I had a 2003 STi (1 year old when I bought it) and it was the only family car. So it was shopping and family trips in the week and trackdays, nurburgring and runs out on the weekends. Was lightly modified, and was a fantastic car. In 40k miles it was never a problem. And NOTHING sounds like one - I can still recognise the Sooby rubble in the distance when I hear it.
I got my hands on one in April and am in love with it. Never seen one before I bought it, I don’t know of anyone near me who owns one. They really are a brilliant, unique car
Used to have one of these, MY04 GDB in Aspen white, ran it with 1.5 bar boost with a bolt on PE1820 turbo, I track almost monthly for a couple of years, didn’t give me any issues other then a blown radiator due to wear and tear, love it….bought it new and ran it for 8 years The 6 speed gearbox is incredible to shift, short and mechanical, it’s better then the type Rs and Evos I’ve driven during those days…
I owned a 2005 wrx , absolutely 100% awesome machine. Owned it for 4 years, never a problem ever. I also owned one ten years ago, again absolutely 100% reliable 😊😊. Such good cars 😊😊😊
I just bought a 2001 JDM STI in rally blue with the factory gold rims. It's the only car I own but it drives quite smoothly with the six speed when being sensible. When it's time to play, it's a whole other car. So much fun and has the classic rumble. She's a keeper.
I had my 2002 WRX from new for fourteen years. In all that time it had two issues; a flat battery once (the original) and the gear linkage worked lose and I was stuck in first gear. The latter was easily corrected. What a machine, that noise, that mechanical power delivery.
I actually prefer the WRX scoop as it is more subtle, when I had an 05 STI I made that swap. Now I have an 07 STI Limited, grey over bronze wheels so quite similar to yours. I agree these are some of the best daily drivers, just require more upkeep and maintenance than the average to keep them happy.
Just got myself a Blobeye WRX in silver, in (mostly) original unmodified condition. Partial service history, but getting everything sorted that needs sorting before I do any serious miles in it. (Its due its second cambelt + water pump as its just about to tick over to 160K miles, it also needs a minor service) Only modifications are a different backbox (has an STI badge on it, don't know if its original or just an optional extra, but i know my car isnt an STI) and an aftermarket head unit. Everything else, completely stock. :) I've had it since wednesday the 1st and have been loving every moment with it. I'm looking forward to getting it all inspected to make sure its all 100% :)
Modern turbos have been smoothed out because that’s what most consumers want. My blobeye wrx had so much shove when the boost came in. It’s addictive. Never got boring. Would love another
Good to see your enthusiasm for your WRX. I bought my crystal grey WRX STi Type-25 new back in 2005 and run it on grey 18” Prodrive 5-spokes. Don’t use it much (much to the annoyance of my wife!). Kept in a dehumidified garage all its life.
Since 2018 I've owned 8 wrxs and a couple of Forester XT. I still have one, the 08 hatch. Mostly because the ej255 just delivers so much more fun (Australia had 2.0 in blobeye) and the hatch has great utility. It's been making just under 300whp for about 3 years and it's great. I also have a couple of other cars currently, (325ci, 03jazz) but the hatch is where it's at
Had my blobeye wrx for 10 years and went from 225bhp to 500bhp. My advice keep it standard and serviced regularly don’t launch the gearbox and you will have one hell of a car.
Finished rebuilding a sort of Frankenstein out of a 2002 WRX and 2005 RS last summer. It's what I decided on owning long term so I reworked everything. It's a joy to drive year round.
Lovely motor, a credit to you. I remember Subaru owners flashing or waving to eachother, the only other csr ive owned where that was common was the 'classic' Mini!
I have a great advise for any turbo subaru owner. Treat em like its rotor :) And everything would be ok. The only engine that is kinda harder to have is a rotor. but if you know how to get around it - EJ (and FB) would be easy. But yeah, if you have to do something with the engine - do it with a PROs at subies. Or yourself if you'r good. And yeah, If we comparing it to RB and JZ - its unreliable, but who is with that competition?
@@Inyauz That's the thing, most of these got modded badly and then thrashed. Some cars don't mind too much but the Impreza, especially the later variable valve 2.5 were easy to hurt but only if you did the aforementioned to it.
I’ve had both STI and WRX GR hatchback and honestly enjoyed the gearbox ratio and feeling/driving experience in the 5 Speed WRX more than the 6 speed STI
A great car & cheers for sharing the story of yours Johnny. I have to say that without a shadow of a doubt, that the Impreza is one of the best cars I've ever driven & I regret not buying my best mates when he sold his back in 2007. All the best 👍🏻
I have an STI as my only road car :) blobeye spec c ej207, 6mt, front cooler, oil cooler, intake etc. Nothing hard, just 350hp which is great for regular everyday car. Someday (after it breaks obviously) I'll make it 500hp, and then I have to buy something else for everyday, probably btw where Im from WRX and STI cost almost the same. And they have like only one thing you care about - body. Its old (if we'r talking 1-2 gen) and can get rusty. As far as engine goes, yeah, 207 costs much more (257 is for crazy people), but if you do not boost it too much - 205 is still fun at 250-300hp and "lives" the same time as 207 with 300-400 Id say. Surely, I mean not just boosting it, but taking care of cooling at least.
I want to restore a 2001-2005 WRX slowly over time, and then after it's restored, get the engine and transmission rebuilt, and tune it to around 350-375 BHP or so and use it as a daily driver - like a $15,000 project I also eventually want a 2004 STi but want to keep that one stock, garaged, and covered Then, enjoy a track day with my son, and let him pass me by in the WRX!
its a great car for medium sized people. the new ones suit taller drivers. that being said, the characteristics of a smaller vehicle and the lack of accessories make up for its performance appeal. I have my 06 wrx from 2012 and it doesnt give any problems
I have an 05 WRX in that same colour - after several months of ownership, I love it! As you say, it's a great daily car for many reasons. Wondering what tires you're recommending for it? I have the original 17 inch wheels on mine - different pair of tires on the front and back and I'm wanting to get that sorted!
Your full “STI” look is so close…! Just missing the STI-specific side skirts and larger hood scoop. Those are easy! The fender and rear quarter conversion + side kanards on front bumper, are all already done.
Very nice always wanted a blobeye wrx every wrx / uk2000 ive viewed was rotten! Finally managed too get a 2004 Subaru forester XT SG5 EJ205 aswell lovely in Red sounds amazing i know what you mean about the Subaru turbo wave haha everytime i see a wrx sti a Legacy GTB or a Forester turbo do the wave
Lots of rotten ones out there for sure but that means it’s down to us to keep the good ones alive! I had an SF5 STi not too long ago. An amazing machine!
@@JohnnyGetsCash aww no way mate a had a SF5 S turbo uk in manual loved that car rust killed it im in Scotland this is my 2nf Subaru bought my XT from Cumbria i live in Glasgow there that rare a had too find one in England lol most of its been undersealed tho it will definitely need rear turrets welding come august £1750 years ticket hope a get it welded and dont sell it a used too own a Honda Civic vti B18c4 Aerodeck and kinda regetted selling it was rotten but not extremely
@@andrewjohnson7960 funnily enough my SF5 came from Scotland (after it was imported from Japan that is). I’ve got to say though there wasn’t a spec of rust on that thing! It was virtually immaculate!
@@JohnnyGetsCash nice one Ive lowered it on pedders suspension as its hard too buy stock oem suspension hopefully i do save it , as i nearly bought a twin turbo legacy gtb in manual 18 months ago fb marketplace but guy was really dodgy so avoided it my s turbo was from Ayr sea side drove it as a daily 10 months 10,000 miles and rear subframe snapped almost in half whilst driving i made it home but back end was flickering out
Had a couple. I wouldn't say other than the plugs they're any worse than anything else. Oh, and leaking cam cover gaskets, they were a pain in the arse to do 😂
I had a 2003 STi (1 year old when I bought it) and it was the only family car. So it was shopping and family trips in the week and trackdays, nurburgring and runs out on the weekends. Was lightly modified, and was a fantastic car. In 40k miles it was never a problem. And NOTHING sounds like one - I can still recognise the Sooby rubble in the distance when I hear it.
Nice👌🏻 I’ve had my 2005 WRX300 over 10 years and still love it. It’s never let me down👌🏻
I got my hands on one in April and am in love with it. Never seen one before I bought it, I don’t know of anyone near me who owns one. They really are a brilliant, unique car
Do love a blobeye. I have bought myself a blobeye wrx and i am over the moon with it
Used to have one of these, MY04 GDB in Aspen white, ran it with 1.5 bar boost with a bolt on PE1820 turbo,
I track almost monthly for a couple of years, didn’t give me any issues other then a blown radiator due to wear and tear, love it….bought it new and ran it for 8 years The 6 speed gearbox is incredible to shift, short and mechanical, it’s better then the type Rs and Evos I’ve driven during those days…
I owned a 2005 wrx , absolutely 100% awesome machine. Owned it for 4 years, never a problem ever. I also owned one ten years ago, again absolutely 100% reliable 😊😊. Such good cars 😊😊😊
I just bought a 2001 JDM STI in rally blue with the factory gold rims. It's the only car I own but it drives quite smoothly with the six speed when being sensible. When it's time to play, it's a whole other car. So much fun and has the classic rumble. She's a keeper.
I had my 2002 WRX from new for fourteen years. In all that time it had two issues; a flat battery once (the original) and the gear linkage worked lose and I was stuck in first gear. The latter was easily corrected. What a machine, that noise, that mechanical power delivery.
Glad to see someone else who drives it on a regular basis. I have a blue 2005 sti and I use it every day 😀
I bought myself one recently and I always have a smile on my face driving it.
Just bought a o5 STI 155k miles still runs and drives good just dealing with suspension for now
I actually prefer the WRX scoop as it is more subtle, when I had an 05 STI I made that swap. Now I have an 07 STI Limited, grey over bronze wheels so quite similar to yours. I agree these are some of the best daily drivers, just require more upkeep and maintenance than the average to keep them happy.
Just got myself a Blobeye WRX in silver, in (mostly) original unmodified condition. Partial service history, but getting everything sorted that needs sorting before I do any serious miles in it. (Its due its second cambelt + water pump as its just about to tick over to 160K miles, it also needs a minor service) Only modifications are a different backbox (has an STI badge on it, don't know if its original or just an optional extra, but i know my car isnt an STI) and an aftermarket head unit. Everything else, completely stock. :) I've had it since wednesday the 1st and have been loving every moment with it. I'm looking forward to getting it all inspected to make sure its all 100% :)
Modern turbos have been smoothed out because that’s what most consumers want.
My blobeye wrx had so much shove when the boost came in. It’s addictive. Never got boring. Would love another
Most of them run higher compression too, the low compression of the EJ makes it feel like a rocket when turbo spools, because down low it has nothing
Good to see your enthusiasm for your WRX. I bought my crystal grey WRX STi Type-25 new back in 2005 and run it on grey 18” Prodrive 5-spokes. Don’t use it much (much to the annoyance of my wife!). Kept in a dehumidified garage all its life.
Mine also has mudflaps!
Since 2018 I've owned 8 wrxs and a couple of Forester XT. I still have one, the 08 hatch. Mostly because the ej255 just delivers so much more fun (Australia had 2.0 in blobeye) and the hatch has great utility. It's been making just under 300whp for about 3 years and it's great.
I also have a couple of other cars currently, (325ci, 03jazz) but the hatch is where it's at
Had my blobeye wrx for 10 years and went from 225bhp to 500bhp. My advice keep it standard and serviced regularly don’t launch the gearbox and you will have one hell of a car.
Ive had both a blob like yours and now have a have a Hawkeye WRX . Can't recommend enough. Awesome cars
Finished rebuilding a sort of Frankenstein out of a 2002 WRX and 2005 RS last summer. It's what I decided on owning long term so I reworked everything. It's a joy to drive year round.
That sounds very interesting!
Tidy ride, sounds great
I agree 👍 with your statement suburu didn't want you to chip them they let them at 240bhp for a reason
Lovely motor, a credit to you. I remember Subaru owners flashing or waving to eachother, the only other csr ive owned where that was common was the 'classic' Mini!
it’s not that they are “unreliable”. they are just a pain to work on and the engine is in a configuration that most people are unfamiliar with
I have a great advise for any turbo subaru owner. Treat em like its rotor :)
And everything would be ok. The only engine that is kinda harder to have is a rotor. but if you know how to get around it - EJ (and FB) would be easy.
But yeah, if you have to do something with the engine - do it with a PROs at subies. Or yourself if you'r good.
And yeah, If we comparing it to RB and JZ - its unreliable, but who is with that competition?
Ya they’re unreliable when they’re dogged out, not maintained properly and improperly modded / tuned…
So you’re blaming a engineered to high heaven engine on yourself 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@Inyauz
That's the thing, most of these got modded badly and then thrashed. Some cars don't mind too much but the Impreza, especially the later variable valve 2.5 were easy to hurt but only if you did the aforementioned to it.
Not hard to work on at all.
Lovely piece on the game old bird, nice one! 👍👏👏
I’ve had both STI and WRX GR hatchback and honestly enjoyed the gearbox ratio and feeling/driving experience in the 5 Speed WRX more than the 6 speed STI
A great car & cheers for sharing the story of yours Johnny. I have to say that without a shadow of a doubt, that the Impreza is one of the best cars I've ever driven & I regret not buying my best mates when he sold his back in 2007. All the best 👍🏻
I’m with you there - they are an increasingly rare example of how cool turbo cars used to be!
I have an STI as my only road car :) blobeye spec c ej207, 6mt, front cooler, oil cooler, intake etc. Nothing hard, just 350hp which is great for regular everyday car.
Someday (after it breaks obviously) I'll make it 500hp, and then I have to buy something else for everyday, probably
btw where Im from WRX and STI cost almost the same. And they have like only one thing you care about - body. Its old (if we'r talking 1-2 gen) and can get rusty. As far as engine goes, yeah, 207 costs much more (257 is for crazy people), but if you do not boost it too much - 205 is still fun at 250-300hp and "lives" the same time as 207 with 300-400 Id say. Surely, I mean not just boosting it, but taking care of cooling at least.
I want to restore a 2001-2005 WRX slowly over time, and then after it's restored, get the engine and transmission rebuilt, and tune it to around 350-375 BHP or so and use it as a daily driver - like a $15,000 project
I also eventually want a 2004 STi but want to keep that one stock, garaged, and covered
Then, enjoy a track day with my son, and let him pass me by in the WRX!
its a great car for medium sized people. the new ones suit taller drivers. that being said, the characteristics of a smaller vehicle and the lack of accessories make up for its performance appeal. I have my 06 wrx from 2012 and it doesnt give any problems
Hi i have a sti hatchback with the same amount of mileage actually 😂 it's the best allrounder to have . Nice vid btw
It’s amazing your British and bossing it bro
Love your work ❤
Thanks very much!
My favorite subaru ❤❤❤
I have an 05 WRX in that same colour - after several months of ownership, I love it! As you say, it's a great daily car for many reasons. Wondering what tires you're recommending for it? I have the original 17 inch wheels on mine - different pair of tires on the front and back and I'm wanting to get that sorted!
Seeing this after missing perfect trade on 04 wrx 😢
Love what you did to it you have a great taste. Now you have to tell us about the Hilux
Thank you! If you check out my channel there is a video called “10 things i love about my Toyota Hilux” which showcases the truck fully 👍
Your full “STI” look is so close…! Just missing the STI-specific side skirts and larger hood scoop. Those are easy! The fender and rear quarter conversion + side kanards on front bumper, are all already done.
Beautiful sexy gorgeous car. I would love one of them one day to take my son for a drive.
Very nice always wanted a blobeye wrx every wrx / uk2000 ive viewed was rotten! Finally managed too get a 2004 Subaru forester XT SG5 EJ205 aswell lovely in Red sounds amazing i know what you mean about the Subaru turbo wave haha everytime i see a wrx sti a Legacy GTB or a Forester turbo do the wave
Lots of rotten ones out there for sure but that means it’s down to us to keep the good ones alive! I had an SF5 STi not too long ago. An amazing machine!
@@JohnnyGetsCash aww no way mate a had a SF5 S turbo uk in manual loved that car rust killed it im in Scotland this is my 2nf Subaru bought my XT from Cumbria i live in Glasgow there that rare a had too find one in England lol most of its been undersealed tho it will definitely need rear turrets welding come august £1750 years ticket hope a get it welded and dont sell it a used too own a Honda Civic vti B18c4 Aerodeck and kinda regetted selling it was rotten but not extremely
@@andrewjohnson7960 funnily enough my SF5 came from Scotland (after it was imported from Japan that is). I’ve got to say though there wasn’t a spec of rust on that thing! It was virtually immaculate!
@@JohnnyGetsCash nice one Ive lowered it on pedders suspension as its hard too buy stock oem suspension hopefully i do save it , as i nearly bought a twin turbo legacy gtb in manual 18 months ago fb marketplace but guy was really dodgy so avoided it my s turbo was from Ayr sea side drove it as a daily 10 months 10,000 miles and rear subframe snapped almost in half whilst driving i made it home but back end was flickering out
Easy to work on in a field on a rally stage ..dont see why people complain 😂 it's only nuts and bolts blood sweat and tears 😂😂😂
The cossie ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
"Council estated!" 😆😆😆 Owned by a guy called Scumbag Steve!
How many miles to the gallon are you getting?
Wish you showed the interior
Was never a fan of the Impreza, till I saw baby driver, and that was pretty awesome
As I recall they overlayed the soundtrack from a 2JZ over the Impreza... Whyyyyyy?!😂
@@skylined5534They certainly dubbed extra tyre sounds in the corners
How much
Can u do quick show on your toyota hilux we love ❤️ see that
Check out my video called “10 things I love about my Toyota Hilux” as that showcases the truck!
Do you have cars you sell as a dealer, to browse? You look after cars in your care.
Tax on that in Ireland 🇮🇪 if its 2.5 would be over 1000eur 2lite 710 eur because of emissions
This is the EJ20. In my opinion that’s the unit to go for!
Here a 2l is £395 and 2.5l is £700 now
I only have one pair of shoes as here in the UK 🇬🇧 I am poor and broke.
More of a pita to work on than my Honda or Toyota. 71 retired lineman diyer with a 2p06 Subaru sti
Had a couple. I wouldn't say other than the plugs they're any worse than anything else. Oh, and leaking cam cover gaskets, they were a pain in the arse to do 😂
Standstill!!! It's like watching Riverdance.....😂
Great cars but when the engine goes it goes 😂
Not really an issue for the EJ20. The EJ25 especially when badly tuned and thrashed on though, different story.
R👏U👏S👏T... otherwise perfect
Just like so many Japanese cars, the tin worm loves them! Fortunately this one is absolutely solid which is another reason I wanted to save it!
👍.
👌✌😁
Audi a4 quattro it better
That colour is not the one to go for at all 😮 gold wheels shocking 😒⚠️
Looks fine, at least it’s still on the road, nice colour and wheels look good 👍
Bronze would have worked better IMHO...
Some people are weird. This car looks great in this body and wheel colour combination.