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2012 Subaru Impreza

1605 messages,  Last post on Apr 19, 2013 at 2:22 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

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

Messages Page 84 of 162

#822 of 1605 is 2012 impreza 'all new'? by bobdole888

Mar 18, 2012 (8:42 am)

There's a lot of splash about 2012 impreza being 'all new' and lots of great improvements.
 
I came across the 2007 impreza 2.0R and couldn't believe how similar it is to the 2012:
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Subaru-Impreza-2- 0R/
 
It seems that the only improvement in 2012 came from using CVT.
The 2007 engine seems like a better one with peak torque delivered at 2000 rpm!!!
 
Why did they raised the peak torque to 4200 rpm on the 2012???
 
If you look around some more, you'll find the 2007 was 80 lb lighter than 2012.

#823 of 1605 Re: is 2012 impreza 'all new'? [bobdole888] by angitherias

Mar 18, 2012 (9:03 am)

Replying to: bobdole888 (Mar 18, 2012 8:42 am)
Was this model available in Canada/USA?
 
edit: did some quick research, looks like it was only available in Japan/Europe.

#824 of 1605 Re: The wait is over....almost. [techdude] by dfong87

Mar 18, 2012 (9:04 am)

Replying to: techdude (Mar 17, 2012 2:30 pm)
Congrats!

#825 of 1605 Re: Recs for SF Bay Area Dealers [bobdole888] by ericspyder

Mar 18, 2012 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: bobdole888 (Mar 16, 2012 10:00 pm)
Bob,
 
Correct me if I am wrong that you haven't pick up your Impreza yet, right?
 
Eric

#826 of 1605 Re: Recs for SF Bay Area Dealers [ericspyder] by bobdole888

Mar 18, 2012 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: ericspyder (Mar 18, 2012 3:04 pm)
correct. I still have 4-6 weeks of wait left.

#827 of 1605 Why Impreza? by backy

Mar 18, 2012 (5:32 pm)

For those who have purchased or leased a 2012 Impreza, would you mind sharing:
 
* Why did you get an Impreza? What were the 1 or 2 most important reasons?
* What other cars if any did you seriously consider?
 
The Impreza (2.0 Premium CVT) is on my list for my next car, but frankly it's not as high as some others, e.g. Mazda3i Touring 6MT and VW Golf 5MT. And possibly the Elantra GT 6MT but I haven't been able to see or drive it yet.
 
Thanks!

#828 of 1605 Re: Why Impreza? [backy] by steine13

Mar 18, 2012 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 18, 2012 5:32 pm)
Not the Impreza 5speed? That would be the obvious competitor to the other cars you listed.. no?
 
FWIW, I was at the Subaru parts counter last week -- had to blow $100 Subaru bucks that expire next week -- and I asked them about experience with the CVTs.
 
They said no problems, really, "the biggest issue is for people to get used to how they drive." I haven't had the pleasure, yet... I've asked a salesman to give me a call if a manual-transmission "anything" comes in, then I'll drive both back-to-back and see for myself. I'm pretty much stuck on the manuals, though.
 
Do you have any reason to avoid the manual Impreza?
Cheers -m

#829 of 1605 Re: Why Impreza? [backy] by tyguy

Mar 18, 2012 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 18, 2012 5:32 pm)
Why:
It was the whole package. Excellent gas mileage, superb handling, AWD, large interior space (relative to class), quality design/build, Subaru reputation for durability, competitive price.
 
Others considered:
Ford Focus, Chevy Cruze, VW Golf, VW Jetta, Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic.

#830 of 1605 Re: Why Impreza? [steine13] by backy

Mar 18, 2012 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: steine13 (Mar 18, 2012 6:14 pm)
Yes, the 5-speed WOULD be the natural competitor. Unfortunately, when I drove the 5-speed it was way too noisy and high-revving (read: fuel-gulping) for my taste, especially compared to the likes of 6MTs like the Mazda3 and Elantra. Even the Golf's 5MT is low-revving and quiet at cruise compared to the Impreza's, and Focus' 5MT also if not quite as low revving as the Golf. The CVT on the Impreza seemed much quieter, and lower revving. I expect it will get significantly better FE than the 5-speed, which is reflected in the EPA ratings. So that is a big strike against the Impreza for me vs. cars like the Mazda3 and Golf--not only will the Impreza cost more because of the CVT, but I won't have the fun of a manual. I have a CVT now (Sentra) and it's nice and quiet on the highway and gets good FE (better than its EPA ratings), but fun-to-drive it's not.
 
The Impreza's one big advantage of the cars I'm looking at is AWD. I'm just not sure I need it. I live where there can be a lot of snow, but in a metro area where snow removal is an art form. I've driven for 40 years w/o AWD, so I expect I can do w/o it, especially now that ESC with traction control is standard on new cars.

#831 of 1605 Re: Why Impreza? [tyguy] by backy

Mar 18, 2012 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: tyguy (Mar 18, 2012 7:47 pm)
Thanks for the response. I agree on the AWD part of course. I'll take your word for Subaru's reputation for durability, although other cars I'm considering esp. the Mazda3 also have a very good reputation. I also like the visibility in the Impreza.
 
Some of the cars I'm looking at (Mazda3 and Elantra) surpass the Impreza in FE. (A used Prius is another option, but will go that route only if gas is ~$5/gallon next year when I buy--not exactly fun to drive!) I think the Mazda3, Focus, and Golf handle at least as well if not better than the Impreza. The Impreza's back seat is quite roomy, more leg room than the Mazda3 and Focus (but not as much as Elantra or Prius). Price-wise, just based on truecar.com for now, the Focus SE hatch would be cheapest as a new car, with the Mazda3 and Golf (2-door) a little more. A used Prius would be about the same as a new Mazda3, maybe a little more. The Impreza would be over $2000 more than the Golf or Mazda3 because I'd need to get the Premium CVT trim to get a car I could live with, and the discounts on the Impreza, at least in my area, are pretty slim right now. That could change by next year, when I'll buy. I don't know the pricing on the Elantra GT yet, as it's not available until this summer. I've driven the Elantra sedan but not the hatch (obviously).
 
I am only looking at hatches, so I'm not seriously considering cars like the Cruze, Jetta, or Civic. If I were considering sedans, I doubt those would make my short list. Cruze's back seat is too cramped for my needs, Jetta is not as nice nor as versatile as the Golf, and I couldn't live with the dash on the Civic (plus I prefer the way the Impreza/Mazda3/Golf/Focus ride and drive compared to the Civic.

Messages Page 84 of 162

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