Wife-friendly rally-type hooligan motor

[Lefty]

cybertrophic said:

Lefty said:

Agreed.

On the subject of p1 v Type-R it comes down to a preference between DCCD or ABS (although DCCD can be retrofitted easily). The p1 will probably cost more to buy but will be worth more when you sell. Maybe. Also more likely to appreciate long term (or at least depreciate less).

Good point - I read that DCCD is potentially a bit tricky on the road (maybe just drivers not expecting it to behave the way it does?), but I guess you get used to what you drive. I'd be more tempted by ABS, but most people seem to think the Imprezas need their brakes replacing as a matter of course, so wouldn't you lose the ABS when the new calipers/discs are fitted?

I guess the fact that the P1 was supposed to be tailored for the UK roads is probably one reason why it appeals - theoretically the basic stuff should be in place and I should only need to put it on a diet to release performance...

No the ABS works fine with aftermarket brakes and a classic impreza doesn't need much of a diet, they're not that heavy to begin with!

[cybertrophic]

Lefty said:

No the ABS works fine with aftermarket brakes and a classic impreza doesn't need much of a diet, they're not that heavy to begin with!

Good to know!

[Captainawesome]

cybertrophic said:

I think it will be mainly a toy for me that the missus might take out once in a while. As I said, she has a bit of a lead-foot on her!

That being said, I have heard that the Evos are a bit more niggly - things like needing the rear diff adjusting every 2000 Miles or it lunches the gearbox? I am wondering if that, combined with the general consensus that they are pretty bullet-proof, should sway me towards the Type R/P1...

No-one sticking up for the ST185 or the Pulsar/Sunny GTi-R, though - seems there is not much love for either. Looking at the ads and on eBay, those seem to be real performance bargains, or are they just iffy money-pits?

Watching a fuel gauge on an Evo is a very hard thing to do too. It eats fuel like no other car I have ever had. The small fuel tank doesn't help, it give the impression it's worse than it is. Saying that I have just got back from a little jaunt in it and am grinning like a fool. The maintenance is a lot higher on Evos than subarus so on that basis I would have to agree with the 2 gents quoted below. 2 door subarus look great too.

Lefty said:

rb5er said:

Impreza type-r is indeed the pick of the bunch and likely the most reliable out of that list too.

Agreed.

On the subject of p1 v Type-R it comes down to a preference between DCCD or ABS (although DCCD can be retrofitted easily). The p1 will probably cost more to buy but will be worth more when you sell. Maybe. Also more likely to appreciate long term (or at least depreciate less).

[cybertrophic]

Captainawesome said:

In fairness, i am averaging about 14mpg in the Range Rover, as the urge to hear it roar is always over-riding the thought of how much fuel costs...

[GravelBen]

As others have said, the STi Type-R is great (as is the 4-door Type-RA).

The reason a few people get caught out by DCCD cars is that they're expecting it to behave like a regular 50:50 Awd Subaru, but the DCCD cars are much more playful with the rear bias! Very direct/pointy/neutral, they don't really understeer. Once you understand how it works you can wind the diff adjuster forward a bit for a more stable/planted feel though (or all the way to full difflock for maximum traction in snow etc).

I wish my Legacy had DCCD

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 12th February 19:45

[DKL]

My wife's car is an Impreza wrx wagon. She loves it (so do I to be fair. Doddle to drive, quick and reliable. What's not to like.

[rallycross]

An Impreza is the obvious choice they are such good value now, the later cars (2001 onwards) are a massive improvement inside over the old Clasics they also dont seem to suffer the rust as bad as the classic shapes (uk) also the Sti models are 6 speed (not all UK badged STi are 6 speed so check).

£5k will get you a very nice example plenty of them have been loved and have superb histories so try and find an immaculate full history model and you wont go wrong. Avoid loud exhausts, cheap suspension 'upgrades' and over sized wheels and you will have a car that can outrun most things on a good B road for peanuts.

[Adz The Rat]

I would go for a 2wd Sapphire with a few upgrades, dont know if you would get a good one for £5k though, not looked at prices for ages

[rallycross]

Adz The Rat said:

I would go for a 2wd Sapphire with a few upgrades, dont know if you would get a good one for £5k though, not looked at prices for ages

No use as a daily driver for the wife! - they are 24+ years old and prices are way past £5k for a decent one, having owned 2wd, 4wd, and 3 door Sierra's and Escort Cosworths I would not recommend one today v's an Impreza (unless for a bit of weekend fun/investment).

[Skyedriver]

Always think the Impreza looks understated and classy.
Do sometines think it would suit me as I like the country lanes rather than the motorway but wonder if it wouldn't be a suitable hillclimb car too.
Just every time I start to look, I hear stories of chocolate engines, major rebuilds, serious drink problems.
There seems to be so many different options/models, I get lost.
Is there somewhere I can read up the difference between classics, blob eyes, bug eyes, WRX, STI etc

[SuperVM]

cybertrophic said:

There used to be an EVO V where I grew up in that blue/purple colour (reminds me of Cadburys) - always looked *right* to me. It is interesting to hear from someone who has owned a lot of cars on the list - especially when you speak about reliability. It seems the Evo has been getting a bad reputation unfairly!

OK, it looks like I need to start keeping an eye out for a two-door Scooby or an Evo V. Thanks guys!

I don't generally know of the Evo V onwards being unreliable. The Evo IV had crank-walk issues, but these were resolved with the V. Unless you get hold of an RS or a car with retrofitted RS diffs, then you'll probably encounter an AYC issue at some point, but these are not particularly expensive to fix these days (£180ish). Other than that, they can chew through clutches if launched a lot, but then plenty of cars will be running things like Exedy twin plates or Helix uprated units, which can handle this sort of abuse better. You'll be pretty safe on an Evo V engine with the power requirements you've mentioned, but make sure you've got a genuine Evo V or later block (the engine number is on the front and should be legible if cleared up with a wire brush), as you really don't want to find you've bought a V with a IV block installed. The standard battery is a bit weedy, but I replaced mine with a Micra unit and it happily sat at the airport for a week. Rust is another potential problem, as many Japanese imports won't have been protected against salt, etc., just have a good look underneath the car, arches, radiator support, boot floor, etc.

[Lefty]

In fairness, classic Imprezas suffer rust issues too. These cars are at least 13 years old now! Getting rid of arch rust is a real PITA in them, there are no replacement panels available.

[Adz The Rat]

rallycross said:

No use as a daily driver for the wife! - they are 24+ years old and prices are way past £5k for a decent one, having owned 2wd, 4wd, and 3 door Sierra's and Escort Cosworths I would not recommend one today v's an Impreza (unless for a bit of weekend fun/investment).

Apologies, I missed the daily driver bit. I was thinking this was a weekend toy.

Out of interest, what does a good Saph go for these days?

I know the Escorts are big money now. A few people laughed when we advertised one at £20k last year at work, sold it though.

[tomsugden]

The older style Audi S4, with the 2.7 V6 twin turbo would be in budget. I had an Avant version, and loved it. A proper wolf in sheep's clothing, but could also be sensible when needs be.

[Lefty]

Good cars but not rally-type hooligan motors!

[tomsugden]

I've had an Impreza turbo wagon, and the S4 was right up there with that IMO, but much better made and equipped.

Edited by tomsugden on Thursday 13th February 13:49

[rallycross]

tomsugden said:

I've had an Impreza turbo wagon, and the S4 was right up there with that IMO, but much better made and equipped.

Edited by tomsugden on Thursday 13th February 13:49

S4 estate a good choice, subtle looks, nice inside, well made - and goes like stink and can be tuned up if you get bored!

[ikarl]

GravelBen said:

As others have said, the STi Type-R is great (as is the 4-door Type-RA).

The reason a few people get caught out by DCCD cars is that they're expecting it to behave like a regular 50:50 Awd Subaru, but the DCCD cars are much more playful with the rear bias!

I've had a couple of type-R's but I've grown up on with relatively powerful rear drive cars. I drove both my type-R's like they were rwd and the sense of speed is really something else.
Once (not if ) the back end starts sliding, gently applying more power will see the car hold some of the most satisfying drifts. The car can accelerate out of long drifts like it's came out of a sling shot.

The main reason (the grip) I loved the car was also one of the reasons I came to think of the car as a bit boring. It was to easy to drive it fast and after time I became numb to the feeling.

[crispyshark]

Coming from leftfield on this one but how about this??:

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/other-marques-445/995523-...

I'm seriously thinking of it as the '3rd' car!

[Willeh85]

cybertrophic said:

Impasse said:

Caution bump, then gated entrance to Asda.

Brings back memories of Sega Rally: "Long easy right...maybe" "What do you mean MAYBE?!?" *crash*

Made me spit my drink out in hysterics at that. Brings back fond memories of playing it on the arcade machines with the worlds strongest force feedback wheel.