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'07 vs '08 Outback Sport Driving Impressions

37 messages,  Last post on Mar 06, 2008 at 9:25 AM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 4

#18 of 37 Re: Suspension questions [sabre364] by paisan

Jan 12, 2008 (11:15 am)

Replying to: sabre364 (Jan 11, 2008 6:59 pm)
So there is very little difference in the suspension between an 08 2.5i and the outback sport? In the past, the outback had a raised suspension. Is the new 08 suspension (for both models) anywhere close to heavy duty of the 07 and previous models?
 
There was nothing "heavy duty" in the previous generation OBS v. Imprezas. The only difference was where the spring perch was mounted higher so the vehicle say higher. Even the springs were the same.
 
-mike

#19 of 37 Re: Suspension questions [isaiah58] by paisan

Jan 12, 2008 (11:16 am)

Replying to: isaiah58 (Jan 11, 2008 9:01 pm)
Replying to: sabre364 (Jan 11, 2008 8:59 pm)
 
I posted the new specs a few posts back. The measurements from 2005 are meaninglesa as the 2008's are on the universal platform.
 
Seat heights are still relevant cause the 08 Imprezas are different in height from the seats in the legacy, despite them being on a very similar platform.
 
-mike

#20 of 37 thanks for the responses by sabre364

Jan 19, 2008 (12:08 am)

Thanks for all the replies. Its unfortunate that the new OBS loses the extra bit of clearance, but its low enough that you're gonna be plowing snow in a drift anyways. But why is the new OBS .2" higher? Is that due to the 17" wheels or a similar slightly raised perch height like paisan mentioned about the previous impreza?
 
I haven't sat in an 07 impreza, but we have a 2000 legacy gt wagon in the family and the seating seems fine. I sat in a new 08 impreza premium wagon in the dealership and the seats are narrow and have great bolsters which work for me because I am not a big guy, but the seats themselves are super flat and provide no support, even compared to the cloth seats in our old legacy. I will have to test drive to find out more. Many have complained about the low passenger seat in the new impreza. this does appear to be the case, but I could care less, the car is for me to tool around in, not carry around my buddies.
 
On a side note regarding pricing, I am trying to consider whether it would be worth to consider an 08 OBS over an 08 2.5i wagon premium. Both with 4EAT. The OBS comes in MSRP at exactly about 1k more. Besides the two tone paint, the .2" height difference, and the whistling roof rack, the only major difference is the larger wheels...which IMO don't look as nice as the multi spoke on the premium, though I haven't seen the OBS wheels in person.

#21 of 37 OBS vs. Impreza Premium by nmdriver

Jan 22, 2008 (9:26 pm)

We are a Subaru family and are about to add another. We will either buy an Impreza 5 door Premium or an Outback Sport (both 5 speeds). We are trying to figure out how the suspensions of the two cars differ. The OBS has 17 in. wheels and 50 series tires, rather than 16 in. 55 series. It also has a "raised" suspension. But, the car is only 1/5 in taller than the standard Impreza and the WRX, so it cannot be raised much.
     We have not been able to do rigorous enough test drives to really wring out the two cars, but on brief drives, the OBS seemed more firmly sprung and better handling -- at the expense of a somewhat stiffer ride and somewhat more tire noise.
    Can anyone verify if this is true -- and, if so, is it simply the 50 series tires, or are there significant differences in suspension as well? For the price difference, we could replace the 16 inch wheels on the Premium with 17's. But we could not change out the suspensions. We are not fans of the fake cladding on the OBS, but will be would be willing to live with it to get a sportier suspension. Anyone have any information?

#22 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [nmdriver] by ateixeira

Jan 24, 2008 (9:13 am)

Replying to: nmdriver (Jan 22, 2008 9:26 pm)
Pick the one that felt better to you. I'm sure any differences are very, very subtle.
 
If you want it lifted go for a Forester.

#23 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [ateixeira] by exit123

Feb 12, 2008 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 24, 2008 9:13 am)
Do the 2008 Impreza WRX and 2008 Outback Sport have the same problem with low passenger seat position as the other 2008 Imprezas (sedan and 5-door)?

#24 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [exit123] by ateixeira

Feb 13, 2008 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: exit123 (Feb 12, 2008 11:15 pm)
I haven't ever measured. I think any difference would be very subtle, with the OBS perhaps being a fraction of an inch higher.
 
FWIW, last time I did measure, a few years ago, the Legacy had a lower seat than the Impreza did, surprisingly.
 
If you want high seating, go for an Outback, Forester, or Tribeca.

#25 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [exit123] by paisan

Feb 13, 2008 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: exit123 (Feb 12, 2008 11:15 pm)
Do the 2008 Impreza WRX and 2008 Outback Sport have the same problem with low passenger seat position as the other 2008 Imprezas (sedan and 5-door)?
 
They will all be very close. Not sure what you are really looking for? As juice said perhaps a Forester, Tribeca or Outback would better suit your needs if you want a "high" seating position.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#26 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [paisan] by setialpha6

Feb 14, 2008 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Feb 13, 2008 4:26 pm)
They will all be very close. Not sure what you are really looking for? As juice said perhaps a Forester, Tribeca or Outback would better suit your needs if you want a "high" seating position.
 
I believe the issue is the height difference between the seating position and the dashboard rather than the seating position and the ground.
 
Shorter (~5'8") have a poor/restricted view out of the windshield.

#27 of 37 Re: OBS vs. Impreza Premium [exit123] by isaiah58

Feb 14, 2008 (10:25 pm)

Replying to: exit123 (Feb 12, 2008 11:15 pm)
ateixeira,
 
If you do not like the seating on the WRX or the Sport, then you will not like the seating on the 2.5 models. I like the seating on the Impreza line better then on the Legacy line. The front seats give me more head and shoulder room on the new Impreza platform over the current Leagcy platform. If you find that the slight difference in seat hight between both vehicles is a problem, then maybe try the Outback? Or wait for the new Legacy in 2009/10 that will be about the size of a Camry.

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