Impreza WRX

GuyP · 02 October 2007, 10:11

Does anyone on here tow with a Subaru Impreza WRX?

I've had enough of my current cars electrical gremlins (never buying French again), so I'm looking to buy a 1 to 2 year old car, which has the ability to tow a medium sized RIB, is 4 wheel drive and goes like stink.

I'm test driving a 2005 2.5 WRX this Saturday and would welcome any feedback from anyone that has one:

Fuel economy (generally and when towing) - do you really get the quoted 27 to 30MPG in everyday use? What does this drop to when towing?

Ease of towing - Does it pull well? (realise this will depend on size of boat)

Ability on slipways - Do you manage to handle most wet, slimey slipways?

Cheers fellas

Guy

Lostboy · 02 October 2007, 10:17

Don't know about the Impreza but I had a Legacy GT (twin turbo, Jap import) which was fantastic. Towed things like they didn't exist! Super reliable (keep up with the oil changes which they are reasonably sensitive to) and they will reward you forever. Superb network of independent specialists as well for parts and service.

bedajim · 02 October 2007, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

Does anyone on here tow with a Subaru Impreza WRX?

I've had enough of my current cars electrical gremlins (never buying French again), so I'm looking to buy a 1 to 2 year old car, which has the ability to tow a medium sized RIB, is 4 wheel drive and goes like stink.

I'm test driving a 2005 2.5 WRX this Saturday and would welcome any feedback from anyone that has one:

Fuel economy (generally and when towing) - do you really get the quoted 27 to 30MPG in everyday use? What does this drop to when towing?

Ease of towing - Does it pull well? (realise this will depend on size of boat)

Ability on slipways - Do you manage to handle most wet, slimey slipways?

Cheers fellas

Guy

I had a 2.0 sports wagon WRX great car

Never got over 24 mpg, its hard to drive slowly worst case was 15 mpg with smoking brakes at the end of the trip but god was it fun

Only really towed a small horse box with it but this included grass fields and never had a problem

MPG and towing 11-15 mpg was all i used to get depending if the horse was on board or not

I sold mine at 70,000 with no problems and would have an other tomorrow, not sure abou the new ones but there used to be a big service at 60 or 80,000 that costs big money so worth checking

James

GuyP · 02 October 2007, 13:26

Thanks guys. Think I can live with 24mpg, as I only get 31mpg now, so not a great drop.

How did you find the Subaru servicing costs?

Lostboy · 02 October 2007, 13:43

I only used an independent (Subaru4you in Newbury, Len is a genius at all things Scooby) and the costs were fine. Don't bank on 24mpg. Mine was 22 and that was about the norm. One thing to check is whether it will run boggo 95ron unleaded as the 2.0 WRX and STI was only mapped for 98 RON SUL and obviously that is Optimax or Tesco/Sainsbury expensive pumps. I don't know if Subaru resolved this when they changed to the 2.5l engine, worth checking a few Subaru forums (www.hampshiresubaru.co.uk or www.scoobynet.com or similar) to make sure. I don't want to make it sound negative but make sure you get decent insurance as well because the Impreza is a bit of a favourite target of chavs. You may get asked to stick a tracker in as well as a cat 1 alarm. Norwich Union were the best for me by a long way but again, that's worth checking on some of the forums.

I hope you get a good'un, they are fantastic cars.

martini · 02 October 2007, 16:41

I would have thought that turbo lag would be a big problem on a WRX, all that horse power from a 2 litre means its very reliant on the turbo to produce that power. Towing a lot of extra weight is bound to compound the problem.

codprawn · 02 October 2007, 16:59

I have only driven an Imprezza a few times - towing was the last thing on my mind!!! I would also have thought the lack of low down torque is a big problem - 4wd turbos are known for being difficult to launch off the line quickly. Much slipping of the clutch is needed and I would have thought the problem would be even worse on a slip with a heavy boat behind you.

An automatic gearbox helps a lot in these sorts of situations. May I suggest a very nice car that is quick - 4wd - and has more low down grunt. The Mazda 6 4wd turbo - a very quick car - comfortable and also available as an estate (I think) - also not very likely to have been thrashed.

bedajim · 02 October 2007, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

Thanks guys. Think I can live with 24mpg, as I only get 31mpg now, so not a great drop.

How did you find the Subaru servicing costs?

Mine was main dealer serviced and no different to my Fords etc in costs and their customer service was second to none

Always got a car for the day with enough petrol to get me back to work

Friendly smile and a coffee when you went in

Had a flat battery they sent a new one by courier as it worked better for me

Car was always valeted after any service or visit to the garage but it didn't have many

Try to get a unmodified car many have after market extras, if you find you want more under the right foot you can get a Subaru after market tuning kit to give about 50 hp more and it keeps any warrantee left on the car

I've got a Nissan now JUST DON'T GET ONE

fred bolton · 02 October 2007, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

I've had enough of my current cars electrical gremlins (never buying French again),

Guy

Not an Effing Renault Laguna build quality is C**p god knows how they finish a Grand Prix

Nasher · 02 October 2007, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostboy

Don't know about the Impreza but I had a Legacy GT (twin turbo, Jap import) which was fantastic. Towed things like they didn't exist! Super reliable (keep up with the oil changes which they are reasonably sensitive to) and they will reward you forever. Superb network of independent specialists as well for parts and service.

I had one of these too, an estate, and agreed it was a great car.
However I got very friendly with the local tyre dealer, and very good at changing the clutch!
I managed it in 8 hours the third time it needed changing in 70K Miles.

Back then I was only towing a Flatacraft Force 4 around, but did enjoy the 4 wheel burnouts and doughnuts.

Nasher.

Lostboy · 03 October 2007, 10:10

Regardless of what the font of all knowledge (Codprawn) says, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TOW WITH AN AUTOMATIC SUBARU!!! The gearbox oil cooling simply isn't up to it and you will fry it very quickly indeed if you try! Manual is fine however.

Don't forget you're looking at the 2.5l version which has significantly better lower end torque than the old 2l. 2.5l in a lightweight estate car is plenty!!!!

codprawn · 03 October 2007, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostboy

Regardless of what the font of all knowledge (Codprawn) says, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TOW WITH AN AUTOMATIC SUBARU!!! The gearbox oil cooling simply isn't up to it and you will fry it very quickly indeed if you try! Manual is fine however.

Don't forget you're looking at the 2.5l version which has significantly better lower end torque than the old 2l. 2.5l in a lightweight estate car is plenty!!!!

And there was me thinking Jap cars were so reliable........

Actually I was referring to the Mazda!!!

iainmartins · 03 October 2007, 20:11

I have a manual forrester turbo, which uses the same engine as a wrx. It is really good once it is up and running but the clutch takes a hammering on steep slips. I got stuck once on a really steep one. But saying that it is better than most standard estates in these situations and has good power all the way through the rev range. Best advice if you want a good tow car make sure it has a low ratio and avoid automatics if possible.

Ps I am just about to book my car in for a new clutch and subaru parts are not cheap, think it costs 380 plus 6hrs labor.

I have yet to find my ideal towcar that has low a low ratio, good fuel economy does 60 in under 7 seconds. Any suggestions?

codprawn · 03 October 2007, 21:12

As I said the Mazda 6 turbo 4wd is very impressive - doubt they do low range but a GOOD auto box should help - or all Jap cars really crap? All this talk of changing clutches etc - I have never had to do that on any car I have ever owned - not even my Alfa!!!

iainmartins · 03 October 2007, 21:49

Mazda 6 mps looks good but the tow weight is quite low. When it comes to cars it is always has to be made in japan for me.

Jus · 04 October 2007, 08:49

I currently use a 1999 Impreza Turbo 2000, this is basically an older version of the current WRX.

It is defeinitely reliable and makes a fine tow car. I used it for my old 5m no problem, I currently use it on a 6.5 but it is getting to the limit of what it can do. It is fine on the move, but struggles to get this sort of weight up a steep slip due to lack of low down torque.

As for mpg, 24 is typical, 28 motorway, 15 towing and 6 on the track!

GuyP · 06 October 2007, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jus

It is defeinitely reliable and makes a fine tow car. I used it for my old 5m no problem

As for mpg, 24 is typical, 28 motorway, 15 towing and 6 on the track!

Good to hear, as my boat is only a 5m anyway (although I'll probably move up to a 6m over the next year or so).

I test drove it today and liked it a lot. Less toys than my current car but the build quality and power are great. Just got to find one with Leather now!

Jus · 08 October 2007, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

Good to hear, as my boat is only a 5m anyway (although I'll probably move up to a 6m over the next year or so).

I test drove it today and liked it a lot. Less toys than my current car but the build quality and power are great. Just got to find one with Leather now!

You're looking to buy secondhand right? There are alot for sale here...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/list.asp?s=179

joakimhansson · 08 October 2007, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

As I said the Mazda 6 turbo 4wd is very impressive - doubt they do low range but a GOOD auto box should help - or all Jap cars really crap? All this talk of changing clutches etc - I have never had to do that on any car I have ever owned - not even my Alfa!!!

If you like the old school of turbo, it´s a nice car. Like the old saab 9000 turbo when the turbo starts work at 3500rpm.

codprawn · 08 October 2007, 12:41

I am not a lover of cars like that - I remember driving an Imprezza up a steep hill through a quiet little village - either 1st gear and the engine screaming or 2nd gear but you had to be doing about 50mph - not funny on such tiny roads!!!