Getting A Second Car For The Missus

[CraigT]

Okay, me and the missus are thinking of selling her car (New shape black 1.6 16v clio, 2 door) for roughly an N reg 1.6 Subaru Impreza (not turbo). This is because we need to have a 4 door 'family' car for shipping my daughter around but dont want some naff old Ford Escort, or something equally as child friendly!

Whats the general opinion of such a car in here, and mores to the point, will I want to drive it over my beloved MR2?

I know very little about them, but I know a lot of you guys are in to cars aside from just MR2's etc.

So..........are they any good?

[Jesus]

I don't suppose it'd be much different to driving a Mazda 323 1.6 or such like. Obviously you won't have the power, but it won't take much to make it look like an STi if you so wanted.

Like any Jap car, they're going to be reliable... but if they do go wrong they can be costly. I'm sure she'll love it.

I don't think it'll be as quick as the Clio due to weight, but will probably hold its money longer and last longer too.

I don't think you'll want to drive it over your beauty though!

Just my two pennies worth. :D

[Jimlad]

I've driven a Clio before... not my cuppa tea mate. Then again anything other than the MR2 or Supra I wouldn't recommend, but that's because I'm used to this baby.

[RichB]

Suburus are nice cars for what they are. The 'sport' models (non turbo) are about as exciting as watching paint dry, however if you want a reliable car that will run all day, it's the one. (You can also easily make it look like big bro for a bit more street cred). Suburu dealers are second to none (if a little pricey) and the cars are good.

However, if it's reliability you are after, any dull jap 4 door will suit your needs just fine!

As for comparing any N/A family lump to your MR2... you are kidding right?

[KiwiMR2]

NO vote from me......Toyota NA is FAR more reliable ;) Just a matter of finding something suitable with the toyota Badge on it. My mate had a 2.0 NA HX Wagon....was OK but apparently the subbie NA's are quite thristy on gas. Not exactly a fan of there looks either.

I can't think of any 4 door NA Toyotas though :(

Cheers

KiwiMR2

[jaxx]

performance and family carrying capability and a very reasonable price???

gotta be the impreza then

try to get one thats a little later as the very early ones had horrid interiors, while a few years down the line the came std with the Opus seats etc etc...

choose very wisely aswell for a good one cos already most of them have been thrashed!

[CraigT]

Yeah Ive seen a few hammered Impreza's. Can understand why though. Do people tend to drive the N/A's as if they were turbo's or something? LOL

[swales_p]

Defo buy one!!! if i were you id go for the 2.0l turbo uk spec - aint nawt flash, meaning interior but with kids in the back you dont wanna be pottering about in a wrx now do we. Also, if there doing ya head in :censor: (meaning the kids and the missus!!!) boot ya foot down and the g - force will instantly stop the naging + crying etc etc and AHHH SILENCE!!! only the whistling of the turbo to be heard!!

On the serious side - the uk turbo car is absolutely wicked!!! my mate has one and to be honest if i was to buy another car it would defo be one of these or a evo! As for repairs, expensive BUT... jap cars rarely brake down.

Go to the top gear web site and read the write up for it. they totally agree with me, or should i say, i agree with them

[Cally007]

if you could get the 2.0 AWD Sport Special, it comes kitted out with the same interior and bumpers etc as the turbo just doesnt have the bonnet with a scoop. Think they only came in a light yellow or black.

its not the fastest in the world which makes me think they 1.6 would barely move.

[Bibbs]

There are the new "cossie" mate ..

I'd rather have a Gen6 Celica .. get a 2.0GT and it's the same engine as the MR2 .. so servicing is easy as ..

[T-bar]

don't forget the EVO's!!

[midmotorsteve]

1.6 impreza will be soooo slloow

why not a toyota camry v6gx, depreciates like i breeze block in a swimming pool, but that means silky 3.0 V6 24 valve quad cam with 200bhp, all leather air con, all the goodies total reliability, big car comfort (basically lexus standard) for absolutely f all money. They stick to the road too, used to drive a 1992 one for a couple of years lovely motors.

[Bibbs]

What's the engine code for the Camy V6 engine?

[midmotorsteve]

can't remember but its waht the yanks pull out the tubby engine to put in instead with twin turbos fitted. Aluminium block means it weights a few pounds less than the 3sgte

[Bibbs]

That's why I wanted to know ..

[midmotorsteve]

tell you what if someones 3sgte fails someone should do it, the camry i used to drive was up for sale WHOLE car for £1000 last year my dad saw it on a forecourt, £27,000 new! such a nice car, blue leather silver paint work was really good car.

can't be done to a n/a really as the block will bolt straight too the 3sgte gearbox but not the 3sge one.

[Bibbs]

If I can find one I'm planning to do it ..

[midmotorsteve]

er, we're hijacking a bit.. but do it you can pick up ct26 turbos on eaby for £50, get a pair run 8 psi you'll easy be 350 bhp and as much torque i remember when i used to drive it, in the back of auto car it had more torque than bhp as a n/a :)

"the v6 has a turn of speed aswell' is how they described it :)

[Bibbs]

I'm google-ing .. soz for the thread hi-jack

[KiwiMR2]

what about a Toyota Windom.....we had one of them, REALLY nice to drive, go well & look nice :)

Cheers

KiwiMR2