Subaru Impreza WRX STi R205
Discussion
When I decided to sell my BMW E62 M5 Touring I had two distinct options:
A) Go for something more modern that offers all the latest tech, security and reliability
B) Refuse to learn your lesson. Buy something that will require/demand attention and effort but ultimately make you smile every time you walk towards it.
Option A crystalised into a Hyundai i20N. I'm a bobble hatted rally nerd and so it's WRC pedigree is attractive and although small it has a decent amount of space, is frugal and has a manual gearbox. After a year with an SMG and a Renaultsport EDC before that, I really wanted to get a third pedal back again.
But then Option B occurred to me out of nowhere... Impreza R205! As a serial GC8 owner, this was the one Subaru that was still on my list but that I'd given up on. The JDM only, 400-made special editions had for a while commanded silly money on UK soil. However, the two that the instantaneous internet trawl proffered were nigh-on i20N money. My only guess is that I'd last looked at them pre-GC8's becoming eligible for US import and now perhaps, as that market had floated theirs had sank.
Why the R205? Ever since reading Dino Dalle Carbonare's Speedhunters piece on a day spent with one back in 2010 I'd really wanted one. In a nutshell, it's a peak-'Subaru-being-Subaru' car: a Spec C hatchback with the 2litre EJ20, a roller bearing turbo, ECU work (319bhp), custom tuned Bilstein dampers, colossal Brembo brakes (6-pot fronts, 4-pot rears), chassis bracing including pillow-ball bushes at the rear, a specially tuned STi exhaust and a few body tweaks (different bumper to Spec C and a rear diffuser). AND some beautiful cast STi alloys. Being a bigger car the interior is roomier than an i20N and the boot is more spacious (despite a higher floor to incorporate the intercooler waterspray tank). Looks are subjective but I've always felt that the hatch got a far too critical reception and has actually aged well. Aside from appearances, as a daily, it's hugely more practical than a saloon when it comes to kids/bikes/dog.
Negatives? Interior quality is also, sadly, peak Subaru - you could kick a football between most of the trim gaps, a drawing of a CD headunit would almost be more effective and the drivers seat position is slightly high by modern standards (does anyone know of an aftermarket kit to lower it? I'm 6'2 and could do with dropping it slightly).
One surprise positive is that it is more frugal than I was anticipating. A five-hour mix of motorway and A road home from collection used just two thirds of a tank of E5. Having only had 5-speed 'boxes in my GC8's I was aware of the EJ20's ability to sip reasonably admirably if kept just outside of boost. The 6-speed dispatched mile after mile between 70-75mph surprisingly well. That said, after BMW V10 ownership, a Eurofighter Typhoon would probably seem pretty economical too.
Initial driving impressions are everything that I hoped they would be; heavy at low speed/up on its toes at anything above that, mechanical, oily and always wanting to go. It's definitely old fashioned in how it delivers that boost - but that's the fun of it. The gear change, as with all Impreza's I've owned, is close, heavy and not one to rush - instead it rewards a bit of patience and rev-matching.
I'm still getting a proper 'to do' list together for number 200 but for the time being getting it properly aligned is top priority followed by thorough undersealing and then a belts and oil service later this year.
It would have been much safer to go with Option A and it would also make a load of sense to squirrel the car away and hope that its value increases. But increasingly, every new car I'm shown seems to be more device-like/make spaceship noises and, inevitably, I'll probably end up having to own something like that at some stage. For the time being this felt like a good opportunity to scratch an itch.
A) Go for something more modern that offers all the latest tech, security and reliability
B) Refuse to learn your lesson. Buy something that will require/demand attention and effort but ultimately make you smile every time you walk towards it.
Option A crystalised into a Hyundai i20N. I'm a bobble hatted rally nerd and so it's WRC pedigree is attractive and although small it has a decent amount of space, is frugal and has a manual gearbox. After a year with an SMG and a Renaultsport EDC before that, I really wanted to get a third pedal back again.
But then Option B occurred to me out of nowhere... Impreza R205! As a serial GC8 owner, this was the one Subaru that was still on my list but that I'd given up on. The JDM only, 400-made special editions had for a while commanded silly money on UK soil. However, the two that the instantaneous internet trawl proffered were nigh-on i20N money. My only guess is that I'd last looked at them pre-GC8's becoming eligible for US import and now perhaps, as that market had floated theirs had sank.
Why the R205? Ever since reading Dino Dalle Carbonare's Speedhunters piece on a day spent with one back in 2010 I'd really wanted one. In a nutshell, it's a peak-'Subaru-being-Subaru' car: a Spec C hatchback with the 2litre EJ20, a roller bearing turbo, ECU work (319bhp), custom tuned Bilstein dampers, colossal Brembo brakes (6-pot fronts, 4-pot rears), chassis bracing including pillow-ball bushes at the rear, a specially tuned STi exhaust and a few body tweaks (different bumper to Spec C and a rear diffuser). AND some beautiful cast STi alloys. Being a bigger car the interior is roomier than an i20N and the boot is more spacious (despite a higher floor to incorporate the intercooler waterspray tank). Looks are subjective but I've always felt that the hatch got a far too critical reception and has actually aged well. Aside from appearances, as a daily, it's hugely more practical than a saloon when it comes to kids/bikes/dog.
Negatives? Interior quality is also, sadly, peak Subaru - you could kick a football between most of the trim gaps, a drawing of a CD headunit would almost be more effective and the drivers seat position is slightly high by modern standards (does anyone know of an aftermarket kit to lower it? I'm 6'2 and could do with dropping it slightly).
One surprise positive is that it is more frugal than I was anticipating. A five-hour mix of motorway and A road home from collection used just two thirds of a tank of E5. Having only had 5-speed 'boxes in my GC8's I was aware of the EJ20's ability to sip reasonably admirably if kept just outside of boost. The 6-speed dispatched mile after mile between 70-75mph surprisingly well. That said, after BMW V10 ownership, a Eurofighter Typhoon would probably seem pretty economical too.
Initial driving impressions are everything that I hoped they would be; heavy at low speed/up on its toes at anything above that, mechanical, oily and always wanting to go. It's definitely old fashioned in how it delivers that boost - but that's the fun of it. The gear change, as with all Impreza's I've owned, is close, heavy and not one to rush - instead it rewards a bit of patience and rev-matching.
I'm still getting a proper 'to do' list together for number 200 but for the time being getting it properly aligned is top priority followed by thorough undersealing and then a belts and oil service later this year.
It would have been much safer to go with Option A and it would also make a load of sense to squirrel the car away and hope that its value increases. But increasingly, every new car I'm shown seems to be more device-like/make spaceship noises and, inevitably, I'll probably end up having to own something like that at some stage. For the time being this felt like a good opportunity to scratch an itch.
Brilliant 
no doubt here option B is the better choice. I ve had a hankering for a JDM Impreza for sometime specifically at Hawkeye S204 for the seats but they are mega money. There s something in the power delivery of an Impreza that just makes you smile. Having a I/C tank and spray button is just cool to.
Top work on the M5 if was comparable to a Typhoon s 6lt per sec consumption
Dinitrol is great stuff for protecting from our winter roads, needs to be clean and none dry prior to application. You can get it in clear coat too.
no doubt here option B is the better choice. I ve had a hankering for a JDM Impreza for sometime specifically at Hawkeye S204 for the seats but they are mega money. There s something in the power delivery of an Impreza that just makes you smile. Having a I/C tank and spray button is just cool to. Top work on the M5 if was comparable to a Typhoon s 6lt per sec consumption
Dinitrol is great stuff for protecting from our winter roads, needs to be clean and none dry prior to application. You can get it in clear coat too.
Edited by jwwbowe on Saturday 13th September 13:37
As a serial limited edition subaru owner (tbsi, spec c ra, v6 type r limited).
You made the correct choice.
Always wanted one of the S or R cars but prices went up quicker than I could save.
The R205 seems to be the only affordable one left. S203/204 are now 40k plus and could never justify that much on a toy.
Type-ra is the place to go for information, if your not a member already.
You made the correct choice.
Always wanted one of the S or R cars but prices went up quicker than I could save.
The R205 seems to be the only affordable one left. S203/204 are now 40k plus and could never justify that much on a toy.
Type-ra is the place to go for information, if your not a member already.
jwwbowe said:
Brilliant no doubt here option B is the better choice. I ve had a hankering for a JDM Impreza for sometime specifically at Hawkeye S204 for the seats but they are mega money. There s something in the power delivery of an Impreza that just makes you smile. Having a I/C tank and spray button is just cool to.
Top work on the M5 if was comparable to a Typhoon s 6lt per sec consumption
Dinitrol is great stuff for protecting from our winter roads, needs to be clean and none dry prior to application. You can get it in clear coat too.
OK - I maybe exaggerated slightly. But 5.5lt per sec was do-able on a clear run! no doubt here option B is the better choice. I ve had a hankering for a JDM Impreza for sometime specifically at Hawkeye S204 for the seats but they are mega money. There s something in the power delivery of an Impreza that just makes you smile. Having a I/C tank and spray button is just cool to. Top work on the M5 if was comparable to a Typhoon s 6lt per sec consumption
Dinitrol is great stuff for protecting from our winter roads, needs to be clean and none dry prior to application. You can get it in clear coat too.
Edited by jwwbowe on Saturday 13th September 13:37
Thanks for the recommendation, will take a look at Dinitrol. Have had really good experiences in the past with Bilt Hamber products so will compare the two.
Yeah, it feels like no time at all that S204's were 'normal' money. Sadly, my car doesn't have the Recaro's which were optional. BUT... maybe down the line that, coupled with the slightly high seating position, turns into a seat swap.
rossub said:
Interesting to see how you get on with it.
I had one for a year or so during Covid. It s a cracking thing, but ultimately I found it to be too competent for the road and too far from the old School Imprezas for my taste!
Lovely looking car. There's a white one for sale down in Surrey at the minute. Am waiting on an alignment to really start getting some back road loops in but will report back on how it compares to my old Type RA. It's definitely wider! I had one for a year or so during Covid. It s a cracking thing, but ultimately I found it to be too competent for the road and too far from the old School Imprezas for my taste!
So far I've spent going on for 12 hours behind the wheel of the R205 already... but 99% of that has been motorway and bland A-road fair. I'm still rolling around in the post-M5 bubble of euphoria that is how (relatively) lightly the car uses fuel (by comparison!). Its need for an alignment coupled with work being flat out has me in a holding pattern on getting some proper back road runs under its boots, but I'm still so happy with it.
Yes, in traffic, it has a pretty heavy clutch pedal and, yes, my 'UI' is currently a phone holder and a Bluetooth speaker but there's something brilliant about having to do everything yourself and actually drive the thing that is really immersive and relaxing. My other half even drove it and enjoyed it and my kids seem to really get that its different and interesting. I've owned plenty of cars in the past that only myself as a car geek was into but it's nice when other people that you're close to begin to understand the allure. Even if they've yet to show much of an interest as to how clever the diffs are or that Petter Solberg once fell off the roof of one.
Yes, in traffic, it has a pretty heavy clutch pedal and, yes, my 'UI' is currently a phone holder and a Bluetooth speaker but there's something brilliant about having to do everything yourself and actually drive the thing that is really immersive and relaxing. My other half even drove it and enjoyed it and my kids seem to really get that its different and interesting. I've owned plenty of cars in the past that only myself as a car geek was into but it's nice when other people that you're close to begin to understand the allure. Even if they've yet to show much of an interest as to how clever the diffs are or that Petter Solberg once fell off the roof of one.
Mij91 said:
Appreciate the honesty! I'll do some man maths. Any mods planned for it?
I haven't sat down to the mpg maths yet (car has a live km/l display beside the clock). I did 250 miles on a tank (actually more as light hadn't come on before I topped it back up) which felt like wholly reasonable value. Again, I should caviate all of this with the fact that I'd just got out of E62 M5. That was a bit of an experimental run where I never exceeded 75mph. At 70ish it's sitting at 3000rpm-ish - from what I've read these really come on boost from 3500rpm so for me that works perfectly. I'd rather trundle along on the motorway with a podcast and have fun on smaller roads versus vice versa. No mods planned - these really are pretty much sorted from STi as standard. If I do do anything it will be along the OEM+ route; CarPlay upgrade, brake lines and fluid and maybe one day seats. Despite the big bonnet vent, they do a good 'stealthy' - not too loud or big wing shouty - and I don't want to mess with that.
I'd say it definitely depends on your commute. I've not had the car for long but when crawling around Edinburgh bypass it's a heavy old clutch but equally everything that's not that is entertaining.
Edited by rmcl14 on Wednesday 17th September 18:32
Mike1990 said:
Perfect!
Are these similar to the Spec C?
As ever with Subaru's I'm sure someone will be able to correct me but my understanding was the R205 was really a 'road sport' style development of the more circuit focused Spec C. There's (counterintuitively) flex built into the chassis bracing and the damper tune is geared more toward road use. That said, mine is stiff. Not overly so - about the same as my old RS300 EDC. There are also some cosmetic differences with the front bumper and the rear diffuser.Are these similar to the Spec C?
Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 17th September 08:29
Mike1990 said:
Perfect!
Are these similar to the Spec C?
The spec c and S/R cars are made for different audiences. The spec c are geared towards track or competition use. These tend to be lighter and missing some of the mod cons. I think the spec c hatch was less hard core than the older spec c. Are these similar to the Spec C?
Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 17th September 08:29
The S/R cars are a full fat Impreza STI with all the STI catalog thrown at it. A road biased car. These have all the sound deadening and all the mod cons of a standard STI.
For the Hatch they made a 20th anniversary edition as well which was a standard STI with ALL the STI handling mods thrown at it.
Taken from the sti.jp website.
The R205 was a complete car from STI; the ‘R’ signifying the ‘road’. Based on the Impreza WRX STI, the model utilised technology developed through STI’s participation in the Nürburgring 24-hour Race to the full. As the name implies, focus was given to the car’s performance on public roads in its development in order to create the best road-going car possible. As for the engine, maximum output was increased to 320PS and the maximum torque to 44.0kgf・m by the introduction of such components as a special ball bearing twin scroll turbo. In addition, Brembo 18-inch discs and callipers were installed on the front and rear brakes. With regard to the exterior, aerodynamic devices including STI front and rear under spoilers were fitted. In order to further enhance the ‘flexible yet elegant driving feel’ that STI aims for, a newly developed Flexible Draw Stiffener was installed along with STI dampers/springs and Flexible Tower Bar. As a result, the car could achieve exceptional vehicle manoeuvrability, which made the car react smoothly to the driver’s intention.
Limited to 400 units
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