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Article Comments - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI First Look, First Drive and Full Test

106 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2008 at 9:18 AM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Hatchback

First Look: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - A six-speed manual transmission is part of the package, and it carries triple-cone synchros on 1st gear and double-cone synchros on 2nd and 3rd. Subaru is also promising better fuel economy than the previous engine. (more)
 
First Drive: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2.0 - With new five-door hatchback packaging and nondescript styling, the Impreza targets a whole new customer base — drivers more interested in 4WD safety and interior roominess than rallying heritage. But you'd never believe the STI is essentially the same car. (more)
 
Full Test: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Significant changes to the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI have simultaneously given it more performance and more practicality. (more)

Messages Page 8 of 11

#67 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [1999vr4] by ateixeira

Dec 11, 2007 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: 1999vr4 (Dec 11, 2007 2:09 pm)
FWIW, the face-lifted Tribeca and new Impreza you don't like has set sales records for 3 months in row.
 
 

#68 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [ateixeira] by 1999vr4

Dec 11, 2007 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 11, 2007 2:15 pm)
Well...I am more disappointed more than anything else...I was hoping for a hot WRX Sti and a hot EVO...and am hugely disappointed at was has hit the market, for the reasons I stated...I am not a Subaru basher...the mechanicals are fantastic...

#69 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [1999vr4] by ateixeira

Dec 11, 2007 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: 1999vr4 (Dec 11, 2007 2:23 pm)
I think both will become a victim of their own success. Their popularity means Subaru and Mitsu feel they should invest more in refinement to attract a more mature, affluent buyer (can't sell to boy-racers forever because any trend they follow soon dies).
 
The newly refined models cost more, start pushing the price envelope a bit.
 
Still, the original STI was $31 grand and didn't even come with a radio. The new one has more power, a stereo, VDC, framed windows, and a multi-link rear suspension for about the same price adjusted for inflation.

#70 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [ateixeira] by paisan

Dec 11, 2007 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 11, 2007 2:28 pm)
The EVO MR also only comes in a 5MT right now. There are no 6 speed EVOs shipping for a while (6MT nor 6DSG).
 
-mike

#71 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [paisan] by byronwalter

Dec 11, 2007 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Dec 11, 2007 2:32 pm)
"The EVO MR also only comes in a 5MT right now. There are no 6 speed EVOs shipping for a while (6MT nor 6DSG)."
 
That's news to me. What I've read is that the MR is being held back until the SST (auto) is ready for prime time. Now it would be nice if Mitsu would go ahead and release the MR with the nice suspension bits and the manual trans but that seems unlikely.
 
As for the STI, I wonder if there are still any new '07 limited STI's out there? The new STI certainly carries on the family genes in the looks department. Subaru manages to straighten out the front but then goes nuts with the tail lights. Whatta ya gonna do?

#72 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [1999vr4] by networkguy

Dec 11, 2007 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: 1999vr4 (Dec 11, 2007 2:09 pm)
And the STI, look anywhere...read any blog MOST, if not ALL comments say the looks are wrong wrong wrong..
Say what you will, but I think most of the noise is coming from the already faithful. I'm sure the redesign tweaks their aesthetic injustice meter off the scale. I have always liked the performance of the Subie. I wasn't terribly thrilled with the old styling. I personally find the new STi attractive. The nose may be a bit bland, but not offensively so. The whole package is rather Mazdaspeed 3-ish. There are those of us that like the look of the Mazdaspeed 3. I liked it enough to buy one. If I didn't already like the Speed3 so much, and had the (lots of) extra cash, I would buy an STi.

#73 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [byronwalter] by paisan

Dec 11, 2007 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: byronwalter (Dec 11, 2007 3:29 pm)
That's news to me. What I've read is that the MR is being held back until the SST (auto) is ready for prime time. Now it would be nice if Mitsu would go ahead and release the MR with the nice suspension bits and the manual trans but that seems unlikely.
 
You may be correct, but they are having issues with the DSG as far as I know.
 
-mike

#74 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [1999vr4] by tiff_c

Dec 12, 2007 (5:47 am)

Replying to: 1999vr4 (Dec 11, 2007 2:09 pm)
Subaru "betters" Mitsu?? NOT! Subaru is a company that continues its string of massive mis-steps. First, with its horrifyingly nasty looking Tribeca...that was a disaster that kept Subaru from taking market share in the crossover segment...but what did they do? Now, the Tribeca is styled waaay to conservatively, looking like a Kia.
 
Well the styling on the STI only matters from the back at this point. Since that's likely to be what the EVO owner will see.
The new EVO which I liked doesn't cut it and performance wise it';s not there. The Mazdaspeed 3 will keep up with the new EVO to a point and it wouldn't take much tuning to make a Speed3 faster than the new EVO.
Styling is important but performance matters more and yes the new EVO looks great but the STI outperforms it, thus far in tests. Subaru is usually more reliable overall as well. We have a lot of Subaru's in my area and very few Mitsubishi's and my WRX with over 200K hasn't needed anything major, just standard maintainance. My money would go to Subaru because lots of dealers and excellent reliability. Styling goes to the EVO.

#75 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [tiff_c] by aviboy97

Dec 12, 2007 (9:30 am)

Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 12, 2007 5:47 am)
The Mazdaspeed 3 will keep up with the new EVO to a point and it wouldn't take much tuning to make a Speed3 faster than the new EVO.
 
From what I have been reading, the Speed3 is able to keep pace because the EVO is 3,500 lbs. MS3 is only around 3,100. From a dig the MS3 is at a disadvantage, but, the MS3's trap speed from 40-60 and 60-100 are just nuts. MS3 stands no chance against the new STi, unless modification is done.

#76 of 106 Re: Subaru Destroys Its Chances of Success [tiff_c] by stevecebu

Dec 12, 2007 (9:54 am)

Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 12, 2007 5:47 am)
Styling is important but performance matters more and yes the new EVO looks great but the STI outperforms it, thus far in tests. Subaru is usually more reliable overall as well.
 
Hey Tiff how ya doing guy?
I've been catching up on the STI vs EVO Warz and so far I agree with you that the STI looks at this point to be pretty good on initial runs and it looks pretty good but the EVO still looks great, the front intercooler looks like it's going to take a front bumper hit pretty bad even in something minor and kill it especially if you are in the dirt.
I'll be back end of Jan to the good old USA and can't wait! Some great cars here in da Phils but lousy mechanics.
My wife and I have narrowed our choices down to the STI, the Mazdaspeed 3 and maybe the EVO because unlike you I will need a car pronto and I doubt the EVO will have it's tranny issues fixed for it's slushomatic in time for release for me to test drive it.
The STI looks like it will be out and the Mazdaspeed 3 will be out for certain. I'm probably going to buy whichever one puts a smile on my face as well as my asawa's. $36K or so isn't cheap but at least buy a Speed3 so I can really test it to see if I want one. LOL!
I'm thinking the new STI will probably be good in RallyX but the Speed3 delivers similar numbers in the dry and shoot the STI is what like $12-13K over a Speed3, add a CAI and a few goodies nothing major and you'll keep up with the STI in the dry although the wet is another matter.
I wonder how well the Subie guys will be able to fix first year problems with the fancy new Diffs?
Gotta drive all 3 I guess if possible. Speed3 is going to be an issue on the NE roads in the winter.
My wife figures the STI will slide real good in the snow but it's what 59% to the rear, only, under manual lock?
I was hoping for more.
Ah well beats the pants off the 1 series anyway I drove one here with the wimpola engine in it and it's ok but small like a Mini cooper inside.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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