I HAVE JUST TEST DROVE THE NEW 2008 IMPREZA TURBO S-GT (VERY

[T5NYW]

B]What a Fabulous day I have just had[/B]

sorry it’s very story but it was just Brilliant just want to read about the 2008 Car jump to next post
I was booked into Powerstation to give my Type 20 some TLC a 6 month service

So I popped next door for a chat with Iain Litchfield about some trackday mods and info for my T20 Every time I visit Litchfield Imports I'm like a small kid in a BIG Sweet shop, I always leave my credit card in the Car LOL

Sat down in the showroom with Iain talking, I was casually gazing around the forecourt etc and trying to decide which to buy, if only their Championship winning 600 bhp Spec C race car, a tiny Supercharged R2, Legacy GUT turbo, Forester STi and MY07 Impreza STi A-Line. But my eye caught glimpse 4 little beauties in the corner a MY06 Spec C, a rare MY06 Spec C Type-RA, a ultra rare Type RA-R and a Cosworth Type-25.

At this piont Iain has notice I’d stopped talking to him and started drooling, so handed me a tissue The RA-R is about the only Impreza I had never driven and it did look gorgeous. Iain said he has to move the showroom around a bit to fit in the new Car in when it comes back from MilTek are you interested in the RA-R, is Pope catholic

The car was awaiting the original suspension back on as no give at all, like a go kart but was awesome for a 2.0ltr, no match for the Cossy T25 Spec C though. IMHO I was very tempted to sell the wife's both Kidneys at this stage, I was told it was provisionally sold, would I like one, if he can get another well could it get any better, YES :luxhello:

Just about to go home and along comes their Trailer with the new car A 2008 S-GT (WRX ish) I had a look around it and TBH not al all bad in the Flesh

Iain said he hadn’t driven it yet, so do I fancy going on a Test drive with him, I no said, I'm too busy and have to get home for my Tea, like hell

Tony

[T5NYW]

The 2008 S-GT Test drive

Sat in the car, you are in a lower seating position than my 06 STi, far more head room. Also there is noticeably more leg room for passengers in the back seats. Dash Clocks was nice red Defi style and nice door cards but rest of Dash was a bit plastically.

Engine was about 240 bhp and the only Mod was a 3" Miltek exhaust and was quite, hardly noticeable inside or out. IIRC didn't enhance performance till it was Re-mapped about 300 bhp then. The car can be programmed with a number of switchable maps, this Car had a Economy button and must have dropped the power to about 130 bhp.

Up the road it was very soft, smooth and lighter feel. Acceleration was not bad, quite linear due to twin scroll turbo, another 50 bhp would be nicer I did wonder if the car would handle due to it's soft nature, very predictable and diff's worked well. TBH it was better than expected but not brilliant. Braking with the 2 pots was good (sorry thought they were 4pots).

On the handling front the 205x50x17 Tyres and wheels were a let down We were both agreement some 18" with 225x40x18 would transform the Car. Even better some slightly heavier and lower springs.

Brilliant day I just happened to be there so no Camera and my mobile is utter Cr4P. took a few pic's and battery died





OK it was a little drive and not a full test, It hadn't been remapped etc, i have done a very small quick report on it. but it certainly has Potential

Even in WRX form better in the flesh, more cabin space than my MY06 sti, can't wait to see the STi IMHO

Tony

Edited by T5NYW on Wednesday 12th September 00:42

Edited by T5NYW on Friday 14th September 15:04

[GravelBen]

Sounds like a fun day. Saw a new WRX hatch at the local dealer yesterday (the Subaru NZ demo car), it looks much much better in the metal than any of the photos have. We seem to get a nicer grill than the US bling-spec one in most of the press photos I've seen too (similar to the one in your photo).

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 12th September 01:28

[cw42]

You lucky man Tony Had a peruse over the standard wrx the other week at Greenwoods in Manchester, and it's certainly well put together. Roll on the sti

[T5NYW]

cw42 said:

You lucky man Tony Had a peruse over the standard wrx the other week at Greenwoods in Manchester, and it's certainly well put together. Roll on the sti

I am really was one you saw is the N/A version

Tony

[ScoobieWRX]

Mummy!! I want a T-25

[T5NYW]

ScoobieWRX said:

Mummy!! I want a T-25

Driven 3 of them but only one was a Cossy version, Awesome The RA-R was the only version I haven't driven but now have, I've been very lucky like that

Tony

[cw42]

T5NYW said:

cw42 said:

You lucky man Tony Had a peruse over the standard wrx the other week at Greenwoods in Manchester, and it's certainly well put together. Roll on the sti

I am really was one you saw is the N/A version

Tony

Indeed it was. Proper mum & dad sensible car

[ScoobieWRX]

Isn't the Cosworth derived T-25 the 2007 incarnation with the 2.5L semi-closed deck block, big valve Head, Billet Crank and special cams That's the one i want with the BHP upgrade (from 415 to 500ish) and the higher gearing and de-limited ECU!!! Just writing that was almost as good as sex

There we are...that's all i have or want in my fantasy garage

Hopefully it won't be a fantasy for much longer

[T5NYW]

cw42 said:

Indeed it was. Proper mum & dad sensible car

I see

Panic over I was told and have quoted it was driving was the first turbo in the country thought I got it wrong again

A very comfortable car, far more room in the back seats than a newage. Even though quite soft handles not to bad considering. 60% Wheels 25% Spring rate/hieght and 15% Rear antiroll bar

The downsides are in standard WRX form it could be any nippy family Hatchback.

The Twin scroll turbo is long and progressive which doesn't give a smack in the back like a STD UK car, and give the impression of being very tame. But do admit another 50bhp is the order of the day

This S-GT has so much potential put PPP PHP and PFF-7's and would eat a simular MY07 Car,

I would have loved another 70 miles or so in the S-GT (WRX) with a little more grunt and a set of 18"'s an YEEEE HAAAA when you lot get to try one you will see what I mean.

On the wish list would be sightly lower and a little firmer springs and again only a slightly firmer ADj rear anti roll bar and the car would not be amillion miles away.

Tony

[Evil.soup]

Im looking forward to seeing one of these in the flesh, maybe i can convince the wife to go for a run one afternoon and take a look?!

[stephen300o]

afew rally wins will make it more attractive to the doubters

[T5NYW]

ScoobieWRX said:

Isn't the Cosworth derived T-25 the 2007 incarnation with the 2.5L semi-closed deck block, big valve Head, Billet Crank and special cams That's the one i want with the BHP upgrade (from 415 to 500ish) and the higher gearing and de-limited ECU!!! Just writing that was almost as good as sex

There we are...that's all i have or want in my fantasy garage

Hopefully it won't be a fantasy for much longer

I have only driven 1 of the Cossy Type 25's in A-line form(simular to UK Spec D) it's awesome and as said , "as good as..." 415bhp isn't the whole story I thought mt T20 was quick, but made mine seem like a Mondeo.

Oooops back on topic

Sorry I missled you the S-GT didn't have 4 pot brakes they were 2 pots

Tony

[ScoobieWRX]

2pots should make driving it quickly really interesting. At least you'll be carrying shedloads of speed into bends......because the brakes didn't work

I hope they're really big 2pots

[T5NYW]

ScoobieWRX said:

2pots should make driving it quickly really interesting. At least you'll be carrying shedloads of speed into bends......because the brakes didn't work

I hope they're really big 2pots

Actually braked quite will perhaps

1) we weren't giving it Gun (only 70kms on clock)
2) 2pot sliding caliper of the Legacy IIRC
3)The S-GT is a very base "WRX" a sporty 4WD hatch

But the potential for improvement is far greater than a 07WRX IMHO

Some wheels, brakes, suspension and engine tweaks and a you'll have a VERY capable car.

IMHO

Tony

[ScoobieWRX]

T5NYW said:

ScoobieWRX said:

2pots should make driving it quickly really interesting. At least you'll be carrying shedloads of speed into bends......because the brakes didn't work

I hope they're really big 2pots

Actually braked quite will perhaps

1) we weren't giving it Gun (only 70kms on clock)
2) 2pot sliding caliper of the Legacy IIRC
3)The S-GT is a very base "WRX" a sporty 4WD hatch

But the potential for improvement is far greater than a 07WRX IMHO

Some wheels, brakes, suspension and engine tweaks and a you'll have a VERY capable car.

IMHO

Tony

Yep....Do shedloads of work on it and spend your savings...and you should have a reasonably good WRX rival......

....When the current WRX is a better car altogether straight out of the box in the first place. It looks better, goes better, handles better, stops better...etc...etc.... no brainer!! And if you spend the same amount of money on the current model that you would spend on the S-GT, you would then have a pretty awesome WRX that was head and shoulders above the S-GT...IMHO

[T5NYW]

ScoobieWRX said:

....When the current WRX is a better car altogether straight out of the box in the first place.

I TOTALLY agree

ScoobieWRX said:

if you spend the same amount of money on the current model that you would spend on the S-GT, you would then have a pretty awesome WRX that was head and shoulders above the S-GT

I'm sorry I'll have to disagree with that the 08 engine is far superior to the 07 it has twin VVT (the 07 STi only had single VVT and WRX none) IIRC also fitted with a twinscroll Turbo this combination means that it's not about "Peak" BHP. but average BHP through the REV range If youy go to Rally day look me up and you can try mine out, you'll see what I mean then

As for the handling, I think Car mags like Autocar etc etc are testing the same S-GT in the next couple of weeks

Tony

[ScoobieWRX]

Tony...when and where is rally day. If i get the time i might just take you up on the offer.

[T5NYW]

ScoobieWRX said:

Tony...when and where is rally day. If i get the time i might just take you up on the offer.

Rally day is at Castle Combe this Saturday 22nd

see www.rallyday.com



Tony

Edited by T5NYW on Monday 17th September 22:46

[ScoobieWRX]

T5NYW said:

ScoobieWRX said:

Tony...when and where is rally day. If i get the time i might just take you up on the offer.

Rally day is at Castle Combe this Saturday 22nd

see www.rallyday.com



Tony

my mob is 073888238359

Unfortunately i will be in Bonny Scotland, up in the highlands visiting the outlaws. The positive is (yep even when visiting the outlaws) is that on my partners sisters farm there are loads of high up moor and mountain roads and some of the finest driving tarmac in the UK. They have spectacular views up there with more twisties than a pack of supernoodles.

Hopefully on another day it may be possible and it would be nice to meet you.

Cheers anyway

Francis

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 16th September 23:31