To B4 or not to B4 this is the question

[McDoof]

So I have come to a point where I suddenly have an itch to change my car again. I hate it when that happens.

I am currently driving a slightly modified MY05 3.0R SpecB Manual.

I am toying with the idea of getting a 2002 - 2003 GTB or Blitzen Wagon if I can find one. (Facelift). I know it's very different, I've had a TT before. But it would mean that I have some cash in my pocket that can look pretty when put towards my mortgage and I can spend about half of what comes from that to make the TT usable.

Thoughts?

Pros and cons?

[Marky]

I've got a pair of them (one manual, one auto) at the mo and had 4 others of the other gens before them (2x BG's and 2X BH's)

The Rev D genuinely does drive that much better than the older ones, out of the box the dip between turbos is hugely reduced, it's more of a kick at 4500, rather than an outright head-nod drop off then back up like the older ones. I wouldn't consider any other TT model given they are the same $$ as the rest these days. Economy wise I'm cracking 550-600k per tank on gull 98 with half a dozen daily 0-100 onramp fangs, and it genuinely has a wicked top end with a few tickles for a cheap daily

Everything else is much of a muchness to the 98-02, you know how they drive already. They are a bit long in the tooth and do show it, the BP/BL is a more quiet drive for sure and they "feel" physically smaller & lighter than the BE/BH (even though they aren't)

The blitzens are overpriced, or at least don't pay more for one just cause of the horrid bodykit and wheels

Why not just get another BP, they can be had in manual turbo form for sorta 6-8k ish, then at least you aren't downgrading

[Andy_Mac]

You aiming to get a manual?

I'd never look back to a 3rd gen unless there really was no other way of sticking to the 4th. Pretty hard to find one in good condition too.

I've always thought the 4th's felt considerably bigger and heavier than the 3rds but that may have something to do with moving into a wagon from a sedan.

I agree on getting a cheap 4th gen gtb. Way more refined, more reliable, easier to tune/mod.

Or just increase the mortgage and get a sweet sweet supercharger for the 3.0 and have some serious fun, sure the mrs won't mind

Edited October 2, 2015 by Andy_Mac

[McDoof]

Hmm, yes food for thought there.

Maybe a move to a turbo from a 3.0R is a possible way to go. I think the fact that the Gen 4 is more of grown up car probably is not a bad thing either. Would have to be manual yes. Not a fan of autos unless it's in a Golf R and it's called DSG.

I'll have to go out and do some test driving. I took a pretty tidy Blitzen out for a drive earlier. Seems only need a service (Which I can do myself) and 1 or 2 bits of trim sorted out. Listed for just under 7k one would assume it would be let go for around 6k. Only problem would be that it is very very red. Seems to have a new clutch, new Eagle F1s and a 2 year old cam belt replacement.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

Dude.... Turbo the legacy you have.... Someone here pulled over 500kws on e85 from an ez30 +t and some strengthening of the bottom end... Hell even keeping low boost on factory internals would turn it into an absolute weapon

[McDoof]

 kwi_fozze said:

Dude.... Turbo the legacy you have.... Someone here pulled over 500kws on e85 from an ez30 +t and some strengthening of the bottom end... Hell even keeping low boost on factory internals would turn it into an absolute weapon

Hahah. I have actually considered that. The Raptor headers are a good starting point for a turbo manifold. The problem with that is simple. MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY. Doing it right will cost me around $5k. I was thinking of making my pockets fuller, not emptier.

1 x GT 3576 or similar

1 x fabricate manifolds

1 x Intercooler and piping

You see where this going

But yes I hear you in a way. Apparently the stock internals are good for about 270kw atw while still staying reliable.

[McDoof]

Based on what is available on TM right now. I think my current car is a keeper. I like the 02 Blitzen that is on there but it is red. There is only 1 Gen 4 on there right now that would fit my requirements. But the seats are ripped and that would just annoy me no end.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

+t it dude... small investment of cash for HUGE gains....

that and the fact that it's a shocking market atm. no ones got cash, everyone wants trades or swaps

[Andy_Mac]

Why not just save up for the raptor supercharger if funds are tight but want a bit more fun. Should give a decent bump in power. Virtually no custom fab work required unlike a turbo conversion which will escalate rapidly if welding things yourself is out of the question.

Edited October 2, 2015 by Andy_Mac

[McDoof]

I think for now I'll just spend a little on the current car to make it the best it can be. Maybe a new clutch and some suspension bushes to tighten up the ride a bit. Think I might get the front bumper resprayed too. After driving the TT this afternoon I think I would miss the all over torque that the H6 delivers. If and that is a very big if I ever have the funds to turbo this thing and have another car as a daily while I build it then I'll probably teach myself to weld and do it myself. Thanks for the input guys. BTW if anyone is looking for a good TT. That blitzen on TM is in pretty good shape for a 13 year old car.

[GorGasmSpecB]

I used to have a BP5 stock auto and BLE 6 Speed w intake and adjustable suspension and a I currently have a BE5D full bolt ons and tune. The TT is the fastest of the 3 that I have had but the 3.0R handled better and was by far an overall better car.

I can tell you these things:

The BL/BP legacy is far superior to the BE/BH, like no contest at all

The BL/BP turbo is the most powerful and torquey of the 3

The H6 is the smoothest and has the best gearbox

A modded BL/BP turbo would blow away any other model

Modding the TT is a waste of time

If I had to have one again it would be a BP5 turbo manual with downpipe, FMIC and tune.

[McDoof]

I think at some point in the future a post facelift BL5 or BP5 will we be on the cards. For now it seems I'll hang onto the H6. One of the reasons I had thought of going TT is really because I'd be less likely to want to spend money to mod it . One of the problems I have with the gen4 is that I always want to do things to it. Just too many bolt on additions for it. I don't have the willpower to say no. :-|

I'm looking at the possibility of buying a bigger house thanks to the arrival of twins a few months ago.

Power is not everything. It's just my daily. I only drive about 200km a week. I just enjoy driving so the car need to be a bit fun..

Anyway thanks for so the input and insights.

Edited October 4, 2015 by McDoof

[McDoof]

This looks like a pretty good buy at the price. Pity it's on the very far side of the country http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-957318071.htm

[SpecB]

There's these bp's ... both k's aren't bad

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-956164152.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-943843301.htm

[McDoof]

Might actually go have a look at the one in Penrose.