Given that FHI/Subaru UK/Subaru Japan have access to the BBS, IWOC lists, etc; and one would like to think that they take constructive suggestions seriously (eg. headlight changes on MY99, cheaper aircon), perhaps we could post some suggestions on the BBS about what we'd like for the new shape Impreza (if it hasn't been decided already).

Having spoken to my dealer, they're suggesting that SUK add a barrier deadlock to the UK Turbo spec. It's about time aircon was standard as well.

I'd also like the new Impreza to have more muscular wheelarches, a la 22B. And I'd also like the Prodrive MY99 chip to be the standard engine ECU.

Gosh, sounds like a letter to Santa http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

How about everyone else ?

What about fitting a boost gauge in clear view of driving sight.

Dan

Grief
According to this weeks Autocar all models will get flared arches. I hope i won't have to do Dukes of Hazard style exits from my single garage http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif
It doesn't sound like you'll need the ECU upgrade if WRX's are sold officially. What about the P2, P3 etc?


[This message has been edited by Jon Stewart (edited 25-01-2000).]

I suspect the design is already done, as the car will be out in Japan in a few months and here at the end of the year (allegedly).

The options one is a good idea though, aircon is possible, but they would have to totally remodel the controls for the climate control to get it through the WVA, unless they can find another CC unit fitted to another car that they can use. Barrier deadlock, definitely ? Boost gauge, well STi make one that fits ont he steering column, which I have just fitted to mine, and its in the line of sight but does not obstruct anything else, but whether it would pass WVA to be fitted as standard I dont know ?

Remember though, everything costs money, unless they use it as a way to reduce the cost of the standard car and put the options on, leaving the car at the price it is, if that makes sense http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

I know a lot of the things that they could fit as standard would cost money, but to make the car better, I've suggested a list of things which could be dropped from the standard car, to make way for some of the other options keeping the costs under control.

Things to drop:

1) Bright Switch (yes I know some people like it)

2) Headlamp washers. Spoil the looks of the front bumper, a bugger to wash/polish around, and to be honest don't really work anyway for most of the dirt that builds up on them. I only use them to wet the headlamps before wiping them with a cloth! Make it an extra cost option if necessary.

3) Adjustable headlamps. Again, how many people use these on a regular basis. I've adjusted mine twice in 3 years of ownership. Why not make it an extra cost option as above.

4) Stereo & speakers. I guess a lot of people fit better spec equipment, and would prefer to start with a blank sheet of paper and good quality wiring in place from the factory. having said that, the current spec system probably doesn't cost that much, and serves the needs of those who aren't bothered about sound quality.

Things I'd hope for (being realistic!):

1) Better quality dash and door trim materials, carpet and boot mat.

2) Adjustable luminosity for dash when lights are on.

3) Sun visors which don't go BANG when you flip them up!

4) A rear wash wiper for the 4 door models

5) Air con/climate control factory fitted as standard, or a low cost option in line with prices from other manufacturers

6) Upgrades possible - ie if you go for nice 17 inch wheels, a bigger rear spoiler, better seats etc, then you get an allowance for your old parts which are "new" and returned to stock, rather than outright purchase of new parts and you get the original "new" parts back. You could still have the the outright purchase option as present though.

7) Better headlights!!!

8) A few other little things which I can't think of just now http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Thoughts on other comments:

1) More Power. Mmm nice, but unlikely. Not everyone needs more power, insurance premiums would be significantly higher, and there already is the Prodrive upgrade option if you want it.

2) Boost gauge option. Nice - I would like to see it in the standard display, along with gauges for oil pressure, temperature etc. As all of this is available electronically to the ECU, why not have a small digitla display where you could cycle through the different readings, sort of like the old VW/Audi trip computers ?

I think that's enough for just now. I guess we;ll just have to wait until October/Q4 for the European launch of the new Impreza to find out the full spec http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

I agree with most of the above, but how about electrically heated mirrors, and one touch up/down on passenger window too. I'd also like a bootlid that doesn't fill my boot with water every time I open it in the rain! If the MY 99 headlights are an improvement on previous models God help the drivers of those! Some serious work needs to be put into illumination.

I know it sound silly but I really miss the heated mirrors my last car had.
I personally prefer not to have air con I don't like it, but there again I don't use it in town so tend not to get stuck in traffic very often.
I use the headlight dip a lot when I'm towing, I suppose it could be part of a towing pack.
Living somewhere which does get fog how about one fog one driving light ? is this legal ? could I do this now ?

Headlight.... what a joke, I would be better off hanging out the window with a Maglite!!

Heated mirrors are at the top of my list.

Heated mirrors are part of the all weather pack available on the Forester (not Philippa http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif); but not available on the Impreza according to my dealer. Odd.

After suffering from condensation problems on the inside of the car windscreen almost every day this winter; I think I need aircon just to get rid of it. Not for keeping me cool, particularly.

Strange you have had condensation problems.

My STI has had none and I have not heard of others.

Might be worth getting your rubber seals checked??

I think the car should be as standard and boring as possible! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

Recommend drum brakes, no rear spoiler, steel wheels, restrictive 2" exhaust etc http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Kind regards

Ben
Not biased ina any way http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

Grief, do you drive long distances with the recirc on? After a while, the condensation builds up & forms on the glass if you don't allow fresh air in from time to time. I'm planning to get aircon fitted at my next service.

Get aircon and in the summer, condensation will form on the <I>outside</I> of the glass... http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

Internal recirculation does cause a nightmare with condensation after a while.

Top of my list are:

- heated mirrors for sure
- heated front screen (nice to have)
- auto window adjust on door shutting like on the BMWs to make sure it shuts every time
- etched window numbers
- drilled front disks so I can fit a lock!

I thought all new cars had to have headlamp level adjustment? Mini's have them and that's all they have in the way of "gadgets".

Dear Subaru UK, as an ad-hoc representative of a nation that pays more for Subaru cars than practically any other (notable SE Asian countries excepted), I feel justified in asking you to ensure the following:

1) no loss of Subaru characteristics as a result of GM's purchase of 20% of FHI

2) no use of GM platforms. Ever

3) no part-sharing with GM. Ever

4) no screwing with loyal punters by bullying dealers into denying service to import owners

5) stop charging 1500 quid for air-con (or however much it is). Air-con isn't just about cooling the air, however pointless you think it is in the UK

6) a plea - don't dilute any of the existing car's enthusiasm (a la BMW E30/E36/E46).

Cheers. And don't forget to put the cat out.

Andy T

ok, can't resist any longer...

1) A decent fan! On the few occasions that my my99 has misted up inside, the fan seems completely incapable of clearing more than the bottom half of the windscreen.

2) Better headlights (how do pre-my99 drivers manage? my99 is bad enough)

3) Bigger fuel tank http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

4) Rear wiper on all models

5) Framed-windows - what the hell is the point of frameless windows on a tin-top car - other than to increase the chance of leaks?

6) No pointless price-hike, altough I'm sure there will be. One of the reasons the current Impreza is such a hit is its power per buck ratio.

Paul L

At the risk of repeating others here's my list

1) Boost Gauge
2) Rear wiper
3) Windows that seal properly
4) Oil temperature guage
5) Scoobysport exhaust as standard
6) Heated wing mirrors
7) Something that tells you how long to keep the engine running before the turbo cools down.

James

Don't forget the Kev and Shaz windscreen sticker and the furry dice..... LOL


Dan

I'm surprised nobodys mestioned better fuel economy

I agree with andy T - the biggest danger is losing what is already there - particularly the basic chassis stiffness and handling.

Also danger of losing CHARISMA (no I don't mean the Mitsubishi!)

But I would like to see -

1) Less plasticky interior

2) Half decent headlights (Xenon gas discharge)

3) Variable driving modes - Economy Mode, Normal Mode, Donnington Mode and Santa Pod Mode!

4) More performance options - P2, P3, etc

Right then here we go,

1/ boost & oil temp guage
2/ standard brembos on turbo models
3/ heated mirrors
4/ heated windscreen
5/ playstation
6/ massive exhaust
7/ bigger engine
8/ nitros kit......
9/ ooer sorry.. got carried away

you cant make a fantastic car much better to be honest http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Stupot

Right, what I would get rid of is:

1) Headlamp washers - useless,
2) Headlamp levelling switch - make an option,
3) Bright switch - why bother,
4) Cupholders - a gimmick, pay extra for 'em if you find them that useful,
5) Electric drivers mirror- only really necessary for passenger side
6) Centre arm rest - pointless
7) Ashtray and lighter - as smokers are in the minority why do we still end up with these?

I would add:

1) Heated front windscreen - why is it only Ford choose to fit this to so many of their cars?
2) Standard aircon
3) Rear wiper for all models
4) Better fuel economy
5) Quickshift, or at least bettershift of some type

Unfortunately what I'd like costs more than what I'm prepared to sacrifice http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif. Typical.

While you're about it Santa, how about a 2 door as a standard UK model?

I have just read the new issue of Autocar, and it has an article on the new Impreza in it. As it is out in just over 4 months time, any requests for change would appear to be academic. It did say though, that the WRX will be a standard UK model, slightly cheaper than a P1, but with the same power.

I would aggree with more or less all of the above enhancements. Though again, I'm sure that Subaru have already decided the final design.
By the way a friend of mine who works in Ford's car developement centre(In Dunton, Essex)explained that crafty old Ford own the licence/copyright for the heated front screen design; which explains why no other car has it available, still - hope springs eternal........

Just to go off in a totally different direction to everyone else - what about a 'Club Sport' version? No aircon, electric toys, ICE, lighter panels, less sound deadening...
Light = Faster & more responsive http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif

James, sorry but can we get lighter than the TIN already used... LOL

Dan