Impreza Sti Wagon alternative

[redgriff500]

300bhp/ton said:

Sheeda Pistol said:

As for the Mitsi VR4 - Please don't swear people... lol

Edited by Sheeda Pistol on Wednesday 23 February 13:11

What's up with them? I've never been in one, but thought they looked quite good.

A guy PX'd one against my 330 BMW I wondered why he'd pay £6k more for what on paper was a comparable car.

I then drove it and knew why.

Not as quick as stats suggest, fine for getting around (if you aren't paying the fuel bill) but not sporty nor fun IME.

Edited by redgriff500 on Wednesday 23 February 14:05

[anonymous-user]

300bhp/ton said:

What's up with them? I've never been in one, but thought they looked quite good.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 23 February 13:35

Just biased that's all...

[GravelBen]

Sheeda Pistol said:

300bhp/ton said:

What's up with them? I've never been in one, but thought they looked quite good.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 23 February 13:35

Just biased that's all...

I haven't driven one myself so can only pass on hearsay/opinion of those who have, but they have a reputation for (a)being a bit uninvolving to drive, and (b)remarkable thirst and frequent expensive breakdowns.

[Mastodon2]

What a shame. The Galant VR4 estate was one of the best looking estates ever made imo, they should have used that front end for a Lancer Evolution at some point. What a shame that it sounds like it was not made by the same guys who did the Lancer Evolution road cars, with the stats and the looks it deserves to be a properly exciting car to drive.

[garycat]

How about one of those massive mental Nissan things...

http://v70t5.blogspot.com/2010/04/nissan-stagea.ht...

[bonesX]

Well that's answered that then - nothing comes close to an Scooby Wagon

So now I'm thinking 01/2 JDM Sti bugeye wagon, or last of the hawkeye wagons and upgrade, just needs turbo, fuel pump and exhaust for 330bhp

[Harry Flashman]

omgus said:

Yep, classic wagon, cheap, still getting a few fresh imports and they are great fun. They also don't attract the chavs as much and as such are better looked after. And they are more than capable of keeping with everybody on a hoon.

But then i am biased.

Hmm, looking for a 4x4 wagon, never thought of one of these - what is servicving/insurance like? I'm after something ultra-reliable that will sit in the driveway for weeks on end, only do a couple of thousand miles a year, and be fine. Alternatives at the moment are Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, Audi A6 Allroad, and now Impreza wagon. The Impreza has always put me off for (central London) insurance and servicing - but is a bog standard wagon (classic) really that bad?

[Harry Flashman]

Harry Flashman said:

Hmm, looking for a 4x4 wagon, never thought of one of these - what is servicving/insurance like? I'm after something ultra-reliable that will sit in the driveway for weeks on end, only do a couple of thousand miles a year, and be fine. Alternatives at the moment are Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, Audi A6 Allroad, and now Impreza wagon. The Impreza has always put me off for (central London) insurance and servicing - but is a bog standard wagon (classic or newer) really that bad?

Any tips appreciated chaps!

[300bhp/ton]

bonesX said:

Well that's answered that then - nothing comes close to an Scooby Wagon

So now I'm thinking 01/2 JDM Sti bugeye wagon, or last of the hawkeye wagons and upgrade, just needs turbo, fuel pump and exhaust for 330bhp

I think it depends very much on what you want from a car though.

[Harry Flashman]

Hmm...

But will these cope with a muddy field. Shooting means they'll need to, and I'm thinking that ground clearance could be an issue...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[300bhp/ton]

Harry Flashman said:

Hmm...

But will these cope with a muddy field. Shooting means they'll need to, and I'm thinking that ground clearance could be an issue...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

A Forrester is built on the Impreza platform, but has more ground clearance - so there's your answer I think.

Subaru's can be very reliable, but I think a little pricey if they do go wrong.

As a Jeep owner though, I quite like these too

[Harry Flashman]

Hmmmm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[bonesX]

300bhp/ton said:

I think it depends very much on what you want from a car though.

Pace, grunt, handling, agility (new age a bit lardy but still good), comfortable safe & rapid overtaking, practicality, comfort, oh and fun

(BTW 300, the Integra Type R I bought a few weeks ago isn't really cutting it for me. On an A road it is nothing short of brilliant - better than the Impreza as a drivers car - but you really need to work the engine, which has a narrow and manic power band, which is not as relaxed and easy as an engine full of torque, the ride is very firm and visibility is not good (minor point))

[redgriff500]

bonesX said:

Pace, grunt, handling, agility (new age a bit lardy but still good), comfortable safe & rapid overtaking, practicality, comfort, oh and fun

(BTW 300, the Integra Type R I bought a few weeks ago isn't really cutting it for me. On an A road it is nothing short of brilliant - better than the Impreza as a drivers car - but you really need to work the engine, which has a narrow and manic power band, which is not as relaxed and easy as an engine full of torque, the ride is very firm and visibility is not good (minor point))

I had a Teg R too.

Very frustrating car, just as its about to come on song someone pulls out or you come to a junction etc Probably great fun on a deserted Welsh road but bloody useless for everyday driving.

[bonesX]

redgriff500 said:

I had a Teg R too.

Very frustrating car, just as its about to come on song someone pulls out or you come to a junction etc Probably great fun on a deserted Welsh road but bloody useless for everyday driving.

Too true - it's those exact roads I was referring to as the 'teg's sweet spot - and on track most likely. Will try and get one of those in before moving it on...

[300bhp/ton]

bonesX said:

Pace, grunt, handling, agility (new age a bit lardy but still good), comfortable safe & rapid overtaking, practicality, comfort, oh and fun

(BTW 300, the Integra Type R I bought a few weeks ago isn't really cutting it for me. On an A road it is nothing short of brilliant - better than the Impreza as a drivers car - but you really need to work the engine, which has a narrow and manic power band, which is not as relaxed and easy as an engine full of torque, the ride is very firm and visibility is not good (minor point))

Shame about the Teg.

[GravelBen]

Harry Flashman said:

Hmm...

But will these cope with a muddy field. Shooting means they'll need to, and I'm thinking that ground clearance could be an issue...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

You might be surprised actually - clearance is reasonable but not exceptional (Not sure of WRX but my Legacy GTB is 160mm cf 200 for an Outback), but the wheel travel is much greater than equivalent cars from other manufacturers.

Of course compared to a proper 4wd you are still limited by the clearance, but if you put your wheels in the right place they'll cover much rougher ground than most folk realise.

Depending on the type of shooting you're doing, the frameless windows can be an asset too - much easier to bail out quickly with a rifle when a rabbit runs across the track ahead of you.

Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 24th February 10:36

[Onetrackmind]

bonesX said:

Well that's answered that then - nothing comes close to an Scooby Wagon

So now I'm thinking 01/2 JDM Sti bugeye wagon, or last of the hawkeye wagons and upgrade, just needs turbo, fuel pump and exhaust for 330bhp

I think the chassis and brakes will also need some work. The WRX PPP I drove was a bit understeery and rolled lots in corners. If that could be addressed it would be a great everyday car.

[bonesX]

Onetrackmind said:

I think the chassis and brakes will also need some work. The WRX PPP I drove was a bit understeery and rolled lots in corners. If that could be addressed it would be a great everyday car.

Deffo on the suspension. Pretty near awful as standard - soggy, understeer easp at low speed. Easily cured with ARB's

And then there's our friend Brembo

Of course all this matching spec to an Sti means a fair bit dosh spending, unless one is found already done... another plus for finding a Sti

[bonesX]

300bhp/ton said:

Shame about the Teg.

I'm sure there are those who can quite happily live with one. Personal preference I suppose