Linus27

Hi all,

Just after some advice on the UK Impreza WRX STi hatchback. Looking to buy a new Scooby and with the engine issues reported on the hatchback, would I be mad to buy one? I'm not planning on modding it much as it's just going to be my daily so maybe a cat back exhaust for some noise, panel filter, lowering springs for looks and possibly a remap if it's worth having this done. Budget would be around £15k so easily possible to get a nice example for that.

Ideally I'd like a JDM Spec C hatch but not sure they are within my budget so just just asking if I would be mad to spend money on a UK WRX STi hatchback what with the reported reliability issues?

hedgecutter

iTrader: (5)

Not if it's well forged, and clean underneath. Always try to get a look at the rear subframe; if it's rusty it will be rusty behind the bumper skins and on the fuel neck too. 15k should buy you something immaculate, plenty forged at 12k ish. Or buy a cheap blown one and spec it yourself for 5k.

But spec c's are awesome

ej20boy

2.5 is crap unless rebuilt.
They are a ticking time bomb and can fail unmodded at any mileage.
also this is a subjective thing,the hatch looks sh1te

hedgecutter

iTrader: (5)

ooh it's like you've cut and pasted one of Tub's numerous hatch comments. No Mazda 3?? At least you remind everyone about the Clinics potholes though.

ej20boy

eh?
I like the 3 mps. Its a great car

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

Half a car. Should have had the 4wd system from the 6 mps. Even my old 323 Turbo had 4wd and that had 150bhp.

ej20boy

I meant the styling, I have never driven one

johno01

what litre was the Mazda 323 turbo?

ej20boy

2.3 I think but may be wrong

johno01

Some lad I knew years ago had 1 and when he said it was a 1.6 I didn’t believe him...1.6 4wd turbo but yes they exist and probably rare as hens teeth

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

JDM Hatch at Torque GT for £14k.

Looks cracking in black with the same wheels as the 330 S.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/impreza-...ch-130520.html

ej20boy

14k for a 13 year old undesirable impreza....the world has gone mad

Gambit

iTrader: (6)

2.3 is only in the MPS

old skool 323 where indeed a 1.6 turbo
https://petrolblog.com/2013/08/japan...323-4x4-turbo/

always liked these ones
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mazda-323-...123126265.html


p.s. Hatch sti's are brilliant. 5yrs ive had mine

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

1.6 0-60 in just over 7 seconds in 1987. I had a lot of fun with that car burning off 'prestige' cars. Handling and roadholding were great as it was lightweight. Locking diff for when the weather was bad.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

They had a spec c listed for £15k Thursday when I looked, seemed pretty cheap for a C. I see it’s listed as reserved now.

There was a nice JDM STI hatch on PH for sale private for £13k. Would have loved that one as it was Pearl white, seemed to sell pretty quick which wasn’t surprising given the description & pics.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

The Spec C was £16k and looks a little bit molested to me. Definitely not the type of thing TGT usually have.

Matt Gooner Moulding

I love a hatch but im biased because I own one. I decided to buy a hatch because I didn't wanna be like everyone else and own a blob (nice cars but literally everyone owns one). And I mean look at that yellow spec c, its stunning. Id have that over a blob anyday of the week.

Flat4x4-again

iTrader: (1)

I still like the 'squat' proportions of the hatch - short rear over-hang which also means the track width looks right. On some older models its a bit long narrow body looking.

ej20boy

there is reason that most buy a blob over a hatch.
Apart from the obvious looks thing it also doesn't have a crap unreliable engine.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

JDM hatch has 2.0 engine, that’s why it’s a lot more expensive and sought after than the U.K. hatch.

Vxr2010

I’m not so much into the hatch styling , not saying i would not by one as i am sure they are a capable car , if i was buying one it would be a twin scroll jdm one, as above they have the 2 litre engine , the 2.5 is a great engine with a fault 😁👍😕 it is a better engine when forged , a number of documented failures but not all fail , worth budgeting for failure so if it does, you go the forged route , i had a 2 litre sti jdm wagon and have a few Fsti , the Fsti is the 2.5 and i prefer it a lot over the wagon , the twin scroll means less lag , my owe **** something’s broken on the car fund 😕🤣 , is slowly being added to in case i do have a problem