John Hughes

I'm amazed that you don't feel the various restrictions kicking in on your car. My ST was standard 221 BHP and I could feel them all the time. The turbo boost being restricted was evident on most fast journeys, especially out of corners (any body roll) and in adverse conditions. I read your comments last night at work with two workmates, who still currently own ST's (I have traded mine in against an STi) and between us we were averaging a new set of front tyres every 4000 miles, another problem with FWD. With your extra horsepower you must be buying tyres like hot dinners.
PS. I'm not saying the ST is a bad car, despite the tyre situation and an average of 19 MPG – the fact my two mates are still running them after nearly three years is testament to that. Hope you continue to enjoy your car.

rabbos

It sounds like you and your mates are unable to modulate your accelerator feet with sufficient precision. Luckily you are in the best type of car for such a 'disability'.

Dream Weaver

Indeed, I drive very progressively, partly due to my previous 205 running bike bodies as the throttle was pretty much on or off and with 200 brake and no weight I had to learn to drive progressively and not just stamp on the gas.

That's why I rarely get any wheelspin or have the ESP flashing, and also why my tyres still have 5mm of tread left after 4500 miles.

I really wish everyone could try a sorted ST for a while as they really are fun. It's not all about grip either, let's not forget the Focus chassis and handling are renowned, the Impreza has always been a bit of an under steerer!

rabbos

Fair enough, but I wouldn't expect talk of small turbos on a subaru site! lol

The diffs certainly assist, but what about this modified geometry that ford and renault have developed in parallel? By all accounts this is the biggest chunk of progress recently. (I await my own test of an R26R to see what they can actually do)

I don't get this maximum golden threshold for usable power. It is variable with speed for instance, and highly dependent on chassis setup. All the FWDs seem to be lumped together - if someone has poor performance in one then all are shocking. Renault and ford are on another level to Honda, Seat etc.

An fwd chassis is something you can adapt to (assuming your accelerator foot isn't disabled), and you can make decent progress on a bendy road in all weathers.

Andy Murdoch

In our speed camera polluted, pot holed excuse for roads that we have to endure, driving any 300bhp car to it's limit it getting nearly impossible so 0-whatever becomes meaningless.

Mid range power, good handling and braking would be my requirements and I'm sure the STi and RS both deliver more than adequately.

If I was shelling out £25K of my own hard earned one of my prime considerations would be depreciation. The RS badge will just about guarantee that the new Focus will be a future classic. If you sat the STi (on its puny 17"'s) next to the RS there is no comparison. Subaru's no longer hold their money.

Ford have put 19"s on this car. Subaru put on 17" on the STi and expect you to pay £2K extra for 'an additional set of 18" boots'. Sober up.

The STi might be slightly quicker but I would never buy one as it looks totally crap.

As previously mentioned, Focus body with Scooby mechanicals would be a very desirable car (modern day Integrale?).

DazW

iTrader: (1)

270whp V's 255 ...pretty comparible to me

Shaun

So, assuming you know how to drive a car, the only other explanation is the fact that you have never driven a well sorted FRS then. I have and I can tell you, not once did I have to back off because I was loosing control, or the power was too great...... BECAUSE IT WAS FWD.

If you really think that 250+ in a FRS is unmanageable, regardless of how you think you can drive, then you clearly can not or you have no appreciation of vehicle / handling dynamics.

A Renault 5 was a piece of **** (handling wise) when it was brand new, so any comparison between that and something modern like a FRS is stupid. Read again.... I NEVER thought a FWD could handle as well, until I drove a FRS. I was shocked and stunned. I have no bias towards a FRS since I own a monster Scoob, so it has nothing to do with that (just incase you were going to angle on that )

Perhaps you will agree to diasgree..... but I know I am right!

jasonius

iTrader: (1)

Is that correct, the FRS II has sliding front calipers..? Surely not for £25k..! All the hot Renaults now come with 4pot fronts..

rabbos

That takes the p!ss - I think they are from the volvo XC90 or some other heavyweight, so its an obvious cost cutting measure. But from all accounts they haven't wilted under abuse from the press drivers, so they can't be that bad

Shaun

I thought they were as before, as in brembo's!?

Paul666

Read my posts! Use ALL the power. If you have a soft foot then it's not a problem, except for those stuck behind you. It wasn't a Sunday you went out for your RS drive was it by any chance?

At least we agree about the Renault so it wouldn't manage to lap quicker than say a Lancer turbo, 3.9 Rover, Saab 900 and Lotus Sunbeam then.

As you're right then I'll yield to your superior knowledge.

Shaun

Paul,
Unless you are suspecting that managing to ram it round the Ring repeatedly doing (on the second day) sub 9 minute laps, which was the first real time I have ever driven a FRS in anger before and I had not been to the ring for 8yrs, Sunday driving... well.

As regards to the R5GT and the other cars you mention..... that is irrelevant. This is about todays technology, not last centurys hair dryers on steroids. The world has moved on and thankfully so have the cars and their ability.

allsop83

iTrader: (9)

Yep, apparently so- 1pots! Car magazine is the only mag I have read yet that has pointed this out....... Might look a bit daft under 19's but there must be plenty room under there for an upgrade.
It is clearly a cost-cutting measure but so long as they stand up to the task I guess...??

I love the Scoobs but admittedly have never really tried a high-powered FWD on full chat. My Astra Diesel (150bhp) is a nightmare for wheel spin when it comes on boost but I think I'm thinking it is pretty well behind the FRS when it comes to set up etc.
I actually test drove an ST but had my sensible hat on & went with the Astra for the economy.... I did like it but I would like to have a shot in one to see how it is when you are pressing on.

Can't wait to start seeing the RS on the roads tho- I would love to see somebody in one when in my Scoob so I can stop and talk to them about how it really performs.
Be very interesting to see how they are recieved when they start reaching owners :-D

Timur 008

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=Originally Posted by Timur 008
i'm liking the the Ford's shape but as a comparison to my current Scooby (bugeye) with various tasty mods & running 345bhp there no comparison for me[/QUOTE]

a stock RS costing 25k against me & my Scooby round any track even with the Stig at the wheel i would have him

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

One thing that rarely gets a mention is that the AWD and torquey nature of the Impreza makes up for an awful lot of driver inadequacy, and also makes drivers lazy as they don't have to think at ahead thay can just get clear and stamp on the loud pedal. (I include myself in that statement as I drive an early RA )

If you're half way savvy in a FRS, then you will embarrass others easily.

I realise this is a predominantly Impreza forum and so there will be huge bias/skew in favour of AWD.

Tidgy

um, um

cheif **** up here watched a video that got posted somewhere in the thread, was evo vs bmw vs rs, shall go back and look again lol