Nissan Pulsar GTIR vs Subaru Impreza WRX
Discussion
nottyash said:
Barryonyx just remomber the later March 2006 WRX is a whopping £460 tax a year
Shame as they are a nice car.
I'm looking at earlier cars, early millenium kind of cars. I may still get stung on tax, however...Shame as they are a nice car.
Just been looking through your garage too, you've had some great cars over the years!
Baryonyx said:
RobCrezz said:
I think you will be surprised how much slower a 220bhp WRX will be vs your 245bhp MR2. Its heavier and higher transmission losses also. I know you want more foot flat to the floor time, but after the MR2 you might even find the drive of the WRX a little boring?
Ive found more power in the rally reps actually keeps things entertaining, although im at a modest 375bhp (300atw) which feels just about perfect for a road car.
Well Rob, I did recently drive a WRX on a '57 plate that felt quite 'inert'. It was the 2.5L model so a bit different to what I'm looking at. I know that I'll be trading off straight line speed from the MR2, as well as that heady sensation of speed that is generated by the low seating position of the MR2. But the trade off I am looking for is grip. As I mentioned earlier, my Volvo S60 was quick enough for most situations, and I expect the WRX will provide a little more grunt again, even factoring in transmission losses, as it is lighter. Really I just want something that grips and grips through the corners. I remember my first time driving a GX and being blown away by the indefatigable grip.Ive found more power in the rally reps actually keeps things entertaining, although im at a modest 375bhp (300atw) which feels just about perfect for a road car.
Really, I think it just comes down to me liking 4WD and FWD more than RWD, at least on the roads. I'm also notorious for liking new toys, so there is every chance I would keep the WRX for a while and move on to something else.
I am still giving serious consideration to the Pulsar, it's very tough to make my mind up!
I am a big fan of the Nissan and came close to buying one many moons ago, it was something I lusted after in my early driving days. But it is an old car and in the same way its main rival, the Escort Cosworth back in the day, is not the best drive in the modern world, neither is the Nissan. They are old tech now and will be suffering with age so I guess the question is how much have you got to spend on the car to maintain it. Owning the Nissan will be a labour of love more than the WRX so its a matter of how much you love it.
I have seen a red one recently around where I live and I still would love to own one but my heart isn't in it the way it was and my head says no.
WRX is the sensible option but that doesn't mean its right for you.
I have seen a red one recently around where I live and I still would love to own one but my heart isn't in it the way it was and my head says no.
WRX is the sensible option but that doesn't mean its right for you.
On looks I would go for the Nissan, I don't see so many of them.
However, I recall a few years back when I had an STI at track days there was a Pulsar that was very quick in a straight line and held me up at every corner, nearly ran into the back of it as it was braking so early. Could have been the driver of course.
However, I recall a few years back when I had an STI at track days there was a Pulsar that was very quick in a straight line and held me up at every corner, nearly ran into the back of it as it was braking so early. Could have been the driver of course.
Baryonyx said:
nottyash said:
Barryonyx just remomber the later March 2006 WRX is a whopping £460 tax a year
Shame as they are a nice car.
I'm looking at earlier cars, early millenium kind of cars. I may still get stung on tax, however...Shame as they are a nice car.
Just been looking through your garage too, you've had some great cars over the years!
I have just sold the MR2, Boxster S and M3 is due to go tomorrow
Kitchens bathrooms and a baby on the way mean I am now in an old 2002 Astra SXI 1.6 so my car Portfolio has taken a hit. Just bought a T sport Corolla for the mrs which is our only source of fun....for now.
bicycleshorts said:
Definitely agree with this.
My Impreza had too much grip for any kind of fun. It did cover ground very, very fast but other than flying over a few crests, there was never any sensation of 'fun'. Very hard to unstick it.
The MR2 had it's tail shaking all over the place on the first drive out in it last night
My kind of "Fun" is the exact opposite of yours. I get way more satisfaction from a fast, smooth and controlled drive - I feel a bit disappointed if I get home from a quick drive and know that I was a bit ragged or sloppy in places. However, much like OP I changed cars to get my foot-in time. My previous car was a Leon Cupra R making 270bhp, it was a savage car, the rate of change of acceleration was impressive when the turbo eventually spooled, and it resisted wheelspin like no other turbo FWD car I've ever driven. However, it barely felt like it was trying and it would fly way, way past the legal limits without batting an eyelid, and while I always loved driving it, I wanted to change to something that would allow me to hold onto the gears a little longer. I wanted a car that felt like it needed to be worked to get some pace. I sold the Cupra and got Civic Type R - nowhere near as fast in a straight line, but hearing the engine screaming away in the VTEC zone, shifting up at the redline and not taking the piss (quite as much) is something I don't think I'll ever get sick of.My Impreza had too much grip for any kind of fun. It did cover ground very, very fast but other than flying over a few crests, there was never any sensation of 'fun'. Very hard to unstick it.
The MR2 had it's tail shaking all over the place on the first drive out in it last night
With regards to the GTIR vs WRX debate, the GTIR is the more special of the two. I think it is a car that will create more memories and probably find you looking over your shoulder at more often. It will probably garner more negative attention from non-car types - to many it will look like a tarted up ASDA car park special, but to those in the know, it's a bloody quick car. However, I think it could probably throw some big bills too - if you buy a GTIR make sure the owner explains absolutely everything, what has been done and how, how this works, what that does etc.
WRXs are great cars too, they are fairly tough and there is a huge choice of parts available for them. They don't have the rarity factor of the Nissan, but thats the trade off for a tried and tested parts and a wealth of knowledge in making it work. However, I don't think you'll be doing much DIY on an Impreza, under the bonnet, they look nightmarish to work on.
Both will chow fuel, neither are cheap to tax. How much can you afford to spend if it needs attention? Can you find a local specialist for Jap cars who might be handy enough to work on an older car like a GTIR?
GTi-R every day of the week and twice on Sunday. However, I've been looking over these for quite a while and I've came to the conclusion you probably need the same amount spare "just in case", as the purchase price. That is unless you find one suitably rebuilt recently (internal and external), and all the right upgrades e.g. brakes, fully forged etc.
I had a gtir about 7 years ago. Loved it at the time. Was running 280 bhp at 1 bar. Glad I owned one even if only for a year. Was getting 18 mpg round town and simply became too expensive for my 45 mile commute at the time. Clutch went and nobody round by me could work on it. Some would but wanted over a grand. I took it to hiteq in wigan who did it for 600. They're not there now I believe. Anyway, all in I enjoyed it. I chose it over the wrx because of its exclusivity. And if modified tastefully I don't think they are chavvy at all. Mine didn't have tints which probably helped. Had no other issues with the car and sold it for 500 quid less than I paid one year later. Whenever I see them now I do a double take to remenisis.
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