Classic impreza vs focus st (2nd car)
Discussion
Not far off being able to afford a new car. Coming from a corsa c 1.2 just want your opinions on what to get. Would prefer a fast hatchback or saloon preferely a turbo.
Will also be a daily and maybe a few trackdays
Contenders:
Focus ST MK2
Classic impreza turbo 2000
Astra H VXR
Impreza wrx 2.0 (either bugeye or Blobeye)
Silvia 200sx s14 (not hatchback i know BUT convince me!)
Did look at VAG but too bland and nothing french either. Thought about a CTR EP3 but naaa need TURBOOOO!!
Will also be a daily and maybe a few trackdays
Contenders:
Focus ST MK2
Classic impreza turbo 2000
Astra H VXR
Impreza wrx 2.0 (either bugeye or Blobeye)
Silvia 200sx s14 (not hatchback i know BUT convince me!)
Did look at VAG but too bland and nothing french either. Thought about a CTR EP3 but naaa need TURBOOOO!!
Iv had a classic wrx (the one to have rather then a t2000) a bug wrx and a focus st, focus has the better tuning per £ and will be quicker in a straight line with basic mods. I loved the rawness of my classics and the way it handled around the bends. The bug is like a watered down classic with equally as horrid interior switches, but less prone to rust.
If you want a more raw feeling car get a classic- just watch the rust.
If you want a quick more modern car get the focus as the 5 pot sounds awesome and can be brought to a respectable 280-290bhp with breathing mods and a map
Edit: iv also had an s14a, they rust like sin so invest in a good one, the sr20 is a great lump capable of big power.
If you want a more raw feeling car get a classic- just watch the rust.
If you want a quick more modern car get the focus as the 5 pot sounds awesome and can be brought to a respectable 280-290bhp with breathing mods and a map
Edit: iv also had an s14a, they rust like sin so invest in a good one, the sr20 is a great lump capable of big power.
Edited by Xcore on Tuesday 1st November 21:34
I've owned two classic Imprezas. A UK turbo and a P1. Also owned an ST. (The 5 pot one).
As mentioned above, an ST is cheaper and easier to mod (I bluefinned mine for £200) and it seemed to make it how it should have been out of the factory. It just felt a bit 'lumpy' before in its power delivery, but was very torquey out of the box.
The Imprezas were less torquey and depended more on their turbos to entertain as a package, but were hands down the more fun to drive though. You sat lower in them and were more feelsome.
As mentioned above, an ST is cheaper and easier to mod (I bluefinned mine for £200) and it seemed to make it how it should have been out of the factory. It just felt a bit 'lumpy' before in its power delivery, but was very torquey out of the box.
The Imprezas were less torquey and depended more on their turbos to entertain as a package, but were hands down the more fun to drive though. You sat lower in them and were more feelsome.
Edited by Baz Tench on Tuesday 1st November 22:30
I'd say they are all too heavy for a track car, however being realistic running a good track car as a daily is not going to be practical. I had a classic Impreza for 13 years and it was a practical four door saloon that could be a lot of fun to drive on the road. Yet when I started doing track days I didn't use it as it would be too easy to drive within the limits of a track day. I did a fair few days at Car Limits where you can drive well past the normal limits in ways that would get you a black flag on a TD and there it came alive.
Of your list a 200SX would probably be most fun, but a Focus ST would probably be cheaper to run and possibly quicker. Given the age of the cars you are looking at the best plan is going to be to find a good example of any of them and just enjoy it.
Of your list a 200SX would probably be most fun, but a Focus ST would probably be cheaper to run and possibly quicker. Given the age of the cars you are looking at the best plan is going to be to find a good example of any of them and just enjoy it.
I've had 2 of the vehicles on your short list. Astra H VXR and Impreza Turbo 2000. Both pretty standard and despite the Impreza being 10 years older, it was much more fun and engaging; that's if you don't mind the lack of comforts and you put the driving experience as a priority. I still own it as a weekend car 
I'd imagine the Focus ST being even more dull than the Astra VXR and the Astra wasn't dull to begin with either, don't get me wrong.
The Focus, Astra and Impreza can all be brought to 280bhp-ish for around £700-800 with an upgraded filter, decat downpipe and a custom map. The benefit with the Impreza is that it's AWD and only weighs 1230kg, the others being more like 1400kg. Food for thought.
I'd imagine the Focus ST being even more dull than the Astra VXR and the Astra wasn't dull to begin with either, don't get me wrong.
The Focus, Astra and Impreza can all be brought to 280bhp-ish for around £700-800 with an upgraded filter, decat downpipe and a custom map. The benefit with the Impreza is that it's AWD and only weighs 1230kg, the others being more like 1400kg. Food for thought.
Edited by Prohibiting on Saturday 19th November 15:12
Granfondo said:
sleepera6 said:
pti said:
Alan_I_W said:
sleepera6 said:
Why are you bumping this
Want to know what he's getting, is following up on a thread outlawed around here?Oh wait, he changed names?!
Like monkeylegend said, he's gone very quiet
I've had a Focus ST and still have an RB5. The ST was a great car, far more fun than an Astra VXR (friend had one at thecsamevtime)as it really can wag its tail, the interior is much nicer and it makes a great noise.
The ST is a better everyday car than the impreza but as said the impreza is far more engaging to drive. My impreza is only really used for fun driving and shows etc, I will be sad to see it go.
The ST is a better everyday car than the impreza but as said the impreza is far more engaging to drive. My impreza is only really used for fun driving and shows etc, I will be sad to see it go.
Hit a bit of a set back as I'm not willing to pay silly sums on insurance at the minute, have the money for the car and all but will be doing the sensible thing and waiting til I'm 21.
Will be 21 next September so should have a bit more saved by then so could even widen my choice on what to get.
After all the replys I think I'm set on a PFL MK2 ST as they're quite cheap to get power (270 from a bluefin chip) and maybe a scorpion catback, nothing more than that though as I've read the clutches need changing to an RS one if chasing more power. After that a scooby would be on the cards, definitely want a blobeye STI at some point but prices are abit here and there, so would rather get a bit more money behind me and buy a nice uk spec one after I'm finished with the ST.
My budget on buying the ST would be around 5k and if I was to have the money, budget for the STI this time next year would be around 7.5k.
Thanks for the replys.
Will be 21 next September so should have a bit more saved by then so could even widen my choice on what to get.
After all the replys I think I'm set on a PFL MK2 ST as they're quite cheap to get power (270 from a bluefin chip) and maybe a scorpion catback, nothing more than that though as I've read the clutches need changing to an RS one if chasing more power. After that a scooby would be on the cards, definitely want a blobeye STI at some point but prices are abit here and there, so would rather get a bit more money behind me and buy a nice uk spec one after I'm finished with the ST.
My budget on buying the ST would be around 5k and if I was to have the money, budget for the STI this time next year would be around 7.5k.
Thanks for the replys.
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