which route is best for a 350/350 subaru?
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which route is best for a 350/350 subaru?
Hi All!
I'm new to subaru's, always loved them but could never really afford to run one but due to a change in work circumstances (Doing 6000 miles a year compared to my old 25,000!) I can afford one
The main question I have, and I'm sorry to ask this as i'm sure you've had it all before, which is the best subaru to go for out of the below options (with cost factors as well)
I'm trying to achieve a 350/350 subaru, as i feel this will be a perfect fast road car. My budget is £7500 give or take a bit.
1) Subaru wrx sti Blobeye 2003-2004 (none widetrack) circa £6-6.5k initial cost with £1k for mods
2) Subaru wrx sti blobeye 2005 (Widetrack) circa £7-£7.5k no mods
3) Subaru wrx hawkeye 2006 (lower tax band) circa £5-6k with £1.5k for mods
I'm swaying towards the hawkeye due to my understanding that to reach the 350/350 goal on either engine size I will need a new turbo? which is £1000 average unless I can grab a bargain on here. I have also heard that the 2.5L with better Torque/driveability will suit a fast road car better?
The car is only going to be used for around 6000 miles a year so fuel costs is negilible, insurance is relatively the same for either sti or wrx (I don't fully understand this but that's what it is!).
All your help would be greatly appreciated, I'm still looking into it at the moment as understanding gearbox limits/engine power limits etc (Another reason for picking the 350/350 spec )
Cheers!
I'm new to subaru's, always loved them but could never really afford to run one but due to a change in work circumstances (Doing 6000 miles a year compared to my old 25,000!) I can afford one
The main question I have, and I'm sorry to ask this as i'm sure you've had it all before, which is the best subaru to go for out of the below options (with cost factors as well)
I'm trying to achieve a 350/350 subaru, as i feel this will be a perfect fast road car. My budget is £7500 give or take a bit.
1) Subaru wrx sti Blobeye 2003-2004 (none widetrack) circa £6-6.5k initial cost with £1k for mods
2) Subaru wrx sti blobeye 2005 (Widetrack) circa £7-£7.5k no mods
3) Subaru wrx hawkeye 2006 (lower tax band) circa £5-6k with £1.5k for mods
I'm swaying towards the hawkeye due to my understanding that to reach the 350/350 goal on either engine size I will need a new turbo? which is £1000 average unless I can grab a bargain on here. I have also heard that the 2.5L with better Torque/driveability will suit a fast road car better?
The car is only going to be used for around 6000 miles a year so fuel costs is negilible, insurance is relatively the same for either sti or wrx (I don't fully understand this but that's what it is!).
All your help would be greatly appreciated, I'm still looking into it at the moment as understanding gearbox limits/engine power limits etc (Another reason for picking the 350/350 spec )
Cheers!
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Personally I'd suggest number 2, the widetrack blob sti. I've got an 05 WRX at the moment with a TD05-16G and supporting mods making 320bhp, and in terms of reliability I wouldn't want to push it much further without swapping the transmission and getting forged internals (not cheap).
Another factor to consider is if you're already chasing improved power figures, the 350/350 figure won't satisfy you for long!
Another factor to consider is if you're already chasing improved power figures, the 350/350 figure won't satisfy you for long!
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I would say go with the hawkeye wrx (biased) and check on this site for cars as you can pickup good deals. ie I bought this a few years back for 4.5k - https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...06-wrx-sl.html
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There is more to be thought about than just the above.
A 2.5 STI engine is not as strong as a 2.0 STI ( think of the future)
Tax on the latter Hawkeye is almost double the Blobeye
The Hawkeye will probably hold its value (younger car), if the engine is regular serviced etc
Insurance will vary slightly if that matters?
I would say 350/350 is cheaply done, but if you ain't got a Subaru yet, then I would test drive them
Plenty Blobeye's within budget with good history inc mods already, saves the heart ache for a novice.
Remapping doesn't need to be as expensive as some likes to make out, £350 remap on a basic motor with a few products swapped over will see well over 350bhp.
Rob
A 2.5 STI engine is not as strong as a 2.0 STI ( think of the future)
Tax on the latter Hawkeye is almost double the Blobeye
The Hawkeye will probably hold its value (younger car), if the engine is regular serviced etc
Insurance will vary slightly if that matters?
I would say 350/350 is cheaply done, but if you ain't got a Subaru yet, then I would test drive them
Plenty Blobeye's within budget with good history inc mods already, saves the heart ache for a novice.
Remapping doesn't need to be as expensive as some likes to make out, £350 remap on a basic motor with a few products swapped over will see well over 350bhp.
Rob
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I would say go with the hawkeye wrx (biased) and check on this site for cars as you can pickup good deals. ie I bought this a few years back for 4.5k - https://www.scoobynet.com/subaru-444...06-wrx-sl.html
thats a bargain!
edit*
just been looking and the hawk eye wrx are cheaper that the blob eyes
very odd
Last edited by joshnosh; 21 May 2013 at 03:55 PM.
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It's worth the extra (or having a slightly older car) due to reduced engine costs later. Also, if (when) you wanted to up it from 350 you wouldn't have the expense of having to forge it first.
I presume that the Hawkeyes are cheaper because they will be approaching rebuild time.
You'd obviously prefer to spend your £1K budget on enhancements, not repairs.
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Could I clarify that your intended Hawkeye choice is not an STi. Can't help feeling that would be a challenge to get 350.
in my opinion, Hawkeyes look a lot better than blobs and bugs, etc
in my opinion, Hawkeyes look a lot better than blobs and bugs, etc
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+1.
It's worth the extra (or having a slightly older car) due to reduced engine costs later. Also, if (when) you wanted to up it from 350 you wouldn't have the expense of having to forge it first.
I presume that the Hawkeyes are cheaper because they will be approaching rebuild time.
You'd obviously prefer to spend your £1K budget on enhancements, not repairs.
It's worth the extra (or having a slightly older car) due to reduced engine costs later. Also, if (when) you wanted to up it from 350 you wouldn't have the expense of having to forge it first.
I presume that the Hawkeyes are cheaper because they will be approaching rebuild time.
You'd obviously prefer to spend your £1K budget on enhancements, not repairs.
+2
but out of your choices id leave the hawk wrx out! If it was me choosing I would always go down the the sti route, you get better breaks ect and i personally think its just a better base to start with.
All the best Greg
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Hi guys,
Thank you for the responses, I'll try to answer all your questions!
The hawkeye would be a wrx - the STI variants are still a bit too pricey for my budget.
As I understand with the JDM variants, you loose the trademark subaru burble? If so I would rather keep the noise of the engine although upon reading certain websites like powerstation/andy forest it seems they are the best way to reach 350/350 cheaply - Maybe a few more youtube videos to see if i like the sound!
I can understand the STI arguement, I was suckered into thinking that a wrx is just a 'toned down' wrx but there are very subtle but vital differences between the two that I didn't realise! The obvious ones like the 6 speed gearbox which can actually handle my power aims is a big plus - reading on the hawkeye/2.5 side of things, it seems that there could be reliability problems at that level of performance!
Its a shame really as I really love the front end of the hawkeye, but after doing some more research I may well do a blobeye to hawkeye front end conversion in the future.
I have really taken a shine to the bugeye models but again I would only consider one of these if I could get it reasonably cheaper than the blobeyes (circa £4-5k). You never know something may pop up!
In terms of how I spend the remainder budget, I prefer to complete a full fluids change (gearbox/diffs/engine etc) and make sure the engine/drivetrain is in rude health before spending the money - No point upping the power if the drivetrain isn't looked after, only asking for trouble! I have a two post car lift at home and a very modest sized garage (12m x 8m to be precise, can you tell its my pride and joy ) so any modifications will be done by myself bar mapping.
again thank you for the responses, its nice to see a bustling community on this forum!
Thank you for the responses, I'll try to answer all your questions!
The hawkeye would be a wrx - the STI variants are still a bit too pricey for my budget.
As I understand with the JDM variants, you loose the trademark subaru burble? If so I would rather keep the noise of the engine although upon reading certain websites like powerstation/andy forest it seems they are the best way to reach 350/350 cheaply - Maybe a few more youtube videos to see if i like the sound!
I can understand the STI arguement, I was suckered into thinking that a wrx is just a 'toned down' wrx but there are very subtle but vital differences between the two that I didn't realise! The obvious ones like the 6 speed gearbox which can actually handle my power aims is a big plus - reading on the hawkeye/2.5 side of things, it seems that there could be reliability problems at that level of performance!
Its a shame really as I really love the front end of the hawkeye, but after doing some more research I may well do a blobeye to hawkeye front end conversion in the future.
I have really taken a shine to the bugeye models but again I would only consider one of these if I could get it reasonably cheaper than the blobeyes (circa £4-5k). You never know something may pop up!
In terms of how I spend the remainder budget, I prefer to complete a full fluids change (gearbox/diffs/engine etc) and make sure the engine/drivetrain is in rude health before spending the money - No point upping the power if the drivetrain isn't looked after, only asking for trouble! I have a two post car lift at home and a very modest sized garage (12m x 8m to be precise, can you tell its my pride and joy ) so any modifications will be done by myself bar mapping.
again thank you for the responses, its nice to see a bustling community on this forum!
#17
jdm had nitrated crankshaft.
both 2ltr and both good engines,
normal jdm sti blob was single scroll I think.
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My bugeye STI made 340 bhp with a re-map and a sports cat'd exhaust system. Beware of synchro issues and wheel bearing problems.
Otherwise simply pick a low mileage pampered "pet" at a good price...
Upgraded brakes help also an adjustable rear ARB !
dunx
P.S. A hawkeye STI with a health check could replace my bugeye....
Otherwise simply pick a low mileage pampered "pet" at a good price...
Upgraded brakes help also an adjustable rear ARB !
dunx
P.S. A hawkeye STI with a health check could replace my bugeye....
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Jura
All JDM have Big port heads with different cams,but beware JDM WRX have too Big port heads with different cams
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