Maz

iTrader: (34)

http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/se...ti_comparison/

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

That 2014 car is really growing on me, though I didn't realise the US only got 1000 of them!

south_scoob

mercedes design team has lost the plot

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Interesting, least powerful yet most fun. No surprise it loses out slightly in the 0-60 and qtr mile. I think Subaru should have upped the power to put it at the same level as it's "rivals" oh and made it more reliable, then they'd have been onto a winner.

Paben

iTrader: (5)

Reads well but is it the same old flawed 2.5 engine?

urban

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely, only a matter of time before it'll have shat its bags

neil-h

Nice assumption there.

Oh and how **** were the photos on that website.

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

The reviewer, Jeremy, has always had a soft spot for Imprezas.
I used to chat to him on and off years back.

Yes the pics!!!! not the best

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

At least they have a design team, the Subaru looks like it was designed by a blind retarded chimp! It's a complete aesthetic mess.

grey_boy

Still cuts the mustard and the residuals are far better than those German things..

Looks stunning too. Love it

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

You must have **** in your eye

grey_boy

Yeah I think so...your missus backfired..again

Blue by You

iTrader: (23)

I think the new WRX STi is just more of the same. And it looks like an EVO to boot, I mean whatever happened to considered design?
Will there be yet more 2.5 engine woes?
It's the least powerful engine of the three in both bhp and torque, not good when the Merc has just a 2.0 litre lump.
Consequently in spite of being the lightest car the STi still has the worst power to weight ratio.
More of the same appalling mpg figures compared to the faster German rivals - 23mpg best against their low 30's is nothing to brag about these days, even if you do allow that you don't buy a performance car to save fuel.
It's the slowest car in everything apart from accelleration up to 50mph and the road course lap which it won by 0.08 seconds, wow.
Look at the picture of the engine bay. That photo could have been taken 10 years ago. Where's the progress?
Oh yes, and it comes in a new and original snappy colour scheme. Blue over gold. How innovative. Resting on laurels?

Ok so it's the cheapest by some way, and it has the best drivetrain warranty - good job really because that might be the best thing about it.

It doesn't cut any mustard for me. And since when did Americans know enough about sports saloons to be able to give a valid opinion? Oh yeah, they built one - the Corvette.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Whilst I don't think we'll ever get back to the glory days of the Impreza, I'm quite heartened by the reviews of the latest model. It's getting the thumbs up from all those testing it. The no nonsense 'spit on yer hands and get on with it' philosophy synonymous with the early models seems to be back. Unfortunately the 2.5 is still an unknown quantity and could make or break the model.
Looks wise it's a subjective thing. I like the wings and bulges, typical Impreza idiosyncrasy. Plus Imprezas are like angels, they look a little ordinary without wings!

Ps no bun fighting please, let's appreciate what little Subaru has to offer.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

No, it's because your head is up your own ****!

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

It's not really that subjective though is it? Grab any qualified designer and he/she will look at it and point out how nothing flows, there is no design aesthetique if you like. Say what you like about Mercs, BMWs and Audi, but at least there is a design philosophy and some integrity to the visual concept.

The current STI, in fact all STIs since 2007 look like they were designed by a committee that never met.

Compare them to the smooth lines and integration of the original classic Impreza and it's like they are from a different world. Yes the original design is dated, but it had balance and worked as a design greater than the sum of its parts if you like, the current one is nothing more than a mess, there is no flow, no overall concept, it's like they came in every day and said 'let's put a crease here', 'let's put a vent there', 'let's put a bulge here'... horrible quite frankly!

Blue by You

iTrader: (23)

Unfortunately I think you have hit the nail fair and square with that remark.

Blue by You

iTrader: (23)

My point exactly.

neil-h

Are they though? Last time i looked on autotrader it was full of overpriced cars that people were struggling to shift.

LuckyWelshchap

Cheers for the post, good link imo

Our American pals never fail to bring a smile to my face.

'Pobst says it's the best bimmer ever. That's enough for me' (or words to that effect) says one.
Strange, considering it was a comparison test, one NOT between BMs.

There was also the stupid comment about looks and buying (or not) a car because of them - this on a peformance comparison site

Anyway, some diamonds among the mud:

• Good comment regarding the overall handling etc. where the poster said that a pro driver would make the differences count but an amateur wouldn't, hence the scooby being faster/better for the ordinary man-in-the-street.
  I agree. A Subaru isn't forgiving, it doesn't need to be - it doesn't let you make the mistake in the first place (unless you're incredibly stupid and fail to turn the wheel).
• And the comment(s) about not comparing like with like.
  A Subaru is in its own created and very limited niche (which it shares with the Evo). Not a sports car, not a family saloon but it can double as either.

This perhaps is a problem Subaru owners/drivers face. Sports car drivers don't like being out-performed by a family saloon and saloon drivers don't like sports car drivers showing off.

But back fully on track isn't it also interesting to see that other manufacturers are moving into the performance AWD market, even if it is 'downwards' to BM and MB diehards ?

Perhaps the 'plank yank' who posted that Subarus are 'F & F, sooo 2001' might now consider the idea ahead of its time ?

Carnut

In case you are as dim as me you need to go through the pics in order to read full review.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/BMW...WRX-2014-05-08

NormantheDog

He's back!

NormantheDog

Has he bought one yet though

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

I enjoyed the read but take all the comments with a pinch of salt. The only real test/judge is for you to go out and test one for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised or you may think what a horrible thing it is.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

True, likes and dislikes are very subjective.
However given the lukewarm run the Impreza has had of late, it's good to read anything positive. I'm very much an Impreza man. It's becoming a cliche but it's the ubiquitous working class hero. Punching well above it's weight and possessing an endearing appeal (to me anyway).
Whilst it will never capture the iconic status of it's forebears thankfully it's embodying some of the spirit. All imho of course.

dnc

Really??

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Yes, really and the 2.5 engine doesn't have a design fault either These threads get more laughable by the week. Blinkered, deluded or plain daft... I don't know which!

NormantheDog

Thank god we only live once

LuckyWelshchap

Thank the Devil that he does

CADpaul

i'm just back from America and they are raving about the new WRX with its 2.0 268 HP engine, most say its not worth the extra for the STI, Subaru adverts were on the TV quite a bit too out there