07 WRX - what do I do next?

07 WRX - what do I do next?

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Discussion

texaxile

Original Poster:

3,289 posts

149 months

Friday 20th March 2015
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Hi,
I'd be interested to hear opinions. This section of the forum seems pretty good and the advice I've had from the likes of paulmoonraker has saved me loads of money and hassle.

My 07 WRX has done only 4000 miles over the past 2 years (56k on the clock now, FSH and all that gumf), despite my initial needs for it as a daily driver, it has ended up being used as a weekend toy. I really like the car, it's great fun to drive and despite being in totally standard form, and there is no question of me getting rid of it….or perhaps there is, hence my ask.

I'm hankering for something a bit faster, coupled with reliability with a view to doing more miles so the decision I'm faced with is to either sell it or p/ex for a blob eye STi , or even a JDM Spec twin scroll (some seriously nice tackle up at Hurst cars) or, do I spend the "upgrade cash" (to the tune of about 3 / 3.5k ish) on getting my WRX forged and rebuilt by Extreme Scoobies and have a reliable weapon but with mods that need declaring etc.

I'm not really concerned about residual values, depreciation etc because I tend to keep my cars for years anyway.

Cheers

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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How much do you want to spend? I'm off to collect a 3.0R Outback today and my STI will be available soon.

tonyb1968

1,156 posts

145 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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As said, how much do you want to spend?
Do you need a wagon?
If the answer is no then you could think about getting a JDM and using it as a weekend car, there are some nice ones floating about at the moment, the A-Line at Hurst Cars is a nice sleeper as are a few of the Spec C's and Hawk STI's.
Just remember you can only go so far with your wagon before it starts getting stupidly expensive, but if you are happy with it, keep it smile


paulmoonraker

2,850 posts

162 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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The 2005 blobeye STi is a cracking car and the engine is bullet proof. They map straight to 340bhp on the standard turbo with just a few simple mods.

The Hawkeyes are good to, but you need to budget a rebuild if you want to go above 300 as the inevitable head gasket issue will surface. However, once done it makes for a comically fast car smile

Personally I would not sink that kind of cash on a WRX, as you'll still need to sort the brakes and suspension to get it to STi spec.

The blob and hawk STis are very different cars, IMO. The blob loves being reved like crazy and is the winner on the track. The hawk on the other hand is lazy but developes much more torque.

texaxile

Original Poster:

3,289 posts

149 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Hi,
thanks for the replies so far,
Well, if I decided to sell mine I've got a 3.5 to 4k fund to add to the total for my next purchase, or use the money to forge the current car. Of course there are the brake upgrades which will need to be done around the same time, suspension would probably be on the back burner for a few months if I went that route. I think you're right though Paul, chucking that money at a WRX is perhaps a bit much, however, I like the power delivery of the 2.5 and the wads of torque, a well built engine running decent power would make it the ultimate weapon in my eyes.

Ultimately it comes down to what an 07 WRX in half decent fettle (56k FSH etc) is worth. I'm hoping a ball park figure of 5 to 5 and a half grand on a private sale, add another 3.5 to 4 and my budget would be around 9 to 9.5k all in to put to a blob STi, provided of course my estimate of 5 to 5.5 k for mine is on target.

Ved, having seen your blob mate I must admit it is a really nice and sorted example. Mileage isn't a big issue with me as long as the history of a vehicle reflects that it has been cared for. My WRX is in for an MOT this week, and I am leaning toward selling it on and then finding a good example of an Sti blob, but I still can't really make up my mind as to what to do.

I might even nip up to Hurst and see what they offer me on a trade in on the off chance.

paulmoonraker

2,850 posts

162 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Given the numbers, a blobeye STi is probably the right choice. A 2005 example has the DCCD and wider track, which is missing from older cars, and has an engine that will do a safe 450 with no rebuild.

I love my hawkeye, However, I can't lie, I miss my Blobeye STi.

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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texaxile said:
Hi,
Ved, having seen your blob mate I must admit it is a really nice and sorted example. Mileage isn't a big issue with me as long as the history of a vehicle reflects that it has been cared for. My WRX is in for an MOT this week, and I am leaning toward selling it on and then finding a good example of an Sti blob, but I still can't really make up my mind as to what to do.
Full history, major service for the belts etc all done recently and was from David Hendry from new with two owners before me all sold back to and bought from DH Cars again. I've had it since May 2013 and it's mechanically perfect smile

Hursts have some nice examples too. I went to see him when I was looking but there was nothing half as good as the one I ended up with.

Good luck with the search.

Miner49er

382 posts

204 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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Keep yours...

Spend £1.2k on it now, upgrading the exhaust, turbo and a decent remap.

Drive enthusiastically for a fun-filled 20k miles, until...

The ring lands / head gasket eventually fails. (You knew it was inevitable, so you'll be absolutely fine about it).

Happily throw £3.5k at it, on a forged / STI rebuild.

Your car is now bullet-proof and can be enjoyed for another 100k miles.

I've had my 2006 WRX from new and this is the route I've taken with no regrets whatsoever.

As a road car, I much prefer the characteristics of the 2.5 over the 2.0 and even though I've got a relatively low, but trouble-free 330bhp / 330lb/ft, there's few cars that can cover ground so quickly with so little fuss and effort.

If you want to go over 350bhp, ignore everything I've written, sell yours and buy an STI!

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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If I was ever to swap my Impreza for another then it would have to be something with dccd. Probably a classic type-r sti.