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2008 Subaru Impreza WRX - READ ONLY

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Subaru Impreza, Future Vehicle, Sedan

Messages Page 61 of 149

#593 of 1480 Re: Edmunds US-spec '08 WRX test & blog up [rsholland] by stevecebu

Jul 23, 2007 (6:16 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Jul 23, 2007 5:39 am)
And there's understeer. Plenty of it. Part of this comes from Subaru's new Vehicle Dynamics Control, a system for stability and traction control. Although it can be disabled, its presence in an all-wheel-drive package has forced the elimination of the car's limited-slip rear differential, which had substantially improved the cornering attitude of the previous WRX.
 
Taken from the article above it really clarifies a few things and yes I did read it posted better slalom numbers. 3 mph or so faster but lots of body roll and the video showed exactly what I thought it would. Subaru will probably sell a lot of these cars but I think enthusiasts will shy away from the car. But the word Camry comes up a lot when Edmunds talks about the WRX. Also I think Motor Trend will appeal to some posters in this forum as they really don't say anything negative about the car. For me the above says it all along with the video and watching the car while it's performing. If you look you can see the back end really digs in and the front wheels seem to come up a bit high on the 0-60 launch.
The review and the video combined with all I have learned about the 2008 Impreza has caused me to put it at the bottom of my list of cars to buy. If I was in the US right now I'd be calling up dealerships to buy a 2007 WRX wagon, I'd get a good deal and good performance and more cargo room, better looks.
People who sit in a Camry are not going to buy a Subaru. The Camry is just so comfortable and the Accord is really good as well. subaru I think got cocky with their pricing and it's all in the above article and $27K is just too much for a WRX IMO.
You can buy a 2007 Honda Accord V6 with leather interior and a Nav system for that!
AWD is good but it's not that good.

#594 of 1480 You sold out! You sold out! You sold out! by drfill

Jul 23, 2007 (7:56 am)

An ugly hatch, doughy personality, and no extra power, plus increased competition may start the death-knell for the WRX.
 
   The Next Lancer Ralliart should be able to take care of this has-been.
 
   And strangly, this article hits, and misses, on a salient point.
 
   V6 Camry does 0-60 in six seconds. WRX's performance, and mission, isn't so unique anymore, beside the AWD. The MazdaSpeed is faster, and better-looking, and starts cheaper!
 
   At least it still has a stick, although the way things are going, it may not have one next time. Soft is in at Subaru. Way to lose your identity.
 
   DrFill

#595 of 1480 Re: LSD [aaykay] by ateixeira

Jul 23, 2007 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: aaykay (Jul 20, 2007 9:45 pm)
reduction in weight (50 lbs ?), corresponds to the elimination of equipment that came in earlier versions, including the rear viscous LSD, the roof-rails (wagon), the narrower tires, the more "compact" (and lighter duty ?)rear suspension, plastic parts replacing Aluminium in the engine bay, the elimination of the front sub-frame etc.
 
I doubt a viscous LSD weighs measurably more than an open differential.
 
Roof rails save some weight, but that's offset by using less aluminum.
 
10mm narrower tires must not weight more than a few ounces less than before. Not a significant difference here.
 
I would not assume the rear suspension was lighter duty. The old one was a plain old strut, nothing special. The new one may be more compact, but it's more complex and advanced by a long shot. You imply it's lighter duty but note that Subaru used the struts on its smaller cars and now uses a design derived from its heavier duty models.
 
Plastic is likely lighter than aluminum, sure.

#596 of 1480 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion by SubyTrojan

Jul 23, 2007 (12:09 pm)

Hi All,
 
I wrote the Second Opinion piece for the Inside Line Full Test of the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX.
 
You can read my pre-edited piece and some of my thoughts on the car on my CarSpace blog.
http://www.carspace.com/blogs/theoutsideline/Inside-Line-Full-Test-2008-Subaru
 
Any and all questions are welcome on here or through CarSpace. My work AIM screenname is "LWongEdmunds" if you would like to contact me that way.

#597 of 1480 Re: Edmunds US-spec '08 WRX test & blog up [rsholland] by ateixeira

Jul 23, 2007 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Jul 23, 2007 5:39 am)
Harsh review, no doubt.
 
2nd opinion seems to contradict the first:
 
the new WRX does everything better than its predecessor — but not by much
 
And the funny thing is that editor owns a tuned 04 model.
 
Only significant changes in performance measure are in braking and slalom (both better).
 
From the video, the springs do seem too soft. That thing rolls around all over the place. Wonder what size the sway bars are.
 
***
 
Edit: speak of the devil, his post creeped in just before mine!

#598 of 1480 Re: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion [SubyTrojan] by ateixeira

Jul 23, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: SubyTrojan (Jul 23, 2007 12:09 pm)
So you felt the outgoing model didn't roll any less?
 
And didn't feel the rear LSD made any difference?

#599 of 1480 Re: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion [SubyTrojan] by stevecebu

Jul 23, 2007 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: SubyTrojan (Jul 23, 2007 12:09 pm)
I wrote the Second Opinion piece for the Inside Line Full Test of the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX.
 
Thanks for writing it although I've read a few reviews from other magazines and the New subaru isn't really getting an enthusiastic welcome especially from the guys who used to buy them. Oh sure guys who want a cushy ride and better sound insulation etc... but why not buy a Camry if what they want? Right now I'd say 60% are opposed to it being better but I've seen some tempered reviews where it's called an ugly toyota that drives poorly.
Magazine reviews. I'm glad you liked the car, but for me it just dropped into last place. I can get VDC with the base model and the AWD as well. It has a lot of body roll for a sporty car. bye-bye rally roots. I think in this race the EVO is going to stomp Subaru flat with their EVO yes compared to the STI not the WRX and I think the Lancer Ralliart will brutalize the WRX. It's got it beat all over just in looks alone.
Mitsubishi really needs something to pull it's fat out of the fire. They are losing money everyday. I think they put more thought into their car and it shows. Subaru went for the old man approach because of the increased sales of the Limited ie no spoiler.
I'll bet it hurts them in the long run tho. Subie is a niche market car maker and breaking out of that niche isn't going to happen. The sooner they face that fact he better for their customers. VW is struggling as well and many other car makers left a long time ago for various reasons.
What amazes me is all the guys who like it aren't in the market to buy one within 6 months.
Easy to like a car you won't spend your own money on.
I think the bad press is going to hurt them.
 
SubyTrojan just curious but who wrote the first review?

#600 of 1480 Re: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion [stevecebu] by rsholland

Jul 23, 2007 (1:19 pm)

Replying to: stevecebu (Jul 23, 2007 12:35 pm)
You seem to think your opinion is of more value than others here simply because you're putting money where your mouth is—as you've told us a bunch of times.
 
I can't think of anything more arrogant!
 
You have voiced your displeasure with the new WRX to the point that it's old and tiresome. There's nothing new that you've added to the discussion. It's just constant whining. Go buy your EVO or Accord since the WRX doesn't measure up to your standards—and let's move on.
 
Bob

#601 of 1480 Re: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion [rsholland] by paisan

Jul 23, 2007 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Jul 23, 2007 1:19 pm)
I might also add that steve keeps comparing the WRX to an Accord and a Camry, of which there is zero in common in terms of anything other than price.
 
Shall we start complaining that the Ford Ranger is way way better than the Camry because it can carry more cargo and is cheaper? That's what he is saying here when he tries to compare the Accord/Camry to an Impreza....
 
-mike

#602 of 1480 Re: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Second Opinion [stevecebu] by ateixeira

Jul 23, 2007 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: stevecebu (Jul 23, 2007 12:35 pm)
guys who want a cushy ride and better sound insulation etc... but why not buy a Camry if what they want?
 
You go from one extreme to the other. Give us a break. It's all or nothing for you. This is why everyone argues with you, your opinions are too polar.
 
The new 2008 slaloms significantly quicker (better transient handling) and stops better yet probably has a better ride to go with it, plus a roomier trunk. That makes it a Camry?!
 
The only person here that's driven one says it's better than the old one, and didn't notice any loss of handling for the lack of a rear LSD.
 
I just don't see the major sacrifices you're talking about. OK, there's lots of body roll, but there was on the old one, too. All season tires, same thing, why do you think we call them BLOtenzas? That's not new.
 
I drive a big Toyota, so believe me, I'm fully aware of how they drive. You get a serene, quiet, smooth ride, but you sacrifice handling COMPLETELY. Forget about quick slaloms, you wouldn't even bother trying to drive a big Toyota like that.
 
Honestly, go drive a Camry again, then rejoin this thread. I think we'll all enjoy it much more.

Messages Page 61 of 149

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