99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

ill be looking to purchase a new motor soon and im in a dilemma,i really dont know what to go for,any info would be appriciated.
i was thinking of the forester sti but i also feel that it wont live up to expectations.hear alot of good stuff about the jdm twin scroll etc. i really like the hawkeye sti,are jdm cars better? dont mind the blobeye but not overly keen on bugeye or blobeye. i understand the forester sti isnt twin scoll? if i could get a good understanding of the different models/spec cars in this sort of price range it would help me alot. im not after a rally car as it is a family daily driver,but needs to be very quick?is twin scroll the best? i really dont have the knowledge as yet to be able to decide what to buy?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Have a look at the Spec D on here.

http://www.apiimpreza.com/frames/spe...s_for_sale.php

It's on your budget and is extremely good value for money.


Call if I can help, David

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

is that uk or jdm?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

UK, Supplied and serviced at either Carstins, Balsall Common or Crossroads, Tredington.

apac

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like good all rounder David.
the 'D' stands for discrete. It will have all the performance without looking overstated. Leather interior - nice!

If you want the all out scooby weapon, then a JDM Spec C would be your best bet, but there is little compromise, most come with little or no electrics or air con. - not really totally suited to being a family run around

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

differences between jdm and uk cars i need to know, i dont want to buy a car and then have to start modifying because its not quick enough.,my 99 uk wagon was running 315/320 and to be honest i wanted more power.

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

is the spec d only a uk car then?

apac

iTrader: (2)

Not sure tbh.

here are some differnces between jdm sti and uk off th top of my head, i maybe proved wrong on some points, also remember that the JDM Spec C has many differences compared to the normal JDM STI



STI differences JDM spec above UK Spec 2003 onwards

IHI Twin Scroll Turbo VF37 (VF36 on the Spec C only (holds power much better over the rev range than a UK spec VF35 unit)
Equal Length exhaust Manifolds – no Scooby burble
Larger profile Cam Shafts
Larger Valves
Higher engineered Pistons
Stronger Con Rods
Nitrated and cross drilled Crank
8000rpm redline will safely rev to 8250rpm
Quick Rack Steering – this maybe on the UK, ?
Automatic Intercooler Spray (also manual)
DEFI Style dials with sweep on start up
Titanium STI Strut Brace
Shorter 5th and 6th gear
DCCD Gearbox - adjustable centre diff
Different rear Tail light configuration (UK car has fog light intergrated into the cluster)
Crystal Clear front headlights (UK cars have large Orange Sections)
Press down Clutch to Start

Rikimaru

Yes.

The Japanese market had a very similar car called the STi A-Line. Main difference was that the Spec D has a small wing whilst the A-Line had none, just a small lip spoiler on the boot.

apac

iTrader: (2)

Spec C differences compared to JDM STI. Again, some of the points will probably be contested and proved wrong.........


Lightweight bonnet and boot lid.
Lightweight smaller battery
Lightweight smaller fuel tank 50 ltr
Lightweight glass (could be urban myth)??
Lightweight larger radiator & revised cooling system
Lightweight smaller Air-Con compressor (Spec C Limited model)
Adjustable Redline Rev Limiter light/buzzer (but it wasn’t standard on the spec c range)
Auto/manual adjustable Centre Differential(i think this maybe standard on JDM - not sure)
Intercooler 12Ltr boot recessed water tank
Uprated fuel pump- fuel pump is the same but it has an anti surge kit on it
Twin scroll ball bearing Turbo (IHI VF36)
hyperheuetic pistons - very strong
Air cooled front mounted oil cooler
transmission oil coolers
Spec C lightweight & strengthened suspension & geometry:, struts only has the different springs (eibach 10mm lower) anti roll bars are thicker along with other parts of the suspension, and all JDM STI suspension parts are lightweight
Redesigned front subframe
5th and 6th gears are shorter ratio than UK sti
Spec C front splitter
Spec C roof vent opener
Spec C all Black Recaro Alcantara trim & carpets
Lightweight carpets (could be urban myth)
de-chromed satin effect headlights
Spec C de-chromed rear lights
No side skirts
No internal boot release (key operated only on Spec C's)
No boot carpet
No under seal
No soundproofing
Less paint layers(could be myth)
70 – 90kg’s lighter than standard JDM STI - this depends on the model, the 16 inch motor sport(real competition version weighed in at 1320kg(120kg’s lighter), 17 inch at 1350kg, 1370kg for the limited edition which came with a small air con unit and electric windows and eclectic mirrors.

wrathchild_78

iTrader: (3)

if i were you, I would buy a JDM 2005-2007 STI. Simple as that. Prices have dropped so the money are more than enough. The change I would invest on a very good major service (all fluids, cam belt, MAF etc etc)

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

thanks for all that,the hawkeye spec c is my favourite but looks like it out of price range,so i ould have the choice of bug or blob spec c,or hawkeye spec d? prefer the hawkeye but the spec c blob does seem like it could suit me.anyone know the standard spec of the blob spec c or bug spec c?

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

Another vote for the spec d - even after the 470bhp on my classic, the standard spec d is a very nice drive indeed. A jdm sti is a better car, buy be aware they have lower gear ratios than the uk car, but come with a better spec list & stronger 2 litre engines. The spec d will achieve 350 bhp with an exhaust & remap (£1500 ish)

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

hi craig,what were your reasons for not going jdm?,isnt yours a 2.5 rather than 2l? and yours is single scroll turbo not twin?

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Most people don't like the short gearing of the JDM cars as they always feel like they need a 7th gear. My own car is a 400 hp blob Version 8 STi and I quite often absent mindedly try to change into 7th.

I do have a 55 plate JDM Sti Hawkeye for sale, as yet unregistered, but it is out the price range for '99'

Spec D is the stealthy version created for the enthusiastic driver who doesn't want to attract attention whilst disappearing up the road at high speed. I am mightily impressed with the Spec D and if I sell my own blob I might run it for a while.

It's certainly worth a look and a drive around.

David

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

ok,so what are the standard power figures for spec and spec d? lets say aged between 03-05? also is the spec d single scroll 2.5 and the spec c is 2l twin scroll?

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

there is one benefit with the spec d. i could go for the hawkeye as i prefer the look? spec c hawkeye seems too much money,whilst the spec d hawkeye is in price range just lol,why so much price difference for the same year car?

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

I was looking at the JDM STi, I drove a couple & were very nice cars. The 1 thing that stopped me was the gear ratios. On top of that the spec D is very stealthy, has a nice leather interior & seems to wear a lot better than the blue alcantara effort on the std Hawkeye sti. On the outside I prefer the smaller spoiler, lack of roof vane & silver, instead of gold Enkei rims.

Get an have a drive of one, you will be impressed. Another thing to consider, they are a very limited edition car, only 300 produced, so rarer than an RB320!

Be aware the headgaskets are weak & the engines are not as strong as the JDM 2 litre. I love mine, the only problem I've had so far is a knocking rear shock.

Std power on mine is 280 bhp, with the PPP its 320 ish IIRC. Not sure what a JDM car is as std, due to the different fuel rating in Japan, but I would guess 300bhp - David @API should have a better idea.

Did you get what you wanted for the wagon?

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

yeah just about lol,wont be for a while but possibly going to go for either forester sti,impreza spec c/d. trying to gather enough info to sway me to the best car for me.is yours twin scroll? if not does it make any difference? i dont know why but the spec c does stand out but i prefer the hawkeye,so if i went for a spec c it would have to be a blobeye the best one as usual is out of price range and that is the hawkeye sti spec c.

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

oh and what difference is the jdm sti,compared with jdm spec c/forester sti/spec d?

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

Mine is single scroll, all UK sti's are. I'm not a big fan of the blobeye, not due to the headlights, more due to the mahoosive scoop, the Hawkeye is a lot more understated & the front looks sleek & modern. The xenon lights are awesome btw.

The spec C is an awesome car, but I wouldn't want one as a daily driver, but that's just me.

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

maybe a hawkeye jdm sti then(not spec c) cant seem to find any to get a price guidance?

Shaun

To be fair and it hurts me to say this, but unless you really want the Spec C badge, then comparatively speaking you are better off getting a normal Hawkeye JDM STI.... if it is a Hawkeye that catches your eye. The JDM cars from MY05 onwards saw the Spec C became diluted against increasing spec levels of the JDM STi cars. The JDM STi of the equivalent year will also be cheaper to buy than the corresponding Spec C. As an all round car I would say the JDM STi MY05> is probably the better car.

The real times of the Spec C were the original MY03 to MY05 versions imo.

Undoubtedly this statement will cause an outrage in the Spec C owners community.

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

what sort of price are the jdm hawkeye sti cars going for? cant find any to look at. im assuming that these are twin scroll etc?

aggs

Another option is a Hawkeye WRX Wagon.
A good family car but bit more nimble than a Forester STI.
Mine is up for sale at the moment.
It is has a TD4 hybrid so pulls from low revs very quickly but keeps going if you want to rev the car.
Good torque from the 2.5L makes it effortless to drive quickly,yet not noisey and nice and discreet.
Check the "Private for Sale Section" for more info.

Depends what you want.
A bit more of a daily driver than a Spec C

At £10500 ono well within your buget.

apac

iTrader: (2)

i agree with Shaun an early Hawkeye JDM STI. the later the year the heavier the car and the more diluted the Spec C becomes.

Shaun

The JDM STI is twin scroll.

I doubt you will find a decent hawkeye JDM STI for your budget I'm afraid. The JDM newage cars have always and continue to command higher prices, then their uk versions.

You would have to play the waiting game.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

So do the UK STI's (MY03/04) have a different steering rack to the JDM's (non-Spec C's)

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

how much difference between the uk / jdm hawkeye sti is the question i really need to be asking then? my choice so far....... jdm forester sti 2004 ish,jdm sti hawkeye 2005,uk hawkeye sti 05-06. i think i will probably rule out the forester so i need to weigh up the overall differences in the jdm/uk hawkeye. anyone know all the comparisons?

99greenwagon

iTrader: (39)

i do think that the early jdm hawkeye is probably just about in budget.