Think I'm getting old and sensible..should I change the car?

[Goldmember1]

Ok. Current situation is this.
Over the past 10 years I have always had WRXs of some sort and enjoyed them. I
I currently have an '06 Subaru Hawkeye WRX Wagon. When I bought it 10 months ago I spent money on it to get it the way I want it.. the usual best tyres , upgraded ARBs , different exhaust etc.
My car:

I currently only use it maybe only twice a week , and haven't even put 3k miles on it. Now I do like it , but the trouble is, I think I'm getting old ( well I'm 40 but I dont feel it yet ) and sensible ..
- The state of the roads these days is pretty bad , and I'm feeling every damnable bump/pothole/ridge Altho' it is only 20 mins or so to my work it is tiring and is grating on me. The car is on standard 17s so there isn't anything I can do about that.
- When I do use it I don't/cant use it's performance , really use it for going to work ( motorway and 30mph roads ) and the odd trip at the weekend. I don't do hooning any more either .. I just don't see the appeal any more due to stricter speed-limit enforcing , other idiot drivers , the roads , and the cost of petrol ( Ok .. I'll hand my PH membership card on the way out! )

So really I feel the car is wasted on me . If I lived out in the sticks where there's great roads to appreciate the handling then it'd be different.

The other factor in this is yearly costs. Now I knew what I'd be paying out in a year, but I'm wondering now is it REALLY worth paying the following out on a lovely performance car when I don't use the performance :
- Insurance renewal in 2 months time circa £700
- RFL due in 2 months .. £455
- Always having to use Momentum99 @ £1.46 a litre really @ 24mpg means £20-£30 every time I use it makes me not want to use it!
- Always in the back of my mind impending HGF or Ringland failure in the 2.5

So, I really dont know what to do . Stick with it or change. I don't have any money to put into the pot either .
My thoughts .. I don't want to leave the Subaru brand for 2 reasons .. 1 is that I like Subarus and I know them well , and 2 - if I go elsewhere the price I get offered for my car is comical .. usually CAP (or less from a Skoda dealer!).
So I did a rough comparison and worked out I could change to an Impreza RX n/a 2.0 Wagon or a Forester of same age ( Legacy 2.0 is too big really and lethargic for a car that size) for the same money.

Said RX :



The Pros:
- Running on 16s so more sidewall to absorb the bumps
- RX is a year younger and 20k less miles / Forester about the same
- Insurance much cheaper.. £240 a year!
- RFL £270 a year
- Dont have to use Momentum99
- Slightly better mpg

Cons:
- The RX and Forester don't have that "presence" or noise that the WRX does
- Meaning I'd regret it after
- I'd miss that "shove" that I CAN use if I want to.

Apologies for the rant .. I'm just undecided what to

Has anyone else "down-graded" for similar reasons?
All opinions and advice appreciated.

[Benbay001]

You would regret it.

[Kong]

Absolutely not. If you want something cheaper to run then get a different car instead. If you get the slower version of the same car you will die inside every time you see a WRX on the road.

[kayzee]

Yeah agree with the above really, get something completely different. I downgraded from an Impreza because I couldn't use the performance either, and I don't regret going down 138bhp at all!

[G0ldfysh]

Don't run an impreza but also in something a little on the fast side of quick. (no not the fiat)
Also find myself becoming beaten by the masses, the state of the roads, the cost of the fuel and the general effort required in up keep.

I know I'll regret getting rid but 50:50 split at the moment if I should drop the sports car and just be sensible comfy and a little old manlike.

I know will regret some days but will the positive days out weigh?

Difficult decision, so far avoided by not making it.

[Goldmember1]

Thanks people.
I am kinda stuck tho' as I'm going to get stuffed on the value of my car if I do go for something completely different
That was why I thought if not a n/a Impreza then maybe a Forester 2.0 ( 156bhp ) would at least be an alternative for running about in as I dont need performance or ass-hugging seats.. comfy seats and softer ride.. Maybe I am showing my age!!
All I can do is wait ..who knows what'll turn up at a dealer to tempt me.
Cheers.