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Subaru Impreza 2.0 WRX STi WR1 AWD

Price: £29,995
For: Revisions for 2003 and price reductions further cement the Impreza WRX as one of the great performance bargains of all time. The ordinary 2.0-litre version is also a good workhorse, with the advantage of four-wheel drive.
Against: Saloon offers limited practicality and both saloon and hatchback only provide average passenger space. High running costs, especially for the WRX.



Performance
Scintillating performance from 2.0 turbo Superbly balanced chassis with tremendous grip Thrummy engine has a distinctive note

The flexible 2.0-litre engine provides decent poke across the rev range. The turbocharged version lacks bottom-end urge but serves up awesome overtaking ability – with tractable and progressive acceleration as soon as the ’charger gets spinning.


Handling

Subaru has done a good job with both disciplines. All models have a compliant ride, even around town, but still manage to stay bolted to the bitumen through fast crests and dips. The car stays flat on bends, too, and dishes out stomach-churning grip even in treacherous conditions. The steering needs a tad more weight and feel, though.


Refinement

Subaru sticks to flat-four engines so when you rev them hard you have to live with their characteristic thrum – but it's in keeping with the Impreza's sporty character. You won't suffer too many other intrusions, either. The turbo's larger wheels and tyres create a little road rumble at motorway speeds, but Imprezas make decent cruisers.

• Body Type Saloon
• Number of doors 4
• Number of seats 5
• Engine (cc/type) 1994/4
• Fuel type Unleaded
• Max power (bhp/rpm) 315/no data
• Max torque (lb ft/rpm) no data/no data
• Max speed (mph) 155
• 0-60mph (sec)
• 30-70mph (sec) no data
• In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) no data
• In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) no data
• Braking distance (m) no data/no data
• Engine position no data
• Driven wheels Front
• Length (mm) 4415
• Width (mm) 1740
• Height (mm) 1440
• Front headroom (mm) no data
• Front legroom (mm) no data
• Rear headroom (mm) no data
• Rear kneeroom (mm) no data
• Boot space (min ltr) no data
• Boot space (max ltr) no data
• Turning circle (m) 11
• Turning circle lock to lock(m) no data
• Towing weight (kg) no data
• Kerb weight (kg) 1470

Buying
Not yet as sought-after as the previous model Interior looks cheap but it is deceptively durable Good range of kit, especially for WRX
Buying

The face-lift hasn't convinced fans of the earlier models, but the latest Impreza should still maintain excellent resale values. The WRX’s problem is that running costs are high for private buyers, with fuel economy below 25mpg if you use its massive grunt. It attracts a group 19 insurance rating, too. Lesser models also suffer poorer economy and higher insurance than rivals.


Quality

Inside, some of the Impreza's plastics are below par and items such as the central console and door pockets feel flimsy. The rest of it seems solid and durable, however. The same goes for the mechanicals. The WRX can have a healthy appetite for clutches, but it rarely suffers from serious problems.


Safety and Security

Twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard across the range, while the WRX range-topper also has side airbag protection. The cause against break-ins has been improved by the fitting of deadlocks and shielded door locks.

• Urban 18.2
• Extra Urban 33.2
• Combined 25.4
• Tank Capacity 13.2
• CO2 Rating 265
• Insurance Group 20
• Typical Quote £809
• Retained Value no data
• Contract Hire Rate £566
• Cost per mile 72.2p
• Service Cost 1657
• Servicing 12/10,000
• Warranty 36/60,000 + 3 yr Paint + 12 yr

Behind the Wheel
Dated and dull, but excellent driving position You need the five-door for practicality Well kitted out, even in entry-level form
Behind the Wheel

The aluminium fascia of most models does little to lift an otherwise dull cabin. Still, items such as the ventilation and radio controls are easy to use on the move. Comfort is good, too, even with the turbo's bolstered sports seats. The chair is adjusted through a ratchet-style mechanism, but two-way steering wheel adjustment would improve things.


Space and Practicality

The dowdier-looking five-door version at least has the added advantage of increased practicality. Split-fold seats and a better shaped boot improve versatility. Folding the seats flat in the five-door gives you a good workable space, although you don't get a square-edged load bay. Passenger space doesn't match that of the best small hatches.


Equipment

Every model is kitted out with four electric windows, mirrors with power adjustment and a single-slot CD player. You also get air-conditioning and alloy wheels. Few options are available save an automatic gearbox for the non-turbo 2.0-litre and rally seats for the 2.0 WRX.

• Central Locking standard
• Remote Locking standard
• Adjustable Steering Reach no data
• Adjustable Steering Rake standard
• Electric Steering Adjustable no data
• Seat Height Adjustable standard
• Power Seats Adjustable no data
• Air Conditioning standard
• Climate Control no data
• Seat Belt Tensioners standard
• Driver Airbag standard
• Passenger Airbag standard
• Side Airbag standard
• Side Impactbars standard
• Centre 3 Pointbelt standard
• Traction Control no data
• Antilock Brakes standard
• Auto Gearbox no data
• Alloywheels standard
• Deadlocks no data
• Immobiliser standard
• Alarm standard
• Visible Vin no data
• Secure Spare Wheel standard
• Marked Parts no data
• Etched Windows no data
• Satellite Navigation no data
• Handsfree Phone no data
• Leather Seats no data
• Locking Wheelnuts standard
• Metallic Paint standard
• Split Fold Rear Seats no data
• Electric Front Windows standard
• Electric Mirrors standard
• Heated Mirrors standard
• Manual Sunroof no data
• Electric Sunroof no data
• Cruise Control not available
• Multi CD no data
• Radio no data
• RDS Radio standard
• Unique Fit Radio standard

May have cheap interior but i want one.

They are still quite ugly cars, but they are monsters, wouldnt buy one, but wouldnt complain if someone gave me one.

Now the evolution, that is a different matter.

This is an unbelievable car, i saw one of these WR1s in heswall and was like <img border="0" alt="[hypo]" title="" src="graemlins/cwemotions069.gif" /> the colour is soooooo nice!!! I actually think that the scooby has more presence than the evo 8, those arches are just great!!!

yeh onto it matt. thers one that just beasts around abersoch! very very nice indeed, but still the Evo FQ or whatever is spunkifiably nice!

for the money scoobys cant be beat evos ok but even worse interior,i only got wrx 53 plate but suprisin how it turns heads

yeh, a head or two does tend to turn when any scoob roars past!!

u go 2 abersoch!!!!!!i no its off topic but im just askin!!!!

i really like the sound that the scooby's make its very distinvtive i wish my car sounded like that lol