RE: Mazda Eunos Roadster/Subaru Forester STI: PH Fleet

RE: Mazda Eunos Roadster/Subaru Forester STI: PH Fleet

Tuesday 26th July 2016

Mazda Eunos Roadster/Subaru Forester STI: PH Fleet

Eunos out of hiding, Forester doing its thing - Dan's personal fleet is a mini JDM car meet on his driveway



I can't actually believe it's been over a year since the Eunos last graced these pages. Indeed, I was shamed when in an unrelated post fellow Mazda fan HorneyMX5 said he'd assumed I'd sold it given it hadn't been written about in so long.

Don't worry Nick - I've still got it! Well, the Mazda at least.

Parking space not ideal as it turns out
Parking space not ideal as it turns out
Excuses? Some fairly major life events going on, up to and including additional children and a major relocation. I was hoping the latter would score me a dry garage in which to store the Mazda while the former took up my time but it didn't work out that way. I was chuffed to be offered one at a bargain rate from a neighbour though, and there the Eunos hibernated over the winter. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best of homes and when I came to get it out in the spring there was an inch of water on the floor and a layer of mould inside the car - probably worse conditions than leaving it outside as it turns out. Then I negotiated another space around the back of the house, but the reason for its availability quickly became clear when half a tonne of sap fell on the car as spring sprung. Damn.

Final indignity occurred when my teacher brother turned up the other week in his Mariner Blue UK 1.6, fresh from having a lot spent on it ahead of a big European road trip he's currently enjoying on his extended break. He's done a lot; JTech in Berkshire removing, stripping and powder coating the suspension arms and rebuilding the lot with new bushes and anti-roll bars. His Gaz dampers have been refurbed and the whole car looks gorgeous, a world away from the rather forlorn condition of mine. It also drives rather nicely. This and the road trip have got me rather envious but no point moping; after an intensive clean the sap is off and the car looking more like its old self.

Out and about and proving rather good
Out and about and proving rather good
Pity the Performance5 dampers don't seem to be doing a whole lot of damping any more, the front ones now very bouncy. The website has disappeared too and I'm rather fearful they've shut up shop - Phil, if you're reading this give me a call!

Then there's the patchwork quilt paintwork which, while rust free and good from across the road, really needs a good going over. Yup, there's some investment required. Still, goes as well as it always has and I've enjoyed a few jaunty scenic routes round and about now the rain has finally stopped.

And the Forester? To be honest it's cracking on with the job it was actually bought for - namely family transport with the occasional shred by yours truly when nobody else is aboard. I love this car, both for its stubbornly fugly looks and its surprisingly poised performance. The B1257 to my dad's I recently used to put the 718 Cayman S through its paces is especially well-suited to the Forester, trips out biking putting the new Thule racks to the test over the yumps and bumps. I haven't lost one yet.

The infotainment upgrade is working brilliantly and, as hoped, really does make a 10-year-old car feel like an up-to-date model. And my wife actually likes the car too, which is a bonus given she's the one driving it most of the time. This does make the case for a louder exhaust something of a harder sell though. I'm working on that. I like the fact the car is totally standard. But I also love that flat-four throb. Any tips on a backbox able to keep both parties happy appreciated...


FACT SHEET
Car
: 2005 Subaru Forester STI (JDM import model)
Run by: Dan Trent
Bought: December 2015
Mileage: 122,843km (at purchase)
Purchase price: £9,500
Last month at a glance: Needs more noise

Previous reports:
Dan scores himself one of his all-time dream cars

FACT SHEET
Car
: 1993 Eunos Roadster (JDM import model)
Run by: Dan Trent
Bought: January 2011
Mileage: Not a lot more than last year!
Purchase price: £1,250
Last month at a glance: Expenditure looms...

Previous reports:
Stretching the Eunos' legs
Has Dan killed his Eunos?
The Eunos returns to Scotland for another road trip
Look, I was kidding about the downforce, right?
Why have one wedding car when four will do?
Dan's Eunos loses its horn
Just how many wheels for your wagon?
Wheel refurb goes a bit ... colourful
Dan gets back on track with his Eunos
The answer to everything?
More exhaust noise? Don't mind if I do...
Skidfoolery at Silverstone on the eco tyres
Er, more skidfoolery at Silverstone on the eco tyres!
Hibernation? Not for this Eunos!
Sell it? Nah, I'll just drive it, ta
Spring comes along and heating mechanism packs up
Skids on hold as LSD bites the dust



Author
Discussion

Kedlestone

Original Poster:

333 posts

122 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
The Prodrive back box makes a good rumble whilst keeping the noise to a sensible level. Usually a few floating around in the second hand market place. Failing that I would also champion the Miltek cat backs, slightly louder but still very liveable.

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
Glad to hear it's still alive and kicking! You're not the only one neglecting them though, my supercharged one is currently languishing in a rented garage with no MOT and rusty brown holes were the rear sills should be. I need to pull my finger out and sort them as I have a few shows and a sprint to take it to before the summer is out.

A recently acquired standard(ish) Eunos and Suzuki Jimmy have been keeping me somewhat distracted!

Oldwolf

928 posts

192 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
quotequote all
4x4 and Eunos are the perfect budget pair :-)
I bought my Eunos ten years ago to put me on while I waited for an insurance payout, it's done ten Le Mans trips while more expensive metal waited at home

R400TVR

542 posts

161 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
Get a Fujitsubo system. Not too loud, and makes a lovely noise. Here's one on my Gravel Express.
https://youtu.be/WtDvufDmRJM

darthsmartie

2 posts

155 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I had a Miltek 3" catback (resonated) on my 2005 Forester STI. Gave a nice rumble and was never too loud. Kept the other half happy and the kids never grumbled. Also was always fine on a long trip up to Newcastle to see family.

MajorMantra

1,265 posts

111 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I approve of this two-car garage. My Eunos has been languishing in the shed under its cover* for the last few weeks - life, work, and crap weather have been conspiring to keep it hidden. Must go for a drive...

Not sure I'd be too hasty to change the Forester's exhaust though. You may end up with something fun but drone-y, which will lose you significant familial brownie points.


  • A cover is a simple, affordable, but effective protective layer for a car, Dan. wink

Smitters

3,995 posts

156 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I had a Hayward and Scott backbox on my classic Impreza and that was great, enough to enjoy the burble, but without being horrible on a motorway or embarrassing on a busy street.

Wardy5

136 posts

205 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
For Performance5, the website domain record last had an update on June 30th, to direct it to the holding page you see now.

So things don't look particularly rosy in that regard, I'm afraid :-(

A double-shame, as I was pondering some of their suspension bits for my Eunos S-Special....

toffee

135 posts

217 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
I have pure drive suspension from Performance 5 as well. It needs some work, so any information on what has happened or options much appreciated .
I have a mark 1 RS ltd and would also like some refurb work on the body, wheels and seats, so recommendations on where to go ( am in N London), also welcomed.
Thank you

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Wednesday 27th July 2016
quotequote all
MX5 Restorer is the man for bodywork.

toffee

135 posts

217 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
Thank you

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
I pick up my new (to me) FSTi tomorrow - 342bhp and a Haywood Scott backbox. I'll report back on the sound after a little testing but first impressions are nice and burbly and not too loud.

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
I have a turbo back 3" Milltek with sport cat and a resonator, it's ok if you're bimbling but loud when you're on it. Offer still stands for a demo!

Little Bob

236 posts

208 months

Thursday 28th July 2016
quotequote all
I'll second the MX5 Restorer as the place to go - he did a fantastic job on my sills and rear arches a year or so ago, really is as good as new now.

Also, Meister R suspension has been a revelation on my S-Special - handling is superb.

Unfortunately mine too is spending way too much time sat in the garage on the trickle charger. Must put that right.