Russellg911

Well my first week of Impreza ownership has passed

First impressions then are superb. Having collect the car last saturday (WRXPPP) I have done two mods so far which are the wheels and STi spoiler....plans for early next year are mudflaps and side-skirts to be colour coded.

In comparison to my LCR225, I'd say that I'm pleasantly suprised at the smoothness of the Impreza; it is noticably more punchy but not too frantic like the STi I went out in...boost seems to come on nicely at 3krpm and the power feels nice and progressive from there onwards...one thing that is really pleasing is how sure-footed / well planted the car feels on the road...not really pushed it too hard around bends yet as weather has not been ideal for such testing but never mind, that's something I can look forward too!

So no negative point to report apart from the standard speakers being terrible lol, but to be honest it's normally switched off in favour of the exhaust

One thing I have noticed is that the warmer the car gets after driving, the deeper and better the 'burble' sounds...is this just my imagination? I was driving around quite a bit yesterday and swear it was just getting better and better lol.

Another question is that my 30k service is due soon as the car is now on 28k so I assume it will run even better once that's done...am I right in thinking you get new plugs, fuel and air filter etc? I have been qouted £91 for just an interim oil change before the service (I don't know when it was last changed, I would imagine at the last service book stamp) so do you think this is worth doing for the sake of a couple of thousand miles?

Thanks
Russ

ReggieMY99

Good review

Regarding the warmer it gets the deeper burble

its your downpipe getting warmed up making the gasses flow even better, enjoy

Woody1

Its not the speakers mate, its the head unit. I changed the head unit for a JVC one and now made up with the sound quality.

SPIDERWRX

Hi, mate would you say it is faster than the LCR225? or about the same

V7C

I would agree with Russ the subaru speakers are proper pants.

Russellg911

Thanks guys

So my theory of the deeper burble was correct lol!
Spider: I'd say faster to the point where it is definatley noticable. The LCR did have the bonus of a very early turbo spool which was nice, you have to wait a bit longer for that with the Impreza...but when full boost hits the smile factor is bigger

LCR: 7/10
Impreza: 8/10

That's how I'd rate them at the moment.

ac427

Hi Russellg911, i have a WRX PPP also. It will intresting to see what you think after a few hundred miles. i find the ride is much more compliant that an STi so nicer for long journeys.

The 30,000 miles service costs a bit because those spark plugs are a 8astard to get to. i will check to see what else is done can't remember as mine is on 36,000 miles now.

Do you have standard brakes? they fade badly after one heavy application and you might find yourself reaching for the gearstick for some engine breaking! i have the Prodrive uprated pads (SACC2471 - £140 a pair) on mine. these help but i am looking into bigger discs now i am nearly out of extended warranty.


happy motoring

Russellg911

Hi ac

Thanks for that info, I will take heed of the brake pads comment...and if you could dig out the servicing info then that would be great. Yes, the brakes are standard at the moment.

What fuel do you guys use? So far I have been 100% on BP Ultimate, is it worth tryin Tesco 99R or V-Power?

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Good to hear you're happy a week in. You're absolutely right about the engine note getting deeper the warmer you get. Still loving my WRX PPP a year in and its my second Scooby.

Hungrytang

Who did you get your sti spoliler from in the end??

Nice review

the_msp

Nice car

Are those 17's or 18's you have on there? Looking to get a set of them, but don't know whether I'm going to go for 17's or 18's yet...

Russellg911

Hi
The wheels are 18" Turini's
Spoiler was done at Scoobyclinic as I was up near Derby for a couple of days and they had them in stock so just went for it....odd place lol.

TimmyboyWRX

the fuel issue,. i run my 02 sti on tesco 99 with no problems, cheaper that BP too! try it if you have one local and pay your money, make your choice as they say

ac427

Hi Mate, here is a list of what was done at my 30,000 mile service. i got it done at 28,000 because my brakes were going home.

Spark Plugs £41.80
Oil Filter £5.56
Oil drain plug gasket 85p
Fuel Filter £20.35
Air Filter £26.26
DOT4 Brake Fluid £6.75
LSD Oil (1.5 Litres) £10.80
Engine Oil (GTX Magnatec - 9 Litres) £22.32
Gearbox Oil (7 Litres) £25.48

Cost Approx £150 less labour of course

Brakes - Forgot to mention they bleed the brake system on the 30k service. Also you don't get much if any warning when the pads are going to run out. usually the metal on metal noise and a new pair of discs are required for approx £120!

Petrol - When i first got my car i only ran it on BP Ultimate or Shell Optimax. now i use Tesco 99. it is cheaper and as far as i can tell the car's performance is the same.

whereabouts in England are you?

D00

I have done the exact same as you mate! I owned 1 04 plate LCR and swapped it for a 53 plate WRX. It already had the STI spoiler, and I put PPP on it soon after I purchased it!

The WRX seems more grown up than the LCR. It's much nicer to drive, much more in feel with the road. The growl does get louder when its warmer.

Someone told me that I would be in a different driving league with the WRX - and TBH I think they are true.

I am more than happy with the car, apart from the ****e stereo - oh its BAD!

I don't miss my LCR at all, and I certainly don't miss all the water that used to come in through its inadequate seals!

craig79

Russel,
I've got a WRX also, would definitely recommend
the prodrive springs / geometry . The car handles so
much better. It may only be 25mm but the difference
can be felt. If you are impressed with the handling at the mo
then a slighly uprated suspension setup would most
certainly bring a bigger smile to the face. My wee tupence
worth.

Craig.

Tripple'O G

Thats because most head units have amps in them....like 40w....

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

I'd agree with Craig on this one. Definately get the Prodrive springs and geometry done next, and then brakes (I managed to get a full Brembo set-up with DBA discs and bells from an STi owner who was up-grading to 6 pots).
The only downside to these 2 mods is that the chassis feels as if it could do with another slug of power.