fernandofan08

Hey guys. Basically, im looking at getting an Impreza in the next 4 months when my car insurance is up. Currently, I have an RX8 and i want something with much more power.

My budget would be around £3k-£3.5k. Ive been looking at the bug eyed model. Preferably, id want a Turbo. Mostly because ive read they are the easiest to remap and modify and get some big power gains which is what I want. Deffinitely dont want a GX, personally, theyre just an imitation. If your having an Impreza, get a proper one. Not a toy one. Its like them false VXR corsa's which end being a 1.2 and you cant help but cry with laughter. Millage wise, im happy with anything upto 100k. Two listing which got my attention are these on autotrader, just using as a rough guide;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...96hu?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...96hu?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1501?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1501?logcode=p

So yeah. Any advice on whether a Turbo is best for big power gains, what modifications are the best and most common. Also, what is the real difference between AWD and 4WD? Isnt 4WD selective and AWD is constant?

And for anyone who is interested, heres my RX8. Its a phantom blue evolve, which is the rarest RX8 model you can ever buy, only 100 in existance;



Foolishly I spent £800 on some semi slick Yokohama Advan Neova AD08.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

If you plan on modding then i suggest you up your budget by at least a couple of grand and buy an STI, it will save you a fortune in the long run.

jayallen

iTrader: (31)

This....

chrispy200+

iTrader: (2)

If your looking at a new age car, bug eye onwards and your on the power hunt, as has been said get an STI, much stronger starting point, better brakes, better suspension. Much stronger 6 speed gearbox and the engine can be taken to pretty good levels with the right supporting mods

fernandofan08

So you guys reccomend not bothering with a WRX 4WD or an AWD with turbo and just save for an STi? I mean only mods id do is an exhaust, induction kit and a remap. Not really a true power hunt, just something more than my RX8. and something which challenges most on the roads for abit of fun.

Pulled up alongside an FQ Evo. Didnt bother with it, but **** me, that thing, absolutly FLEW.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Use the search function.

All subarus are all wheel/4wheel drive,it's the same thing if you think about it, just the split is different and the type of diff coupling used/ method.

There is also dccd (driver controlled centre diff) as the title suggests you can alter the split from front to rear, this is available on some STI models, as above use the search function and all will become clear.

topshot

iTrader: (4)

How much you after for Rx?

zippy!

iTrader: (1)

Your budget will get you a very nice classic sti which IMO is more of a drivers car! Just so happens I have a black one for sale totally standard for £3000

scoobysteve1983

funnily enough i sold my rx8 to get my scooby, not that it bothered me that much but the mpg on the rx8's is nothing short of hideous! i now get twice the mpg in my 09 sti ppp hatch, and you dont have to worry about stalling it when its cold!

Paul_251

iTrader: (1)

If you go for a stock wrx you will only have 215 hp . So you may be better off going for either an STI or a car with some mods already ( like I did ) or may be a bit disappointed .
Is your rx8 a 192 or 231 ?
Nice cars either way , my friend had one I used to borrow regularly .my impreza handles nice but the rx8 has the better chassis .

fernandofan08

Not a clue. Pending compression check, probably 3.8kono, Bought it for 3250, spent £800 on tyres and £400 on importing the colour coded Front, side, rear deflectors, front dam and the hoop spoiler is in my bedroom. Also had a £400 Cobrasport catback put on the car, and boy it sounds perfect. you want any more info PM me mate, i got lots of pics and a video of the exhaust Best thing is, its got the full cream alcantra/leather interior.

I was looking at that shape but I love a more updated interior.

mate, im getting best part of 100 miles per half tank around town. On the motorway or a good run I did get 88 miles on a quater of a tank quite often. Always makes sure she has a few beeps everytime shes took off the drive, never above 4k revs cold, never switched off cold, new coils/leads/sparks at 60k millage. Only done 3000 miles in it since august and its my daily use car; she only uses about 600ml-700ml of oil every 1k miles too. Keep a check everytime i fill the car up on vpower.

Its a shame really, the power to fuel consumption isnt really justifiable, but my god does the car handle fantastic. And it certainly does turn heads,

fernandofan08

Its a 231 evolve, 1 of 100 in the uk in phantom blue. 400 of them are in Copper red. Thing with the RX8 is, mazda was mighty generous with the erm, 228bhp figure. by mighty, usually by about 40bhp too much.

And I was thinking of looking at a car with mods; often theyre the same price or cheaper because there 'molested'. Saves you a bucketload on cash aswell.

Paul_251

iTrader: (1)

Find a nice modded one on the forum that's been looked after and your laughing.

Good luck with the search.

fernandofan08

appreciated mate.

scoobysteve1983

yeah, i totally agree, with good tyres on they handle very well. mine was the same in terms of oil use and i always used to let it warm up before turning it off. only problem i had in the 2 years i owned it was a new lambda sensor so happy days! my only gripe with it was that it needed more power, i had the 231 version but i just felt like it could do with more (the compression test was spot on) so it was running fine.

fernandofan08

Yeah im having a compression test done in anticipation for the sale. not had any problems, pulls better now with the new exhaust on than she ever did before. 231 certainly does feel like it needs more. To be honest, it needs a turbo. It needs to be tuned up alot more, alot more power and the turbo. Petit want 5k for a turbo and its just not worth the money in the slightest. Low down torque as well is just, disheartening. 5k and its like 'Rotary kicks in yo' all the way to 9.5k but, the chassis and its handling is supreme. RX7 power and tunability in the RX8 chassis? Would be a beast.

Went through the service history and the only reccomendations were worn tyres which were replaced with rubbish (RE040 STRAIGHT off when I bought her), some were the usual emissions because nobody left the car to get warm. Otherwise, no problems. Feels a shame to think about getting rid, but I just want something more.

scoobysteve1983

yes! the way they rev is superb! i would describe the sound as a cross between a motorbike and a hairdrier!!! i looked into the turbo conversion but it was just far too much money so i took the plunge into the scooby pool and i f**king love it! you wont be disappointed.

fernandofan08

Glad to hear it from someone who's come from a rex. And the way they rev is so, so unique. Deffinitely something everyone should at least live with for a few months. But yeah, love scoobies thanks to the rally heritage.

I have a bucket list; RX8, RX7, Scooby, Evo 3 or 6, Skyline R32 or R34 GTR and finally an Integra DC5 (and make it into a Halfords BTCC replica).

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

Was going to comment that a standard WRX won't feel particularly fast compared with what you already have, until I read that.

If you hunt around, you'd probably find a semi decent modded (Blobeye) WRX within your budget.

Worlasshasansti

Fernandofan..... Not wanting to take your thread in another direction but may I ask.... Why are the rx8 so damn cheap? I was looking through an autotrader the other day and there was about 5 for sale all around a 56 plate and all around the 2k mark?? How can such a modern and nice lookin sports car be so cheap? Granted they will just have been the base models I would thing but still looks like a lot of car for the money, I'm currently looking to buy a classic STI ( without much luck I may add ) good luck and hope you find the one your after.

Regards

Mick

mike2367

iTrader: (1)

I had 2 rx8's before i bought my wrx ppp. I felt the difference was immense, you'd still notice a difference with the standard wrx but if you didnt want to pay the money for an sti id recommend a wrx ppp. They are upped in power to about the same as a standard sti (264?) With the possibility to go a bit higher for not a lot of money.

looking at the cost to turbo my rx8 was what led me to change to a scooby. If you get a wrx or sti you'll realise how little torque the 8 has, but the power delivery isnt nearly as smooth.

topshot

iTrader: (4)

This, dont listen to everyone saying you have to have an STI or dont bother. A WRX is going to be step up from RX8.
If you can afford a STI get one, but a WRX PPP or lightly modified WRX will not be a disappointment.

fernandofan08

Right. the ones at 2k are often nearly knackered. Basically, RX8's feature a rotary engine. The Rex's are 1.3litre engines. in their lifetime, they will fail on you and you will require a rebuild which costs £2250. Now the thing is, its a lottery when they go. If your engine has good compression, then it can last 100k. One guys RX8 is on his original engine and he's done 148k millage on the USA forum. Some peoples engines went at just 20k.

But, the base models are highly equipped. theres two models; 192 and the 231. The 231 basically has Xenon auto levelling headlights, heated electric seats and a 6cd multichanger and a 6-speed gearbox ontop of the 192 spec which has air con, 18inch alloys standard halogen headlights, single cd player and a 5-speed.

Whats happened is, they are a specialist car. People buy them and run them to the ground. They dont realise they require oil to lubricate the engine in a different way to a piston engine. Rule of thumb is 700ml of oil per 1000 miles. You get the rubbish about drinking £40 of oil every month, well its tripe. 10w-40 semi synth oil is £18 for 5 litre in Halfords. so in theory thats around 7000 miles for £18 of oil.

A bad reputation has followed them, wrongly IMO because so long as you;

A) Check your oil after ever 3 fill ups of petrol
B) Replace your spark plugs, ingnition coils and leads every 30k miles
C) Dont rev over 4000rpm until the engine is war
D) Dont turn the engine off cold
E) make sure you give the car a good charge through all the revs (shift to the beep so to speak) in 1st or 2nd so that it keeps carbon deposits low

If you do all that, chances are your engine will be in tip top condition. alot of people buy broken RX8's for £1000, pay for an engine rebuild at £2250, and for £3250 you have a 3 year warranty specialist rebuild on an upto 9 year old car.

Theyre brilliant to drive, just not as much power as you hope they would have. very combfy and have a great amount of kit as standard, they turn heads alot too. So yeah, theyre a special car youve got to WANT to own, not because you think they look nice. Its a car that requires a knowledgeable owner. Hopefully when I sell mine, ill be printing a comprehensive list of things they need to do if they dont know about the car.

One guy bought a 231 RX8, got it on the dyno and I **** you not, no low compression issues or anything; 168bhp. maximum you could expect new was about 200bhp. Getting BHP out of one is like blood from a stone unless you got silly money.

topshot

iTrader: (4)

18-20mpg, a lot of them suffer from low compression due to either not being driven properly or poor maintenance.
Engine needs to be worked hard to get the perfromance from it
Road Tax on 56onwards registered cars is hefty

They are fantastic RWD cars, I ideally want to find one with a mint body but low compression engine which i can get rebuilt.

Worlasshasansti

Great info lads, I did wonder what the crack was there's a bloke at the top of my street with 3 so I was wondering if he knew summit I didn't lol.

Regards

Mick

fernandofan08

Cheers guys. Never really bothered with wanting a true STi. i know its a good what, 90bhp more or so more but my budget wont allow that, and id rather buy a decent WRX AWD Turbo for the cheaper insurance and theyre atleast £5k, and I wouldnt have that spare to be honest.

And im sure that the AWD Turbo is quite able when its modified with a remap and so forth correct?

fernandofan08

£456 for a years worth of Road Tax

And thats the smartest way really, buy a broke one, get it rebuilt with a warranty at Rotary Revs or something. Only problem is, the one I have theres none for sale on autotrader, ebay OR gumtree. Theres 5 in Copper red, but the rarity means theres no non-runners.

get to 5k revs and its like 'Rotary kicked in yo!' progression is so smooth and instant, shame they couldnt nail that all the way through the revs. if they could get power from 3k like that, they would be formiddable. And come with a Turbo standard, not N/A

fernandofan08

The crack is, the UK is the cheapest in the world to buy an RX8. Germany theyre about 8k for an 05 plate, USA your looking at $14000 for a decent one. Over here theyre pittance due to the high running costs.

topshot

iTrader: (4)

Trust me you wont regret it. Having had plenty of high revving NA cars I went for a Classic shape UK turbo with a few prodrive bits on and never looked back.
A nice WRX with exhaust and remap will be a lot of fun.
just dont keep revving it expecting a beep to change

fernandofan08

lol I can just imagine being behind the wheel;

'Y U NO BEEP AT 9K!'

It was being side by side with an Evo FQ-320 at the traffic lights. I didnt even get to 10mph before he was just blitzing it. And I mean he just, jesus. from my experience, the Rex beats alot of things on pull off, but it was like he was 8 car lengths ahead of me, and I was 8 car lengths ahead of everyone else.

Dont expect a WRX to be THAT insanely quick, but It certainly made me think 'i need moar power'. To be honest, My car history is a 1.2 96 punto, 2001 1.6 megane coupe and a 2006 1.6 C4. The RX8 feels like a Ferrari next to those!