Spec C 5 years on
13 December 2009, 10:10 AM
#1
Spec C 5 years on
This week marks 5 years since I picked up my nice and shiny, delivery miles only, Impreza spec C Type RA WR Limited from Litchfields. It's not quite so shiny anymore and the odo currently reads a smidge over 45,000 miles but is still going strong and regularly putting a smile on my face. Since buying I've upgraded to the Powerstation 'Stage 4' (400bhp/350lb ft) package, Tein 16-way adjustable suspension and Performance Friction brakes but otherwise its as it was.
Thought I'd give a quick summary of the experience.
The Good
Could write a very long list here but in summary it is by far the best car I've owned or driven ... which is why I still have it. I've driven faster cars (Ariel Atom, Porsche GT3), plusher cars (M5, M3, RS4), cheaper cars and more 'relaxing' cars. But IMO the spec C is the car that covers all the bases of speed and raw excitement, ability on local roads as well as the track, and ability to eat up long runs as well as short blasts (and pootling around town). It has been my family car, my commute-to-work car, my B-road blast car and my trackday car.
We've enjoyed driving trips to the Nurburgring, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands and Welsh borders, as well as numerous circuits in the UK. The spec C is comfortable enough on the trip there with plenty of luggage in the boot and then proves extremely capable once there, whether on lumpy, broken, twisty roads like on the Isle of Man (how the TT guys do the speed they do there I'll never know) or smooth open circuits like Goodwood. Highlights include overtaking two racing Ferrari 355's on the Nurbrugring while 3-up, and following Tommi Makkinen and Peter Solberg through the Welsh Hills (no problem keeping up going up hill, not so easy going downhill ... but more of a comment on the driver's skill rather than the capabilities of the car).
Friends have given up asking what I will replace the car with because I have no answer. GT3 comes close in terms of ticking all the boxes but costs three times as much. Most likely I'll keep the spec C and buy an even more extreme toy for track days (the Atom really was very good).
The Bad
No one buys an Impreza if they're worried about MPG but the spec C really has taken fuel inefficiency to a new level. If I really try hard I can get 200 miles out of a tank (50l) and a recent day at Goodwood saw the tank empty by 1/4 on each 6 lap stint. Needless to say I'm on first-name terms with the bloke who runs our local Shell.
The police around here *really* don't like the car. I've lost count of the number of times I've been stopped for some spurious reason so they can check my documents, kick the tyres and check I don't have a suitcase of crack or guns on the back seat. Occasionally p!sses me off but grown used to it by now.
The Ugly
Well the blob-eye Impreza never was going to win any styling awards was it?
For its fifth birthday the car is getting a tank of Optimax and we're off for a run to the coast. Looking forward to the next five years!
Thought I'd give a quick summary of the experience.
The Good
Could write a very long list here but in summary it is by far the best car I've owned or driven ... which is why I still have it. I've driven faster cars (Ariel Atom, Porsche GT3), plusher cars (M5, M3, RS4), cheaper cars and more 'relaxing' cars. But IMO the spec C is the car that covers all the bases of speed and raw excitement, ability on local roads as well as the track, and ability to eat up long runs as well as short blasts (and pootling around town). It has been my family car, my commute-to-work car, my B-road blast car and my trackday car.
We've enjoyed driving trips to the Nurburgring, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands and Welsh borders, as well as numerous circuits in the UK. The spec C is comfortable enough on the trip there with plenty of luggage in the boot and then proves extremely capable once there, whether on lumpy, broken, twisty roads like on the Isle of Man (how the TT guys do the speed they do there I'll never know) or smooth open circuits like Goodwood. Highlights include overtaking two racing Ferrari 355's on the Nurbrugring while 3-up, and following Tommi Makkinen and Peter Solberg through the Welsh Hills (no problem keeping up going up hill, not so easy going downhill ... but more of a comment on the driver's skill rather than the capabilities of the car).
Friends have given up asking what I will replace the car with because I have no answer. GT3 comes close in terms of ticking all the boxes but costs three times as much. Most likely I'll keep the spec C and buy an even more extreme toy for track days (the Atom really was very good).
The Bad
No one buys an Impreza if they're worried about MPG but the spec C really has taken fuel inefficiency to a new level. If I really try hard I can get 200 miles out of a tank (50l) and a recent day at Goodwood saw the tank empty by 1/4 on each 6 lap stint. Needless to say I'm on first-name terms with the bloke who runs our local Shell.
The police around here *really* don't like the car. I've lost count of the number of times I've been stopped for some spurious reason so they can check my documents, kick the tyres and check I don't have a suitcase of crack or guns on the back seat. Occasionally p!sses me off but grown used to it by now.
The Ugly
Well the blob-eye Impreza never was going to win any styling awards was it?
For its fifth birthday the car is getting a tank of Optimax and we're off for a run to the coast. Looking forward to the next five years!
13 December 2009, 04:27 PM
#7
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A great write-up. I've owned my Spec C since February, had a couple of mechanical niggles that cost me a few hundred quid (well actually it was well over a monkey) but other than that, it's the best car i've owned or driven.
I occasionally find the coilovers I have a bit harsh but then I live in an area with **** road surfaces so I'm used to it. It's my daily commute and it's perfectly fine for that, as well as long drives.
The biggest issue, like yours, is the fuel economy combined with a small fuel tank - I go to the petrol station every 5 days and spend £250/month on fuel!!!
If I venture anywhere more than 100 miles from home I have to plan my route to ensure I'll have access to a Shell or Tesco petrol station for the journey home, which can get pretty annoying and inconvenient (although I carry millers in the boot for emergencies 
I occasionally find the coilovers I have a bit harsh but then I live in an area with **** road surfaces so I'm used to it. It's my daily commute and it's perfectly fine for that, as well as long drives.
The biggest issue, like yours, is the fuel economy combined with a small fuel tank - I go to the petrol station every 5 days and spend £250/month on fuel!!!
If I venture anywhere more than 100 miles from home I have to plan my route to ensure I'll have access to a Shell or Tesco petrol station for the journey home, which can get pretty annoying and inconvenient (although I carry millers in the boot for emergencies
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13 December 2009, 05:01 PM
#8
When I bought mine all Spec C's were referred to as Type RA. Then the Type RA was brought out followed by the RA-R. Just going by what it was called at the time!
13 December 2009, 05:03 PM
#9
13 December 2009, 05:06 PM
#10
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I live in Berks & used to sometimes commute to Peterborough ... couldn't make it there on 1 tank of fuel in the Spec C 
The drive still put a massive smile on my face though 
TX.
The drive still put a massive smile on my face though TX.
The biggest issue, like yours, is the fuel economy combined with a small fuel tank - I go to the petrol station every 5 days and spend £250/month on fuel!!! If I venture anywhere more than 100 miles from home I have to plan my route to ensure I'll have access to a Shell or Tesco petrol station for the journey home, which can get pretty annoying and inconvenient (although I carry millers in the boot for emergencies
If I venture anywhere more than 100 miles from home I have to plan my route to ensure I'll have access to a Shell or Tesco petrol station for the journey home, which can get pretty annoying and inconvenient (although I carry millers in the boot for emergencies
13 December 2009, 06:39 PM
#12
Nice to read the above article. i have a 2003 Spec C Limited with all the type 20 extras and more. It's a daily commuter and was bought back in March with the idea of tracking it as that's what it's been set up to do. could i ask you Spec-cie, are you still on your OEM clutch or have you uprated? I've just taken the plunge and have bought a paddle clutch which could completely change the drivability(not fitted yet), but necessary for my plan to get a bigger Litchfield twinscroll.
Andrew
Andrew
13 December 2009, 07:04 PM
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All the Spec C's were RA's but they dropped the RA on the twin scroll cars, that doesnt mean its wasnt a WRX STI Spec C RA (or limited or RA or RA-R) they just shortened it
Great write up
still miss mine 
definately the best scoob I ever owned, it was a total sleeper and use to really hack E46 M3's off in standard form
Tony
Great write up
still miss mine definately the best scoob I ever owned, it was a total sleeper and use to really hack E46 M3's off in standard form Tony
. Whereabouts in town do you live 
14 December 2009, 10:39 AM
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Nice read.
I sometimes wish i'd of bought my car later, when Spec C's were more accessible and affordable. I've even thought about buying a Spec C / or RA and donating the parts over, just to have a lighter base.
I sometimes wish i'd of bought my car later, when Spec C's were more accessible and affordable. I've even thought about buying a Spec C / or RA and donating the parts over, just to have a lighter base.
14 December 2009, 08:01 PM
#21
The clutch is standard and still going strong. I've run 350bhp/350lb ft pretty much since I bought it and the clutch has handled it fine.
14 December 2009, 08:28 PM
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That's exactly the same as my car. It's a Spec C WR Ltd, it was a limited production run produced in 2004 between July and September.
16 December 2009, 01:11 PM
#27
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Spec C ownership for me is coming up to 5yrs in April 2010. Another "Litchfield supplied" car owner!
The stage that my Spec C is at now, I doubt I will ever get anything else that will come close. Great car and great smiles! Based on how it performed at this years ScoobySprint, they can still mix it with the rest.
The stage that my Spec C is at now, I doubt I will ever get anything else that will come close. Great car and great smiles!
Based on how it performed at this years ScoobySprint, they can still mix it with the rest.
17 December 2009, 09:59 AM
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17 December 2009, 11:58 AM
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We are talking race altered v record attempt here Gussy but they were all race altered, just that they shortened it to just Spec C could get complicated having a WRX STI Spec C RA RA and your right, definately the best car to come from Subaru
Tony
but they were all race altered, just that they shortened it to just Spec C could get complicated having a WRX STI Spec C RA RA and your right, definately the best car to come from Subaru Tony