Impreza. Evolution. Two names that, even in isolation, conjure up vivid scenes: flashes of blue and gold, red and white, the sound of gravel spattering across a treeline, the beams from podded headlights swinging wildly from left to right, the blare of an engine pinned against its limiter, and tyres scrabbling wildly for traction. And, without fail, two names I regularly enter into all manner of online classified sites, in hopeful search of a bargain.
But the days of cheap and interesting Subaru Imprezas, and more affordable Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, are really behind us. Depreciation’s long done its dirty work and, now, collectability is driving prices ever upwards. Sure, you might see the odd Turbo 2000 or WRX for sensible money, or perhaps the odd sub-£10,000 Evo, but a glimpse underneath will often reveal either the kind of corrosion that’ll pay for your local welder’s next holiday or a fresh coat of thick jet-black underseal concealing the kind of corrosion that’ll pay for your local welder’s next holiday.
Despite that, the charms of a turbocharged all-wheel drive Japanese saloon might lead you to keep one similarly optimistic eye on the used car listings. And as your net widens, as you dial in the filters to unveil the unseen, or the unknown or unconsidered, you may stumble over a lesser spotted but comparably configured option: the Mazda6 MPS. Glance at the specifications and you’ll find a lot that’s enticing, including a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 256bhp, 280lb ft of torque, four-wheel drive, and a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds. Perhaps, you think, this idea bears further investigation.
