Torquemada

buy an Evo

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

You'll seriously struggle to get 30mpg from a Blob STi unless you like driving at 50mph on motorways.

I can get 36mpg from my Blob WRX Wagon PPP staying between 70/80mph @ ish 3k rpm and that was loaded up over 1300 miles, I recon I could push 40mpg if I was alone and really tried.

I had similar requirements except I wanted 5 doors for the extra practicality, yesterday I had 2 mountain bikes in the back and a couple of weeks ago a chest freezer, can't do that in a Saloon.

Unless you go to a JDM Forester STI there's nothing that can touch what you already have and you'll struggle to get one under £10k that hasn't been to the moon and back.

I'll also add Blob STI's have their fair share of problems at 10yrs old and 70K

Clutch, cambelt will need to have been done or your looking @ circa £1k.

Gearbox syncros on non-dccd models are a known problem ish £1k removed, repaired and refitted.

Knocking suspension again around the £1k mark fitted with full specialist geometry set up.

Front Brembo brakes known to seize bolts and need heli-coiling not sure on cost but it's going to be a pita and a couple of hundred quid in labour.

Wheel bearings tend to give up around then on non-wide track models @ £90 a corner plus fitting and they are a pitta to do so expect 2/3hrs labour on each.

Then there's rust appearing on many now as you've seen first hand.

Point I'm making is if you swap for a 10yr old STI expect to spend some money on all but the most pampered of enthusiast owned cars.

I think your being a little silly, you already have the best car for the job but your letting this site push you away from it.

And as for going diesel.

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

I agree

Although a JDM forrester is a 2.5 and still won't get near 30mpg

Jay Cartay

iTrader: (3)

I have owned both a Blob WRX and a Hawk STI. I completely agree with you. The STI murdered the WRX in my hands and besides, it's not just about the bloody gear ratios! It's about being a better overall car with multiple uprated parts all designed to make it superior to a WRX from the start!

fat-thomas

iTrader: (4)

There's a lot of sti envy from the wrx boys who can't afford the performance model,I like a few others had the wrx and sti back to back.
Sti wins hands down .
I do however agree with some of ditchys comments about the car being ten years old.
It will need some mechanical attention due to mileage and age,cant say rust is an issue on new age body shells though only on some bolt on chassis parts.

zippy!

iTrader: (1)

^^^^^^^^ what he said^^^^^^

Caribe

Well i decided after many test drives and evaluating the mikes that u will be doing in the next 12 months that it made sense to get rid of the impreza.

I then let me wife decide what car I get as that way I can't get in trouble for my choices.

needed to be a good size, must be comfortable and must get 30 mpg on a run.

so I drove loads of different cars and then my wife decided.

so..

I now own a mercedes Cls 320 CDI with the brabus upgrade on 19" AMG alloys.

Over 400 pound feet of torque and all the toys I will need.

I am more than aware that it's not an impreza but it drives nice, is very comfortable and on the move overtakes far easier than the scooby ever did.

I will probably end up buying an old classic at some point and using it as a weekend car, but for now it's Mercedes ownership

Jay Cartay

iTrader: (3)

We've got a Merc. Nothing but trouble, so good luck

If it's a newish one though you'll probably be fine.

Caribe

Well we will see but I hope not.