RE: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK: PH Fleet
Discussion
Values are really firm - a proper good blob STi will run up to £10k and a similar widetrack will be above. You'll buy a newer hatch for less money which shows the following the original WRX / STi saloon lineage still has. The arrival of the hatch marked the beginning of the end for the UK market IMO.
MuscleSaloon said:
Values are really firm - a proper good blob STi will run up to £10k and a similar widetrack will be above. You'll buy a newer hatch for less money which shows the following the original WRX / STi saloon lineage still has. The arrival of the hatch marked the beginning of the end for the UK market IMO.
I went to test drive a hatch before buying my Blob eye, the logic being the newer car won't really have me modifying it if I found one already forged.... I'm only 5'8 and just about had enough leg room in the drivers seat to be comfortable. DanielSan said:
There's nothing I regret more than selling my old STI, the E46 M3 I've got at the moment, Nd is up for sale, doesn't get close to it for fun. It's better on the motorway and thats the only positive I've got for it. Biggest let down ever where the Subaru is just a massive highlight everytime you're in it...
I run an E46 M3 alongside my STI - it's difficult to compare the two, they are completely different cars. I love jumping in one from the other, to me they both offer equal amounts of enjoyment.MuscleSaloon said:
Values are really firm - a proper good blob STi will run up to £10k and a similar widetrack will be above. You'll buy a newer hatch for less money which shows the following the original WRX / STi saloon lineage still has. The arrival of the hatch marked the beginning of the end for the UK market IMO.
A lot of that is down to the engine though. I’d have a hatch as a daily driver right now if it had a 2 litre, as I need the practicality. But it doesn’t, it has a 2.5 and the JDM hatches are too expensive.DanielSan said:
There's nothing I regret more than selling my old STI, the E46 M3 I've got at the moment, Nd is up for sale, doesn't get close to it for fun. It's better on the motorway and thats the only positive I've got for it. Biggest let down ever where the Subaru is just a massive highlight everytime you're in it...
Fortunate enough to have both and while I love them for different reasons (the E46 M3 is one of my favourite cars of all time), there is just something about the STI which brings out the hooligan in you and has a sense of occasion every time you get in it. Really can't say enough good things about the JDM Blobeyes. Mine is relatively standard other than a map and I intend to keep it that way as every scooby owner seems to mod the crap out of theirs making it rare to find an original example. jsf said:
rossub said:
A lot of that is down to the engine though. I’d have a hatch as a daily driver right now if it had a 2 litre, as I need the practicality. But it doesn’t, it has a 2.5 and the JDM hatches are too expensive.
Build a forged bottom end, its cheap in the big scheme of things.Love the fact there are similar posters on this thread who - like me - have continued their affair with this flagship of the Subaru marque even in later life!
When we started a family, my heavily modded widetrack blob STI (my second Impreza) had to go as it was just a bit too raw for everyday.
Thought I'd go for something germanic, bit more refined but with a fun element still there - ended up with a v8 M3 but missed the torque and the turbo kick that the Subaru provided.
The M3 handled and rode significantly better than the Subaru, even with traction control switched off, had bags of top end (and stability there) as well, but it never really made me smile unless I was really pushing hard - which - when the car is a daily - isn't all that often.
Had a Mk3 Focus RS with a Mountune pack - didn't get on with it, heap of problems with it, terrible dealer service, so switched into a C63 PPP.
THAT was a superb daily fun car. Only downside was RWD in the winter, and the running costs (mad servicing prices aside the fuel costs are marginally worse than a 500bhp Impreza!).
Had it for 2 years, and despite it not handling as well as the M3, it felt raw (was mapped with an X pipe at 520bhp), the noise was sensational and I loved it.....BUT I still missed my old Subaru, and so went out and bought a JDM bug STI.
I still have the latter, and I run it as a weekend / fun car, and it's brilliant, still puts a smile on my face, and in the winter last year, whilst the C63 became an expensive drive ornament, the Impreza carried on its business as normal like all of mine have historically.
Having had Imprezas for over 12 years I'm happy to do the majority of the servicing myself, something that isn't great if you do the same on a German car when you subsequently try to move it on and it hasn't got full manufacturer service history,
The absence of all the electrical crap that you get in the new Golf R, Focus RS, Audi S3, AMG and M cars etc imo makes it a more reliable car *provided you service it properly*. Less driver aids and electronic sensors = less to go wrong .
Yes, it's not as refined inside as an Audi, nor does it handle as well as an M car, and no it doesn't sound as good as a 6.2 C63, BUT the car has soul, and engagement - as the OP said - nothing in the new line up *** for similar money today *** really gives you that out of the box other than the new Civic (I drove the FK2 and loved the engine and handling but not the choppy ride), and looking at the FK8, even if they've fixed the suspension woes of the FK2, visually the tart in me would still take my Subaru any day
Don't get me wrong, I've driven a 2018 Golf R, S3, M4, etc and they are all VERY good cars - I also have an RS3 lol - but even mapped they will struggle to match that raw and mechanical feel the Subaru gives you on the road - even if it does admittedly miss the mark on several other refinements!
When we started a family, my heavily modded widetrack blob STI (my second Impreza) had to go as it was just a bit too raw for everyday.
Thought I'd go for something germanic, bit more refined but with a fun element still there - ended up with a v8 M3 but missed the torque and the turbo kick that the Subaru provided.
The M3 handled and rode significantly better than the Subaru, even with traction control switched off, had bags of top end (and stability there) as well, but it never really made me smile unless I was really pushing hard - which - when the car is a daily - isn't all that often.
Had a Mk3 Focus RS with a Mountune pack - didn't get on with it, heap of problems with it, terrible dealer service, so switched into a C63 PPP.
THAT was a superb daily fun car. Only downside was RWD in the winter, and the running costs (mad servicing prices aside the fuel costs are marginally worse than a 500bhp Impreza!).
Had it for 2 years, and despite it not handling as well as the M3, it felt raw (was mapped with an X pipe at 520bhp), the noise was sensational and I loved it.....BUT I still missed my old Subaru, and so went out and bought a JDM bug STI.
I still have the latter, and I run it as a weekend / fun car, and it's brilliant, still puts a smile on my face, and in the winter last year, whilst the C63 became an expensive drive ornament, the Impreza carried on its business as normal like all of mine have historically.
Having had Imprezas for over 12 years I'm happy to do the majority of the servicing myself, something that isn't great if you do the same on a German car when you subsequently try to move it on and it hasn't got full manufacturer service history,
The absence of all the electrical crap that you get in the new Golf R, Focus RS, Audi S3, AMG and M cars etc imo makes it a more reliable car *provided you service it properly*. Less driver aids and electronic sensors = less to go wrong .
Yes, it's not as refined inside as an Audi, nor does it handle as well as an M car, and no it doesn't sound as good as a 6.2 C63, BUT the car has soul, and engagement - as the OP said - nothing in the new line up *** for similar money today *** really gives you that out of the box other than the new Civic (I drove the FK2 and loved the engine and handling but not the choppy ride), and looking at the FK8, even if they've fixed the suspension woes of the FK2, visually the tart in me would still take my Subaru any day
Don't get me wrong, I've driven a 2018 Golf R, S3, M4, etc and they are all VERY good cars - I also have an RS3 lol - but even mapped they will struggle to match that raw and mechanical feel the Subaru gives you on the road - even if it does admittedly miss the mark on several other refinements!
Edited by mrnoisy78 on Thursday 27th December 20:14
I've had my 2005 WRX PPP form new and it's just had its 200,000 mile service. Still on the original clutch! It's had Eibach anti-roll bars and Superpro drop-links with that and had new shocks (Bilstein B16s) and a new exhaust centre pipe earlier in the year. Last year I had to replace the rad. It's a wonderful car which I can't envisage ever getting rid of. I bought an Elise S1 in 2012 which did highlight the lack of steering feel which reviewers had been talking about for years but I couldn't understand. Still every time I get in it, it's like going for a pint with my oldest mate.
rossub said:
With 50k miles, Ben’s is worth about £7k.
I beg your pardon? A car similar to mine right now would be around £10-11K with the later 2005 widetrack DCCD models being around £12-13K. I've been watching the market for more than two years now and the nice clean examples don't hang around for long when they come up for sale.DanielSan said:
There's nothing I regret more than selling my old STI, the E46 M3 I've got at the moment, Nd is up for sale, doesn't get close to it for fun. It's better on the motorway and thats the only positive I've got for it. Biggest let down ever where the Subaru is just a massive highlight everytime you're in it...
A little birdie tells me that it'll be up for sale soon Dan...I've really enjoyed reading the posts you've all been sharing, thanks all!
They are supremely good fun cars. I've never owned one - but had a shot in one incredibly similar to this and what struck me was the poise and balance of the car. Yes the ride was jittery but when you give it the beans over a fun road (I did) it comes together to make one of the best driving experiences in the world.
Oddly I'd be more in the market for one of these now - than I was when I was younger.
Oddly I'd be more in the market for one of these now - than I was when I was younger.
Back in 2007 I purchased a bugeye '02 Impreza STI Prodrive JDM version - the one with the roof vent that could be opened.
Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
TobyTR said:
Back in 2007 I purchased a bugeye '02 Impreza STI Prodrive JDM version - the one with the roof vent that could be opened.
Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
Interesting you say that because I found the M3/4 F8x series more disappointing than expected. Almost dull.Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
Styling wise the M3 is the better looking car and the ride is definitely better than the outgoing E9x series cars but the power delivery was still over refined for me (defo needs a map) and like my e92 M3, the traction control is still too invasive and annoying, and I actually found the interior a step down from its predecessor - switchgear and dash feels more plasticky and cheap with the nasty nailed on screen on the dash.
For the money I’d go for the AMG C63. It’s not as surgical as the M car but as a daily it’s hugely more entertaining and has way more personality. Track I’d take the M car every time, but how many track days do you do per year?
mrnoisy78 said:
TobyTR said:
Back in 2007 I purchased a bugeye '02 Impreza STI Prodrive JDM version - the one with the roof vent that could be opened.
Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
Interesting you say that because I found the M3/4 F8x series more disappointing than expected. Almost dull.Being a JDM version it could rev to 8000rpm, but it was out of puff at about 6200rpm, so I set the rev light to that. Loved it. Especially the raw mechanical feeling that other owners have mentioned. And that feeling of planting the slipper in third gear at 3500rpm on a sweeping road.
However, in the three years and 35k miles of daily ownership I can count on one hand the number of times I truly found its dynamic limit on the road. The fun could only be had from devouring B roads - which it was fabulous at doing. But as a daily, I don't miss it. I'd love another one in my dream five-car garage though for weekend foolery (or a Evo VI Makinen).
Certainly a different type of fun than the F80 M3 I'm in now.
Styling wise the M3 is the better looking car and the ride is definitely better than the outgoing E9x series cars but the power delivery was still over refined for me (defo needs a map) and like my e92 M3, the traction control is still too invasive and annoying, and I actually found the interior a step down from its predecessor - switchgear and dash feels more plasticky and cheap with the nasty nailed on screen on the dash.
For the money I’d go for the AMG C63. It’s not as surgical as the M car but as a daily it’s hugely more entertaining and has way more personality. Track I’d take the M car every time, but how many track days do you do per year?
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