Heck Yes, Negative Approach. But you really can't tell no one you like them! LOL

I don't care for Aventontons but I do like NA!

For better or worse, nearly all automakers have been following the trend of up-sizing their vehicles.

While I've not owned any other Subaru besides the STI trim of the Impreza, I cannot speak beyond obvious outward appearances for their other offerings. But from my performance standpoint, the current Impreza, more specifically, the performance oriented STI, has gotten larger and subsequently heavier as well.

To address this increased curb weight, Subaru decided to include a more powerful engine and a larger turbo with the current generation. But in my opinion, this was only an after-thought, a "band-aid". Similar with bicycles, weight savings is another interest in automotive performance, where there are people that are similarly obsessed with often costly and nonsensical weight shaving as members of weight-weenies are. And in an observation irrelevant to my interests but possibly others, these changes officially decreased both federally rated city and highway mileage.

From a generational standpoint, the Impreza has been steadily departing from its rally roots since Subaru's exit from WRC. Every generation since their departure has decreased all-road prowess and agility as Subaru develops the Impreza toward performance on paved road instead. From rally circuits to the track. I don't really agree with the direction Subaru is taking this model. In my opinion, the Impreza platform shines in the rally-capable niche and falls into obscurity among the plentiful performance masses on paved surfaces. A good example that's singing its own swan song is the Mitsubishi Evolution X which currently being sold as a "final edition" as inventories are being cleared out.

Really appreciate this, and timely too.

I was at the Subaru dealership today looking at the Foresters and spied a neat looking Impreza 2.0i Premium Sport. Really great looking car - orange stitched seats, 18's, rocker panels. Looked really sporty but was disappointed when I drove it. Just not enough power. Period.

Again, I appreciate the response.

Yes, great looking too. I was actually very tempted to get the new one myself.

Unfortunately lack of power is even more obvious with the BRZ/ GT86/ FRS.
Give the next gen coming soon a try once it comes out. They're supposedly giving it some guts.

Kudos, you are a skilled writer. Loved this bit "singing its own swan song".
I enjoyed reading this.

Since this thread has already derailleured, no one likes to drive a slow car fast? I hate having points on my license, and there's something to be said about driving a well-balanced, sub-3000 lbs, sub-150 hp tin can (e.g., late-2000s Honda Fit or late-1980s BMW E30 with a manual gearbox), safely flinging it around at seven or eight-tenths, and still being under the speed limit.

EDIT: Sorry for the novel, cars is probably the biggest thing I'm passionate about and tend to get carried away.

Totally agree about loving to drive slow cars fast. I've had more fun in ultra lightweight cars with measly horsepower and 185 series tires screaming at lower speeds than I've had with most higher hp cars doing double the mph. I've had multiple old 911s, 1st gen 240Z, 510, MK1 Scirocco, multiple CRX/EG with swaps, Miata, etc.. and out of all of them, I had the most fun with my 1991 115hp Miata with Tein coilovers, rollbar, minimal engine mods. But having RWD, 2100lb curb weight, 5 speed, motor that liked to rev, and near 50/50 balance made the car SO much fun.

Yes, I was going a lot slower but when you're out doing enthusiastic driving, it's not about lap times, it's about the fun factor. It's the same reason I'm so into classic cars. in the future I am looking forward to owning a late 60's Alfa Romeo GTV/GT JR, BMW 2002, 510 (again), Mini (original), Lotus Europa, Bugeye Sprite, etc.. simply because it's so enjoyable to drive a pure lightweight sports cars without all of the extra fluff.

With a lightweight car you don't need monster hp, huge brakes, power steering/brakes, beefy drivetrain, wide tires, etc.. The car itself is just a blast to drive. I know that I'm fighting a lost cause because it's all about crash test standards but I feel more people need to get behind a wheel of one of the older lightweights. So many times I would find myself squealing around a corner at 40mph in my Miata and just have the biggest **** eating grin on my face. Yeah, a mom in a new mini-van can most likely beat me in a 1/4 mile but having fun in a car isn't just numbers on a sheet, it's the experience/sensation you get while driving at the car's limits.

I totally respect the incredible technology and performance of modern cars. They just don't give me the same joy. It's also the same reason why I love sidedraft carbs (webers/mikuni/delorto) on old cars...just that roar/induction noise gives me goosebumps. I had ITB's on my GSR powered CRX but they were so fiddly (I admit, this was late 90's where we didn't have the laptop tuning like today). Tuning carbs were just so much easier. Don't get me started on the ease of maintenance...I remember replacing a water pump on my 240Z in 30 min because there is so much room.

Colin Chapman is still one of my hero's...
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

I think it's silly to call the FA20 a bandaid. Subaru was running the EJ series for how long?

Also, do not expect a luxury interior out of a Japanese economy car.

I have owned several of the cars you noted above. My STI was more fun on the racetrack than any of them, by far. However, on the streets, the STI really was not as fun as my Miata. Now, going on about a month, my new car is an FRS. This might be the best I have ever owned for having fun on a day-to-day basis. Great little car, with amazing balance. And, pop the hood on it and there is room to work on this engine!

Room for a turbo.

One of my friends dad, who is 75 and tracks his, is getting a supercharger next week. It will be tuned to about 320 at the wheels. That would be interesting, to put it mildly. But, my only mod is going to be tires.

[MENTION=417136]Regulatori[/MENTION] gets it.

A race track is a different ball of wax, I'll admit. But I think there are a few different things at play here:

- The type of race track itself matters a lot. A slow car won't be fun nearly as fun on a high-horsepower track (e.g., long straights and so forth) than it would be on a tight, technical circuit.
- Being slow (i.e., driving an underpowered car) when everyone else is in STIs, Corvettes, and 911s isn't fun. Period.
- The ideal track driving experience to me would be where most of the drivers are in modestly powered cars on a technical circuit -- think Spec E30/944/Boxster/Miata or VSCCA. A lot of fast cars on a track driven by novice drivers is a scary experience -- horsepower, inexperience, overconfidence, and red mist make a bad combination.

Do not forget to add some rain to the mix, if you really want to make it wild.

My point, though, was and is that a car like a Miata or FRS is much better overall for fun.

saw them at the acheron a couple months back and gave john brannon my "muck fichigan" with "ann arbour is a *****" on the back t shirt i found at a thrift store a while back.

aventoni matarcko has been alright so far. the seatpost clamp is garbage but the rest is pretty decent. top tube shape hurts though. but honestly i paid a little less than 150 for the frame and around 100 for the carbon fork, so for the price you really can't beat it. not sure if i can get used to riding aluminum though.

in the end, you get what you pay for.

STRIPPED the paint.

http://i68.tinypic.com/dese1l.jpg

Nice. It is funny to see some of the old 80s acts still touring 20+ years later. A few years ago I got to see Government Issue and it was kind of hilarious watching them act like their teenage/young selves. F'ing sad that Stabb has stomach cancer but hopefully he will pull through.

150 for a frame isn't bad. I mean the aventontons aren't total sh¡te so for the price you paid you can thrash it around for a bit.

Before last night's "When Pigs Ride"
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1541/...e4c6ec08_c.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/VyrQkXc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BpnUh6A.jpg

Randor Frame...People have said Randors are crap but this steel frame has done the trick and was excellent for my fixie build. I highly recommend old Randor 10 speed frames. This one is a "Hi Tech" model.

Kenevans single-speed, Columbus SL

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512876

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512874

Dura Ace 9000 brakes, Chris King GripNut Ti headset

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512873

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512872

Nitto Craft 2 stem, Atomlab Pimp handlebars

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512880

Sugino Grand Mighty crankset, 3/32" chainset

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512881

I finally feel like I got a good deal in the cycling world- paid $400 for frameset (<10 miles ridden) - seatpost, collar, Shimano clipless pedals, fizik saddle, and Origin 8 propulsion bars. New bae.

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/...pspoppw16n.jpg
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/...psxtmb1g6b.jpg
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/...psmu3kmsk6.jpg
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3c9dgqp7.jpg

Clamp it by the seatpost. Those top tubes dent pretty easily.

Thanks! My first aluminum frame. Really lightly clamped but I will switch to seatpost.