I'm struggling.... Boxster S / Impreza STI / E46 M3?
Discussion
I did something a bit similar when I went from a Saab 9-2X (US model which was a Subaru WRX with STi steering rack and Saab interior) to a Porsche 996. I loved the instant throttle response of the 3.6 litre engine, and the handling was more interesting to me than the 9-2X on track. 996 values are very reasonable right now...
Ran a bug eye station wagon (PPP) from new for13 years - absolutely loved it, fabulous car, could not fault it - alongside an E46 M3. Absolutely love it, fabulous car. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
mcelliott said:
Ran a bug eye station wagon (PPP) from new for13 years - absolutely loved it, fabulous car, could not fault it - alongside an E46 M3. Absolutely love it, fabulous car. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
Very helpful Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
Around 4pm I was convinced an SMG M3 was the car. Sufficiently special feeling etc. and one ticked off the list.
Now I've just got through looking at more Impreza and love them again
Actually seen a Hawkeye at a price that could allow £2k put aside towards forged pistons....
TroubledSoul said:
mcelliott said:
Ran a bug eye station wagon (PPP) from new for13 years - absolutely loved it, fabulous car, could not fault it - alongside an E46 M3. Absolutely love it, fabulous car. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
Very helpful Edit - ok the noise for the Subaru, as you probably know, is fantastic! But the M3, THAT ENGINE!
Around 4pm I was convinced an SMG M3 was the car. Sufficiently special feeling etc. and one ticked off the list.
Now I've just got through looking at more Impreza and love them again
Actually seen a Hawkeye at a price that could allow £2k put aside towards forged pistons....
Surely the question should be which driven wheel configuration do you prefer be the first question - AWD is very different to RWD and mid engined is very different to front engines rwd.
After that surely its practicality what do you need or not need
Then what type of engine forced induction or N/A
Then looks
Then price to buy plus ongoing running costs.
3 very different cars none are direct competitors on anything apart from cost to buy and even then that's stretching it.
After that surely its practicality what do you need or not need
Then what type of engine forced induction or N/A
Then looks
Then price to buy plus ongoing running costs.
3 very different cars none are direct competitors on anything apart from cost to buy and even then that's stretching it.
Poopipe said:
Which wheels are powered has no influence at all on my purchasing decisions and im sure im not alone in this. After my scooby was stolen my shortlist included the m3, megane2 and r32/33 gtr - all very different but also all interesting.
Fair enough - for me I prefer rwd front engine layout (not driven enough mid engined cars or rear engines cars to have a view on those. )TroubledSoul said:
Actually seen a Hawkeye at a price that could allow £2k put aside towards forged pistons....
That's the thing, for say 13K-14K you could have an awesome 2007 built Hawkeye with low miles that will hold its value well (prices have been solid for ages now). If you fancy you could put an SC42 turbo on and have 410bhp and about 430ft/lbs of torque, which would make for a ballistic piece of kit.We all know how this will end
TheJimi said:
Did you get my email?
Not that I have seen, let me check properly.Welshbeef said:
Surely the question should be which driven wheel configuration do you prefer be the first question - AWD is very different to RWD and mid engined is very different to front engines rwd.
After that surely its practicality what do you need or not need
Then what type of engine forced induction or N/A
Then looks
Then price to buy plus ongoing running costs.
3 very different cars none are direct competitors on anything apart from cost to buy and even then that's stretching it.
For a lot of people that's probably the case. Me, however, I like RWD and I like permanent AWD, but each has its own rewarding qualities. There's not much like a really well balanced RWD car on the right road in the right conditions. That goes for both front and mid engined, but obviously that road and those conditions may differ slightly. Same principle applies though.After that surely its practicality what do you need or not need
Then what type of engine forced induction or N/A
Then looks
Then price to buy plus ongoing running costs.
3 very different cars none are direct competitors on anything apart from cost to buy and even then that's stretching it.
AWD, that can also be great and it has its own merits. I do much prefer the rear biased AWD of the STIs over the 50/50 split that my WRX has. People add stiffer anti roll bars and the like to alter the characteristics of the car and that's fine, but it's all a bit... artificial?
Funnily enough, our 3 current cars are an R170 SLK, an MR2 Roadster and the Impreza. All three are different layouts and all 3 have their upsides, although the whacky steering of the SLK isn't one of them
Cards on the table: I plan on financing the car, putting down around £3k cash. Because of that I am reluctant to really spend more than I have stated. I know finance is a dirty word here!
But I can afford to finance and to still put money aside for maintenance etc. so I don't personally see a problem with that. It's funny, I'm sat here wearing my PH 50 years of 911 t-shirt right now..... If I spent over £12k - £14k then I'd be buying one of those and realising a bit of a dream, absolutely no question.
Sooooo..... that's the wildcard option. Play the long game, save a few more ££££, buy with a bigger budget. It does mean I will have to spend around a grand on the current car though to get it up to scratch (shocks, springs ARBs) and keep myself content with the power level.
*Al* said:
I have a Z4 coupe 3.0 Si with a couple of suspension mods, fantastic car imo.
Mind if I ask what suspension mods you've had done?With regards to the OP's dilemna, I can't comment on Scoobys. However, if you want to try something else, why not by a Boxter S on the basis that If you don't love it, it will sell in the summer for more or less what it would cost to buy now.
Wadeski said:
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.
^^^ Excellent summary.If you're a driver, buy the Boxster.
If you're a boy racer, buy the Subaru.
If you want a mainstream saloon with a big engine, buy the M3.
Ozzie Osmond said:
^^^ Excellent summary.
If you're a driver, buy the Boxster.
If you're a boy racer, buy the Subaru.
If you want a mainstream saloon with a big engine, buy the M3.
Boy racer indeed. All 3 are great drivers cars, the M3 included. You could draw equally derogatory conclusions from 12 year old boxster or probably worse, the M3.If you're a driver, buy the Boxster.
If you're a boy racer, buy the Subaru.
If you want a mainstream saloon with a big engine, buy the M3.
You can't really go wrong, they're all fantastic cars. The running costs of the Boxster do raise my eyebrows though, I went with a mate to buy one and at 5years old it had £8k spent on it 
(in the 2years post warranty only) No serious faults neither, worn suspension components, steering wrack etc... I think a standard service is about £360.
I'd probably opt for an early M3 with ~60,000 that's just had its inspection 2 (the very big one), but an Impreza would also be a great choice.
(in the 2years post warranty only) No serious faults neither, worn suspension components, steering wrack etc... I think a standard service is about £360.I'd probably opt for an early M3 with ~60,000 that's just had its inspection 2 (the very big one), but an Impreza would also be a great choice.
Edited by StottyEvo on Tuesday 23 December 11:10
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff