What's the modern day equivalent to an Impreza Sti?

What's the modern day equivalent to an Impreza Sti?

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Discussion

TownIdiot

Original Poster:

1,556 posts

6 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
Back in day I always ran an Impreza as my day to day car

I am now thinking of getting back into something similar ideally on a decent lease or contract hire deal.

I appreciate that motoring has moved on but what are people driving that's the 2020s equivalent to a 2000s Impreza?

vikingaero

11,188 posts

176 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
Audi S3 Saloon?

There are still some low mileage WRX STIs Final Editions on Autotrader.

Ken_Code

1,566 posts

9 months

Monday 13th May
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Toyota GR Yaris.

Time4another

262 posts

10 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
S3 or Golf R

JerseyRoyal

117 posts

7 months

Monday 13th May
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Pretty much every hot hatch is 300ish bhp and awd. Take your pick.

PlywoodPascal

5,344 posts

28 months

Monday 13th May
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It’s hard to find anything with hard enough plastic trim inside, imo there is no equivalent.

Truckosaurus

12,034 posts

291 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
JerseyRoyal said:
Pretty much every hot hatch is 300ish bhp and awd. Take your pick.
Indeed. I was thinking something similar. Back in the nineties things like Scoobies were in vogue as they had 200-300bhp when everything else had 100-150. These days power is easily accessible, with EVs making going fast in a straight line boring.

The nearest thing to a left field alternative with modest performance might be a Suzuki S-cross boosterjet with some mild tuning.

You can, of course, also buy (nearly) new Imprezas and Levorgs if you are a Scooby fan.

Ratae

293 posts

108 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
You can get the last WRX STI up to 2017, so still relatively modern and fits the bill

Manual Golf R

Focus RS

GR Yaris for the driving engagement but not the practicality, didn't rate mine as a daily

The trouble is finding a manual, the auto Golf R/S3/M135i/A35 etc. are probably all faster than the old Impreza STI but nowhere near as engaging

Terminator X

16,275 posts

211 months

Monday 13th May
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A45s?

TX.

TownIdiot

Original Poster:

1,556 posts

6 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
The golf and the focus seem good bets.

Have had a go in a Yaris and it was great but maybe not big enough.

I am currently down the imported Impreza rabbit hole but not sure I want to go back there. Pretty tempting though

popeyewhite

21,299 posts

127 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
The Sti interior was fairly low rent so I'd compare it to the Focus RS. I had two Sti(s), I currently own a Golf R - it's a step up in sophistication though maybe not fun. I think the Focus would address this and be a similar speed.

TownIdiot

Original Poster:

1,556 posts

6 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
The Sti interior was fairly low rent so I'd compare it to the Focus RS. I had two Sti(s), I currently own a Golf R - it's a step up in sophistication though maybe not fun. I think the Focus would address this and be a similar speed.
Yes interior wasn't the best but I always found it comfortable.

Don't really need the full outright speed, just something with a bit of oomph that handles ok

popeyewhite

21,299 posts

127 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
TownIdiot said:
Yes interior wasn't the best but I always found it comfortable.

Don't really need the full outright speed, just something with a bit of oomph that handles ok
The Focus RS is pretty quick I understand. Never been in one but might change to a Focus next year.

ZX10R NIN

28,353 posts

132 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
TownIdiot said:
Back in day I always ran an Impreza as my day to day car

I am now thinking of getting back into something similar ideally on a decent lease or contract hire deal.

I appreciate that motoring has moved on but what are people driving that's the 2020s equivalent to a 2000s Impreza?
Nothing will be like one of those everything is more refined, I'd suggest taking a good look at the PS308GTI, or i30N Performance.

popeyewhite

21,299 posts

127 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
TownIdiot said:
Back in day I always ran an Impreza as my day to day car

I am now thinking of getting back into something similar ideally on a decent lease or contract hire deal.

I appreciate that motoring has moved on but what are people driving that's the 2020s equivalent to a 2000s Impreza?
Nothing will be like one of those everything is more refined, I'd suggest taking a good look at the PS308GTI, or i30N Performance.
I don't think either will have near the same excitement. Didn't OP say quick?

TownIdiot

Original Poster:

1,556 posts

6 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
I don't think either will have near the same excitement. Didn't OP say quick?
I wouldn't mind something a bit slower if it was a good drive.

Have been looking at the 5 door sti - that might work for what I am looking for. I won't be doing many miles but will need to carry 4 people every so often and the dog would be able to jump in the back.

ZX10R NIN

28,353 posts

132 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
I don't think either will have near the same excitement. Didn't OP say quick?
They're properly quick they may not win a 0-60 due to fwd but in roll ons they be right there.

popeyewhite

21,299 posts

127 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
They're properly quick they may not win a 0-60 due to fwd but in roll ons they be right there.
Fair point, but they'd also struggle to keep up under 'normal' UK weather conditions lol.

popeyewhite

21,299 posts

127 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
TownIdiot said:
...and the dog would be able to jump in the back.
Scratch the Golf and the Ford then if it's a medium/large hound. Older RS4?

aka_kerrly

12,490 posts

217 months

Monday 13th May
quotequote all
All the usual VAG stuff like Audi S3/4/5, Golf R, Seat Cupra are available with circa 300hp + Awd (when you "need" it)

I suppose the BMW 3 series with X-Drive must qualify, a M340I if you want Petrol or for significantly less there are plenty of 335Ds that manage a sub 5 second 0-60 dash