Impreza WRX vs Megane R26
Discussion
Posted this in the Subaru part of the forum, but probably better posting it here...
I currently have an 04 WRX, it has been modified and is running around 290bhp but am getting wandering eyes...I've always loved the R26 Megane and have a hankering for one, but will I regret it? I know that is probably something that can only be answered by me, but I wondered if anyone had experience with both.
With a few mods the Megane would be running same sort of power as my current WRX so I imagine they'd be pretty similar on performance.
My only drawback is going back to FWD and also the fact it's French - they don't have the best reliability reputation but saying that I have never had first hand experience so who am I to judge!
I currently have an 04 WRX, it has been modified and is running around 290bhp but am getting wandering eyes...I've always loved the R26 Megane and have a hankering for one, but will I regret it? I know that is probably something that can only be answered by me, but I wondered if anyone had experience with both.
With a few mods the Megane would be running same sort of power as my current WRX so I imagine they'd be pretty similar on performance.
My only drawback is going back to FWD and also the fact it's French - they don't have the best reliability reputation but saying that I have never had first hand experience so who am I to judge!
There is a Readers Cars thread on someone who went from a STI to a R26...
Linky: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Linky: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As long as you know what you're getting yourself in for, which it sounds like you do, i'd go for it if you've always wanted to make the change. You can always get another WRX if it doesn't end up being you cup of tea.
For a FWD car, they're supposed to be very good with the LSD and map to around 270 bhp i believe, so not far off your Impreza but with less traction overall.
They're generally pretty reliable too and i would have thought to be similar running costs to the Scooby. A few electrical gremlins here and there but nothing horrific, for the most part.
For a FWD car, they're supposed to be very good with the LSD and map to around 270 bhp i believe, so not far off your Impreza but with less traction overall.
They're generally pretty reliable too and i would have thought to be similar running costs to the Scooby. A few electrical gremlins here and there but nothing horrific, for the most part.
I still own a Megane 225 and ran a 225 Trophy as a daily car for some time, friend of mine owns it now and it's serving him very well too.
I can't comment on the WRX as such as not owned one but the RS Meganes are great cars and very capable. The two I've had didn't have the LSD (like the R26) but are great fun and my Trophy had a re-map to about 265bhp. I have been on a track day in my friends stock R26.R and the grip and handling was superb. Definitely more capable of getting the power down in the corners due to the dif.
Only real niggles are electrical with this era of Renault, the window regulators being a real pain although you may find that they've already been replaced. Also, you'll want one with a recently changed cambelt as it's not a quick job and not cheap. My local dealership wanted £1,500 for a cambelt and water pump.
I can't comment on the WRX as such as not owned one but the RS Meganes are great cars and very capable. The two I've had didn't have the LSD (like the R26) but are great fun and my Trophy had a re-map to about 265bhp. I have been on a track day in my friends stock R26.R and the grip and handling was superb. Definitely more capable of getting the power down in the corners due to the dif.
Only real niggles are electrical with this era of Renault, the window regulators being a real pain although you may find that they've already been replaced. Also, you'll want one with a recently changed cambelt as it's not a quick job and not cheap. My local dealership wanted £1,500 for a cambelt and water pump.
)Sometimes it's better the devil you know.
I've also considered a Megane as an option when looking for a base to build a stripped out/track car because the BHP-per-pound seemed really attractive with the Renault, but the chance of getting a Friday afternoon car (which seems to run from Thursday morning until Tuesday afternoon looking at these!
) was too big a gamble for me to take. I didn't want to be faced with tracing mysterious/irritating faults and just wanted something I could have on trickle charge; then when the mood/trackday took me I could jump in, have some fun and switch it off again.
Given your choice, I'd stick with the WRX... if you're getting a bit bored then it'll be very easy to breathe some extra life into it with some STI and/or aftermarket parts.
I've also considered a Megane as an option when looking for a base to build a stripped out/track car because the BHP-per-pound seemed really attractive with the Renault, but the chance of getting a Friday afternoon car (which seems to run from Thursday morning until Tuesday afternoon looking at these!
) was too big a gamble for me to take. I didn't want to be faced with tracing mysterious/irritating faults and just wanted something I could have on trickle charge; then when the mood/trackday took me I could jump in, have some fun and switch it off again.Given your choice, I'd stick with the WRX... if you're getting a bit bored then it'll be very easy to breathe some extra life into it with some STI and/or aftermarket parts.
RS Grant said:
Sometimes it's better the devil you know.
I've also considered a Megane as an option when looking for a base to build a stripped out/track car because the BHP-per-pound seemed really attractive with the Renault, but the chance of getting a Friday afternoon car (which seems to run from Thursday morning until Tuesday afternoon looking at these! ) was too big a gamble for me to take. I didn't want to be faced with tracing mysterious/irritating faults and just wanted something I could have on trickle charge; then when the mood/trackday took me I could jump in, have some fun and switch it off again.
Given your choice, I'd stick with the WRX... if you're getting a bit bored then it'll be very easy to breathe some extra life into it with some STI and/or aftermarket parts.
Yeah I totally agree, especially as the WRX is super reliable I'd be kicking myself if I bought something else only to have lots of problems...on the other hand if you pick a gem then it's fine!I've also considered a Megane as an option when looking for a base to build a stripped out/track car because the BHP-per-pound seemed really attractive with the Renault, but the chance of getting a Friday afternoon car (which seems to run from Thursday morning until Tuesday afternoon looking at these!
) was too big a gamble for me to take. I didn't want to be faced with tracing mysterious/irritating faults and just wanted something I could have on trickle charge; then when the mood/trackday took me I could jump in, have some fun and switch it off again.Given your choice, I'd stick with the WRX... if you're getting a bit bored then it'll be very easy to breathe some extra life into it with some STI and/or aftermarket parts.
Regarding the modifications, it's already got pretty much all it can except going down the bigger turbo route.
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