In handling terms alone, can the wagons compete with the RS assuming the same level of mods (ie wheels/tires, springs/struts and sway bars) or is their weight distribution inherently worse? Can they be as balanced, fun to drive and sporty as a well adjusted RS?

TTT

New or old models?

The old styles

Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

The OBS performs admirably. There's a few performance OBS owners here. Wonder where are they hiding these days. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
Head over to the Yahoo OBS bbs and you can find lots of info.

Yeah, there's photos over there of an OBS with a nitrous unit in the back!

Look in the member list for a guy named WAC. I think he knows quite a bit and he's a specialist. Gambit is right and he knows quite a bit too.... All I know is it's a darn fun car to drive, especially in curvy hilly places unless you have a conversion van in front of you!

I've heard that the OBS has better weight distribution than standard Impreza's, something to do with the extra glass and metal for the hatch making the car an almost 50/50 weight distribution. Of course, I've never driven an OBS so I really don't know! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Opie: You can drive mine this weekend and see for yourself if you don't burn out my clutch! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Subymamma won't mind either since it's her car!

[This message has been edited by BackSeatRider (edited April 18, 2001).]

To answer your original question, yes, the wagon is basically the same as the coupe or sedan. A few pounds here and there are not noticeable to non-professionals like you and I. Using identical suspension components, all pre-2002 Impreza's will feel the same in the corners. There will always be many better drivers than I, who'd swear that they can feel a difference in the body rigidity of the different shells. (I am not worthy...)

I think all Impreza's have weight distribution in the 60/40 range. The marketing people will always call it "near-ideal" weight distribution, even though cars like the Miata are almost dead-on 50/50. In the end, all Impreza's are very balanced, given the proper suspension components, and most importantly, tires.

-WaC
Wayne

What's the web address of that OBS message board that was mentioned a little bit above this? or how can I link to it?
-Nathan

Kevin Thomas and Wayne (WAC) are the kings of OBS! Because of them, I am sure that many Americans now have much respect for wagons.

I love my MY00 OBS http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif Got an 18mm sway bar, Kartboy shifter, RS shift knob, UD Pully, Amsoil intake and Brospeed muffler. This all adds up to a seriously fun, yet versatile car.

Still, got toasted by a Honda Prelude yesterday on the freeway, no big surprise. Planning on seeing ASR this summer for a Turbo! That should fix those timewarp moments when some cars just pull away. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Don't forget Sabrelion's Minnam stage II kit on his OBS too. I'm sure there are a few OBS owners who modified their wagons but are not out in the open. Shhh....

Thanks everyone! Very helpful, I'm thinking of getting a used Impreza late summer-early fall. I'd go with an RS but, in my price range, the strikes against it are: only 2 doors, no folding rear seats and a sunroof. Although the Impreza is really roomy for a compact, at 6'4" the sunroof is just enough to irritate me. I absolutely need ABS on a car, so that makes the OBS the only option, but I wanted to make sure there was no ultimate performance penalty. I like the little civic, and I'm a little perplexed everyone here is calling them Honduhs, but the curiously vague steering is driving me nuts. Plus there's no replacement for AWD.

PS what's the difference in bodyshell rigidity between the three models? Is the coupe the stiffest, followed by the sedan and wagon? And by how much?

edit: random smiley

[This message has been edited by dunny (edited April 19, 2001).]