What Comes after an Impreza??
26 July 2017, 05:47 PM
#32
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Just a few suggestions?
Will 2 cars do it? Maybe you can get a cheaper car for the commuting, and then get something you really like?
Alternatively, have you considered a motorcycle? This will give you great performance, and even pretty reasonable fuel economy, you can park pretty much right next to wherever you're going, you can lane split / filter and will almost never be stuck in traffic. And I promise you, you will arrive with a big smile on your face. My last bike was a bmw s1000rr with a few mods, and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Will 2 cars do it? Maybe you can get a cheaper car for the commuting, and then get something you really like?
Alternatively, have you considered a motorcycle? This will give you great performance, and even pretty reasonable fuel economy, you can park pretty much right next to wherever you're going, you can lane split / filter and will almost never be stuck in traffic. And I promise you, you will arrive with a big smile on your face. My last bike was a bmw s1000rr with a few mods, and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
26 July 2017, 05:59 PM
#33
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I guess i don't see 10k as being a small amount of money. I mean 10k is likely more than i am going to have and it was for discussions sake. As 10k would buy you a relatively good impreza. I wouldn't call them a crappy shed at that price.
I think my initial point was that if you had to replace a car after an impreza and needed practicality and performance were there obvious comparisons at the same price range. The simple answer i am reading is no.
You could buy a 13 year old RS6 v8 bi-turbo with circa 130k but its a ticking timebomb.
You could buy a similarly priced EVO but it would be harder to live with than the impreza and even more baron inside.
You could go for an older merc amg - hand built blocks and amazing engines but rust issues and if anything goes wrong its a huge bill.
You could get an e46 M3 - appreciating classic but not as big. not as quick. And worry about subframe dropping out or your vanos going.
So it seems there are cars out there to buy at that price range BUT the impreza ticks more boxes than likely any of them so i'm reading. Then it comes down to what you are willing to compromise on.
I haven't had a car with less than 200bhp since i was 19. I have been driving since i was 17 and that is 20 years now and in that time i've had more cars than years i've been driving and always gone up one way or another. Power and Price.
I've reached a point now where i can't do that. I don't have the money to go up. I've reached what most i think would consider a reasonable place in life and have a decent budget for a used car.
It needs to be able to fit kids. Be fun to drive. Be relatively powerful and not be like every other car on the road as i don't like the point of colour coded rolling prison cells. I want something individual and fun and different.
I could buy new i guess you are right. But 400 a month plus on top a 7K deposit. Plus 3% plus the balloon payment or take the hit on the APR. It isn't sensible. I don't see why anyone does it, never have. Never will. I get what you say, you get everything you want and peace of mind (though id question even that). But who really has 400 a month spare just laying around to spend a car - i'm not knocking anyone that does. But to me and my family that is a months worth of food or 50% of my rent. On a car doing 13 miles a day or 3000 miles a year. i just can't justify it.
I think my initial point was that if you had to replace a car after an impreza and needed practicality and performance were there obvious comparisons at the same price range. The simple answer i am reading is no.
You could buy a 13 year old RS6 v8 bi-turbo with circa 130k but its a ticking timebomb.
You could buy a similarly priced EVO but it would be harder to live with than the impreza and even more baron inside.
You could go for an older merc amg - hand built blocks and amazing engines but rust issues and if anything goes wrong its a huge bill.
You could get an e46 M3 - appreciating classic but not as big. not as quick. And worry about subframe dropping out or your vanos going.
So it seems there are cars out there to buy at that price range BUT the impreza ticks more boxes than likely any of them so i'm reading. Then it comes down to what you are willing to compromise on.
I haven't had a car with less than 200bhp since i was 19. I have been driving since i was 17 and that is 20 years now and in that time i've had more cars than years i've been driving and always gone up one way or another. Power and Price.
I've reached a point now where i can't do that. I don't have the money to go up. I've reached what most i think would consider a reasonable place in life and have a decent budget for a used car.
It needs to be able to fit kids. Be fun to drive. Be relatively powerful and not be like every other car on the road as i don't like the point of colour coded rolling prison cells. I want something individual and fun and different.
I could buy new i guess you are right. But 400 a month plus on top a 7K deposit. Plus 3% plus the balloon payment or take the hit on the APR. It isn't sensible. I don't see why anyone does it, never have. Never will. I get what you say, you get everything you want and peace of mind (though id question even that). But who really has 400 a month spare just laying around to spend a car - i'm not knocking anyone that does. But to me and my family that is a months worth of food or 50% of my rent. On a car doing 13 miles a day or 3000 miles a year. i just can't justify it.
For 10k scoob is pretty high up the list for performance vs cost. Either need to up your budget a bit, or just put the money into what you have to pep it up a bit.
26 July 2017, 06:44 PM
#34
Just a few suggestions?
Will 2 cars do it? Maybe you can get a cheaper car for the commuting, and then get something you really like?
Alternatively, have you considered a motorcycle? This will give you great performance, and even pretty reasonable fuel economy, you can park pretty much right next to wherever you're going, you can lane split / filter and will almost never be stuck in traffic. And I promise you, you will arrive with a big smile on your face. My last bike was a bmw s1000rr with a few mods, and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Will 2 cars do it? Maybe you can get a cheaper car for the commuting, and then get something you really like?
Alternatively, have you considered a motorcycle? This will give you great performance, and even pretty reasonable fuel economy, you can park pretty much right next to wherever you're going, you can lane split / filter and will almost never be stuck in traffic. And I promise you, you will arrive with a big smile on your face. My last bike was a bmw s1000rr with a few mods, and it was a lot of fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
But then there are the running costs of two, parking space and the fact that having two vehicles bought on a budget is probably going to cost at some point.
However, £10k buys a lot of JDM motor (as long as it's not an impreza or evo) and there are a lot of low milage rust free examples out there.
26 July 2017, 09:38 PM
#35
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Only things that interest me are older Mercs for the comfort aspect or an Audi TT Quattro 225 or V6, little bit sporty 4wd with a small amount of practicality and a nice place to be... don't care that they're a bit hairdresser as I'm man enough to pull it off 
just always liked them... dirt cheap too for some strange reason... considering they share engines etc with the S3. 
just always liked them... dirt cheap too for some strange reason... considering they share engines etc with the S3.
26 July 2017, 10:37 PM
#36
That's one of the options I considered, a big comfy volvo for commuting, then something like an RX8 for fun.
But then there are the running costs of two, parking space and the fact that having two vehicles bought on a budget is probably going to cost at some point.
However, £10k buys a lot of JDM motor (as long as it's not an impreza or evo) and there are a lot of low milage rust free examples out there.
But then there are the running costs of two, parking space and the fact that having two vehicles bought on a budget is probably going to cost at some point.
However, £10k buys a lot of JDM motor (as long as it's not an impreza or evo) and there are a lot of low milage rust free examples out there.
My last RX8....
There are lots of horror stories around though if looked after properly they will go on and on, too many people buy them as they are cheap and can't afford to maintain them properly.
You could buy a mint S1 for about £3k, preferably pre 2004 to save on the tax, leaving plenty for a daily driver.
26 July 2017, 11:46 PM
#37
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I don't think i am after spending 10k and getting a 50k super car.
I think maybe i've made a wrong turn and actually, buying the subaru was a bad idea or at least the wrong idea for me.
I am not after having a german uber saloon or a supercar on a budget - you can do that but more fool you if you do. If i was after one i'd have bought one. The sensible part of me says no. Despite being able to get an e60 m5 for 10k. It would be financial suicide to do so.
What I'm trying to say is when you've had a car like an Impreza (mine is a 350hp STI). What do you go for next when the time comes to sell. When you don't spend masses on cars per month and you don't have a large budget but you can't live with the car you have everyday as its slowly shattering your spine.
But need something that isn't going to feel mundane or boring. It's like my subaru has killed the joy out of driving cars for me cus nothing else comes close for feel and excitement and i doubt i'll be able to afford anything like it again.
I guess the answer is either keep it which i can't do (but wholly recommend anyone who can to do so) or to compromise and go for a derv and nice seats or a hatch and a quick blast. its just not the same xperience.
Dam you subaru for making the Impreza so good.
I think maybe i've made a wrong turn and actually, buying the subaru was a bad idea or at least the wrong idea for me.
I am not after having a german uber saloon or a supercar on a budget - you can do that but more fool you if you do. If i was after one i'd have bought one. The sensible part of me says no. Despite being able to get an e60 m5 for 10k. It would be financial suicide to do so.
What I'm trying to say is when you've had a car like an Impreza (mine is a 350hp STI). What do you go for next when the time comes to sell. When you don't spend masses on cars per month and you don't have a large budget but you can't live with the car you have everyday as its slowly shattering your spine.
But need something that isn't going to feel mundane or boring. It's like my subaru has killed the joy out of driving cars for me cus nothing else comes close for feel and excitement and i doubt i'll be able to afford anything like it again.
I guess the answer is either keep it which i can't do (but wholly recommend anyone who can to do so) or to compromise and go for a derv and nice seats or a hatch and a quick blast. its just not the same xperience.
Dam you subaru for making the Impreza so good.
26 July 2017, 11:48 PM
#38
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Yea i get where you are coming from, but the deposit isn't that high it can be as low as £400-500 for those models and you don't need to worry about the balloon payment if you are willing to swap it for something else at the end of the contract. Horses for courses I guess.
and 420 a month. I just can't afford that. Shame is a sodding lovely car!
27 July 2017, 07:26 AM
#39
The reason for my thinking is at £200 pcm you're in line with depreciation at @ £2400 per year... Plus your standard 6 months initial payment of £1200... if you keep the milage reasonable... have the car for 2/3yrs you have no repair bills, no MOT maybe one set of tyres and one service per year, typically less than £300 and if you get something with a reasonable co2 rating next to no road fund licence (tax).
At those numbers and ever so slightly more it makes sense for your average Joe to be able to drive around in a new car and know exactly what a car is going to cost them over a 2/3 year period.
The other part of my thinking is for similar money over 3yrs we're talking about £5/7k cars most of which (with the exception of car price bubbles) will lose about a grand a year and cost about a grand a year in servicing tax and tyres... BEFORE we take into account things like cambelts and faults.... so there's your roll of the dice factor.
PCP makes sense TO ME and for my circumstances like that... ordinary family reasonable income but nothing spectacular with other bills, kid and a life to pay for... with that in mind it's nice to know EXACTLY what the car is going to cost, no nasty surprise bills, trouble free motoring and no hassle buying and selling old cars.
Of course you'll have those who don't mind paying that bit extra to have something a little more special... and I get that, it's just not high enough on my list of priorities these days.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 27 July 2017 at 07:35 AM.
something like a v6 3ltr ford capri 
27 July 2017, 10:45 AM
#41
Love the old fords and really wanted to do it with a MK1 but couldn't find a suitable one so opted for a Golf instead... did see a 1.6L Capri but the guy wouldn't part with it... not sure I'd fancy the fuel bills on a V6 though.
27 July 2017, 02:41 PM
#43
As for an STi with 350 brake being on a par? mmm don't think so, apart from the bmw 340 being a new car and massively more efficient, it only has 320brake but feels like a lot more, as its slightly lighter, less drivetrain losses and a far superior and fast ZF gearbox, forget the numbers on paper (which are similar) it will nuke an STi in a straight line to be honest in real life situations and a lot more fun to drive being rwd. Interior, fit and options are far nicer too obviously as its a newish car. The 140i/240i are similar money but better than the 340.
Last edited by bioforger; 27 July 2017 at 02:44 PM.
27 July 2017, 04:38 PM
#44
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I've just come from an F30 BMW 335i, which isn't far away from a 340i really (ok, new engine etc. but it's hardly going to be a massively different experience). Had almost very option ticked too by it's previous (clearly mad)owner
It's NOTHING like driving an STi, it's more a GT car really, very quick but disguises it well, heavy lump too and you do feel that weight on B-roads.
I found it effortless, but uninspiring, dull and it only lasted 8 months. I had the MPE fitted at a whopping £750 to try and make it sound better, but you could only hear it with the windows down below 30. Can't say revving it out was worthwhile either, it just got faster with no drama and didn't have the sonorous classic straight 6 sound. Ended up driving everywhere in comfort mode letting it do the shifting.
Maybe the manual (if you can find one) would have been more engaging but given the 20K I spend on buying it again, I'd be down the Scooby dealer for an STi.
Had a new S3 too, S-tronic, also filed in the fast but dull category. Only my experience though, maybe test driving a few different cars would help.
I can't think what I'd like to replace my Hawkeye with (yet)
It's NOTHING like driving an STi, it's more a GT car really, very quick but disguises it well, heavy lump too and you do feel that weight on B-roads.
I found it effortless, but uninspiring, dull and it only lasted 8 months. I had the MPE fitted at a whopping £750 to try and make it sound better, but you could only hear it with the windows down below 30. Can't say revving it out was worthwhile either, it just got faster with no drama and didn't have the sonorous classic straight 6 sound. Ended up driving everywhere in comfort mode letting it do the shifting.
Maybe the manual (if you can find one) would have been more engaging but given the 20K I spend on buying it again, I'd be down the Scooby dealer for an STi.
Had a new S3 too, S-tronic, also filed in the fast but dull category. Only my experience though, maybe test driving a few different cars would help.
I can't think what I'd like to replace my Hawkeye with (yet)
28 July 2017, 07:52 PM
#47
I feel the same as op,I'm 42 and had more cars than I can count from passing my test at 17.
I've never spent 10k on a car but I've had lots of different cars including e36,e39,e34,audio a8 4.2.
I've had 4 subarus and last time I sold my modded wrx wagon for a 530I bmw as the sensible thing to do for the family etc etc.
lasted less than a year as was just so uneventful. Really nice place to be but just not engaging enough and also no real forums that interested me.
I've now got the wr limited legacy wagon and it's been fantastic in terms of driving experience, reliability and performance.
the performance will never blow you away from the legacy but in terms of driving with the twinscroll td04 with remap it is great in the real world.
it's also quiet as a mouse surprisingly.
I've vowed never to buy a German car again, I just think Japanese are so much better in terms of bang for your buck,reliability and general piece of mind.
once the kids grow up my next car will be jdm impreza.
I've never spent 10k on a car but I've had lots of different cars including e36,e39,e34,audio a8 4.2.
I've had 4 subarus and last time I sold my modded wrx wagon for a 530I bmw as the sensible thing to do for the family etc etc.
lasted less than a year as was just so uneventful. Really nice place to be but just not engaging enough and also no real forums that interested me.
I've now got the wr limited legacy wagon and it's been fantastic in terms of driving experience, reliability and performance.
the performance will never blow you away from the legacy but in terms of driving with the twinscroll td04 with remap it is great in the real world.
it's also quiet as a mouse surprisingly.
I've vowed never to buy a German car again, I just think Japanese are so much better in terms of bang for your buck,reliability and general piece of mind.
once the kids grow up my next car will be jdm impreza.
02 August 2017, 09:05 PM
#48
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So, unfortunately i am in a situation where i need to sell my beloved STI.
But it got me thinking after you've had something so powerful AND relatively practical, what comes next??!
I'm one of those that can never go backwards. Whilst i would love to have something with the speed and presence of the subaru on the road, i know, that compromise is going to mean getting something ultimately not as engaging.
It's a decision many living with an impreza day to day will likely have to make at some point. But then the question is what comes next? How do you replace a car that is practical as a family saloon but as quick as a high powered sports car?
So what are poeples thoughts. If you had a 10K budget. You had to have a daily driver following an Impreza. What cars would you be looking to buy? Ideally a saloon or a coupe (2+2).
Interested to hear your thoughts.
To give you a thought mine go towards big engined V8s - Audi/BMW. S5/S4? Bmw 550/650/M3?
Anything else?
Im 40. Family of 2. I am not one for hot hatches anymore. So it has to be something "grown" up?
Thanks.
But it got me thinking after you've had something so powerful AND relatively practical, what comes next??!
I'm one of those that can never go backwards. Whilst i would love to have something with the speed and presence of the subaru on the road, i know, that compromise is going to mean getting something ultimately not as engaging.
It's a decision many living with an impreza day to day will likely have to make at some point. But then the question is what comes next? How do you replace a car that is practical as a family saloon but as quick as a high powered sports car?
So what are poeples thoughts. If you had a 10K budget. You had to have a daily driver following an Impreza. What cars would you be looking to buy? Ideally a saloon or a coupe (2+2).
Interested to hear your thoughts.
To give you a thought mine go towards big engined V8s - Audi/BMW. S5/S4? Bmw 550/650/M3?
Anything else?
Im 40. Family of 2. I am not one for hot hatches anymore. So it has to be something "grown" up?
Thanks.
As an all round car, the M3 is very hard to beat..it's very comfortable, has loads of nice luxuries, leather etc and there's some nice BMW easter eggs with the car they don't tell you about (M-Track mode, recoding to personalise the car to suit you ie: gear shift lights, adding burbles and bangs on the over run, auto blipper with the SMG)..
In normal driving it's a quiet, normal executive car, but when you hit the sport button and the DSC off, get it on a B road and to about 5k revs the thing turns into a hooligan...it's easily as fast as a scooby..
Last edited by funkyrimpler; 02 August 2017 at 09:06 PM.
02 August 2017, 09:26 PM
#49
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E46 prices are climbing..The coupe is listed as the No:1 appreciating car for investment purposes on Adrian Flux..
When you say 'not as big', the E46 is actually larger than the classic Impreza and wider than all of them (it's about the same width as a 22B)...
They ARE as quick...I've had a UK2000 and a P1 and can vouch for that..The impression of speed isn't the same because it's N/A so there's no perceived 'rush' (caused by lag)...The VANOS opens up at 5k and the throttle is instantaneous all the way to 8k..8K on a 3.2 straight 6 N/A engine is a thing of beauty...
0-60 is 4.8 seconds with a derestricted top speed of 178mph (manual coupe).
Mine is on Eibachs and handles like a go cart and is every bit as quick as my Scoobies were....you don't get the theatre of a turbo, the whoosh and hisses etc, but you do get a deafening rasp, and if you want to go ***** out you can get a CSL carbon airbox or velocity stacks which sound amazing...
The VANOS is usually fine and failures aren't that common..It's usually down to poor maintenance..The rear axle carrier panel is a problem on all E46's, not just M3's, and is most prevalent on SMG cars as the gear changes are harsher...but again, this is usually down to how it's been driven..
Many owners take preventative measures and get the floor strengthened..This is about £750, but ETA and Redish charge up £1500..Most cars never have issues, and lots have been done so you could buy one of those..
It took me a lot longer to gel with the M3 than the Impreza because i under estimated it...Most owners do...It's not until you've lived with it for 6 months that you realise just what an astounding car it is...
I did a 400 mile journey to Silverstone and back last week and walked away fresh as a daisy..My scooby was absolute hell on long journeys...I did a track day hooning around but came home in comfort..
Residuals are rock solid and it isn't beyond the realms of fantasy to think that not only might you get a years 'free' motoring out of it, but you actually might be up the deal...I was offered £2k over what i bought mine for a few weeks after purchase and Synter valued it at £4k more...
Oh, and with some nice M359 1M alloys you'll look like a gangster.
Last edited by funkyrimpler; 02 August 2017 at 09:27 PM.
03 August 2017, 03:34 PM
#50
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I think the next hurdle will be the fact i cant seem to sell it. The best offer i've had is £5400 on a price i paid of over £10k. Or a swap for a vauxhall insignia. I can't believe that the market for them has dropped out that much?? i know i overpaid a little on mine but still i've seen widetracks go for well over as recently as a couple of months ago.
So that just makes it seem an even worse idea to have purchased one as i can't really keep it but i don't want to undersell it ruining the market for them. Arghhhh.
So that just makes it seem an even worse idea to have purchased one as i can't really keep it but i don't want to undersell it ruining the market for them. Arghhhh.
03 August 2017, 03:42 PM
#51
I think the next hurdle will be the fact i cant seem to sell it. The best offer i've had is £5400 on a price i paid of over £10k. Or a swap for a vauxhall insignia. I can't believe that the market for them has dropped out that much?? i know i overpaid a little on mine but still i've seen widetracks go for well over as recently as a couple of months ago.
So that just makes it seem an even worse idea to have purchased one as i can't really keep it but i don't want to undersell it ruining the market for them. Arghhhh.
So that just makes it seem an even worse idea to have purchased one as i can't really keep it but i don't want to undersell it ruining the market for them. Arghhhh.
Wide track with reasonable milage and good service history should fetch at least £9k+.... even with high ish miles as in 90/100k you're still looking at £8k... they're not a bad place to put your money as far as performance cars go.
I'd avoid BMW though, never met anyone that didn't spend a small fortune on one.