impreza automatic (old shape)
Discussion
Yep....Don't buy an auto unless you really have to. Are you serious??!!!!!!! AUTO WRX!! 
Stick to Manual Transmission and you'll enjoy it much more. I think auto is fine if you drive in London all the time or a big congested city where you are stuck in one slow crawling traffic jam after another or have some kind of disability that requires an autobox because the clutch can be a bit heavy going on the left foot/leg after a while of clutch control.
Auto will be thirstier too and a even a manual WRX isn't great on fuel at 20-25mpg if you drive Miss Daisy all the time, and a WRX autobox in the UK is as rare as rocking horse droppings so if it goes completely wrong you will struggle to find a used one from specialist breakers. I wouldn't buy a WRX or STi in any case just to drive around big towns because it will not be very fuel friendly and you will be itching to drive it on an open b-road to stretch it's legs as the WRX or STi is happiest on the twisties!!
Also the autobox weighs as much as the STi's 6spd manual, maybe more, so on a 225bhp WRX it will slow you down bigtime!!
Get the manual!!
Stick to Manual Transmission and you'll enjoy it much more. I think auto is fine if you drive in London all the time or a big congested city where you are stuck in one slow crawling traffic jam after another or have some kind of disability that requires an autobox because the clutch can be a bit heavy going on the left foot/leg after a while of clutch control.
Auto will be thirstier too and a even a manual WRX isn't great on fuel at 20-25mpg if you drive Miss Daisy all the time, and a WRX autobox in the UK is as rare as rocking horse droppings so if it goes completely wrong you will struggle to find a used one from specialist breakers. I wouldn't buy a WRX or STi in any case just to drive around big towns because it will not be very fuel friendly and you will be itching to drive it on an open b-road to stretch it's legs as the WRX or STi is happiest on the twisties!!
Also the autobox weighs as much as the STi's 6spd manual, maybe more, so on a 225bhp WRX it will slow you down bigtime!!
Get the manual!!
1. I have an automatic only licence (I could get a manual licence however...)
2. I live in Japan and commute 6 days a week in crappy Japanese traffic, even if I had a manual licence, I'm not sure I would want to drive a manual to work and back every day.
I would just get a crappy car for work and something fun for the weekend, however parking regulations and expensive road tax makes having 2 cars a luxury that I really cannot justify.
2. I live in Japan and commute 6 days a week in crappy Japanese traffic, even if I had a manual licence, I'm not sure I would want to drive a manual to work and back every day.
I would just get a crappy car for work and something fun for the weekend, however parking regulations and expensive road tax makes having 2 cars a luxury that I really cannot justify.
I had no idea you were in Japan. In which case i could think of better auto's to be had with nice big lazy engines like a Skyline, Supra, Soarer etc.... Hmmmm....something makes think Japs like cars beginning with the letter 'S'. 
I wouldn't have said an Auto WRX was much fun to drive and at least the others have some proper torquey engines that will make light work of an autobox.
Actually, an automatic Soarer with a big lazy V8 sounds like just the job. Very nice if you pick a good one!!
HTH
I wouldn't have said an Auto WRX was much fun to drive and at least the others have some proper torquey engines that will make light work of an autobox.
Actually, an automatic Soarer with a big lazy V8 sounds like just the job. Very nice if you pick a good one!!
HTH
I know someone with an auto JDM Forester (same mechanicals as a Classic Impreza WRX but a smaller turbo) and he says its the only auto he's driven that is happy to change up at the red line. He finds it quite a laugh to drive.
If your in Japan then parts shouldn't be a problem.
My advice is take one for a drive and see what you think.
Dave.
If your in Japan then parts shouldn't be a problem.
My advice is take one for a drive and see what you think.
Dave.
My brother has a JDM Forester auto and the engine really doesn't suit an auto gearbox. The engine is laggy at the best of times but the auto box makes it even worse.
Still bloody quick when on the boil though. If you still want an auto Subaru there are more Forester autos about than Imprezas
Still bloody quick when on the boil though. If you still want an auto Subaru there are more Forester autos about than Imprezas
horton said:
I live in Japan
You git! *Jealous*horton said:
and commute 6 days a week in crappy Japanese traffic, even if I had a manual licence, I'm not sure I would want to drive a manual to work and back every day.
Exact reason why there are so many auto turbo cars about! The Japs need an auto for traffic but still want a turbo nutter car to drive Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff