Who here owns a Subaru?

Soldato
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Hi and welcome to the band wagon. There's a lot fewer Subaru owners on this forum than anything else, but why not?

Let's use this as a general discussion area like the others where questions can be asked from prospective owners to current/past owners and we can all have a common ground of conversation.

So, hello, I am ScoobyDoo69, I am a self certified Subaru fan boy, with a love for all other Japanese motors too.

My first car was a 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport. Started off standard, then when I was done with it I had fitted a Borla unequal length manifold (for the turbo burble ennit) both decat pipes, a Prodrive backbox, K&N induction kit, turbo interior, turbo rear spoiler, 2001 WRX alloys, STi V6 front lip and STi rear lights.

As standard it made 123bhp on the rollers, and then when modded it made 142bhp.

When I first bought it:
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When I was finished messing around with it:
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Then I bought as my 2nd car, a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX. It came with a Collins dumpvalve, Blitz turbo timer, centre decat, and Blitz Nur Spec R cat back. I smoothed the boot, fit Defi gauges (boost, oil temp and pressure) fully 3" decatted it, ported the manifold and fit a stainless up pipe, and had an Exedy clutch and lightweight flywheel fitted.

No idea what power it had as it never saw the dyno. But it did run 13.2 @ 102mph at Santa Pod.

Pics:

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How it went:

Then I bought my current Subaru Impreza WRX STi Type UK Prodrive which I have had for over 4 years. It came as standard with the prodrive performance pack (springs, exhaust, remap.) I then put everything from my gauges and exhaust from the WRX on it. It made 330bhp on the rollers, and ran a 12.9 @ 103mph at Santa Pod (so not much quicker than the WRX which definitely had much less power.) I then fit an oil cooler, shaved the front grille, partly debadged the boot, fit an oil cooler, fit a Roger Clarke Motorsport induction kit, and changed the fog light covers for inlets for my air filter and oil cooler. Then had it mapped.

It makes 373bhp and it now runs 12.1 @ 113mph quarter mile (much better :D)

When I bought it:
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Now:
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How it goes :)


Now show us yours :)
 
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Soldato
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Been looking at blob eye WRX's, around £4000.

How can I confirm one has the PPP?

Also anything to check or look out for when looking at them or test driving one?

Would a 215bhp WRX push me back in my seat too, I kinda like that :)

A true PPP car has a certificate from Prodrive to say the car has been done. If the certificate is missing I believe it can be checked by the Subaru dealers.

The WRX PPPs consist of:

Silicone intercooler hose
Centre decat pipe (cat after the downpipe)
Prodrive exhaust backbox
ECU remap

A WRX as standard is a bit mundane to be honest. That's why when people drive them they tend be disappointed as most expect more. A decat and remap really wake them up, and a set of lowering springs drastically change how the car feels.

The things to look for are usual suspects like service history etc. Clutches are more expensive than most, and check for any excessive whining from the diffs and gearbox (drive a few to get a feel.) Cold starts can reveal piston slap which goes once warm. Make sure any dodgy modifications have been catered for with a remap. Especially keep away from cars that have had big air filter cones and no mapping. This is really bad on Imprezas. Messes with the MAF (air flow sensor) readings big time. No "chips" on the ECU or anything. Make sure if it's been played with it's had a full custom map. Generic maps are bad on Imprezas.

There are a few other things like moisture in the boot from leaking rear lights and such things. But they're pretty much what any other car would have.

If in doubt find a local Subaru specialist to drop into for a check over.
 
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Soldato
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Some nice cars in here guys, thank you all for sharing.

They're Apex branded BC Racing coilovers. I got them for about £560 i think as they were the end of line models and Apex wern't going to order any more.

I've found them pretty decent so far, nothing to compare them to on the scooby but i like them and a deffinate step up from standard. 32 clicks of adjustment on the struts so you can fine tune it nicely, i went for their 'standard' spring rates which i can't remember... 5 and 7kg i think..

I still need to get a better rear anti roll bar so thats next on the shopping list with a remap..

What suspension you running on yours?

Ah right, I remember when they sold those. Feel like I missed out on the opportunity to get them.

I am still running standard struts with Prodrive Eibach springs. They're quite boaty now as they're getting old. The only other things I have done it fit a front and rear strut brace.

I was dreading this thread appearing.

After spending a great deal of time convincing myself I don't want an impreza, I want one again.

:o

Ever owned one? I would say it's one of those cars that you need to own at some point.

Drove this at the weekend:
It went ok.

No more feedback than that?

I am looking to buy one again after test driving a 987 Boxster (non S), E46 M3 Cab and non were as exciting as the Scoob, different experience. I am looking to test drive an Elise because around the same price bracket I could go for an S2, just want something special to drive for the weekends again, suggestions Kosta?

Hey mate. What sort of price range would you now be looking at? I'd recommend anyone to get a JDM model car these days to be honest. Even more so a Spec C version or similar. It all depends if you can handle losing the burble :p
 
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Soldato
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I love the GB270. Great WRX with good mods above too! Thanks for sharing.

Naefart, I agree mostly. It needs a bit more power to liven it up that's for sure.

I've just been out in mine. Poor Scooby, I don't drive her for weeks then I take her out in the rain, get her sideways, and so angry she spits flames. Ah well :D
 
Soldato
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Yup thats how she started out in life ;)

Had no idea! It's the lightest model isn't it? Manual windows and all that :D

The standard twin exhaust was terrible and didn't give the grunty noise of most Impreza's so I replaced the full exhaust with a brand new Wolfrace 3" decat exhaust onto my car.

Are you not supposed to remap when a 3" system is fitted? could be wrong but that may cause issues?

Twin pipes are only on the WRX? Generally most WRXs are ok with a decat exhaust an no remap (although it is recommended to remap of course.) The STi however is more sensitive to exhaust mods and overboosts so you will definitely need a remap really...
 
Soldato
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I bought a Subaru Impreza RX 07 at the weekend to run the dog around in, i wonder if you guys could help tho, on the dash it has a green POWER light that flashes and the engine lights on constant, the guy i got it off said it needs a MAF air flow sensor and it will be alright, does this sound right to fix the problem? ive got no experience with Subaru's

Never heard of a POWER light? Is it an automatic? Did you buy it with the engine light on? The engine light could mean anything, so a bit too easy to say it is the MAF sensor. You need to plug in a code reader and find out why the engine light is on..

Oh blob eye STI ppp how i miss you :(

What do you miss more though? This or the Evo? :confused:

Had a test drive of an RB320 at the weekend. After being bitterly dissapointed with my frist ever drive of a standard Hawkeye STI (or any Impreza for that matter), the RB320 was night and day. The acceleration was effortless, almost to the point of being too easy if that makes sense, i.e. it lacked fun because it wasnt being ragged about. Sadly the RB320 is out of my budget.

Still deciding between a MK5 Golf R32 or Hawkeye STI with PPP.

Two very different motors - too many pros and cons for each to make a decision easy :(

I still think you need to get yourself into a late Blobeye STi with PPP (or some mods) or a JDM hawkeye. I personally wouldn't touch the UK 2.5 equipped cars. I just don't rate how they feel to drive, nor do I trust their reliability.
 
Soldato
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EVIsSA
Thanks ScoobyDoo, your last advice was invaluable. I have my eyes out for a JDM hawkeye. One for sale in the entire UK right now, wrong colour nad mileage though.

Seen a beauty a while back, a JDM Hawk in white. Very rare. Problem was, 200 mile drive and the price... £17K. The seller (garage) clearly knew what they had.

Go test drive an older 2.0 model STi. They are much more exciting to drive. Either that or find a 2.5 STi which has had a decent engine rebuild to a decent spec. Only then are they good.

I know you may prefer the looks of the hawkeye, but honestly a good late blobeye STi is a great car with some minor mods! Or even better a JDM blobeye. Again not many available, but not massively different from a JDM hawk (that you'd notice on the road at least.)

Sneaky, my fav car of yours was the "Fozzy" by quite a margin. Looked fantastic ! The STi was great too, but I have a soft spot for the Foresters.
 
Soldato
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Tobias, great choice of motor. I follow your thread on Scoobynet :D

miller745, I love RB5s! Sounds like you have a lot planned for it. I hope a 6 Speed is in there somewhere ;) Or uprated box at least!
 
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Soldato
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I think I need new cables for my Defi gauges as they keep connecting and disconnecting.

I guess this didn't help though:


:D

Used to love them when I was 17 but I went off them as I got older. My friend is a lifelong fan and according to him "only one worth owning is an RB something or other" He has quite a rare one apparently but as I'm not a fan I don't know what it is. My fave one he had was an older one called a P1.

As much as I love and respect the UK specials like the RB5, RB320, P1 etc, they are unfortunately the UK's poor attempt at getting the best models. Still great cars, but definitely not the only ones worth owning.

Thanks scoob.

Between the 2 I have owned, I couldnt tell you which I prefer. I think the ideal choice would be a type R with the engine or power from my JDM. The type R was more lively, must be to do with its weight.

Yeah the Type R has that feeling. When I drove one it felt really quick and really fun. Which is what I guess is so great about them. You need a lot of power to have the same fun in a newage.

If we're talking ultimate Scoobs here I'm afraid there is only one contender. The Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec C Type RA-R, the car with the longest name ever! :)

Say no more :cool:

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Definitely the most capable out of the box!
 
Soldato
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I think it's about time this thread got bumped! I'm just back from Thailand and was wondering why I hadn't seen a single Subaru. Then Friday night came and I can honestly say I saw some of the cleanest Legacys and Imprezas that I have ever seen.

The other cars I saw of interest in Thailand were definitely what I'd call ricer cars! Will be posting some pics in the daily encounters thread a bit later.
 
Soldato
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They can indeed cost a lot of money to insure.

The quotes I get from the online comparison websites seem to be silly high. Yet when I received my renewal from Admiral (which quotes on comparison websites) it was much lower, and cheaper than last year too! I'm 24 and will be paying less than £900 this year for insurance on my STi. Probably helps that I've owned it for 4 years now though.


Thought I'd slap this in here too.. it's actually meant to be a bit of a spot the difference, as something is different :)
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Soldato
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I recently joined the Scoobaru crew. I bought a '03 GX Sport, it's a nice car in terms of drivability and ride, compared to that of my previous Yaris.

It has OZ Ultraleggra 17", Cobra Exhaust system with both cats removed, but has the bullet type instead. I think they are called resonators? And a 4-1 unequal length manifold. Not sure if it's standard on this but it has the Subaru burble. I don't plan on modding it too much, probably put a WRX spoiler on the back and that's about it.

I can thoroughly recommend getting yourself a set of eibach lowering springs. The car will feel so much more composed, and it's a cheap mod. Other than that don't bother doing anything to it, and just be careful come MOT time as if it is fully decatted, it will not pass.

I do, few people will want the ultimate max performance of equal length headers over the sound of an unequal length headed Subaru flat 4 tbh.

At 7k it's almost a choir :)

I was lying. I love how they sound, but I know they're not to everyone's taste however! Hence why mine is so loud :D

Question: Is it worth paying a premium for the 2005 Blob STI with DCCD, wide-track and revised dashboard? The 2005 Blobs are similar if not as expensive as the 2006+ Hawkeye STIs.

Question II: I've been left with the impression that the 2.0 block gives a better rush of acceleration than the 2.5? By rush, I don't mean real world 0-60, I mean back of your seat jerkiness and enjoyment? I've driven the 2.5 STI and thought it felt a little linear and boring. Guess I need to try a 2.0. I was rather hoping for the jerk like you get in a VTEC.

The 2.5 doesn't feel as exciting. Plus it's unreliable! Go look for 2005 Blob STi's with DCCD. One with the PPP or similar mods. Great car. The 2.0 revs out nicely whereas the 2.5 dies very early in the revs. Making the 2.0 much more exciting, but it does take a little while longer to come on boost.

Or find a JDM car, with your price range you should be able to find one. Much better cars than the UK model :)
 
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