Subaru exhaust headers?
Discussion
Alright guys
My dad owns a Subaru Impreza GX Sport (2.0L naturally aspirated) and has been looking at uneven exhaust headers with an aim of increasing the amount of "burble" he gets from the engine. The car is standard except for a stainless steel sports exhaust he had designed for it as the standard exhaust it had when he bought it was badly rusted. This improved the sound to no end, it now has a deep, incredibly bassy thrum that develops into a deep rasp as the revs increase; I think it sounds fantastic but he is convinced it doesn't have enough of that iconic pulsing noise that turbo Imprezas make. I think this is the the pulsing burble he hopes to achieve-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks8wPGNn-
The pulse is also quite evident here as the revs drop off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVY0vBeyC7Y&NR=...
I know how the burble is created (unequal length exhaust headers time the pulses of gas to the exhaust in a left/right/left/right cycle, causing the gas waves to collide in the exhaust, creating the sound), but it was my understanding that all Imprezas except several high performance JDM models had unequal headers as standard. On the high performance JDM models they were omitted and equal length tuned headers were inserted to improve exhaust flow and liberate a few more BHP from the engines. Perhaps I am wrong though, as he believes that buying and fitting a new set of headers could improve the sound of the car, but I am not sure it will have any effect at all, if he removes unequal headers just to buy and fit new ones that won't do much differently. He is looking at aftermarket Borla headers, which have a good reputation in the Subaru community I believe.
For him, the noise is a huge part of what makes him love Imprezas. He would like a WRX or STi but does not think he could live with the fuel costs, because he does not drive quickly and would not really enjoy the performance, but he does love the looks, the feel and the noise. While some might say "Spend your money on something that makes it go faster" thats not really what is interested in, and I have to admit that every time I hear it fire up it puts a huge grin on my face, to the point where I may consider buying the car off him to have it as my daily driver.
So, can anyone give any advice on the matter, would it be a couple hundred quid down the drain that will not improve the cars sound, or could it be a worthwhile modification?
My dad owns a Subaru Impreza GX Sport (2.0L naturally aspirated) and has been looking at uneven exhaust headers with an aim of increasing the amount of "burble" he gets from the engine. The car is standard except for a stainless steel sports exhaust he had designed for it as the standard exhaust it had when he bought it was badly rusted. This improved the sound to no end, it now has a deep, incredibly bassy thrum that develops into a deep rasp as the revs increase; I think it sounds fantastic but he is convinced it doesn't have enough of that iconic pulsing noise that turbo Imprezas make. I think this is the the pulsing burble he hopes to achieve-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks8wPGNn-
The pulse is also quite evident here as the revs drop off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVY0vBeyC7Y&NR=...
I know how the burble is created (unequal length exhaust headers time the pulses of gas to the exhaust in a left/right/left/right cycle, causing the gas waves to collide in the exhaust, creating the sound), but it was my understanding that all Imprezas except several high performance JDM models had unequal headers as standard. On the high performance JDM models they were omitted and equal length tuned headers were inserted to improve exhaust flow and liberate a few more BHP from the engines. Perhaps I am wrong though, as he believes that buying and fitting a new set of headers could improve the sound of the car, but I am not sure it will have any effect at all, if he removes unequal headers just to buy and fit new ones that won't do much differently. He is looking at aftermarket Borla headers, which have a good reputation in the Subaru community I believe.
For him, the noise is a huge part of what makes him love Imprezas. He would like a WRX or STi but does not think he could live with the fuel costs, because he does not drive quickly and would not really enjoy the performance, but he does love the looks, the feel and the noise. While some might say "Spend your money on something that makes it go faster" thats not really what is interested in, and I have to admit that every time I hear it fire up it puts a huge grin on my face, to the point where I may consider buying the car off him to have it as my daily driver.
So, can anyone give any advice on the matter, would it be a couple hundred quid down the drain that will not improve the cars sound, or could it be a worthwhile modification?
Edited by Mastodon2 on Saturday 22 January 18:52
I think they are unequal on all UK Imprezas. I would remove the resonator and perhaps the 2nd cat (if it has multiple cats). The restonator kills the burble a bit, and removing that and the cat will increase the volume.
different backboxes make a big difference too.
mine (2nd cat removed, resonator removed, Afterburner Vortex backbox): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxxAi74Pi8
IMO, a classic will always sound better than a newage - a guy near me has a classic and it sounds awesome... just a much more well defined thump...
The boxer engine is not great on fuel anyway. A WRX aint too bad (even more so if you dont drive hard). An STi is a joke
BTW - I totally get the sound thing, its a key part of the whole driving thing
different backboxes make a big difference too.
mine (2nd cat removed, resonator removed, Afterburner Vortex backbox): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxxAi74Pi8
IMO, a classic will always sound better than a newage - a guy near me has a classic and it sounds awesome... just a much more well defined thump...
The boxer engine is not great on fuel anyway. A WRX aint too bad (even more so if you dont drive hard). An STi is a joke
BTW - I totally get the sound thing, its a key part of the whole driving thing
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 22 January 20:00
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 22 January 20:04
Your right, the burble is created in the way you demonstrated above, why people put equal length on to lose the burble, I'll never understand!! I'm aware that there are gains to be had, but some people put them on to lose the sound alone, which I just don't get.
Fuel isn't that bad for my sti, although it is a lightened and mapped classic, I'm in and around the 25mpg if I'm steady, which I consider satisfactory, however single figures if I'm playing, which I don't!!!
WRX would be my choice, I know what your saying about him not driving fast, but it is the pukka car, sound, speed if you want it, looks etc etc.
Fuel isn't that bad for my sti, although it is a lightened and mapped classic, I'm in and around the 25mpg if I'm steady, which I consider satisfactory, however single figures if I'm playing, which I don't!!!
WRX would be my choice, I know what your saying about him not driving fast, but it is the pukka car, sound, speed if you want it, looks etc etc.
paulmoonraker said:
I think they are unequal on all UK Imprezas. I would remove the resonator and perhaps the 2nd cat (if it has multiple cats). The restonator kills the burble a bit, and removing that and the cat will increase the volume.
different backboxes make a big difference too.
mine (2nd cat removed, resonator removed, Afterburner Vortex backbox): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxxAi74Pi8
IMO, a classic will always sound better than a newage - a guy near me has a classic and it sounds awesome... just a much more well defined thump...
The boxer engine is not great on fuel anyway. A WRX aint too bad (even more so if you dont drive hard). An STi is a joke
BTW - I totally get the sound thing, its a key part of the whole driving thing
As I suspected, changing the headers will probably not make a huge difference, unless these aftermarket Borla headers do something genuinely different to the headers it came from the factory with. different backboxes make a big difference too.
mine (2nd cat removed, resonator removed, Afterburner Vortex backbox): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoxxAi74Pi8
IMO, a classic will always sound better than a newage - a guy near me has a classic and it sounds awesome... just a much more well defined thump...
The boxer engine is not great on fuel anyway. A WRX aint too bad (even more so if you dont drive hard). An STi is a joke
BTW - I totally get the sound thing, its a key part of the whole driving thing
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 22 January 20:00
Edited by paulmoonraker on Saturday 22 January 20:04
As for removing the resonator, where would I find that? Is that the centre box in the exhaust (behind the cat, infront of the back box)? I'm not sure if the exhaust system he had fitted to it is catback or from the centre box back, if it even has a centre box, I will ask him tonight. The back box on the system he had fitted is pretty minimal on baffling so it's plenty loud, the car was nearly silent when he bought it and it was a well cared for example from an enthusiast - why the bloke stuck with the frankly awful stock exhaust for 5 years I will never know! My dad has talked about getting a cat-bypass or a decat that will allow him to slot the cat back in for MOT time, which I understand will unleash even more of the sound from the engine. I will enquire more when I next see him, if I'm going to buy it I will likely be carrying out any cheap and effective work to get it sounding it's best that he has not already done. I will make sure the headers don't get changed though, sounds like a rather expensive waste of time!
I should have mentioned, it's an 05 Blobeye GX. I know the classics have a different sound, but I regularly see some newage Imprezas around my way and they sound fantastic, not that my dad's car doesn't - infact, I think it sounds better than my workmate's STi PPP, which sounds oddly strangled with the Prodrive exhaust. I really should try and make a video recording of the car as it is now.
Thanks guys
EDIT: Btw Paul, your Impreza sounds great, the way it makes that bang on each lift off makes it sound almost like a rally car with antilag popping away!
Edited by Mastodon2 on Sunday 23 January 11:36
Thanks... Removing the 2nd cat (I still have the main downpipe one in) and resonator will help make that popping/banging sound (when driving hard its mental)...
http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/D...
Removing the downpipe cat will mean an MOT fail and ear ache. You can de-cat the 2nd cat and de-res for less than 200 quid (you can easily do it yourself).
-P
http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/index.php/Knowledge/D...
Removing the downpipe cat will mean an MOT fail and ear ache. You can de-cat the 2nd cat and de-res for less than 200 quid (you can easily do it yourself).
-P
No offence, but given it's a 2.0GX it would be a waste of money to spend close to a grand on a new set of headers - and they're unequal from factory. Less silencing in the exhaust system will given him what he wants, but again I'd question why.
Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
rhinochopig said:
No offence, but given it's a 2.0GX it would be a waste of money to spend close to a grand on a new set of headers - and they're unequal from factory. Less silencing in the exhaust system will given him what he wants, but again I'd question why.
Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
Having talked to him, the exhaust he has on now is a handbuilt catback system he had some local exhaust specialists build him, without a great deal of silencing, hence it being loud. I would say it suits the car's character, even though it's only N/A with a low profile spoiler, it still looks pretty mean on it's 17" gloss black WRX wheels and it sounds fantastic imo. It's not a terribly quick car but it's torquey enough to overtake well and punch it's way out of corners on twisty roads. It's not a flying machine like a turbo Impreza, but on a tough road it will keep up with much more powerful FWD cars due to it's 4WD giving it the advantage in the corners. On top of that, should I become the owner of this car, the insurance and running costs of a WRX might be too much so a GX might be my only way into Impreza ownership at least until I reach 25 or so. Thanks again for recommending a whole new car, though I suspect if I do eventually buy this GX off him he will probably buy a WRX anyway.Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
Mastodon2 said:
rhinochopig said:
No offence, but given it's a 2.0GX it would be a waste of money to spend close to a grand on a new set of headers - and they're unequal from factory. Less silencing in the exhaust system will given him what he wants, but again I'd question why.
Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
Having talked to him, the exhaust he has on now is a handbuilt catback system he had some local exhaust specialists build him, without a great deal of silencing, hence it being loud. I would say it suits the car's character, even though it's only N/A with a low profile spoiler, it still looks pretty mean on it's 17" gloss black WRX wheels and it sounds fantastic imo. It's not a terribly quick car but it's torquey enough to overtake well and punch it's way out of corners on twisty roads. It's not a flying machine like a turbo Impreza, but on a tough road it will keep up with much more powerful FWD cars due to it's 4WD giving it the advantage in the corners. On top of that, should I become the owner of this car, the insurance and running costs of a WRX might be too much so a GX might be my only way into Impreza ownership at least until I reach 25 or so. Thanks again for recommending a whole new car, though I suspect if I do eventually buy this GX off him he will probably buy a WRX anyway.Having owned a 2.0GX myself - a superb all-round car - his money would better spent elsewhere. I've also had a GX2.0 as a courtesy car with louder pipe fitted and it became tiresome after a while, as it just doesn't suit the character of the GX.
If he wants a bit more character without the fuel costs, try looking at an R model. No turbo, but 160bhp as opposed to the 130ish of the GX, and with similar economy. They're also a cheap model to run and buy.
The other thing to consider with the GX is that they actually work much better on the original 16" wheels - the WRX wheels actually over-tyre the car. I bought a set for mine as the OE wheels look too small. They ruin the handling, as a) they're much heavier than the smaller wheels, and the dampers aren't valved for them, and b) they're too wide for the power. If he still has the original 16s, try driving the car back to back on both wheels on a moor road. The difference is night and day.
Hmm, the thought of this is putting me off buying it now. I drove it many times on the 16" wheels and the handling was fantastic, it cornered like it was rail-guided, but I have not driven it on the WRX wheels. The original wheels are knocking about somewhere, but you might well be right on the insurance. He is asking a lot for the car, and though I would not be buying it until my next years NCB is ticked off much later this year, it would probably still work out cheaper to buy something cheap and fast like a Clio 182 and insure that than it would to buy and insure his Impreza.
The thing that gets me is thinking "While faster, will the Clio put a smile on my face like the Impreza does?" and wondering if going for a cheaper, faster French car would only ever feel like a compromise to me, regardless of it's improved performance.
At current, a cleanish Clio would cost me about £4,000 and will should cost around £1200 to insure with 2 years NCB, whereas my dad wants around £5000 for his Impreza and insurance may well still be as much as the RS Clio. My other alternative is to spend about £3000 on a classic Impreza turbo like the UK spec and hope that the insurance for the 200bhp car is not crushing expensive. If the insurance came in at under £2000 a year (at which point I'm not sure I'd pay it) it would still be cheaper than buying my dad's car and I'd own a faster, if less plush, Impreza.
Oh the joys of being a young man and a new driver.
The thing that gets me is thinking "While faster, will the Clio put a smile on my face like the Impreza does?" and wondering if going for a cheaper, faster French car would only ever feel like a compromise to me, regardless of it's improved performance.
At current, a cleanish Clio would cost me about £4,000 and will should cost around £1200 to insure with 2 years NCB, whereas my dad wants around £5000 for his Impreza and insurance may well still be as much as the RS Clio. My other alternative is to spend about £3000 on a classic Impreza turbo like the UK spec and hope that the insurance for the 200bhp car is not crushing expensive. If the insurance came in at under £2000 a year (at which point I'm not sure I'd pay it) it would still be cheaper than buying my dad's car and I'd own a faster, if less plush, Impreza.
Oh the joys of being a young man and a new driver.
Personally I would get a nippy N/A car like a clio, ST170 (I had one of these) etc, and wait till your older and get a proper Impreza turbo (not saying that there is any issue with the GX, but in reality you are likely to get turbo envy right . It will cost a fortune to insure an Impreza once you start mod'ing it (which you will want to do)... A classic is a good choice, however, the insurance will be dear.
I was 28 when I got my fist scooby. Prior to that I had an ST170 and loved it
-P
. It will cost a fortune to insure an Impreza once you start mod'ing it (which you will want to do)... A classic is a good choice, however, the insurance will be dear.I was 28 when I got my fist scooby. Prior to that I had an ST170 and loved it
-P
Edited by paulmoonraker on Monday 24th January 07:46
Mastodon2 said:
Hmm, the thought of this is putting me off buying it now. I drove it many times on the 16" wheels and the handling was fantastic, it cornered like it was rail-guided, but I have not driven it on the WRX wheels. The original wheels are knocking about somewhere, but you might well be right on the insurance. He is asking a lot for the car, and though I would not be buying it until my next years NCB is ticked off much later this year, it would probably still work out cheaper to buy something cheap and fast like a Clio 182 and insure that than it would to buy and insure his Impreza.
The thing that gets me is thinking "While faster, will the Clio put a smile on my face like the Impreza does?" and wondering if going for a cheaper, faster French car would only ever feel like a compromise to me, regardless of it's improved performance.
At current, a cleanish Clio would cost me about £4,000 and will should cost around £1200 to insure with 2 years NCB, whereas my dad wants around £5000 for his Impreza and insurance may well still be as much as the RS Clio. My other alternative is to spend about £3000 on a classic Impreza turbo like the UK spec and hope that the insurance for the 200bhp car is not crushing expensive. If the insurance came in at under £2000 a year (at which point I'm not sure I'd pay it) it would still be cheaper than buying my dad's car and I'd own a faster, if less plush, Impreza.
Oh the joys of being a young man and a new driver.
Sounds way overpriced unless it's really new.The thing that gets me is thinking "While faster, will the Clio put a smile on my face like the Impreza does?" and wondering if going for a cheaper, faster French car would only ever feel like a compromise to me, regardless of it's improved performance.
At current, a cleanish Clio would cost me about £4,000 and will should cost around £1200 to insure with 2 years NCB, whereas my dad wants around £5000 for his Impreza and insurance may well still be as much as the RS Clio. My other alternative is to spend about £3000 on a classic Impreza turbo like the UK spec and hope that the insurance for the 200bhp car is not crushing expensive. If the insurance came in at under £2000 a year (at which point I'm not sure I'd pay it) it would still be cheaper than buying my dad's car and I'd own a faster, if less plush, Impreza.
Oh the joys of being a young man and a new driver.
Here you go, and Impreza R for 5k http://www.parkwaymotorgroup.co.uk/used-car-sales/... 160bhp and only Grp 14 insurance. You should be able to find a hatch version for similar money.
rhinochopig said:
Sounds way overpriced unless it's really new.
Here you go, and Impreza R for 5k http://www.parkwaymotorgroup.co.uk/used-car-sales/... 160bhp and only Grp 14 insurance. You should be able to find a hatch version for similar money.
It is 5 years old, about 60,000 on the clock but is spotless really, perfect paint, interior like new, definitely an enthusiast's example, but My brother said it best I think "If you go for the Impreza now (at 22 years old) you will reach the top of the tree too fast. Without spending silly money you will not find greatly faster or more capable car and by the age of 30 you will be sick of cars because you went too fast and too cool, too soon and nothing will phase you anymore". I think he may well be right - if I owned a WRX at 22, without getting Nissan GTR territory, where do you go from there? My next door neighbour owned 5 WRXs and STis on the trot and now at the age of 67 or so has finally settled into a Legacy STi biturbo. To quote him, "Once you have owned an Impreza, you will probably not want to own anything else".Here you go, and Impreza R for 5k http://www.parkwaymotorgroup.co.uk/used-car-sales/... 160bhp and only Grp 14 insurance. You should be able to find a hatch version for similar money.
Mastodon2 said:
rhinochopig said:
Sounds way overpriced unless it's really new.
Here you go, and Impreza R for 5k http://www.parkwaymotorgroup.co.uk/used-car-sales/... 160bhp and only Grp 14 insurance. You should be able to find a hatch version for similar money.
It is 5 years old, about 60,000 on the clock but is spotless really, perfect paint, interior like new, definitely an enthusiast's example, but My brother said it best I think "If you go for the Impreza now (at 22 years old) you will reach the top of the tree too fast. Without spending silly money you will not find greatly faster or more capable car and by the age of 30 you will be sick of cars because you went too fast and too cool, too soon and nothing will phase you anymore". I think he may well be right - if I owned a WRX at 22, without getting Nissan GTR territory, where do you go from there? My next door neighbour owned 5 WRXs and STis on the trot and now at the age of 67 or so has finally settled into a Legacy STi biturbo. To quote him, "Once you have owned an Impreza, you will probably not want to own anything else".Here you go, and Impreza R for 5k http://www.parkwaymotorgroup.co.uk/used-car-sales/... 160bhp and only Grp 14 insurance. You should be able to find a hatch version for similar money.
With the greatest respect, your brother and neighbour are talking nonsense. There are myriad affordable performance cars that offer a much better driving experience than the Impreza. For example have a look at some of the bike engined kit-cars available - £8k will put you in a car that will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and will run rings around an Sti or Evo on track.
If you stick with imprezas for years, then you may get bored, but if you get bored try something else. An Elise, for example, may not be as straight-line quick, but it is far far more exciting to drive down a b-road than an Impreza. A Caterham even more so, and pick the right engine and the scooby would be left for dead.
At the other end of the spectrum, something like an MX5 is easily the equal of the Impreza in the fun stakes. And then there's all the classic FWD cars that are on peoples' classics lists.
rhinochopig said:
Price still seems strong to me - especially given it's a family sale which saves a lot of chew. Have a look on Autotrader or PH before you buy.
With the greatest respect, your brother and neighbour are talking nonsense. There are myriad affordable performance cars that offer a much better driving experience than the Impreza. For example have a look at some of the bike engined kit-cars available - £8k will put you in a car that will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and will run rings around an Sti or Evo on track.
If you stick with imprezas for years, then you may get bored, but if you get bored try something else. An Elise, for example, may not be as straight-line quick, but it is far far more exciting to drive down a b-road than an Impreza. A Caterham even more so, and pick the right engine and the scooby would be left for dead.
At the other end of the spectrum, something like an MX5 is easily the equal of the Impreza in the fun stakes. And then there's all the classic FWD cars that are on peoples' classics lists.
I really don't think they are talking nonsense. Short of a Lancer Evolution, there isn't much that would keep up with a WRX STi on the roads where I live. You would have to get into 4WD porsches and GTR territory. Blasting up and down the motorways is great, but on wet, bumpy, broken tarmac, I'd much rather be in an Impreza than a Caterham 7 or an Elise. Each to their own, but as a long time rally fan, and a huge fan of 4WD, turbo charged cars I know there may need to be several more rungs of the ladder first climbed, but I will get my Impreza or Evo in the end.With the greatest respect, your brother and neighbour are talking nonsense. There are myriad affordable performance cars that offer a much better driving experience than the Impreza. For example have a look at some of the bike engined kit-cars available - £8k will put you in a car that will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and will run rings around an Sti or Evo on track.
If you stick with imprezas for years, then you may get bored, but if you get bored try something else. An Elise, for example, may not be as straight-line quick, but it is far far more exciting to drive down a b-road than an Impreza. A Caterham even more so, and pick the right engine and the scooby would be left for dead.
At the other end of the spectrum, something like an MX5 is easily the equal of the Impreza in the fun stakes. And then there's all the classic FWD cars that are on peoples' classics lists.
As for MX-5s being fun, my brother owns one, so I know about that.
Don't get me wrong, I love my STi and for a number of years could not see past owning a scooby. However, its about the whole driving experience and there are many cars that can buzz you up in different ways... A lotus a few inches off the ground will 'feel' a world faster than the quickest scooby on the road. My mates Caterham 7 is awesome, yet only does 60 in 7 seconds or so...
-P
-P
Mastodon2 said:
rhinochopig said:
Price still seems strong to me - especially given it's a family sale which saves a lot of chew. Have a look on Autotrader or PH before you buy.
With the greatest respect, your brother and neighbour are talking nonsense. There are myriad affordable performance cars that offer a much better driving experience than the Impreza. For example have a look at some of the bike engined kit-cars available - £8k will put you in a car that will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and will run rings around an Sti or Evo on track.
If you stick with imprezas for years, then you may get bored, but if you get bored try something else. An Elise, for example, may not be as straight-line quick, but it is far far more exciting to drive down a b-road than an Impreza. A Caterham even more so, and pick the right engine and the scooby would be left for dead.
At the other end of the spectrum, something like an MX5 is easily the equal of the Impreza in the fun stakes. And then there's all the classic FWD cars that are on peoples' classics lists.
I really don't think they are talking nonsense. Short of a Lancer Evolution, there isn't much that would keep up with a WRX STi on the roads where I live. You would have to get into 4WD porsches and GTR territory. Blasting up and down the motorways is great, but on wet, bumpy, broken tarmac, I'd much rather be in an Impreza than a Caterham 7 or an Elise. Each to their own, but as a long time rally fan, and a huge fan of 4WD, turbo charged cars I know there may need to be several more rungs of the ladder first climbed, but I will get my Impreza or Evo in the end.With the greatest respect, your brother and neighbour are talking nonsense. There are myriad affordable performance cars that offer a much better driving experience than the Impreza. For example have a look at some of the bike engined kit-cars available - £8k will put you in a car that will do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and will run rings around an Sti or Evo on track.
If you stick with imprezas for years, then you may get bored, but if you get bored try something else. An Elise, for example, may not be as straight-line quick, but it is far far more exciting to drive down a b-road than an Impreza. A Caterham even more so, and pick the right engine and the scooby would be left for dead.
At the other end of the spectrum, something like an MX5 is easily the equal of the Impreza in the fun stakes. And then there's all the classic FWD cars that are on peoples' classics lists.
As for MX-5s being fun, my brother owns one, so I know about that.
Don't get me wrong the turbo rally reps are fun, but they just don't offer the tactile experience that say an Elise, Exige or Caterfield offers. They're very much a sledgehammer to crack a nut. For a start being forced induction they don't have anything like the throttle adjustability, so a corner becomes an exercise in turn-in, on the power early, and then a quick correction if needed. In a NA RWD car, you can modulate the throttle to play with the yaw of the car which makes for a much more engaging drive.
That's why I don't think your brother and neighbour are correct in their assertions. You can do the rally rep thing, move onto a few years of mid engine RWD, and then move onto front engined RWD, and get different, but equally fun experiences. To put it into context, I had my Westy for 7 years, I've had the Evo for 1 and doubt I'll have it for another 6.
At the end of the day, it's your choice, but I certainly wouldn't let the risk of having no where to go in car terms put you off buying a WRX or STi. I could (and will) happily spend the rest of my days ticking off my must own check-list as sports-cars are seldom all about absolute pace across a moor road.
I'm not saying I won't own a turbo rally rep, I most certainly will, but I'm only 22 so as well as having a car to spend money on I need to be saving for a house deposit to. While I could afford the £4000 a year insurance costs my better judgement tells me it's probably better to be banking that money and driving something cheaper but still exciting for now. Insurers seem to think young men and forced induction cars don't mix, full stop.
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