RE: RIP Subaru Impreza

[GC8]

It was performance orientated 4WD, not mud-plugging. Tyres make a massive difference too. Criticising GC8/GDA type turbocharged Imprezas for failing to deliver in the snow shows a lack of understanding, I think.

[Hellbound]

peter450 said:

What do they sell exactly thats so desirable?, the model i most see on the road is the Impreza

They need to repeat the success they've had in the US. Among a certain demographic, Subaru offers class-less, go anywhere, reliable and durable motoring. Sort of like an A6 All-road without the Audi bit and better AWD.

[odyssey2200]

Has anyone transplanted the STi running gear into a BRZ yet?

[CraigyMc]

Richard330s said:

where does that leave prospective purchasers of 4x4 performance cars between £30-55k in a manual form? Which have been a key PHer obsession for many years:

- No BMW options (exc fugly SUVs)

Stop spreading misinformation.

The UK spec 320i is available in xDrive (4x4) already and more models are on the way.

BMW worldwide sell more 4x4 cars than rwd ones. It's only the UK and a couple of other minor markets where xDrive wasn't offered until recently, but they have engineered the F10 and F30 for 4x4 in both lhd and rhd this time.

There's no technical reason for a 328i xDrive (240bhp, "performance 4wd") to be a problem.

C

[otolith]

The Hypno-Toad said:

However, now Subaru have blinked, whats the betting that the RX-8 and the 370z will be next on the chopping block?

Already long gone.

[Scourge151]

So much for changing to a hatchback as they'd sell better. Does this technically make the Evo the 'winner'?

[majordad]

Before my Porsche Ownership I had an Impreza 555 Turbo for 5 yrs 1998-2003. Great Car, just very tinny inside . Stunning grip and acceleration on bad roads/poor weather.

[otolith]

EDLT said:

High CO2 cars have all but disappeared already, everyone except Subaru and Mitsubishi have invested in getting their emissions down. The 370z needs turbos like the old cars, lower emissions + more POWAAAR. Or a new 200sx.

The WRX STi made 243 carbons
The Focus ST makes 169 carbons
The top-spec Mini Countryman (another relatively powerful AWD car) makes just 173 carbons. That results in much cheaper tax.

Personally I find the march of turbocharging depressing, but since it has always had a turbocharged four, Subaru doesn't have much excuse.

[JB!]

odyssey2200 said:

Has anyone transplanted the STi running gear into a BRZ yet?

Probably.

People have fitted 2JZ's and V8's already!

[Dr Imran T]

What an absolute shame, the classic shape wrx etc were truly iconic cars.

They brought a huge amount of performance to the 'regular' guy.

I actually have grown to like the hatches but feel they never made quite the splash they had hoped for.

[peter450]

Hellbound said:

peter450 said:

What do they sell exactly thats so desirable?, the model i most see on the road is the Impreza

They need to repeat the success they've had in the US. Among a certain demographic, Subaru offers class-less, go anywhere, reliable and durable motoring. Sort of like an A6 All-road without the Audi bit and better AWD.

The US is a different market to Europe, look at Lexus, Infiniti's etc success stateside compared to in Europe

[dalzo]

Shame to read

i will never forget the first time driving an impreza parking up my mini with 115 odd bhp to be handed the keys to my cousins wrx sti with 320 bhp was amazing,having never drove a performance car before it scared the life out of me!!

Can pick up impreza's very cheap now,lots of fun to be had albeit hefty running costs but they would make a fantastic weekend/trackday car

p.s i think the hatch looked quite good

[GC8]

Im sure that Luke will be along in a minute to tell me that it was nothing to do with International Motors.

Subaru was always going to struggle, without those wallys as the concessionaire!

[Sampaio]

Sad news, the Impreza is probably the reason I started liking cars (when I was a kid my older brother loved rally and the old Evo, so I HAD to like the Scooby instead...)

[blearyeyedboy]

This week, we have had a headline story appearing to complain about BMW caring too much about marketing and bending to the fashionable whim of people who buy their cars.

While BMW's approach can be uncomfortable for some enthusiasts, today's story is a cautionary tale to all manufacturers about what happens to a previously strong brand that doesn't take that approach.

[torqueischeap]

Dagz said:

Erm totally agree! The 135i is cerfuddled by half an inch of snow and completely unusable!! I love the winter when you see a queue of bmw's at the bottom of a snowy hill abandoned, oh how it warms my insides!!
And most decent imprezas hit 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, i think that jumps all over the 5.3 seconds of the 135i, am i right?!!

Get your facts right before writing daft comments!

Its a sad day, an iconic car

Have you actually driven an impreza in the snow? Useless, though better than a 1 series for sure, not the point though, we dont buy these cars for their winter weather prowess. I think the understated 135 has got it just right, people dont really want garish gold wheels and bodykits with big spoilers these days.Also power sapping mpg guzzling 4x4 drivetrains really are overkill 99% of the time. A prestige badge german build quality with a bit of class seems order of the day. Tis a shame as im fond of fast imprezas, but maybe their tarnished image proves theyre a victim of their own (previous) success?

[otolith]

torqueischeap said:

Have you actually driven an impreza in the snow? Useless

Our farmer spec Impreza was great in the snow, albeit on all seasons. Suspect the problem with the performance variants is the tyres, not the car.

[juggers]

If you think the Impreza is poo in the snow or rain either you have crap tyres or you can't drive.........you may think you can drive..........but you can't.

[GC8]

Every Winter ScoobyNet is full of 'I crashed' threads. Trying to explain the beeding obvious is harder than you might think, though. After all, its bleeing obvious so if people arent getting it, what can you do?

Imprezas will perform very well in the snow with a knowledgeable driver and suitable tyres. Of course, an Impreza 1.8GL 'Wagon with the same driver and tyres will be better in the most extreme conditions, but that isnt really the point.

[Xpander]

torqueischeap said:

Have you actually driven an impreza in the snow? Useless

I bought my Legacy GTB in June, and hence it's my first winter in it this year. I know it's not the same car as an Impreza, but it's close.

This last 3 weeks or so have seen some rather frosty and icy roads during early mornings and late nights (I'm a shift worker), and even on some slightly "dodgy" Jap-spec Bridgestones, I have to admit to being amazed at just what the car can do in these conditions. With it being my first 4WD car, I've never experienced this before, but on occasion it's left me genuinely surprised at what it can do compared to FWD and RWD. Obviously you can't drive like a complete tit, but I genuinely find it very good indeed.