Impreza Sti Wagon alternative

[300bhp/ton]

bonesX said:

300bhp/ton said:

Shame about the Teg.

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

In fairness I know where you are coming from. It's actually the main point I try and highlight when talking VTEC engines.

Fantastic when in the mood (and space) but tiresome when your not. Off VTEC (lower revs) they make good power/torque for their displacement, but at such a small displacement it means it actually isn't a lot of either.

Turbo's are one option or large displacement.


If you don't mind the running costs, and somewhat TVR like ownership experience then you might find something like the MG ZT260 quite entertaining. Ok it's a fairly big car, but the one I drove felt very taught and chuckable. the V8 made it grunty and very easy to deploy also.

Not that speedy in stock trim only 260hp. But some sensible n/a mods can see 300-330hp and a whole heap of torque.

[Gallen]

...if its a modern Estate with performance on a budget in place of an Impreza Wagon, do not discount a late 2000-2006 Volvo V70 T5 (and if you can stretch to it, the V70R.).

When running a RICA or MTE conversion it will give blistering performance, and better built than the Scoob and much more of a sleeper!

...plus no matter HOW much power they have, everyone gets the fk out of your way assuming you're plod!

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=38

V70 [2000-2006] T5 260 hp
Engine Size 2401 cc
Engine Type Turbocharged
Fuel Type Petrol

Standard 260 hp @ 5700 rpm 350 Nm @ 2500 rpm
RICA 300 hp @ 5800 rpm 400 Nm @ 2900 rpm

Engine Tuning - RICA ECU Upgrade
Price : £599.99 GBP inc VAT
(£449.99 GBP inc VAT for cars over 3 years old)

and if you can stretch to it, the V70R.

Standard 300 hp @ 6000 rpm 400 Nm @ 2000 rpm
RICA 330 hp @ 6000 rpm 450 Nm @ 3500 rpm

http://www.rica-uk.com/

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2431797.htm
http://cdn.images.pistonheads.com/aimg/2431/243179...

Edited by Gallen on Thursday 24th February 11:39

[Harry Flashman]

Gallen said:

...if its a modern Estate with performance on a budget in place of an Impreza Wagon, do not discount a late 2000-2006 Volvo V70 T5 and when running a RICA or MTE conversion give blistering performance:

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=38

V70 [2000-2006] T5 260 hp
Engine Size 2401 cc
Engine Type Turbocharged
Fuel Type Petrol

Standard 260 hp @ 5700 rpm 350 Nm @ 2500 rpm
RICA 300 hp @ 5800 rpm 400 Nm @ 2900 rpm

Engine Tuning - RICA ECU Upgrade
Price : £599.99 GBP inc VAT
(£449.99 GBP inc VAT for cars over 3 years old)

and if you can stretch to it, the V70R.

Standard 300 hp @ 6000 rpm 400 Nm @ 2000 rpm
RICA 330 hp @ 6000 rpm 450 Nm @ 3500 rpm

http://www.rica-uk.com/

I have one, in AWD flavour. It's rubbish. This is why I'm replacing with something better.

Cult following does not make these good cars. Electronics are fragile, the 4wd system awful and easily (and commonly) broken, slow (despite what the on-paper stats say), thirsty and completely outclassed by the equivalent BMSs/Mercs of the day. The motoring press were right.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 24th February 11:37

[redgriff500]

Harry Flashman said:

But will these cope with a muddy field. Shooting means they'll need to

An Impreza will go down as well as an Auto shotgun does at your average shoot.

[Gallen]

Harry Flashman said:

I have one, in AWD flavour. It's rubbish.

Really? I knew the early AWD was questionably and arguably to be avoided, but my 850R (non AWD) was totally opposite from what you have described! Did the new ones get worse?!

Maybe yours was a lemon!??

[Harry Flashman]

redgriff500 said:

An Impreza will go down as well as an Auto shotgun does at your average shoot.

Not a muddy non STI version with badges removed (which is how my hack tends to get run - maintained but never cleaned outside after the first post purchase wax). In any case, the car is for rough shooting. At most proper shoots I go to, the cars are left at the homestead and we go out in Landies/the host's 4x4.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 24th February 11:50

[Harry Flashman]

Gallen said:

Really? I knew the AWD was to be avoided, but my 850R (non AWD) was totally opposite from what you have described! Did the new ones get worse?!

Yep. Dad had a T5-R back in the day. In their day it was brisk, but they are heavy beasts and any modern hatch will slaughter it - they only ran 240bhp as standard.

The later ones just got heavier. The combinatuion of crashy ride and wallowy handling is a new one on me as well.

Like you, I remember them with nostalgia. But time has not been kind to them. A far better car, at similar price and running costs (including fuel economy) is a BMW 540 touring.

Drive an 850R today. It won't be as fast as you remember it was, trust me.

Mine hasn't been that bad in terms of reliability - just a busted sensor, so hardly terrible for a 10 year old car. But mn Audi A6 2.7T quattro avant of the same vintage is a better car in every single way, never mind a BMW 5 of the same era.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 24th February 11:48

[rb5230]

A friend has an S60R, so comfortable and quick since the remap. Just not as much of a drivers car as an impreza and certainly much heavier but better in some other areas.

[omgus]

Harry Flashman said:

Classic Impreza musings.

For what you want Harry, A forrester sounds like the best bet.

However the boggo 2.0l (non turbo) classic wagon in manual can be found with low ratio on the gearbox. And ground clearance aside a set of decent tyres will elavate it beyod the abilities of many newer, bigger 4x4s. There is a reason Scooby's were originally sold alongside Tractors.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[bonesX]

300bhp/ton said:

n fairness I know where you are coming from. It's actually the main point I try and highlight when talking VTEC engines.

Fantastic when in the mood (and space) but tiresome when your not. Off VTEC (lower revs) they make good power/torque for their displacement, but at such a small displacement it means it actually isn't a lot of either.

Turbo's are one option or large displacement.


If you don't mind the running costs, and somewhat TVR like ownership experience then you might find something like the MG ZT260 quite entertaining. Ok it's a fairly big car, but the one I drove felt very taught and chuckable. the V8 made it grunty and very easy to deploy also.

Not that speedy in stock trim only 260hp. But some sensible n/a mods can see 300-330hp and a whole heap of torque.

Steady, your kudos is shaking recommending a Rover