Blobeye wrx or sti ?
Discussion
Rear arches rot from the inside out so any "surface rust" on them is actually the final stages of them rotting out completely, also if the rear arches are gone then it's highly likely the rear suspension turrets will also be rotten.
I have heard it said that the wrx is actually marginally faster than the sti 0-60 due to the gearing? Unless that's just a myth put out by wrx owners with an inferiority complex!
I have heard it said that the wrx is actually marginally faster than the sti 0-60 due to the gearing? Unless that's just a myth put out by wrx owners with an inferiority complex!
Excluding the wide track models (and engine/gearbox), the main differences are slightly quicker steering, solid steering linkage, stiffer suspension, better brakes, wider wheels. The STi is without doubt a better car but it also costs twice that of a similar age/condition WRX.
Everything from an STi can be bolted onto a WRX, so you can build a very capable WRX which far outperforms a stock STi for a lot less than the cost of an STi, providing you do the spannering yourself.
So if you are only looking for a quick daily ~ 300bhp then a WRX is a much cheaper proposition. If you want much more power than that, it's far more cost effective to buy an STi in the first instance.
I wouldn't discount a Bugeye. There is no real mechanical difference between a Bug and Blob but I think the Blob is a bit softer. Bug has proper bucket style seats, better weighted steering and an alloy bonnet. The front ends (bonnet, wings, bumper, lights) are interchangeable between the Bug, Blob and Hawkeye. So you can make any car from 2001-2006 look like any one of the 3 face lifts.
Everything from an STi can be bolted onto a WRX, so you can build a very capable WRX which far outperforms a stock STi for a lot less than the cost of an STi, providing you do the spannering yourself.
So if you are only looking for a quick daily ~ 300bhp then a WRX is a much cheaper proposition. If you want much more power than that, it's far more cost effective to buy an STi in the first instance.
I wouldn't discount a Bugeye. There is no real mechanical difference between a Bug and Blob but I think the Blob is a bit softer. Bug has proper bucket style seats, better weighted steering and an alloy bonnet. The front ends (bonnet, wings, bumper, lights) are interchangeable between the Bug, Blob and Hawkeye. So you can make any car from 2001-2006 look like any one of the 3 face lifts.
buy an Sti , get the car with the upgrades already done , the sti is a better package it is more money but it has more stuff , wrx is limited by the strength of its gearbox and brakes etc ,sti has better suspension better brakes better fuel economy when driven sensibly lol more tuneable , does not mean a wrx is not a nice car , but i’ve had quite a few scoobys and much prefer sti models
Don't forget if you're upgrading the engine on a WRX to push out 300 or so, you need to do the brakes, because WRX brakes are abysmal. It is possible to upgrade and fit the STI brembo's on them, but you will also need to have 18 inch wheels as I don't think they fit under the 17's. Alternatively go for a set of Godspeed discs and pads, which are highly rated. I've found that brakes are often done on a budget by some owners. I'm running Brembo discs and black diamond predator pads all round, the difference over the old ones (which were blue print and Mintex pads) was night and day.
I think a secondhand set of STi Brembo's can be had for around £800, advice would be to budget another couple of hundred quid getting them fully refurbished.
My daily is a WRX with a PPP on it, which is a prodrive map giving 265 bhp over the standard 225, it makes a huge difference and suits me, so I've no plans to squeeze more out of it. I did consider an STI but the high price has put me off, but they are a much better car IMO.
weak spots on the Blob WRX are often stuff like drop links front and rear (cheap to remedy and fix), rust issues, rear shocks and suspension can go dry and "knock", again there's tons of info on scoobynet about it. Make sure the car has had the cambelt and water pump changed on time, it's 5 years or 48k miles, whichever comes first, on the second cambelt change, it's usually good form to have the water pump changed as well. Also, check the service history, and check if the recalls have been done (changing the lower arms to alloy and the airbag recall).
Imprezas are due a massive service 3 years, 30k / 60k / 90k all fluids (diff, gearbox, etc), plugs, the whole lot. Plug replacements are also not too hard, despite what people might have you think.
Brake calipers are prone to seizing, this is because the rubber shroud covering the piston can split and allow water to get in, as the pistons are mild steel they rust and seize, but Big Redd brakes do full refurb kits for not a lot of money, ans S/S pistons are available.More often than not this will be a problem , the way to tell is drive along and hit the anchors, if the car locks a wheel or pulls to one side then that's a dodgy caliper right there. Also, after a test drive, hold your hand over the wheel, if one is warmer than the rest, same thing.
On the pre 05/06 Blobs , the header tank is metal, these are prone to rusting and leaking. a £5 ebay purchase of JB weld has fixed mine and it has been fine since 2016.
If you find one, my advice would be to buy on condition and service record. They aren't an expensive car to maintain service wise, and give great bang for the buck.
I think a secondhand set of STi Brembo's can be had for around £800, advice would be to budget another couple of hundred quid getting them fully refurbished.
My daily is a WRX with a PPP on it, which is a prodrive map giving 265 bhp over the standard 225, it makes a huge difference and suits me, so I've no plans to squeeze more out of it. I did consider an STI but the high price has put me off, but they are a much better car IMO.
weak spots on the Blob WRX are often stuff like drop links front and rear (cheap to remedy and fix), rust issues, rear shocks and suspension can go dry and "knock", again there's tons of info on scoobynet about it. Make sure the car has had the cambelt and water pump changed on time, it's 5 years or 48k miles, whichever comes first, on the second cambelt change, it's usually good form to have the water pump changed as well. Also, check the service history, and check if the recalls have been done (changing the lower arms to alloy and the airbag recall).
Imprezas are due a massive service 3 years, 30k / 60k / 90k all fluids (diff, gearbox, etc), plugs, the whole lot. Plug replacements are also not too hard, despite what people might have you think.
Brake calipers are prone to seizing, this is because the rubber shroud covering the piston can split and allow water to get in, as the pistons are mild steel they rust and seize, but Big Redd brakes do full refurb kits for not a lot of money, ans S/S pistons are available.More often than not this will be a problem , the way to tell is drive along and hit the anchors, if the car locks a wheel or pulls to one side then that's a dodgy caliper right there. Also, after a test drive, hold your hand over the wheel, if one is warmer than the rest, same thing.
On the pre 05/06 Blobs , the header tank is metal, these are prone to rusting and leaking. a £5 ebay purchase of JB weld has fixed mine and it has been fine since 2016.
If you find one, my advice would be to buy on condition and service record. They aren't an expensive car to maintain service wise, and give great bang for the buck.
Edited by texaxile on Thursday 7th May 20:10
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