Returning To An STi Hatch!!?!!
#1
Returning To An STi Hatch!!?!!
Afternoon,
Been a member on here for ages initially owned a Blobeye WRX wagon -
Followed by a Blobeye STi saloon -
I sold the STi in 2012 but dearly missed it for lots of reasons, I think once you own an Impreza they get under your skin. A long succession of all sorts of cars since and I find myself contemplating an STi hatch. I have reached a point in my life where in suddenly realise the attraction of a hot hatch - it ticks so many boxes.
I can occasionally commute to work in it, do the supermarket shopping in it, fill it with family and head up country to see family, track it etc. and all these jobs it takes in its stride. We recently moved a bit more into the sticks - country lanes, tractors, animals on the road and most of the year permanently dirty/slippery roads. So I wanted a sure footed 4wd vehicle, it needs to be a hatch because we now have a dog who when she is transported around is done so in the confines of a crate. It needed to be exciting and reward some spirited driving when the opportunity arises, plus be able to cope with a roof load of bikes and a few blokes going mountain biking on the weekends.
The shortlist I ended up with was -
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to be in or drive.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
I have read a lot about ringland failure and must be honest it does worry me a little, have read a post where a guy bought an STi and then 4 weeks later had to spend £4k having engine stripped and forged!
Look forward to hearing people's thoughts.
Si
Been a member on here for ages initially owned a Blobeye WRX wagon -
Followed by a Blobeye STi saloon -
I sold the STi in 2012 but dearly missed it for lots of reasons, I think once you own an Impreza they get under your skin. A long succession of all sorts of cars since and I find myself contemplating an STi hatch. I have reached a point in my life where in suddenly realise the attraction of a hot hatch - it ticks so many boxes.
I can occasionally commute to work in it, do the supermarket shopping in it, fill it with family and head up country to see family, track it etc. and all these jobs it takes in its stride. We recently moved a bit more into the sticks - country lanes, tractors, animals on the road and most of the year permanently dirty/slippery roads. So I wanted a sure footed 4wd vehicle, it needs to be a hatch because we now have a dog who when she is transported around is done so in the confines of a crate. It needed to be exciting and reward some spirited driving when the opportunity arises, plus be able to cope with a roof load of bikes and a few blokes going mountain biking on the weekends.
The shortlist I ended up with was -
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to be in or drive.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
I have read a lot about ringland failure and must be honest it does worry me a little, have read a post where a guy bought an STi and then 4 weeks later had to spend £4k having engine stripped and forged!
Look forward to hearing people's thoughts.
Si
Last edited by ScoobyRalph; 14 June 2016 at 02:11 PM.
#2
BANNED
iTrader: (4)
Afternoon,
Been a member on here for ages initially owned a Blobeye WRX wagon -
Followed by a Blobeye STi saloon -
I sold the STi in 2012 but dearly missed it for lots of reasons, I think once you own an Impreza they get under your skin. A long succession of all sorts of cars since and I find myself contemplating an STi hatch. I have reached a point in my life where in suddenly realise the attraction of a hot hatch - it ticks so many boxes.
I can occasionally commute to work in it, do the supermarket shopping in it, fill it with family and head up country to see family, track it etc. and all these jobs it takes in its stride. We recently moved a bit more into the sticks - country lanes, tractors, animals on the road and most of the year permanently dirty/slippery roads. So I wanted a sure footed 4wd vehicle, it needs to be a hatch because we now have a dog who when she is transported around is done so in the confines of a crate. It needed to be exciting and reward some spirited driving when the opportunity arises, plus be able to cope with a roof load of bikes and a few blokes going mountain biking on the weekends.
The shortlist I ended up with was -
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to look at.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
I have read a lot about ringland failure and must be honest it does worry me a little, have read a post where a guy bought an STi and then 4 weeks later had to spend £4k having engine stripped and forged!
Look forward to hearing people's thoughts.
Si
Been a member on here for ages initially owned a Blobeye WRX wagon -
Followed by a Blobeye STi saloon -
I sold the STi in 2012 but dearly missed it for lots of reasons, I think once you own an Impreza they get under your skin. A long succession of all sorts of cars since and I find myself contemplating an STi hatch. I have reached a point in my life where in suddenly realise the attraction of a hot hatch - it ticks so many boxes.
I can occasionally commute to work in it, do the supermarket shopping in it, fill it with family and head up country to see family, track it etc. and all these jobs it takes in its stride. We recently moved a bit more into the sticks - country lanes, tractors, animals on the road and most of the year permanently dirty/slippery roads. So I wanted a sure footed 4wd vehicle, it needs to be a hatch because we now have a dog who when she is transported around is done so in the confines of a crate. It needed to be exciting and reward some spirited driving when the opportunity arises, plus be able to cope with a roof load of bikes and a few blokes going mountain biking on the weekends.
The shortlist I ended up with was -
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to look at.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
I have read a lot about ringland failure and must be honest it does worry me a little, have read a post where a guy bought an STi and then 4 weeks later had to spend £4k having engine stripped and forged!
Look forward to hearing people's thoughts.
Si
The 2.5 engine is crap as for engineering and reliability it's neither 20 yr old tech and poor engine.
Last edited by fat-thomas; 14 June 2016 at 02:09 PM.
#5
Yeah another saloon isn't an option as I said it needs to be a hatch, in that case I will look at forged/rebuilt examples then?
What tech were you referring to that is 20 years old out of interest?
Si
What tech were you referring to that is 20 years old out of interest?
Si
#7
But is it not the drivetrain that has 'made' the Impreza what it is today and why it has such a cult following? I take it the drivetrain is the same as the Hawk, Blob and Bug then?
Tax is a bit of a ball ache but then an '06 R32 experiences the same problem as do most performance cars post April 2006 so I have just sort of resigned myself to that as part of the running cost.
Si
Tax is a bit of a ball ache but then an '06 R32 experiences the same problem as do most performance cars post April 2006 so I have just sort of resigned myself to that as part of the running cost.
Si
Trending Topics
#9
Scooby Regular
You can't beat a forged 2.5 in a road Scoob as the torque makes it effortless to drive and you don't have to rev the **** off it to get it to make it go quick
Love my hatchback
Better off getting advice from people who have owned a hatchback rarther than a hater lol
Love my hatchback
Better off getting advice from people who have owned a hatchback rarther than a hater lol
Last edited by domino46; 15 June 2016 at 06:58 AM.
#10
I have a 2010 WRX STI and i previously had a 2003 WRX STI Prodrive for 4 years, both cars were completely stock except a remap from Group B motorsports. I can honestly say the 2.5 engine is absolutely fantastic on the road, it produces 320bhp and 360ft/lbs of torque, it is effortless to get moving and produces 250bhp at 3750 rpm, my old WRX STI prodrive had alot more lag and took more effort to get moving. I would not go back to a 2.0 however as people pointed out the reliability is questionable at best, if you get a forged one you will not look back. I love the interior, the cruise control, SI drive, DCCD, sharper handling, interior (some people argue all subaru have poor interiors) etc. Alot of the hate for them is from people who dont own them or have not driven them.
#11
I have a 2010 WRX STI and i previously had a 2003 WRX STI Prodrive for 4 years, both cars were completely stock except a remap from Group B motorsports. I can honestly say the 2.5 engine is absolutely fantastic on the road, it produces 320bhp and 360ft/lbs of torque, it is effortless to get moving and produces 250bhp at 3750 rpm, my old WRX STI prodrive had alot more lag and took more effort to get moving. I would not go back to a 2.0 however as people pointed out the reliability is questionable at best, if you get a forged one you will not look back. I love the interior, the cruise control, SI drive, DCCD, sharper handling, interior (some people argue all subaru have poor interiors) etc. Alot of the hate for them is from people who dont own them or have not driven them.
I love mine (2014), very capable and enjoyable car. You won't regret it.
#12
I have a 2010 WRX STI and i previously had a 2003 WRX STI Prodrive for 4 years, both cars were completely stock except a remap from Group B motorsports. I can honestly say the 2.5 engine is absolutely fantastic on the road, it produces 320bhp and 360ft/lbs of torque, it is effortless to get moving and produces 250bhp at 3750 rpm, my old WRX STI prodrive had alot more lag and took more effort to get moving. I would not go back to a 2.0 however as people pointed out the reliability is questionable at best, if you get a forged one you will not look back. I love the interior, the cruise control, SI drive, DCCD, sharper handling, interior (some people argue all subaru have poor interiors) etc. Alot of the hate for them is from people who dont own them or have not driven them.
#14
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Devon
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also had a spec c blob eye litchfield. You could say all of them have questionable styling but are enjoyable to drive.
Currently driving a forged hatch STI and it is a very nice car and a lot more modern and comfortable.
#15
Yeah the tax is 500 ayear but if you can afford it why let it put you off and i been in a few subarus over years but i bought the 2009sti hatch and love it wouldnt change it like it said about effort less driving and when you need the power it only takes a little pressure with the right foot and ur away your speeding before you know it #bestcaryet
#16
The shortlist I ended up with was -
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to be in or drive.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
Si
MK5 R32 - already owned one of these, great cars but feeling a bit dated.
MK6 R - really tempted by this particularly Stage 2+ but still north of £15k
Audi S3 - love how Audis look and I know the S3 responds well to map but they just don't excite me to be in or drive.
STi Hatch - good value, rarely seen on the road, Subaru engineering and reliability
So here I am, is this a good choice, bad choice what are people's ownership experiences and particularly interested if anyone with a hatch has owned any of the above and how they compare??
Si
Didn't think so.
I do, well, the new WRX STi which uses the "crap" 2.5. Which I actually find pretty good.
Honestly, if you like the hatch, go for it, don't listen to the haters on here.
Or you could be a sheep and get an Audi or a VW and blend into the other mongs on the motorway/suburbia. I like the fact that mine is something different, only seen about 5 others on the roads, and not many more hatches.
#17
BANNED
iTrader: (4)
"What are people's ownership experiences" so, Fat boy, do you own one? Or any of the other examples he has given?
Didn't think so.
I do, well, the new WRX STi which uses the "crap" 2.5. Which I actually find pretty good.
Honestly, if you like the hatch, go for it, don't listen to the haters on here.
Or you could be a sheep and get an Audi or a VW and blend into the other mongs on the motorway/suburbia. I like the fact that mine is something different, only seen about 5 others on the roads, and not many more hatches.
Didn't think so.
I do, well, the new WRX STi which uses the "crap" 2.5. Which I actually find pretty good.
Honestly, if you like the hatch, go for it, don't listen to the haters on here.
Or you could be a sheep and get an Audi or a VW and blend into the other mongs on the motorway/suburbia. I like the fact that mine is something different, only seen about 5 others on the roads, and not many more hatches.
i hate the hatch its a nasty looking thing but thats subjective.
i mentioned the facts of the poor engine (there is a very long thread on here about it) and the high tax bracket and mentioned alternatives like the jdm version.
why do you think its rare??? is it because its limited edition or its ultra expensive or is it that nobody bought one because its not very good???
#18
Scooby Regular
You used to make me laugh but the way you have been trolling the 2.5 and hatchback threads is starting to make you sound jealous rarther than someone with a valid opinion
#19
BANNED
iTrader: (4)
Owning one gives you a proper prospective to make a opinion of one , if you haven't owned one how can you look at the pros and cons properly and give someone else advice on owning one , iv had alot of Scoobs over the years and none come close to my hatchback for road use
You used to make me laugh but the way you have been trolling the 2.5 and hatchback threads is starting to make you sound jealous rarther than someone with a valid opinion
You used to make me laugh but the way you have been trolling the 2.5 and hatchback threads is starting to make you sound jealous rarther than someone with a valid opinion
why an earth would i be jealous of the hatch
everyones opinion is valid just because you happen to not agree with it dousnt make it wrong.
he posted a list of cars too choose and in my opinion its the worse one on the list. obviously on a subaru site others will think differently.
if i was him id visit hurst cars and try some properly built jdm cars and go from there if he really wants an impreza.
Last edited by fat-thomas; 15 June 2016 at 01:41 PM.
#20
Scooby Regular
its just my opinion of the hatch, i understand a few like them and thats great if you read what i wrote its mostly about the engine which is FACT read the stickie about it.
why an earth would i be jealous of the hatch
everyones opinion is valid just because you happen to not agree with it dousnt make it wrong.
he posted a list of cars too choose and in my opinion its the worse one on the list. obviously on a subaru site others will think differently.
if i was him id visit hurst cars and try some properly built jdm cars and go from there if he really wants an impreza.
why an earth would i be jealous of the hatch
everyones opinion is valid just because you happen to not agree with it dousnt make it wrong.
he posted a list of cars too choose and in my opinion its the worse one on the list. obviously on a subaru site others will think differently.
if i was him id visit hurst cars and try some properly built jdm cars and go from there if he really wants an impreza.
Just out of curiosity more than anything but what Scoob do you own ?
#21
Its sad to say but the Classic and new age impreza are now between 10-25+ years old and starting to feel every day of it. Go test drive the cars you want and make a decision, the only negative i can say is the questionable 2.5 reliability, style is purely individual. Lets be honest Subaru have always had a bit of a love hate look from the car community.
I think (personal taste) that they look mean from the front and actually prefer the flared arches and head lights compared to the new age models (still love the classics) but i would think that because i bought it
#30
I own a 2009 330s and while owning it got it forged,.
Every time I go out for a drive I just have the biggest grin on my face, the torque is what makes this car so special and YES they are marmite I generally like that as seeing something different on the road is a change From the norm'
Every time I go out for a drive I just have the biggest grin on my face, the torque is what makes this car so special and YES they are marmite I generally like that as seeing something different on the road is a change From the norm'