I'm struggling.... Boxster S / Impreza STI / E46 M3?
Discussion
Honestly, I tend to tie myself in knots when it comes to deciding on which car next.
The backstory here is as follows:
Had a 2006 Hawkeye Impreza STi - Spec D. Absolutely loved it. Sold it due to very high miles making me nervous (the dreaded 2.5 engine) and a new job which involved driving lots of miles daily.
I have always regretted it. I took that car around Europe and to the 'Ring etc. and had a fantastic time with it. I moved onto an E46 330cd. I put all new suspension on it but had sold it within 6 months, losing a packet in the process. I just couldn't bond with it, despite having always liked BMWs and had a couple of E36s in the past.
After that I had an E60 535d which I liked a lot, but it wasn't dynamic enough really due to its size and the fact that it had a lot of tired suspension components that were past their best. I longed for another Impreza and bought a cheap WRX Wagon PPP. I've really loved having a Subaru again. There's just something about them that clicks with me, which is ironic as I never ever wanted one until I bought a classic Wagon many moons ago as a winter hack and for tip runs etc. That was the start of a bit of a love affair really.
I knew when I bought the WRX that it wouldn't be as good as my old STi, but I also knew that I was paying a much lower price as a result. And it has the added practicality you get with a wagon. I’ve spent a bit of money on it, put a Spec C quick steering rack on it and a couple of other bits like Brembo brakes etc. But I’ve reached the point where I want more and if I spend the money it needs on new suspension, a remap, a new turbo etc. I won’t be far off STi money. We did the Goodwood track day recently and I decided after that that the narrower tracked Wagon was never going to be as good for track days and the like as a wide track Blobeye or Hawkeye STi. But as always when it comes to changing cars, I tend to look at what else I could buy also and the M3 is a bit of a bucket list car for me. Unfortunately it is also a polar opposite of the Subarus that I love. I also didn’t bond with my E46 330cd, but I’m sure that was as much because of the diesel lump as anything else. Looks wise, it was gorgeous. It handled well too. It just felt like something was….. missing.
The other alternative is a Boxster. I like them, but I am concerned that the original Boxster S won’t feel quick enough. If I buy an STi I am getting a sub 5 seconds 0-60 car. Not the be all and end all of the total driving experience, granted, but a good indicator of the power and pace on offer. The M3 is very close to this too.
I’ve gone on a fair bit now, but I am very interested in hearing about any similar dilemmas anyone may have had, what they ended up doing and opinions on the cars etc.
If I buy an Impreza then I have to choose between wide track 2.0 Blobeye, 2.5 Hawkeye or 2.5 hatch. If I buy a 2.5 I have to be prepared to spend £2.5k at some point on a rebuild if and when the engine hits trouble. But the torque of the 2.5 is wonderful. Great low down grunt. If I buy a Boxster, I am not going to have as quick a car on paper, but also having had many MR2s I am a fan of mid engined cars. Could be good on track? Finally, if I buy an M3 it will be a 2003 onwards facelift. Potentially more suited to track driving than an Impreza? Also tempted to go SMG seeing as it won’t be used in traffic/around town etc.
Sorry for the long ramble…
The backstory here is as follows:
Had a 2006 Hawkeye Impreza STi - Spec D. Absolutely loved it. Sold it due to very high miles making me nervous (the dreaded 2.5 engine) and a new job which involved driving lots of miles daily.
I have always regretted it. I took that car around Europe and to the 'Ring etc. and had a fantastic time with it. I moved onto an E46 330cd. I put all new suspension on it but had sold it within 6 months, losing a packet in the process. I just couldn't bond with it, despite having always liked BMWs and had a couple of E36s in the past.
After that I had an E60 535d which I liked a lot, but it wasn't dynamic enough really due to its size and the fact that it had a lot of tired suspension components that were past their best. I longed for another Impreza and bought a cheap WRX Wagon PPP. I've really loved having a Subaru again. There's just something about them that clicks with me, which is ironic as I never ever wanted one until I bought a classic Wagon many moons ago as a winter hack and for tip runs etc. That was the start of a bit of a love affair really.
I knew when I bought the WRX that it wouldn't be as good as my old STi, but I also knew that I was paying a much lower price as a result. And it has the added practicality you get with a wagon. I’ve spent a bit of money on it, put a Spec C quick steering rack on it and a couple of other bits like Brembo brakes etc. But I’ve reached the point where I want more and if I spend the money it needs on new suspension, a remap, a new turbo etc. I won’t be far off STi money. We did the Goodwood track day recently and I decided after that that the narrower tracked Wagon was never going to be as good for track days and the like as a wide track Blobeye or Hawkeye STi. But as always when it comes to changing cars, I tend to look at what else I could buy also and the M3 is a bit of a bucket list car for me. Unfortunately it is also a polar opposite of the Subarus that I love. I also didn’t bond with my E46 330cd, but I’m sure that was as much because of the diesel lump as anything else. Looks wise, it was gorgeous. It handled well too. It just felt like something was….. missing.
The other alternative is a Boxster. I like them, but I am concerned that the original Boxster S won’t feel quick enough. If I buy an STi I am getting a sub 5 seconds 0-60 car. Not the be all and end all of the total driving experience, granted, but a good indicator of the power and pace on offer. The M3 is very close to this too.
I’ve gone on a fair bit now, but I am very interested in hearing about any similar dilemmas anyone may have had, what they ended up doing and opinions on the cars etc.
If I buy an Impreza then I have to choose between wide track 2.0 Blobeye, 2.5 Hawkeye or 2.5 hatch. If I buy a 2.5 I have to be prepared to spend £2.5k at some point on a rebuild if and when the engine hits trouble. But the torque of the 2.5 is wonderful. Great low down grunt. If I buy a Boxster, I am not going to have as quick a car on paper, but also having had many MR2s I am a fan of mid engined cars. Could be good on track? Finally, if I buy an M3 it will be a 2003 onwards facelift. Potentially more suited to track driving than an Impreza? Also tempted to go SMG seeing as it won’t be used in traffic/around town etc.
Sorry for the long ramble…
TroubledSoul said:
Not the be all and end all of the total driving experience, granted, but a good indicator of the power and pace on offer.
It's worth bearing in mind that a good 0-60 time is as much to do with how well the car can get the power down, so it's not *just* an indication of power.As to your conundrum, do you care about how a car *feels* to you? A two seat convertible sports car, that was designed as such from the ground up, is, (IMO) always going to feel more special, and more of an event, than a hotted up saloon / coupe - albeit, in the case of the M3 & STI - bloody rapid & capable!
Edited by TheJimi on Monday 22 December 11:17
The way it feels IS very important. For what it's worth, I've still got an MR2 roadster on the drive, and when I take that out I always enjoy it, despite the fact that it's slower than the Subaru.
However, it's that lack of power that leaves it feeling like the whole experience is missing something vital.
However, it's that lack of power that leaves it feeling like the whole experience is missing something vital.
TroubledSoul said:
The way it feels IS very important. For what it's worth, I've still got an MR2 roadster on the drive, and when I take that out I always enjoy it, despite the fact that it's slower than the Subaru.
However, it's that lack of power that leaves it feeling like the whole experience is missing something vital.
MR2 Turbo? However, it's that lack of power that leaves it feeling like the whole experience is missing something vital.
Shaoxter said:
MR2 Turbo?
I don't want to go back. I've had 3! Enjoyed them, but too many "old car" issues and the sills are rotten on most of them and a nightmare to get sorted well. I modded my last one so much that starting again from scratch would be pretty soul destroying!And yes, Impreza prices have gone insane.
Put it this way, my 2006 Hawkeye STi Spec D cost me £5500 from a dealer. Granted, it had high miles, but I can't find another for under £7k now. Wide track Blobeyes are almost all £8k + but for the odd one here and there.
Thing is, I know that I love driving Subarus and they are pretty balistic cars. But I don't want to not experience other cars and there will always be lots of Imprezas around to choose from when I decide to come back, should I plump for one of the others.
I had a manual 986 Boxster S and I loved it apart from the soft throttle response (much improved in the 997 I believe). It didn't feel that quick either, but it was lovely to drive.
I now have a manual e46 M3 and I can't think of a more complete performance/comfort package for the money (although values do seem to be creeping up). It's not often I manage to explore its full potential though as it all happens north of 4k. It's still a lovely place to be when in normal traffic. I also put some Royal Purple oil in the gearbox and it transformed the notchy gear change.
The Subaru has more accessible power, and are great fun but I'm a bit bored with turbos for now.
I now have a manual e46 M3 and I can't think of a more complete performance/comfort package for the money (although values do seem to be creeping up). It's not often I manage to explore its full potential though as it all happens north of 4k. It's still a lovely place to be when in normal traffic. I also put some Royal Purple oil in the gearbox and it transformed the notchy gear change.
The Subaru has more accessible power, and are great fun but I'm a bit bored with turbos for now.
TheJimi said:
As to your conundrum, do you care about how a car *feels* to you? A two seat convertible sports car, that was designed as such from the ground up, is, (IMO) always going to feel more special, and more of an event, than a hotted up saloon / coupe - albeit, in the case of the M3 & STI - bloody rapid & capable!
I agree. The Porsche will feel more sporty / less compromised (if that matters). 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)
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)danjama said:
Stick a V6 in your MR roadster!
It's a LOT of hassle and expense to do so. I was going to put a 2ZZ into it but in all honesty, I can't really be bothered when my Mrs finds the car so difficult to get on with. She's quite tall, and requires a degree of comfort due to a chronic muscle/joint pain condition. She does love the Subarus though and she's also keen to try an M3 and/or Boxster so she'll be supportive of whichever choice I make.
I worry that I will have to go test drive a Boxster and an M3 but I absolutely hate having to go and ask for a test drive of something that I don't know if I want yet. Probably sounds daft, but there we are.
The way a car feels IS important to me, but equally, if it isn't quick enough then it will irritate me.
Part of me thinks that the Subaru would be a better all round bet than the M3, but I've had a few Subarus and never had an M3. Plus the SMG and RWD could make for a fantastic occaisional track day tool as well as not leaving my Mrs in agony during/after a long Euro trip?
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