Negative press forced Subaru to restyle its second-generation Impreza after just two years - with a little help from Peter Stevens of Prodrive. As well as a slightly more aggressive face the resulting Blob Eyed Scooby also claimed more power, a wider track and better economy. And a stronger engine made the STI an ideal starting point for serious tuning. As Kev at experts Scooby Clinic explains, "The Blob Eye STI already has a strong bottom end, heads and a very strong six-speed 'box, making it ideal for tuning. We have run many of these engines from stock in race cars with huge success. With a front-mounted intercooler [ref. FMIC], an SC46 billet turbo and injectors, plus a better ECU you'll easily have 400hp on tap." The gearbox is built to last too and featured unmodified in Pro-R's 2011-season 620bhp Time Attack championship STI.
To celebrate Petter Solberg's 2003 World Rally Championship driver's title Subaru released an Ice Blue 500-car limited-edition 316hp WRX STI WR1. Goodies included a Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD), bespoke Brembo brakes an uprated Prodrive suspension. And a 4.3-second 0-60 time made it more than a match for the contemporary Mitsubishi Evo VIII FQ320.
Buy if: You're looking for the perfect base for a highly-tuned track-day monster
Don't buy if: Money is tight or you plan to keep your Scooby completely standard
We found:2004 WRX STI Type UK, original, £6,500
Price Guide
Poor: Under £2,200
Good: £2,300 to £6,000
A1: £7,000+
Special Editions: WRX STI WR1 £4,500 to £7,500, WRX STI Spec C Type RA £8,000 to £10,000, Litchfield Type 25 £9,000 to £12,000,