Focus ST or Impreza WRX?

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

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Just a question really, I've been looking for a while, as some of you may know (excuse any comments from anyone :p)

But which would float your boat more? Have seen 2007 Impreza WRX's for about £8K (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2183410.htm) and the same age Focus ST's for about £10-12K.

Now I'm not trying to bring out any fanboys, just honest opinions, as far as I can see, the Impreza would be cheaper to buy, more to insure (Thanks to some owners! :p) Both pretty practical, both not great on fuel (Would expecting circa 25mpg in both if driven "normal with some spirited driving be looking irrational? :p"

Obviously the Impreza has 4WD for omgsnow, has a worse image in the eys of the general public etc...

Your thoughts? Looking at the 2.5 226hp WRX Vs a Focus ST3, no STI's as the gf would not allow it, I think if I cam home with Gold wheels and the STI spoiler i'd be sleeping in it :D

So anyways...opinions? :D
 
I have owned a 53 plate WRX STI (have also driven a few standard WRX's) and currently have a 57 plate Focus ST-2 and i can tell you now you will be underwhelmed by a WRX.

My personal opinion is that if your going for a subaru impreza then the STI is the only way to go, but they are very expensive to maintain, yes they are not EVO money but they aren't focus money either (even an ST).

Fuel cost's aren't that different between the two as the focus is very thirsty, even if your right foot isn't planted to the floor all the time :) but living with a focus ST on a day to day basis is a lot better than an impreza (but i've only owned an STI long term, so i know a normal WRX is less hardcore if you see what i mean)

Just go out and have a go of both of them, whichever you pick you could, for around £1200-1500 go for a decent remap and get them both up to around the 260-270bhp mark, and the misses doesn't need to know about that does she :)

I plan for a mountune upgrade (google is your friend) in the next few months for my ST :)

Edit:- mrLOL has suggested a very decent alternative if you want to go the subaru route :)


Cookie
 
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for the record if you can afford the running costs, i'd get the STI spec D over the focus ST.

Personal preference for saloons / rally reps over hot hatches. I'd have to argue that the STI will handle better too.
 
If you get a wrx there is every possibility you'll regret it within a couple of months and wish you had got an Sti. If you"re that worried by the big wing you don't even need to get a spec d, it"s an easy swap with a wrx boot lid and money your way.
 
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6 months on and can't say I'm regretting going for a WRX over an Sti, totally depends on what you want and need from a car :)

That said the Spec D is a lovely car imho, best colour and I prefer the interior.

Drive both the Focus and the Impreza and see which you prefer, end of the day that's what counts.
 
mast3r said:
The ST will bring more Smiles i "Promise"
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Really?

Ive driven the ST and WRX, both stock, but I found the ST horrible, it was a boring car in my view to drive.

The OP can get a WRX STI for same money as an ST, stock for stock the STI should run circles around a Focus ST. Yes I admit bringing tuning into it and the ST can be tuned very well, but I'd still take a WRX.

I just found the ST boring to drive, great mid-range power but not much pull up top, does not feel quick and at high speed its not very stable in high speed corners. WRX as comparison was sharper to drive, nicer sound and was more raw, yet a standard WRX also runs out of puff around 5500rpm, but the OP can afford an STI version which pull strong above 7000rpm.

Having driven both, WRX everytime, especially the STI version. For 10k the OP could even afford a Spec C on the shape before the Hawkeye and those are vastly superior to any Focus ST could ever be.
 
Gibbo said:
WRX as comparison was sharper to drive, nicer sound and was more raw, yet a standard WRX also runs out of puff around 5500rpm, but the OP can afford an STI version which pull strong above 7000rpm.
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That's what took me longest to get used to coming from reasinably revvy na engines before.

The stock WRX does start to die off from around 5500, that's the 2.0 litre though so not sure if the 2.5 is any better. Been a couple of years since I properly drove a 2.5 WRX so can't remember!

I can't see the running costs of a WRX or ST to be very different really, servicing on the WRX is cheap enough as are consumables. Tyres are only 17 inch which is a little more wallet friendly, look to pay approx £100 a corner for premium rubber fitted.

Can imagine the ST is a more refined car, more toys, bit more plush.
 
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Gibbo said:
Really?

Ive driven the ST and WRX, both stock, but I found the ST horrible, it was a boring car in my view to drive.
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I know we've had this discussion, but I've driven the ST and a PPP STI back to back and I didn't get on well with the Impreza.

If it was ST vs. STI, I'd probably say the ST is a far superior every day car in just about every way possible, and is still plenty fun and almost as quick once mapped.

If it was a toy, I'd seriously consider the Impreza - but then I think I'd be looking for something a little more raw and special out of a toy than a slightly numb feeling Impreza.

ST vs. WRX? ST every time.
 
Oh yes, I remember. A load of people who have driven neither cars telling me how wrong my opinion was of these cars after taking them out back to back.
 
Don't do it Mike, don't do it. Most of the people in said thread had driven said cars. And the outcome of the thread was you deciding to buy an Impreza (And then obviously not doing so).

Lets leave it there :p

I think I'd probably have the ST, though, myself.
 
Gibbo said:
Really?

Ive driven the ST and WRX, both stock, but I found the ST horrible, it was a boring car in my view to drive.

The OP can get a WRX STI for same money as an ST, stock for stock the STI should run circles around a Focus ST. Yes I admit bringing tuning into it and the ST can be tuned very well, but I'd still take a WRX.

I just found the ST boring to drive, great mid-range power but not much pull up top, does not feel quick and at high speed its not very stable in high speed corners. WRX as comparison was sharper to drive, nicer sound and was more raw, yet a standard WRX also runs out of puff around 5500rpm, but the OP can afford an STI version which pull strong above 7000rpm.

Having driven both, WRX everytime, especially the STI version. For 10k the OP could even afford a Spec C on the shape before the Hawkeye and those are vastly superior to any Focus ST could ever be.
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You need to try a remapped ST. I was not overly impressed with the ST in stock form,granted it did everything pretty much as expected but, nothing about it really stood out [other than the ride]

This changed totally once i mapped the ST, it now pulls like a train in any gear, 70mph in 6th and boot it feels like you have dropped it into 3rd. The boost now kicks in much lower down at approx 1800-2000 rpm and is a real kick in the back all the way through to the redline.

Might not be as chuckable as a Scooby but it is still a lot of fun.
 
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