Mat Mc

A mate of mine has a 99 Legacy RSB4K which is putting out around 300bhp. He like myself was planning on his next car being a STi 8/9 UK and took one for a test drive today. He has come away thoroughly disappointed and says he can't believe how slow it was!

It drove well, handling was great and the ride was smooth. There just wasn't any real surge and he said it felt gutless.

I drive an 02 WRX so was looking forward to a faster car but, now I'm feeling a bit dubious. The same friend test drove an Evo FQ330 last weekend and was absolutely gob smacked at how fast it was.

Don't get me wrong I'm Impreza through and through and it will take more than someone else's opinion to change my mind. I am now thinking what if I move away from the UK models and go for an import variant.

What else is along the lines of a STi 8 but more powerful? I wouldn't really want to have to ppp an STi in order to make it worth the trade up.

Apparently the STi 8 wasn't as fast as my other friends 97 jap import WRX which is around 280bhp.

Any thoughts

Neilo

STI is a lot heavier than a jap 97 wrx though....with less power.

I drove a standard STI myself a few months ago, i drive an 03 wrx, and was left thinking that the standard STI didnt feel as quick as id hoped. Dont get me wrong, it was planted to the road far better and the standard brakes were awesome.

the PPP seems to make a lot of difference..

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You could always get your mate to go for a JDM STi they are pretty quick

Tony

hugo

No good without PPP. Would be better off with WRX with PPP.

STILee

Which only brings it up to the power of an STi....without the brakes of an STi

chris's scooby

There is a more linear power delivery on the new age UK cars that gives the impression that they're not that quick.

Elmer Fudpucker

I have to agree,I've had two classics

and now drive an Sti 03 with PPP....and they do take a little time to 'adjust' to,but it still isn't any noticebly quicker than a friends std 04 WRX

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

or the type 'C' which is also lighter

Tony

hugo

True. Several £K less though. Some folks prefer the ride of a WRX. I've had both and STi PPP suits me but the brakes only really came into their own when I fitted braided hoses and DS2500's. The suspension has to have prodrive springs. The WRX brakes were'nt that bad.

chris's scooby

I've found the Prodrive suspension of the WR1 to give a much better ride than the suspension on my old '02 WRX.

If you think they're slow look at the speedo as you gun it, or better still get your missus to time it...

bern555

you can come and have a go in my S202

Mat Mc

This is true, I mentioned this to him. I have had loads of fast cars and when I first drove the Impreza it didn't feel as quick as it's statistics suggested.

Looking at the speedo and after easily beating off seriously fast cars (straight line stuff, not taking into account bend/handling/grip issues before I prompt any responces!) Impreza's are fast.

WRX's are fast, Sti's can only be faster with Jap stuff ahead still.

Mat Mc

What's an S202?

Mat Mc

Just done a search on the net. It's either a Toshiba washing machine or a 320bhp Impreza!

bern555

350+BHP WASHING MACHINE

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Mat

The S202 is a limited edition (bugeye) STI which came with a more powerful engine - 320bhp rings a bell, although being a Japanese model this figure is quoted on 100RON fuel. I'm not sure what the mechanical differences in the engine are.

The European STI is throttled by emissions regs, which makes it lifeless below about 4000rpm and blunts the top-end punch too. The PPP goes a long way towards fixing this problem and is absolutely essential IMHO. You could also save a good few quid by getting a Euro import from one of the many car supermarkets that are offering them at a major discount, and adding a 3rd party conversion like TSL's 333 - just keep a few quid in the bank to cover repairs since your warranty may not be worth a lot.

Best option IMHO, is to look at a Japanese-spec STI. This car has a considerably improved engine with a 'twin scroll' turbo, which makes it much more responsive low down and endows it with 300bhp+ with just a UK fuel remap. Add a sports exhaust and 320bhp is yours. Give Litchfield Imports a call and ask Iain all about it. I did, and I pick up my car next week

Cold Turkey

bloody hell AndyC you seem to have been waiting ages !! I'm sure it'll be worth the wait ....

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Yes, I have The delay has all been because it's a MY05 car for which there was no existing model report, so I've had to wait for a car to be tested and the report prepared. If you ordered a car today it would probably go on next Friday's boat, be in the UK within 30 days and on your driveway a fortnight later.

DREWS2003v-limited

I have just imported a wrx sti 555 2003 v-limited and done simple mods ecutec and de-cat the car is now runnig at 358 bhp and 390lb torque i know where thier is 1 left with a price tag of 30k but believe me the car is well worth it and you wont have any reservations about this

hawkeye

oooooh ooooohhh quick everyone FLAME him LIKE YOU FLAMED ME



FLAME FLAME FLAME


hawk

The Fixer

A full 3" decat exhaust, induction kit and a good old ECUTEK on your STi 8 will release you somewhere in the region of 340 ~ 350 HP. It transforms the car

ARRON BIRD

Tony your replies are always the same!!!!!

AndyBrew

I had this very same feeling when I first got my STi8 with PPP although after some advice from peeps off this site I started to take more notice of the speedo LOL and it is quite scary the speeds you can hit without even realising it!

and...

from personal experience from my first trackday a few weeks ago at Brunters I had a 20 minute spat with a bright yellow FQ300 which I would guess is the direct comparison with the STi8 + PPP and the 2 cars were absolutely equal in all respects, straight line speed, cornering ability etc. As we were both newbies to a trackday and finished the session grinning like cheshires and comparing notes I feel this is as good a comparison as you can get.

Hence I would suggest the Scoob is NOT slow

scooby L

FQ330 330bhp (?)
STI 8 UK 264bhp
The STI was never going to feel really quick after a 300bhp Legacy... and is giving away 66bhp away to the Evo.

A better comparison would be:

STI 8 PPP'd 305bhp
STI 8 Ecutec'd and de-catted 305-340bhp.