Sure, It's off topic but which Jap car brand is the crappest?

[Edbear]

An earlier one They're not that quick, but they get up hills okay and handle very well on good rubber
Bit boring IMO.

A bit boring..? What are you used to?

[jim.cox]

A bit boring..? What are you used to?

Probably something that leans for corners

Bikes are better - end of story

[SMOKEU]

Speaking of Subaru's I was thinking a new WRX sedan would be a real pformance bargain. 195kw and 340nm, five speed manual. A real sleeper with the smaller rear wing, understated compared to the STi and practically as quick on the road, better comfort too. Well specced. Try to find anything else with that level of performance at that price and you are hard pressed to think of another car close.

If you buy a WRX, you want a JDM STI. Buy a second hand one with a a mechanical warranty from a dealer.

[ducatilover]

A bit boring..? What are you used to?

I have yet to find an AWD that I enjoy. I'm sure you can relate being an MX5 owner that fun isn't always 200kw.
And the bike thing, I can see one of those off rolling on in top gear from 100 I can also be cramped, cold and uncomfortable.

SNOKEU is right, if you're after a WRX get the best example of an STI you can, with the adjustable torque split (that makes the fun on gravel)
I wouldn't turn down a V4/5/6 STI coupe though...or a 22B or Prodrive P1.

[Edbear]

I have yet to find an AWD that I enjoy. I'm sure you can relate being an MX5 owner that fun isn't always 200kw.
And the bike thing, I can see one of those off rolling on in top gear from 100 I can also be cramped, cold and uncomfortable.

SNOKEU is right, if you're after a WRX get the best example of an STI you can, with the adjustable torque split (that makes the fun on gravel)
I wouldn't turn down a V4/5/6 STI coupe though...or a 22B or Prodrive P1.

Aha, I see. I do admit that the thought of having to sell the MX5 to buy Mrs. Bear a car is somewhat problematic for me. We both love it but there simply isn't enough garage space for three cars and I can't think of leaving the MX5 outside. We wouldn't want a WRX left outside either which leaves the Kizashi, and I can't abide the thought of not being able to press the remote and drive into a dry garage...

Ah, the dilemma's we face..!

[SVboy]

Flick the suzuki and mazda and get a toyota 86 thingy. Handling and practicality.

[mossy1200]

Only good Mitz I ever owned was a gto twin turbo manual and the only maintence I ever did was cam belt and water pump when I first bought it.

Great car.

Only other Mitz I ever had was a galant which the clutch went twice within 3 weeks of buying it and the dealer ended up refunding me my money.

I had a Mitz work van L300 that used a litre of oil every second tank. The mechanic said a engine flush would slow it down but not worth repairing ???? Also got told its common fault. its most likely why new L300s are only 20k

[ducatilover]

Aha, I see. I do admit that the thought of having to sell the MX5 to buy Mrs. Bear a car is somewhat problematic for me. We both love it but there simply isn't enough garage space for three cars and I can't think of leaving the MX5 outside. We wouldn't want a WRX left outside either which leaves the Kizashi, and I can't abide the thought of not being able to press the remote and drive into a dry garage...

Ah, the dilemma's we face..!

These first world problems eh? I ran out of polish with my bike this evening, I'll have to wait 'till the morrow to get more, hard life

Flick the suzuki and mazda and get a toyota 86 thingy. Handling and practicality.

Then let me have a turn

[Edbear]

Flick the suzuki and mazda and get a toyota 86 thingy. Handling and practicality.

Yebbut, the 86, as fabulous a car as it is for sure, is but a modern MX5 with a hardtop and won't do more than our MX5 will for fun. Can't sell the Kizashi as that's my company car. I doubt an 86 would get very far ahead of the MX5 around the Coro for example unless the driver was someone special. May have a slight advantqage on the track as it's got another 50hp. But then the GT which is my favourite is $47k, so is it $40k better than the Mazda? Especially in the Summer when we can drop the top and cruise topless...

These first world problems eh? I ran out of polish with my bike this evening, I'll have to wait 'till the morrow to get more, hard life

Then let me have a turn

I think I've got some polish here...

I'm down to drive the 86, just waiting for the call, so I can give you a definitive opinion once I have. Same with the SA Cobra with Venom Roadsters.

[MisterD]

You certainly don't want an old, high mileage turbo Subaru.

Mebee not, I've been driving 2.5 normally aspirated Foresters for the last 7 or so years and the only problem I've had has been a small boy pushing stuff into the CD player that didn't belong there...

Bit of extra ground clearance, forgotten what wheelspin in an Auckland downpour is...in fact the only regret I ever have is when I get booted in my back by said small boy's big brother...shoulda got an Outback with a bit more rear seat room.

Subaru - official wagon of NZ mountain bikers

[Sable]

Subarus have a bad rep they don't deserve, it's mainly due to fuckwits doing stupid things with them on a consistent basis and/or not looking after them. I know of one that gets rallied and it's got 330,000km on the clock, WITH the original motor and boost wound up. The shell I bought earlier this year had run a bottom end bearing at 317,000. Ducatilover, AWD boring? Get the centre diff welded haha.

[Flip]

Subarus have a bad rep because they are driven by fuckwits.

[ducatilover]

I'm down to drive the 86, just waiting for the call, so I can give you a definitive opinion once I have. Same with the SA Cobra with Venom Roadsters.

I look forward to the review on all of those
I'm still of the opinion that I'd rather an S2K than any other two door Japanese coupe (except a tidy S15 Spec R Silvia, nice car them) that F20C S2K lump is a smile maker.

Subarus have a bad rep they don't deserve, it's mainly due to fuckwits doing stupid things with them on a consistent basis and/or not looking after them. I know of one that gets rallied and it's got 330,000km on the clock, WITH the original motor and boost wound up. The shell I bought earlier this year had run a bottom end bearing at 317,000. Ducatilover, AWD boring? Get the centre diff welded haha.

Some are good, I've known reliable Ladas too. I had a mate with a 270,000km WRX, very early 93 model, was very quiet in the engine and drove fine (apart from the usual rattles and road noise)
If you take care of one, they will last fairly well. But as far as being amused goes, they don't do it for me.

Subarus have a bad rep because they are driven by fuckwits.

And because, until recently, they weren't very good.
I do like me a Legacy wagon myself, nice car, plenty enough room, drive well enough and go okay, but finding a good 90s Subaru turbo is very hard

[neels]

Subarus have a bad rep they don't deserve, it's mainly due to fuckwits doing stupid things with them on a consistent basis and/or not looking after them.

The normally aspirated Subaru's we've had for work deserve their bad rep. They get serviced at the required intervals and don't get thrashed, they've all shat gearboxes and clutches at reasonably low mileages. One drank all of it's oil with no warning and lunched it's engine, another has just had the front off the engine to fix various leaks and strange noises.