Mentions: bdonnelly94

1995-1996 Subaru Impreza Version 2 STI

bdonnelly94

Hi all,

Today I’m gonna talk about Subaru’s Version 2 Sti Impreza.

The one pictured above I have actually just purchased for myself from JDM Auction Watch (would highly recommend them) check them out on Facebook, Instagram or their website http://www.jdmauctionwatch.com/

I’ve always been more of a Mitsubishi Evo fan since I was a young lad. In saying that I always had a soft spot for the 22B or the Type-r Impreza (huge difference I know) I never actually owned a Subaru until now. I had been in numerous Subaru’s and drove probably 6 or 7 but, I always just preferred Mitsubishi’s equivalent. Then I got around to buying both. I bought a 96 Evo 4 and now this 96 V2 sti and there is actually no comparison. Although the Evo had an Evo 8 engine engine swap and lots of work done to it, the Subaru is completely original and standard in every way. The Subaru still wins.

Driving:

The Subaru drives two ways. You can drive it like a daily family car and have all the comfort in the world (which is quite weird to be honest) the only difference to a family car is the fuel gauge dropping as you’re speedometer rises up. Or you can trash it and it drives just like the rally car it was modelled on. This is quite rare, Usually you get one or the other so this is a massive Bonus.

Engine:

The Rumble, need I say anymore? There’s just something about that boxer engine that makes it delightful to drive and listen to. The low down power compared to an in-line or V design is just so different and I think that’s what I’m in love with. I know they were only 271bhp from the factory but that low down power makes you feel like you’ve much more horses under the bonnet.

Transmission:

This is one of the most beautiful parts about the car. The gears are so close together from the factory you don’t need a short shifter and the ratio is just perfect too. Everything is quick and snappy. The way it should be. The clutch feels a little stiff compared to other sports cars when you sit in at first but as soon as you start driving it on, you do be banging you’re foot so hard changing through the gears that it almost seems it was meant to be that way. The diff is good and tight and also allows for plenty of messing or go kart like handling, whichever you want really. I think I’ll leave it there with the transmission.

Exterior:

As far as 4 door cars from 1996 go, you’re not gonna find something as pretty or as perfect.

The car that I bought and pictured above is like brand new body wise. Yes even underneath. See the pictures below to appreciate a classic in such good condition.

The only downside of this model is the low spoiler. Subaru’s are so distinctive in the distance by the high spoilers. This being an STI I would’ve preferred if they came up with some sort of a high spoiler from the factory and left the low spoiler for the WRX or something. It would’ve completed the car perfectly.

Interior:

The interior is just nice (seats and door cards). I have to say I prefer the Evo (recaro) seats and matching door cards. Don’t get me wrong though I still like the standard sti ones.

The seating position in the Subaru is nothing short of perfect. That’s what I love the most about it. It makes you feel so in control.

The original Nardi steering wheel is a nice little touch and gives off a great view and feel from the cockpit.

See below my interior. Still completely original and even has the original Subaru mats.

Cons:

Engine is soft. (Or so I’m told).

A nightmare to work on compared to its competitors of that era.

Parts are becoming a little harder to get and that means they are quite expensive.

VRT prices will see very few of them imported anymore.

The low spoiler.

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That’s it. Only 5 flaws. Not bad for a car that’s 23 years old.

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For more car reviews/blogs and video reviews coming soon

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The best handling front wheel drive car ever ?

bdonnelly94

What is the best handling front-wheel-drive car ever produced?

The Dc2 Honda Integra Type R is a clear winner for me.

I also know there are plenty of people who’d vote for it too,  So what’s all the fuss about?

Everything!! that’s what.. Right from the moment you see it sitting on the side of the the road or when you hear it roaring towards you with that sweet raspy tune. Then the second you climb in and appreciate the details, such as the close embrace of the Recaro seats, the stubby titanium gear lever, and a rev counter that reads 10,000rpm in the red line.DC2 1

Then there’s the engine.

Oh, what an engine, ported, polished and assembled by hand, it’s spec is truly amazing. Admittedly, 197bhp is nothing by today’s turbocharged standards, but when it arrives at 7,000rpm or so in a car weighing just 1,225kg you know about it fairly lively. The 1.8-litre,  DOHC VTEC engine is just a different breed from it’s challengers of this era. even just the look of it alone shows how well built it is (if that makes any sense) take a look at the picture below and you’ll know what I mean.

dc2 eng

The wrinkled red Rocker cover really gives a great vibe straight away just looking in. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like there’s somebody looking out at me saying “try me, just try me, try anything you want and trust me I’ll respond better than you could ever imagine. It’s reliability is absolutely extraordinary also, here in Ireland you could go buy a Dc2 with 20 owners since imported and God knows how many were on it in Japan and still be confident you won’t get a days hardship from it.

Then you turn the key and the car starts to get under your skin, The rasp from even the standard exhaust to dazzling with the sharpness of its throttle response, the weight of the steering making more sense as you start to lean on the front tyres, and the whole car being so perfectly balanced that it seems to dance beneath you.

What’s better still is that the Type R doesn’t need to be travelling at great speed for all this to happen, but is in fact from as little as 80kmph. Lift off the throttle and it’ll slide, but in a gentle, controllable way, while then powering on has the front diff pulling you through the turn, with the tires stuck to the road.

It is the perfect reminder of why older, lighter cars on smaller/skinnier tyres can be so much fun.

The Type R is a car that is impossible to ignore, because it involves you so much in absolutely everything it does.

You’ll discover this the first time the VTEC kicks in, the engine switching character to show its manic side, steaming on from 6000rpm (right about where most other engines are starting to run out of legs!) through 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, 9000 and more.

It’s then your job to use the rifle-bolt gear shift to keep the engine within this zone, whether you’re accelerating, braking, in a straight line or going around a corner. That’s where the magic of this car resides, when the engine, steering and chassis come together in perfect harmony.

What a joy this car is. A riot of poise, feedback and agility of the likes we’ll definitely never see again. The best-handling front-wheel-drive car ever, is my opinion.

VERDICT

Not just brilliant for a front-wheel-drive car, but brilliant full stop. If you’re in the market for a  modern classic that is extremely reliable and affordable, the Integra Type R is impossible to ignore.

If you would like me to link these post to a youtube channel with a video of me driving these cars I review, subscribe to my blog and comment.

Or the same goes if you want me to review a car of your choice, subscribe, like and comment.

Instagram: @bdonnelly94

Twitter: @BrendanD1994

Brendan Donnelly, 13/08/2018

Introduction to me & my blogs

bdonnelly94

Hi all,

Brendan Donnelly here, or some of you might know me as @bdonnelly94 on any of the Motorsport or Automotive forums. (You’ve probably had some sort of disagreement or argument with me at some stage)

Anyway.

About me:

I’ve been working in the motor industry for what seems like a lifetime now, even though it’s only been 7 and a half years. Anyone else in the industry will know where I’m coming from with that. I started off working in Motor factors, then moved to distributors and then onto a Main Volkswagen and Mercedes Dealer. I’ve been around the industry my whole life though as my two older brothers have been working in the industry since I was a child. I also have my own hobby called “Donnelly Performance & Part Broker” check my page out on Facebook.

I am a complete petrol head. I’m absolutely obsessed with cars and motorbikes. Performance and classic vehicles are my favorite of course, but I tend to have soft spots for some very unusual vehicles that have zero performance and zero anything really. For example, every time I see a little 1.3 Toyota starlet 1996 on, shape. I always somehow find myself gawking at it and saying to myself “Jaysus that’s a grand clean yoke” or “Deadly little motor, I’d love one for the winter or Halloween night”. I’ve no idea why this happens but it does. If someone starts talking to me about cars or motorbikes, I could sit there for hours and hours talking to them.

Plan:

My plan with this blog is to obviously write about different things happening in the automotive industry, but I also want to spice it up a little bit and do things a little differently than other people at the same thing. So, what I plan to do is Pick a different classic or performance vehicle every week or every time I get a chance really and do a full review with a link to a YouTube video of a live review with me and the car I’m reviewing. I’ll be reviewing how it drives, it’s performance, it’s modifications, it’s technology, it’s body, it’s reliability, basically I’ll be reviewing everything a petrol head or car enthusiast would like to know about the vehicles themselves. If there is anything that I don’t cover that you would like me to cover in future just message me or comment and I will be sure to cover it in the next video. I will also be reviewing different parts like Ecu’s turbos and all that sort of thing. I might even dip my fingers in the (“spurious” is apparently a dirty word) so I’ll say normal aftermarket parts, such as brake pads/discs,  Oil, gaskets, Filters etc. I’ll give my opinion then and advise which I believe are a good option or ones to stay clear of.

 

Marketing:

Every time I post a blog or a video I will also post the link on my Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. So if you go follow me on these you will see them every time I do a review and will have direct access to my Blog/YouTube channel.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bdonnelly94/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendand1994?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/brendan-donnelly-27a706a9.

 

Please note:

I am only starting out and testing the water to see what interest would be in a blog and YouTube channel like this. So the quality at the beginning won’t be great but obviously the more interest I get the more professional it will get.