RE: Spotted: Subaru Impreza R205
Discussion
v8will said:
I can't really subscribe to the road tax and fuel thing, plenty of motors in the highest tax band and there seems to be more v8s and the like on the road than ever.
In fact, thinking about it I saw at least 3 63 AMG Mercs yesterday, rare enough in these parts, maybe 1 Sub and certainly not a single Evo.
Maybe 'that' type of buyer has moved on from the turbo nutter b
d AWD cars to heavier stuff?
Edit: Crow mentions the WRC thing, that'll be it...
Reckon the WRC has certainly had an effect too.In fact, thinking about it I saw at least 3 63 AMG Mercs yesterday, rare enough in these parts, maybe 1 Sub and certainly not a single Evo.
Maybe 'that' type of buyer has moved on from the turbo nutter b
d AWD cars to heavier stuff?Edit: Crow mentions the WRC thing, that'll be it...
But I do think fuel/tax is part of it. Back in the day an Impreza Turbo 2000 was what £19k or under new maybe even cheaper? It was fast and affordable and a long way from Porsche money. Evo's where always more money, but they where still cheap enough to be bought by the common man/women who had an ok job.
Today they just seem so much more, I know everything is more expensive. But I reckon in 1998 I stood more chance of buying an Impreza new than I do today and I earn a lot more money now.
And that's it, if you're going to spank £40k on a fast car, why bother with an Impreza? As you say you could have a V8 for this money, be it M3 or a fast Merc. Or a Porsche if you want more sporty.
DanDC5 said:
Never thought I'd say this, but the hatchback Impreza's are really growing on me finally.
That happened to me when I saw a blue one in my local tesco carpark and thought to myself "That looks tasty". It was only when I was walking by it, I noticed the Cosworth badge on the tailgate. Not sure if it has a different body on it, but it did look nice and I never really liked the hatch to begin with.300bhp/ton said:
But I do think fuel/tax is part of it. Back in the day an Impreza Turbo 2000 was what £19k or under new maybe even cheaper? It was fast and affordable and a long way from Porsche money. Evo's where always more money, but they where still cheap enough to be bought by the common man/women who had an ok job.
Today they just seem so much more, I know everything is more expensive. But I reckon in 1998 I stood more chance of buying an Impreza new than I do today and I earn a lot more money now.
+1Today they just seem so much more, I know everything is more expensive. But I reckon in 1998 I stood more chance of buying an Impreza new than I do today and I earn a lot more money now.
300bhp/ton said:
Reckon the WRC has certainly had an effect too.
But I do think fuel/tax is part of it. Back in the day an Impreza Turbo 2000 was what £19k or under new maybe even cheaper? It was fast and affordable and a long way from Porsche money. Evo's where always more money, but they where still cheap enough to be bought by the common man/women who had an ok job.
Today they just seem so much more, I know everything is more expensive. But I reckon in 1998 I stood more chance of buying an Impreza new than I do today and I earn a lot more money now.
And that's it, if you're going to spank £40k on a fast car, why bother with an Impreza? As you say you could have a V8 for this money, be it M3 or a fast Merc. Or a Porsche if you want more sporty.
Much of it also is that the novelty factor has worn off.But I do think fuel/tax is part of it. Back in the day an Impreza Turbo 2000 was what £19k or under new maybe even cheaper? It was fast and affordable and a long way from Porsche money. Evo's where always more money, but they where still cheap enough to be bought by the common man/women who had an ok job.
Today they just seem so much more, I know everything is more expensive. But I reckon in 1998 I stood more chance of buying an Impreza new than I do today and I earn a lot more money now.
And that's it, if you're going to spank £40k on a fast car, why bother with an Impreza? As you say you could have a V8 for this money, be it M3 or a fast Merc. Or a Porsche if you want more sporty.
When the original Impreza arrived in the UK it was completely different from anything else.
Performance that humbled the Cossies and Integrale in a package that looked fairly anonymous and had solid build and reliability at a modest price.
Through the special Imprezas and Evos, a level of usable, B-Road performance was on offer that little else could match, along with a fully practical car.
Other things have now caught up and in many places there just isn't the room (socially or geographically) to exploit the latest versions performance so I think buyers are looking for a feel good factor in terms of aesthetics and driving experience.
DanDC5 said:
Never thought I'd say this, but the hatchback Impreza's are really growing on me finally.
+1 (I'm blaiming it on the stock Imprezas knocking around Singapore).Nice sleeper - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3902379.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3839675.htm
Crow555 said:
DanDC5 said:
Never thought I'd say this, but the hatchback Impreza's are really growing on me finally.
That happened to me when I saw a blue one in my local tesco carpark and thought to myself "That looks tasty". It was only when I was walking by it, I noticed the Cosworth badge on the tailgate. Not sure if it has a different body on it, but it did look nice and I never really liked the hatch to begin with.These pics are really old, over a year. And back then it was around the same price. I remember someone getting the saloon variant from Immy, the seller, so I guess this one hung about.
Unfair comparison time; if I were going to blow £40k on a car I wouldn't be driving every day, I'd be tempted by a very clean, low mileage 2009 Nissan GTR. Far cooler and more road presence.
Unfair comparison time; if I were going to blow £40k on a car I wouldn't be driving every day, I'd be tempted by a very clean, low mileage 2009 Nissan GTR. Far cooler and more road presence.
KB_S1 said:
Much of it also is that the novelty factor has worn off.
When the original Impreza arrived in the UK it was completely different from anything else.
Performance that humbled the Cossies and Integrale in a package that looked fairly anonymous and had solid build and reliability at a modest price.
Through the special Imprezas and Evos, a level of usable, B-Road performance was on offer that little else could match, along with a fully practical car.
Other things have now caught up and in many places there just isn't the room (socially or geographically) to exploit the latest versions performance so I think buyers are looking for a feel good factor in terms of aesthetics and driving experience.
I agree with this; they're just not 'sexy' enough to justify the up-front outlay and ongoing running costs.When the original Impreza arrived in the UK it was completely different from anything else.
Performance that humbled the Cossies and Integrale in a package that looked fairly anonymous and had solid build and reliability at a modest price.
Through the special Imprezas and Evos, a level of usable, B-Road performance was on offer that little else could match, along with a fully practical car.
Other things have now caught up and in many places there just isn't the room (socially or geographically) to exploit the latest versions performance so I think buyers are looking for a feel good factor in terms of aesthetics and driving experience.
Looks quick, 8,000rpm from a Turbo engine is impressive.
Just found this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAkkOlfoCJw
Just found this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAkkOlfoCJw
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