Hello

I currently drive an Alfa with sporty suspension. This is fine on smooth roads, but it becomes a little too much on potholed roads. I have wanted a Subaru for some years, especially an Impreza. I hear that WRX models are more suited to uneven surfaces. Can anybody give me some advice? Thanks :-)

 

The suspension on the WRX is likely to be a bit less harsh than the STI but a sporty car is always going to be pretty bad on poor road surfaces. Car makers don't help with the ongoing obsession with fitting bigger wheels and therefore lower profile tyres.

I'm on the constant lookout as 18" wheels with run-flat tyres mean I'm endanger of compressing my spine everytime I hit one

 

Agreed, many manufacturers are becoming quite obsessed with making cars with very firm suspension and oversized wheels.

The ride on a WRX running 17s is pretty good for a performance car but don't expect it to ride like a comfort-orientated German saloon. But the problem I have with the WRX is that it's not a particularly fast car unless you chuck some money at it. Some of the hot hatches of the current generation will outgun it in the mid range

If you are after a decent ride above all else I'd recommend a comfort-specced 3 series.

 

A car with the standard suspension, not whiteline snorting, slammed and stanced coilovers with too big a diameter.

 

Perfect for UK roads

 

Buy a UK car with as small wheels/fattest tyres as possible.

 

here you go

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDNLUzjkpg

 

A classic - 5 spoke 16" OEM STi wheels with correct tyre profile
Newage, a set of 17"s with correct tyre profile

 

WRX PPP same sort of power as a standard STI but much nicer suspension and no garish blue interior either.

 

The WRX is great on rough roads, it's pretty much its raison d'etre and does a good job of travelling seriously quickly and comfortably on roads that would have most cars either shaking your fillings out or bouncing you off into the undergrowth. Buy a WRX, learn how to manipulate it in corners properly and enjoy!

 

Buy a WRX and youll be longing for an STI...buy a UK STI and youll be longing for a JDM STI. Get it right the first time

 

Thanks for replying. I hope manufacturers are not telling us what we want!

 

Good idea

Noted

Thanks for the info. I think the WRX could be what I'm looking for, but with boring wheels for improved ride

Thanks to everyone for replying. Trinity ... I'm not sure that would fit in my drive

 

Forester or legacy outback!!he he

 

I might be a bit higher off the ground in the Forester STi but trust me it's just as bumpy

That said, 18s with the correct 45 profile tyres don't help on these country lanes. But I have noticed that it smooths out a little bit if you gather a bit of pace.

 

Very true. Last year s possession a uk300
This years ride a v5 sti jdm 👍👍👍

A lot comfy ride than the new age but mine is completely pollybushed as well

 

It wS meant to read above
A lot LESs comfy ride lol

 

I own an Alfa 147 and a RA. The Alfa is a mobile sofa comapared to the impreza. You like quirky/silly cars too then? Bits dont fall off subarus as frequently though.