the 2.0 engine.

I've never owned an Impreza, but have always wanted one since I was 18 and am now 30. Once my MK5 Golf R32 sells, I'll be patiently waiting fo the right Impreza to come along.

I've tried to test drive as many as I can and heres my opinions;

• 2006 Impreza STI (non-PPP) - My first ever drive of an Impreza and was left deeply disspointed, a car that felt lethargic and soft. 3rd gear pulled away well, but on the whole I wasn't impressed.
• 2007 Impreza STI RB320 - Faith restored, it pulled hard and sounded excellent.

Questions:

• Will a Blitz Nur Spec full system and re-map make a standard Hawkeye STI feel as good as the RB320?
• I've not driven a Blob, but being a cheaper option it's becoming a tempting option (I understand the 2005 is the way to go). Given I've driven a Hawk 2.5, how does the 2.0 feel? Would you say that the 2.0 gives a better rush of boost with more exhilerating back-of-your-seat acceleration and the 2.5 feels more linear?

Many Thanks

P.S. If anyone in my local area has a kind heart and would like to take me for a run in theirs as a passenger that would be great. I quite often see a few Blobs in Hartlepool which I drool over as they sound gorgeous.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Welcome to SN!

1) Yes, but Nur spec will mean you fall out with your neighbours!
2) 2 litre cars are less linear in their delivery than 2.5s which is arguably more exciting. 2.5s have more torque and boost earlier, which makes them feel smoother and less exciting (need a bigger turbo to do that, which you can't do on standard internals), but faster as a real world proposition. A re-mapped 2.5 on the standard blower just goes from nothing and will get you in the late 300s for torque which feels rather nice!

My remapped Hawk on std PPP hardware produced 350bhp/380 lbsft. i.e. much more torque than the PPP package.

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

Will a Blitz Nur Spec full system and re-map make a standard Hawkeye STI feel as good as the RB320?

Yes if not a little better as a good map will get you more power than the PPP.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

A 2ltr is of course stronger yes IMO, once you start upgrading the standard sti yes you will see 330ish straight away.
2ltr has more instant tourque when modded IMO,
I would wait and get a spec c/jdm hawk 2.0 for newer looks, but hard to find. Or blob jdm, cause that's my next move.(spec c preferred )
Hope that helps a bit.

oHUTCHYo

Thanks guys, meant to say I'd prefer to avoid JDM even though I fully understand the reasons to opt for one.

Real world speed isn't so much an objective, to me it's more about feeling fast and the rush you get from the acceleration. Possibly a bad example, but like my old EP3 Civic Type-R when it hit VTEC, not much real world power (torque was laughable) but it give you a rush.

Perhaps Blob is the way to go, though I must say I find the Hawk front more aesthetically pleasing.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Yes - and it will be better.
Personally I wouldn't got for such a big exhaust system - the droning will drive you nuts after a while.
Look at Milltek, or Hayward and Scott

Difficult to say.
Reasonably equal I suppose, my old 05 car was remapped and my 2.5 replacement car has comparable figures.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Which ever car you choose then with the first mod to get into 330s then you will have a car that your after IMO, but if you go for 2ltr then you will future proof yourself for future modding, if decided. These subarus can be addictive when you get used to power.
Best bet is to test drive/or have a go in a members car etc with the basic stage 1 mods
Regards

oHUTCHYo

So as previous owner of both then - would you take the Hawk every time now? Is the Nur Spec really that bad? never heard one in the flesh, but the youtube vids sound nice

sam_wrx

iTrader: (3)

iv got a nur spec on my 2003 blob, and it sounds awsome, love it with the bung out, and the sounds not to loud with the bung in.

or maybe i SHOULD go for that hearing test.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Nur Spec - yes it is too loud, and as said, you will **** your neighbours off and do nothing but draw attention to yourself.

I've not driven a Hawk, its a 330S hatch I have now.
And yes I would take it over the 2.0 blob.

DRobins

Really strange reading this thread. I had an EP3 CTR, then bought an R32 (but Mk4) and I'm currently wanting to sell it and get a Blobeye STI, lol.

I too have always wanted an impreza and insurance has finally been kind enough for me to hopefully live the dream, lol!

Quite strange reading this as you asking questions that I've been wanting to ask someone.

oHUTCHYo

Strange world!

I originally set out to buy a Hawkeye STI and nearly committed to a white PPP model last month. I then had a chance to have a go of an R32, never ever considering one previous. That V6 won me over as well as the quality interior, which was nice as I've always had Japanese cars (say no more).

For whatever reason though having only owned the R32 for a few weeks, I havent connected and wish I stuck to going for an Impreza. I went with my mind over my heart and regret it.

Luckyscoob

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like you have done alot of research and found out the important things for yourself. Having had a 2.0 in 2004 and then a 2.5 hawk from 2006 until about 4 weeks ago I would say this. The 2.0 does have the massive shove that you dont get with the 2.5. Like you, I was a bit disappointed with the standard 2.5 STi non PPP which mine was when I got it. More than anything I was more disappointed with the lack of scooby sound. Despite changing the back box several times and a remap, even with an afterburner on it it still didnt get the nice deep burble I had from the 2.0. Eventually, I went full decat, new panel filter and another map by JGM and finally the car was what I had hoped it would be. Sounded awesome, was a really quick road car 341bhp/381ft/lbs and great to drive. My only niggle was I kept hearing how the 2.5's can be unreliable once tuned, but I didnt have any problems with mine, though it had only done 33.000 when I sold it.

Inside the hawk has a nicer dash (sweeping) but worse seats. Why they changed the blob seats to the hawks I will never know. They have no support. I do prefer the look of the hawk. With a splitter etc they look the nuts.

Given the opportunity now, I would go for one of the last 2005 2.0's I think, but that's just my personal opinion/preference. I dont think you would be disappointed in either in mildly tuned form. The other downside of my hawk was the tax bracket too

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

^^^^ agree with what he said, I like the look of hawks better that's why I would only get the spec c or jdm version if found as they are 2 ltr and the tax price is low too being a import otherwise I'd get the blob.
If your not going to mod it too much then I think a hawk would be ok for you.
Regards

oHUTCHYo

Can't thank you enough, you've answered a lot for me there. I do love the look of the Hawk's, especially with the splitter. The blob is now very tempting though given its low tax and low price.

I'm partly selling the R32 over the guilt of what I'm paying every month, I think I'd be happier paying a smaller loan for something like a Blob and having spare cash every month too - perhaps for fuel

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

Jdm hawkeye is 2l

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

I don't mean to be intrusive but could I ask why, If you are looking to buy a 5-7 year old car there would be no warranty etc... They both look the same but the JDM is a superior model to the UK, Prices are going to be simaler but maybe a tad more and they all have the 2.0l engine and cheaper tax, Obviously you have your reasons to get a UK car but I was just curious as to why, Gaz.

oHUTCHYo

Hi Gaz, not intrusive at all, my main concern really is the insurance premium - or the premium I'm assuming at least. Secondly is the speedo - is JDM in KPH? Finally, I dont want to lose the boxer burble!

Rbon91

iTrader: (6)

I have 2005 wide track sti mate blob.. Awesome car running 325bhp. Took me 6months to find a good one but worth the wait. 2litre engine alot stronger than 2.5 do go for blob mate

mantazini

iTrader: (25)

+1 ^^^


And i'm not realy sure why you don't want JDM spec hawk/blob ???
Their much superior in standart/tuned form than uk cars. Stronger engine internals, super fast spoling twin scroll setup, and you're much more likely to get one with low tax as well. I would do your home work a bit more bud....

NEILLLLL

iTrader: (2)

If you get a 55 plte hawk that'll be in the lower tax bracket . I had a bug wrx and now have a 55 plte hawk sti . The hawk is a much smoother power delivery than the bug but like most say on here you won't go far wrong with either if your only going for a mild tune. Good luck with your search.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Insurance would be IMO pennies in diffrence, not much at all, there are specialists on here like moley, green light, A plan etc.
Speedos are changed to mph when in uk anyway only thing that stays in km is mileage!
I used to think like you, stay away from imports, another world to me as I didn't know much about the differences, but doing my research now I would snap one up straight away as they are the best IMO.
Far superior car than uk models, stronger, most moddable on standard internals and lighter in some cases
Think you need to research a bit more
Burble in a scooby is not important for ME, it's the way it pulls etc and modded to a high spec then the noise will certainly open up.

1 jdm here that I would love to have right now!
http://www.hurstcars.co.uk/used-cars...01217467490137
But unfortunately funds are not ready at mo.

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

boxer burble is all but gone on any of the newage cars, If I could buy another car it would be a JDM or Spec C

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

+1 to that

x3cute

This thread is very strange indeedy, I too had a EP3 Civic Type R skipped the R32 but when 31 (ergh about 9 months ago) got a Blob 03 STI PPP. Very Happy indeed!

The VTEC rush was great, but the turbo kick is far superior. Not modded yet... but have to say the Blitx Nur Spec exhaust and a remap by the race dynamix bloke is prolly gonna be on the cards when I can find the cash.

I went for a blob simply because I had been in one years ago (when the came out) and pretty much creamed my pants and wanted one since. Somehow justified it because of the 4wd and being able to drive in snow (kinda :/).

Rbon91

iTrader: (6)

Duncan at race dynamix is your man did my sti blob few weeks ago awesome job

x3cute

Cheers bud, all I hear is praise for the guy so he must be the nutz!

Will call him at some point to find out the first map cost on a PPP, I know there is something about the software licensing.

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

I went for blob jdm widetrack don't miss the burble at all and added bonus plg road tax, insurance was same for me and with a simple exhaust and uk fuel remap is better than uk ppp, superb cars once you get used to them.

53

iTrader: (41)

Hawkeye FTW ! 2.5 is a great lump once you get used to the power delivery and FBW throttle simple map and quality servicing will get you 350/380 which is more than most can drive without bending it anyway

If I were buying again I would be interested in a JDM for sure, but cost wise the 2.5`s are a steal !!!

This is Tony Walls` JDM Type 20, Budgie`s highly modded UK STi and my 2006 STi Spec D



I love a blob but hawkeyes are pretty awesome

Rbon91

iTrader: (6)

I had open source remap on mine so don't have to pay fee. That was £300 but If you go for ECU tek its £550+vat tbh no difference