My Subaru Impreza WRX STI impressions - a suicide adventure !

Just_me · 06-18-2006, 08:48 AM

Today there was a "Subaru Performance Caravan" in my hometown, which mean they had the latest Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Turbo, 280 hp and 4WD. The car look like the Ralley version, a huge wing and spoilers, a look like a typical japanese performance cars. The car also had two serious sportseats but it amaze me how good you sit in these seats.
They also had a Rally version of a Impreza, of course not for the public road. I have a little sound clip of the car at idling.

I took the streetversion of the Impreza, STI with 280 hp. One of the Subaru guys sat in the passenger's seat and me in the driver's seat. This car was equipped with R-tires, nothing much left of them, worn out and well-used. It had the beautiful blue Impreza colour, its apparently the most popular colour for this car. For a 1100 Euro extra you get stripes and stickers, just like the Ralley version. The street version has a button where you can change the diff setting. Also when you accelerate, there is a red light blinking so you know when to change the gear.

280 hp, 4WD and a Impreza, you know you are getting a raw but a fun car. The interior isnt like the germans but this car doesn't need it. Like I said this is a hardcore and a raw car that's begging to be driven hard. You will forget about interior materials in this car when you drive this beast.
Impreza WRX STI is a much better car than the Astra OPC I drove. Both have Turbo but the difference is that the Impreza has 4WD which mean it can handle the power better without a shaking steeringwheel. You rather play and drive fast with a Impreza than a OPC. The acceleration is very good and you and will leave many cars in the dust ( I spanked many cars today

). Thanks to 4WD you can push this car very hard in the corners before you lose grip.

The Subaru dude asked me if I wanted him to show how the car behave when you push the car very hard in a sharp courve. I said of course.
We reached 90 degrees corner and he stamped on the gaspedal and suddenly the rear lost its grip. We did a sudden move to the left and the Impreza went to the opposite lane, a quick right turn to try to get control of the car again and the car was woobling. Still no control and he went back on the left lane again and I saw two cars coming our way, probably not more than 15 meters away from us and then he managed to steer to the right again and finally he got control of the car. I believe I saw the famous white tunnel and was ready to meet God, It sure scared me a bit.
I still dont know if he had everything under control, somethings tells me he wasnt controlling the situation.

Anyway, we survived and finally it was my turn to drive again. We were heading back to the dealer but I had to try the acceleration again and so I did although the speedlimit was only 50 km/h in this street, I stamped on the gaspedal and reached 160km/h before a car in front of me forced me to slow down.

I finally understand why Impreza and EVO's are so popular cars. Its really a toy and not many cars offer so much fun like these cars. Its not luxurious or refined as the germans but it sure is a raw beast, in a good way.

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The ralley car
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Video, a ralley car at idling:
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Michael · 06-18-2006, 12:14 PM

This is a really nice car. I agree with you on the notion that they are not as refined like the germans, but they do carry a punch...a punch that you will never forget.

Nice write up Just Me

dOmInIX · 06-18-2006, 12:23 PM

Nice review! I sat in the car but never had a chance to get a ride in it!

richpike · 06-18-2006, 12:54 PM

Very nice write-up and I think you hit the nail on the head. It is definitely a fun car, with a lot of bang for the buck, but it does lack the refinement of an M3 or 911.

-Rich

Deutsch · 06-18-2006, 03:28 PM

a life changing experience??? glad you made it out unscathed JM.

Alx · 06-19-2006, 02:11 PM

Now thats a write up!!! That car is lots of fun,a nd a real balst to play with... and it is really inexpensive too.. Glad you had this opportunity to drive a car like this!!!

They trully are a blast!

Just_me · 06-20-2006, 03:48 AM

Here is the Impreza Ralley car at idling. What a sound...

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BMW_Dude · 06-20-2006, 03:49 PM

Nice review, I like this car, just wish it was more understated!

Carbon · 06-27-2006, 02:05 AM

Quite a fun car. I drive one everyday, though, so I should know. The ones we get over here are 300 horsepower, though. I'm looking forward to a turbo-back exhaust and software tune in a few months which should put me at around 370 horsepower.

Giannis · 06-28-2006, 08:05 AM

the WRX STI you get there has only 280hp. The one we get here has 330hp, and i believe that Subaru Hellas tunes it!