I have just driven the new Impreza press car for the Irish market which is the same as the British one except for a few things.

I only drove it for ten minutes but here’s my take on it.

*Much more smoother suspension than previous cars. It really feels like a more expensive car and soaks up a lot more bumps.

*Irish car gets sport bucket seats as standard which the British Impreza won’t get as an option until April. They are gorgeous to look at with a black web-type pattern continiuing from the doors on the seats.

*Engine was very tight so I couldn’t give it a good whack but it definitely felt smoother and more constant on the revs all the way up.

*Double DIN stereo has one CD slot and it sounds OKish but looks pretty good.

* 17 inches look good with the calipers showing through quite nicely.

*The dash and dials raise the profile of the car to a different segment of the market. Although it’s initally hard to get used to the speedo being straight in front of you.

*looking down the bonnet is also weird because they’re are two big bulges running on each side of the bonnet down to the new lights.

*Ah, the new lights.You know how people are saying that six months down the line we won’t whinge about them? Well, I think they’re right. Looking at the car after the drive they seemed to make sense...but then again the adrenaline was flowing and I was crying because I’ll don’t have the cash to buy one.

*There’s no alarm for the Irish market as standard.

*Drilled metal foot pedals as standard.

* I don’t like the spoiler.

*All in all the Impreza has gone upmarket and I think it’s better for it. No boy racer would be seen dead in one and that’s alright with me.

 

how come the irish ones get the bucket seats now while we have to wait til april ? however i understand they will then become standard on the wrx / turbo.

not sure i agree about the double din stereo ? how easy to remove and fit your own ? i've got a single din pioneer setup in my MY00 with a 12 disc changer in the boot.

spoiler does look a bit 'something and nothing' ?

still, cant wait for my test drive when my local dealer gets one next month sometime.

steve

[This message has been edited by Steve Perriam (edited 16 October 2000).]

 

I'll get into trouble for this....here goes.

Do the Irish Impreza's come with Guinness (sp) Holders?

P.

 

Very funny,but Subaru recognised what accomplished drivers we are over here in Ireland and that is why they have choosen to give us the bucket seats straight away.

 

Aren't the bucket seats for the Irish to collect the potatoes in?

(Ducks, runs for cover...)

BJH

 

In the Irish market the car is deliberately being pushed upmarket to get away from the boy racer image that some folk have about the car.

I also forgot that it has climate control and not air con.

But while you’re not getting the sports seats we’re not getting the 3.0 litre Legacy.

 

Brendan.....

RAOFLMAO

 

Re seats.

Have Subaru UK gone loopy.

Does this mean I will get normal seats (armchairs) if I a buy an 01 uk wrx/turbo over the next few months or if post April 01 then have to pay extra for them.

Big reason I like my 00 is the seats and now they taketh them away.

Ed

 

bucket seats will not be standard til april 2001 but i understand they will not add to the cost ? (unless they increase the price of the car itself !)

air con is called 'semi-automatic air conditioning' in the brochure ? is this proper climate control ?

cheers

steve

 

How come this other Kevin proclaims that the new car has climate control but no air-con.I thought you cant have climate control without air-con?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kevin2000:
<B>How come this other Kevin proclaims that the new car has climate control but no air-con.I thought you cant have climate control without air-con?[/quote]

 

As I understand it, the UK model comes standard without bucket seats, but with side impact airbags BUILT INTO THE SEATS. You can specify bucket seats as a no cost option, but you loose the side airbags. I know which option I'd take - and it's not the armchair one

Andy

 

SUCKERS!!!!
Down here in OZ we get it all on the new WRX except for side air bags. Bucket Racing Seats that are even better than the MY00 model it replaces. Climate control air-con ( yes, they are one and the same) as well. Not only but also, drilled aluminium pedals and that great Momo steering wheel for the 215/45/17 boots.
Happy Motoring


PS: I've driven it.