Car decisions: 350z vs. WRX STi
Discussion
As above. I can't make my mind up!
I'd like a 350 for its cruising ability and relative subtlety, but the Impreza has the turbo dynamics I've grown to like from my current car (not to mention the blistering performance when the PPP is bolted on).
The exhaust notes on each are a bone of contention too.
I am erring towards 350 at the moment, but I need some much appreciated opinions from the PH hive mind.
What do you reckon?
I'd like a 350 for its cruising ability and relative subtlety, but the Impreza has the turbo dynamics I've grown to like from my current car (not to mention the blistering performance when the PPP is bolted on).
The exhaust notes on each are a bone of contention too.
I am erring towards 350 at the moment, but I need some much appreciated opinions from the PH hive mind.
What do you reckon?
i had both last year, i really liked the 350z thought it was great fun, but i more or less felt anonymous which i quite liked.
when i got the Impreza i felt that EVERYONE was looking at me, even more than in my noisy chimaera, it made me feel very conspicuous. it was the 555 version and was highly stickered which i dont think helped.
they are both gone now though
when i got the Impreza i felt that EVERYONE was looking at me, even more than in my noisy chimaera, it made me feel very conspicuous. it was the 555 version and was highly stickered which i dont think helped.
they are both gone now though
That's the thing I'm thinking of. The 350 would blend in more or less but still offer great performance, looks, noise etc. whereas the Impreza would be pounced upon by every boyed up Fiesta in the land, and that really isn't my thing. But it's the allure of cheap, rediculous performance that appeals to me.
That and a two door GT isn't very practical!
That and a two door GT isn't very practical!
I found myself in a similar position recently as I was stuck between the 350z and the Sti.
I test drove them both back to back and the STI felt more responsive partly due to the turbo kick while the 350z felt slow at first (I'm used to a turbo) until I reached upper rev range where it flew. Personally I've (almost) decided to ditch both and head down the 'cheap track car' route but I would have been happy with either car even though they are very different.
However, the 350z seemed a little more special despite being a little slower, Shame the 350Z are a little more expensive car for car.
I test drove them both back to back and the STI felt more responsive partly due to the turbo kick while the 350z felt slow at first (I'm used to a turbo) until I reached upper rev range where it flew. Personally I've (almost) decided to ditch both and head down the 'cheap track car' route but I would have been happy with either car even though they are very different.
However, the 350z seemed a little more special despite being a little slower, Shame the 350Z are a little more expensive car for car.
Made the same choice 6 months ago and went with a 350. It feels 'special' when your in it and around it. I do regularly look what I could like for like swap my 350 for in the STI range purely as its my daily and I tend to get a lot of ice and snow around here. I dont think you can go wrong with either to be fair!
This seems to be a common problem! I do between 12-13,000 miles pa so a 350 would be more suited to this, partly because the cabin is so much nicer an environment.
However I'm more geared towards turbo grunt rather than N/A long leggedness. I chose my current Leon over the Civic Type R due to the turbo suiting my driving style.
Mind you, the 350 does have a superb exhaust note...
However I'm more geared towards turbo grunt rather than N/A long leggedness. I chose my current Leon over the Civic Type R due to the turbo suiting my driving style.
Mind you, the 350 does have a superb exhaust note...
Two completely different cars.
The STi is a long way ahead in performance and is more suited to driving British roads fast.
The 350Z sounds great, is a good looking car and has a lovely interior.
They are both very different and good at what they do with the STi being the cross country missile and the 350Z being more of a GT car.
The STi is a long way ahead in performance and is more suited to driving British roads fast.
The 350Z sounds great, is a good looking car and has a lovely interior.
They are both very different and good at what they do with the STi being the cross country missile and the 350Z being more of a GT car.
Hi all,
Ive got an 02 WRX STi Prodrive edition in O2C Blue, with Prodrive 18" OZ's in Gold.
Contrary to what you mentioned regarding Fiestas (etc) wanting to race you, infact I've found that it's quite the opposite from my experience - no one, no matter what they are in seems to want to try you out (I'm not in to that sort of thing by the way!)... But to the extent that it gets annoying when you're trying to make progress and people are purposey driving like miss daisy because they don't want to appear to be "giving it'".
Although it attracts a fair bit of attention (it's loud, wide and looks like a Tonka!), I always encounter countless more idiots any time I'm in my Diesels or the SL350 AMG than when ever I'm in the Scoob.
The image is different to the 350z - which hasn't got a baseball hat wearing driver stereotype! However I enjoy the car for what it does and how it does it. Not for how cool it makes me! It's a drivers car and I love driving it. I've got far more enjoyment from this than perhaps a more refined car.
Cruising wise, she will sit happily at any speed.
I am constantly finding myself slowing down as it is effortlessly brisk without seeming so. Infact I was disappointed how refined (if you can call it refined!) the drive was in comparison to my old 2000 Subaru Turbo - which felt faster (it's not by any means).
The exhaust note is wonderful. I have a Blitz Nur Spec R system on mine as I removed and stored the Prodrive exhaust which was too quiet for a toy. Despite what some say, it's no louder than my old Scorpion S/S exhaust running with a full decat on the classic.
The STi chassis is truly in it's own league when coupled with the 4x4 - which does take some getting used to in order to get the best from it. Very direct and very firm, but not by any means uncomfortable. Infact the STi seats are very very comfortable and supportive.
The best thing about the car for me is that I have a practical 4 door saloon that is capable of 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, and on a run will return anywhere between 280-330 miles on a £70 (full tank) of fuel with the weekday commute to the station and back seeing around 180 miles from same.
I think it's unarguable that the 350 is a nice car and refined, but I wanted something that would make the trip to the station the best part of the day! It doesn't disappoint and everytimr I hear the flat 4 through the Blitz system, it's like driving it for the first time all over again! Addictive :-)
And when comparing performance per £ it's difficult to beat!
Good luck with your search!
Gallen.
Ive got an 02 WRX STi Prodrive edition in O2C Blue, with Prodrive 18" OZ's in Gold.
Contrary to what you mentioned regarding Fiestas (etc) wanting to race you, infact I've found that it's quite the opposite from my experience - no one, no matter what they are in seems to want to try you out (I'm not in to that sort of thing by the way!)... But to the extent that it gets annoying when you're trying to make progress and people are purposey driving like miss daisy because they don't want to appear to be "giving it'".
Although it attracts a fair bit of attention (it's loud, wide and looks like a Tonka!), I always encounter countless more idiots any time I'm in my Diesels or the SL350 AMG than when ever I'm in the Scoob.
The image is different to the 350z - which hasn't got a baseball hat wearing driver stereotype! However I enjoy the car for what it does and how it does it. Not for how cool it makes me! It's a drivers car and I love driving it. I've got far more enjoyment from this than perhaps a more refined car.
Cruising wise, she will sit happily at any speed.
I am constantly finding myself slowing down as it is effortlessly brisk without seeming so. Infact I was disappointed how refined (if you can call it refined!) the drive was in comparison to my old 2000 Subaru Turbo - which felt faster (it's not by any means).
The exhaust note is wonderful. I have a Blitz Nur Spec R system on mine as I removed and stored the Prodrive exhaust which was too quiet for a toy. Despite what some say, it's no louder than my old Scorpion S/S exhaust running with a full decat on the classic.
The STi chassis is truly in it's own league when coupled with the 4x4 - which does take some getting used to in order to get the best from it. Very direct and very firm, but not by any means uncomfortable. Infact the STi seats are very very comfortable and supportive.
The best thing about the car for me is that I have a practical 4 door saloon that is capable of 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, and on a run will return anywhere between 280-330 miles on a £70 (full tank) of fuel with the weekday commute to the station and back seeing around 180 miles from same.
I think it's unarguable that the 350 is a nice car and refined, but I wanted something that would make the trip to the station the best part of the day! It doesn't disappoint and everytimr I hear the flat 4 through the Blitz system, it's like driving it for the first time all over again! Addictive :-)
And when comparing performance per £ it's difficult to beat!
Good luck with your search!
Gallen.
Edited by Gallen on Monday 26th November 19:56
I had a similar dilemma 2 years ago and I'm very glad i took the 350 route....if you get the HR model they hit 100 in 13 second dead so hardly a slouch, they look beautiful and sound great.
For me the big bonus over the scooby is image and as the zed is N/A has greatly reduced the temptation to waste fortunes on modifications, obviously there are options with regards to modding the zed but gains are minimal this has help me resist temptation....plently of body mods are available if that's your thing by most look pretty dreadful in my opinion.
For me the big bonus over the scooby is image and as the zed is N/A has greatly reduced the temptation to waste fortunes on modifications, obviously there are options with regards to modding the zed but gains are minimal this has help me resist temptation....plently of body mods are available if that's your thing by most look pretty dreadful in my opinion.
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