@Kevin Thanks, duly noted. I need to get it up on a ramp and have a proper look underneath.

Been trying to find a nice bugeye, budget about 12k you think that is enough for a clean one or hold out

@@EuanM9105 ...though the seller is new.

The JDM EJ207 has hypereutectic pistons from 2003 (twinscroll) onwards, only single scrill JDM EJ207 had forged pistons. The european EJ207 has forged pistons though.

@@prodrive7105 yeah that what i heard, they are also spec c and the s series in jdm form..not sure whether they have forged pistons as well. Overall the 207s are robust ..currently drive a jdm sportwagon Sti v7, had factory forged pistons but the rod bearings gave way in 09..now running mahle oversized pistons..15 years and has been great and reliable..

@@vaughanwarburton9623 good luck 👍🏻

2005 blobeye in this video has all of that amd the good engine. Widetrack 5x114 was introduced for 2005 in europe.

@@prodrive7105 there were allot of improvements made over the Hawkeye the STI 9 gearbox can take 900 bhp stock and watch this kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l5yGp9dzlbKzY4U.htmlsi=hAYQ6ojt6qCqu4jX

There could be various reasons for the blue smoke but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it 👍🏻 although I still wouldn’t recommend anyone buying one that is emitting blue smoke 🤷‍♂️

@@FastandFun yes that is true. I got mine 5 years ago and it was half the price people want for them now 😅 I wouldn't buy one at these prices.

@@LawrenceTimme that’s a really interesting point you make regard values. There’s a point in time where the value of the car appreciates beyond what the material state of the car is worth. I had this conversation recently about at what value the car is simply not worth it! Is an STI worth £15k, £20k, £25k??? Is an Escort Cosworth/delta Intergrale worth +£50k??? No not really, but if you want one and no more are ever being made, the price will continue to appreciate as demand out strips an ever decreasing supply. Interesting topic 👍🏻

@@FastandFun that is true. I guess even though it costs a lot to buy and run it won't depreciate, so you don't have to factor that in. I've spend so much running and maintaining mine I don't think I'd have made any money on it even if I sold it at todays prices, but it probably wouldn't have cost me much to own at all, even compared to a small city car.

@@FastandFun would say it has a lot to do with having been in that platform for a long time and knowing it’s worth versus someone who hasn’t ever owned one but dreams of having one and could justify the price when the time comes. I could say the same in the world of Hondas I couldn’t justify spending over 25k USD in a integra type R because I remember a time when they were relatively cheap but for someone who dreams of having one they could probably justify it. With that being said great and informative video! I’m actually looking into getting my first Subaru STi and I’ve been a bit torn from people telling not to and others saying I should, also just a bit torn because I’d be letting go of my JZX90 chaser

That’s a really good point - I forgot to mention that! My Rad mount is rusty and will need replacing in time.

@@FastandFun they all seem prone to it unfortunately! Nice motor btw 👌

@@bretttoddable thanks 👍🏻

3k revs? Why so low? Adjust to at least 6.5k revs 👍🏻

Never too old …. hope I still have mine when I’m 70!

No, the 2.5L has proven to be very unreliable, particularly prone to head gasket failure. The 2.0L is bullet proof so long as it’s regularly serviced 👍🏻

@@FastandFun Fair enough! Would you say hawkeye STIs are still highly unreliable if kept 100% factory original with no mods?

@@RedPanda555 More reliable than modified for sure but if you want Hawkeye I’d find a JDM import which still came with the 2.0L. One of the main reasons I went with a late blobeye was that I wanted a widetrack and the 2.0L.