Any reason not to buy an Impreza wagon?

[tourerman]

Looking for a Impreza wagon and seen a 55 plate, 55k miles has a FSH and had th cam belts done.
Wanting something I can get the bike in, get me out ( and into no doubt ) trouble on an overtake and a bit of fun too.
Yes I appreciate they have a chav image but they seem good reliable motors also. Running costs will be a little expensive and tax is £290 per year but I'll own it outright.

Currently own a Mk 7 fiesta ST.

Anyone had one? Real life experiences? Honest fuel economy....

[Konan]

I tend to pop the bike on the roof of mine. They're not very big, so think a slightly generous hatchback rather than an estate. If you want it in the back, it's most likely going to be dropped seats.

They're simple enough to run. The PH buyers guide covered a lot of 'known' issues.

From my mixed commute, I get 33mpg. However, this is with modifications. Got 27 from my previous standard car. I'm very gentle with it driving to work and back, which means I can afford to keep it . Enthusiasm will mean you see 20.

[JJ55]

As above I'd say a generous hatchback rather than an estate. Brilliant on a B road but if you do a lot of town driving sitting in traffic not great due to heavy clutch.

[UberMeister]

I've had 2 bikes in the back of my Impreza Wagon with no issues (seats folded down).

Average MPG is around 28MPG but will do low 30s on a long run.

[Evolved]

If you wear Nike air max and shell suits, no.

[74merc]

A Forester XT might be a better bet. Bigger space for bikes and a less chavvy image.

[Allan L]

My 2006 Wagon R works well and I've seen a chap put the three bikes he'd just bought from me in the back of one just like it.
If you have the manual gearbox it is certificated to tow 1600 k.g. which is excellent for a quite small car - and it makes light work of doing it, if you use the gears and keep the revs up (counter-intuitive for a tow-car of course).
I can't agree with the heavy clutch mentioned above, but the 33 m.p.g. is all too true.
I'd prefer the 40:60 front:rear torque split as per Ferguson-inspired Fords and Jaguars, as the Subarus do suffer the front-driver's understeer, but I've put up with it.

Edited by Allan L on Wednesday 23 December 18:10

[AntiLagGC8]

Allan L said:

My 2006 Wagon R works well and I've seen a chap put the three bikes he'd just bought from me in the back of one just like it.
If you have the manual gearbox it is certificated to tow 1600 k.g. which is excellent for a quite small car - and it makes light work of doing it, if you use the gears and keep the revs up (counter-intuitive for a tow-car of course).
I can't agree with the heavy clutch mentioned above, but the 33 m.p.g. is all too true.
I'd prefer the 40:60 front:rear torque split as per Ferguson-inspired Fords and Jaguars, as the Subarus do suffer the front-driver's understeer, but I've put up with it.

Edited by Allan L on Wednesday 23 December 18:10

Have you thought about a whiteline ARB for the understeer? They don't cost much and with a few low cost changes you can change the balance of the car quite significantly.

[Konan]

AntiLagGC8 said:

Have you thought about a whiteline ARB for the understeer? They don't cost much and with a few low cost changes you can change the balance of the car quite significantly.

Very significantly. Whilst there's undoubtedly a lot of grip under the WRX, when you reach the limit idoes an uncanny impression of a MK4 Golf.

I've got Whiteline kit on my other car with a fair dollop of camber on the front and it feels a lot closer to how my XR4x4 felt.

[AntiLagGC8]

Konan said:

AntiLagGC8 said:

Have you thought about a whiteline ARB for the understeer? They don't cost much and with a few low cost changes you can change the balance of the car quite significantly.

Very significantly. Whilst there's undoubtedly a lot of grip under the WRX, when you reach the limit idoes an uncanny impression of a MK4 Golf.

I've got Whiteline kit on my other car with a fair dollop of camber on the front and it feels a lot closer to how my XR4x4 felt.

What size did you go with bud?

I love the neutral behavior of my car and since the major engine upgrades it feels incredibly playful on the throttle. I also love how I can alter its line with more or less power. I've never driven a car with this level of stability/predictability before.

It took me a bit of time to understand what it would do under different conditions although its very rare it catches me out in anyway. I found I had to re-adjust my understanding of it over 330bhp as it can break traction under tight corners if I'm ham-fisted with it or in wet conditions. Traction is still pretty mind blowing though. My Alfa work car has only 150bhp and its able to break traction in all manner of different conditions where the Impreza would just launch itself down the road.

[Konan]

AntiLagGC8 said:

What size did you go with bud?

A lot of the kit was on the car when I picked it up, so I have to confess I don't know the exact spec (I can make a comparison from having 2 other WRXs).

I've got to crawl around under it over the Christmas break so I'll see if I can get a measure up.

[AntiLagGC8]

Konan said:

A lot of the kit was on the car when I picked it up, so I have to confess I don't know the exact spec (I can make a comparison from having 2 other WRXs).

I've got to crawl around under it over the Christmas break so I'll see if I can get a measure up.

Awesome, I'd guess its 22/24 given the way you've described it.

Have fun

[Mr Taxpayer]

74merc said:

A Forester XT might be a better bet. Bigger space for bikes and a less chavvy image.

I've had 2 Foresters and am currently running a WRX wagon. You won't get and adult bike in the back of a Forester either without dropping the seats. The higher roofline MAY allow you to stand one up inside, but this will depend on the size of bike.

To get my 33" Specialized MTB into Scooby, I take off the front wheel and the seat post. You will get several bikes in this way.

If you're worried about economy get an LPG conversion. I get 24mpg on gas and gas is 55p per litre; that's the same cost per mile as a 50mpg diesel dull machine. I've done 50,000 gas-fuelled miles and I've not stopped smiling. The conversion cost £1270 and paid for itself in 11 months.

[gbarstow]

I agree with the comments on the actual size of the sportwagon and whether it suits your purpose. Have you considered the Forester STI or Legacy STI? I've had both and they are both enormous fun and hugely practical.