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I'm seriously considering getting an RS2 and so am doing as much research on the subject as possible. Imagine my horror when a 'friend' informed me that the general concensus was that an Impreza was a better handler...?! Is there any truth in this vicious rumour...?

Seems a bit of a strange car to be comparing the RS2 with handling-wise as you'd expect them to be different. Perhaps a better angle to tackle from is to decide what is wanted from a prospective purchase and then see if the RS2 fits the spec.

I also wonder how many Impreza drivers have actually driven an RS2? But then I haven't driven an Impreza. Him indoors considered one a couple of years back but eventually succumbed to the charms of an S3. He keeps reading up on Impreza mods though

I'm biased but I think the RS2 is a fantastic package. Still a very fast car, handles well at speed, and stops when needed - what more could you ask. I love the look on people's faces when they get blitzed by a lardy old Audi estate Then there's the rarity factor too - OK so there are limited edition Imprezas but there was only one factory edition of the RS2! And there aren't many non-Porsche cars out there genuinely entitled to wear the Porsche name on the model badge and the engine, and that were breathed on by Porsche.

The fact that the RS2 is now 9 or 10 years old means that the purchase price makes them accessible to a wider audience, like me! Just remember to keep a little in reserve for maintenance and repair.

I guess you are right. I was thinking the Scooby 5 door is the nearest possible comparison - a wolf in sheep's clothing. I can't wait to blitz others (at perfectly legal speeds of course) im my old lardy estate too...

Another way at looking at it too is that the Impreza is typical boy racer's 'my first powerful car' and has the reputation that goes with it. along with theiving/TWOCER toerags who like them too. The RS2 has a bit more class and isnt as in your face as an impreza.

In standard form i think it would be a very close match between the RS2 and impreza but it all depends on what type of roads you are talking about.

the attraction with the impreza is due to their popularity there is alot of choice for mod's etc where the RS2 you have to search a bit deeper.

Greg

My rs2 would out handle my friends impreza sti but he had more throwabilty. The rs2 i a bit more of a boat like a big fat skyline.
then again people will say the skyline will outhandle an impreza !

The worst thing about impreza's is the build quality rattling, banging and general a real cheap feel. But that is all the car is ........ a cheap japanese saloon car (value wise).
If you can get used to the build quality and non solid feel they a real good cheap car which can be modified like crazy.

But if you want a bit more class, bit of motoring history and a complete "q" car go for the rs2. its a little bit special thats why mine is the best car i have ever had.

Too true. I could never live with a "jap crap" interior. I've driven scoobies and they didn't do it for me. I guess I've got used to the class and creature comforts of the Audi.

Having recently upgraded from an S2 Avant I think Audi got the RS2 just right handling wise with uprated anti-roll bars & Bilstein shocks. Nope it's the RS2 for me every time. Besides there's something special about that 5 pot engine.

I remember reading something about the Impreza's incredibly poor handling...caused by your hands easily slipping off the cheap plastic steering wheel...

LMAO, they definetly rattle alot too and you dont get the same door clunk. Can always tell the quality of a car by the door clunk.

Greg

Thats because an imprezas door weighs about the same as the RS2's door handle lol. Very low build quality. I wasnt that impressed (excuse the pun) when i went in one.
Alright they may be fairly quick.
I'd definately feel a lot safer in an audi.

martin

I think you are being very unfair in saying 'low build quality'; when Impreza's have a far higher reliability and customer satisfaction rating than Audi! It is certainly a more budget interior and equally drab, but then instead you can get a DCCD (adj centre diff) an intercooler water spray and an ironing board on the back - weheyyy!

I had an RS2 press test vehicle for a week and it was astonishingly fab. I owned a 300bhp Impreza for 5yrs and that too was astonishingly fab. I think I would be able to drive the Impreza faster than the Audi due to its grip & more forgiving and communicative nature.

I'm now a bit older and am looking at fast baby/dog carriers and you will soon forgive me all Noggy Blue and not so Scooby Doo ?

Diesel wrote:I think you are being very unfair in saying 'low build quality'; when Impreza's have a far higher reliability and customer satisfaction rating than Audi! It is certainly a more budget interior and equally drab, but then instead you can get a DCCD (adj centre diff) an intercooler water spray and an ironing board on the back - weheyyy!

I had an RS2 press test vehicle for a week and it was astonishingly fab. I owned a 300bhp Impreza for 5yrs and that too was astonishingly fab. I think I would be able to drive the Impreza faster than the Audi due to its grip & more forgiving and communicative nature.

I'm now a bit older and am looking at fast baby/dog carriers and you will soon forgive me all Noggy Blue and not so Scooby Doo ?

Glad my RS2 is old enough to be out of the hands of the Audi dealer network. The customer service we've had with the S3 is appalling - and from that's from two different dealers. The local SEAT dealer has given us far better service all round and the car cost half what the S3 did.

As I said earlier, I don't think comparing an Impreza and an RS2 is a fair comparison. Him indoors is always researching the next car and he keeps coming back to the Impreza for a lot of reasons, including tuning options, smile factor etc. He chose the S3 last time - but who knows next time. There's nothing new or forthcoming in the Audi range that appeals and apart from our local Scooby dealer most of those seem to have a good reputation!

Judging car quality based on customer feedback and satisfaction is completely anti-science. If Subaru are rated higher than Audi, then Subaru owners must not know what quality means. Any new Subaru (especially WRX) is a flimsy, low quality mess with stiff suspension and lots of bhp - nothing more. An Audi - even the old RS2 - is built as if carved from stone. They are thoughtful and satisfying.

A WRX may be very tunable, but since when is an RS2 not tunable? You could only be limited by your lack of imagination - just look at what some owners are doing in Germany.

quattroturbo wrote:Judging car quality based on customer feedback and satisfaction is completely anti-science..

Hmmm??? I wonder what much more scientific solution you have? Do tell! I can tell you two ‘unscientific’ feedbacks I made to JDPower : I slagged off the niggly ‘stupid parts prices’ Range Rover, and praised the rock solid Subaru that had ZERO faults in the 5 years I had it. ZERO! The only fault was a wheel bearing and that was the Nürburgring's fault! [My father’s A6 has been a lot more bother (but still not too bad)].

quattroturbo wrote:If Subaru are rated higher than Audi, then Subaru owners must not know what quality means. Any new Subaru (especially WRX) is a flimsy, low quality mess with stiff suspension and lots of bhp - nothing more. An Audi - even the old RS2 - is built as if carved from stone. They are thoughtful and satisfying.

I’n not getting into a tit for tat here, but, applying my ‘scientific’ unbiased respect for both marques different qualities and agendas I think you need to understand that having, say, a driver’s door that weighs 100lb versus a similarly functioning 35lb door when you are attacking a left hander is a disadvantage – even if the thud of the 100lb door closing sounds quite nice in the Waitrose car park:). You’d HATE the hollow clang of a proper WRC’s door – but then they do handle better than any car ‘carved from stone’ To some engineers & designers dynamics come before other factors and that should not lead you to slag off another fabulous marque (God! I sound like its one of the family, fragile (ha ha!) and female!)

I’m test driving an S4 and an RS4 on Saturday – I expect to LOVE them and then buy both, making a total of 10 lardy doors (if only...)