paul_dyson

Oops, typo, meant 650cc.

So I already had the Miltek 3" exhaust and EcuTek remap. Stage 4 adds custom-built turbo, 600cc injectors and bigger inlet hose to those.

I believe it is a larger hybrid twin scroll of Powerstation's own design but couldn't tell you the designation, just the effect of another 50bhp!

This week marks 5 years since I picked up my nice and shiny, delivery miles only, Impreza spec C Type RA WR Limited from Litchfields. It's not quite so shiny anymore and the odo currently reads a smidge over 45,000 miles but is still going strong and regularly putting a smile on my face. Since buying I've upgraded to the Powerstation 'Stage 4' (400bhp/350lb ft) package, Tein 16-way adjustable suspension and Performance Friction brakes but otherwise its as it was. Thought I'd give a quick summary of the experience. The Good Could write a very long list here but in summary it is by far the best car I've owned or driven ... which is why I still have it. I've driven faster cars (Ariel Atom, Porsche GT3), plusher cars (M5, M3, RS4), cheaper cars and more 'relaxing' cars. But IMO the spec C is the car that covers all the bases of speed and raw excitement, ability on local roads as well as the track, and ability to eat up long runs as well as short blasts (and pootling around town). It has been my family car, my commute-to-work car, my B-road blast car and my trackday car. We've enjoyed driving trips to the Nurburgring, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands and Welsh borders, as well as numerous circuits in the UK. The spec C is comfortable enough on the trip there with plenty of luggage in the boot and then proves extremely capable once there, whether on lumpy, broken, twisty roads like on the Isle of Man (how the TT guys do the speed they do there I'll never know) or smooth open circuits like Goodwood. Highlights include overtaking two racing Ferrari 355's on the Nurbrugring while 3-up, and following Tommi Makkinen and Peter Solberg through the Welsh Hills (no problem keeping up going up hill, not so easy going downhill ... but more of a comment on the driver's skill rather than the capabilities of the car). Friends have given up asking what I will replace the car with because I have no answer. GT3 comes close in terms of ticking all the boxes but costs three times as much. Most likely I'll keep the spec C and buy an even more extreme toy for track days (the Atom really was very good). The Bad No one buys an Impreza if they're worried about MPG but the spec C really has taken fuel inefficiency to a new level. If I really try hard I can get 200 miles out of a tank (50l) and a recent day at Goodwood saw the tank empty by 1/4 on each 6 lap stint. Needless to say I'm on first-name terms with the bloke who runs our local Shell. The police around here *really* don't like the car. I've lost count of the number of times I've been stopped for some spurious reason so they can check my documents, kick the tyres and check I don't have a suitcase of crack or guns on the back seat. Occasionally p!sses me off but grown used to it by now. The Ugly Well the blob-eye Impreza never was going to win any styling awards was it? For its fifth birthday the car is getting a tank of Optimax and we're off for a run to the coast. Looking forward to the next five years! [Also posted on Scoobynet]

Been away for a few weeks and totally missed this. Must admit I always had excellent service from them and, for one, am sad to see them go.

Had my car in at Xtreme to have Tein electronically adjustable suspension fitted. Tein supplied the wrong parts and what should have been a one-day job was looking like taking well into next week with Xtreme being shut over the long weekend; a right pain for me as I have family visiting over Easter. But they managed to get Tein to deliver the correct parts on Thursday evening, worked bank-holiday Friday morning to get everything fitted and then came in specially this morning so I could pick the car up. That's what I call service ... thanks to Paul and Knowlesy for their efforts.

As in the registration was YE ?? UCH. Not particularly a fan of the new shape but I wouldn't go as far as to get a reg like that! Anyway, spotted at Colchester Tollgate a few days ago.

For such seemingly similar cars they feel very different to me. A pre-2007 scoob is analogue: very few drivers aids, very predicable on the limit, progressive over the limit. An EVO of the same age is digital: super-active everything, point and shoot steering, unpredictable when you push too hard. In the right conditions (smooth, dry roads or track) an EVO with the same power/weight ratio will be marginally quicker but the scoob will be faster the rest of the time and more enjoyable all of time. I had the choice a few years ago (and costs servicing and so on didn't bother me) and stuck with a scoob in the end. Agree that spec C is the way to go, with the various tuning options around you don't need to look at an FQ-360 (or even an FQ-400) with envy.

Graph and a pic or two on my website www.pauldyson.net - go to 'play'. No increase in peak torque over the stage 2/3 - Rich was upfront about this when I phoned for info. But peak figures are for the pub - the flattening and extension of the curve is what its all about.

Next month marks four years since I bought the spec C ... and very happy years they have been too. 40k miles covering daily driving, B-road blasting, holiday jaunts and more than just the odd track day. Not a cough or a hiccup along the way, in fact the only problem I have with the car is I don't know what I'd replace it with. The new Evos and Scoobs don't appeal, the GTR is quite astounding BUT all that weight and all those gadgets ... not really what I'm looking for. I got to drive an Ariel Atom a few weeks ago and was utterly blown away by it. Decision made: keep the scoob and get an Atom for (dry) weekends. The Atom completely redefines 'fast': its in the same league as the Formula Palmer Audis and JP1s at Bedford Autodrome but with two seats and number plate so you're not confined to the track. It is the only car I've been in that has ever made the C seem totally ponderous ... So I took the C into Powerstation for their full 'stage 4' conversion. I've been at 'stage 2.5' (3" Miltek exhaust, uprated filters and wastegate actuator) pretty much since I bought the car in 2004 so the price was merely eye-watering rather than prohibitive. The result: 400bhp and over 300 lbft of torque available from 3500 to 7000 revs. The peak torque remains the same, comes in about 200 revs later than it used to but remains pretty constant all the way to just below the red line. The effect: you can't feel much difference in first because the car was always through it so fast. Second, third and fourth now seem banzai-quick. Where I became used to the torque dropping off at about 5750 before, it now stays constant all the way through to 7000 for a shift at about 7750. The top-end acceleration is so good that the first few times I tried a full-bore blast I hit the rev-limiter (and looked a total idiot) because I wasn't ready for the shift. Getting used to it now and extremely pleased with the results. Still nowhere near as quick as an Atom but it will do while I get on with saving up.

I got an indicated 165mph out of mine on the autobahn. There was more there and the car felt very stable but the bonnet was flexing like mad and I decided next time I do a V-max I'm going to get bonnet ties fitted first.

How about Ugleye (I work with a Brummie so it sounds right to me)?

I'll keep my eyes peeled although I tend to be in the south of the country. Does 'doing your rating' mean you're getting qualified to fly a 737? That sounds incredible ... I think even driving a fast car must pale in comparison to piloting a large jet. Ill ask a friend of mine whose big into racing about Zandvoort.

They are rare over there although there is an active owner's club ... its just tiny. You don't have a stickered up blue blob/bug eye do you? Saw one yesterday driving when I was driving from Eindhoven to Maastricht (other side of the dual carriageway so I only saw it in a flash) which is only the third I've seen over there 'in the wild' in four years of working there on and off. Whereabouts in NL are you based?

I'm not there yet but we're moving up to East Yorkshire next May/June. Had a look around Holme-on-Spalding-Moore and Goole as well as further east. Well up for a meet or two when we get up there.

Well its about three years since I bought the spec C and its just had its 30,000 mile service at PowerStation so I thought I'd post a bit of a write-up about it. First the bare facts: Bought as a brand new import and picked up with 40 miles on the clock. Fitted with Miltek 2.5" exhaust and remapped at 1,000 miles making 340/340 on the RR. Upgraded to 3" exhaust with further remap to give 350/350 at 12,000 miles. On the second set of replacement brake pads (Tarox) and third set of tyres (Michelin PS2s). Absolutely no problems whatsoever except when I managed to get the parking light switch set into neither on nor off position and the rear lights stopped working! Driving use has been a mix of family car, trackday car, grand tourer and daily shlepper. The high points: - Trips to the local shops three miles down the road taking a couple of hours and adding 100 miles to the clock. This is really what Imprezas are about for me ... a usable, everyday car that is soooo much fun to drive that you can't resist doing just that. - Trip to the Nurburgring. Overtaking two stripped out F355s with my son, my mate, and all our luggage in the car. Nice blokes driving them but they weren't too impressed that their lovely Italian supercars couldn't match the pace of my laden-up saloon. - Trip to the Isle of Man. Passing a copper at 100mph without fear of license loss is almost as exciting as the deserted mountain road at 5am. Almost. - Trip to the Scottish highlands; getting to my friends house from the motorway. Sat nav said 45 mins across twisty country roads. Actual time: 18 mins. - Under 17 car club 'magic day'. Taking teenagers out for semi-hot laps of Combe who were queueing to have a go in the car while the owner of a Aston Martin sat waiting for someone to ask for a ride - Strange effect on my mother in law. Her ability to talk is inversely proportional to the rate of acceleration. So she starts twittering on in the back, I let the speed bleed off a bit then boot it, she shuts up. Low points: - Waiting for three months to get the car back after a minor accident (idiot ran into the back of me). But at least I got the new 3" Miltek upgrade as part of the repairs - Nothing out there I want to replace it with I think the last point is a shame. I love getting a new car and finding out its strengths and weaknesses. I don't plan my buying/selling around anything as sensible as depreciation or new models coming out (I wish I did some times) but rather the point when I feel I want to move on. But where can I move on to? Neither the new Evo or Impreza impress me much: more trickery and more weight. Yawn. Even if they up power by 20% the cars may post quicker lap times but will feel like what it is: a powerful heavyweight. I could buy an old Aston if that's what I wanted. Buying an RA-R or late-model spec C is going to give me something only a few % better for £ks outlay. I'm seriously looking at a Caterham or Ariel but that's to scratch a different itch ... I still want that 'rally car for the road' thrill and the versatility of going to a business conference (with luggage, equipment and colleagues) and being able to go for a blast before dinner in the evening. So my conclusion after three years? There's nothing better (for me) out there on the market and I will be hanging on to the C for a few more years to come.

Are you buying it direct from an importer or is it a car that has been in the UK for a while? It needs to be remapped for UK fuel so, if they can't prove a re-map, I'd suggest you get one done anyway. Most mappers charge around £500-600 but this is a lot cheaper than replacing a blown engine.

They do come with an uprated fuel pump and no need to replace this unless you're going for a big power conversion. Mine was 305 bhp out of the box (measured at PowerStation) and now runs 350 with a Miltek sports cat exhaust and remap. Any decat or sports cat exhaust should see you at 340-350 in the hands of a vaguely competent tuner. They're fantastic cars - sure you'll enjoy it if you go for it.

We were going anyway so would be very happy to hook up with you guys. Stick me on the list.

We'll be there on Saturday

You can find the specs for my 05' spec C on my website Most should be the same.

Mate, I've run three businesses over the last 12 years. Happy to offer what experience I have ... PM if you have any questions. VAT registration is easy but as cster says, I'd get an accountant to do it. You might also consider making the accountant the company secretary if they offer that service as they will make sure the books are kept in order. The main thing I've learned is that, if you can afford it, getting professionals to do the accounts, contracts, marketing, etc. is well worth it ... the money you save by doing that stuff yourself is not worth the hassle of taking care of fiddly things like returns and PAYE. Plus, if you're business is good, you will make more money by concentrating on the business itself and leaving the admin to others. All the best. Paul

I've seen a few posts on here about people doing rally days or experiences and some seem to be a bit negative about the place they were at (Silverstone doesn't seem to be very good) so I thought I'd post a review of the day I had on Saturday in mid Wales. 9.30 briefing. Surprised me how much attention Phil paid to rallying rules but there were a couple of lads doing their MSA Rally License on the course; this is very much a rally school rather than just a chance to play in the gravel. 10.00 first solo runs on the training area in a MkII escort rally car. Two cars running and six drivers so not much waiting around. Training area is basically a large gravel space marked out into a kind of squashed loop with a few extra bends (will post pictures up later). Its also on the crest of a ridge so there are a few up-and-down slopes to cope with. Basically no straights and no need to change gear: the whole idea is to get the car sliding round the corners and swinging from left to right when the direction changes. Except we all try and drive it like a normal car and fail to slide anywhere. 10.45 first guided runs with instructors who show you when to turn in, how to Scandinavian flick to get the back end out, how to control the slide, etc. Christ these guys are quick. We then take over and start to get some sliding action although I'm steering from lock-to-lock the whole time and it feels frantic but not very fast. 10.45 at the same time we take it in turns to go out as passengers in the Type RA rally car on the full rally stage. And it really is a full stage: About 3 miles long and about 600 ft difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points. A lot of BRC teams do testing here for the various Welsh rallies. 1130 several more runs with some instruction in the car and from outside the car. Start to get the hang of steering on the throttle and using very little steering input. Less frantic but much faster. 1245 lunch and another briefing. In the afternoon were going to keep on practicing in the training area but also take a Type RA rally car out on the full rally stage with a co-driver and go for a passenger lap in Phil's Cosworth with Phil driving. Also we're going to have a driver's competition at the end of the day which I'm slightly disappointed to find out will be on the training area rather than the full rally stage. 1330 practicing again although this time doing the loop in the opposite direction. 1400 out in the type RA. Although we're only allowed to go 'slowly' the car is dual control and the co-driver doesn't seem to mind me giving it plenty. In fact I back off before he tells me to. Most of the time you're driving blind on his pace notes and trying to process the fact he's saying sharp left over crest while barreling towards a the top of a hill so you feel you're going pretty quick even if you're not. Get up to about 80 on one of the up-hill straights and feel like a rally god. Also realise there's no way they could run the competition on this stage as the five blokes would all kill themselves trying to go faster than the others (there are a couple of serious drops off the side of the hill). 1430 more practice. Really starting to get the hang of driving sideways now with little steering input and most of the work on the throttle. One bend in particular opens out slowly as it goes off-camber down a slope and when you get it just right its better than [censored] with [censored] and a [censored]. 1500 go out with Phil in his Cosworth. Any misconception of being a rally god is gone in the first 30 yards. Holy Sh!t!! This bloke can a) drive like a demon and knows this stage like the back of his hand. What a laugh. He likes to put the wheels right on the edge of a 50 ft drop as he slides round the bend at high speed just to show you how it really should be done. And he has a chat with you as he does it. Awesome. 1530 competition. 2.5 laps of the practice ground going clockwise and then the same going anti-clockwise with the fastest combined time winning. All the blokes get very serious (the one lady driving is the only one talking to anyone else ...). There's one guy who everyone thought was a natural but turns out he used to be a rally driver 20 years ago and is just starting to get back into it. The instructors say he's the clear favourite but there's a bit of a dark horse in the field. Rally guy goes out first and nails a 76s run which is very good apparently. Couple of others go and run 82/3 so rally guy is in the clear lead. I go out and don't go particularly fast but have a very clean run and get my time: 78s! It turns out I'm the dark horse ... bit of a surprise to me. On the opposite run rally guy posts an 81 with the best of the rest being 85. I need a 79 to tie (which, as far as I'm concerned, would be a moral victory for me as I've never driven a rally car before) but only get an 80. Then it turns out we get one more run and can choose which way we go, scrubbing that time. He goes for the anti-clockwise run and posts an 80 - same as me - so I need a 76 on the clockwise run to tie. Although I really want to just go for it I want to improve my time rather than spin out and get disqualified so I really have to concentrate on sliding through the corners and accelerating hard as soon as the exit appears rather than charging into the corner and then fighting my way round. The run feels great and the last lap in particular is fast and smooth. Get my time and its a 75 ... I've actually gone and won the thing! Rally guy is not a happy man but I'm buzzing ... it may just be a daft end-of-day competition but turns out I can actually drive a rally car faster than someone! Have to say that it was a great day: loads of fun, very well organised, very friendly people and not much hanging around. I like the fact that they actually try and teach you some rallying skills rather than just let you play in a car in the dirt and the three runs around the full rally stage really do give you an idea of what 'proper' rally driving is about. Check out http://www.philprice.co.uk/

I absolutely love that road ... one of the best I've driven. And it does take some getting used to seeing the cops and not just stamping on your brakes.

I got 'The Abalone'!??? Its a type of shellfish...