adamroutley

Hi guys, currently looking to join the fold.

Got a bit of a newb question though!

I'm looking at a 2006 (hawkeye shape) 2.5 wrx. It is the 230bhp model. Am I right in thinking that it will definitely be 4 wheel drive?

Also, what common faults should I be checking for? tell-tale signs that I should walk away from?

Adam!

stu turbo 98

iTrader: (6)

Welcome aboard mate,if its a subaru you can be pretty sure it will be 4x4,2008/2010 2.5s suffer from ring land failure,amongst other things look at the sticky in this section about 2.5 engine failures for more info,im not to sure about 2006 though but there are plenty who will know on here!
Be prepared for some banter regarding your 4x4 question though fella.

FranSti

Hey Adam. Welcome to the forum. You will find many fun things to do here

Donnie Brasco 46

iTrader: (2)

Subarus are all wheel drive not a 4x4. I thought they were the same thing too, but apparently I'm wrong.

Don't know too much about hawkeyes but apparently they do suffer from engine problems such as head gasket etc. I say 'they' but don't mean all hawkeyes but I know that some have had problems.

I was looking for a hawkeye but decided to get a late blob eye in the end. Cheaper tax, better mpg, a proven and reliable 2.0 turbo and actually works out faster according to the figures (well if its a ppp like mine). Granted a blobeye is a little uglier but when you drive it you don't have to look at it do you!?

Loads of members on here who really know their stuff so am sure that you'll get better advice than mine shortly...

zippy!

iTrader: (1)

Avoid the 2.5 Wrx engine if you want reliability

adamroutley

Thanks for the replies guys. By blob eye do you mean the square lights not the circle ones? I've also been looking at those. So the 2.0 is better than the 2.5 then??

Donnie Brasco 46

iTrader: (2)

Blobeye is 2003-2005 model. The one between the by eye Toyota corolla looking one and the hawkeye model.

I can't comment on the 2.5 version as I've never driven one but the 2.0 (262 bhp ppp version) is plenty quick enough for public roads. Handles and grips well enough, though the brakes are not as handy as I thought they'd be - but maybe that's just my car... Then again maybe I'm probably going that little bit faster than I think!!

adamroutley

Ahh okay. Admittedly I do prefer the blob eye, but the Hawk eye has been appealing more as it is newer and has xenons/headlight washers.

I have a Leon FR 2.0tfsi currently which is 200bhp but only fwd so getting the power down is a little tricky.

adamroutley

I've had a bit of a read through the Sticky about the 07 onwards for the 2.5 litres.

I'm currently looking at a 55 plate hawk eye. Do these suffer from the same issues?

mestonian

Get the STI You will regret it later if you dont.

I had a Blobeye WRX for a while and always regretted not buying the STI, i then went to a Focus ST-2, 300BHP through the front wheels is really no fun at all, and tomorrow i'm going back to a low mileage 55 Blobeye WRX STI.

Needless to say, i'm giddy.... missed 4wd and that scooby rumble!

adamroutley

The STI seems out of my price-range and the ones that are in my budget have high miles.

Im looking about 6.5k for less than 50k miles. Also want to stay pre March 06 to miss the big tax band.

Any recommendations?

mestonian

To be honest, mileage hasnt been a big issue for me (to a certain extent), my main concern is how well it's been looked after. I'd much rather have an 80k scooby that's been cherished and wanted for nothing than a 40k car that's "done it's job" and not had any money spent on it.