neil-h

Good luck finding something, I've just made the same move and can assure you that you won't regret it. I went from a VXR to a GB270 (so only 30bhp difference) and the Impreza is a completely different beast. The 4wd makes all the difference in traction and the chassis is so much more sorted than the Astra.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Ah, I'm with you, thanks.

I originally intended to get a Classic, but the T20 came along and I absolutely love it. I've yet to go in one of the earlier cars, but in some respects that might be a good thing as I've only room for one in the garage and I know exactly what is likely to happen if I do.

Shaid

Vauxhalls VXR = Tat

Reason being the gearknob is cube shaped!

Any car without a nice natural feeling gearknob is crap.

CREWJ

The Type 20 is on another level compared to any of the classics.

LeeP

iTrader: (7)

I have a 500bhp Scooby and a 500bhp Mini Cooper S.
The Scooby is for sale....! LOL.

Nothing feels quite the same as throwing the Mini into a corner, getting into a 4 wheel drift and the feathering the throttle. It brakes better. Handles better. OK it struggles with traction as the revs build in 1st to 3rd but given the right conditions (i.e. on track) it does OK

bigphilbaby

I can see were you are coming from, I have in fact driven every vxr on the market inc vxr8. The new astra vxr now comes with standard 280bhp with brembo and lsd, same with the insigna(320BHP) and 4wd but look how long it taken Vauxhall for example to do what Scooby`s had back when the sti bugeye came out. I will say I rather have Scooby anyday than most of the vxr range, however I would have vxr8 anyday, the growl and performace is very good and you can buy low miles one now for 10K which is a lot car for it money. Astra vxr don't feel like a hot hatch, insignia feels to big but it very good power and handling car just not my cup of tea.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I can't say I have noticed these fast hot hatches as they don't seem so fast to me

Arkynsei

There's one thing driving like Miss Daisy..

But looking like her too? No thanks.

Enjoy your tampax.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

4wd , 500 bhp all day long

Donnie Brasco 46

iTrader: (2)

LOL

brocksey

iTrader: (3)

I had a colt czt running 257bhp 264ftlb torque was a rapid car but as said earlier its useless power being front wheel drive and weighed just under a ton I now had a wrx sti and love it great feel and handles and as said can phandle power in corners most of my mates ate honda mad brag the will beat owt tbh im like yawn but each to their own ay

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

Prepped by Will Pedley??

awesome mini if it is!!

as for matey above, he hasnt taken his subaru blinkers off yet lol

600bhp focus rs anyone??

Tidgy

so how many of these high power fwd can drop that power onto the road? most run boost limits/power limits in lower gears, torque steer all over, even trick diffs can't get round the laws of physics and the small contact patch.

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

pretty well id say.
see here, a little old mk3 escort on steel wheels trouncing an audi r8 v10....

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

ok, im pulling your leg - the above escort is 4wd and 699hp lol.

but still, the audi owner wasnt happy lol

Tidgy

haha epic

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Now that IS a hot hatch!

I've been reminding myself of the rallying heritage of our cars since I started this topic, and that's something that makes them far and away superior to anything recent and fwd, however powerful it might be.

Markyscoob

Interesting as your standard Spec D also puts out 1.0BAR of boost, from 2,800rpm to red line. Same 2.5litre 4 valve heads.

Mine doesn't.......

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

Wennys Escort is mental! lol Was watching him go up the strip all day at central RS day a few weekends ago! you seen his royal mail van too?

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

again, Gregs car is crazy, proper acheivement for gred and the guys at Sitec... i believe hes still wanting more too lol

Yes ok most have problems getting off the line, but once rolling in say 3rd gear, theres not much that you can buy sub £30k that would out accelerate a 400bhp focus rs from say 40-140

B4D HK

iTrader: (15)

You beat me to it lol

+1

keljon

iTrader: (10)

yeah but compared to what, the lichfield is basically an STI with lots of aftermarket parts

LuckyWelshchap

But isn't that true about a lot of cars ?
They get enhanced in some way sooner or later.

One of the great things with Subarus is how 'enhanceable' they are, stage by stage. A UK classic was about 208bph wasn't it. From some of the specs of classics I've seen on this and other forums there's an awful lot that can be done.

No two cars are ever the same and no two owners' desires are either.
There's so many respected engineers, mappers etc. it's impossible to compare modded cars like you can with ones out of a showroom.

That's where I think Litchfield got it right. The T20s and T25s have a benchmark.

I confess, I've a T20.
I did intend upgrading it, tastefully and professionally and after a chat with Iain Litchfield and another highly respected doyen of Subarus. But it doesn't need it (as was wisely pointed out by another forum member).

I'm still way ahead of hot hatches if I was that way inclined, and I could stay ahead for quite a few years yet, if I upgraded and upgraded.
And that's the same for any of us surely ?

keljon

iTrader: (10)

yes but my point is, what classic are you comparing the lichfield to? a 500bhp classic with handling mods and decent brakes is a very different animal to even a standard Type R

LeeP

iTrader: (7)

Having power delivery that is almost linear helps.
Never mind this boost control and torque limiting - this is supercharged. It keeps making power....

Yes I have a mechanical OS Giken diff, expensive suspension and solid engine mounts. Does it torque steer? Nope! Can I get the power down? Yup!

Beats a 599 in a straight line too ;-)
And whereas all the AWD boys were spinning off this weekend, us *** draggers kept it on the black stuff ;-)





I also go on 600 mile hoons on a weekend..

Did I mention it gets 37mpg ;-)

Yup - Will Pedley has done the mapping and wiring/prep for me. Superb fun.

brocksey

iTrader: (3)

Agreed on getting power down mate it was daft but was safe at 15 psi she flamed well ha ha

keljon

iTrader: (10)

whats the spec, post up some links or more details

CREWJ

The Litchfield is carried out professionally as apposed to some guy bolting parts to his car.

As such it's like a PPP so you know it's been done properly. Take a classic that was completed properly like that and there are none that match. The only one I can think of that comes still not quite close is the S201.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

And the Litchfield tends to start life as a JDM car too.

LuckyWelshchap

I regard the T20 as a sort of 'standard build', a non-Subaru limited edition, an independent RB320 plus, P1 plus etc. etc.

It cost more than a Spec C (or any other) car modded to what it is but it is an acknowledged model.

My first was a Catalunya, from a Subaru main dealer, my next an 'E-bay special' 1995 JDM WRX, modded up to 291, (by cutting out the cat, I found out later ).
So I look on them as 'out of the box', and the T20 is still the best value for money.
It would be interesting to see how much money it took to get a classic up to the performance of a T20. It can be done - and has been - and that was my point about going almost as far as you want with upgrades if you want.

It would also be interesting to see what the respective drivers think of each other's cars.