Quote:
Originally Posted by RobEvo5
Very nice, and a path I can see me taking at some point if I can can pluck up the currage to spend the cash on one. I think the Hatches look nice now, not too lary, but still hard looking. More practical and small and agile as a subaru should be....
What does it drive like: Power, handling, spool, comfort level, general feel..
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Thanks Rob. The first thing I noticed is that you sit noticeably higher that prior scoobs and it took a bit of getting used to. I suspect even with lowered springs it's still going to feel higher than the previous models. When I first drove it the engine was in 'intelligent' mode, and I thought 'this feels gutless, there's not a chance I'm going to buy this... I then changed it to 'sports sharp' mode and it felt like a scoob should. Power delivery is very smooth and progressive in comparison to my blob which is far more violent! The intelligent mode is great for fuel economy though and with careful driving I've been able to get 30mpg out of it.
The handling is very good. Suspension travel is moderately hard. There is some body roll on hard cornering and it would probably benefit from a marginally stiffer rear anti roll bar. The front feels alot tighter. With regard to traction it feels better planted than prior models I've driven, but I guess this is due to the electronic controls as mentioned by Nige, and the 245 rubber. When pushed it tends to give you slight understeer. My blob gives you a much better feel of the limits (well it should after all I spent on the suspension set up!) and I expect that when the hatch does let go you'd have less warning (although the electronics would hopefully make it recoverable)
The steering is a little light to what I like and I know Litchfield can modify this with a different pump and fluid viscosity.
It's very quiet with the Prodrive exhaust and I'd like to hear one with the Miltek fitted.
The car had the re-map that was supposed to be the issue with engine failures (not entirely convinced on that one), but if I tuned it I'd probably get the pistons, etc done just to be safe.
I like it as it's a great all-rounder. You just need to get over the 'marmite' looks!
Thanks for all the comments (including yours Nige as I know where you're coming from)