Fujimi 2003 Subaru STi

here's another project! I really want to get these half built projects out of the way :)

the kit will be box stock and it has been painted with *gasp* Nissan skyline's bayside blue over a gray primer to darken it up a bit :) clearcoat is 2k urethane as usual.

here's my dillemma, I plan to build the 3 body styles (early 2000 bugeye, this 2003 and the 2005 hawkeye) and plan to paint them all the same blue and use the stock sti wheels for all 3. The problem is, I find the stock sti wheels for the fujimi kits (03 and 05 bodystyle) too small. what do you guys think? go with the factory stock look or go aftermarket? that would mean a lot more work since going aftermarket would mean a lowering job as well :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2438.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2439.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2441.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2442.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2443.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2444.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2445.jpg

The Fujimi wheels are definitely smaller than the Tamiya ones, though I know there are argument as to which are more "accurate" since the stock 1:1 Imprezas actually have decent clearance.

Having said that, I swapped the Fujimi wheels for a spare set of Tamiyas on my 2005 WRX build.

Nice paint by the way. I think I would build different colours though, especially having the 2005 in Crystal Grey - the colour of my 1:1 2006 Impreza RV. Zero paints do it.

Cheers,
Pots.

thanks for the tip Pots, was actually thinking of "borrowing" some of the wrc wheels from my tamiya wrc scooby. I really like the look of these sti wheels but they just look too tiny and I'm not to fond of the dinosaur Dunlop Denloc tires they supply you with :headshake

thanks for the suggestions about the paint as well and will definitely consider that.

I also have those 3 in my to do pile and had the same dilemma about the rims and lowering nowadays. I chose to go aftermarket as - no matter how accurate the size is - I think the stock rims make both the Fujimi kits look like a toy rather than a modell. This is only my 1 cent, and I'm definitely waiting for this trio build before I start mine! Wish you good luck, from what I can see nice work so far!

What scale inch are these rims in? I am almost tempted to say keep these wheels, since it makes the car look stock (assuming your objective was to build all three generations in stock/close to stock form). It does seem a little small though.

I also think stealing rims off a Tamiya STI is the best idea.

@janositamas, thanks for the tip! it does look toy like with the tiny wheels. I'm thinking of going with some volk racing TE37s in gold instead or casting the tamiya subaru sti wheels which are quite a bit bigger.

@kaho, you have read my mind. I'm thinking of getting the wheels from the tamiya kit as well. looks like these scale out to about 17 inches but it looks extremely tiny under the sti.

Weird. I thought these STI's have always had 17 inch rims stock, but it does look small here. I am guessing Tamiya inch-upped theirs?
How is the quality in the rest of this kit?

ironic that the Fujimi "inch up" philosophy wasn't followed here and Tamiya came out with the bigger wheels :) the fit and finish of the kit is actually pretty good and should build up to a nice shelf model. not too sure on the accuracy of the suspension and interior though. it seems like they reused a lot of the parts from the older 2 door impreza sti kits.

tried on some new shoes last night! these are resin cast items I made quite a while back. 18inch volk racing TE37s and 18 advan RG1 both painted in gold of course (I like the blue and gold combo). I'm leaning towards the TE37s what do you guys think?

first the TE37s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2446.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2447.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2448.jpg

then the advan RG1s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2449.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2450.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2451.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/CRV18s/models/IMG_2452.jpg

Both wheels look good. I think the TE37's look most stock, while the Advans more aftermarket.

thanks Potsie, I'm leaning towards the te37s as well but not final yet. will dig through my other wheels to see what else I have :)

Te37!

TE37's

2005 is commonly referred to as a "peanut-eye". The Hawkeyes were the complete front end redesign in 2006. Just an fyi.

Def the TE's by the way!