mystery machine

Not to harp on about the GB270 vs STI thing too much, but here are some of the goodies the STI offers over the WRX/GB270: 6-speed gearbox - the upper gears are close ratio, very useful when you're pressing on through the twisties. The 'box can apparently also handle much more torque than the WRX's - handy if you're ever looking to boost engine power. DCCD (driver-controlled centre diff) - you can effectively vary F:R torque split from 50:50 to 41:59 (either manually, or by letting the computer do it automatically). Doesn't sound much, but the latter mode gives the car a palpable rear-drive feel - the back-end comes alive, steering becomes sharper, and you can even generate some throttle-on oversteer. Bigger (Brembo) brakes. Bigger turbo. Bigger intercooler. Smaller steering wheel with a higher-geared steering rack. Wider track. Slightly longer wheelbase. Forged crank and conrods. Bigger injectors. STI instrument panel (much nicer than the WRX item). Tracker (don't think the GB270 has one as standard?). You might know about all of this already, but I didn't before I bought my first Scoob (WRX). If I'd been better informed, I'm pretty sure I would've gone straight for the STI

Hi Tam - glad to see that your rank-rotten experience with GB270s number 1 & 2 didn't put you off Scoobs! Did you ever find out what caused the fire in no. 2...? Just my two boab, but as much as the GB270s are very nice Scoobs, I reckon the SH prices are a wee bit inflated (because it was a limited edition?). If you don't mind owning a slightly older motor, you could probably find a 06/07 Hawkeye STI for not much more money (if any more, depending on age/mileage). That's certainly how it looked when I was shopping for my STI. Anyway, JMO - I know that some folks prefer the WRXes - and I guess if anything a GB270 should hold its value maybe a little better than a 'regular' WRX or STI. Best of luck finding a new motor

Nice one - sounds like you got away with it, despite 'those pesky kids' Enjoy

Looks like a fun day

Welcome What flavour of Scoob is it?

A classic, eh? Very retro Just kiddin' - looks the part, and you must be loving the engine performance!

Ooops - sorry Kenny

True, but I was fecked if I could find a way to work 'California Girls' into the discussion

God Only Knows what'd cause that, Kenny - Wouldn't It Be Nice if it turned out to be something simple? Sorry - couldnae resist carrying on the BB Theme Hope you get that sorted.

Congrats, Scott - will keep an eye out for you in the new ride

Quality... Incidentally, I saw "The Italian Job" for the first time a few weeks back

FFS

Totally senseless waste by a totally senseless mean-spirited cowardly loser ...and in a multi-storey too - which you'd think would play host mainly to other car owners and their passengers, who don't exactly fit the profile for your average car-keyer... is this multi-storey known to be a hangout for teenagers/neds? Hope you can get it sorted soon and that it doesn't hurt the wallet/insurance too much

Thanks to everyone for all your suggestions - genuinely helpful bunch as always I'm reasonably convinced that the BC coilovers are the way to go. However, because this entails binning the OEM shocks/springs, and because I've just had two new rear shocks fitted under warranty, I've decided to wait until either my shocks fail or the warranty has expired before making the change. Might as well get me warranty's-worth out of the existing kit! (plan on keeping the car a while, so hopefully plenty of time to enjoy the BCs too). Dave - thanks for offering to demo the BCs - I might just get in touch with you about that closer to the time Derek - thanks muchly for offering me a shot of your Prodrive/Bilstein setup - although that could be bad if I happened to really like it..... Prodrive charge the best part of 2K for that fancy kit of yours! Bobby - are you running the BCs on one of your Scoobs? Kenny - let us know how you get on once yours are fitted, mate! Cheers

Cheers again for the comments, Colin - been reading the link you sent and I'm WELL tempted! I was asking if they are quiet because I'd read that some aftermarket springs can clatter as the closer-together coils touch when the spring compresses (lack of coating/wrapping on the coils, apparently). Perhaps it doesn't apply to coilovers, not entirely sure...

Cheers Col! 'Softer than standard' all the way to 'brick hard'? They sound too good to be true! Are they completely quiet too? And pardon my ignorance, but how do you adjust the hardness - is there a screw on top of each strut? Where do you access that on the rear struts - from inside the boot? (I'm a suspension noob!). Cheers mate.

Capable and entertaining though it is, I'm considering sharpening-up my STI's handling (currently standard). Body roll and 'speed of response' are the characteristics I'd like to improve. Car is a daily driver and never taken on track, so I can't compromise too far on ride quality Disappointingly, the options seem a little limited for MY05-onward Imprezas, I've come up with only these three so far... (the big titles are hyperlinks, BTW - if you'd like more info). Prodrive spring kit Pros Cheap(ish) at £240 for parts. Won't invalidate the warranty (10 months left - that's important when you're running OEM newage shocks!). Doesn't lower the car much so ride quality shouldn't suffer too badly (GB270 owners?). Cons Stuck with the OEM shocks - what do I do when the warranty is kaput? Does anyone do affordable direct replacements for the Subaru struts? Bilstein suspension kit Pros Solves the 'knocking OEM shocks' problem - I'D HOPE - surely coilovers won't suffer the same 'dried up grease' problem that causes the OEM struts to fail??? Better handling than a spring-only kit (surely?). Adjustable. Cons Conventional wisdom seems to dictate that coilovers are a no-no for daily drivers... so I'm guessing that the 'soft' settings aren't anywhere near as soft as the OEM suspension? Expensive at £1250. Tein Super Street suspension kit Pros As the Bilsteins, but slightly cheaper (£1023). Cons As the Bilsteins. Any comments on the above? Any options to add to the list? Does no-one do a springs+shocks kit for these motors? Many cheers for any help!

Indeed ah have Feeling a bit more philosophical the night though... a day off work works wonders What about the weather though?!

I believe that it can potentially affect any warm-blooded animal, although I must admit there don't seem to be too many accounts of rampaging rabid bulls (thankfully!). Och, not at all - felt good to get it off my George Best

"When in Essex", eh?

Mention speed cameras or road tax to me after I've had a few beers and it's like waving a red rag in front of a rabid bull...

Congrats - I hope the three of you will be very happy together!

However much it is Dunk, it's too much - we've been an easy target for too long! Seeing as how I'm descending into a rant... I also object to this brain-washed obsession the government/media/greenists have with removing people from cars and sticking them onto public transport. Quite apart from the fact that public transport isn't a viable alternative for many people - who says we have to give up on private/personal transport? OK, so there are some issues with congestion and with pollution (so we're told by people who spend half their lives trudging around London), but no-one's going to tell me these problems are insoluble. Feck knows, with all the revenue raised from speed cameras, road tax and congestion charging, they sure as hell can afford to pay some clever people to have think about it!

P.S. How did the alignment go?