Having been away from the Scooby world for a while now, i am giving serious consideration to getting a Type 25 as a weekend toy.
I just found an old EVO mag from 2004 where there was a group test between;
Type 25, Spec C, wr1 and P1.

A great read and i know ultimate performance figures arent everything but, on the Spec C and T25 they are something else - 50-70 mph in 3rd- 1.9sec in T25! And only 4.6sec in 6th which means its much more flexible in the higher gears as well as i know the UK STI's dont do much in high gears at lower speeds.
The Jap spec cars also went around the track a full 4 seconds quicker as well.
Anyway, i know the 2.5engine is know to be weaker than the 2.0 but does this apply to these jap-spec engines with the stronger internals??

Are there any present and past owners of a T25 (seem to be cheaper than the Spec C and not quite as track focused) who can give me some of there ownership experiences, good and bad?

Not bothered about fuel economy as its not a daily and insurance should be manageable now ive reached the ripe old age of 42!

 

there is or at least was an s204 for sale, that would be my choice

 

T25 has forged internals as the engine was hand-built by cosworth or Lichfield I believe.

The 2.0 spec C is higher revving and more racy, where as 2.5 has more low down torque and usability for everyday driving.

Either should be very reliable but personal preference as to which route you choose.

Never driven a JDM spec see so can't comment, but the 2.5 does pull well.

Lichfield does a Type 20 as well with the 2.0 JDM engine in. Spec is based on the Spec C I believe.

 

S204 would definitely be my choice though!

 

S204 All day!

 

Iv just got my mk1 #5 and I love it, bought as a treat to myself, do it you will not regret it. My recommendation it try to look for one that has had the ast suspension set up regularly serviced, it's set up is exemplary.
The mk1 has forged pistons, mk2 pistons and con rods.

 

I still have my T25 that I bought new in 2005. Fantastic car, but it has needed quite a bit of maintenance despite quite a low mileage. I would certainly recommend it and I believe there are a couple of cheap-looking MY04 cars on Pistonheads.

 

I was put off a Type 25 on the maintenance issue, it is a quite fantastic car but they can chuck up a bill from time to time. They are "reliable" but I have heard some people had a few problems with them.

I know the owners are very protective of the Litchfields (indeed they are great cars) but they are modified Imprezas, albeit with a name and reputation.

The S204 there is a lot dearer but reflects how special a car it is. If you want something similar but cannot stretch that far I'd be on the lookout for a Type 20 or a JDM Hawkeye.

 

So does the mk1 suffer from the same head gasket problems as other 2,5 models?

 

Thanks for the replies, folks.
As i mentioned, ive been out of the scooby scene for a while now, so sorry to be dim, but whats an S204??!! is that the spec c?

 

Think of it as the ultimate incarnation of a road-focussed Hawkeye.

It's got a long list of specs but basically has uprated brakes, Bilstein suspension and a "blueprinted" JDM engine with a very fast spooling twinscroll turbo. Lovely wheels on it and a nice rear wing too.

Oh and the best mod of all, the seats are incredible. Having sat in an S204 and also a car with the same seats fitted I can assure you they're beautiful.

Honestly it's a lovely thing.

 

Iv only just got the car but I can see that it has had a cosworth gasket as part of its history.
I kind of accept that it may throw up some bills along the way. It's a car that will get to 60 ~4seconds and I have not paid super car money for it, however the contingency is there should it be required.