Anyone using a PPP/RB320 as a work car?
Discussion
After spending out anniversary at Britcar watching the GT racing at Rockingham today I'm more set than ever about getting another Impreza for work or other such powerful and fun car.
Are any of you guys using such a car, or even specifically an RB, as a work car putting a good few miles on them?
I've found a fully spec'd up RB with next to no miles on it and it work firstly bring a huge smile to my work mileage but also retain it's value while it eats up 15k+ miles a year. Also, we're planning to start a family next year so a 4 door would be needed anyway - any excuse huh?
Cheers!
David
Are any of you guys using such a car, or even specifically an RB, as a work car putting a good few miles on them?
I've found a fully spec'd up RB with next to no miles on it and it work firstly bring a huge smile to my work mileage but also retain it's value while it eats up 15k+ miles a year. Also, we're planning to start a family next year so a 4 door would be needed anyway - any excuse huh?
Cheers!
David
Ved said:
After spending out anniversary at Britcar watching the GT racing at Rockingham today I'm more set than ever about getting another Impreza for work or other such powerful and fun car.
Are any of you guys using such a car, or even specifically an RB, as a work car putting a good few miles on them?
I've found a fully spec'd up RB with next to no miles on it and it work firstly bring a huge smile to my work mileage but also retain it's value while it eats up 15k+ miles a year. Also, we're planning to start a family next year so a 4 door would be needed anyway - any excuse huh?
Cheers!
David
My mate's owned one from new. He's on RB320OC as SXA. It has spent quite a lot of time at the dealers with various suspension related issues (struts, wheelbearings). I think his car has under 40K on it?Are any of you guys using such a car, or even specifically an RB, as a work car putting a good few miles on them?
I've found a fully spec'd up RB with next to no miles on it and it work firstly bring a huge smile to my work mileage but also retain it's value while it eats up 15k+ miles a year. Also, we're planning to start a family next year so a 4 door would be needed anyway - any excuse huh?
Cheers!
David
It's probably worth pointing out that on the rubber the car is supposed to wear, it's excellent in the dry and *very* marginal in the wet.
C
Ved said:
Best not to think about it . I gave up looking at the bill at te pump a long time ago.
I know, while my car is only a 2l na I bought it knowing its renound for poor consumption... I gave up looking at the bill at te pump a long time ago.My excuse is its worth it and will clearly prepare me for when I buy something that truly does guzzle fuel
gareth.e said:
I know, while my car is only a 2l na I bought it knowing its renound for poor consumption..
My excuse is its worth it and will clearly prepare me for when I buy something that truly does guzzle fuel
Tell me about it. I average 30.1 and can get 34 with my V6 4motion. I'm over the moon with that and the missus can ge 38 in her Anniversary GTI. I'm thinking 26 on the RB will be fine...ish My excuse is its worth it and will clearly prepare me for when I buy something that truly does guzzle fuel
Might get work insurance on her GTI for the long trips. 45p a mile isnt great but it'll do!
Ved said:
Thanks for the response. I had an STI for a couple of years and that was a doitall car for both of us really. How did yours cope with the depreciation when it came to selling it, if you don't mind me asking?
Cough, ran it as a company car with a fuel card. Bottom-raped by HMRC, but well worth it CraigyMc said:
My mate's owned one from new. He's on RB320OC as SXA. It has spent quite a lot of time at the dealers with various suspension related issues (struts, wheelbearings). I think his car has under 40K on it?
It's probably worth pointing out that on the rubber the car is supposed to wear, it's excellent in the dry and *very* marginal in the wet.
C
Suspension - struts were indeed a problem - bad spec on the OE billies, but most should have been fixed under warranty, except perhaps the very low mileage examples...It's probably worth pointing out that on the rubber the car is supposed to wear, it's excellent in the dry and *very* marginal in the wet.
C
P Zero Corsas aren't as good in the wet, agreed, bit I think that this overstates things, they are well beyond "marginal". Not keen on deep standing water where they just can't clear water quickly enough, otherwise fine, IMO.
Bonefish Blues said:
CraigyMc said:
My mate's owned one from new. He's on RB320OC as SXA. It has spent quite a lot of time at the dealers with various suspension related issues (struts, wheelbearings). I think his car has under 40K on it?
It's probably worth pointing out that on the rubber the car is supposed to wear, it's excellent in the dry and *very* marginal in the wet.
C
Suspension - struts were indeed a problem - bad spec on the OE billies, but most should have been fixed under warranty, except perhaps the very low mileage examples...It's probably worth pointing out that on the rubber the car is supposed to wear, it's excellent in the dry and *very* marginal in the wet.
C
P Zero Corsas aren't as good in the wet, agreed, bit I think that this overstates things, they are well beyond "marginal". Not keen on deep standing water where they just can't clear water quickly enough, otherwise fine, IMO.
It's not possible to put up with that on a commuting car unless you've got an alternative mode of transport...
C
CraigyMc said:
The point about the suspension is that the car spent quite a few times, and quite a few weeks off the road having this sorted out. It wasn't the money, although the dealer did try to stiff him anyway. "Known strut problems? What known strut problems sir?".
It's not possible to put up with that on a commuting car unless you've got an alternative mode of transport...
C
They are noisy, not dangerous. Mine were both done and the car wasn't off the road other than the day of their replacement. It's not possible to put up with that on a commuting car unless you've got an alternative mode of transport...
C
RB320OC owners had good results with dealers getting them fixed with the revised spec.
The rear shocks are notorious for failing (knocking rather than being dangerous) on new age imprezas. Most will go before 30k. I replaced mine with coil overs.
Mpg will vary with the use, I've got a hawk eye WRX and I get sub 20mpg but I spend a fair amount of time in traffic.I have managed 30 mpg but that involved driving at a steady 55 on the motorway. Remember the sti's especially if they are tuned should be run on V power.
The RB320 is a cracking car by all accounts but if you want to rack up high miles you are probably best off slightly tuning a standard sti, you will get the same power with an exhaust change and remap. RB's fetch a premium and you'll probably kill that by doing serious mileage in it.
I usually switch daily drives every three years but I have had my WRX for three years now and I'm planning on keeping it for a couple of years yet at least. I've refreshed it by changing the wheels, adding an anti lift kit, roll bars and coil overs., which has transformed the handling. I've also switched to LPG to help with the running costs.
The impreza is a fantastic car if you can get over the slightly bad image it's got.
Mpg will vary with the use, I've got a hawk eye WRX and I get sub 20mpg but I spend a fair amount of time in traffic.I have managed 30 mpg but that involved driving at a steady 55 on the motorway. Remember the sti's especially if they are tuned should be run on V power.
The RB320 is a cracking car by all accounts but if you want to rack up high miles you are probably best off slightly tuning a standard sti, you will get the same power with an exhaust change and remap. RB's fetch a premium and you'll probably kill that by doing serious mileage in it.
I usually switch daily drives every three years but I have had my WRX for three years now and I'm planning on keeping it for a couple of years yet at least. I've refreshed it by changing the wheels, adding an anti lift kit, roll bars and coil overs., which has transformed the handling. I've also switched to LPG to help with the running costs.
The impreza is a fantastic car if you can get over the slightly bad image it's got.
I would just get a standard STi if you are going to do loads of miles in it. Remap and exhaust and you will be at 340bhp. I did 20K+ a year in a WRX PPP and it was fine (if a little dear with petrol). In fact, a remapped WRX can be just as quick as an STi and probably makes a better mile muncher (if either can be considered as that).
Have you considered an 05 2.0ltr one - more whiz bang
… although, probably not as good for doing longer runs 
With regards to the shocks - you can temporarily fix the knocking with white lithium grease - just jack the car up and spray it on the strut.
Have you considered an 05 2.0ltr one - more whiz bang
… although, probably not as good for doing longer runs With regards to the shocks - you can temporarily fix the knocking with white lithium grease - just jack the car up and spray it on the strut.
rallycross said:
Who converted your Impreza to LPG and how has it been, any problems?
I've always thought LPG on an Impreza would make a lot of sense but hadnt seen one done before.
Without taking this thread off topic I've written some stuff about it in http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...I've always thought LPG on an Impreza would make a lot of sense but hadnt seen one done before.
paulmoonraker said:
I would just get a standard STi if you are going to do loads of miles in it. Remap and exhaust and you will be at 340bhp. I did 20K+ a year in a WRX PPP and it was fine (if a little dear with petrol). In fact, a remapped WRX can be just as quick as an STi and probably makes a better mile muncher (if either can be considered as that).
Have you considered an 05 2.0ltr one - more whiz bang … although, probably not as good for doing longer runs
5 door WRX with PPP ideal as a family car - ran one for 3 years and it always put a smile on my face Have you considered an 05 2.0ltr one - more whiz bang
… although, probably not as good for doing longer runs 
Bonefish Blues said:
P Zero Corsas aren't as good in the wet, agreed, bit I think that this overstates things, they are well beyond "marginal". Not keen on deep standing water where they just can't clear water quickly enough, otherwise fine, IMO.
Well, when it's raining, the car won't keep up with my TT on lots of roads.It's not a driver skill related thing either - the guy behind the wheel is my karting team-mate and we are extremely evenly balanced in both wet and dry conditions.
If I had a 320 and lived in Scotland, for example, I'd definately have more than one set of rims for the car, because those tyres are really poor in bad weather, imo.
The TT is on ContiSportContact 3's, which are fairly good in the wet, I admit.
C
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