subaru impreza RB5/ m coupe

[makaveli2]

looking at getting a m coupe at the end of the year hopefully. looking to get a S54 for around 20k. my mate is saying i should get a subaru RB5 or a FQ300. is there going to be much performance and handling difference between the three?

[THE ANIMAL]

I have driven the FQ400 in full anger and id choose the mcoupe over it anyday.

[Ivo]

fish or meat, as they say in Holland :roll:

[Lee]

I have driven the FQ400 in full anger and id choose the mcoupe over it anyday.

yes I was a passenger, and it was great fun :D

[ZiggyCol]

I don't think you can compare them - the Scooby and Mitsubishi yes but not with the MC.

They are as different as chalk and cheese. If a 4wd, technologically advanced, turbocharged high performance japmobile with an ordinary interior really floats your boat it is unlikely you will be equally as charmed by a unique rwd straight-6 german classic.

But I know which does it for me :)

[physco johnson]

I think it depends what you really prefer:-

- To be different, get noticed and drive something that really does make you feel special the MC doesnt really have any competition in the 15K to 22K price bracket. You can park next to an Aston and it still looks special and people really do stop to look at it.
- For a fun drivers car that sounds special / exotic again nothing ofr the price really compares.
- If however you want something that is relatievly cheap (for a perfromance car) to run then the MC is not for you. I woudl then opt for the Impreaza (1 or 2 year old standard example) but not the Mitsubishi.
- If you want something that you can point and squirt with no need to worry about losing it (especially in the wet) I would go for the Mitsi or Subaru.
- To get you from A to B quickest I would go for the Mitsubishi, but it woudl feel more fun in the MC.

Both cars have there place, but if I wasnt concerned about running costs and lack of 4 seats (understanding wife) I would go for the MC every time - hence I bought one but will now probably sell and get an Impreza for the practicality.

[makaveli2]

thanks, thats sumed it up for me m coupe it is :D

[rallycross]

I have owned all three, RB5 (WR) EVO VIII FQ300 and M Coupe.

[billy]

I have owned all three, RB5 (WR) EVO VIII FQ300 and M Coupe.

and which did you prefer? or did you like all three for different reasons?

[Brett]

I have owned all three, RB5 (WR) EVO VIII FQ300 and M Coupe.

and which did you prefer? or did you like all three for different reasons?

Agreed, it is a bit of a useless statement otherwise.

[makaveli2]

my mates got a RB5 PPP and they are quick. bargin for 7k. thinking about getting one for abit till i can save up for a mcoupe which i want for around feb/march time.

[rallycross]

3 very good cars, the M Coupe is quite different from the other two which are quite similar

I'll take the RB5 first;
There are two versions of the RB5 (had them both) most are the standard 200'ish bhp and a few have the Prodrive WR kit, this is the one to get. The WR has around 250 bhp and 280 lbft torque and they really go well and have a lovely sounding Prodrive exhaust. In its day (1999) it was supreme and came 3rd in EVO mag's car of the year awards - they said it was the best 4wd available. However that was 7 years ago and things have moved on, very dated inside now, poor steering (too light and little feel) and awfull brakes as standard. You can probably get a good RB5 WR for £9/£10k which is a lot of performance for the £££.

FQ300 came out in EVO 7 but the VIII FQ300 is the one to get, 6 speed, bigger fuel tank, nicer inside. I recently sold my 2003 FQ300 with 30k miles and 6 months warranty left for only £14.5k. Much more refined than older EVO's, modern inside (but still a bit plasticky) still with exhilarating performance and road defying handling.

Both the 4wd turbo saloons will out perform the M Coupe in 9 out of 10 situations, only a long straight road or somewhere with really fast flowing corners would see the M Coupe in front.

So, £10k or £14k depending on which age of turbo 4wd 4door saloon you prefer.

Then to the M Coupe, lets say at least £14k; Its handling is dreadfull compared to both the above and its not as fast (as it claims to be) however its got lots of other things in its favour;

build quality, character, unique looks / feel to it, great brakes, different (better) image, fantastic long distance motor way cruiser, better mpg than the turbo's plus MUCH better residuals.

If you want a car with amazing handling you'd probably not buy an M Coupe (get an EVO) but there's more to the M Coupe than that - M Coupe = fun to drive and makes you feel good everytime you get out!

[billy]

does getting something like the acs suspension help much with the mc's handling?

i always got the impression that the mc's handling would be pretty much like my current S2000. great in the dry but a bit of a handful in the wet.

[makaveli2]

clarkson said these cars handling is perfection so thats saying something if he rates it. :)

[THE ANIMAL]

Sorry to say this but the mcoupe handles better then the fq300 in an accomplished drivers hands but the Rice rocket is much easier for any mug to drive fast another thing I found with these turbo cars is that in the morning the engine was pulling nice horse power but once the car was all hot after being driven hard and in the warm temps of the summer I think you wouldn’t be far off a drop of 60 hp+. What those type of cars are good at is rallying type of driving which is what they were made for and to this id say theyd be awesome.

[rallycross]

"Sorry to say this but the mcoupe handles better then the fq300 in an accomplished drivers hands"

Makes me wonder if you have you driven either of them with a comment like that.

[exdos]

rallycross,

I can assure you that THE ANIMAL can really drive.

[THE ANIMAL]

I havent driven the fq300 but i have driven the fq400. I always wanted one and was thinking of getting one at some point but after having driven it its not for me. The balance an mcoupe has when being driven on the limit you just cant compare them.

[rallycross]

Glad to hear he can drive as well!

The FQ400 is a bit miselading as to how they drive as it has lots of lag.
A lack of lag has always been one of the EVO's great characteristics - almost no lag.

I hope my opinion on whether are car handles well or not is valid, I have driven most things on track (fwd, rwd, turbo, non turbo, etc) and I compete in the British Rallycross Championship. My job puts me in the fortunate position of being able to drive lots of different high performance cars so I have a very unbiasied view of whats good and whats not....