I’m thinking about buying a Subaru Impreza Sti
Discussion
Better for what?
Personally I wouldn’t have an RB320 due to that horrible 2.5 engine. Needs to have at least had an expensive forged rebuild from a reputable engine builder with receipts. Rust is an issue as well, being a UK car.
In saying that, the Impreza post 2007 doesn’t have the same magic to me. I briefly had a hatch R205 (the best hatch you can get) and I sold it because it wasn’t ‘Impreza’ enough.
So… buy neither of those and get a Spec C or Spec C RA circa 2005-07 ‘Hawkeye’
Personally I wouldn’t have an RB320 due to that horrible 2.5 engine. Needs to have at least had an expensive forged rebuild from a reputable engine builder with receipts. Rust is an issue as well, being a UK car.
In saying that, the Impreza post 2007 doesn’t have the same magic to me. I briefly had a hatch R205 (the best hatch you can get) and I sold it because it wasn’t ‘Impreza’ enough.
So… buy neither of those and get a Spec C or Spec C RA circa 2005-07 ‘Hawkeye’
Awesome things, but just make sure you go into Impreza/EJ ownership with open eyes. I always wanted an Impreza and bought a JDM Hawkeye (late MY2006) a few years ago. By this time, UK cars were the infamous 2.5 but the JDM models continued to be stronger 2.0.
This was mine (was actually a Spec D)
The JDM 2.0 is far superior with some forged internals, head work, twinscroll turbo, raised rev limit (8250rpm), quick rack steering, closer ratio box etc. The Spec C has all this plus some other bits such as oil cooler, even better steering and other bits I can't remember off the top of my head.
I'd take a JDM car or Spec C over the RB320, my pretty much stock 2.0 car made over 320bhp on the dyno aswell. If you plan on forging and going mental, the 2.5 is actually a good platform.
Proper good cars, grip is amazing and was surprised how good/fun it was on track.
Even with the better engine, my oil pickup sheared and lost oil pressure at Knockhill on a track day and that was my bottom end gone. Not sure if I just got unlucky but EJ engines aren't known for their longevity.
Something to note is that Spec C/JDM 2.0 have equal length manifolds which sound more Evo than Impreza burble, especially with the high rev limit.
Sad image of the fateful day....
Even still, I think I'd have another.
This was mine (was actually a Spec D)
The JDM 2.0 is far superior with some forged internals, head work, twinscroll turbo, raised rev limit (8250rpm), quick rack steering, closer ratio box etc. The Spec C has all this plus some other bits such as oil cooler, even better steering and other bits I can't remember off the top of my head.
I'd take a JDM car or Spec C over the RB320, my pretty much stock 2.0 car made over 320bhp on the dyno aswell. If you plan on forging and going mental, the 2.5 is actually a good platform.
Proper good cars, grip is amazing and was surprised how good/fun it was on track.
Even with the better engine, my oil pickup sheared and lost oil pressure at Knockhill on a track day and that was my bottom end gone. Not sure if I just got unlucky but EJ engines aren't known for their longevity.
Something to note is that Spec C/JDM 2.0 have equal length manifolds which sound more Evo than Impreza burble, especially with the high rev limit.
Sad image of the fateful day....
Even still, I think I'd have another.
My biggest regret , I just love the noise they make , I turned down a mint blue sti with the gold wheels , decals as wife said she couldn’t see over air scoop on the bonnet .
Tried a non sti , with pro drive kit and was idea for wife but was sold before we could buy
Heard one comming out of industrial estate the other day , what a sound
Maybe one day .
Tried a non sti , with pro drive kit and was idea for wife but was sold before we could buy
Heard one comming out of industrial estate the other day , what a sound
Maybe one day .
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