Sgt_Pepper

Obviously this is a Subaru forum and so most users will say Subaru without a doubt. However, I have read a lot of threads from Subaru owners who have come up against cossies and vice versa with unexpected results. Just wondered what peoples opinions were as I am looking to purchase either an Escort Cosworth YBT or an Impreza P1.

Out of the box the Impreza (from what I have read) is lighter, faster 0-60, faster 0-100, has more goodies (quick rack, short ratio box etc.) and obviously is a lot younger. Along with this P1's seem to be far more readily available at a more reasonable price. Seems like an easy choice then

Although there is something about the Escort Cosworth that is awesome, maybe because its the underdog but its always so impressive reading about the ridiculous power some builds have produced.

Any comments regarding maintenance, performance, driving experiences are appreciated

cdfracing

Don't like cosworths one bit . Not cause it's a older car or anything, no appeal to me what so ever

Phildodd06

If i had the money id have an Escort cossie any day, i absolutly love them cars and the 3 door Sierra cossies too
Check this vid out!!...
YouTube - Ford Escort Cosworth vs Subaru Impreza Type R

P1 FEK

iTrader: (1)

Luv the look of the Escort Cossie but it's just got an old Escort interior, very dated and parts for cosworths are very expensive.

G17 NAT

If it's a P1 or an Escort Cossie - I'd go the cossie all the way. They are a very good reliable engine (If a little old) and provided that they aren't running 450 bhp on standard internals.

For me there is just something about a Cossie that i really like !!

I've driven many fast cars - but the cossies pull stronger and better in my opinion.

Dissagree about parts - other than cylinder heads the parts are comparable to other performance cars - 200sx scoobies etc. There is a lot of following and remember you don't have to get aftermarket parts - as they were rallied most performance parts are available from the ford banner - they call them group A - Fuel pumps, suspension etc.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Well your on a subaru forum so the chances are most people will say subaru
Your average escort cossie now is 10+ years old, for similar money your looking at a 3 year old Impreza (JDM) which is a right moster pushing about 100bhp above the escort out of the box but its down to what you want, 4 doors or 2 doors

Tony

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Have always wanted an Escort Cosworth

Be aware though.... i know Subaru's have a reputation of popping engines, but 8 of my friends have owned Cosworths, and each one has at least 1 engine rebuilt.

G17 NAT

Yeah agree a later say JDM STI - that's another story - Which is why i Bought one and not a Cossie !!

Scoobyspanners

Take 10 tuned Cossies and then pick the fastest one then put the fastest tuned Cossie up against a box standard Sti Type R Impreza and it is a draw, why not start with the impreza and tune that as it is as quick as the tuned Cossie to start with? Cossie was OK in its day, but the Impreza has moved on and been developed, the Cossie is Dead............Ford took it as far as they wanted and then dropped it. If you want a Cossie/Subaru Lichfield do one I think, Subaru car with Cosworth tweaking.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Have a quick search in the auto trader on escort cosworth, the one with just over 5k on the clock for 23995 1 owner, up in warrington

Tony

G17 NAT

??? So the STI Type R as standard is as fast as a tuned cossie ??
That's a very bold statement !!

Who started this: - Can of Worms well and truely opened.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

The Type R wasn't standard

stilover

If I had the Garage to store it in, I'd buy a mint concourse standard Escort Cosworth. I was Cosworth mad when I was young (not helped by my dad having a Saphire 4x4) and if I was my age now when the Escort Cosworths came out, I'd have bought one straight away.

Today an Escort Cossie is always going to be slower than an Impreza. However, there is something about an Escort Cosworth that just makes me want one. They still have soo much road presents in the way they look. Me, I'd keep it standard apart from maybe a stage 1 chip, but thats it. Standard wheel, springs etc. I'd just take pride in owning such a fab car.

Inless Ford make a MkII Focus RS 4x4 and make it look soo much different from every other Focus (like the Cossie was to all other Escorts) then the Escort Cosworth will alway be the Fast Ford of choice. Mint cars today still comand big money, especially compared to what they cost new. No Impreza will every hold it's value in the same way.

Just last year I had the chance to buy an absolute mint Sierra RS500 in Black. Local dealer had one, and it was a Concourse car too. Lack of garage quashed any dreams of owning it.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Except the 22B

Tony

scoobystiv8

Had a Saphire Cosworth 4x4 and an Excort Cosworth Lux.
Also had a classic impreza and now a version 8 STI.
I had a love hate relationship with the cossies, when they ran they were unreal, but reality was they didnt run for long, things always broke.
A race between a cosworth and a subaru over any distance with both cars being pushed the reality is only the subaru would finish the cossie would break something or breakdown.

I would still have another, but It wouldnt get used everyday like the subaru.

st3v3

I love impreza's,.... but........ was a commitee member on the Central RS Owners Club for a couple of years,i could show you many tuned cossie,one of them is built and owned by my mate Karl Norris of NMS whos cossie would absolutely kill most modern very high powered cars of today, i wouldnt want to say what the bhp is but i can tell you this its not far from..... ah that would be telling

I also know people with high 300+bhp RS turbo's
Dont knock the ford badge m8 even if they are quick enough to have a go at us

stilover

I stand corrected

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Although I loved my Cossie all those years ago I have to agree with the above....steering rack went, exhaust camshaft snapped, electrical gremlins, and that was when it was just out of 1 yr warranty..........Great when they're going but even the very newest will be a 12 year old Ford.

Sgt_Pepper

Lots of awesome replies. Regarding the Cossie Vs Type R debate as Phildodd06 said, have a look at this url:

YouTube - Ford Escort Cosworth vs Subaru Impreza Type R

The odds are stacked highly in the P1's favor, especially since I will be using the car as a daily driver. Maintenance of a 10+ year old cossie would be a pain in the ar$e and the interior of the P1 is far superior. But there are loads of imprezas on the road and I cant remember the last time I saw a cossie drive by.

Looking at out of the box stats, have a look at what letstorque say:

Car Stats - Four Wheel Drive

Not sure as to how reliable these figures are, but the P1 seems to be untouchable from anything else in its price/insurance bracket. I want to stay away from JDM models as I own one just now and can't be ar$ed with the extra insurance costs.

sti69

iTrader: (1)

Well if i had the money i'd have a cossie RS500, Ver.6 type-r scoobie and a yellow evo 5 GSR (which i now own ) best 3 cars on road!!!!

well thats my opinion and im sticking with it LOL....

bagpipes

I had a escort cossie lux about 5 years ago (big turbo model) kept it standard apart from the brakes. Thought it was an excellent car nothing I have ever had has turned heads like it. Traded her in for a RB5 and the cossie didn’t come close to it. If I were to go for any again it would have to be the RB5

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Escort cossie it would have to be for me, only cossie worth having imo. Too many schumacher wannabes going around in rusty h reg sapphire cossies has ruined the sierra image.

scooby-tc

iTrader: (2)

ive had an escort cossie and a saph cossie and although they were ok cars my STi Type R felt far superior in terms of reliability and drivability,the escort cossie used more oil than petrol and the sierra was just a barge

SPEN555

It would be interesting to hear the Websters (Shaun) views on this having owned both along with Andy F. IIRC.

Phildodd06

Appreantly, they are making a new 300bhp 4 wheel drive RS

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Thats a good rumour but its not true, ford wont sell enough to cover the developement costs, hence not going to be made.

Tony

Phildodd06

Thats a shame, im quite a Ford fan myself!

Borat_Drives_A_Scooby

My mate had an Escort Cossie and i had a drive of it on a few occasions, to me it felt cheap the way it was built and you get that feeling when your driving one. The interior is as bland as they come, performnce wise its a good car but overall it just feels cheap like most fords feel.

Sgt_Pepper

Anyone know if those figures on here: Car Stats - Four Wheel Drive for weight, power, 0-60, 0-100 etc. are correct?

It may seem a dumb question but, are the same gains to be had from both engines with the same modifications? I.e. hypothetically, if you were to keep the internals the same on both an Escort Cosworth and an Impreza P1 and replaced the fuel pumps, injectors, turbos, intercoolers, map sensors, exhausts, filters on both with equivalent performance parts and rolling roaded the two after setting up the ECU's; would the power gains from both be consistent?

rob2006

iTrader: (1)

Topgear a few years ago. i always take what i see with a pinch of salt tho.

YouTube - Ford Escort Cosworth vs Subaru Impreza Type R