I'm struggling.... Boxster S / Impreza STI / E46 M3?
Discussion
Poopipe said:
Im not sure its possible to "replace" a scooby. They really get under your skin somehow
Can you stretch to a spec c/ra-r or one of the other more "focused" models?
Failing that the obvious choice is an evo.
The boxster will feel slow as s
te if a 911 is anything to go by and i suspect the m3 will feel a bit fat and sterile (certainly the case with non-m sporty 3 series)
Very true. I was left with a longing that wasn't fulfilled again until I bought another!Can you stretch to a spec c/ra-r or one of the other more "focused" models?
Failing that the obvious choice is an evo.
The boxster will feel slow as s
te if a 911 is anything to go by and i suspect the m3 will feel a bit fat and sterile (certainly the case with non-m sporty 3 series)Evo is an interesting option and I have thought about it, but I know a hell of a lot about Subarus (and have a trusted specialist) and I know zilch about Evos other than having the impression that they need a service every two minutes! It's definitely something I would look at though if I did decide "right that's it, I am going to get something else instead".
I've thought about a Spec C but in all honesty, the tiny fuel tank and the complete lack of any comfort or sound deadening would probably make it too hardcore for my needs. If it was purely a track tool, it would be perfect. That's not going to be the case though.
*Al* said:
I have a Z4 coupe 3.0 Si with a couple of suspension mods, fantastic car imo.
I test drove one of these before buying the 535D. It was just a bit... meh. I liked it, and as I said to my Mrs it was a nice car and I did like it, but it didn't blow me away. It was the steering that really killed it for me. I wanted to love it but just didn't.I decided that if I was going to live with electric PAS then I was going to buy the more practical car and got the 5er.
ryanthescot said:
what about a z3m coupe? not too dissimilar to an m3 - smaller and shouldn't depreciate as quickly (they could well be above your budget right enough)
They are well out of budget now. Prices are soaring on the bloody things. I saw a Z3M roadster on AT the other day that the seller thinks they are going to get £19k for. Must have looked at the Breadvan and thought "Hell, it's the same car, I'm onto a winner here!".If you like Subaru's, you may not get on with either the M3 or the Boxster.
The grippy, aggressive way the Subaru drives might well result in the M3 going through a hedge, and the Boxster is a completely different kind of drive (I owned one, and came from an MR2 turbo).
The Boxster isnt about the rush of power you get from an MR2 Turbo or a Subaru, its about steering feel, balance, and the linearity of the engine. It feels like a balanced, lovely thing - not something you want to drive like a hooligan in. I loved it, and with the roof down, feeling the weight of the car shift as you hit apexes ultimately taught me more about driving than lead-footed turbo power.
Can you save a bit more for a 996 Turbo or C4S?
Might be the step up from the Subaru you are looking for, but with the driving characteristics you like.
The grippy, aggressive way the Subaru drives might well result in the M3 going through a hedge, and the Boxster is a completely different kind of drive (I owned one, and came from an MR2 turbo).
The Boxster isnt about the rush of power you get from an MR2 Turbo or a Subaru, its about steering feel, balance, and the linearity of the engine. It feels like a balanced, lovely thing - not something you want to drive like a hooligan in. I loved it, and with the roof down, feeling the weight of the car shift as you hit apexes ultimately taught me more about driving than lead-footed turbo power.
Can you save a bit more for a 996 Turbo or C4S?
Might be the step up from the Subaru you are looking for, but with the driving characteristics you like.
Edited by Wadeski on Monday 22 December 17:14
If you like a Scooby then there isn't much to match it, ultimately I found mine a bit too easy the turbo makes them feel quicker and the grip means you can take enormous liberties. A Boxster is going to feel like a grown up version of the MR2 you havez and I suspect not sufficiently better to justify the cost.
Mid engine, superb handling, oh and 280bhp Exige sounds fun 
I like how the MR2 roadster drives, it's just not powerful enough. I tend to adapt driving style to suit. In the roadster I take the car right through the rev range, but in the Impreza I tend to change gear much earlier.
I'd also like to get some proper track tuition and really learn to drive a car properly. I don't want the car to do things for me, if that makes sense? I want to be quick on track because I've honed my talent.
I like how the MR2 roadster drives, it's just not powerful enough. I tend to adapt driving style to suit. In the roadster I take the car right through the rev range, but in the Impreza I tend to change gear much earlier.
I'd also like to get some proper track tuition and really learn to drive a car properly. I don't want the car to do things for me, if that makes sense? I want to be quick on track because I've honed my talent.
Three extremely different cars sharing a similar price point...
Mid-engined RWD vs AWD vs front-engined RWD; NA straight six versus turbo flat four versus NA flat six.
All three have their strengths: the M3 has the peerless S54, the Boxster a bit down on power but is the purest handling and offers the benefits of an open-top, while the Impreza has the German cars beat for sheer rorty fun - the M3 and Boxster are incredibly competent but some people do find them a little, erm, dull.
If you plan lots of track time that would IMO swing it towards the M3, which would allow you to experiment with slip angles and build your car-control skills much more than the other two.
Mid-engined RWD vs AWD vs front-engined RWD; NA straight six versus turbo flat four versus NA flat six.
All three have their strengths: the M3 has the peerless S54, the Boxster a bit down on power but is the purest handling and offers the benefits of an open-top, while the Impreza has the German cars beat for sheer rorty fun - the M3 and Boxster are incredibly competent but some people do find them a little, erm, dull.
If you plan lots of track time that would IMO swing it towards the M3, which would allow you to experiment with slip angles and build your car-control skills much more than the other two.
TroubledSoul, indeed you are...
...now, for the benefit of aiding your final decision, you've missed a car off the list that would add many, many more features...space, quicker than most folk would ever believe, an amazing all rounder and that has the added benefit of being mod-able as deep as your pockets can possibly go; Subaru Forester 2.5 XT...or an FSTi if you want pink badges.
Do not worry that it's a 2.5litre, the ringland failures were only on a small selection of 2.5 engines, the majority of which were Impreza only; just change the engine oil at regular intervals...the same a you did with your previous Subaru's. Go for an SG model, find a low mileage FSH car...they do exist and will have been owner coveted...add a 2.5" Hayward & Scott exhaust [which is the most subtly designed exhaust] and a 22mm rear ARB. You'll now have a vehicle that's comfortable, will eat miles in a flash, can handle greater than most folk can drive, all whilst fully loaded with the Christmas shopping/next summers camping expedition equipment and...with the added advantage they're rarely seen, are not a BMW/Porsche, do not have unecessary overly complicated electronics...and happen to be a pretty darn good QCar.
...now, for the benefit of aiding your final decision, you've missed a car off the list that would add many, many more features...space, quicker than most folk would ever believe, an amazing all rounder and that has the added benefit of being mod-able as deep as your pockets can possibly go; Subaru Forester 2.5 XT...or an FSTi if you want pink badges.
Do not worry that it's a 2.5litre, the ringland failures were only on a small selection of 2.5 engines, the majority of which were Impreza only; just change the engine oil at regular intervals...the same a you did with your previous Subaru's. Go for an SG model, find a low mileage FSH car...they do exist and will have been owner coveted...add a 2.5" Hayward & Scott exhaust [which is the most subtly designed exhaust] and a 22mm rear ARB. You'll now have a vehicle that's comfortable, will eat miles in a flash, can handle greater than most folk can drive, all whilst fully loaded with the Christmas shopping/next summers camping expedition equipment and...with the added advantage they're rarely seen, are not a BMW/Porsche, do not have unecessary overly complicated electronics...and happen to be a pretty darn good QCar.
I've recently bought a 3.2 boxster s. I have 4.5 Cerbera too, and expected it to feel quite underpowered, but it does go very well. It's not about the power so much, but the handling, it's very well balanced, well weighted steering, and the fact that you can commute in it or go out and rag it about that drew me to it. Id have loved a 996 turbo, but prices have rocketed. Even high mileage tip versions are over £20k now.
I've owned a 2005 Blobeye STi, Cayman S, E92 M3 and currently own a 2007 Hawkeye STi. So, not an exact match, but close...
The Scoobys are great fun, but hardwork as a daily. My German period was when I was driving 20K per-year, and both the Cayman and M3 were great, although I never 'really looked forward' to driving them.
The 2005 STi is the best of the new-age bunch if you are looking for reliability and something good on the track (nice high reving 2.0ltr lump). My 2007 on the other hand has a forged engine and makes a boat load of torque, which makes for a better daily (it really is silly fast).
For me, my STi is a riot, utterly mental, stupidly loud, covered in ridiculous stickers, and I love driving it. However, I drive it at most once a week. If I was back doing a big commute then I would be in something less extreme quite quickly.
The Scoobys are great fun, but hardwork as a daily. My German period was when I was driving 20K per-year, and both the Cayman and M3 were great, although I never 'really looked forward' to driving them.
The 2005 STi is the best of the new-age bunch if you are looking for reliability and something good on the track (nice high reving 2.0ltr lump). My 2007 on the other hand has a forged engine and makes a boat load of torque, which makes for a better daily (it really is silly fast).
For me, my STi is a riot, utterly mental, stupidly loud, covered in ridiculous stickers, and I love driving it. However, I drive it at most once a week. If I was back doing a big commute then I would be in something less extreme quite quickly.
v8250 said:
Do not worry that it's a 2.5litre, the ringland failures were only on a small selection of 2.5 engines...
Yes, but do worry about the head gaskets failing. The pistons also fail when you crank the power up, so whilst not common it does happen if you go down the remap route.If you can buy a Hawkeye with a forged engine, then you're sorted
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff