FOCUS ST500 (ST-3) or IMPREZA 2008???

[audi321]

Ok, I've got 18k ish to spend for the misses, need a 5 door hatchback with a bit of poke.....which one do i go for?

Impreza would be an imported 2008 WRX 2.5 kicking out similar bhp to the focus. 4WD V 2WD....import V UK car.

What would you guys go for? Or any other suggestions welcome.

[Catherine197]

We drove the new Impreza before deciding to upgrade our existing Clio 197 to another better specced 197.

The Impreza is an truly amazing car, let down by some dodgy looks.

I don't know too much about the Focus ST, but I can say it didn't enter our decision making process for all than 2 minutes, although I am certain it would be a truly great car (I have owned 2 Focus in the past and loved them).

[Damian S]

If you are likely to end up tweaking at some stage then go for the impreza, purely for the 4wd traction. Personally I think that fwd is no good above 200bhp anyway, totally pants in the wet which this country is most of the time. plus 4wd is great fun, especially on wet roundabouts

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus. The 2.0 litre impreza is bad enough I dread to think what the 2.5 would be like.

[barcrawler]

Damian S said:

If you are likely to end up tweaking at some stage then go for the impreza, purely for the 4wd traction. Personally I think that fwd is no good above 200bhp anyway, totally pants in the wet which this country is most of the time. plus 4wd is great fun, especially on wet roundabouts

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus. The 2.0 litre impreza is bad enough I dread to think what the 2.5 would be like.

I get roughly 20mpg in my focus st! :lol:

I will disagree with oyou regard FWD and 200bhp+, i have almost 300 in my ST and its fine (so long as you know how to drive). Although your right in that 4WD at that power is better to be getting away from the line.

Personally I would take both for a drive, join forums for both marques and see what best suits what you want.

being bias i would say the ST Its got more room, better looking and bags of torquey goodness!

[Witchfinder]

Damian S said:

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus.

The Focus isn't exactly frugal, thoughit's likely to be cheaper to fuel, maintain and insure. The Ford has a much nicer, more comfortable feel to it. Are you considering the Impreza estate? If not, then the Focus is likely to be more practical for ferrying stuff about.

[Damian S]

barcrawler said:

Damian S said:

If you are likely to end up tweaking at some stage then go for the impreza, purely for the 4wd traction. Personally I think that fwd is no good above 200bhp anyway, totally pants in the wet which this country is most of the time. plus 4wd is great fun, especially on wet roundabouts

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus. The 2.0 litre impreza is bad enough I dread to think what the 2.5 would be like.

I get roughly 20mpg in my focus st! :lol:

I will disagree with oyou regard FWD and 200bhp+, i have almost 300 in my ST and its fine (so long as you know how to drive). Although your right in that 4WD at that power is better to be getting away from the line.

Personally I would take both for a drive, join forums for both marques and see what best suits what you want.

being bias i would say the ST Its got more room, better looking and bags of torquey goodness!

The scoobies have a surprising amount of room in them actually. and they may be ugly, but the focus isnt exactly a work of art.

Even my TDCI (remapped -> 280lbs foot ish) spins up in 3rd in the wet with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Its so annoying. I dont see how a modified ST would behave any differently as the torque would be similar (possibly more), and I think im right in saying the ST doesnt have an LSD, just traction control. Therefore, in the lower gears its no match for a 4wd (btw I use to have a modified 340bhp gt4, and even that could spin up in the wet in 2nd)

No disrespect though. im sure your ST is still huge amounts of fun, but if its a straight choice between a 2wd and 4wd car then 4wd wins hands down.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Damian S said:

barcrawler said:

Damian S said:

If you are likely to end up tweaking at some stage then go for the impreza, purely for the 4wd traction. Personally I think that fwd is no good above 200bhp anyway, totally pants in the wet which this country is most of the time. plus 4wd is great fun, especially on wet roundabouts

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus. The 2.0 litre impreza is bad enough I dread to think what the 2.5 would be like.

I get roughly 20mpg in my focus st! :lol:

I will disagree with oyou regard FWD and 200bhp+, i have almost 300 in my ST and its fine (so long as you know how to drive). Although your right in that 4WD at that power is better to be getting away from the line.

Personally I would take both for a drive, join forums for both marques and see what best suits what you want.

being bias i would say the ST Its got more room, better looking and bags of torquey goodness!

The scoobies have a surprising amount of room in them actually. and they may be ugly, but the focus isnt exactly a work of art.

Even my TDCI (remapped -> 280lbs foot ish) spins up in 3rd in the wet with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Its so annoying. I dont see how a modified ST would behave any differently as the torque would be similar (possibly more), and I think im right in saying the ST doesnt have an LSD, just traction control. Therefore, in the lower gears its no match for a 4wd (btw I use to have a modified 340bhp gt4, and even that could spin up in the wet in 2nd)

No disrespect though. im sure your ST is still huge amounts of fun, but if its a straight choice between a 2wd and 4wd car then 4wd wins hands down.

My ST is currently running 314 bhp and 370 lb/ft and when driven properly can get all the power down even in the wet, hammer it and its gonna spin up well into 3rd but ease the power in and it aint too much of a problem, admittedly in the wet 4WD would put it down better but too be honest this is then outweighed by the extra weight and powerloss from the 4wd. Ive had some fun with a couple of sti's in the wet and yes they got away a bit quicker to start with but it didnt take long to catch them

As for looks im biased i know but personally think the ST looks alot smarter.

MPG i would say would be about equal.

Smiles per gallon would definitely go to the ST.

And the one i will get flamed for I think the ST sounds beter

[barcrawler]

Damian S said:

barcrawler said:

Damian S said:

If you are likely to end up tweaking at some stage then go for the impreza, purely for the 4wd traction. Personally I think that fwd is no good above 200bhp anyway, totally pants in the wet which this country is most of the time. plus 4wd is great fun, especially on wet roundabouts

if fuel consumption is likely to be an issue then go for the focus. The 2.0 litre impreza is bad enough I dread to think what the 2.5 would be like.

I get roughly 20mpg in my focus st! :lol:

I will disagree with oyou regard FWD and 200bhp+, i have almost 300 in my ST and its fine (so long as you know how to drive). Although your right in that 4WD at that power is better to be getting away from the line.

Personally I would take both for a drive, join forums for both marques and see what best suits what you want.

being bias i would say the ST Its got more room, better looking and bags of torquey goodness!

The scoobies have a surprising amount of room in them actually. and they may be ugly, but the focus isnt exactly a work of art.

Even my TDCI (remapped -> 280lbs foot ish) spins up in 3rd in the wet with the wheels pointing straight ahead. Its so annoying. I dont see how a modified ST would behave any differently as the torque would be similar (possibly more), and I think im right in saying the ST doesnt have an LSD, just traction control. Therefore, in the lower gears its no match for a 4wd (btw I use to have a modified 340bhp gt4, and even that could spin up in the wet in 2nd)

No disrespect though. im sure your ST is still huge amounts of fun, but if its a straight choice between a 2wd and 4wd car then 4wd wins hands down.

Your right, neither would make millions from russians in a london auction!!

i see your point and do agree, but the ST does get the power down well. Kick it and it will spin up, 4wd (+extra power - which the new st doesnt have) will be quicker.

I say drive both and make your mind up, i can only provide a biased ST opinion

[Curator]

This is for your wife, right? How does she drive? What will she use it for? Commuting? Shopping? Parking? Seeing the in-laws? How many kids have you got? The choice has zippo to do with where the drive goes and how much torque it can manage on wet roads.

[vino 187]

the interior of the focus is miles better and u can have much more than 200bhp through the front wheels with no problems so i dont know what that guy is on about but yeh 4wd will be better in the wet . but the st looks much better, im sure goes just as well and is just a much more smart looking and feeling allround car. dont buy a poobaru!!

[don kalmar union]

How about a Volvo V50 T5, 2 or 4 wheel drive, same engine, gearbox, floorpan and basic suspension as the ST, very fine interiors and I can fix you up with up to 280bhp conversion if your wife is a bit of a hooligan......

Regards, Don.Norchi

www.kalmar-union.com

[Damian S]

vino 187 said:

u can have much more than 200bhp through the front wheels with no problems so i dont know what that guy is on about

if you have ever owned a 300bhp 4wd car you would know exactly what Im on about ;-) far better driving experience. None of this "wait until the wheels are pointing straight before planting it" or traction control rubbish. You want to plant and go which ever way the wheels are pointing, and regardless of conditions. with 4wd you get that, with fwd you dont.

[vino 187]

[quote=Damian S]
i have been in my mates fq360 and its not just traction and go its a madman possessed with not alot of control if u boot it at all thru a bend even in the dry.
maybe u should try a focus st and see if you get torque steer, you dont. you boot it and it just goes.

Edited by vino 187 on Thursday 21st February 11:54

[Damian S]

having a ride in your mates fq is hardly experience. Cars like that alwasy feel larey and out of control when you arent the one driving

[Dover Nige]

Hi,

Read post #21 on this thread: http://bbs.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/66934...

Apologies for it being the STI, but still interesting and balanced views.

Edited by Dover Nige on Sunday 24th February 14:55

[vino 187]

no its not called being in control as he said hes nearly crashed it about 20 times and is selling it.

[Damian S]

vino 187 said:

no its not called being in control as he said hes nearly crashed it about 20 times and is selling it.

and good job he is by the sound of it. I can only assume he is one of these people that believes 4wd can overcome the laws of physics.