Hearing the call of the Hawkeye... what do I need to know?
Discussion
I have a hankering for an Impreza. I've fancied one for a while, and like the look of the Hawkeye cars. I'll mean selling my much loved Mondeo ST220, which has been a great car. Quick enough, handles well and generally (24mpg aside) cheap to run and easy to look after.
The plethora of acronyms are somewhat confusing... STI, WRX, PPP... so what do I need to know about choosing the right car?
What are they like to live with, service and maintain. I'd be looking for a Northants based specialist if anyone has recommendations.
What do I need to watch for when buying? Any foibles?
It'll be my daily driver, which means trips to the station, the occasional tip run, the odd weekend motorway jaunt, occasional 4 adult use, but largely B-road tooling about.
My current concerns are parts and servicing costs, and that many seem to be 5 speed gearboxes... how loud will one be at 80 leptons on the motorway? If I want my fillings rattled loose, we have a TVR for that...
Advice very much welcomed
The plethora of acronyms are somewhat confusing... STI, WRX, PPP... so what do I need to know about choosing the right car?
What are they like to live with, service and maintain. I'd be looking for a Northants based specialist if anyone has recommendations.
What do I need to watch for when buying? Any foibles?
It'll be my daily driver, which means trips to the station, the occasional tip run, the odd weekend motorway jaunt, occasional 4 adult use, but largely B-road tooling about.
My current concerns are parts and servicing costs, and that many seem to be 5 speed gearboxes... how loud will one be at 80 leptons on the motorway? If I want my fillings rattled loose, we have a TVR for that...
Advice very much welcomed
Edited by Podie on Saturday 23 February 17:34
Get an STi. Great car, and the hawkeyes make for a nce daily as they have more torque. With a standard exhaust they are not loud at all. MPG can be shocking round town, but on a steady run 30 is easily achievable.
The engine design changed between the blob eye and hawkeyes, which resulted in a slightly higher failure rate on modified cars...
The engine design changed between the blob eye and hawkeyes, which resulted in a slightly higher failure rate on modified cars...
Yep, Paul nailed it. Great cars, particularly in STI form. I ran mine for work over 2 years and 44,000 miles without any major problems.
The only issue I had was knocking rear struts which were replaced under warranty. This is a very common fault so if it hasn't been done, you will end up doing it. Most tend to replace them with aftermarket items as the design is the fault and will repeat. One problem I did have and never resolved in my ownership was fuel starvation when turning right on power. I've since found that this is the stock fuel pump so that's worth replacing too.
Engine failures are still rare but the 2.5 does have pistons that are susceptible to ringlands breaking. If you find one with forged pistons this will never be a problem. It's a rare issue so personally I wouldn't let it put you off.
Aside from that just upgrade the stereo, put a nice exhaust on it from the turbo back and you will have a brilliant car. Once you take your first open roundabout in 3rd, bolted to the road, you will understand why Subarus have the reputation they do. Prodrive lowering springs make the ride a little less harsh and also help the handling. Further on a whiteline rear ARB would help the turn-in too.
Servicing is very cheap at around 150 for a minor and 400 for a major. Speak to Zen Performance near you for their costs but the 50k service own mine was £300. Even consumables are pretty good too although you get what you pa for on tyres and brakes. MPG own mine was 26 on average and I did 80% motorways. The best I saw from a full 60 litre tank was 371 miles and that was going a genuine 65mph for the journey.
In fact, I think the R32 is going up for sale on Monday
The only issue I had was knocking rear struts which were replaced under warranty. This is a very common fault so if it hasn't been done, you will end up doing it. Most tend to replace them with aftermarket items as the design is the fault and will repeat. One problem I did have and never resolved in my ownership was fuel starvation when turning right on power. I've since found that this is the stock fuel pump so that's worth replacing too.
Engine failures are still rare but the 2.5 does have pistons that are susceptible to ringlands breaking. If you find one with forged pistons this will never be a problem. It's a rare issue so personally I wouldn't let it put you off.
Aside from that just upgrade the stereo, put a nice exhaust on it from the turbo back and you will have a brilliant car. Once you take your first open roundabout in 3rd, bolted to the road, you will understand why Subarus have the reputation they do. Prodrive lowering springs make the ride a little less harsh and also help the handling. Further on a whiteline rear ARB would help the turn-in too.
Servicing is very cheap at around 150 for a minor and 400 for a major. Speak to Zen Performance near you for their costs but the 50k service own mine was £300. Even consumables are pretty good too although you get what you pa for on tyres and brakes. MPG own mine was 26 on average and I did 80% motorways. The best I saw from a full 60 litre tank was 371 miles and that was going a genuine 65mph for the journey.
In fact, I think the R32 is going up for sale on Monday
Edited by Ved on Saturday 23 February 20:13
Edited by Ved on Saturday 23 February 20:15
Struts: http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/K...
The standard stereo is woefully bad. However, it's the head unit not the speakers, so just change that (easy peasy)...
The standard stereo is woefully bad. However, it's the head unit not the speakers, so just change that (easy peasy)...
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 23 February 20:16
PPP is fine as a generic remap, nothing special though, c.265bhp for WRX's and c.300bhp for STi's. The key is find an unmolested car and do the mods yourself then get a remap. Too many cars out there with mods and no remap so choose carefully.
If you need the rear space get yourself a wagon but try not to spend all your time and money turning it into an STi killer. If you want an STi get one and mod that into a 340-350bhp supercar baiter for not a lot of money and on the standard turbo and injectors. Even a WRX will mod and remap well for not a lot of money and give you 280bhp and plenty of torque with the standard turbo and injectors.
This is the same advice for Hawkeye 2.5 and older newage (Bugeye/Blobeye) 2.0ltr cars.
Both handle well out of the box but STi is much sharper, firmer on the road and stops better. WRX is softer but a proper Q-car if ever there was one and probably a bit more forgiving on rubbish UK roads. Just change the pads on the WRX for decent ones and it will stop well.
Great cars, reliable, a little thirsty but nothing too horrendous, there are worse cars out there using more fuel and not going as quick. They are characterful and seriously good drives. With Subaru not doing any more Impreza for the UK market they will become sought after classics in time and go the way of the Cosworth Sierra and the like.
Prices for used cars are stabilising and not getting a lot cheaper than they are now so buy now before prices start going up and the right cars become harder to get hold of.
If you need the rear space get yourself a wagon but try not to spend all your time and money turning it into an STi killer. If you want an STi get one and mod that into a 340-350bhp supercar baiter for not a lot of money and on the standard turbo and injectors. Even a WRX will mod and remap well for not a lot of money and give you 280bhp and plenty of torque with the standard turbo and injectors.
This is the same advice for Hawkeye 2.5 and older newage (Bugeye/Blobeye) 2.0ltr cars.
Both handle well out of the box but STi is much sharper, firmer on the road and stops better. WRX is softer but a proper Q-car if ever there was one and probably a bit more forgiving on rubbish UK roads. Just change the pads on the WRX for decent ones and it will stop well.
Great cars, reliable, a little thirsty but nothing too horrendous, there are worse cars out there using more fuel and not going as quick. They are characterful and seriously good drives. With Subaru not doing any more Impreza for the UK market they will become sought after classics in time and go the way of the Cosworth Sierra and the like.
Prices for used cars are stabilising and not getting a lot cheaper than they are now so buy now before prices start going up and the right cars become harder to get hold of.
Podie said:
Thanks guys.
Gentle bump for the weekday crowd...
Take 5 mins to read the thread 'Wrx ppp taking a while to find..' Thread. Plenty of info/chat about the cars. Gentle bump for the weekday crowd...
My wrx wagon is the cheapest end of the scale, but is still rather good! Only mpg is the downside £75 sees 250-300 miles. I'm happy to pay for it though
_Batty_ said:
Take 5 mins to read the thread 'Wrx ppp taking a while to find..' Thread. Plenty of info/chat about the cars.
My wrx wagon is the cheapest end of the scale, but is still rather good! Only mpg is the downside £75 sees 250-300 miles. I'm happy to pay for it though
Or if you drive it even more sensibly, 315-320 My wrx wagon is the cheapest end of the scale, but is still rather good! Only mpg is the downside £75 sees 250-300 miles. I'm happy to pay for it though
Had my 2006 hawkeye for 6 months now and love it!
MPG is actually really good considering the levels of performance you get.
Check the registered date, I think anything registered before the end of March 2006 means £250 a year tax, whereas anything after jumps to £450. Mine fell into the higher catergory by 10 days!
Other than that I can't fault the car and would definitely recommend getting one. Perfect combination of reliable, practicle and rapid!!
The only thing that I was a bit shocked with was how much you are hated by other road users! Virtually never get let out of junctions and no matter how fast you go, there's always some numpty attached to your rear bumper
On the plus side though, you always get a wave from other Scooby drivers!
MPG is actually really good considering the levels of performance you get.
Check the registered date, I think anything registered before the end of March 2006 means £250 a year tax, whereas anything after jumps to £450. Mine fell into the higher catergory by 10 days!
Other than that I can't fault the car and would definitely recommend getting one. Perfect combination of reliable, practicle and rapid!!
The only thing that I was a bit shocked with was how much you are hated by other road users! Virtually never get let out of junctions and no matter how fast you go, there's always some numpty attached to your rear bumper
On the plus side though, you always get a wave from other Scooby drivers!
Podie said:
Leebo310 said:
...there's always some numpty attached to your rear bumper
Sadly all of our fleet seem to attract those sorts of people now 
Good point on the tax. Seem to recall cutoff was 26 March 2006.
paulmoonraker said:
Podie said:
Leebo310 said:
...there's always some numpty attached to your rear bumper
Sadly all of our fleet seem to attract those sorts of people now Good point on the tax. Seem to recall cutoff was 26 March 2006.
Picking up a Hawkeye WRX at the weekend (see the PPP Wagon thread for my scooby hunting woes) - standard saloon in Silver. Could have got a Blue one with 18" gold wheels and the huge prodrive spoiler as it was just down the road from me but travelled a bit further to find something a little more subtle!
Ahhh...watching this with great interest.
I'm facing a similar quandary . I slightly prefer the looks of the hawk eye over the blob, but was put off by reports of chocolate engines, so I'm a bit reticent of buying a modded one, as opposed to a widetrack 55/05 blob sti with subtle mods, which many say is the ideal model to seek.
I'd like to ask about cambelt replacement on the 2.5,I've seen suggestions that it needs to be done at 40k, but nothing mentioned about time frame , is it 5 years or 40k whichever is sooner?. Seen conflicting reports so any definitive answer would be welcomed.
I'm torn between a blob sti around an 04/05 or a late 57/07 wrx hawk........it'll be a daily driver but my yearly mileage is less than 6k so fuel etc not an issue. Some B road hooning will of course be the order of the day though.......
Thanks for an informative thread so far.
Cheers
Pete
Edit due to effing iPad predicitve text making nonsensical mess of my prose.
I'm facing a similar quandary . I slightly prefer the looks of the hawk eye over the blob, but was put off by reports of chocolate engines, so I'm a bit reticent of buying a modded one, as opposed to a widetrack 55/05 blob sti with subtle mods, which many say is the ideal model to seek.
I'd like to ask about cambelt replacement on the 2.5,I've seen suggestions that it needs to be done at 40k, but nothing mentioned about time frame , is it 5 years or 40k whichever is sooner?. Seen conflicting reports so any definitive answer would be welcomed.
I'm torn between a blob sti around an 04/05 or a late 57/07 wrx hawk........it'll be a daily driver but my yearly mileage is less than 6k so fuel etc not an issue. Some B road hooning will of course be the order of the day though.......
Thanks for an informative thread so far.
Cheers
Pete
Edit due to effing iPad predicitve text making nonsensical mess of my prose.
Edited by texaxile on Wednesday 27th February 03:57
Edited by texaxile on Wednesday 27th February 03:58
texaxile said:
Ahhh...watching this with great interest.
I'm facing a similar quandary . I slightly prefer the looks of the hawk eye over the blob, but was put off by reports of chocolate engines, so I'm a bit reticent of buying a modded one, as opposed to a widetrack 55/05 blob sti with subtle mods, which many say is the ideal model to seek.
I'd like to ask about cambelt replacement on the 2.5,I've seen suggestions that it needs to be done at 40k, but nothing mentioned about time frame , is it 5 years or 40k whichever is sooner?. Seen conflicting reports so any definitive answer would be welcomed.
I'm torn between a blob sti around an 04/05 or a late 57/07 wrx hawk........it'll be a daily driver but my yearly mileage is less than 6k so fuel etc not an issue. Some B road hooning will of course be the order of the day though.......
Thanks for an informative thread so far.
Cheers
Pete
Edit due to effing iPad predicitve text making nonsensical mess of my prose.
STI is always going to be a better car to drive to be honest but it'll be probably harder to find an un-abused one. If you're in no rush then it's worth waiting to find a good one. My budget wouldn't quite stretch to an STI blob unfortunately but ideally I'd have gone for one if it had. Saying that though, I'm still more than happy with my WRX and a couple of grand less expense!I'm facing a similar quandary . I slightly prefer the looks of the hawk eye over the blob, but was put off by reports of chocolate engines, so I'm a bit reticent of buying a modded one, as opposed to a widetrack 55/05 blob sti with subtle mods, which many say is the ideal model to seek.
I'd like to ask about cambelt replacement on the 2.5,I've seen suggestions that it needs to be done at 40k, but nothing mentioned about time frame , is it 5 years or 40k whichever is sooner?. Seen conflicting reports so any definitive answer would be welcomed.
I'm torn between a blob sti around an 04/05 or a late 57/07 wrx hawk........it'll be a daily driver but my yearly mileage is less than 6k so fuel etc not an issue. Some B road hooning will of course be the order of the day though.......
Thanks for an informative thread so far.
Cheers
Pete
Edit due to effing iPad predicitve text making nonsensical mess of my prose.
Edited by texaxile on Wednesday 27th February 03:57
Edited by texaxile on Wednesday 27th February 03:58
With regards to cambelt I'm pretty certain it's every 5 years or 50k, whichever is earliest.
Not sure if I'm breaking forum rules here but I'd recommend joining Scoobynet as there's loads of amazing advice on there and everyone is really helpful. I joined it a few months before I actually bought my hawkeye and had a lot of stupid questions answered! Meant I had a much better idea as to what to look out for and stuff and definitely helped me purchase a good car!
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