RE: Subaru WRX STI: PH Fleet

[Ares]

I saw this with a real fondness..... I had a UK Impreza PPP followed by an STi Type-R in the 1990s. Nothing this side of my racecars (and perhaps my Exige) has put as much of a grin on my face, nor fear on my passengers since.

At last, looks return (figuratively speaking) - The Impreza was never a pretty car, it just looked mean, masculine and purposeful.

The VAG fan-boys can wave their (usually imaginary) VAG keys all they like, this car has road presence which is unbeatable at the sub-£30k mark (IMO) f..... Want proof in my statement? I live in Alderley Edge. Any weekend the main street is awash with every breed of exotica from original GT-40s, Ferraris of every model (bar a LaFerrari (yet)), Lambos, almost every Porsche, Koenigsegagagasigsgs, McLarens, Paganis, etc etc.

Last Saturday there was a new STI, just like the one above, parked. It drew more attention than just about any car that day..... including Oliver Cookson's Lamborghini Huracán which was parked three cars further up.

Crude it may be, but the STi has just regained it's sweetspot as a true affordable pocket rocket.

[xRIEx]

Baryonyx said:

The hawkeye was a bit of a duffer in the looks department.

It's a damn sight better than the bug eye.

(To echo above, I know it's all subjective.)

[Gary C]

xRIEx said:

Baryonyx said:

The hawkeye was a bit of a duffer in the looks department.

It's a damn sight better than the bug eye.

(To echo above, I know it's all subjective.)

But oddly, a bug STi actually looks good these days, the kind of aggressive looks that seems to be missing these days.

[DanielSan]

Gary C said:

But oddly, a bug STi actually looks good these days, the kind of aggressive looks that seems to be missing these days.

The key to a good looking bug is having the black surround STI headlights rather than the gash looking chrome surround we got on most models over here. Likewise the twin headlamps on the uk300, they look terrible as well.

[oliver1oo6]

CS400 said:

You took the words out of my mouth.
It is nice to know there are a few people out there that still prefer a car that is involving to drive, rather than just chasing the bragging rights and figures.
It may not have the same interior build quality as the German manufactures but they are built to be driven and for me that is what matters about a car.

Also, I could get 26-29 mpg on a commute in my Subaru Cosworth, without having to drive like an old grandpa

Absolutely. And let's hope that VAG have an STI in their fleet to do some touchy-feely comparison! That's probably true for most now, including BMW. The last F80 I drove was completely numb.

VW do have a few models in their line up that are engaging. A certain few of their newer FWD cars are surprisingly neutral, and by direct comparison are more eager to put a grin on your face (turn in, lift, rotate, repeat) than an equivalent WRX which does little more than plow and scrabble.

[CS400]

Busterbulldog said:

Lets hope they have a supply of spare parts for them.When I ran a cs400 they had one set of spare coilovers between the 75 cars.As they failed the removed set would be refurbed ready for the next failure.The refurbed versions dont last long either from what I was told.

I realise this is somewhat off topic, but did your CS400 have the standard suspension and was it one of the ones produced at the beginning of the 75?

[CS400]

Husaberk said:

CS400 said:

Totally agree with you on the fuel consumption.
I wouldn't comment on the Golf R if I hadn't driven at least one.
I test drove one and had a demonstrator for a week, plus I have two friends that have got them and I have driven them a number of times.
I couldn't care less about the badge and I hoped it would be a good car but it felt dreary and detached, although it is better than the previous models, so there is hope.

Fair comment, I should've paid more attention to your username. It would be a bit off, given the CS's spec, if it didn't feel more connected and engaging. Not had a go myself so I think it might be time to rectify that.

Don't worry
I agree it is a little bit of an unfair comparison but the same driving feel/trend runs in all the models (some stronger than others).
If you do get a chance to drive a CS400 make the best of it but be careful, it's no Golf R and will turn round and bite you if your not prepared you have to get used to them to get the best from them
That is why I like them

[Ares]

oliver1oo6 said:

CS400 said:

You took the words out of my mouth.
It is nice to know there are a few people out there that still prefer a car that is involving to drive, rather than just chasing the bragging rights and figures.
It may not have the same interior build quality as the German manufactures but they are built to be driven and for me that is what matters about a car.

Also, I could get 26-29 mpg on a commute in my Subaru Cosworth, without having to drive like an old grandpa

Absolutely. And let's hope that VAG have an STI in their fleet to do some touchy-feely comparison! That's probably true for most now, including BMW. The last F80 I drove was completely numb.

VW do have a few models in their line up that are engaging. A certain few of their newer FWD cars are surprisingly neutral, and by direct comparison are more eager to put a grin on your face (turn in, lift, rotate, repeat) than an equivalent WRX which does little more than plow and scrabble.

My old STi Type-R had the central adjustable diff which made a massive difference over the UK spec/4-door. Is that still available?

[GravelBen]

Ares said:

My old STi Type-R had the central adjustable diff which made a massive difference over the UK spec/4-door. Is that still available?

The STI still has it, not sure about the WRX. Agreed about how good it made the old Type-R and RA models.

[Busterbulldog]

CS400 said:

Busterbulldog said:

Lets hope they have a supply of spare parts for them.When I ran a cs400 they had one set of spare coilovers between the 75 cars.As they failed the removed set would be refurbed ready for the next failure.The refurbed versions dont last long either from what I was told.

I realise this is somewhat off topic, but did your CS400 have the standard suspension and was it one of the ones produced at the beginning of the 75?

Yes I had number 26 totally standard from new. My suspension failed at 5000 miles.It took a few months for the suspension to get to me as it was doing the rounds.The modification was just a dustcover and was deemed to failure too.The cs400 unfortunately isnt as good as the sum of its parts. I sold mine after 18 months. I never really gelled with it like previous Subarus.

Edited by Busterbulldog on Thursday 12th February 13:25

[CS400]

Busterbulldog said:

CS400 said:

Busterbulldog said:

Lets hope they have a supply of spare parts for them.When I ran a cs400 they had one set of spare coilovers between the 75 cars.As they failed the removed set would be refurbed ready for the next failure.The refurbed versions dont last long either from what I was told.

I realise this is somewhat off topic, but did your CS400 have the standard suspension and was it one of the ones produced at the beginning of the 75?

Yes I had number 26 totally standard from new. My suspension failed at 5000 miles.It took a few months for the suspension to get to me as it was doing the rounds.The modification was just a dustcover and was deemed to failure too.The cs400 unfortunately isnt as good as the sum of its parts. I sold mine after 18 months. I never really gelled with it like previous Subarus.

Edited by Busterbulldog on Thursday 12th February 13:25

I did read somewhere that some of the first ones had suspension problems but I didn't realise it went on that long! I think I made sensible decision of getting the optional extra KW suspension kit as I had no problems and did over 12000 miles. Mine was one of the last 5/6 made and although I agree it wasn't quite the same in some respects as the older versions, I loved mine and would have another one if/when the time is right. I think it might have been the fact that it wasn't too crazy looking but turned into a monster when you pushed it hard enough
I also never struggled with the servicing or parts but maybe I just had a good dealer?

[Welshwonder]

Just to clarify - there is no WRX in the new model line-up. The WRX with the turbocharged BRZ engine won't be coming to the UK for a while, if ever.

[xRIEx]

Welshwonder said:

Just to clarify - there is no WRX in the new model line-up. The WRX with the turbocharged BRZ engine won't be coming to the UK for a while, if ever.

You'd better tell Subaru UK, because it's on their website.

[Gary C]

CS400 said:

I did read somewhere that some of the first ones had suspension problems but I didn't realise it went on that long!

Amazing. My 2003 STi had three sets of dampers in the time I had that car from new as they kept on seizing up.

You would have thought Subaru would have learnt.

[macky17]

macky17 said:

Don't get me wrong - I've owned 4 Imprezas and love them to bits but why the hell buy a car with the 2.5 engine and all it's associated weaknesses. Suburu may claim the issues are sorted but I've seen no evidence to suggest that's true. This is basically the same block my 2007 RB320 had and I sold that in the end as I was getting tired of the paranoia. Common £5k+ engine rebuilds should be the preserve of TVRs only in this day and age.

And most people continue to ignore the elephant in the room...

Edited by macky17 on Friday 13th February 16:01

[Welshwonder]

xRIEx said:

You'd better tell Subaru UK, because it's on their website.

You must be looking at a different website to me buddy. I see the WRX STi, but not an WRX.