The Times Review
10 March 2003, 01:33 PM
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From the times website
I never bought into the cult of the highly tuned Subaru Impreza Turbo. The basic car has always been a splendidly effective and dependable device and for me, if for few others in this game, they were always spoilt by attempts to make them go faster.
Nor have we been short of tweaked versions: there was the old WRX, the RB5, 22B, P1, WR Prodrive, the original STi, and probably several more I’ve forgotten. These were cars that begged to be driven fast and whenever I did I almost invariably regretted it: all the extra performance served only to highlight the hitherto well-concealed limitations of their handling and their brakes.
It’s also why I have adored all the various Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. Impractical and infuriating they may be, but when challenged to live up to the promise of their looks, every last one has delivered in full.
Now it looks as though Subaru is waking up. It would like you to think that relaunching this restyled and mechanically enhanced Impreza only one year after its predecessor was all part of the plan. The truth is that the earlier car was so ugly it didn’t sell. That said, it has also created the opportunity to modify further the STi performance derivative and for the first time, in my view, the result is better even than the standard model.
Improvements to the suspension and brakes make this the best-handling Impreza ever, yet at £24,995 it is £2,500 cheaper than last year’s car. Under the circumstances it would be rude not to spend £2,000 of the saving on the Subaru-approved Prodrive performance pack, which boosts power from an interesting 262bhp to a positively fascinating 300bhp.
First impressions, however, are not good. At idle the engine sounds like it’s breaking wind and you soon become aware that the ride is simply appalling. At a stroke the Impreza’s strongest suit, its everyday ease of driving, has been badly compromised.
The flip side is that it is astonishingly fast: 0 to 60mph in 4.6sec is well inside Aston Martin Vanquish V12 territory. The gearchange is brilliant, too: short in throw, swift in action, it allows the mesmerising acceleration to continue almost uninterrupted.
But what really marks this car out is that the fun no longer stops when the corners start. Most importantly, the brakes give all the reassurance and retardation you could want, and the sharpened steering means the nose follows your chosen line like a bloodhound instead of trying to run wide. It is fun, agile and exploitable like no other Impreza before.
The question is not whether this is the best driver’s car Subaru has ever produced, for it indisputably is. The issue is whether too many of its less exciting but still important qualities have been sacrificed along the way.
Were it not for the ride quality, I’d say Subaru had judged things to perfection. Nobody expects a car like this to cosset but a fairly fundamental requirement is that it does not beat up its driver every time he or she climbs aboard if it is to work as the everyday machine it was clearly intended to be.
The other point is that however good the STi is to drive, and believe me it’s close to fabulous, it’s still not as much fun as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII. So if you’re going to have your fillings dislodged anyway you might as well be enjoying yourself as much as possible, and that still means choosing the Evo over the STi.
In fact, the decision isn’t so simple. The truth is that the Evo is even less practical than the Impreza thanks to its pathetic fuel tank and awesome thirst, its cabin looks cheaper still and some will find its hooligan attitude overwhelming. Indeed, however good the Evo VII is on the road it’s even better on the track, which means it is a sensible choice only when viewed largely as a recreational device and, therefore, probably as a second car.
Of the two I’d still choose the Evo because in the right circumstances it can do things denied even to the Subaru. As an only car the Impreza is by far the better bet. If you can stand the ride it is the greatest all-rounder you can buy for less than £30,000.
VITAL STATISTICS
Model Subaru Impreza WRX STi with Prodrive performance pack
Engine type Four cylinders, turbocharged, 1994cc
Power/Torque 300bhp @ 6000rpm/ 299 lb ft @ 4000rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Suspension (front and rear) inverted struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Tyres 225/45 ZR 17
Fuel/CO2 n/a / n/a
Co car tax £3,756 for higher-rate taxpayer
Top speed 155mph
Acceleration 0 to 60mph: 4.6sec
Price £26,990
Verdict Best Impreza yet
4/5 stars
I never bought into the cult of the highly tuned Subaru Impreza Turbo. The basic car has always been a splendidly effective and dependable device and for me, if for few others in this game, they were always spoilt by attempts to make them go faster.
Nor have we been short of tweaked versions: there was the old WRX, the RB5, 22B, P1, WR Prodrive, the original STi, and probably several more I’ve forgotten. These were cars that begged to be driven fast and whenever I did I almost invariably regretted it: all the extra performance served only to highlight the hitherto well-concealed limitations of their handling and their brakes.
It’s also why I have adored all the various Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. Impractical and infuriating they may be, but when challenged to live up to the promise of their looks, every last one has delivered in full.
Now it looks as though Subaru is waking up. It would like you to think that relaunching this restyled and mechanically enhanced Impreza only one year after its predecessor was all part of the plan. The truth is that the earlier car was so ugly it didn’t sell. That said, it has also created the opportunity to modify further the STi performance derivative and for the first time, in my view, the result is better even than the standard model.
Improvements to the suspension and brakes make this the best-handling Impreza ever, yet at £24,995 it is £2,500 cheaper than last year’s car. Under the circumstances it would be rude not to spend £2,000 of the saving on the Subaru-approved Prodrive performance pack, which boosts power from an interesting 262bhp to a positively fascinating 300bhp.
First impressions, however, are not good. At idle the engine sounds like it’s breaking wind and you soon become aware that the ride is simply appalling. At a stroke the Impreza’s strongest suit, its everyday ease of driving, has been badly compromised.
The flip side is that it is astonishingly fast: 0 to 60mph in 4.6sec is well inside Aston Martin Vanquish V12 territory. The gearchange is brilliant, too: short in throw, swift in action, it allows the mesmerising acceleration to continue almost uninterrupted.
But what really marks this car out is that the fun no longer stops when the corners start. Most importantly, the brakes give all the reassurance and retardation you could want, and the sharpened steering means the nose follows your chosen line like a bloodhound instead of trying to run wide. It is fun, agile and exploitable like no other Impreza before.
The question is not whether this is the best driver’s car Subaru has ever produced, for it indisputably is. The issue is whether too many of its less exciting but still important qualities have been sacrificed along the way.
Were it not for the ride quality, I’d say Subaru had judged things to perfection. Nobody expects a car like this to cosset but a fairly fundamental requirement is that it does not beat up its driver every time he or she climbs aboard if it is to work as the everyday machine it was clearly intended to be.
The other point is that however good the STi is to drive, and believe me it’s close to fabulous, it’s still not as much fun as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII. So if you’re going to have your fillings dislodged anyway you might as well be enjoying yourself as much as possible, and that still means choosing the Evo over the STi.
In fact, the decision isn’t so simple. The truth is that the Evo is even less practical than the Impreza thanks to its pathetic fuel tank and awesome thirst, its cabin looks cheaper still and some will find its hooligan attitude overwhelming. Indeed, however good the Evo VII is on the road it’s even better on the track, which means it is a sensible choice only when viewed largely as a recreational device and, therefore, probably as a second car.
Of the two I’d still choose the Evo because in the right circumstances it can do things denied even to the Subaru. As an only car the Impreza is by far the better bet. If you can stand the ride it is the greatest all-rounder you can buy for less than £30,000.
VITAL STATISTICS
Model Subaru Impreza WRX STi with Prodrive performance pack
Engine type Four cylinders, turbocharged, 1994cc
Power/Torque 300bhp @ 6000rpm/ 299 lb ft @ 4000rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Suspension (front and rear) inverted struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Tyres 225/45 ZR 17
Fuel/CO2 n/a / n/a
Co car tax £3,756 for higher-rate taxpayer
Top speed 155mph
Acceleration 0 to 60mph: 4.6sec
Price £26,990
Verdict Best Impreza yet
4/5 stars
10 March 2003, 01:48 PM
#4
When IM import genuine STi's with the DCCD transmition and sell them as oficial UK spec cars, that reviewer with change his mind over the EVO being the most fun and capable.
I still cant work out why we dont get the DCCD oficially in the UK, the American's have it on their new USDM STi 2.5.
I still cant work out why we dont get the DCCD oficially in the UK, the American's have it on their new USDM STi 2.5.
10 March 2003, 02:19 PM
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Asked an IM man about the wiper and DCCD thingy. Answer was straightford: Cost!
The Japs, he says, sell each car for a certain price point in EACH market and factor in shipping etc and Europe doesn't get the wiper because it saves maybe $20.
But multiply this to maybe 300,000 WRX a year and you see the truth behind the sums.
So they leave it out knowing that very few people will not buy a WRX just because it doesn't have a wiper
He also said that America has always been a important market for big middle of the road model Subaru sales but that in the last year Subaru USA has started to throw its weight around and get more concessions from Japan.
And he said that shipping by weight from japan to Seattle is with, the massive US sales, much cheaper.
Don't know if I agree with all this but some of it makes sense.
The Japs, he says, sell each car for a certain price point in EACH market and factor in shipping etc and Europe doesn't get the wiper because it saves maybe $20.
But multiply this to maybe 300,000 WRX a year and you see the truth behind the sums.
So they leave it out knowing that very few people will not buy a WRX just because it doesn't have a wiper
He also said that America has always been a important market for big middle of the road model Subaru sales but that in the last year Subaru USA has started to throw its weight around and get more concessions from Japan.
And he said that shipping by weight from japan to Seattle is with, the massive US sales, much cheaper.
Don't know if I agree with all this but some of it makes sense.
10 March 2003, 03:07 PM
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Rant on (probably wish full thinking but...)
We seem to be loosing pace with Japan on this one, I think that enthusiasts amoung us may well choose to buy a top spec JDM model with DCCD, rear wipe (pathetic ommision IMHO) Twin scroll turbo etc etc as an import next time round, If a decent aftermarket warranty policy that people trusted was set up it may turn into a flood. Then perhaps Subaru might take notice and ask the customers what they want rather then the accountants
Quite frankly the new "8" is a 7 with new front wings, lights and rear lenses, still a great car but no real step forward at all.
Rant off
We seem to be loosing pace with Japan on this one, I think that enthusiasts amoung us may well choose to buy a top spec JDM model with DCCD, rear wipe (pathetic ommision IMHO) Twin scroll turbo etc etc as an import next time round, If a decent aftermarket warranty policy that people trusted was set up it may turn into a flood. Then perhaps Subaru might take notice and ask the customers what they want rather then the accountants
Quite frankly the new "8" is a 7 with new front wings, lights and rear lenses, still a great car but no real step forward at all.
Rant off
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10 March 2003, 04:09 PM
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Ross,
It'll never happen because:
a) a "lot" of people are scared about the lack of warranty
b) a "lot" of peolpe don't like the idea of no (official) support from local Subaru dealers
c) a fair few people are scared of Importing
d) a fair few people just can't afford to insure a JDM Scoob (especially peolple who live in London and don't have a garage....
)
e) a fair few people don't like the idea of not being able to part ex the JDM model come resale
f) some people are just too lazy
So, they are the downsides which affect people to differing degrees. If you live in the middle of nowhere, have a garage, buy second hand, keep the car for a long time, know/use/trust/can travel to a Subaru "specialist" for servicing and other work, and want the best spec available for your money, the JDM makes a lot of sense. If you change cars every year, live in London and park on the street, want a factory warranty, local dealer servicing, and main dealer part-ex then a UK/EU car is probably for you.
Remember that not so long ago, quite a few people used to import WRX and STi's because you couldn't get them from the EU and IM didn't flinch - they just calmly refused to have anything to do with them as they make plenty of money as it is!! I predict that history will repeat itself (where lots of people import STi's) and perhaps we are set to go round this cycle every few years now? (where IM do finally sell an Anglacised/EUcised version of the JDM STi and everyone catches up for a bit)....
Matt
It'll never happen because:
a) a "lot" of people are scared about the lack of warranty
b) a "lot" of peolpe don't like the idea of no (official) support from local Subaru dealers
c) a fair few people are scared of Importing
d) a fair few people just can't afford to insure a JDM Scoob (especially peolple who live in London and don't have a garage....
)e) a fair few people don't like the idea of not being able to part ex the JDM model come resale
f) some people are just too lazy
So, they are the downsides which affect people to differing degrees. If you live in the middle of nowhere, have a garage, buy second hand, keep the car for a long time, know/use/trust/can travel to a Subaru "specialist" for servicing and other work, and want the best spec available for your money, the JDM makes a lot of sense. If you change cars every year, live in London and park on the street, want a factory warranty, local dealer servicing, and main dealer part-ex then a UK/EU car is probably for you.
Remember that not so long ago, quite a few people used to import WRX and STi's because you couldn't get them from the EU and IM didn't flinch - they just calmly refused to have anything to do with them as they make plenty of money as it is!! I predict that history will repeat itself (where lots of people import STi's) and perhaps we are set to go round this cycle every few years now? (where IM do finally sell an Anglacised/EUcised version of the JDM STi and everyone catches up for a bit)....
Matt
03 October 2003, 01:51 PM
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No idea. DCCD would'nt affect emissions etc so there's no reason why it should be left off(same goes a for a rear wiper). The same applies to of other goodies that get left off the UK/WU Cars...
Edited due to finger failure
[Edited by Neil Smalley - 3/10/2003 1:52:47 PM]
Edited due to finger failure
[Edited by Neil Smalley - 3/10/2003 1:52:47 PM]
03 October 2003, 05:42 PM
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Matt
Yeah! your right of course, hence the wishful thinking bit, but it is a shame, I probably fall into the "middle of nowhere..." catagory so I will look into a JDM next time round.
I still feel we are being served the watered down version over here rather than the real deal, yet again many will be wondering (myself included)whether to go with the more focused evo8 next time, the divider is getting much smaller now with respect to practicality, fuel tank size servicing and factory back up.
"Flaming expected on this one"
Depends what you want I suppose I just hope someone at Subaru takes note of some of the comments here. Owning a Scoob is never a decision based on logic or economics, with cr*p residuals as they are, I would pay a premium for the goodies that IMHO should be found on the UK STI 8 version and are sadly missing.
Ross
[Edited by scoobycar60 - 3/10/2003 5:44:25 PM]
Yeah! your right of course, hence the wishful thinking bit, but it is a shame, I probably fall into the "middle of nowhere..."
catagory so I will look into a JDM next time round.I still feel we are being served the watered down version over here rather than the real deal, yet again many will be wondering (myself included)whether to go with the more focused evo8 next time, the divider is getting much smaller now with respect to practicality, fuel tank size servicing and factory back up.
"Flaming expected on this one"
Depends what you want I suppose I just hope someone at Subaru takes note of some of the comments here. Owning a Scoob is never a decision based on logic or economics, with cr*p residuals as they are, I would pay a premium for the goodies that IMHO should be found on the UK STI 8 version and are sadly missing.
Ross
[Edited by scoobycar60 - 3/10/2003 5:44:25 PM]
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