Suzuki Ignis & Subaru Impreza
Discussion
Hi there,
Much more of a lurker on this site than a poster. Thought I would put up a few images of my past car and latest one as this is my favourite area on the site!
My last car - Suzuki Ignis Sport.
These are very underrated IMHO, especially if you want something a bit different, which I did. I always liked to think of it as running a 90s warm/hot hatch but with the piece of mind of a newer car, as it 'feels' an older design and less refined package but is certainly no worse off for it.
Great DOHC engine and quick ratio gearbox, handles well, Recaro seats and an easy 40mpg to boot. Servicing was very straightforward too with the OEM Suzuki service kits. Becoming very tempting now for the money.
I recently replaced the Suzuki after over 2 years. I was in the market for something a bit quicker and more refined for work and as such had all the usual candidates lined up (Golf GTI, RenaultSport Megane, Honda Civic Type R, even a Mazda Mx5 etc) but really had no idea what I wanted.
Initially I never really considered an Impreza as to be honest I thought it would be a bit rubbish inside and getting a touch dated, but then read an article in Evo Magazine and decided to look into them a bit further...
It seems I found a very nice example, and although I never initially wanted a wagon (even though I do actually have a thing for a quick estate...) this one was just to nice to turn down. Full service history and only 20k miles, and the added bonus of the Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP) fitted from new. The performance feels spot on for the setup of the car. Really liking it so far.
Being a 2005 year car it benefits from, amongst other things, a facelifted dash that is in the later cars and the fit and finish is actually pretty good all round. Being a wagon it also seems to slip under the radar a bit more, even with the cherrybomb on the back - I had expected this to be a bit loud but it actually sounds OK and is not really noisy at all, although is unmistakably Subaru.
Here it is: -
Doing what it did best: -
Thanks for looking
UPDATE
I read the RR section here on PH all the time so thought it was only right I did an update. After wanting one for a long time the fleet expanded in the shape of this: -
A Mazda Mx5 2.0L Sport. A chance eBay advert with rather poor photos / not the best description, resulted in a decent price over the phone, and a flight across the country to pick it up. Cheapest in the country with similar miles, and benefited from the Bose sound system option and climate control air conditioning. A bit of a gamble, but seems to have paid off and shows how much car you can get for 2 years lease on a new Fiesta ST!
I gave it a full service, debadged the boot, replaced 2 front droplinks and cleaned the roof: -
Apart from that, it gets driven plenty and (touch wood) asks for very little in return: -
With a mates MR2: -
What do I think of it? It's exactly what I'd expect of an Mx5 in that it does the whole 2 seater soft top very well. Cheap to run, lots of support online, always starts. If I'm honest the suspension does feel a bit more GT than sports car... I would say that if you are getting any soft top, heated seats are an absolute MUST regarding the usability of the car and make it genuinely pleasant to drop the hood unless its raining or very, very cold.
I'd had the WRX for over 3 years and simply fancied a change. This would be much harder to replace than I initially expected as it felt like such a good all rounder. After looking at all the options I couldn't see past this though: -
Impreza WRX STI with Prodrive Performance Pack. Full Subaru history and just over 20k miles. Around 330hp and 350lb ft torque. These cars seem to have a reputation for having 'lost it' a bit compared to the earlier generations but I'm won over so far. The power delivery is much less frantic than my old one, but the torque makes it an absolute weapon for making progress. Refinement is more than acceptable as a daily driver, my only real moan so far is the lack of heated mirrors!! Love the big arches too.
Awaiting a wash
Hoping to fit some factory fog lights and some Pro-R grilles to the front, but so far couldn't recommend one enough.
UPDATE
After 2 faultless years with the STI I started getting the desire for something different again. I'd looked at the Boxster but the longer I spent researching the more the budget increased, until ultimately I managed to justify a 911. It's never been a better time to buy a 996, but the specifications, condition and prices are all over the place. After a search through what was available, a bit of luck and trying not to think about what could go wrong too much, I think I've found a nice one.
1998 996 3.4L C2 with, amongst other things, sports seat upgrade, M030 suspension and LSD (came as a pack I believe). Loving it so far, and looking forward to giving it a good tidy up and check over.
I flew down south to collect it from the owner and proceeded to drive back 500 miles over 2 days. The car hadn't done that sort of mileage in over a year but managed the trip no problem and seemed to drive better by the end of it all. Met up with some mates along the way...
Needless to say, I won't be visiting Ikea any time soon...
If you're considering one, do it!
UPDATE
996 thread running, here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Much more of a lurker on this site than a poster. Thought I would put up a few images of my past car and latest one as this is my favourite area on the site!
My last car - Suzuki Ignis Sport.
These are very underrated IMHO, especially if you want something a bit different, which I did. I always liked to think of it as running a 90s warm/hot hatch but with the piece of mind of a newer car, as it 'feels' an older design and less refined package but is certainly no worse off for it.
Great DOHC engine and quick ratio gearbox, handles well, Recaro seats and an easy 40mpg to boot. Servicing was very straightforward too with the OEM Suzuki service kits. Becoming very tempting now for the money.
I recently replaced the Suzuki after over 2 years. I was in the market for something a bit quicker and more refined for work and as such had all the usual candidates lined up (Golf GTI, RenaultSport Megane, Honda Civic Type R, even a Mazda Mx5 etc) but really had no idea what I wanted.
Initially I never really considered an Impreza as to be honest I thought it would be a bit rubbish inside and getting a touch dated, but then read an article in Evo Magazine and decided to look into them a bit further...
It seems I found a very nice example, and although I never initially wanted a wagon (even though I do actually have a thing for a quick estate...) this one was just to nice to turn down. Full service history and only 20k miles, and the added bonus of the Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP) fitted from new. The performance feels spot on for the setup of the car. Really liking it so far.
Being a 2005 year car it benefits from, amongst other things, a facelifted dash that is in the later cars and the fit and finish is actually pretty good all round. Being a wagon it also seems to slip under the radar a bit more, even with the cherrybomb on the back - I had expected this to be a bit loud but it actually sounds OK and is not really noisy at all, although is unmistakably Subaru.
Here it is: -
Doing what it did best: -
Thanks for looking
UPDATE
I read the RR section here on PH all the time so thought it was only right I did an update. After wanting one for a long time the fleet expanded in the shape of this: -
A Mazda Mx5 2.0L Sport. A chance eBay advert with rather poor photos / not the best description, resulted in a decent price over the phone, and a flight across the country to pick it up. Cheapest in the country with similar miles, and benefited from the Bose sound system option and climate control air conditioning. A bit of a gamble, but seems to have paid off and shows how much car you can get for 2 years lease on a new Fiesta ST!
I gave it a full service, debadged the boot, replaced 2 front droplinks and cleaned the roof: -
Apart from that, it gets driven plenty and (touch wood) asks for very little in return: -
With a mates MR2: -
What do I think of it? It's exactly what I'd expect of an Mx5 in that it does the whole 2 seater soft top very well. Cheap to run, lots of support online, always starts. If I'm honest the suspension does feel a bit more GT than sports car... I would say that if you are getting any soft top, heated seats are an absolute MUST regarding the usability of the car and make it genuinely pleasant to drop the hood unless its raining or very, very cold.
I'd had the WRX for over 3 years and simply fancied a change. This would be much harder to replace than I initially expected as it felt like such a good all rounder. After looking at all the options I couldn't see past this though: -
Impreza WRX STI with Prodrive Performance Pack. Full Subaru history and just over 20k miles. Around 330hp and 350lb ft torque. These cars seem to have a reputation for having 'lost it' a bit compared to the earlier generations but I'm won over so far. The power delivery is much less frantic than my old one, but the torque makes it an absolute weapon for making progress. Refinement is more than acceptable as a daily driver, my only real moan so far is the lack of heated mirrors!! Love the big arches too.
Awaiting a wash
Hoping to fit some factory fog lights and some Pro-R grilles to the front, but so far couldn't recommend one enough.
UPDATE
After 2 faultless years with the STI I started getting the desire for something different again. I'd looked at the Boxster but the longer I spent researching the more the budget increased, until ultimately I managed to justify a 911. It's never been a better time to buy a 996, but the specifications, condition and prices are all over the place. After a search through what was available, a bit of luck and trying not to think about what could go wrong too much, I think I've found a nice one.
1998 996 3.4L C2 with, amongst other things, sports seat upgrade, M030 suspension and LSD (came as a pack I believe). Loving it so far, and looking forward to giving it a good tidy up and check over.
I flew down south to collect it from the owner and proceeded to drive back 500 miles over 2 days. The car hadn't done that sort of mileage in over a year but managed the trip no problem and seemed to drive better by the end of it all. Met up with some mates along the way...
Needless to say, I won't be visiting Ikea any time soon...
If you're considering one, do it!
UPDATE
996 thread running, here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by mmcd87 on Monday 7th August 12:24
Nice motors mate.
My Mrs has a yellow Ignis 4Grip - the 4WD, 5 door version and it's a great little motor.
I have thought about an Ignis Sport a couple of times so may well end up with one at some time - would make a nice stablemate for my MX5.
Impreza looks nice and non-chaved as well!
My Mrs has a yellow Ignis 4Grip - the 4WD, 5 door version and it's a great little motor.
I have thought about an Ignis Sport a couple of times so may well end up with one at some time - would make a nice stablemate for my MX5.
Impreza looks nice and non-chaved as well!
Hello, met you at the rolling day a year or so ago (I had the BMW 635), and I remember your old Suzuki and your enthusiasm for it. I had 5 years of fun with an Impreza Turbo wagon myself, sadly sold back in 2003 when my forthcoming bride said she ain't driving that. Yours looks really nice and nicely peppéd up with the PPP. Enjoy it, I loved mine.
I remember your 635 - very cool car. We should get another meet sorted sometime.
I think people would be surprised at the difference between a standard Ignis and the Sport model as Suzuki did a surprising amount to the car (for homologation purposes I seem to recall).
The Sport has (amongst other things) a Suzuki Sport derived exhaust system and suspension, as well as disc brakes all round, modified engine (higher compression ratio etc), sports interior, bodykit and Enkai alloy wheels. It is certainly not just an Ignis with a bodykit. Plenty videos on youtube etc - especially if you search HT81S (the Sports model name).
I think having the PPP kit fitted makes all the difference to the Impreza and would highly recommend it. Mine certainly feels fit for the claimed figures (have read otherwise in places). The wagon does make a nice change as well. I plan to keep it standard as this one is a bit to nice to mess with I think.
I think people would be surprised at the difference between a standard Ignis and the Sport model as Suzuki did a surprising amount to the car (for homologation purposes I seem to recall).
The Sport has (amongst other things) a Suzuki Sport derived exhaust system and suspension, as well as disc brakes all round, modified engine (higher compression ratio etc), sports interior, bodykit and Enkai alloy wheels. It is certainly not just an Ignis with a bodykit. Plenty videos on youtube etc - especially if you search HT81S (the Sports model name).
I think having the PPP kit fitted makes all the difference to the Impreza and would highly recommend it. Mine certainly feels fit for the claimed figures (have read otherwise in places). The wagon does make a nice change as well. I plan to keep it standard as this one is a bit to nice to mess with I think.
Edited by mmcd87 on Monday 25th October 18:37
I added a shot of the interior. Sorry for the poor quality. As I discovered, the last of the 'blobeye' models (2005) have the facelift interior of the later models. So you get climate control air-con, nicer centre console and slightly different seat and doorcard fabric, amongst other things.
Lovely interior on that Impreza, the same as on my dad's 2005 Blobeye GX, his has a different stereo however. I really don't see what is so "bad" about these interiors in the eyes of the German fanboys - so it's not dripping leather, it seems to be functional, nice to sit in and well made to me!
Mastodon2 said:
Lovely interior on that Impreza, the same as on my dad's 2005 Blobeye GX, his has a different stereo however. I really don't see what is so "bad" about these interiors in the eyes of the German fanboys - so it's not dripping leather, it seems to be functional, nice to sit in and well made to me!
There is nothing bad about it really - perfectly functional, simple and reasonably up to date. You do get the odd rattle over poor surfaces but there are few cars that don't do that over time. I had a go of a new WRX STI and the interior felt no better quality than the one in mine.The Germans do make the best interiors around in terms of outright quality, fit and finish though - sit in a new VW Golf or even Polo for example.
You can get the Impreza in SL spec which gets you leather, heated front seats and sunroof.
Found the EVO review I read in a magazine - http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/3564...
vrooom said:
You must be very small person, because i noticed all your driver seat is pushed forward....
Very nice cars. liked those ignis.
Haha I never noticed that! I'm not that small - had probably just hoovered under the seats and not put them back again...Very nice cars. liked those ignis.
Thanks for the positive comments.
Edited by mmcd87 on Tuesday 8th March 21:23
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