Moonboi

Looking at getting my first scooby. Fell in love with these things ever since I first played grand tourismo 3 as a 4 or 5 year old, I'm 23 now so I'm expecting insurance to be a nightmare but it is what it is, I want to get one of these cars and keep it for life so I'm keen to pickup the right one. Have been doing a bit of research and looks like the most notable special editions of the blob eye (my favourite body type) are the wr1 (500 built, for UK), the s203 (555 built, for Japan) and the Spec C type RA, reading through forums it seems the Spec C is more of an event and potentially too much of a handful to daily drive since it's very stiff and has no sound deadening so I'm leaning towards the STI special editions, namely the s203 and wr1.


I've seen some conflicting information about the s203 some claim it has 422 ft lb's of torque while others claim a more modest, and frankly more believable, 311 ft lb's.

Looks like either the wr1 or the s203 would be a dream car for me questions is really what's the extent of the differences between both vehicles?

I believe the wr1 sold for quite a bit more money out of the factory? But has 4hp less than the s203? And is rated to 310 ft lb's, a decrease of 1 to 122 depending who you ask.

What about suspension ect...?


Side note are there any other special blob eyes that I'm unaware of? Seems like the wr1 doesn't get talked about much and so far as I'm aware I couldn't find anyone else comparing the s203 with the wr1.

Thanks

JdmSti2006

s203 all day long ,8k redline quick rack,if You will put mods on it than twice cheaper jdm

Moonboi

Ah didn't realise the S203 had a higher redline, that's interesting. Still though, higher red line and only 4hp more power? Still scratching my head over that one.

Any other noteworthy differences between the two cars?

stockcar

S203 is one of STi Japan's line of very special factory cars whereas the WR1 has been breathed on by Prodrive for the UK market.........

in general terms the "S" cars are far more 'special' and hold their value better (and indeed are currently increasing) - the likes of https://www.type-ra.com/ will have full brochure details for the "S" cars

JdmSti2006

other engine heads,different gears ratio, twinscroll turbo setup, carbon seats,quick rack, defi style cluster,xenons or hid headlights- not sure here ,titanium muffler, rare alloys,but price is a killer these days, 4hp more only due to meet japanese regulations, You need remap for UK fuel anyway ,it will give around 360 than

Moonboi

Epic, I'm definitely getting the s203 then! Thank you!

plenty

iTrader: (13)

Don’t get too hung up on the peak power/torque figures. Both cars will be similar once mapped, the S203 perhaps a touch more thanks to the VF42 turbo versus the VF35 in the WR1.

What makes far more difference to the driving experience is the twin-scroll power delivery and sound of a JDM car, which is more linear and less laggy than the single-scroll UK turbo. Some people actually prefer the bigger shove in the back of a single-scroll and also the burble which you don’t get in a JDM car.

The S203 has the widetrack chassis versus the WR1 narrow track, although on the road the difference is negligible. The WR1 comes with Prodrive S03 springs and bump stops which are more compliant and better suited to UK roads than the standard STi kit, although it’s easy enough to retrofit Prodrive S05 or RB320 springs and bump stops.

Other main differences are lower 5th and 6th ratios and quicker rack in JDM cars, and the Recaros in the S204.

The other blob special edition of note is the MY04 V-Limited “Petter Solberg” edition commemorating Subaru’s success in the 2003 WRC. It’s basically a narrow track JDM STi with decals, roof vent from a Spec C, and pink STi suspension also fitted to the Spec C RA, S203 and S204.

Do make sure to get insurance quotes before you commit to buy...

EddScott

WR1 was the only non-widetrack Blobeye to be sold officially in the UK with DCCD-A.

S203 is effectively the refined verison of Spec C.

JdmSti2006

forgot to add s203 has stonger hubs than wr1 -way better car overall

Don Clark

Direct from STI


https://www.sti.jp/completecar/herit.../impreza-s203/
Google translation
http://translate.google.com/translat...mpreza-s203%2F

Shane

iTrader: (6)

Don't bother looking at the red S203 listed as a fresh import in Birmingham, it's a right mess despite having all the nice original bits like wheels, seats and exhaust. When it left Japan it must have bee fully stickered up like a rally car, they've all since been removed but despite a machine polish you can see where every single one was, also has a poorly re-sprayed roof, some funny adjustable electronic suspension, loads of other weird JDM electronic bits that I couldn't fathom out (wiring was a nightmare) and some rust issues, we didn't even bother starting it. Judging by the number of beatrush braces fitted all over the place it's probably seen some track time as well.
Also, those lovely carbon seats aren't designed for anyone that isn't built like a racing snake, my brother doesn't have an ounce of fat on him and he only just fitted in them and reckoned my 6'2", 16 stone frame wouldn't have been able to get into them without being very uncomfortable.

JdmSti2006

buy oem s203 or with taste moded jdm widetrack ,simply

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

I don't really see the appeal of the WR1 over a UK widetrack or similar. It's just a load of bolt on parts that you could retrofit to any UK car? Unless you really like the colour I guess...

DAN@ADRIAN FLUX

Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

Matt Gooner Moulding

dont like the wr1 colour at all either! horrible colour. s203 all day long.

meth mouth

this even tho he's a gooner

ST-X

You could say the same for the RB5. Personally I like the WR1, it's got the black interior, a non-WRC blue which stands out and had the DCCD. Not everyone wants the absolute ultimate in performance a-la S202/203 and wants something more rounded yet still more unique than a run of the mill car. Each to their own.

Typical forum statements of 'oh, it's a **** colour' etc. It's not, you just don't like it. Not the same thing at all.

adam.pah

Personally, I would be happy with either a WR1 or S203/S204. All great cars. The WR1 is not to everyone's taste but is still a rare car and I believe the only non-widetrack car to have DCCD except the spec c,

I looked at a few WR1's, a couple of S204's and an S203. In the end I decided to go for the Spec C Type RA instead as it's the best driving car of the lot (it's also the rarest). I'm sure some people may disagree with that statement though...

plenty

iTrader: (13)

JDM non-widetrack blobs have DCCD. The WR1 is the only UK-market non-widetrack blob to have it.

adam.pah

Thanks for the correction Plenty. I didn't realise that even the non-widetrack JDM's did.

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

I don't think it's a **** colour, it's just that the colour seems the only reason to pay a premium for one.

Moonboi

Does the S203 not have DCCD?
What about the MY04 V-Limited “Petter Solberg” edition?

adam.pah

S203 is widetrack so does.
I though the Solberg car was the same as the WR1 but for the EU market?? I could very well be mistaken there though...

Turbovin

iTrader: (2)

Petter Solberg cars have DCCD.

ST-X

Given that in this era of cars only the JDM DCCD cars came with a quick rack, does the WR1 also have one, or is it the stock 2.75 rack?

Andycat

WR1 people selling them for 20k plus now

plenty

iTrader: (13)

There were two Petter Solberg editions released in 2004: one for the UK and Europe based on the WR1, and another for the Japanese market based on the MY04 JDM STi. Both narrowtrack cars with DCCD.

ST-X

Ah, fair enough. I've no intention of buying one, I'm quite happy with what I've got (about to fit a quick rack to it), I was just curious as to whether the WR1 also came with it as a detuned JDM car, or if it was a tweaked UK car.

I don't get why there's so much hate for the WR1 yet there's so much reverence for the RB5; they're both basically the PPP'd version of the respective UK cars at the time. Sometimes it's not about pure driving or performance and more about having something a bit special to you as the owner. In the way I could go and buy a Spec C but it wouldn't be as special to me as my tweaked WRX is. Objectively the Spec C is the far better car, but the WRX is mine, and that is important. If someone's intro to Subarus was watching Petter clinch the title rather than Richard Burns or Colin McRae then I can totally see why the WR1 is the car you'd choose. It also came with the nicest newage Impreza wheels too...

JdmSti2006

s203 wheels are nicer including a car

ST-X

And you mean what by that?