Hello all,

Am looking to get a car to use for weekend and track day use and have been looking at lots of various options, ranging from TVR Tuscans to Westfields. Now I have just been in a friends UK Turbo (99MY) and was very impressed with the value for money.

So that has got me thinking about spending up to £5K on an Impreza (instead of £12K+ and associated running costs of a Tuscan!) and using that for weekends and track days.

What would be the best model to go for, STI, WRX, RA?

I am 36 years old and would insure it as a second car.

Any advice greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance

Lee

 

type ra sti awxome and bout 3k then spend your 2 k on suspension and brakes

 

RA gets my vote

 

Mine too

Not that I'm biased at all...

 

RA sti,,,, as said and then spend the extra on suspension/tyres/brake OH and swopping gearbox

i went for a STI V3 rather than the sti just cause i wanted the longer ratio box as i like to drive on motorways

 

Thanks, so it could well be an RA STI then...

Now I have been looking and seen lots of STI models, what extras do the RA have, are they the ones with the roof vent and the variable diff?

Thanks

 

or you could go for the type R which is pretty much identical to the RA but only 2 doors.You should be able to get a V4 Type R for 5k

 

The type r would also be a good choice, but still think the ra is the one to go for as the short ratio box is ideal for track days

 

yes mate, lots of nice cheap ra about even sti ra or v limited for less than 3k. you can then have loads left over to spend getting it ready for track use.
i doubt you would regret buying one

 

Type R has the same box

 

Thanks for the replies, now I may seem to be stupid, but can someone please post a link to a type RA for sale, to ensure I know what one to go for?

As I am getting confused with all the different models!

Lee

 

Well my box has a shorter ratio than my brothers type r

 

Agree with all above

Just remember when buying a classic RA IIRC there was in some Model Years Two "RA" versions a WRX RA and a STi RA (STi being the better version IMHO)

Lee,

If your after a RA get the STi RA but for best advice go to www.type-ra.co.uk

Tony

 

Well if a job does not come up soon then mine may have to go
really hope it doesn't come to that though.

 

Depends IIRC quite a few Type R V-LTD came with longer fifth, My Type R VLTD did, Some were converted in UK some were an optional extra in japan.

The Type R has a quick rack but not as Quick as the STi RA. but all the ones that had the very "Quick rack" fitted as std or as an optional extra were fitted with a sticker


Optional extras were VERY popular in JApan, IF you choose ABS as you would not have DCCD on a Type R.

IMHO

Tony

 

omg now im confused

 

and to confuse things further my non ltd sti type R also has the longer 5th gear

 

Sti RA or STI type R, only 2 choices

Used my old V5 STi type R as my daily driver though.

 

Sti V1 RA GC8C47D 275 4 door Modified from STD production car
Sti V2 RA GC8C47D 275 First full production RA
Sti V3 RA GC8D4DD 300 4 door
Sti V4 RA GC8E4DD 300 4 door
Sti V5 RA GC8F4DD 300 4 door
STi V6 GC8G4ED 300 4 door
Sti V4 RA V Limited GC8E4DD 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
Sti V4 RA V Limited GC8E27D 300 2 door Special edition 2 door RA
Sti V5 RA V Limited GC8F4DD 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
Sti V5 RA V Limited GC8F27D 300 2 door Special edition RA
Sti V6 RA V Limited GC8G4DD 300 4 door V-Limited Special edition
Sti V3 R GC8D2DD 300 2 door First 2 door coupe
Sti V3 R 555 ? ?
Sti V4 R GC8E2DD 300 2 door
Sti V5 R GC8F2DD 300 2 door
Sti V6 R GC8G2DD 300 2 door
Sti V3 R V Limited GF8D5ED 300 V-Limited 5 door Special edition
Sti V3 R V Limited GC8D4ED 300 4 door Special edition
Sti V4 R V Limited GC8E2DD 300 2 door Special edition
Sti V5 R V Limited GC8F2DD 300 2 door Special edition
Sti V6 R V Limited GC8G2DD 300 2 door Special edition
STi V6 V Limited wrc GC8G2DD 300 2 door Special edition
WRX RA GC8A47D 240 4 door
WRX RA V1 GC8B47D 240 4 door
WRX RA V2 GC8C47D 260 4 door
WRX RA V3 GC8D47D 280 4 door
WRX RA V4 GC8E47D 280 4 door
WRX RA V5 GC8F47D 280 4 door
WRX RA V6 GC8G47D 280 4 door
WRX RA V Limited GC8G27D 300 2 door Special edition RA

A few odd ball one highligted

 

One more question, what year was the facelift, to te dash with the white dials etc...

Thanks

 

filty if you dont get a job soon give me first refusal on that car

 

1997 im sure i have a 1996 sti type ra 555 v limited for hillclimbs and playing and it is raw and awsome the way the rear diff throws you about,

and have 05 sti for dayd to day both similar power just over 300 but the ra feels so much faster and rawer proper rally car feel esp with full 555 graphics and the roof flap open lol

 

RA for sure, not that I am biased

1997 onwards got you the facelift model and the STi RA had the longer 5th gear (only just).

Mine is a v6 STi RA lightweight model so came from the factory with virtually nothing inside, manual windows and mirrors, virtually no sound proofing, quickrack steering, quickshift box (with the longer 5th gear), IC waterspray, rooft vent and the awesome DCCD control.

My RA is on bog standard power (about 300 ish) but is insanely quick off the mark and to 60 (I have put to shame a fair few cars) and as others have said, the whole experience just feels more on the edge, race car like.

 

Had my STI RA on the track a few times now when it was running standard power it was quick enough then, she is now running 340bhp so i cant wait to get it out again in April.
The only downside with the RA is if its a fast track you may find it runs out of puff on the straights but on a tight track it comes into its own.

 

RA for me to! I agree with the 3k on a car, 2k to play with it!.
The brakes are a must do upgrade if you have the 2 pots, and uprated roll bars, droplinks and anti lift kit would be next on my list.
If you don't mind getting your hands dirty then it's quite cheap to mod the car yourself, taking it for a geo setup once everythings fitted. £500 will make it handle awsome!

Mit

 

the ra model doesn't have EXTRA'S as such it comes with LESS
no central locking, no electric windows, no rear window wiper and body panels are lightweight along with a close ratio gearbox makes it pretty quick off the mark

its a bit like the porsche 911 gt3 (i think thats the stripped out model?)

 

Mate, if you were looking at 12k plus cars then in the scooby world you are gonna be really spoiled lol, any sti ra or type r would suit, you should be able to find a car already tuned for the track with suspension mods etc already done, good luck and enjoy searching, and let us know what you decide on

 

IIRC V5/V6 so MY99/00 but this was face lift year so either really

Tony

 

No they are the same panels as the other cars, the only lightweight panel is the bonnet.

Oh, and any RA or Type R will be good fun.

MY98 cars onwards have a facelift dash. Post 99 cars also have facelift bumper.

 

Thanks for the replies all, am starting to look for either an STI (RA?) or, dare I say it, an Evo 4/5....

Must say though, the STIs are a lot cheaper, and for what I would use the car for it would probably make more sense.

Does anyone know the performance stats for an Evo 4/5 and an STI/RA?

Thanks

Lee