how does an RB5 stack up against a Bug STi?
 

As title. Anybody any experience of the two? How do they compare? I want a Bug Eye STi Type UK Prodrive, but have always had a little thing about the RB5. I just don't know much about them.

RB5 will be 215hp or 240hp ish if it has the performance pack vs a standard STi at 265hp (easy to get them too 300hp though) ... standard vs standard the classic is [much] lighter so will be faster across the ground imho. Newage cars are better built / more sturdy whereas classics are a bit "tinny" these days.

Don't get me started on JDM versions though ;)

TX.

Standard form the NewAge would trounce the RB5 :) You really need to spank a standard UK classic to have much fun. 215bhp in a UK classic with it's long 5 speed box is one dull experience. :) As much as I love a classic you can bounce off 3rd gear all day long in the STi whereas in the RB5 you'll be breaking gearboxes having the same sort of fun :)

http://i43.tinypic.com/1jhxy.jpg

TX.

The RB5 is just a grey UK classic.....The bug STI is a far superior car.

Fair enough, I will stick with my Bug searcht hen. Thanks for that folks.

Yeah, simple answer is:

Not very well.... lol

That is in terms of performance anyway- but if you like the cars then 0-60 times etc. mean little :)

Yea but at least you wont throw up every time you see the RB5 ;)

lol haha

Do look for rust on the Bug though. They don't half know how to rot, especially the front subframes if they've been neglected.

It's not all about straight line speed and statistics (unless you go to 'cruises' in asda car parks and race people at traffic lights haha), it's about the whole package - I bet I could put my 240bhp RB5 WR sport (standard apart from whiteline rear ARB/droplinks and godspeed discs/pads) down a bendy british B road faster than a 350bhp 4.5ton newage ;) , especially in the dark with the PIAA driving lamps. Plus there's the exclusivity of the RB5. I think #13 in EVO magazines all time greatest 'drivers cars' speaks for itself. Obviously my opinion is completely biased mind.


I am now braced for a newage battering.

I've owned a standard STi v5 (276hp), upgraded MY05 Spec C (375hp) then super modded classic (447hp) ... really tough call as to which is best imho :confused:

TX.

Lol twisties FTW ! :lol1:

Mate its slightly off topic but you mentioned the prodrive pack. If you do decide to get a newage get one without the pack because after a remap it will be faster and overwrite the original prodrive.

The prodrive version isnt ppp although ppp could have been added.

I came from a 270bhp modded uk turbo to a 2002 sti prodrive. No ppp. Totally different car. The new age wins hands down. Add a few choice mods and 330bhp is easily achievable and a far better car.

^^^^ yep , Prodrive and PPP are 2 different things. I found that out the hard way after telling all my mates i was running 300bhp , only to race my mates 260bhp ST Focus and not exactly thrashing him ! You should have a Certificate with the chassis number on it to prove the PPP is fitted. Though as said above , the PPP isnt worth the money for what you gain , can get the same or better performance for less money with aftermarket mods. Also by the way , if you get a 2002 , there is no way of proving a fitted PPP without cirtifacate , as when you phone Prodrive , Subaru etc. there computer system was overhauled in 2004 and doesnt go before then.

I didn't know that. But as stated the newage is much better. I used to have a classic and then went to a newage and the difference was there lol.

Hello there- ive owned them both. A WR Sport RB5 (no 152) and now a 333 bhp 2005 STI. I loved the RB5, handling was great, looked great and was quick. However the STi is just nuts, I think its a better car, made better, faster and just feels more solid. However there is something about the RB5 - Evo magazine knew that also.

What is it about the RB5 you like ?

If its just the colour then why not go for a something like this....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3579029.htm

Much better car than an RB5 but obviously doesn't have that exclusivity that you get with the RB.

I just find RB5 strip the pwwwwty grey away and it's still a UK spec car.

A 22B can be a uk car, a P1 is a uk car. please explain your dislike of uk cars ?

I have no dislike to any UK car, my previous Impreza was a Turbo 2000 :wonder:

The point is really very clear, you mentioned both the P1 and 22B these are hardly a run of the mill Impreza's but yes of course were sold in the UK, as too was the RB5 but the RB5 is still just a UK Turbo 2000 with a nice paint job.

Simples.

As said check for rust, have a GOOD Luck at the bottom of the condenser (in front of the radiator) I have just replaced the two panels that are underneath the condenser. Not a hard job but a bit of a pain when done at home without a ramp. There is a thread on here for Scoobies in Lincolnshire Ihave a look as I have posted some pic's up.

Apart from paint what differences are there ?

Sorry but i didn't read all the replies because i'm sure i have heard most of them.

I have a wrx ppp and a sti type r, and the only point at which a classic becomes a better/ faster car (with the same driver back to back) point to point, is when you put everything off a newage sti on to it, and run 350+ bhp.;)

No body has even asked what sort of use is intended for the car ie daily drive or weekend blast?

Daily drive: I would choose the bug sti hands down as its easier to live with on a day to day basis.

Weekend toy: The classic sti is a proper weapon with a few subtle mods and remap, and makes a great B road car and Due to its weight it also has roughly 40-50bhp advantage over the newage sti and makes it faster off the line. I personally would plump for a Sti over the RB5 if performance and future modding is in the pipeline as the RB5 is based on the Uk2000 and will cost a fortune to mod.


What is your budget mate?

Rb5 are getting rarer now and to be honest are a specialist car which should be stored for the future or used as a weekend car
Lot more raw then new age
More throw back in your seats with The classic and you have the rattles and groans and it is an older design approaching 19 years old now
Check out the rust on the rear arches on the Rb 5 as very rare not to see rust on uk modles now
Classic or new age
Got to be in the looks of things ans exclusive image that the RB5 will have over the newage

Yep :thumb: had to agree with this and also better looking but then am I just being biased ???

My friend has a blob uk running 340 bhp and I keep up with him all day long in my rb5 sport :D

Depends on the OP needs
Whether he wants a car he can modify and spend all his money on to have a big list of mods and power and then ultimately it will blow up ,cost even more Money or he will get tired of it and sell it for pocket Money and write off all the money he spends on it
But you can't take your money with him

The classic to be honest should not be tampered with the design of the engine is not designed for big power and it is a car worth £1500-£2200 maximum so to spend a grand or two is not really economic sense
The money should be better spent on a collectors car on restoration and detailing it bear it mind the arches will cost a grand to get done
So it's whatever the OP wants to do
Drive a heavily modified classic that has lots of show and go and a financial Hugh costs with the modding bug or
A classic design which people will look at and say
Wow what a nice standard unmolested car that's 15/20 years old and is in super condition for its age must be a real enthusiasts car

This may help you :thumb:

http://www.scoobypedia.co.uk/