WR1 STi vs MK4 R32 vs something else?

[Dot Dot Curve]

Thought I would get opinions and do my research a little bit early seeing as I won't actually be purchasing a new car until August 2014, might as well get to know a bit about them.


I am looking at either a WR1 STi or a MK4 R32 as the title suggests, but I am more than open to any and all suggestions from you guys along with reasons why for either of my two option or your own if you suggest something.

The traits I am looking for are quick off the mark, fast in a straight line and something that can handle corners as well. No two seaters sadly due to driving family and friends and I do not want a cabriolet.
The car doesn't necessarily have to include all traits, but the more boxes it ticks the better.
Essentially an all round car (if that even exists :P). Also MPG does not matter as I drive around 7,500 miles a year. No more than 8,000. I have budgeted around £2000-£2500, do you think this is accurate?


Budget will be £10,000 for the car and I would like to keep it under £1,000 for the insurance if possible.


Did a few estimations using Elephant (current provider) and R32 = £700p/a and WR1 STi = £1000p/a for insurance, just to give you guys an idea of how my prices look.


Will be bumping this thread once every few months just to see how opinions change and grow to help me make my decision.

Thanks in advance


Edit: Looking for stock examples as I cannot afford to do any mods or insure a modded car. Sorry for the confusion.

Edited by Dot Dot Curve on Wednesday 15th May 22:40

[johnnyr6]

Either would put a smile on your face. The mitsibishi evo or audi s4 aswell.

I would go for the wr1 from those 2 as it's quicker, just as reliable and costs about the same to run. Your best bet is to test drive both to get an idea of what suits.

How old are you as the insurance quotes seem very high.

Johnny

Edited by johnnyr6 on Tuesday 14th May 22:18

[Mastodon2]

Both of those are 4WD cars, but one is a rally rep, one is a GT car. What do you want from the driving experience? Excitement or refinement? Each has one of those traits, neither has both.

[nixon1]

A mk5 .:R would be within your budget. I had one and it was fantastic, just make sure you get one with the options that you like. Milltek exhaust or golf tee mod makes for a nice raspy noise if you are into that kind of thing. The R is less leary than the Scooby. I guess it's a personality thing.

Old german metal > old jap metal?

[Dot Dot Curve]

johnnyr6 said:

Either would put a smile on your face. The mitsibishi evo or audi s4 aswell.

I would go for the wr1 from those 2 as it's quicker, just as reliable and costs about the same to run. Your best bet is to test drive both to get an idea of what suits.

How old are you as the insurance quotes seem very high.

Johnny

Edited by johnnyr6 on Tuesday 14th May 22:18

I'll have a look at the S4, not a big fan of how the Evo looks, but definitely won't rule it out just yet. Also I will be 21, driving for 3 years with 1 years ncb next August.

Mastodon2 said:

Both of those are 4WD cars, but one is a rally rep, one is a GT car. What do you want from the driving experience? Excitement or refinement? Each has one of those traits, neither has both.

Honestly that is a very tough question. I don't think I have an answer for it yet, definitely something to mull over. Cheers. I would initially say excitement is more important, but can you elaborate on both please? Thanks

nixon1 said:

A mk5 .:R would be within your budget. I had one and it was fantastic, just make sure you get one with the options that you like. Milltek exhaust or golf tee mod makes for a nice raspy noise if you are into that kind of thing. The R is less leary than the Scooby. I guess it's a personality thing.

Old german metal > old jap metal?

Sadly, just like the Evo, I am not a fan of how the MK5 looks, but again have not yet ruled it completely out. Already planning for a Milltek along with quite a few minor mods, such as aero rear and cupra splitter for the MK4. Think I would leave the WR1 unmolested.



Thanks for all the help so far guys, looking forward to hearing more from you

[Captain Bongo]

Most people who know their Scoobys will recommend going for a PPPd 05 STI with DCCD over a WR1. Apparently a much better car plus can be hand for a few grand cheaper. I've always fancied a WR1 mind.....

[Baz Tench]

As said above, two completely different cars.

It depends what you really want. I had a P1 and it was a great drive, but as with all scoobies (IMO), it was all about the turbo. I prefer n/a induction these days, but that's probably an age thing.

I'm not helping much am I!

[Captain Bongo]

You're also in good example E46 M3 territory at £9-£10k. Worth considering.

[Dot Dot Curve]

Captain Bongo said:

Most people who know their Scoobys will recommend going for a PPPd 05 STI with DCCD over a WR1. Apparently a much better car plus can be hand for a few grand cheaper. I've always fancied a WR1 mind.....

Did have a look at them i believe, but they are the 2.5l? Heard bad things about their engines. Plus there is a strange allure to they WR1 transfers :P

Baz Tench said:

As said above, two completely different cars.

It depends what you really want. I had a P1 and it was a great drive, but as with all scoobies (IMO), it was all about the turbo. I prefer n/a induction these days, but that's probably an age thing.

I'm not helping much am I!

Yeah, both have different appeals for me, hopefully the guy above who said about the same as you will come back and elaborate to help me out a little

Captain Bongo said:

You're also in good example E46 M3 territory at £9-£10k. Worth considering.

Will have a look now cheers

[Baz Tench]

I have an M3 now, but I think you can have more fun in an Impreza at lower speeds. Anyway, just buy the first one that comes along of either model that feels 'right' would be my advice.

So much choice out there in that price bracket at the moment.

[Dot Dot Curve]

Baz Tench said:

I have an M3 now, but I think you can have more fun in an Impreza at lower speeds. Anyway, just buy the first one that comes along of either model that feels 'right' would be my advice.

So much choice out there in that price bracket at the moment.

Yeah loads of choice, that is why I thought it best to leave the title and topic a bit open ended. It will more than likely come down to what feels right at the time, as it should do, but the more options I have the better.

[lee_erm]

I'd go for a skyline if it was my cash, you'd get an r32/3/4 for that dollar. My choice would be an r32 GTR

You've got the drive/dynamics and refinement, even r32's are decent to cruise in.



Would go out on a limb and say a GTR especially would hold it's value better than the VW.

Edited by lee_erm on Tuesday 14th May 23:55

[Dot Dot Curve]

lee_erm said:

I'd go for a skyline if it was my cash, you'd get an r32/3/4 for that dollar. My choice would be an r32 GTR

You've got the drive/dynamics and refinement, even r32's are decent to cruise in.



Would go out on a limb and say a GTR especially would hold it's value better than the VW.

Edited by lee_erm on Tuesday 14th May 23:55

How on earth did I forget about the skyline!

Thanks for the reminder. Having never even seen one up close, let alone been in one, how would it compare performance wise with the R32 and WR1?

[lee_erm]

R32's are circa 300bhp standard, weigh around 1400kg. One would probably have the scoob and vw licked in a straight line? They're one of the most easily tune-able engines around though, the standard internals and drivetrain are good for silly power, you'd probably struggle to find one with standard power I reckon!

[Japveesix]

Dot Dot Curve said:

How on earth did I forget about the skyline!

Thanks for the reminder. Having never even seen one up close, let alone been in one, how would it compare performance wise with the R32 and WR1?

The R32 is probably quicker than the R32 in general but I'd say the R32 is the better looking car.

[lee_erm]

Second that

[DanielSan]

Japveesix said:

The R32 is probably quicker than the R32 in general but I'd say the R32 is the better looking car.

I concur.

[Ved]

Personally I would avoid the MK4 R32. It's not a particularly comparable car to any Impreza and as was already mentioned it's really a GT car for long straight distances in a lovely smooth engine. I've had numerous MK4s and now have a MK5 R32 which is a seriously good, if a bit anodyne, bit of kit and this is much more of a complete car. I went from a Hawkeye STI to a R32 (via a MK4 4motion) and haven't regretted it. The MK4 is showing its age now and has several annoying issues, as all MK4s had. Also, if you pay anything near 10k for one you need taking to a clinic

The WR1 is pretty good and holds value pretty well compared to other Imprezas of that age but it does have twice the service intervals, although if you're handing with a jack it's just engine oil in between the usual scheduled work. I've driven them before and they're extremely well put together but the 'perfect' UK Impreza is the 2.0 widetrack on a 55 plate. This has the DCCD like in the WR1 but has radically changed geometry for the final revisions - but don't go looking for one now, as I'm doing the same For 10k you'll get a very leggy WR1 or a very low mileage MY55.

I'd also consider the Skyline route but be aware your annual maintenance budget can quickly treble if a spot of bad luck hits.

[Tuvra]

• Audi S3
• Focus ST remapped with some RS mods

[dm46]

Mk4 vw r32 and supercharge it within budget. Orange haldex and you're sorted. No chav image like the scooby and just as quick, they are very well made quality cars IMO.