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Yes I think the operative word is should. You're right the old cars were more powerful and lighter than the current and previous models. But there's also the transmission to consider. I remember the newer Escort RS2000 had a 4WD model but they must've sold like 3 of them because the drivetrain just ate up all the power and made the car slow and unresponsive. I know a lot people thought the 2WD Cossie was better than the 4WD version for similar reasons.


Yeah, I'm not sure how much power the 4WD loses you (though of course some of what you lose is made up from in better traction).

There is one definite downside to the 4WD. The amount of drive line shunt (I think that is the right term for it) is huge on my Scooby. It makes driving smoothly at slow speeds a challenge.

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If memory serves, isn't the new WRX simply equivalent to the old Turbo and the new STi equivalent to the old WRX? they sort tuned the models down a notch.


I believe that is a fair summary of what they did.

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It's also very difficult to find a scooby running stock, almost everyone you see is running increased boost. So tempting, now if only I could find someone to buy my 172....


My MY2000 wasn't stock, it had one of those silly Ivor the Engine dump valves on it. I had it replaced with the stock dump valve when I bought it. It also has the STi exhaust, though I don't think that is anything special.

It is nice to know that when I do finally get used to the power I can get a significant hike in power/torque for just a few hundred quid.

I wish the clutch wasn't so argumentative. Some days it just doesn't like me and I end up squealing away from every junction. The conclusion on the various forums is "they all do that sir".
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