WRX - Only fun when driven hard?

[cheddar]

Looking for my next fun on wheels fix.

Seen plenty of cars, discounted lots, nearly bought a Mito, now fancy a Cooper S or a WRX (non STI, 2011 265bhp model, cheaper new than Mini over here in NZ) but wonder if it'll only put a smile on the dial when I'm really leaning on it.

I've owned both cars from new before - '98 Impreza and '04 Cooper S, loved them both, Scooby was faster, Mini was a riot and has that 'feel good' build and interior plus go kart vibe about it but was a little chintzy.

I want to get in, feel good, and love what the car does for me.

Wondering if the WRX will be dull in daily drab driving reality?

[paulmoonraker]

The WRX is a great DD in my opinion. I have not driven a new one, but previously owned a MY05 WRX PPP... Stay away from an STi as a DD as they are too thirsty... The 2.5 does not seem as lively as the older 2.0 ltr engine (which is why I opted for another 2005 car when I chopped in the WRX)... However, with the extra torque it is easier round town and on the motorway...

Country lanes and motorway etc the Scooby wins hands down... Pure town driving them the Mini I should think would be just as much fun...

-P

[Gwagon111]

The WRX makes sense as a daily drive. My current GB270 ( basically a WRX with a PPP and decent suspension), does about 28 mpg around town, and a bit more on a run. It's slightly cheaper to insure than my previous blobeye STI, but does cost nearly double the amount to tax over here in the UK . The GB270 doesn't have to be driven as hard as the STI did, to put a grin on my face. Go for the WRx, you wont regret it.

[skeeterm5]

If you mean the new hatch WRX I found the quality of the interior pretty poor when I went to try one.

S

[paulmoonraker]

skeeterm5 said:

If you mean the new hatch WRX I found the quality of the interior pretty poor when I went to try one.

S

I am not sure thats a significant consideration when buying a scooby (no offence)

[edar]

cheddar said:

Looking for my next fun on wheels fix.

Seen plenty of cars, discounted lots, nearly bought a Mito, now fancy a Cooper S or a WRX (non STI, 2011 265bhp model, cheaper new than Mini over here in NZ) but wonder if it'll only put a smile on the dial when I'm really leaning on it.

I've owned both cars from new before - '98 Impreza and '04 Cooper S, loved them both, Scooby was faster, Mini was a riot and has that 'feel good' build and interior plus go kart vibe about it but was a little chintzy.

I want to get in, feel good, and love what the car does for me.

Wondering if the WRX will be dull in daily drab driving reality?

I've had my 03 WRX Wagon for nearly two years. It's used everyday to and from work as well as tip runs, ferrying the kids and dog around and all round hard-daily use. Like any performance car, it only comes alive when you pick things up a bit. Driving normally feels like any other car, but get a good empty road and you'll be surprised at just how capable they are. Even now, I still get a buzz when I've just covered a few miles driving fast. Having modified the suspension recently, I'm now discovering a totally new car again. Even so, the standard WRX's are simply great cars in my opinion. They really hook-up to all road conditions and it still surprises me even though I thought I knew the capabilities of my own car.

[cheddar]

paulmoonraker said:

skeeterm5 said:

If you mean the new hatch WRX I found the quality of the interior pretty poor when I went to try one.

S

I am not sure thats a significant consideration when buying a scooby (no offence)

Actually Paul, it's exactly what I'm thinking about. The Mini has great build, a stunning interior and is great fun to fap about the city and the country roads, it'll always feel special. The downsides are the rubbish seats, silly coke can exhaust tips and the girly image.

They're exactly the same price over here - before haggling - but the Scooby has 265bhp, great seats and that mighty quad exhaust system, it'll be discounted whereas my Mini dealer is pretending their cars are too popular to haggle over.

[paulmoonraker]

cheddar said:

paulmoonraker said:

skeeterm5 said:

If you mean the new hatch WRX I found the quality of the interior pretty poor when I went to try one.

S

I am not sure thats a significant consideration when buying a scooby (no offence)

Actually Paul, it's exactly what I'm thinking about. The Mini has great build, a stunning interior and is great fun to fap about the city and the country roads, it'll always feel special. The downsides are the rubbish seats, silly coke can exhaust tips and the girly image.

They're exactly the same price over here - before haggling - but the Scooby has 265bhp, great seats and that mighty quad exhaust system, it'll be discounted whereas my Mini dealer is pretending their cars are too popular to haggle over.

What you have said there kind of summarises why you cannot really compare them. I think they are two entirely different propositions. Thinking back, my old NA Focus ST170 was much better round town and quite rewarding round the twisties. Both Imprezas I have had on the other hand only really make sense on a fun run round the A and B roads. Sure, the WRX is much better than the STi for town driving, but even that is not going to match a hot hatch... Just the Turbo boosty nature of the car makes is less fun - after all, you dont really drive round town blasting high up in the rev range...

[texasjohn]

I read that the new Impreza isn't as much fun to drive as the old saloon so test drive it and see what you think.

I had a 03 WRX PPP (260hp) and it was good fun.

You guys get the legacy (liberty) with the turbo over there don't you? They are like a more refined Impreza and great to drive.

[cheddar]

paulmoonraker said:

cheddar said:

paulmoonraker said:

skeeterm5 said:

If you mean the new hatch WRX I found the quality of the interior pretty poor when I went to try one.

S

I am not sure thats a significant consideration when buying a scooby (no offence)

Actually Paul, it's exactly what I'm thinking about. The Mini has great build, a stunning interior and is great fun to fap about the city and the country roads, it'll always feel special. The downsides are the rubbish seats, silly coke can exhaust tips and the girly image.

They're exactly the same price over here - before haggling - but the Scooby has 265bhp, great seats and that mighty quad exhaust system, it'll be discounted whereas my Mini dealer is pretending their cars are too popular to haggle over.

What you have said there kind of summarises why you cannot really compare them. I think they are two entirely different propositions. Thinking back, my old NA Focus ST170 was much better round town and quite rewarding round the twisties. Both Imprezas I have had on the other hand only really make sense on a fun run round the A and B roads. Sure, the WRX is much better than the STi for town driving, but even that is not going to match a hot hatch... Just the Turbo boosty nature of the car makes is less fun - after all, you dont really drive round town blasting high up in the rev range...

Good points Paul but I don't know about incomparable.

They're both hot hatches, both turbo, both quick, both handle well, both revered and they cost exactly the same amount to buy. Sure, one's faster, one's smaller, one's subtle, one's not. But, they are both accomplished and special, in a way that, say, a Peugeot 207 just isn't.

I wouldn't have considered a WRX at all but with the recent introduction of the wide body/quad pipe 265bhp model it's become a lot of car for the money and a compelling buy.

I just dont wanna to fork out $46 grand and be bored in a WRX because it only fires me up when it's absolutely on its door handles.

There are no demonstrators to try or even any used models to oggle at, in fact the only way I can even look at one at all is in a brochure or online, small country you see, hence my query on here.

[cheddar]

Well, I followed one 10 miles home today and it all clicked into place.

The pumped arches, that super wide wide track, the sexy intercooler scoop, the front fogs and airdam, that rear roof wing, the HID lights, the ultra cool quad mufflers - I mean who does quad mufflers as standard at this price level?

Then there's the knowledge that it now includes newly uprated bushes, better brakes, wider (but lighter) wheels and tyres and now has more mid-range torque than an STI.

To you all in the UK, if we were at our 20 year average historic exchange rate this car would only cost the equivalent of 15k over here and for that sort of money it's a no brainer.

Thanks for your input chaps. The deal will be struck tomorrow.

[paulmoonraker]

Good choice... You wont regret it - that sound ... I thought for some reason the Mini was supercharged, not turbocharged (which makes a difference to lag etc)... I still think the interior needs to be looked past, and it wont be as much fun round town, but get it on some good driving roads - thats a different story!

[GravelBen]

Have fun, with a bit of luck you might even find Dyers Pass free of cyclists!

Saw an STi hatch up close the other day, the shape has certainly grown on me - in the metal they look very squat and aggressive.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 10th January 11:48

[markCSC]

paulmoonraker said:

I thought for some reason the Mini was supercharged, not turbocharged (

The old one was super charged, post 2009 (ish) they went turbo charged. Bugger all lag on the turbo though, well that is is comparison to my TD04.

Edited by markCSC on Monday 10th January 12:38

[paulmoonraker]

markCSC said:

paulmoonraker said:

I thought for some reason the Mini was supercharged, not turbocharged (

The old one was super charged, post 2009 (ish) they went turbo charged. Bugger all lag on the turbo though, well that is is comparison to my TD04.

Thats one of things I was getting at - you need to wind an Impreza up to get it going. The same is not true for a smaller power hot hatch (turbo or not)... Driving my STi quick round town is dangerous frankly An Impreza with the 2.5ltr engine is better round town thou, given the increase in torque low down...

-P

[cheddar]

paulmoonraker said:

markCSC said:

paulmoonraker said:

I thought for some reason the Mini was supercharged, not turbocharged (

The old one was super charged, post 2009 (ish) they went turbo charged. Bugger all lag on the turbo though, well that is is comparison to my TD04.

Thats one of things I was getting at - you need to wind an Impreza up to get it going. The same is not true for a smaller power hot hatch (turbo or not)... Driving my STi quick round town is dangerous frankly An Impreza with the 2.5ltr engine is better round town thou, given the increase in torque low down...

-P

The 2011 WRX models produce maximum 260ftlb torque at only 2500 rpm. In contrast Sti's need 4000rpm showing to reach full twist action.

[mmcd87]

Interestingly, I got the chance to drive a new style (hatch) Impreza STI at the weekend. Personally, the STI was FAR more forgiving than I thought it would be. I would say the suspension wasn't much, if any stiffer than my blobeye WRX. It was also much quieter inside (mine has the Prodrive exhaust). The newer 2.5L engine is much more linear in its power delivery - it didn't feel as quick as my PPP WRX due to the lack of a kick at 3000rpm I get with my car, but it was clearly just as fast/faster when you looked at the speedo. I'm sure with a PPP added or similar the power delivery would be slightly different. Loved the ability to alter diff settings and throttle response etc via the centre console knob/buttons.

Letdowns for me were the price (it's quite expensive...), an interior that was not that much more superior than in my 2005 Impreza and the fact that it was a bit 'refined' compared to what I thought the car (STI) should be - probably ideal for a daily drive though. I can't really quote on the MPG but would be surprised if it's much worse than my current car. Bit of an upset that Subaru could not somehow sneak it under the 225 Co2 TAX bracket too.

[SCR Racing]

mmcd87 said:

Bit of an upset that Subaru could not somehow sneak it under the 225 Co2 TAX bracket too.

Agreed. They need to sort this. Although it seems silly that people would find this a problem when paying so much for a car, it simply is an issue.

[NorthDownsScooby]

There's negligable difference in real-world mpg between a WRX & STi - it's all down to your right foot matey.

I got 27mpg out of my 05 WRX PPP and am averaging 26.5 out of my 360bhp FSTi.

On your original Q - yeah you can have fun in a WRX or STi without being 'on the beans' all the time. Mine's a DD too and still makes me smile.

Edited by NorthDownsScooby on Thursday 13th January 11:07

[paulmoonraker]

NorthDownsScooby said:

There's negligable difference in real-world mpg between a WRX & STi - it's all down to your right foot matey.

I got 27mpg out of my 05 WRX PPP and am averaging 26.5 out of my 360bhp FSTi.

On your original Q - yeah you can have fun in a WRX or STi without being 'on the beans' all the time. Mine's a DD too and still makes me smile.

Edited by NorthDownsScooby on Thursday 13th January 11:07

I dont agree with that At least if you do the odd motorway stint. I used my WRX PPP for 2 years business miles (44K) and frankly thats a non-starter with my STi... I could not use an STi as a DD for my job (hundreds of miles a week)... Perhaps if work was round the corner then maybe...