Excellent write up; it pretty much concurs with what I'd assumed about the car.

I found the WRX 'worked' a lot better, ride/handling-wise - probably because I was thinking of it as a C-segment hatchback and not as a sportster. Less involving than a proper Civic, but far more so than an FK Civic.

Possibly, the harder edge of the STi takes the edge of its pleasantness, ironically. Wouldn't be the first car where that's happened.

 

i find the steering on my imprezza is very very light compared to the s.

but i have only got 160 bhp and 7.5k rpm to play with.


handles lovely though so much different to the s and a mongdeo i normally drive.

still prefer the s though

 

Mark - oh yes, proper cockup on my part !!! Cold tyres, cold damp road, lots of right foot on right-hand lock in first, turbo spooled and .. whoops !!

Nick - I hated the WRX. In fact I was so disappointed with it I couldn't believe how horrible it was ! Then I tested the STi - it doesn't have the comfort/niceness of the WRX. Suspension is a little odd and you can bite your tongue if you're not careful. Its weird - it handles proper bumpy roads well, but on the motorway you're jangled around like beans in a tin ! (forgot to put that in the writeup)

SaxoBoy - I'm not sure what all the version numbers are, but I think this car has a lot to offer. You could drive it like I'm sure a lot of the scoobynetters do, or you can take a bit of time to listen to it and there's a lot more going on than you think (I'm sure you'd pick up on it )

The new Impreza looks shocking although I have to admit I quite like the look of the STi version which follows a year after release.....

The other thing I forgot to say is, it tramlines like a bugger. Not sure if tis the tyres (Bridgestone RE070's) as per most peoples opinion on scoobynet, or whether its a geo setup, or both ! When you join the M3 towards the M25 at Junc 3, there's a lorry rut in the slip lane which if you're not careful flips you into the middle lane !

Baptisan -

 

Funny thing is I think I push it less on the road than the S; its a bigger car and the speed is deceptive - I look at the speedo thinking I'm doing 50ish and I could be doing an awful lot more. I've passengered in it up to about 140mph (on a track) and it feels just the same as it does at 60 - very deceptive so you could easily forget to brake enough for a corner!

But confidence-wise, I don't feel it inspires any more than the S, except in standing water. Not for me anyway, although I can imagine that in others it might...

 

It can't have been 7 months??

That means we're 5 months away from a new 'searching for a replacement' thread

 

Just out of interest, what is the depreciation like on these now? This isnt a dig as I previously owned one and mine faired up very well.

 

Rob - I know, but I feel I'm only just getting to know her, and the grin isn't any less

ADP - its pretty shocking, and the new fuel prices and road tax aren't helping I have no idea what it's worth at the moment, but I paid

 

[QUOTE]SaxoBoy - I'm not sure what all the version numbers are, but I think this car has a lot to offer. You could drive it like I'm sure a lot of the scoobynetters do, or you can take a bit of time to listen to it and there's a lot more going on than you think (I'm sure you'd pick up on it

 

You got any pics or links to the new STI?

 

You REALLY don't want to see the new Impreza hatchback!! It's nasty, nasty, nasty IMHO.