RE: Subaru WRX STI: Review
Discussion
In Autocar they said when they reviewed the new WRX (I think Subaru would do well if they sold that here for ~£25,000 270bhp and ~34mpg claimed due to it using the turbocharged BRZ engine also found in the Forester)that ideally we would get an STI with a 300bhp+ version of the 2.0 engine in the WRX. With this engine I think the STI would have the potential to do far better than it will with the old and rather unloved 2.5.
As an Impreza fanatic even I have to admit that that wing is too high! Although it does bring back memories of 90's Cosworth whale tails 
. Wait until Prodrive release a tunign package for it, with a low level spoiler this time 
I'm struggling to see every ones argument against the MPG of the Impreza.
People saying a Golf R is better, well maybe. but its apparently only getting 33mpg on a combined cycle.
A 1M only gets 29mpg and isnt available in 4x4 config, nor an m135i, which supposedly gets 35mpg.
It baffles me why people get so hooked up on the MPG of a new car. its only in threads where they dont really like the car do they comment about its MPG. No one ever says to not buy a Carrera 4 as it will only get 30mpg on a combined cycle.
Ok so the Impreza economy is s
t. but where else can you get the Boxer turbo burble?? BRZ/GT86 ive heard isnt the same as a Impreza. and everyones begging them to put a charger/turbo on those cars. and no ones seemed to care what the mpg will be on them!
Ive always seen the latest Impreza and Evo's as a car for someone who often needs the 4x4 capability, but doesnt want a high riding wallowing Chelsea Tractors. someone who likes a car with a bit of soul and the ability to push the limit a little when wanted.
Comparing it to M135's and other performance hatchbacks/saloons is daft, especially if those its being compared too doesnt have the usability of the Impreza in muddy/wet/snowy conditions. Yeah the golf R has 4x4, but i think it looks fking boring. it could be any version of the current golf, even the weedy 1.2/1.4 base models with R bumpers smacked on. (although its more likely to be a Diesel golf on huge rims, performance exhaust and R bodykit.)
I know Subaru have compared it to a Carrera and S3 in the report. But they're stupid for that. The quality, interiors especially, and price of those cars are way more than a top spec Impreza will be. and will not be anywhere near as tech'd or plush inside.
I like the looks of this car, granted it could be better. but we still need cars like this otherwise were going to become a sea of golf/118d/a3's. and I'm bored of seeing them every other car in traffic!
So well done Subaru. for making a car only a handful of people probably understand and want to buy.
Now pull your fingers out and get back to the WRC where you belong!!!!
. Wait until Prodrive release a tunign package for it, with a low level spoiler this time I'm struggling to see every ones argument against the MPG of the Impreza.
People saying a Golf R is better, well maybe. but its apparently only getting 33mpg on a combined cycle.
A 1M only gets 29mpg and isnt available in 4x4 config, nor an m135i, which supposedly gets 35mpg.
It baffles me why people get so hooked up on the MPG of a new car. its only in threads where they dont really like the car do they comment about its MPG. No one ever says to not buy a Carrera 4 as it will only get 30mpg on a combined cycle.
Ok so the Impreza economy is s
t. but where else can you get the Boxer turbo burble?? BRZ/GT86 ive heard isnt the same as a Impreza. and everyones begging them to put a charger/turbo on those cars. and no ones seemed to care what the mpg will be on them!Ive always seen the latest Impreza and Evo's as a car for someone who often needs the 4x4 capability, but doesnt want a high riding wallowing Chelsea Tractors. someone who likes a car with a bit of soul and the ability to push the limit a little when wanted.
Comparing it to M135's and other performance hatchbacks/saloons is daft, especially if those its being compared too doesnt have the usability of the Impreza in muddy/wet/snowy conditions. Yeah the golf R has 4x4, but i think it looks f
king boring. it could be any version of the current golf, even the weedy 1.2/1.4 base models with R bumpers smacked on. (although its more likely to be a Diesel golf on huge rims, performance exhaust and R bodykit.)I know Subaru have compared it to a Carrera and S3 in the report. But they're stupid for that. The quality, interiors especially, and price of those cars are way more than a top spec Impreza will be. and will not be anywhere near as tech'd or plush inside.
I like the looks of this car, granted it could be better. but we still need cars like this otherwise were going to become a sea of golf/118d/a3's. and I'm bored of seeing them every other car in traffic!
So well done Subaru. for making a car only a handful of people probably understand and want to buy.
Now pull your fingers out and get back to the WRC where you belong!!!!
cheddar said:
Odd car this, in a world of high efficiency, high mpg engines Subaru bring us an STI with less power than the old model (they had 335bhp/360ftlb torque) but everyday fuel economy in the high teens. Aside from a slightly more upmarket interior where have they moved the game on?
To top it all the base WRX has only 35bhp less and if you believe this http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-compar... it has more torque and it comes in much earlier.
Why would you buy this over a £30,000, 35mpg, beautifully built and equipped, low depreciation Golf R?
Will the Golf really reach 35MPG? I'm not talking manufacturer's figures cause they have been in a fantasy land for a long time but real consumption.To top it all the base WRX has only 35bhp less and if you believe this http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/car-compar... it has more torque and it comes in much earlier.
Why would you buy this over a £30,000, 35mpg, beautifully built and equipped, low depreciation Golf R?
Why would you buy one? Cause you don't want a VAG eurobox of which you will see loads on the roads.
IMO Subaru isn't a car bought by people who just want to buy a car. It is bought by people who want a Subaru.
It provides a alternative to euro econoboxes, I can see the attraction. I currently have a mk5 golf gti and I'm looking to add a subaru impreza to the garage because the Golf (whilst probably the best all round car I've owned) is just so bloody boring.
Power seems a little irrelevant as I'm sure most UK ones will be sold with some sort of PPP on them.
Power seems a little irrelevant as I'm sure most UK ones will be sold with some sort of PPP on them.
GravelBen said:
Its a sad day when a new version of a relatively interesting, driver focussed performance car is reviewed and all 90% of posters can do is whinge about how they expect it to use slightly more fuel than a more expensive, more boring, probably less reliable Golf and how it will be taxed more heavily by their government.
Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
Indeed, just awful.Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 10th April 09:22
This isn't something for everyone, I completely agree, and that's missed by a lot of people who just don't want this type of car. It's very focused and obviously very good in lots of conditions and that's what's typically defined the Impreza for the last 22 years.
It's not an all-rounder, like the Golf or S4 might be, but that's not the point. If you want those, go buy one and be happy.
It is a bit of a shame they haven't put a more modern engine into it and added some proper seating like the old one but this isn't a UK spec car so who knows. I do think it looks superb in black and will likely sell out due to the small numbers.
Good luck to Subaru and I'm glad it's back.
It's not an all-rounder, like the Golf or S4 might be, but that's not the point. If you want those, go buy one and be happy.
It is a bit of a shame they haven't put a more modern engine into it and added some proper seating like the old one but this isn't a UK spec car so who knows. I do think it looks superb in black and will likely sell out due to the small numbers.
Good luck to Subaru and I'm glad it's back.
Edited by Ved on Thursday 10th April 11:52
Edited by Ved on Thursday 10th April 11:52
On saturday I took my 2007 WRX 2.5 hawkeye to a Vaxhall dealer as sprog number 2 is about to arrive and SWMBO said we needed a people carrier. So 7 year old scooby 24k on the clock in good condition £4.5k. On friday they will deliver my new car a Zafira 1.8 VVT in flame red.....my life is over. Thing is I so wanted the concept car to be produced and then they came out with this, which sort of falls short as it seems the same as my 2007 car. Its great that cars like this are made and I know a bit of mapping and an exhust upgrade work wonders so for a bit more cash you will get back that missing 40bhp etc but still have a car with high teens mpg and high tax. Which is why mine only covered 24k miles. Really fun miles but still I wanted to use it more but often it was not the practicle choice where as I suspect an 235i S3 etc would be more of an everyday car.
FestivAli said:
Vladimir said:
And the mpg obsession? Oh dear.
I'm a bit conflicted on this. On one hand I really like the feeling of calculating my MPG (or litres/100km here) after filling up and having beat my previous figure but then at the same time my number one priority is my own driving enjoyment. I think I can be uncompromising in this respect with regard to a vehicle however because I hardly use any power at home, and because of that, paying more for renewable (ok, only 25%) electricity is no hardship on the wallet. GravelBen said:
Its a sad day when a new version of a relatively interesting, driver focussed performance car is reviewed and all 90% of posters can do is whinge about how they expect it to use slightly more fuel than a more expensive, more boring, probably less reliable Golf and how it will be taxed more heavily by their government.
Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
The economy matters because you now get punished for it. That's just reality of new car ownership in 2014.Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 10th April 09:22
It doesn't matter in a used performance car or a new supercar, but the STi is supposed to double up as a family saloon.
I don't mind that teh STi isn't the most economic car, what annoys me is that they have a economic and low C02 engine and they didn't use it! This car is a rip of, the 2.5 was poor slap dash replacement for the twin scroll 2.0 litre back in 2006...
This car should have had the FA20t from the JDM legacy, there is no excuse for the continued use of the 2.5
Lefty said:
Subarus used to have 50% more power than their competitors for the same money. So this needs to be 400bhp and £30k...
Too big, too heavy.
exactly this. Just throw in a 3.0 with 450 hp and this will be an impreza for today. Come on, hot hatches shouldn't be able to even see the back of its wing on a twisty road!Too big, too heavy.
Edited by Lefty on Wednesday 9th April 22:20
Art0ir said:
GravelBen said:
Its a sad day when a new version of a relatively interesting, driver focussed performance car is reviewed and all 90% of posters can do is whinge about how they expect it to use slightly more fuel than a more expensive, more boring, probably less reliable Golf and how it will be taxed more heavily by their government.
Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
Indeed, just awful.Pistonheads - German badges and fuel economy matter!
Perhaps Subaru need to follow the German manufacturers lead and engineer cars for the lab tests, so they too can claim incredible fuel economy figures that nobody achieves in the real world...
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 10th April 09:22
Not made keen on the shape.....looks like some non descript saloon has humped a Focus ST....BUT, I love that Subaru have launched it. I shall look forward to special editions and am hoping Pro Drive get hold of one and work their dark art!
It's about time we had some more 'street fighting' cars back on the UK roads as the current batch of hot hatches/saloons in the sub £35k mark (bar the Megane and new Golf R) are pretty bland!
Shame about using an engine with dairy milk chocolate pistons though....bad oversight in my view.
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