My friend Ben, owner of the M3 Evo that required a quick engine swap over Christmas, has got by without it for a few months because he’s got another car. It’s a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX wagon, pictured on the Nurburgring above. We call it Chavbo 1.

The car is ugly. The car makes a racket. It has a huge exhaust that constantly burbles. It wooshes and ptooshes and spits and hisses. You know what though? It makes me grin from ear to ear!

Over the last few years I’ve often thought about getting an Impreza. I was most inspired to make that move in late 2006 when I saw a guy called Alex Taylor wrestle one around a rally up north. Ben’s M3 Evo engine failed less than a month before we had another ‘ring trip scheduled, and rather than rush fixing it he chose to buy Chavbo 1. At that point it became apparent we both had the same guilty secret: we both fancied an Impreza.

Tonight, due to the M5 being up on ramps until we can return to the workshop in the morning with some spring clamps (I’ll report more tomorrow!), I’ve got custody of Chavbo.  What a hoot! Vrrrroooom, ptsoosh. Vrrrrrroom, ptoosh!

The lag is frustrating, but also the detachment between throttle push and response seems to make the performance all the more exhilarating. Let there be no doubt that this car feels incredibly quick, yet Ben wasn’t notably faster than my old E30 M3 around the ‘ring. The performance arrives in great lumps. When it’s there it’s all consuming, and so long as the blower is kept on the boil the car’s a belter.

Off the throttle the brakes are amazing. It’s got multi-pot calipers and grooved discs – unlike every BMW I’ve ever owned. These give the middle pedal a most reassuring feel, and I know it can do ‘ring lap after ‘ring lap without fade or judder.

It’s not all good news though – far from it. While the car is fast, entertaining and indeed nimble, push on and that’s exactly what it does: push on. You’re going around a corner and want more throttle on exit. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Boost and understeer into hedge. Thanks.

It doesn’t stop there – the interior is just as uncertain. Build quality is rather dubious – lots of rattles and cheap plastics – yet the seats are wonderful and heated too! Overall it’s an interesting package. Great in small doses, but I couldn’t live with it as a long term prospect.