Thinking about moving to an Impreza, some advice?

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Draffodx

New member
Hi guys,

Firstly sorry if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to movie it to the right section.

I'm thinking about changing my 2007 Ford Focus ST for a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI and was wondering can I ask a few questions and get a general feel for the benefits switching to the Impreza would be.

First off heres the car I'm thinking about - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Impreza/STI-DCCD/131686164536437/advert?channel=CARS

I'd like to get a feel for how much difference there is between the two cars. For example I drive mostly at weekends only and maybe the odd short < 5 mile trip during the week. Will the Impreza handle a mix of short trips during the week and long trips at the weekend or would the short trips present any issue?

The ST does on average a real world 25MPG how would the Impreza compare to this? Is mid twenties a reality or is it more likely to be in the teens?

The ST has been pretty much faultless with reliability only requiring regular servicing, would a 2005 Impreza require much more minding to make sure the engine doesn't suffer? Are parts expensive?

With driving the ST I get no hassle from either Gardai at checkpoints of muppets in their felt spec cars trying to race me in case of people who drive Impreza's do you get anything like this? I used to get it a bit when I drove an Integra Type R.

The ST has 20k less miles on it and is 2 years fresher, its extremely comfortable and munches the motorway miles, would the Impreza be comfortable and handle motorway miles well over the 100k?

Power wise what sort of real world power do these put down, the ST is around 265BHP with a remap, is the difference in the Impreza worth going down the years and up in mileage?

Think I've blabbered on a bit there but just looking to find out as much info as possible as I'm not really informed about newer Imprezas at all. Any help greatly appreciated.
 
Well You should split it up in to categories you can measure and judge on that.

1. Performance> If your Focus is putting a genuine 265bhp through the crank it won't be far off the STI @ the wheels as any AWD will lose more power through the drivetrain. The STI will be quicker to 60 but once up and rolling I doubt you would see much difference.

2. Handling > The STI will have the Focus beaten here hands down..but if you're not going to be tracking the car or pushing it to the limits will you notice? only you can answer that.

3. Running Costs> The focus will be cheaper here>>cheaper to service ,use less fuel, cheaper to insure.

4. Usability> I suppose the Focus being a hatch is more practical and more interior space but the AWD of the STI makes it a genuine all year round car.

5. Desirability > The Focus is a hot hatch the STI is an icon with massive tuning potential and I suppose it's a matter of what you want..,making practical decisions about a car like an STI doesn't make sense..it's something you want..go drive it I think the noise, grip and general presence will sway your decision
 
I've had 4 limited edition sti impreza's i've also had mark one Focus rs and mate has a 07 st which I've driven.

What would I drive if I had a choice now? An Sti all the way. The focus was every bit as hard on fuel. The Sti can be driven in all wheathers if the focus saw rain it gave up. I love my rs but it gsve me more trouble then any of the sti's I've had.
Not one of them ever gave trouble.
But like any car have it looked over properly and buy one. Worst case you'll ne left with a more sellable car then your Focus ST.
 
Yes the Focus is pretty hard on fuel, so much so that I was wondering if it compares with the STI or if the STI actually is diabolical, the MPG doesn't concern me at the minute but in these times I would like to know in case my situation changed, does anyone have a real world MPG figure for the STI?

A quicker 0 - 60 is more important to me than top speed so thats one point to the STI :)

Handling is also pretty important and after the ITR the ST is just too heavy to be good an handling, for what it is it'ss good fun and handles pretty well but I severely miss being able to throw the ITR into a corner and just know it'll have no issues with taking it, the ST in the wet especially needs some restraint. Also I like a blast around the country roads more so than motorway cruising.

On running costs for some crazy reason its cheaper for me to insure the STI than the ST, so it would be great if I could find out how expensive the fuel bills are and how much more expensive serving is then I'd have a good grasp on whether I reckon its worth it over the ST.

In terms of usability all I'm interested in is it comfortable, I like going on long drives around the country and the ST does this nicely, it doesn't rattle me to death or blow my ear drums open, the seats are comfortable for hours on end, I'd imagine the newer Impreza wouldn't be too far off this either, perhaps a little more noise?

The resale is a big plus, lower tax and more iconic means I probably won't lose as much over time as on the ST, but I guess cost to change comes into it too here.
 
An sti would be ever bit as comfortable as you st. Epeciall from 03 on.

Some lads say that with handy driving over a distance the sti will see 20 mpg and over never checked myself though.

All I can say is buy a standard irish/type uk sti it will be quit enough and the ride will be comfortable enough for you and the fueling won't be an issue. Jdm idd good to once standard spec.
 
Id say the impreza will be doing around the 20mpg, long motor way driving you will get more, maybe even the 25mpg..
Tbh i think when they designed the Impreza they had Irish roads in mind, ive had any amount of cars and none suit our roads like the Impreza, ive had Evo5 and Evo 8.. and they are hard fookers, more a smooth tarmac car.

Dont worry about the servicing too much, in fairness the Newage STIs are a robust machine and in my view far more reliable that the Evo, ive heard of more trouble with Evos Drivetrain than any other car.
The Scooby will only need its oil changed really, and the service intervals are big, i personally like to change the oil at 3-4 k miles.. so in fairness cant complain that they are an expensive to maintain..

I always am open minded when it comes to cars and not brand dedicated, I think out of whats out there the Impreza STI is by far the best option.
If you are not familar with them, same as any car get someone who is to look at it with you.

On that particular car you linked, i think that is over priced, and you could probably get yourself into a Hawkeye for same money.. worth thinking on maybe.
 
Interesting, I'm not sure on what the money gets with regards STI's, I'd probably have to trade in the ST so will have to spend that bit extra in a garage anyway. Any links to hawkeyes for similar money?
 
Don't think, just do it! As for throwing into corners. The newage will hold it and out perform the ST but only a classic would be close to the ITR. Unless you go Spec C.
 
My mistake... Hawkeye WRX going for less. That is of course an STi.
 
You will pick up a Hawkeye Sti aswell, may not take a px do. Wsnt there one in Belgard Auctions for 11k
 
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