DaiP

I found the insurance was a lot cheaper on my new Subaru than it was on my 13 year old classic. Probably down to better security on newer cars I guess.I share a lift to work with a guy who drives a Citroen C1 so his insurance is probably next to nothing and he drives like a total ****. I genuinely fear for my life every time it's his turn to drive. He doesn't even change his driving depending on weather conditions and steers around roundabouts as if they're shaped like a 50p coin. So based on that Subaru drivers are safer drivers. The other guy in our lift share even said to me the other day "imagine if he drove your car, we'd probably be dead in 2 minutes flat."

My old Impreza Turbo (the one in my profile pic) had 205/50/16 tyres. These were definitely the standard size on the 1999 model. My father had a 1997 model and that had 15 inch wheels as standard.

There's a great bit of road near me which goes between the A470 in the Brecon Beacons to a place called Penderyn. It's open moorland so you can see along the road for miles with nice fast flowing bends. There's even a whiskey distillery at the one end. I love to ride or drive it early on a Sunday morning when there's no-one else on the roads. Just got to watch out for sheep and the occasional pony wandering out.

Checked my work shift calendar, our race calendar and most importantly with my mrs. And I'm free, so I'm definitely up for this if there's still space

I put a pair of the ebc grooved discs on my escort a good few years back. I think I used them with some mintex track orientated pads. I did a track day at Donington Park and noticed at the end of the day the surface of both front discs had crazed so I wasn't over impressed.

I've also got a 64 plate STI. My brakes sound terrible when you first set off. I haven't taken the car in to the garage as I think it's fairly common on the new STI's. I've read a couple of posts on here about the same thing. On mine it stops after a couple of miles when things are warmed up which makes me think there's something in the brake pad material.

That's what it is, the randy old bugger. The !Removed! florist thing is just to lul you into a false sense of security.

Why do people feel the need to pass comment every time I clean my car with the same old **** like "you'll wash that car away". I feel like saying "at least I've got a car worth looking after, now take your fiesta an f***k off!" but I just smile politely. Not that it gets to me. :(

The coppers will still do you if they decide you're driving / riding dangerously.

Business' that advertise things. Then when you phone to ask, act like they don't know what you're on about and treat you like a !Removed!.

The only thing that's put me off the Focus RS in the past is that they were front wheel drive even though I've never driven one and I have to confess to having my !Removed! kicked by one when I was on my bike. My excuse was that It was on a twisty and bumpy mountain road. I was so gutted I was determined to find something wrong with the bike and ended up replacing the rear shock. Don't think I'll be replacing my STI for one though. I like the old school laggy power delivery from the scoob.

I might be up for this. It's only about an hour away for me. I'll have to check my brothers ACU calendar though because I'm supposed to be helping him with his bike racing most weekends this year and clear it with the big boss first.

Didn't fancy that one much. Think it's got thrush. Sorry!

No. It's a flying fish. At least it was.

Fished this poor fella out from behind my intercooler. Wondering whether it's worth trying to re-straighten the fins.

The BMW is rear wheel drive. The figures quoted by manufacturers are usually in ps at the flywheel. A dyno is going to be at the wheels that's why it's a good bit lower. The US market also have the standard WRX model as well as the STI so it could have been one of those. The difference between the Subaru and the other 2 cars is put your foot down mid corner and the Subaru just grips while the other 2 will be flashing dashboard lights at you and reigning the power back. I do like the 2 series though.

I don't think they're ceramic pads. I could be wrong though. Do you use your car much? I only drive mine once or twice a week and with the lovely welsh climate my discs are usually rusted over after a few days. A couple of applications of the brakes soon clears it. According to the owners manual there is a pad wear indicator warning that makes a scraping or squealing noise. Wouldn't expect your brakes to be worn that quick but the indicator might not have been buried deep enough in one of the pads during manufacture. Also, have you had your wheels off and checked your discs for score marks and had a look between the pads for any small stones that might be lodged in there. Would have thought the garage would have checked that though.

Just had a listen to your car on YouTube and I like. Wouldn't mind hearing one with just the upgraded back boxes as I'm thinking about them for mine. As for the reviews slagging off the interior, it just means more of the budget went into the important bits you can't see. I've had a trawl of the Internet for power upgrades etc. there seems to be a fair bit in the USA but not much this side of the pond. The sensible old git in me says you rarely use the standard power so why bother but then the serial tinkerer in me keeps thinking another 40-50bhp would be nice.

If you can afford it do it. Like the old cliche. Never regret the things you do, just the things you don't do. Mine puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. As for insurance, I put my missus on my insurance and it brought it down, I know it sounds daft but try adding additional drivers to your policy, at your age adding one or more parent might bring it down.

Not sure about the 2 litre, I haven't had first hand experience of it. I don't think all the 1.4's had the oil consumption issues, I've heard of some using no oil to some that were worse than mine and certain engine codes being better than others because at some point there was a breather mod done. The turbo issue on mine became apparent when my missus saw black / brown smoke coming out of the exhaust when she was behind me as I pulled away from traffic lights. After it went in for the turbo the oil consumption was a lot better.

The local Skoda dealer I found ok to deal with, it was when I dealt with Skoda uk directly I had problems. I found their attitude really arrogant and unhelpful. Luck of the draw I guess.