JusNoGood

Thanks Jay. I blame you and Alex for this

Thanks very much Stants. Yes, I was dreading adding it all up. I wouldn't have guessed anywhere near that much if the Mrs had asked me

I bought my Blob WRX in April 2014 with 58k miles on the clock. It now has 74k - 98% motorway driving. It only drinks 99RON VPower and I have all my Shell receipts to prove it. I have all the original service books, instructions, salesroom brochure and a stack of receipts. I’m a mature owner (nice way to say old git, 45). Now it does sound quite crazy how much I’ve spent on this car in the past year especially as it is so standard. I have over £4k of receipts for the past 12 months! I had a silver bug for 7 years and I bought this Blob with the intention of keeping it for that length of time too. So no expense was spared to get it set-up ready for me owning the car for a long time. I’m also doing 94 miles a day from Surrey all the way to Essex, so I wanted a safe well maintained car. Cars are more of a hobby for me rather than just a mode of transport so I do go over the top with the servicing and maintenance. All the work I’ve had done has been completed by Dan at Surrey Subaru Specialist (exceptions noted below), if he says I might need something done soon I get him to do it right away. Don’t ask me why but for some reason I've fallen in love with Hatches and have also run into a bit of money, so plan is to sell Blob and buy Hatch 330. Subaru for ever! I'm in no rush to sell and if I think too hard about this I know I'll decide it makes far more financial sense to keep the Blob for a year or two. I do afterall love driving it. When I bought it it was very standard. No modifications or tweaks at all. I wanted a car that would be easy and fun to drive and I wanted a familiar Subaru burble. So after talking to Dan he advised and proceeded with the following:- snorkel delete walbro 255 fuel pump Pipercross dry panel filter Prodrive (WR Sport) centre and back box. It has all the cats still. Remap by Duncan (Race dynamix) to a nice 272bhp (graph to prove). tbh the best part of the remap has been the smoothness of acceleration. I have also de-tangoed the lights. I still have the orange headlight bits, snorkel and standard air filter if you wish to return to standard (back box was rotten so I don’t have that). I have rubber subaru mats (including the rubber boot liner) and Scooby world luxury carpet mats. One surprise I got when I took it for a check over by Dan at Surrey Subaru Specialists was that the lower front subframe was rotten. Quite a common problem apparently and difficult to spot as it’s covered by the under tray (worth keeping in mind when checking out other cars). Dan removed the old and replaced it with a brand new one from Subaru (15/09/14) which is quite an expense. Any inspection welcomed, I’ve inspected the underside each time Dan has had the car on the lift and nothing to worry about (It has been hamerited) Here is a list of items and work I’ve had completed on the car over the last 12 months. I have receipts for all. Key bits in green... (£190) Pioneer FH-X700BT Head unit with hands free, USB. Integrates with smart phone. I use my iPhone. (£450) 20/04/14: 4 x Goodyear F1 AY2. These were put on with 59k on the clock. Loads of tread still left (£693) 26/04/14 Cam belt, Alternator & PAS, A/C Belt, Front brake caliber rebuild, new front brake discs, new front pads..and a general safety check all round. (£722) 05/06/14 New rear discs and pads, Full large service, all filters, all fluids changed Also got the A/C recharged at Halfords in the summer. I’m sure the receipt is in my book somewhere. (£83) Scoobyworld Luxury carpet mats (£402) 15/09/14 Minor service (change oil, filter etc), brand new lower front subframe!, Upgraded fuel pump 255 Walbro, Fitted 2nd hand WR Sport ProDrive centre and back box. (£35) PiperCross Panel filter. (£420) 28/11/14 Duncan (RaceDynamix) remapped at SRR. I have the printout showing 271.8bhp. It is a lot faster now but the biggest improvement for me has been the smoothness of the drive now. Much nicer to drive.I'd highly recommend getting this done even if you're not looking for extra power. (£62) 12/12/04 New A/C belt Idler Pulley (£255.59) 30/01/15 Interim service (£70) 09/02/2015 Replacement knock sensor (By Jap Performance Parts) (£273) 20/03/15 Refurb front calibers and New MOT. (£700) April Calipers and bonnet professionally painted (due to stone chips) Service stamps in the book or service receipts 22/07/04 1,418 17/06/05 9,321 05/07/06 18,514 11/07/07 25,915 09/07/08 33,310 22/07/09 38,118 30/06/2010 Subaru Timing belt 42,216 21/07/2011 46,475 02/04/14 58,286 26/04/14 Cambelt etc (see above) 05/06/14 61,004 15/09/14 65,687 30/01/15 69,267 The few things I was planning to sort out were: 1. If I'm hyper critical the wheels could do with a refurb. 2. few minor scuffs on the glove Apart from that interior and exterior are in very good condition for age. No rusty arches here Pictures... https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zzfzw5g69...8hPYb8Xta?dl=0 I've been offered £4k trade-in....so if anyone can match that you have a deal. Please no test pilots or tire kickers. Also, if you want to test drive you’ll have to show me an insurance cert and driving licence, sorry. You can view the car in either Reigate Surrey evening, weekends and some week days....or Essex most week days…..or I could swing by on the way home if you are anywhere in-between. I may also be tripping around the country at certain points looking at 330's...

How much was that Alex? For newage its quite a lot less to do it yourself...and you end up with a better result specifically tailored to your car rather than a generic map etc. Jay, thanks. I'm getting up to speed with the various models. I saw an STI or 330 the other day with quite a large spoiler on the back...looked to me like it had been designed by a 4 year old ...just my own opinion so please no-one get emotional if you have one. Looks like its sold now because I can't find it now. If I go for a STI would it be safer (less engine failure prone) to get a car with 30k + miles on it? I've read people say if it hasn't happened by then you're probably going to be fine. (ignoring failure due to mods).

That's impressive [emoji2]

To answer your original question...similar to Stants. I always use VPower and have the app. I have three shells near me. As a tank does about 300 miles Ive never had the need to put in anything else....get to quarter full and you have about 75 miles to find a shell. I recommend Duncan

The decision I think I now need to make is whether to get a WRX and light mod it or get a STI. Im doing 94 mikes a day and want comfort but I'm running 272bhp at the moment and I don't want a slower car [emoji2] I'm getting from this conversation that I shouldn't buy a STI and mod it...how safe is modding a WRX Hatch?

Sounds a fun trip [emoji106]

I would expect the golf to have a some supporting mods to get an increase of 50bhp...I'd guess similar to petrol...air filter, fuel pump, back box or exhaust....but only guessing.

Very nice...both of them [emoji2] Not seen an Imp for years...never been in one but they had an appeal...looks like you're doing some interesting work on her [emoji39]

I don't want to misrepresent Dan and the owner could be on here too...lets just say part the owners fault and part 2.5.

Let's have some pics of both cars please [emoji106][emoji2]

Thanks guys. I know TGs failed recently and I was talking to Dan at SSS the other week about a failed Hawk...so can't help but be concerned. I'll pull my finger out and get to the next meet. I'm actively looking...not many around.

Mine does feel faster yes. Well worth the money...but as I said the smooth delivery of power is wonderful, feels a different car. Duncan said the later blobs do seem to produce more bhp...so don't get disappointed if you don't hit 270 [emoji4]

I think standard STI is closer to 265. Interesting it mentions a different turbo...

2004 blob 2.0 WRX. Uprated fuel pump, piper cross and a second hand prodrive back box. Mapped using the standard ECU. 272bhp :D Best thing I like about the remap is the smooth power delivery. I didn't notice an improvement in MPG...perhaps worse due to a more fun car to drive Duncan (racedynamix) did mine too

Gulp! Very nice looking car.

Now this is interesting..taken from the wikipedia page..talking about the WRX. 0-60 of 4.7 :D I can't actually find that from a WRX if I check the zero - 60 website but whats half a second between friends. In response to criticism that the third generation WRX suspension is too soft, and needing to keep on par with rival car companies new releases, Subaru issued several changes in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The EJ255 engine received an output boost to 198 kW (265 hp) and 331 N·m (244 lb·ft) of torque by swapping the previous TD04 turbocharger to an IHI VF52. This lent to the car now achieving a 0-60 time of just 4.7 seconds, as tested by Car and Driver.[

Yes good call. Thats why I've ended up with a blob with 272bhp... I wanted slightly more comfort, slightly less in ya face looks and more money in my pocket :D For me the benefit the remap gave was very nice smooth power delivery.

Interesting you say about the STI. I've been contemplating that myself. What scares me is the number of 2.5 STI failures. I read a few posts by an engine builder on scoobynet and he was basically saying the STI's are the ones that have had all the engine trouble and he's only had one WRX in for a rebuild. Jay, yes very good idea. I do need to get my butt down to the Surrey meet...I've met a few of the guys outside of the meet and some have helped me out. Just not made it to one of the meets yet (must try harder). I know TG has a Hatch STI - beautiful car - which has recently unfortunately had an engine rebuild after failure. I'm sure he'd take me out for a spin too.

Thanks Alex, very helpful

Yea I'll take test drive....nearest I could find was 60 miles away. Interesting about diesels..but wouldn't get one due to its 0-60...9 seconds or something?

well...she hasn't got a Focus....its a Honda Jazz but they're pretty much the same car :D

Nah...considering a Impreza Hatch....dont want a Focus...my mums got one of those shopping trolleys

:D I did consider one but I just don't need a bigger car....and still want <6sec 0-60 ;)