Impreza to leon cupra r = disappointment?

[chuggabugga70]

hello all, lately I have been finding my impreza pretty boring and really fancy a change of car. I would take a step up to an STI, but insurance for it would be horrific! I have always liked the leon cupra r, so this is the main car that I am looking at for the moment. My only concern is that the cupra r will feel slower and not as fun to drive as the impreza, so if anyone has any advice/ownership experiences for me, then fire away! My car at the moment is only a turbo 2000 with a de-cat exhaust and remap, will a cupra r with a revo map (and supporting upgrades) be a disappointment or not? On the other hand, i've been wondering whether I could do with a 6 cylinder in my life? my budget is about 8k, but if I can get a nice car for half of that then I wouldn't complain!

it's worth mentioning a few other cars that I have been looking at, an odd mix of cars really and some of them with surprising results insurance wise for someone under 25!

- 350z
- Supra twin turbo
- corrado vr6
- e36 328i sport
- mr2 turbo

If anyone has any idea of other cars I should be looking at then please point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated, cheers!

[chuggabugga70]

woah, quick off the mark you lot! I very very rarely drive the impreza at 10/10ths, so I sometimes feel like I'm not getting the best out of it, of course it's power delivery is impressive and you can get up to license killing speeds rather sharpish, but that gets boring after a while. Another car on my mind is the e30 325i sport, a country road with that beautiful straight 6 howl in an old school "bruiser of its day" car is quite appealing...

[chuggabugga70]

my current insurance was done through keith michaels, so I might have to give them a ring about the sti. The CV8 monaro is something I never thought about, bloody great idea, but surely insurance is crippling? MX5, good idea, good to drive, but im a fat bugger and feel very, er, enclosed. As for the e36 M3, insurance is a massive no no

[chuggabugga70]

sorry for the late reply, been a bit busy with work this week! first of all cheers for everyone's input, it's great to have a resource like PH! I had a test drive of a friend of a friend's cupra r today, and actually found it a lot quicker than I expected. Rather like the look of the interior, feels more solid than the impreza and for how I drive it seems just as quick down a backroad. Mid-range performance it genuinely feels quicker than my scoob, maybe not off of the line but i've never been a fan of the traffic light GP anyhow! I'm told that this car was running 280hp, so i'm not really surprised to be honest. The only downside is the sound, which is a bit boring compared to the flat 4 rumble, but still pops and burbles on the overrun and it's nice to be able to be quiet when you want to be. Handling was very good and the ride quality was surprisingly comfy considering the car had Koni STRT suspension, comfy enough when cruising along but when chucked into a corner it appeared nice and firm, my impreza has standard suspension and is rather rattly, grip levels were astonishing really for a FWD car with R888's. On board computer showed 30+ mpg when cruising at 70 on the motorway, which is a massive bonus over the impreza where i'm currently getting about 250 miles to a tank of V-power!

All in all, i'm going to be on the lookout for a red cupra r in 2/3 weeks. Hopefully with the obliglatory remap, TIP, forge 007p etc etc done already. Very impressed I must say!

Once again, cheers for everyone's input, I feel a bit guilty now being so impressed with the cupra r after everyone else has put in other suggestions, but I now really want one! Thanks PH!