Opinion On Buying An Sti - Blobeye Or Hawkeye ?

[Ovv]

Hi Folks,

As most of you might have noticed Im not actually a Subaru owner, however having just paid off the family Golf, Im looking to get myself a Saloon Impreza.

Im keen to get a newer Hawkeye model, however Im not so keen on the £400 road tax, (Mrs would go spare). From looking on the forum and doing a bit of research I see the 55 plate hawkeyes are cheaper on tax front. If I was to go for a Hawkeye my budget would be between 12-14k, and I would be looking at something with a mileage of 40k or less.

Is that a reasonable budget for a 55 plate hawkeye with that sort of mileage ?

Alternatively, I wouldn't mind a Blobeye as I have noticed that there seems to be quite a few on autotrader around the 11k range with mileage around the 30/35k.

I guess my overall question is, is it worth paying a little more to get the hawkeye or save some cash and go for the older blobeye?

Any thoughts or views will be much appreciated,

Cheers

Chris.

Edited January 19, 2010 by Ovv

[thewelsho]

To be honest mate, I think you will have no probs picking up a nice Hawkeye for that sort of money and have some left over as well. The £400 is a bit of a hit, but I just do it in 6 months to ease the pain. Good luck!

[scoobykev]

There is a couple of nice looking Sti's in Autoecosse in Broughty Ferry at the moment, a Hawkeye and a Blob. Not sure of the year of the hawk but with them both sitting on the forecourt together it'll let you get a good comparison of them.

[wrxmania]

Hawkeye probably pick of the two on several fronts but both very nice cars

Brian.

[Ovv]

There is a couple of nice looking Sti's in Autoecosse in Broughty Ferry at the moment, a Hawkeye and a Blob. Not sure of the year of the hawk but with them both sitting on the forecourt together it'll let you get a good comparison of them.

Funny you should mention that, I passed there yesterday but didnt have time to stop, heading over that way again on friday, but from the website they look a tad expensive. the blob is 54 plate £11.5k with 48k on the clock, hawkeye is 06 plate £14.5 with 38k - although Im thinking there would be some sort of warranty being from an actual dealer.

[Scottynic]

To be honest mate, I think you will have no probs picking up a nice Hawkeye for that sort of money and have some left over as well. The £400 is a bit of a hit, but I just do it in 6 months to ease the pain. Good luck!

Yep that how we offset the hit of the road tax, 6 months at a time best way to do it.

Autoecosse is quite expensive but usually good cars there.

[sti_steve]

Thats ends up dearer paying twice a year

Maybe so but it saves taking a £400 hit in one go.

I think tax should be able to be paid in DD form now

[stum450n]

Thats ends up dearer paying twice a year

Only by a couple of quid though - years back there used to be a real incentive to buy annually but now, when there's under a fiver in the difference, I tend to get ours every six months too.

[Scottynic]

Thats ends up dearer paying twice a year

ours was due on the 1st Jan not really a great time to outlay £400

So 2 x £225 is better for us.

[C_WRX]

Which one do you prefer tax aside ?

Just a thought, have you checked out insurance for both, maybe there's a slight difference in price between the two ??

Are you planning on keeping as is, or is there a plan to change the car - just whether you want to hold back some of the money then blob way to go.

If the warranty is a very important thing to have then a garage is the way to go. Seems a lot of the really good examples are being private sold recently so check around e.g. on here, SNet & pistonheads.

[Ovv]

Which one do you prefer tax aside ?

Just a thought, have you checked out insurance for both, maybe there's a slight difference in price between the two ??

Are you planning on keeping as is, or is there a plan to change the car - just whether you want to hold back some of the money then blob way to go.

If the warranty is a very important thing to have then a garage is the way to go. Seems a lot of the really good examples are being private sold recently so check around e.g. on here, SNet & pistonheads.

Tax aside, Im liking the Hawkeye, ideally a 55 plate before the tax hike would be fantastic, but I dont think Im going to find one at the mileage/price from a proper dealer, although I have seen some nice ones going on here but wasnt really in the position to buy. I may end up with a blobeye though as Im putting some cash towards it and the rest on a loan, easier on the pocket in the long run.

Standard to begin with, then look at some changes later on.

Insurance wise, they are pretty much the same, It was approx 45 quid difference when I did a quick quote through directline just to get a ball park.

[lupuss]

You might just be able to get a very early '06 plate and still not have the tax hit...

I bought my Hawkeye WRX on the day the plates changed and made the lower tax band by 21 days

Having not driven a blobeye, I can't comment on which is better really, but I love my Hawkeye...

I think that the 2.5l standard engines have a bit more power (tiny bit) and torque, but the power does come in lower down the rev range...

lup..

[Ovv]

You might just be able to get a very early '06 plate and still not have the tax hit...

I bought my Hawkeye WRX on the day the plates changed and made the lower tax band by 21 days

Having not driven a blobeye, I can't comment on which is better really, but I love my Hawkeye...

I think that the 2.5l standard engines have a bit more power (tiny bit) and torque, but the power does come in lower down the rev range...

lup..

Out if interest, do you know what the date of registration has to be for the lower tax band, Ive been looking into it again this afternoon but Im non the clearer.

The Hawkeye comes with the Xenons which is swinging it for me at the moment, Im going to look at both tomorrow as the weather is supposed to be quite fine, then I will have a better idea.

[lupuss]

Check here....

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ownin...cle/DG_10012524

Mine was registered 1/3/06, hence in band K since it says....

* Band K includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006

Cut off date is therefore 22/3/2006 then...

lup.

[Ovv]

Check here....

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ownin...cle/DG_10012524

Mine was registered 1/3/06, hence in band K since it says....

* Band K includes cars that have a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006

Cut off date is therefore 22/3/2006 then...

lup.

Cheers mate, I think thats the website I originally saw the info on. Maybe I should send this link onto the two independant dealers that told me otherwise today..

[WUZ]

Look at it this way the Hawkeye will cost an extra £185 a year in tax....................................................

£16 a month - WOOPEE!

Its nothing.

Buy a Hawkeye, they are amazing.

(funnily enough, I'm selling my 56 Plate Spec D with 15K on it in Feb, looking for £13500 with 18's and BC Coilovers)

Russell

[StrikE]

Look at it this way the Hawkeye will cost an extra £185 a year in tax....................................................

£16 a month - WOOPEE!

Its nothing.

Buy a Hawkeye, they are amazing.

(funnily enough, I'm selling my 56 Plate Spec D with 15K on it in Feb, looking for £13500 with 18's and BC Coilovers)

Russell

^^ not a hint or anything saying that sounds like a good deal and a nice car [picture] though and extra £16 is buttons really, it just sounds bad paying £400 smackers, i grudge paying that muppet 'Darling' extra money to be 'green' Mmm stopped me buying the hatch for sure!

[Ovv]

Been down to AutoEcosse this morning and had a look at whats on offer, a 54 plate blob or a 57 hawkeye. They were showing a 06 hawkeye on the web but it was gone.

Anyways, I looked round both and there wasnt much to tell them apart really,pretty much the same interior wise. I was drawn more to the hawkeye though, maybe it was just because the blob was looking a bit tatty inside, and already having a 54 plate it seemed a lot of money to be buying a 6 year old car.

Didnt ask for a drive either as Im not quite in the position to buy anyways, Nice guys at AutoEcosse though, and they had a nice range including a very tasty looking WRX-S hatch in black that caught my eye....

Hadnt really though of the tax in monthly terms, £16 just means one less night out a month. Plus on my searching a found a 06plate for 14k, and a 56plate for 12k both with similar mileage, buying the 56 saves 2k which is nearly 5 years worth of road tax and less interest to pay back on a loan.

Hawkeye all the way...... Russell, you got any pics ? And whats the difference on the Spec D ???

Now all I need to do is convince the mrs....

Edited January 21, 2010 by Ovv

[Wee Jock]

Have you looked on the Scottish Scoobies Items for Sale? Here:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142139

[Ovv]

Have you looked on the Scottish Scoobies Items for Sale? Here:

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=142139

Yep, but Im only looking at the moment, by the time I get round to buying this will no doubt have been sold.

Nice price and spec though.

[Melly-Doo]

Hi Ovv, the car was sold to a lad from glasgow but sadly he had to pull out due to personal circumstances. It is currently off the road so to speak as i have the use of my fathers car for the next few months and would rather put the miles of my daily commute on that. Sling me an email or pm when you are in a position to buy and if i still have it you can come see it.

Cheers

Melly

[WUZ]

Hawkeye all the way...... Russell, you got any pics ? And whats the difference on the Spec D ???

Now all I need to do is convince the mrs....

Only ones I have with me right now (in India) are the ones below:

Spec D is STi with extras - Leather seats, Sat Nav (pointless piece of kit, took mine out), Foglights

Mine has Roof Spoiler and Prodrive Rear spoiler (GB270-type) which weren't on Spec D

[mystery machine]

I would say "Hawkeye all the way", but then I am biased

However, if you do decide do go for a Blob, make sure it's one of the later ones - well within your budget and the later Blob STIs have the following over the earlier ones:

• DCCD - effectively allows you to control the front/rear torque split, to a degree
  
• Wheels have larger 114.3 PCD
  
• Wheels are wider
  
• Hubs are larger
  
• Wider track
  
• Longer wheelbase
  
• Retuned suspension geometry
  
• Retuned spring and damper rates
  
• Aluminium rear lateral links
  
• Bigger anti-roll bars
  
• Cannon mount-type on steering gearbox
  
• Steering kickback damper
  
• Front limited-slip differential is now helical type
  
• Yaw rate sensor
  

I'm not sure exactly where the transition took place (54 plate?), but you can tell a newer Blob STI by the slight flaring of the rear wheel arches (the Hawkeye STIs all have the flared arches).

The Hawkeye has these features over the late Blob (apart from the obvious restylings):

• 2.5L engine - broader & flatter torque curve, but cast pistons - perhaps less suitable for large performance upgrades than the 2.0L's forged pistons? (seem to be OK for at least 340bhp, based on anecdotal evidence! Welsho - how much were you pushing when yours went 'pop'?).
  
• Gear ratios - taller to suit the 2.5L, but still quite 'short' in the big scheme of things - matched perfectly to the engine IMO!
  
• F/R torque split is now 41:59 - was 35:65 in the Blob, but DCCD will hold a rear bias for longer than before (that's in 'Auto' mode - you can go permanent 41:59 in 'Manual' mode )
  
• Xenon headlamps - these perform brilliantly, but I've heard they're expensive to rebulb
  
• Aluminium bonnet (lighter, but not sure if the overall car's any lighter)
  
• Roof spoiler
  

There may be other differences, but that's all that springs to mind...

So I wouldn't rule out a Blob - in fact, aesthetics & engine aside, most of the important mechanical changes actually occurred between 'early Blob STI' and 'late Blob STI'. Also, for whatever reason, the 2.5s just don't have the same sweet burble as the 2.0s

The prospect of having a newer car, 2.5L engine and the looks were enough to swing it to Hawkeye for me, but YMMV

Cheers.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Mystery Machine

[scoobykev]

Lovely looking car Russell

[Ovv]

Hi Ovv, the car was sold to a lad from glasgow but sadly he had to pull out due to personal circumstances. It is currently off the road so to speak as i have the use of my fathers car for the next few months and would rather put the miles of my daily commute on that. Sling me an email or pm when you are in a position to buy and if i still have it you can come see it.

Cheers

Melly

Hi Melly,

Cheers for the offer, fingers crossed Im planning a buy in mid to late Feb, I was going to enquire with you about your car earlier but didnt want to dick you about by coming to view it but not being in the position to buy. Your car has a great spec, and I will get in touch when Im in the position if you still have it.

Chris