MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

That's because all the members on there wished they had a turbo

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

I've had a 1.6gl classic (from 18-21yrs old) and had a few mates who have had 2.0 sports. I primarily bought mine for the looks as I added the WRX exterior, OZ wheels etc and it looked the business. Performance was OK, on a par with a friends Saxo VTR at the time, fuel was OK too. But that was a FWD 1.6.

My friends 2.0 sport handled better with the AWD and was slightly better power, on a par with a Saxo VTS as we found out one evening. The exhaust note sounded just like the turbo as he had unequal manifold and afterburner full through exhaust. His insurance was about a grand IIRC when he was about 19 with a few years no claims/experience.

I remember we all tried to find the best cars that we could afford to insure but many comparative non turbo models such as MR2's, Integra's, Civic's etc were far more expensive.

In summary they are certainly a good introduction to Subaru's for the younger driver IF performance isn't the be all and end all. Reliability is good also.

CREWJ

I totally forgot about reliability

Had the car nearly 5 years and only had one problem with it. That was over 2 and a half years ago and nothing since.

AzzDSM

Ive only ever owned 2 classic uk turbos and now on a wrx blob so cant really comment on the sport.
personally i wouldnt buy a sport, 1 of the main things that puts a smile on my face driving mine is the performance and sound.
Its your choice though but just be careful if you decide to make a lookalike or modify.. when i was 17 i got a fiesta 1.1 with an xr2 bodykit and i was getting quotes same as a proper xr2, so i scrapped it bit the bullet and bough a s2 rs turbo lol.
Everyone as there own opinion if a car is good or bad, would be a boring place if everyone liked the same thing.
just go for it join the club get some no claims then when you can upgrade to a turbo.
Good Luck

imprezajon

iTrader: (2)

ive had mine for 3 1/2 years now and there is not a day that i dont regret going for the sport model.
group 13 insurance instead of group 19 for a turbo'd version is a hell alot of difference in money.
i went for the hawkeye sport over an older wrx model (think it was an 03) as i test drove both versions and had the opportunity to buy either one (the hawkeye sport was the cheaper of the 2 by £1000).
i preferred the ride quality and comfort and the interior of the hawkeye over the older wrx, the power issue never entered the equation.
at the end of the day we all have reasons for owning and buying the cars we do, be it money, power or the my cars faster than your car status.
what ever car you buy, be happy with it, be safe and enjoy it.
a car is for life not just for christmas

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Uk turbo is only group 17 insurance chap not 19.

imprezajon

iTrader: (2)

was quoted group 19 when i originally got a quote, but that was over 3 years ago though

AzzDSM

My uk turbo back in 07 was group 17 my wrx now i believe is 20

Arkynsei

Matt, did one of your relatives get run over by a Sport? Seem really quite personal to you!

I've owned my Hawkeye R-sport for 6 months now and I'm absolutely adoring it. Being 20 years of age, I wasn't able to insure a turbo at my age but I have wanted an Impreza since I was a kid. I could've saved my cash.. drove my 1.4 Seat Ibiza for another year or two and perhaps scraped by on a Turbo 2000.. but I thought **** it, why not? And I haven't been disappointed. No, it's not a powerhouse that destroys everything in a mile radius when you put your foot down.. but when I pull up next to a lady-boy in his Porsche or w/e. I sit there smiling. Because I'm driving a f**king Impreza!

Yeah he'd beat me away at the lights.. but who cares? What does he get for doing that? A medal from the Queen and one lustful night with Megan Fox? No. He doesn't. He's still driving a Porsche. And I'm still driving my Impreza. And I know which I'd prefer.


Message to the original post creator, if you want to get a Sport.. get a Sport. Don't come on here asking for advice as the answer is always the same. Get what you want, for your own reasons and you won't go wrong. It'll still put a smile on your face whenever you drive it. I do recommend the R-Sport if you can get it. 0-60 in roughly 8 and a half seconds. Top speed 130. It's a fun car, no doubt about it.

Brun

You'd rather have a jap tin can than a Porsche?????
I personally don't really like Porkers but the choice between "any" Porsche and an Impreza sport is really a no brainer!

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

No I don't have a personal vendetta with the sports mate, just don't rate them as a car when comparing them to other makes/models available for similar price.

Please remember the OP isn't looking to by a newage sport or an R sport (sorry not too clued up on all the different non turbo models), he's looking for an old classic 2.0 non turbo car.

Similar looking to this -



I think I know what I'd prefer if I had a choice between this and a Porsche mate

Arkynsei

Fair play. It's fairly irrelevant whether I'd have a Porsche over it anyway as obviously I would.. to sell it and buy a turbo model :P. Hairdresser cars, blergh.

I haven't driven a classic so can't really have an opinion. I think the R-Sport is a very solid, non-turbo option. 160bhp is good enough for a lot of people.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I'd take up hairdressing if I got to drive one of these -

AzzDSM

+1

simonraper

iTrader: (1)

Have to agree with you there - No complaints about mine - Although a rb320 wouldnt go a miss mind....

scooby.steve555

iTrader: (5)

Well i can't quite believe what ive read on this thread, i currently own a sport and a wrx. Im 22 years old and have been in love with imprezas ever since watching the late great colin mcrae winning the world rally championship in 1995, ever since then i dreamt of owning one, so when i got the chance to drive a sport at about 20 years old i took it, it was a dream come true, so fun to drive great handling with wrx suspension all round and so so fun in the snow. The fact is i couldnt afford a turbo but with a love for imprezas i couldn't give a toss about it not being as fast as other cars that you can get for the same money, speed is NOT everything. The sport i had will always be my first impreza experience and i will never forget that, advice to anyone thinking of getting one, just do it you wont regret it, and give it a few years then buy yourself a nice wrx like ive done. WRX is better, fact, but a sport is perfect if its all you can afford and youve spent your entire life dreaming of the day you own a scooby. Thats all i have to say.

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Nothing wrong with Sports, but they are not going to be the performance car that some people hope for. If you want fast get something else. If you want fun then consider one.

dibbleyuk

iTrader: (1)

Couldnt agree more mate. I had a sport when i was 17 all my mates couldnt believe it. Yer I spent abit adding all the STi bits and making it look like one but at 17-18-19 What a dream come true! I was driving about in a car that looks perfect to me I used to drive past shop windows and have a quick look LOVED IT and who was to know what was under the bonnet. Im 24 now and have a 93 WRX and also a MY05 JDM STi but without the sports first steps I would not be enjoying these amazing cars now. If you a true enthusiast and it early days ignore the negative comments go and enjoy a sport until you can afford a Turbo model.

Insurance was £1200 then also same as a Saxo VTR

lee67

6" of snow up here this morning lying on top of solid ice, had to be out early doors, my sport got me out with no bother whilst i passed numerous cars sliding uncontrolable...the looks the sound...what more do i need, and yes im 44 and happy...and i could have bought any turbo model( price wasnt an issue or ins) but cannot fault the sport 1 bit

swaynie

iTrader: (6)

Im gunna jump in here I own a sport and yes there under powered but for a 2ltr N/A there not bad and compared to my old BMW M3 its a better at handling and the brakes are better and if your speaking power wise I dont think there that bad and not that bad on fuel certainly if you know how to drive it and dont dismiss me as not knowing anything my previous car before the M3 was a Evo MRFQ340 far quicker and thirstier than a wrx or sti and I must say the sport engine is 100x more reliable and no prats turning the boost up and blowin holes in pistons and wrecking good cars.


Also I can get insured on a turbo just wanted relaibility for a while plus I am building a turbo engine for my next year project but the sport will stay as my work horse and day to day driver

fabiostar

give me smoke of what your on. lol.. iv had my sport for near 5 years, its far from boring(yes iv driven dozens of turbos) yes it will do sub 9s as its been drag raced to prove it. itl do well past the 125mph and always gets around 30mpg.. over 40,000 miles in my hands and its had a total cost of £60 to fix other than oils etc.. its running a safe 170bhp(dyno proved) and it goes round corner as well as any classic iv met. infact better than a lot because i use it all the time.it dosent spend half its life sitting in a garage be talked about or fixed or cleaned, its used..

comparing it to an astra... not just getting at your sir but in general theres a bit of snobery in the subaru world.which is sad.. im no youngster,near 50 and loving my car.. iv been a member of scoobyireland since it started and my car goes to most of there shows and never once has a comment been passed about the lack of turbo. at least over in ireland..
bombproof and fun.. not a rocket i know but its USED no polished and talked about....

fabiostar

OMG hes no turbo on that tub...

Bugeyed Bri

Well said fabio.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Steady up there fella.. Your more than welcome to have some of what I'm smoking. Lambert and butler is my brand.

Your car you say is making 170bhp, this is obviously far from standard and out of reach for any 17/18/19 year old. The idea of youngsters owning these is for cheap insurance (which in reality they are not that cheap, group 14 I believe), a modded in any way sport is not what I'm knocking.
In standard trim a classic sport WILL NOT see 60mph in under 10seconds and it will also never see 30mpg when in the hands of a young lad.
I'm also struggling to see your point regarding handling, you say your car handles better than most classics because it's used.. What do you mean by this ? My car is rarely used and I very much doubt you will out handle it. More importantly, no standard classic handles fantastically, your getting confused with traction.
I do agree on the reliability point though, it is proven that the sports do offer many trouble free miles which is a bonus.

My comparison was probably not the best, I was trying to explain what can be had for similar money and my figures were based on standard cars. In completely standard trim (which it would need to be for a new'ish driver) the sport is a very average car to drive and to look at and for the sport owners out there who say differently are smoking something far far stronger than Lambert and Butler.

And yes, I've owned many Imprezas including non turbo models.

fabiostar

lol.. break the tip of and light her up. i wasnt getting at yourself as such. it just gave me the chance as iv watched on here the old story for years .if it aint turbo it aint ****.. its a bit like a sti owner looking down at a wrx owner. who both get looked down at by a 22b owner,if you see what i mean..handling wise i was having a poke at the bar room racers who do more talking about there cars than driving them. my own has had a lot of mods, handling wise its uk turbo running gear and harder springs so handlings good as the engine isnt the limiting factor pushing me through a hedge lol..ok a turbo would be nice for the boost but for me anyhow i like the n/a engines.in any vehicle. the feel of an engine thats cammy! you have to work it to get the fun outa it.if that makes sense.. iv never had any turbo stickers or badges on it. the cars what it is and i enjoy making sure people know its not a turbo... it just grinds my ****,and iv heard it on a few sites. ah there not a real impreza.. the same way a uk2000 isnt a wrx isnt a sti etc..each to there own but for less money i could be wearing a basball cap backwards driving a corsa sport paying less insurance etc but. i choose to hear a nice scooby rumble everyday when i start it..

now give me a hug and wel make up big lad ..lol