rob_e on here has a TSI VRS Estate and also a new 2011 WRX STI-be interesting to hear his views!

Yep, my Vrs is shark stage 1 (so about 240-250 bhp) on weitecs and my STI is the latest saloon model, spec C suspension, 2.5l, 300bhp/300f/lbs.

Put simply, over a challenging B road or in a straight line the Subaru blitzes the Vrs. If the road is damp then the difference is even more.

The thing is though, one of my previous cars, my Esprit V8-GT would walk away from the Subaru even though it had only 2wd and no electronics. Thing is, whatever you drive, there's always something faster

I'd agree with all the points made here already on this thread - its all very level headed stuff and spot on IMHO.

FWIW the subaru IS significantly heavier - from memory i think its 1500 kg vs the skoda is only 1400ish?

What I would say though is that the Vrs has a much nicer interior, better ride, better build quality and a more solid feel than the Jap car. Although the Sub is a ******* quick car, is it worth the 50% (or more) premium over a Vrs? Probably not.

02p etc.

Better?! Perhaps an S4, S5, 330i. Each to their own of course.

I love my vrs, I'm on my 2nd. I wouldn't swap it, just wonder if the cost of modding may be better spent on a different car.

Cheers for that rob.

What are the direct competitors to the vrs? I didn't even bother to check just bought it based on how good my mk1 was.

Edited 2 May, 201115 yr by Nicky boy

putting a vrs up against a scooby or evo is like taking a knife to a gun fight lol. only if the drivers know what to do??

Cheers for that rob.

What are the direct competitors to the vrs? I didn't even bother to check just bought it based on how good my mk1 was.

Competitors? TBH i don't really think it has any, I mean, what other 200bhp car with a 600 litre boot can you buy new for 17k? I can't think of any others?!

For sure there are other cars that match on SOME of those criteria, you can buy a mondeo, insignia, 159, audi, seat, vw etc with a 2.0 Turbo @ 200bhp or thereabouts but not many have the boot of the skoda and nothing is priced like the vrs. Buy the same engine in an A4 avant for example (smaller boot) and you're looking at 30k.

Cheers for that rob.

What are the direct competitors to the vrs? I didn't even bother to check just bought it based on how good my mk1 was.

although not similar shape but maybe the type r civic. more torque on paper for the vrs and closley matched 0-60 and bhp.

i also read on the net i think in a what car article or something about the vrs and mondeo st being a bit of rivals but i think this was the diesel engine they were comparing.

still enjoying it mate?

Yeah I'm still loving the car, just feels great to drive. Been using the paddles a lot recently and getting more involved with the road and car. I would like to see a video of a remapped vrs vs a stock to see what the difference is from standstill and whilst moving.

putting a vrs up against a scooby or evo is like taking a knife to a gun fight lol. only if the drivers know what to do??

Guns for show.......knife for a pro!!

Guns for show.......knife for a pro!!

someone needs to see expendibles :p Jason knows how it works with the knifes eh?

although not similar shape but maybe the type r civic. more torque on paper for the vrs and closley matched 0-60 and bhp.

i also read on the net i think in a what car article or something about the vrs and mondeo st being a bit of rivals but i think this was the diesel engine they were comparing.

still enjoying it mate?

Having owned a Civic Type R, personally I don't think it's a patch on the petrol vRS. You have to rev the nuts of the civic to get it to shift and the lack of torque is a real pain. I enjoyed it in my mid 20's but don't like them much now (32). My revo'd vRS has twice the torque and is easier to drive faster. The build quality is way better and it's massively more practical. Each to their own though.

I honestly don't think there is any car on the market which offers the same bang for buck as the vRS.

Having owned a Civic Type R, personally I don't think it's a patch on the petrol vRS. You have to rev the nuts of the civic to get it to shift and the lack of torque is a real pain. I enjoyed it in my mid 20's but don't like them much now (32). My revo'd vRS has twice the torque and is easier to drive faster. The build quality is way better and it's massively more practical. Each to their own though.

I honestly don't think there is any car on the market which offers the same bang for buck as the vRS.

i agree not a match, the vrs is great i was just trying to find some cars on paper that were similar doing a quick look on net for to compare.

i agree not a match, the vrs is great i was just trying to find some cars on paper that were similar doing a quick look on net for to compare.

It's basically a hot hatch isn't it, albeit not conventionally styled, so compares with a Golf GTi, Seat Leon FR, Focus ST, Astra VXR, Megane 250 etc?

As standard it's more warm hatch than hot hatch but with a Stage 1 quicker than any of the above.

Price-wise it's more comparable to these than an Impreza or an Evo although it is still a good bit cheaper than all of them.

Personally I would prefer the Golf GTi over all of them (or actually a Golf R) but the boot isn't big enough to make it viable for me and it's hard to justify the significant cost differential of £8k.

The Mondeo ST220 seemed to be the only broadly comparable vehicle when I was considering alternatives to the Octy, in terms of performance/price/size, though I think the bigger 3l V6 is a bit more thirsty even when driven normally.

someone needs to see expendibles :p Jason knows how it works with the knifes eh?

Or even Lock Stock........Soap!