Bugeye WRX STi PPP vs Mk1 MX5
Discussion
Hi PH'ers,
Help required please. I currently drive a now mint Mk1 MX5 - it has taken a year but it is now running beautifully and I love it.
However, I drive past a mint Bugeye STi every day and yesterday had a cheeky test drive. I am in a position to buy and run it as I use SWMBOs bluemotion to commute.
To be honest, I was underwhelmed at first. It felt woolier than a mammoth, and I had no idea what the front wheels were doing and couldn't hear the exhaust. I felt like I was driving a bus. But then most cars short of a Lotus/VX220 will feel like that after a Mk1 '5.
Despite that, I am seriously considering buying it but need more information. I have searched ScoobyNet but most of the topics are incomprehensible, with no solid buying guides. Can anyone point me in the right direction for more info?
What are everyones thoughts on this car? I have to admit, image is a slight problem for me. But only slight, I drive an MX5 after all and don't care what others think. Much.
The car has FSH, will have a years MOT, fresh service and the timing belt was replaced at the correct time. 46,000 miles and £8,000 - sound reasonable? Everything felt tight, no noises at all, but the gear box was a little notchy, and I felt a slight stutter / misfire in second gear at around 2500rpm....
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
J
Help required please. I currently drive a now mint Mk1 MX5 - it has taken a year but it is now running beautifully and I love it.
However, I drive past a mint Bugeye STi every day and yesterday had a cheeky test drive. I am in a position to buy and run it as I use SWMBOs bluemotion to commute.
To be honest, I was underwhelmed at first. It felt woolier than a mammoth, and I had no idea what the front wheels were doing and couldn't hear the exhaust. I felt like I was driving a bus. But then most cars short of a Lotus/VX220 will feel like that after a Mk1 '5.
Despite that, I am seriously considering buying it but need more information. I have searched ScoobyNet but most of the topics are incomprehensible, with no solid buying guides. Can anyone point me in the right direction for more info?
What are everyones thoughts on this car? I have to admit, image is a slight problem for me. But only slight, I drive an MX5 after all and don't care what others think. Much.
The car has FSH, will have a years MOT, fresh service and the timing belt was replaced at the correct time. 46,000 miles and £8,000 - sound reasonable? Everything felt tight, no noises at all, but the gear box was a little notchy, and I felt a slight stutter / misfire in second gear at around 2500rpm....
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
J
Edited by JFReturns - engine does not rev to 25,000 rpm
Edited by JFReturns on Tuesday 14th September 08:34
I think to try and compare the two cars is ridiculous as they are designed and built completely differently!
4WD vs RWD
Forced Induction vs NA
4 Door vs 2 door
5 seats vs 2 seater
Tin roof vs Convertable
If you want a rapid car with plenty of space, power and grip go for the Scooby
If you want a fun little car that you can feel involved with then stick with the MX5
The driving style required to hook up the Subaru is vastly different to that needed to get the best out of the Mazda....that is maybe what you are not getting?
I would stick with Scoobynet and post up on there- there are plenty of buying guides out there if you ask for them
4WD vs RWD
Forced Induction vs NA
4 Door vs 2 door
5 seats vs 2 seater
Tin roof vs Convertable
If you want a rapid car with plenty of space, power and grip go for the Scooby
If you want a fun little car that you can feel involved with then stick with the MX5
The driving style required to hook up the Subaru is vastly different to that needed to get the best out of the Mazda....that is maybe what you are not getting?
I would stick with Scoobynet and post up on there- there are plenty of buying guides out there if you ask for them
Personally i think its a little over priced and you can get a good blobeye Sti for near enough the same money. Also, if you suspect a slight knock etc, i would give it a miss.
There are plenty like this out there to be had if you are serious about buying an Sti.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2001752.htm
There are plenty like this out there to be had if you are serious about buying an Sti.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2001752.htm
JFReturns said:
The car has FSH, will have a years MOT, fresh service and the timing belt was replaced at the correct time. 46,000 miles and £8,000 - sound reasonable? Everything felt tight, no noises at all, but the gear box was a little notchy, and I felt a slight stutter / misfire in second gear at around 2500rpm....
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
6spd STi boxes aren't as smooth or nice to use as the 5spd however they are pretty much bullet proof to 600ftlb torque.Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
The stutter/misfire at 2,500rpm is nothing to worry about and quite common. A couple of inexpensive mods and a remap will take care of that no worries.
Like the gearboxes the engines are pretty bullet proof and will take over 500bhp as standard if needed although safely enough they'll take over 400-430bhp all day long without flinching.
As has been said, you cannot compare a scooby to your MX-5 and although it's natural for you to do that it's a waste of time. You'll see the scooby come into it's own down a quiet B-Road when you really start pushing. Then i promise you see the point of a Scooby. find a scooby owner and ask him to take you out down some B-Roads while driving the car properly. Point to point it's an awesome bit of kit.
ScoobieWRX said:
JFReturns said:
The car has FSH, will have a years MOT, fresh service and the timing belt was replaced at the correct time. 46,000 miles and £8,000 - sound reasonable? Everything felt tight, no noises at all, but the gear box was a little notchy, and I felt a slight stutter / misfire in second gear at around 2500rpm....
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
6spd STi boxes aren't as smooth or nice to use as the 5spd however they are pretty much bullet proof to 600ftlb torque.Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
The stutter/misfire at 2,500rpm is nothing to worry about and quite common. A couple of inexpensive mods and a remap will take care of that no worries.
Like the gearboxes the engines are pretty bullet proof and will take over 500bhp as standard if needed although safely enough they'll take over 400-430bhp all day long without flinching.
As has been said, you cannot compare a scooby to your MX-5 and although it's natural for you to do that it's a waste of time. You'll see the scooby come into it's own down a quiet B-Road when you really start pushing. Then i promise you see the point of a Scooby. find a scooby owner and ask him to take you out down some B-Roads while driving the car properly. Point to point it's an awesome bit of kit.
Second test drive is booked for Saturday, this time with SWMBO who is warming to the idea simply because it is a safer car.
ScoobieWRX said:
As has been said, you cannot compare a scooby to your MX-5 and although it's natural for you to do that it's a waste of time. You'll see the scooby come into it's own down a quiet B-Road when you really start pushing. Then i promise you see the point of a Scooby.
This. You just weren't driving fast enough!It is a tricky comparison - while the STi is undoubtedly much faster (unless your MX5 has a turbo ) there may not be as much in it as you expect in the twisty stuff - the light weight and agility of the MX5 makes up for a lot with a driver who can use it.
They suit a quite different driving style so if you're not used to AWD handling its no surprise if you didn't feel like you gelled with it on the first drive. Try being a bit more aggressive with it - carry braking later into corners etc.
The biggest difference IMO (owning an MX5 and a Legacy GTB) is the way the MX5 is still a heap of accessible fun even it low speeds, while the Subaru combines the high-speed fun with much more practicality and comfort.
If you want a Subaru option which is closer to the MX5 in nature then take a look at the classic Impreza STi Type-RA(4-door) and Type-R(2-door) - sharper, lighter, rear-biased AWD, more hardcore homologation versions.
) there may not be as much in it as you expect in the twisty stuff - the light weight and agility of the MX5 makes up for a lot with a driver who can use it.They suit a quite different driving style so if you're not used to AWD handling its no surprise if you didn't feel like you gelled with it on the first drive. Try being a bit more aggressive with it - carry braking later into corners etc.
The biggest difference IMO (owning an MX5 and a Legacy GTB) is the way the MX5 is still a heap of accessible fun even it low speeds, while the Subaru combines the high-speed fun with much more practicality and comfort.
If you want a Subaru option which is closer to the MX5 in nature then take a look at the classic Impreza STi Type-RA(4-door) and Type-R(2-door) - sharper, lighter, rear-biased AWD, more hardcore homologation versions.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 14th September 13:09
Thanks for the reply Gravel, much appreciated
I really didn't feel comfortable driving it fast - mainly because I couldn't feel waht was going on but also because I had the dealer sitting next to me. I'll have another go Saturday.
I was very impressed with how comfortable and quiet it was though! The seats were brilliant.
Animal said:
ScoobieWRX said:
As has been said, you cannot compare a scooby to your MX-5 and although it's natural for you to do that it's a waste of time. You'll see the scooby come into it's own down a quiet B-Road when you really start pushing. Then i promise you see the point of a Scooby.
This. You just weren't driving fast enough!I was very impressed with how comfortable and quiet it was though! The seats were brilliant.
Because a Subaru hasn't got the greatest steering feel in the world you do have trust that it will get you around the corners.
Your bum dyno and feel will become more sensitive to how a Subaru drives and in time your confidence will build quickly. You do develop a very different style and eventually learn to really push the car.
The MX-5 offers brilliant feel from the off, is lightweight and very steerable purely on/off the throttle from low speed, completely unlike the Subaru.
You might not feel comfortable drifiting your MX-5 at speeds between 80-100mph on a bend with all four wheels either leaving the ground or going very light on you when the road at -camber and -compression. Eventually you will in a Subaru.
You have to trust that it will do what it says on the tin.
ETA: That blue bugeye in the pic looks externally unmolested. I wonder if it's the same under the bonnet. Very nice!!
Your bum dyno and feel will become more sensitive to how a Subaru drives and in time your confidence will build quickly. You do develop a very different style and eventually learn to really push the car.
The MX-5 offers brilliant feel from the off, is lightweight and very steerable purely on/off the throttle from low speed, completely unlike the Subaru.
You might not feel comfortable drifiting your MX-5 at speeds between 80-100mph on a bend with all four wheels either leaving the ground or going very light on you when the road at -camber and -compression. Eventually you will in a Subaru.
You have to trust that it will do what it says on the tin.
ETA: That blue bugeye in the pic looks externally unmolested. I wonder if it's the same under the bonnet. Very nice!!
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Tuesday 14th September 17:11
JFReturns said:
I really didn't feel comfortable driving it fast - mainly because I couldn't feel waht was going on but also because I had the dealer sitting next to me. I'll have another go Saturday.
I was very impressed with how comfortable and quiet it was though! The seats were brilliant.
This is the problem with Imprezas. At low speeds they feel pretty uninteresting, but you need a bit of confidence to push them. It's only when you make that push and you see how stable and capable the car feels at speeds that really should be kept quiet that you begin to appreciate what they can do.I was very impressed with how comfortable and quiet it was though! The seats were brilliant.
It's a completely different proposition to an MX-5 and offers different rewards.
Well, I had my second test drive and I was blown away...
Without the dealer sitting next to me I felt I could concentrate on driving and it was bloody amazing, and I finally 'get' what Imprezas are about. SWMBO drived and loved it too. Thats the thing, it drove quietly and comfortably at low speeds, but holy **** it flies when you want it to!
I pick it up next Wednesday
Without the dealer sitting next to me I felt I could concentrate on driving and it was bloody amazing, and I finally 'get' what Imprezas are about. SWMBO drived and loved it too. Thats the thing, it drove quietly and comfortably at low speeds, but holy **** it flies when you want it to!
I pick it up next Wednesday
Well done that man!
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