Impreza WRX or R32?

[white_goodman]

I posted on this forum last week regarding insurance for an Impreza WRX as I was struggling to get a reasonable quite (I currently insure with Churchill and they were insisting on a Tracker being fitted which effectively doubles the premium). I managed to get a reasonable quote elsewhere (£700) but unfortunately now the car I was interested in an 05 plate Impreza WRX PPP Estate with 48k for £7500 has gone. My alternatives now are an 04 plate standard WRX Estate with 58k for £6500 (older and higher mileage but the cambelt has been done) or a mk4 Golf R32 5dr with 73k for £9000. I have always liked Golfs (I have been driving VWs for the last 6 years)but hadn't considered one before as they are quite rare and there weren't any available in my area. The Golf would only cost about £500 to insure and I could stay with my current insurer, although it is older and has done more miles and is more expensive. Road tax seems about the same, running costs would be similar I imagine and they seem quite well matched performance wise and they both sound great. Should I stick with what I know and probably a car that feels better built and is more luxurious or try something different? The Impreza seems like great value. Do they both need running on super unleaded? I have already had some buying advice on Imprezas but is there anything to watch out for on the R32?

[redgriff500]

They are so different to drive, in looks and image that the answer should be obvious.

Which is a better a dog or a hamster ?

Depends what you want.

Pointy, ugly, council estate - WRX
GT, discrete, better council estate - R32









(I'd have the WRX)

[jb9193]

R32

[Mars]

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

[Fire99]

WRX. Late ones are quite grown up and far more capable than the R32 IMO.

[OllieWinchester]

Don't like the R32 at all, nice noise but that is about it. I'd definately have the Impreza.

[CaptainSlow]

The Imprezas are pug ugly council house chavmobiles.....





































Which one you going for? I'm thinking of getting a blobeye wagon.

[white_goodman]

Gone for an 04 plate Impreza WRX wagon in mica blue, 58k, £6500. Hope I've made the right decision. Thanks for all the advice!

[CaptainSlow]

pics

[Jonny_693]

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

Depends which WRX your talking about. Classics need 100 ron minimum.

[EDLT]

Jonny_693 said:

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

Depends which WRX your talking about. Classics need 100 ron minimum.

Thats just not true.

[Mars]

No indeed, especially considering 100RON isn't available over here and all Type Approved cars have to be capable of running on 95RON.

[Blue Meanie]

R32 obviously!

[KaraK]

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

UK cars can run on 95 RON but I wouldn't do it, running them on 95RON results in lost performance and on top of that economy drops (going a fair way to cancelling out the "saving")

ETA: IIRC PPP'd cars made 97RON a requirement

Edited by KaraK on Sunday 10th October 18:33

[Mars]

I'm yet to find any conclusive evidence that the standard WRX has a "learning" ECU. One which is capable of switching maps between a 95 and 97/98 map. If it doesn't switch, then performance from 95 will be exactly the same as for 98. If nothing else, 95 carries more calories (energy) per unit volume because octane effectively dilutes the brew.

It is possible though, I'll concede. Normally it would be when a car is specifically mapped for 97/98 and the knock sensor detects knock. Then the ECU will back off the ignition timing a bit.

A WRX hasn't a particularly aggressive timing profile, and the turbo doesn't raise the compression into the "self-detonate" area, so I'm skeptical it needs 97/98. It only produces 210-ish bhp from a 2-litre turbo doesn't it?

[Jonny_693]

EDLT said:

Jonny_693 said:

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

Depends which WRX your talking about. Classics need 100 ron minimum.

Thats just not true.

Oh man.

[KaraK]

Mars said:

It is possible though, I'll concede. Normally it would be when a car is specifically mapped for 97/98 and the knock sensor detects knock. Then the ECU will back off the ignition timing a bit.

I'm not a mechanic but from what I've read on the subject this is the case, I can however speak from personal experience that running turbocharged Imprezas on lower RON fuel results in the rough running and poorer performance and economy figures.

[The fatboy]

I'd love the R32 especially the 4 round stoping lights.

Super strong RB26 engines which are bullet-proof strong.

[rb5230]

Jonny_693 said:

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

Depends which WRX your talking about. Classics need 100 ron minimum.

never heard that one before. they need fuel of a higher octane than is available at normal pumps in England? very strange that there are so many about then.

[Jonny_693]

rb5230 said:

Jonny_693 said:

Mars said:

WRX. Doesn't need SUL either.

Depends which WRX your talking about. Classics need 100 ron minimum.

never heard that one before. they need fuel of a higher octane than is available at normal pumps in England? very strange that there are so many about then.

They are mapped to run 100 ron. After a certain date in Japan the minimum ron available was 100 ron. I speak as an ex owner (3 years) of an MY97 WRX. I used to run it on V power (99 ron) no problem but some people add an octane booster as well. I gather from your user name you are a UK classic owner which is obviously fine to be run on normal SUL. After all it was designed for the UK market. You cannot buy a UK classic WRX, there is no such thing. The bug eye WRX was the first WRX available to buy in the UK!

Certainly when I did get caught short of a shell garage I noticed increased knock activity and never dreamt of using full boost. It would simply of shat it's bottom end out.

Here, have your back.