Finally got to bring my 1999 Impreza STi Wagon home today 🙂 Can’t drive it tomorrow until I sort out some paperwork with my license plate (it’s joint with me and my wife and she wasn’t around when I was registering it .. what a hassle. )
So. How to describe this thing …
Clean, is a good word. I could almost eat off the underside it’s so good. Interior is awesome, lots of antennas I need to take out, but clean and well respected which is always nice.
Sound .. has a glorious rumble, but is actually quieter than my RS was. But that’s a good thing because once that turbo spools up you can hear it nice and clear. And speaking of turbo, when that grabs hold …. into the seat you go, and I wasn’t even pushing much on this run. Might have hit 6 grand at half throttle on one merge, but damn this thing is going to be quick.
While I was impressed with the straight line, I was even more impressed with the first big set of S turns I hit. Picked at route home with a nice two lane set of S turns at the top of a quiet industrial park in a 50 to 100 speed transition. Empty roads means the I get both lanes to myself, hit some gas and line up for the apex, car settles in quickly and holds VERY tight through the curve, I might have be nudging 120, but it would have been as happy at 180, even with the tires being fairly used up. It’s got a good suspension set up tucked behind those nice gold rims.
Brakes weren’t sticky, a little noisy until I wear through months of surface rust, but good feel and no pulling.
It wants to tug right a little bit all the time, but I suspect that’s tires, or a quick alignment issue.
Definitely definitely definitely pleased with the product.
As for you guys, this whole thing started ages ago with a simple question about what freight for an Alto works (which I will still get one day !) might look like, and me saying I wouldn’t be able to do anything for at least 6 months. A question that despite being a slim prospect for business was handled with professionalism, a clear breadth of knowledge and some none too subtle hints of that deep down, consuming “car guy” passion. Fast forward to a couple months ago when we start working to procure a totally different sort of car, and the process is handled so smoothly and efficiently I barely had to be involved. Yet, when I was (often perhaps more heavily than I needed to be) there was always the same professionalism, knowledge and passion.
That’s what really sets you guys apart, I think .. it’s equal parts knowing how this game works, and having that desire to see these machines enjoyed elsewhere for many more years to come.
So, thanks for everything, it’s been quite a ride and I’m definitely looking forward to the next lap.
And I can say that I’ll definitely be recommending you guys for anyone I know who wants to bring something in. your fee is way more than fair considering the effort and attention that goes in to it from your end.
Thanks again for everything.
Adam M – East Coast Canada
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