Impreza Replacement... which way would you go?

[Adam205]

My mum's Spec-D is coming up to 4 years old now, she extended the warranty by a year but going by our old Impreza its coming up to 'money spending' time.

Had the new Impreza not been a slightly odd looking hatch she probably would have said 'i'll have another one of those please'. I want to make a few sensible suggestions so need some opinions really.

1) Keep Impreza, spend the money needed on it, possibly a few choice upgrades.

2) (dare I say it?) Evo X. Are the servicing and parts costs still as extortionate as they were pon previous incarnations? What's the fancy gearbox like? Likelihood of getting a good deal on a new one?

3) Focus RS. What's the practicality like? Do the semi-buckets make the rear legroom laughable?

4) Volvo S60. The new T6 looks like it could be a gem and the parents always fancied the old S60R when they had V70s. S60 could be a good mix of V70 and Impreza. At £35k it would need to be pretty special though!

5) Jag XF. For the money it would be a low spec, but my mum loves Jags and my dad fell in love with it at the NYIAS. Would the lack of power from a V6 version come as a let down after Impreza?

6) Another suggestion? Keep them sensible and we're not really fans of german cars tbh, she's had a 328i and CLK230k before but much prefers the Imprezas.

Would be nice to hear from current owners of the above!

[FraserLFA]

Adam205 said:

Had the new Impreza not been a slightly odd looking hatch

Adam205 said:

3) Focus RS.

Why not the new Impreza? Yes it's a hatch, but looks awesome. The Evo is a good car but not my cup of Tea. Impreza would probably be my first choice but i can guarantee i would change my mind at the last minute and get the RS. Beautiful car, fairly practical and being a focus, will never die. And a HUGE boot.

[mat205125]

Agree with Fraser. The STi car looks great.

[Adam205]

FraserLFA said:

Adam205 said:

Had the new Impreza not been a slightly odd looking hatch

Adam205 said:

3) Focus RS.

Why not the new Impreza? Yes it's a hatch, but looks awesome. The Evo is a good car but not my cup of Tea. Impreza would probably be my first choice but i can guarantee i would change my mind at the last minute and get the RS. Beautiful car, fairly practical and being a focus, will never die. And a HUGE boot.

I think the STi looks quite nice. Thats her words not mine! I haven't asked her opinion on the Focus RS but my dad is a big fan...

[searley247]

Hi Adam

That's a tough one, I'm not keen on either the new Impreza or EVO X, I much prefer the older ones (EVO 5/6 and Scooby P1). A couple of my mates have the Focus RS and they LOVE them.

Unless you're a trackday addict, I reckon an RS is the way forward. It's a superb road car, great to drive, sounds amazing and is reasonably practical.

I quite fancy a Scirocco R myself

[Vixpy1]

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

[Adam205]

Vixpy1 said:

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

My mum isn't a performance driver, she's just as interested in the image associated with the car as with the driving experience. Hence the external looks are as important as what the car is like to drive.

[Vixpy1]

Adam205 said:

Vixpy1 said:

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

My mum isn't a performance driver, she's just as interested in the image associated with the car as with the driving experience. Hence the external looks are as important as what the car is like to drive.

Its not so much that, it is a genuinely nice place to be, far more civilised than the older shapes. Get her to try one

[JWH]

Adam205 said:

Vixpy1 said:

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

My mum isn't a performance driver, she's just as interested in the image associated with the car as with the driving experience. Hence the external looks are as important as what the car is like to drive.

If she's not interested in the 'performance' of the car why on earth are you looking at Imprezas/Evos/Focus RS etc. They're fabulous cars but massively compromised in terms of comfort/running costs etc by virtue of their intended purpose. If the performance is immaterial to her surely there are much better choices?

[Ved]

I went from an STI to a V6 Golf. Wasn't the same but the noise and stealth makes up for it. R32 maybe?

If money wasn't a problem then a 330S will be a better purchase than an RS, even though it does look very nice. 25k will get you a nearly new one with some haggling.

[searley247]

Vixpy1 said:

Adam205 said:

Vixpy1 said:

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

My mum isn't a performance driver, she's just as interested in the image associated with the car as with the driving experience. Hence the external looks are as important as what the car is like to drive.

Its not so much that, it is a genuinely nice place to be, far more civilised than the older shapes. Get her to try one

I totally agree, you should get her to try several cars before parting with any cash. If it's image that's important though, I would say go with the RS, it's a no brainer. Especially if Dad is already keen

[Fire99]

Well the female species is strange at best, so whatever I come up with will no doubt be wrong.

I'm sure she'll know what she wants, the second she sits in the candidates.

But hey, since we're here:

I'd pass on the Volvo. I'm sorry but i've driven a vast number of Volvo's from the old 850 T5 to V70, S60 etc etc and there is something missing in the driving dynamics of the current crop. Well for me anyway. It's almost like they scared themselves with the old 850 T5R /850R and got a bit sensible since.

I'd also skip the current Impreza. Sti is great. Lower models ok. Looks like a Mazda. (Personally I think the Spec-D that she already has is a cracking car!!)

I'd also pass on the RS. Too garish and non-functional trinkety venty malarkey going on.

I'd go with the Jag. It's different from what she's had before. Yes it'll be down on power a bit but I think it's different, has good dynamics and I love the interior.

I'd bet my 11p she'd like the Jag. (Which of course means she wont! )

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Fire99 said:

non-functional trinkety venty malarkey going on.

What ??????

[Adam205]

JWH said:

Adam205 said:

Vixpy1 said:

The new Impreza sti is a fantastic car to be in, i did not like them to start with, having driven a couple they have really grown on me

My mum isn't a performance driver, she's just as interested in the image associated with the car as with the driving experience. Hence the external looks are as important as what the car is like to drive.

If she's not interested in the 'performance' of the car why on earth are you looking at Imprezas/Evos/Focus RS etc. They're fabulous cars but massively compromised in terms of comfort/running costs etc by virtue of their intended purpose. If the performance is immaterial to her surely there are much better choices?

a) my dad and I like to steal it to, ahem, visit friends in west germany every now and again. b) she likes driving a performance oriented car even if she doesn't drive it fast! We have a practical / tow car and an economical runaround, its not her only car, it doesnt do many miles, she gets the pleasure out of driving a performance oriented car. Yes there are more sensible options for a respectable woman in her 50s, but where's the fun in that? Tbh im pretty she gets most of the pleasure out of telling people she drives an Impreza STi and looking at the expressions on their faces

[Fire99]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Fire99 said:

non-functional trinkety venty malarkey going on.

What ??????

Nik Dictionary

non-functional trinkety venty malarkey = vents that are only for show.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

Fire99 said:

pinchmeimdreamin said:

Fire99 said:

non-functional trinkety venty malarkey going on.

What ??????

Nik Dictionary

non-functional trinkety venty malarkey = vents that are only for show.

well your right there and the silly spoiler/lip on the bonnet

[The Dirty Bubble]

I know you said she isn't keen on German cars, but she should really take the new Audi s4 out for a test drive.

Similar to the impreza in that it has 4 doors and 4wd, but much more refined and looks less like is been driven through halfrauds. Interior is pretty special as well and with a the new 6 cylinder engine if far less nose heavy than the old v8.

[al1991]

I'm sorry, image is important? Then why does she have an Impreza?? That car has one of the worst image problems of any.

If she's only bothered about the image of the car she'll be driving then why not something classy? The XF looks like the best choice out of those lot...

[Adam205]

al1991 said:

That car has one of the worst image problems of any.

Says who? Only to people who want to see an image problem as far as im aware. A 360 Challenge Stradale drove through uni earlier and there were two reactions, those people who said 'fecking nice car, that man has taste' and those who said 'arrogant tt'. Which reaction do you think the owner would have completely ignored?

With the Impreza there are those who say 'nice car, must go pretty well!' and those who say 'boy racer / mid-life crisis / should have bought a 330D'.

Edited by Adam205 on Wednesday 26th May 23:18

[Wadeski]

Golf R32 or Brera V6