Discussion
Looking at getting an Impreza, would only be used at weekends and occasionally I would want to take it on the track, im just a little unsure of which one to get?
22B
P1
STi Type RA
Standard WRX
Just wondered if anyone who knows more about Scooby's than me could point out the real world differences?
From what I have read on the net im leaning towards the STi Type RA.
Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
22B
P1
STi Type RA
Standard WRX
Just wondered if anyone who knows more about Scooby's than me could point out the real world differences?
From what I have read on the net im leaning towards the STi Type RA.
Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
P1 is a fine car - arguably the best of the Imprezas (bar everything except the new Spec C). The WR option with the Prodrive Alcon brake upgrade would be worthwhile if you are thinking about track days.
The most focused car for the track would be the STI Type RA - they are quite rare though. Stonking cars very quick and quite a bit lighter than a stock Impreza. There is a guy on Scoobynet called John Felstead who used to own a Type RA. He is a very good driver and rated the car very highly - might be worth speaking to him aswell (I've been on track with him and it is a great fun car).
22B is also a great car, but even rarer than the RAs (and more expensive). The Japanese 22Bs (as opposed to the 16 or so official Prodrive UK cars) are generally considered not to be at their best on UK roads - still the best looking IMHO though
Also bear in mind that the Scoob is a heavy car. On track you are going to go through tyres and brake pads very quickly (track day fuel consumption will be in single figures as well (last time I took my car on track I was getting 8 mpg on SUL!)). It would worth budgeting for a second set of alloys and specific track tyres (slick or semi slick) - these tend to be cheaper than good quality road tyres.
If you join the SIDC and go to their track days, they normally have a support vehicle from Tyres Northampton, who will be able to change the tyres for you at the track. I would always carry a spare set of brake pads aswell.
Not sure how familar you are with the Jap import Scoobs, but they need to be run on SUL and use an octane booster to get as close to 100 RON as possible. The engine will not last very long (esp on track) if you use standard NUL.
Enjoy!
Chris
>> Edited by scoobybloke on Friday 19th March 11:19
The most focused car for the track would be the STI Type RA - they are quite rare though. Stonking cars very quick and quite a bit lighter than a stock Impreza. There is a guy on Scoobynet called John Felstead who used to own a Type RA. He is a very good driver and rated the car very highly - might be worth speaking to him aswell (I've been on track with him and it is a great fun car).
22B is also a great car, but even rarer than the RAs (and more expensive). The Japanese 22Bs (as opposed to the 16 or so official Prodrive UK cars) are generally considered not to be at their best on UK roads - still the best looking IMHO though
Also bear in mind that the Scoob is a heavy car. On track you are going to go through tyres and brake pads very quickly (track day fuel consumption will be in single figures as well (last time I took my car on track I was getting 8 mpg on SUL!)). It would worth budgeting for a second set of alloys and specific track tyres (slick or semi slick) - these tend to be cheaper than good quality road tyres.
If you join the SIDC and go to their track days, they normally have a support vehicle from Tyres Northampton, who will be able to change the tyres for you at the track. I would always carry a spare set of brake pads aswell.
Not sure how familar you are with the Jap import Scoobs, but they need to be run on SUL and use an octane booster to get as close to 100 RON as possible. The engine will not last very long (esp on track) if you use standard NUL.
Enjoy!
Chris
>> Edited by scoobybloke on Friday 19th March 11:19
Glad I spotted this - I was going to ask the same question.
What about maintenance?
Used to have a Sport so vaguely know what I'm letting myself in for, but would like to look after it as much as possible myself to help keep costs down.
Always had the Sport dealer serviced. Are they easy to work on?
I know there is no Haynes manual available, but are there any other maintenance manuals available?
Thanks
What about maintenance?
Used to have a Sport so vaguely know what I'm letting myself in for, but would like to look after it as much as possible myself to help keep costs down.
Always had the Sport dealer serviced. Are they easy to work on?
I know there is no Haynes manual available, but are there any other maintenance manuals available?
Thanks
I've a 22B and I've owned plenty of other scoobs. On the track the 22B is pretty damn good...wider track and stiff body helps...but...the body panels cost a fortune and are as rare as a rare thing..a very minor off will result in very major bills and probably lots of time off road. Get an RA. Better yet, get an Elise or Caterfield for trackwork.
Rgds
Chuck
Rgds
Chuck
Quick comparison:
22B - no ABS, no Airbag, 276BHP, fat torque, low gearing, expensive when it goes wrong. (Engine lunched on mine and I've £9k of reciepts from a UK subaru dealer to put it back together with standard parts (luckily under warranty) unique looks and 2.2L engine
P1 - great uk weekend car, a little 'sanitised' maybe, longer geared, more relaxed, abs and airbags add confidence on B road jaunts...suspension really sorted for UK roads.
STi Type RA - like a 22b, but lighter, easier to fix if it dies, pick of the bunch unless you really really need the 22b (i do LOL) suspension a tad hard for UK b roads..untill you gain confidence then you enjoy it
Standard WRX - UK bugeye? would need alot of work to approach the driving experience of any of the above IMHO
Rgds
Chuck
22B - no ABS, no Airbag, 276BHP, fat torque, low gearing, expensive when it goes wrong. (Engine lunched on mine and I've £9k of reciepts from a UK subaru dealer to put it back together with standard parts (luckily under warranty) unique looks and 2.2L engine
P1 - great uk weekend car, a little 'sanitised' maybe, longer geared, more relaxed, abs and airbags add confidence on B road jaunts...suspension really sorted for UK roads.
STi Type RA - like a 22b, but lighter, easier to fix if it dies, pick of the bunch unless you really really need the 22b (i do LOL) suspension a tad hard for UK b roads..untill you gain confidence then you enjoy it
Standard WRX - UK bugeye? would need alot of work to approach the driving experience of any of the above IMHO
Rgds
Chuck
thanuk said:
At the risk of being dull, don't discount the standard WRX. For road use it's got a better ride, better fuel economy and you can get new ones for 16.5k from the supermarkets.
Of course, it's not nearly as quick as a P1, it depends how fast you want it.
Whatch out if buying "bargains" from super markets. I've heard most if not all out there are imports from places like Cyprus and even the middle east. They don't have the full Subaru warranty and the corrossion protection may be a little thinner than a UK car. The warranty issue may bite back come selling time.
They are cheap for a reason, the WRX's and STi's are not like the mass produced euro boxes most of these sites stock, where they pick them up from the manufacturer for no money so can afford to under cut main dealers. Subaru UK gets all the cars allocated to the UK. It also has no trouble shifting them.
Back on to the question, also, have a look at the STi with a PPP. With some of the other Prodrive modifications they are some car. What money are you looking to spend? From whats been mentioned so far your looking at a price range of £5k - £25k. The latest UK WR1 is £30k!
Cabby makes some good points about buying from car supermarkets. You might be able to get a full UK spec WRX (either a UK car or European car to UK spec) at that price, but it is more likely to be around £18K.
Chuck's idea about a Caterham or Elise for the track is good idea (I've been thinking along those lines myself). Chuck's 22B is a lovely car, stunning in fact, but I would still fancy the RA for a more track focused Scoob.
Chris
Chuck's idea about a Caterham or Elise for the track is good idea (I've been thinking along those lines myself). Chuck's 22B is a lovely car, stunning in fact, but I would still fancy the RA for a more track focused Scoob.
Chris
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