Gutmann pug

Not a good idea, they suffer from the same issues.

Gutmann pug

BUT it's important that the guy doesn't buy something which is unsuitable for what he wants.

personally if track days are your thing I think you are better looking at something like an Exige. It's very light on consumables such as pads, disks and tyres. It's quick, it's nimble and it's very good fun.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

At the end of the day, if performance is the most important feature of the car for you , then yes you are.

If other factors like refinement, ease of driving when you're not "playing", running costs etc.. matter then no, you're not!

Ns04

fmp

iTrader: (7)

thanks guys.

i am now on the hunt for an STi, maybe bug eye, but i would prefer the one after (i have forgotten already what thyre called!!)

my next dilema is....... colour!!

my mate has a silver one, so dont really want that, i rather not have the blue either.

so i guess its black, which seem to be rare!

also seems STi's in my price range have 30k plus miles... any pitfalls with this?

bob r

iTrader: (46)

No...............none at all. Just make sure it's had the 30k service.

Bug Eyed Peas

Anthony

fmp

iTrader: (7)

i thought only Spec-C's came in white?

i would love a white one, as its me fav car colour!

wrxstiuk

I bought an Renaultsport 182 in 04 and it was a blast to drive - i had it superchipped and all the usual mods & it was doing 197bhp - killed type r's & standard wrx's.

Then i changed it and bought an 05 uk spec STI & regretted it from day one!

The renault although it wasnt as fast (obviously) was the most perfectly balanced (power to weight & handling) car i've had the pleasure to own.

I think the difference in price was the main issue in that the 182 gave me just as much pleasure for almost half the price of the sti.

When the novelty wore off i sold the STI (for a nightmarishly low) price and bought a Pulsar GTIR - MINTER!!!!!!! but not too reliable.

I've currently got a 99 classic uk turbo modded up to 323bhp & i now believe that the scooby is the way to go as its lovely to drive and got more power than i know what to do with plus it's quite a practical car!

Anyway in answer to your question i'd recommend getting a 98 onwards (better suspension & brakes) classic impreza and spending a couple of grand on mods.

fmp

iTrader: (7)

cheers for that wrxstiuk. Interesting feelings about the sale of the clio. My 182 has a few mods, lowered, 4 pots, roll cage etc. I just need soemthign bigger for my family.

And i currently have a hard on for something 4wd and turbo!!

Gutmann pug

If you have a roll cage fmp then it's not a family car anyway.........Me no understand. The last thing I would want to do is drive around with kids in the back of a caged car. Those big chunks of metal tube are hard you know

fmp

iTrader: (7)

cage is specially designed in that it works with al standard interior in. door bars and rear bar can be removed to allow access to rear seats.

also cage can easily have padding added.

But anywho, hence why i want to change.....

Gutmann pug

Padding wont stop it killing someone if they hit it hard enough. It's one thing to drive a caged car with a helmet on, it's another to use it to drive the family round. All IMHO of course

I still think something like an Exige is the car for you

boxman2000

Being a former clio owner (172 Cup) I would say that off the mark the Clio beats WRX's and even STi's hands down (done this in real life so no arguing).

If you're after a WRX I'm selling mine for about £13.5k (MY05, 8k, 2 owners, warranty remaining, black, prodrive spoiler & flaps + bluetooth handsfree kit).

PM me if interested

Russellg911

Matt

It will take nothing less than a tuned STi to quench your performance thirst.

I can relate to people saying that the fun factor between the 182 and standard form Impreza will be marginal....however, the turbo and burble factor is something that's hard to lose a smile for

Try and get a drive in an STi and see how you feel about them.

Russ

reano

iTrader: (2)

Hopefully this will help:-

Since you don't want to spend money modifying the car after, look for an MY03 Newage (blobeye) or above sti that has had one of the following companies upgrade it

1) Powerstation - 320bhp+
2) TSL - 333bhp

There are others (but for now stick with me) and ensure that they have had at least a 4 wheel geometry setup done (even better if they've had the whiteline anti roll bar, lift kit fitted).

This way you shouldn't need to upgrade anything yourself except maybe the brakes but that can come later.

Other companies to look at include scoobyclinic, Roger Clark Motorsport, etc but the others above have specific packages that you know whats in it.

Izzy

For what it's worth, my thought is similar to Gutmann Pug's. It does really depend on what you intend to use the car for - & particularly how many track day events you plan to do.

If you plan to do a lot of track days (if not use it as a track day car) then whatever type of Impreza, & for that matter any other car, will obviously need to be upgraded in certain areas, such as chassis, brakes, etc almost regardless of what power the car comes with. You will need to factor a significant budget for this, as well as the aforesaid consumerbles such as brakes & tyres... That said, unless you want a Scoob as a dedicated track car, & have the budget for it, it might not necessarily be the best choice. If you do, an earlier classic STi Type R or RA, suitably modified would be a good choice because A) they are cheaper than the later models & B) they are lighter.

On the other hand, if you want a great road car capable of occational forays to the track, then most Scoobs, particularly STi varients, make a great choice.

It's down to individual preferences, & usage, at the end of the day. Everyone, including those on here, will have their favourites, so you may not get a true consenus of what you should do....

Dont be afraid of "getting the wrong choice" though - treat it as experimentation & move on if necessary, but above all enjoy the expirience...

JiB

Remember to budget for the increase in insurance costs too....

fmp

iTrader: (7)

cheers guys.

the whole idea is a family sized car that i can take to the odd track day, hence why i am looking at scoobies, rather than a two seater etc.

i probably do 6 - 7 a year MAX.

insurance isnt that much more luckily.

i am gonna test drive a UK STi in the next week or two.

really appreciate everyones input!

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

nope, there's a few (literaly) white UK sti's out there
<<<<<<<<<

sti is the way to go fmp, at least when the modding bug bites you'll have a higher spec platform to start from

good luck searching

fmp

iTrader: (7)

ok cool.

i need all the luck i can et searching, as its not an easy task!!!

Morcilman

I have a good view on this, I think. I have a 2002 STi, and my dad has a 2003 WRX, so I know both very good.

There is a lot of diferences between STI or not. The brakes, the gearbox, the suspension... so the "soul" of the car is diferent. Both are very good, but the STI for a sporty drive for sure, do not doubt it.

Said that I think that there are better track day cars, a M3 e-36 is the best option in my oppinion. Scoobys are great to drive on the road, no so much on the track

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

If you have 15k to spend have you considered a 2 car solution?

Something larger, but sporty like a classic UK scoobie (circa 1998-2000). They have nice tall gear ratios with a good spread of power. Very easy to go very quick without having a hard ride etc.

Then have a track day toy that is all kitted out, maybe even sticking with what you have now?

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

lol, this is why spain are the way they are we talk about MPG and increased cabin noise and they talk about the 'soul of cars'

very good point of view Morcilman