Which Impreza is best?
Discussion
Best all rounder would be the S204 nearly as quick as an RA-R on track and great on the roads to plus the interior is pure lush!!
All out performance will have to be the RA-R, R205 and the new S206 NBR.
My opinion above is from having owned all the above motors apart from the S206. I have been lucky enough to have just about every incarnation of the WRX STI and LANCER EVO since 2001.
All out performance will have to be the RA-R, R205 and the new S206 NBR.
My opinion above is from having owned all the above motors apart from the S206. I have been lucky enough to have just about every incarnation of the WRX STI and LANCER EVO since 2001.
Edited by juggers on Thursday 31st May 02:38
AWG said:
Interesting response from Juggers, what did you find made these models good for the track matey?
I have no favourite to comment on as I have only driven my own scoob so have nothing to compare it to.
They come with a different suspension setup much more aggressive and geared at track days with the likes of stiffer dampers lowering springs thicker anti roll bars thicker wish bones etc. The S204 is a little subtle and great on UK roads it sucks up the B roads much better than the RA-R due to the stiffer springs on the RA-R. If your local to Manchester and you can pop over to Oulton Park on my next trackday you can have a go and experience it for your self I have no favourite to comment on as I have only driven my own scoob so have nothing to compare it to.
I own a 22B, and its my 4th Impreza.
I tried the new age cars, and just didnt get on with them. Steering feel went backwards, and brakes arent that great, not to mention the weight.
I guess I'd be asking the question "best for what"? Because to ME, an Impreza was always about the rally car driving at warp speed between trees, getting onto tarmac, and being used as the ramraiders getaway car of choice, due to the police being unable to stay with them.
In other words, performance.
I really dont understand trying to pigeon hole them into some semblence of luxury. If you want luxury, buy a liberty / legacy. By trying to appeal to the fat US soccer mums, the new age cars have become diluted from their racing roots, and its very pedigree has faded.
Which is a shame, because for people that love the brand, seeing the way they've gone (chasing corporate profits is expected, and getting volume is a part of that, dont get me wrong), leaves me saddened.
Still, when I look at the time attack cars, most of the cars I am aware of, start life as the lightweight classics. I dont disagree one little bit with Colin Chapman's ideas, and prefer my sportscars to be light.
FWIW, I dont believe the 22B is the be all and end all. In stock form, its well understood the RB5's had great poise and balance, the P1's didnt try and kill you at the first bump taken at speed (the way some 22B's might), and Litchfield has some great offerings as well.
Personally, I'd choose either a Litchfield, or a 22B with some suspension work done, and would make my decision based on how much driving I need to do every day with it. More driving = Litchfield. Less driving = 22B, and keep the mileage down, for the resale values later.
I tried the new age cars, and just didnt get on with them. Steering feel went backwards, and brakes arent that great, not to mention the weight.
I guess I'd be asking the question "best for what"? Because to ME, an Impreza was always about the rally car driving at warp speed between trees, getting onto tarmac, and being used as the ramraiders getaway car of choice, due to the police being unable to stay with them.
In other words, performance.
I really dont understand trying to pigeon hole them into some semblence of luxury. If you want luxury, buy a liberty / legacy. By trying to appeal to the fat US soccer mums, the new age cars have become diluted from their racing roots, and its very pedigree has faded.
Which is a shame, because for people that love the brand, seeing the way they've gone (chasing corporate profits is expected, and getting volume is a part of that, dont get me wrong), leaves me saddened.
Still, when I look at the time attack cars, most of the cars I am aware of, start life as the lightweight classics. I dont disagree one little bit with Colin Chapman's ideas, and prefer my sportscars to be light.
FWIW, I dont believe the 22B is the be all and end all. In stock form, its well understood the RB5's had great poise and balance, the P1's didnt try and kill you at the first bump taken at speed (the way some 22B's might), and Litchfield has some great offerings as well.
Personally, I'd choose either a Litchfield, or a 22B with some suspension work done, and would make my decision based on how much driving I need to do every day with it. More driving = Litchfield. Less driving = 22B, and keep the mileage down, for the resale values later.
Are we talking vanilla production cars only, or those Same cars with WR or Prodrive type option packs.
If the former, I cannot see any way a standard (non WR) RB5 can be classed as a great drive (from my own experience in a nearly new one) as it was no better than any other UK spec car when pushed.
Classic R/RA cars were the best at their time, bar the 22b for obvious reasons. But even these needed brake and suspension upgrades for those of us that wanted more than 300 usable BHP. V-limited had a better fifth, but it was a bit of a step.
The 2003 Spec C was a good car to drive & many parts were carried over to later cars, but all of the 2003 to 2007 cars were a passengers weight heavier than the classics and i also found my StI twinscroll overwhelmed the Brembos when driven hard , even on uprated pads and fluid.
P1 was a good bit of marketing for those who have seen the ECU map and know exactly what parts Subaru pulled from their existing model line up.
In standard production form and excluding aftermarket specials I think the 22b is still marginally better than some of the lightweight specials of the later cars.
If the former, I cannot see any way a standard (non WR) RB5 can be classed as a great drive (from my own experience in a nearly new one) as it was no better than any other UK spec car when pushed.
Classic R/RA cars were the best at their time, bar the 22b for obvious reasons. But even these needed brake and suspension upgrades for those of us that wanted more than 300 usable BHP. V-limited had a better fifth, but it was a bit of a step.
The 2003 Spec C was a good car to drive & many parts were carried over to later cars, but all of the 2003 to 2007 cars were a passengers weight heavier than the classics and i also found my StI twinscroll overwhelmed the Brembos when driven hard , even on uprated pads and fluid.
P1 was a good bit of marketing for those who have seen the ECU map and know exactly what parts Subaru pulled from their existing model line up.
In standard production form and excluding aftermarket specials I think the 22b is still marginally better than some of the lightweight specials of the later cars.
Hol said:
1: I cannot see any way a standard (non WR) RB5 can be classed as a great drive (from my own experience in a nearly new one) as it was no better than any other UK spec car when pushed.
2: P1 was a good bit of marketing for those who have seen the ECU map and know exactly what parts Subaru pulled from their existing model line up.
1: But even a standard 2000 turbo is known to be a great drive, and a non-wr RB5 does feel better still for various reasons even though on paper the differences are minimal. As good as they are though indeed they are no 22B.2: P1 was a good bit of marketing for those who have seen the ECU map and know exactly what parts Subaru pulled from their existing model line up.
2: How was the P1 just a good bit of marketing due to the ecu map? At the time of release it was the only UK car that people could go into a showroom and buy with the STI engine among extensive other extras.
Edited by rb5er on Tuesday 5th June 23:06
Very subjective question with many ambiguous answers!
For instance my MY00 UK Turbo 2000 (Classic) felt very quick whilst my 2002 Prodrive edition STi doesn't (but is incredibly quick) if that makes sense.
Depends what "best" means I.e value, performance, performance vs comfort/practicality..... Etc
G.
For instance my MY00 UK Turbo 2000 (Classic) felt very quick whilst my 2002 Prodrive edition STi doesn't (but is incredibly quick) if that makes sense.
Depends what "best" means I.e value, performance, performance vs comfort/practicality..... Etc
G.
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