Impreza Hatchback - WRX or S or STI ?
Discussion
Hi - My girlfriend is looking to change from her 52 plate Civic Type-R to an Impreza hatchback mainly because it has 4WD, reasonably small (she doesn't want a massive 4x4), and still has power!
I've heard some forums say that there have been a few engine failures for the hatchbacks but mainly on the more powerful STI version?
I'm hoping to get a get a bit of advice on which will be the best compromise as it looks like mpg takes a nosedive with each version
I reckon the WRX will be similarly quick but the steering feel might be a weak point compared to her type R, so maybe the WRX-S is the better choice?
I've heard some forums say that there have been a few engine failures for the hatchbacks but mainly on the more powerful STI version?
I'm hoping to get a get a bit of advice on which will be the best compromise as it looks like mpg takes a nosedive with each version
I reckon the WRX will be similarly quick but the steering feel might be a weak point compared to her type R, so maybe the WRX-S is the better choice?
Real world MPG is not that different between them for normal driving (at least my experience from a 2005 WRX PPP and a 2005 STi).
The hatches seem cheap. I guess they are not that popular and, yes, there are stories of engine issues. However, I think most conclude to be map related rather than engine per-se.
The STI is a much better car and a better platform if your going to fiddle with it. For a daily though I would say a WRX is a much better proposition.
-P
The hatches seem cheap. I guess they are not that popular and, yes, there are stories of engine issues. However, I think most conclude to be map related rather than engine per-se.
The STI is a much better car and a better platform if your going to fiddle with it. For a daily though I would say a WRX is a much better proposition.
-P
I think the best solution would be to try all three although I am edging towards the WRX-S. Not sure an STI would be the best idea - I wouldn't want her to have a faster car than my M3 ?!?!
We would be keeping any car we got standard and buying it standard and I imagine that the STI is more likely to have been fettled or thrashed more as we will be buying 2nd hand.
Good to hear they are pretty solid and she only does about 7-8k miles per year so mpg isn't a big issue. She loves the power in her type-r - it was a big step up from her 1 litre Micra with 114k miles on the clock !
Any tell-tale signs to watch out for when viewing?
We would be keeping any car we got standard and buying it standard and I imagine that the STI is more likely to have been fettled or thrashed more as we will be buying 2nd hand.
Good to hear they are pretty solid and she only does about 7-8k miles per year so mpg isn't a big issue. She loves the power in her type-r - it was a big step up from her 1 litre Micra with 114k miles on the clock !
Any tell-tale signs to watch out for when viewing?
I think your assumption that just the STi is more likely to have been thrashed isn't quite right.
Any WRX, WRX-s or otherwise may have been driven equally as hard or more so than any STi, equally they may all have been well looked after and been used from time to time as they are meant to be. You won't actually know however, we don't buy these cars just to pootle around in.
They are performance vehicles so expect them to be driven enthusiastically on occasion whatever the model. You'll find the hatchback WRX is actually a bit weak in the performance dept and as such is more likely to have been thrashed to within an inch of it's life than a quicker WRX-S or STi that doesn't require such hard work to get the same or more performance.
I would rather have a well looked after and properly used STi or WRX-S than a WRX that's been thrashed all it's life in the pursuit of every last ounce of performance the standard vehicle can muster because it's actually not very quick.
Thinking anything else about any of them is a bit naive.
BTW...If you have a newish M3 i don't think even the STi is quite as quick in a straight line in the dry, although in the wet going down a sodden B-Road at silly speeds i think i'd rather be in the STi.
Just my opinion though, that's all.
Any WRX, WRX-s or otherwise may have been driven equally as hard or more so than any STi, equally they may all have been well looked after and been used from time to time as they are meant to be. You won't actually know however, we don't buy these cars just to pootle around in.
They are performance vehicles so expect them to be driven enthusiastically on occasion whatever the model. You'll find the hatchback WRX is actually a bit weak in the performance dept and as such is more likely to have been thrashed to within an inch of it's life than a quicker WRX-S or STi that doesn't require such hard work to get the same or more performance.
I would rather have a well looked after and properly used STi or WRX-S than a WRX that's been thrashed all it's life in the pursuit of every last ounce of performance the standard vehicle can muster because it's actually not very quick.
Thinking anything else about any of them is a bit naive.
BTW...If you have a newish M3 i don't think even the STi is quite as quick in a straight line in the dry, although in the wet going down a sodden B-Road at silly speeds i think i'd rather be in the STi.
Just my opinion though, that's all.
Thanks for the advice, all sounds fairly positive no matter which one she chooses.
As they are all similar, what sort of real world MPG should we expect?
I've got the E46 M3 so I reckon the straight line with an STI would be close but agree about the wet, it does get a bit frisky and is rubbish in the snow.
Also the type-r is an 02 plate and I have always quite liked the steering , feels like a go kart. I think the newer type-r has gone a bit soft and has put on a few pounds
As they are all similar, what sort of real world MPG should we expect?
I've got the E46 M3 so I reckon the straight line with an STI would be close but agree about the wet, it does get a bit frisky and is rubbish in the snow.
Also the type-r is an 02 plate and I have always quite liked the steering , feels like a go kart. I think the newer type-r has gone a bit soft and has put on a few pounds
benaldo said:
Thanks for the advice, all sounds fairly positive no matter which one she chooses.
As they are all similar, what sort of real world MPG should we expect?
I've got the E46 M3 so I reckon the straight line with an STI would be close but agree about the wet, it does get a bit frisky and is rubbish in the snow.
Also the type-r is an 02 plate and I have always quite liked the steering , feels like a go kart. I think the newer type-r has gone a bit soft and has put on a few pounds
On a run 28MPG is achievable. Hooning then low teens. The STi will be on par with an E46. Incidently, I had a childish moment with an E46 on the motorway the other day and there was nothing in it (mine is modified)... At the end of the day, there is no replacement for displacement as they say As they are all similar, what sort of real world MPG should we expect?
I've got the E46 M3 so I reckon the straight line with an STI would be close but agree about the wet, it does get a bit frisky and is rubbish in the snow.
Also the type-r is an 02 plate and I have always quite liked the steering , feels like a go kart. I think the newer type-r has gone a bit soft and has put on a few pounds
Engine failures were a major issue on the UK 2.5 engine due to cylinder / piston failure. There's a thread somewhere on Scoobynet. Subaru advised it related to modified examples only, but there were plenty of unmodified examples that allegedly suffered the same failure. By buying a hatch now they should have all had the recall to change the map or had the engine repaired if they did go pop. If you buy from a dealer you will also benefit from a warranty which will give you piece of mind.
If you have the money definitely go for the STi, it has many benefits over the WRX. The WRX is still obviously a great car. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Due to the engine issue I'd recommend getting an unmodified example unless it has had documented internal upgrades to go with any other modifications.
An STi should deliver 30mpg for motorway trips, for urban only and if in 'sports sharp' mode this will drop to 23mpg. The WRX will obviously be more economical.
If you have a bit more cash try and get hold of a 330s, and if you have lots of cash - the Cosworth.
Good luck and I hope you find what you're after.
If you have the money definitely go for the STi, it has many benefits over the WRX. The WRX is still obviously a great car. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Due to the engine issue I'd recommend getting an unmodified example unless it has had documented internal upgrades to go with any other modifications.
An STi should deliver 30mpg for motorway trips, for urban only and if in 'sports sharp' mode this will drop to 23mpg. The WRX will obviously be more economical.
If you have a bit more cash try and get hold of a 330s, and if you have lots of cash - the Cosworth.
Good luck and I hope you find what you're after.
AMGreg said:
Engine failures were a major issue on the UK 2.5 engine due to cylinder / piston failure. There's a thread somewhere on Scoobynet. Subaru advised it related to modified examples only, but there were plenty of unmodified examples that allegedly suffered the same failure. By buying a hatch now they should have all had the recall to change the map or had the engine repaired if they did go pop. If you buy from a dealer you will also benefit from a warranty which will give you piece of mind.
If you have the money definitely go for the STi, it has many benefits over the WRX. The WRX is still obviously a great car. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Due to the engine issue I'd recommend getting an unmodified example unless it has had documented internal upgrades to go with any other modifications.
An STi should deliver 30mpg for motorway trips, for urban only and if in 'sports sharp' mode this will drop to 23mpg. The WRX will obviously be more economical.
If you have a bit more cash try and get hold of a 330s, and if you have lots of cash - the Cosworth.
Good luck and I hope you find what you're after.
My 330S was post recall and still lunched it's engine at only 20,000 miles and 2 and 1/2 years old. Completely unmodified. Completely wrecked block. I now have an Evo X FQ330. It's better in every way bar size of fuel tank! If you have the money definitely go for the STi, it has many benefits over the WRX. The WRX is still obviously a great car. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Due to the engine issue I'd recommend getting an unmodified example unless it has had documented internal upgrades to go with any other modifications.
An STi should deliver 30mpg for motorway trips, for urban only and if in 'sports sharp' mode this will drop to 23mpg. The WRX will obviously be more economical.
If you have a bit more cash try and get hold of a 330s, and if you have lots of cash - the Cosworth.
Good luck and I hope you find what you're after.
Ali_T said:
My 330S was post recall and still lunched it's engine at only 20,000 miles and 2 and 1/2 years old. Completely unmodified. Completely wrecked block. I now have an Evo X FQ330. It's better in every way bar size of fuel tank!
I am a big Impreza fan but given the choice of the hatch Sti or Evo X I have to admit I would probably go Evo too
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