JDM Impreza WRX Wagon
Discussion
Finally had chance to go and have a drive! Dad had looked after it and popped it on charge a couple of time so she fired straight into life. The cover even seemed to have survived all the storms. Was only a flying visit and I was far too busy having fun to take many photos, but I did get one on the drive the day I picked it up:
On the drive at last by Carwyn Davies, on Flickr
So spending money on underseal was a great idea - roads are terrible at the moment! The other thing that will be happening pronto is getting rid of the Dunlops it came on. I hoped they would be good enough to do a few months at least, but the understeer situation on wet B-roads and roundabouts is pretty dire at the moment. Much as it's fun sliding around at non trouser filling speeds it does rather defeat the point of spending all that money on 4WD...
Also impressed by the pace - maybe I've forgotten what it's like to be in a quick car after the months of Alto s
tbox misery, but the combination of power and turbo lag is addictive fun! Especially looking out over the back of the scoop, love it. However I think I'd also forgotten how much it costs to run on Momentum!
I'm sure if self isolation is required a new car must be the place to do it!
On the drive at last by Carwyn Davies, on Flickr
So spending money on underseal was a great idea - roads are terrible at the moment! The other thing that will be happening pronto is getting rid of the Dunlops it came on. I hoped they would be good enough to do a few months at least, but the understeer situation on wet B-roads and roundabouts is pretty dire at the moment. Much as it's fun sliding around at non trouser filling speeds it does rather defeat the point of spending all that money on 4WD...
Also impressed by the pace - maybe I've forgotten what it's like to be in a quick car after the months of Alto s
tbox misery, but the combination of power and turbo lag is addictive fun! Especially looking out over the back of the scoop, love it. However I think I'd also forgotten how much it costs to run on Momentum!I'm sure if self isolation is required a new car must be the place to do it!
Increasing the thickness of the rear ARB does have a positive effect on weight transfer and can reduce understeer but it also increase rear wheel rate and is a bit of a sticking plaster rather than a cure. The better way to reduce understeer, improve turn-in and balance is to increase the negative camber and positive caster at the front, via a proper 4-wheel alignment, preferably with fitting different top mounts and other steering geo mods.
Absolutely love the car mate and it looked mint underneath. Just a bit perplexed as to why the undersea looks like waxoil from 30 years ago. Their are so many fantastic sealing products on the market now. it looks ruined underneath now with that crap on it. Totally understand why it needed sealed but whoever put it on for you should really update and move on from waxoil. Love the car and many happy miles with it though.
rossub said:
R12many said:
I've been considering a 22mm Whiteline ARB for the rear of my wagon but the thought of lift off oversteer is a concern!
Errr... just how fast do you drive?!TEKNOPUG said:
Increasing the thickness of the rear ARB does have a positive effect on weight transfer and can reduce understeer but it also increase rear wheel rate and is a bit of a sticking plaster rather than a cure. The better way to reduce understeer, improve turn-in and balance is to increase the negative camber and positive caster at the front, via a proper 4-wheel alignment, preferably with fitting different top mounts and other steering geo mods.
True but all that costs loads-especially if you are changing top mounts for adjustable ones. Getting a new Rear ARB and some drop links is circa <£200....Keep an eye on ebay for RB320 rear anti roll bars. They are prodrive ones and are two way adjustable. I got mine for a steal-£70 pounds!
TEKNOPUG said:
Top mounts are only £140 and the stock uprights come with camber bolts as standard. A proper 4 wheel alignment can have a big impact on handling even without changing any parts.
I hadn't got as far as looking at top mounts just yet, but I did notice that the rubber of the fronts is starting to show small cracks so it may well be that a little upgrade happens in that area.TEKNOPUG said:
Increasing the thickness of the rear ARB does have a positive effect on weight transfer and can reduce understeer but it also increase rear wheel rate and is a bit of a sticking plaster rather than a cure.
I'm very conscious of this point - the car will spend most of it's life on B-roads and so before doing anything that increases suspension stiffness I will be making sure that it's for a very good reason. I had a drive over the Beacons yesterday and was really happy with the balance between compliance and body control so I don't want to stray far from stock.st33ly said:
Absolutely love the car mate and it looked mint underneath. Just a bit perplexed as to why the undersea looks like waxoil from 30 years ago. Their are so many fantastic sealing products on the market now. it looks ruined underneath now with that crap on it.
Thanks, I couldn't really believe how rust free it was myself. Was a big selling point after all the other rust boxes I've seen. The underside has been done with Dinitrol products which are highly regarded. I've not yet been under it in person but the before/during/after photos I'm happy with. It will always be a trade off between protection and aesthetics I think - I'd rather have it protected underneath.Thanks for all the advice, having got bored of the M4 on the way home yesterday I've got much more of a feel for the car. The tyres it's on are definitely terrible, but on dry roads at least the understeer wasn't a problem at speeds I'm comfortable with on the road, so I'm sure once she's got nice boots and an alignment I'll be fine for a while. Thinking about Rainsport 3s as although they are a little on the softer side it sounds like they are well matched for Welsh roads and rain.
Got a few crappy iPhone snaps after I finished enjoying myself. Might be a good excuse to dig the SLR out soon and see if I can remember how to point it.
At the moment the only thing I'm really not happy with is the stock exhaust - lovely and quiet on the motorway but missing any burble when pressing on. If I'm splashing out for nice fuel I at least want to hear it on the way out! Would welcome suggestions for something subtle that will be restrained when cruising but open up a bit more for fun.
Edited by carwynd on Thursday 26th March 09:26
rossub said:
Very common for imports to arrive with terrible tyres. Our Japanese friends don’t seem to concern themselves too much with tyre performance.
Strange isn't it - the country that loves 4WD weapons but seemingly sends them out with one arm behind their back (or legs tied together may be a better analogy)!Goodyear Eagle F1s work well in the wet and are well priced in your tyre size. Michelin Pilot Sports would be my choice if money no object for the weight and power you are running. You'd have to drive like a fool to run out of tyre with them fitted.
Any premium performance summer tyre will be accomplished in the wet also, so I wouldn't specify a wet tyre and sacrifice dry performance.
Any premium performance summer tyre will be accomplished in the wet also, so I wouldn't specify a wet tyre and sacrifice dry performance.
I put Goodyear Eagle F1s on mine after weighing up all the options, KwikFit of all places had an offer on and got 4 fitted for just under £300.I have found them to be excellent. I didn't actually realise how good they were until I drove another WRX with crap tyres on it and it was sliding in the corners. I was not going that hard, or so I thought anyway (another trait of the subaru!)
Scooobydont said:
I put Goodyear Eagle F1s on mine after weighing up all the options, KwikFit of all places had an offer on and got 4 fitted for just under £300.I have found them to be excellent. I didn't actually realise how good they were until I drove another WRX with crap tyres on it and it was sliding in the corners. I was not going that hard, or so I thought anyway (another trait of the subaru!)
Have them on mine. Good choice.I’m sure Dinitrol do a clear seal.
Rain sports are a great tyre but the sidewalls are very soft. Too soft even on our Mini Cooper S which is a fair bit lighter I’d assume than the WRX. They were XL too.
I would go for the PS4. I was blown away with them on my S3. So much grip in all conditions. The wheels never span.
If not already join Costco. They often have offers on Michelin, normally £100 off when you buy 4. It’s currently on. I’m sure The last full set I got was £330.
Rain sports are a great tyre but the sidewalls are very soft. Too soft even on our Mini Cooper S which is a fair bit lighter I’d assume than the WRX. They were XL too.
I would go for the PS4. I was blown away with them on my S3. So much grip in all conditions. The wheels never span.
If not already join Costco. They often have offers on Michelin, normally £100 off when you buy 4. It’s currently on. I’m sure The last full set I got was £330.
Another vote here for the goodyear eagle F1s. Great tyres.
As for the exhaust, the prodrive exhaust (possibly made under license by scorpion?) With the 3rd cat delete gives a really good boxer rumble.
Back when i had my wrx wagon MB developments were are really good source of used parts. They advertised on scoobynet. If you're looking for a good ARB and other bits he is worth a call.
Probably the best breaker I've dealt with.
As for the exhaust, the prodrive exhaust (possibly made under license by scorpion?) With the 3rd cat delete gives a really good boxer rumble.
Back when i had my wrx wagon MB developments were are really good source of used parts. They advertised on scoobynet. If you're looking for a good ARB and other bits he is worth a call.
Probably the best breaker I've dealt with.
Another vote for the Rainsport 3s or 5s here. Superb tyres and suit the UK roads well. They are ‘softer but not stupidly, so wear well and grip very well in wet & dry 
I’m a big fan of the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti’s too, got them fitted to my Jap import 5 series touring and they’re superb tyres. Had them a few times before and personally rate them better than PS4s and Eagle F1s
I’m a big fan of the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti’s too, got them fitted to my Jap import 5 series touring and they’re superb tyres. Had them a few times before and personally rate them better than PS4s and Eagle F1s
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