The Impreza is dead....Long Live the Legacy
15 June 2006, 12:35 PM
#1
The Impreza is dead....Long Live the Legacy
Back in the day at the start of the 1990's when nobody except rally geeks and farmers knew who Subaru were. At the time, there was the Legacy 4-cam Turbo 
:
A good car, wolf in sheeps clothing (I suspect the seat covering was made from wool tweed too
). very fast, but unknown to masses. Great!!!
It's successor, in 1992 (in Japan and WRC, and a few years later for the UK market) was the Impreza Turbo. Same drivetrain with a different body. Different, looked good went even faster, asn STILL unknown to the masses who were still creaming over the death of cossies
But that changed. Every one now knows what they are. From Scally thieves to loud mouthed 13yr old gob****es, to the tasteless masses. Consequently the poor things were adorned with increasingly more stupid spoilers and skirts, daft light conversions, pitiful graphics, and oversized tailpipes that don't even exit straight. That's even before going onto what Subaru did when they lost the plot with the model revisions creating progressively uglier front end styling.
The original car's appeal is long dead. 
But, the Legacy lives on, a bit more lardy than before (like the newer Imprezas). But still carrying the same torch for over 15yrs, still mostly ignored and unknown. But in B4 Turbo form, still just as fast, very sophisticated discreet styling, and all the mod cons inside too.
Now, when are they going to bring out a decent Euro version with a turbo? As I can't be arsed faffing with JDMs and paying way too much for a type UK.
:A good car, wolf in sheeps clothing (I suspect the seat covering was made from wool tweed too
). very fast, but unknown to masses. Great!!!It's successor, in 1992 (in Japan and WRC, and a few years later for the UK market) was the Impreza Turbo. Same drivetrain with a different body. Different, looked good went even faster, asn STILL unknown to the masses who were still creaming over the death of cossies
But that changed. Every one now knows what they are. From Scally thieves to loud mouthed 13yr old gob****es, to the tasteless masses. Consequently the poor things were adorned with increasingly more stupid spoilers and skirts, daft light conversions, pitiful graphics, and oversized tailpipes that don't even exit straight. That's even before going onto what Subaru did when they lost the plot with the model revisions creating progressively uglier front end styling.
The original car's appeal is long dead. But, the Legacy lives on, a bit more lardy than before (like the newer Imprezas). But still carrying the same torch for over 15yrs, still mostly ignored and unknown. But in B4 Turbo form, still just as fast, very sophisticated discreet styling, and all the mod cons inside too.
Now, when are they going to bring out a decent Euro version with a turbo? As I can't be arsed faffing with JDMs and paying way too much for a type UK.
Last edited by ALi-B; 15 June 2006 at 12:40 PM.
15 June 2006, 12:59 PM
#2
Good points.
Flat bed pickups were the 1st Scoobs I remember from the farming village I grew up in. Had to get an Impreza when A) a friend of mine took me for a ride and B) Boss said I could get rid of company car but had to have 4 doors.
Still think RX7s are bargain performance cars at the moment and late model Masarati Ghiblis too. Although the RX7 is high maintenance and the Italians are not really known for realiability
New H6 Legacy is a great understated car, I may have to swap for an older spec B, if anyone will give me a mortgage (not for the car, but so the car can carry DIY stuff. Also an ideal surf board carrying tool.
Perhaps Legacy's might not be as addictive to tune
- probably not
Flat bed pickups were the 1st Scoobs I remember from the farming village I grew up in. Had to get an Impreza when A) a friend of mine took me for a ride and B) Boss said I could get rid of company car but had to have 4 doors.
Still think RX7s are bargain performance cars at the moment and late model Masarati Ghiblis too. Although the RX7 is high maintenance and the Italians are not really known for realiability
New H6 Legacy is a great understated car, I may have to swap for an older spec B, if anyone will give me a mortgage (not for the car, but so the car can carry DIY stuff. Also an ideal surf board carrying tool.
Perhaps Legacy's might not be as addictive to tune
- probably not
15 June 2006, 01:17 PM
#4
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Yep the Impreza certainly is well and truely dead.
They were once desirable to enthusiasts, but are now only desirable to the very lowest sections of society
The Legacy is quite quirky, but I must say the styling of front end is pretty poor. Good by Subaru standards I suppose tho!
They were once desirable to enthusiasts, but are now only desirable to the very lowest sections of society
The Legacy is quite quirky, but I must say the styling of front end is pretty poor. Good by Subaru standards I suppose tho!
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15 June 2006, 02:01 PM
#12
Me want one of these: http://www.subaru.co.jp/blitzen2005/catalog/start.html
....at motorpoint WRX prices (like that's ever going to happen)
....at motorpoint WRX prices (like that's ever going to happen)
Last edited by ALi-B; 15 June 2006 at 02:03 PM.
mines the white one!! hahaaa!
15 June 2006, 03:16 PM
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I understand your logic well sort of....I don't actually think the 'lowest form of society' go for imprezas...let's just say new ones anyway...chavs buying old classics at 4k a pop fair play but thats no different to them buying old 200sxs or old 190e cosworth mercs, the old ones were cool in their day. The new imprezas arguably don't quite have the 'love affair' of the classic but I dont see the lowest of society running around in a 20k impreza sti oddly.
As for the legacy shown erm if thats yer cuppa it certainly isnt mine no matter what is under the hood
As for the legacy shown erm if thats yer cuppa it certainly isnt mine no matter what is under the hood
15 June 2006, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by paulpalmer
Would be more stealth with MY00 Impreza wheels or similar though, in Silver.
Can't quite see what brakes you're running though...
J.
15 June 2006, 03:25 PM
#21
Originally Posted by AllyJ
I understand your logic well sort of....I don't actually think the 'lowest form of society' go for imprezas...let's just say new ones anyway...chavs buying old classics at 4k a pop fair play but thats no different to them buying old 200sxs or old 190e cosworth mercs, the old ones were cool in their day. The new imprezas arguably don't quite have the 'love affair' of the classic but I dont see the lowest of society running around in a 20k impreza sti oddly.
As for the legacy shown erm if thats yer cuppa it certainly isnt mine no matter what is under the hood
As for the legacy shown erm if thats yer cuppa it certainly isnt mine no matter what is under the hood
Thing is though, it happens with the newages equally as badly....look in members gallery, as soon as they are out of warrantee (or even before) they go nuts.
So it's not just an old classic shape impreza falling by the wayside into the hands of new Nova generation.It's just a sea of WR blue and gold
15 June 2006, 03:27 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by paulpalmer
No that's just a daring overtake on the outside
(oops that's undertaking - isn't it )D'oh
Flags were out to tell me off
Phil
Last edited by Leg@cy; 15 June 2006 at 03:31 PM.
15 June 2006, 03:35 PM
#23
Originally Posted by vindaloo
Nice
Would be more stealth with MY00 Impreza wheels or similar though, in Silver.
Can't quite see what brakes you're running though...
J.
Would be more stealth with MY00 Impreza wheels or similar though, in Silver.
Can't quite see what brakes you're running though...
J.
It just so happens I have a set of them
I am running 4 pots on it with uprated disks, pads and hoses. I plan to paint my sti wheels silver though 
Last edited by Paulo P; 15 June 2006 at 03:37 PM.
15 June 2006, 03:44 PM
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''Thing is though, it happens with the newages equally as badly....look in members gallery, as soon as they are out of warrantee (or even before) they go nuts. So it's not just an old classic shape impreza falling by the wayside into the hands of new Nova generation.''
indeed it does but it's not just imprezas, what I was trying to convey is it happens to any 'fast' car...once they devalue and can be bought up cheap....it doesnt help that imprezas do devalue relativly fast...there are things that will reduce it though..petrol being over a pound a litre and insurance costs and general running costs these all put off most 'chavs' tbh with you. Focus/Fiesta STs will be the chavs' car of choice in 4-5yrs time it wont be the impreza so much, mark my words...parts are easier to get hold of as it's a ford, and a lot cheaper to run.
I cant believe I saw a Golf VR6 highline chavved last week, no brand is safe from these scummers!
indeed it does but it's not just imprezas, what I was trying to convey is it happens to any 'fast' car...once they devalue and can be bought up cheap....it doesnt help that imprezas do devalue relativly fast...there are things that will reduce it though..petrol being over a pound a litre and insurance costs and general running costs these all put off most 'chavs' tbh with you. Focus/Fiesta STs will be the chavs' car of choice in 4-5yrs time it wont be the impreza so much, mark my words...parts are easier to get hold of as it's a ford, and a lot cheaper to run.
I cant believe I saw a Golf VR6 highline chavved last week, no brand is safe from these scummers!
15 June 2006, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ALi-B
It's successor, in 1992 (in Japan and WRC, and a few years later for the UK market) was the Impreza Turbo. Same drivetrain with a different body. Different, looked good went even faster.
But that changed. Every one now knows what they are. From Scally thieves to loud mouthed 13yr old gob****es, to the tasteless masses. Consequently the poor things were adorned with increasingly more stupid spoilers and skirts, daft light conversions, pitiful graphics, and oversized tailpipes that don't even exit straight. That's even before going onto what Subaru did when they lost the plot with the model revisions creating progressively uglier front end styling. The original car's appeal is long dead.
But that changed. Every one now knows what they are. From Scally thieves to loud mouthed 13yr old gob****es, to the tasteless masses. Consequently the poor things were adorned with increasingly more stupid spoilers and skirts, daft light conversions, pitiful graphics, and oversized tailpipes that don't even exit straight. That's even before going onto what Subaru did when they lost the plot with the model revisions creating progressively uglier front end styling.
The original car's appeal is long dead. If it was such a good car then surely it's still a good car now.
Your opinion and society may have changed, the car has not.
15 June 2006, 03:52 PM
#26
It's doesn't happen to any fast car though does it. It only happens to any "popular" fast car
Impreza has fell into that catorgory. When once, it was like the Legacy - unpopular, with it hiding in the background going relatively unnoticed.
The Impreza has changed, for it is was the Q-car for those in the know. It now no longer is.
Impreza has fell into that catorgory. When once, it was like the Legacy - unpopular, with it hiding in the background going relatively unnoticed.
The Impreza has changed, for it is was the Q-car for those in the know. It now no longer is.
Last edited by ALi-B; 15 June 2006 at 03:55 PM.
15 June 2006, 04:36 PM
#27
Originally Posted by ALi-B
It's doesn't happen to any fast car though does it. It only happens to any "popular" fast car
Impreza has fell into that catorgory. When once, it was like the Legacy - unpopular, with it hiding in the background going relatively unnoticed.
The Impreza has changed, for it is was the Q-car for those in the know. It now no longer is.
Impreza has fell into that catorgory. When once, it was like the Legacy - unpopular, with it hiding in the background going relatively unnoticed.
The Impreza has changed, for it is was the Q-car for those in the know. It now no longer is.
wanting to explore the limits of technology and putting their money where their mouth is. This thriving aftermarket has allowed tuners to invest money in bigger and better products. This has been an ongoing thing and has culminated in a four door saloon capable of beating any supercar, no mean feat. So okay you go ahead and reminisce about the 'good old days' but don't castigate those who want to be a little different. How's the 4.4 v8 going BTW?
15 June 2006, 06:03 PM
#28
Originally Posted by Blue Dragoon
Is the new B4 not available as an import know??? Anyone??
Unfortunately, getting a model report done on the new cars has fallen by the wayside. DH cars were pursuing this, but have now stopped for some reason that I am unaware of, although a few got in to the country before the rules changed like ,these http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...ch_full=SEARCH
I currently run a 1999GT-B, and would dearly love one, but finances don't stretch that far just now, and although the 3.0R is a fine car, a 2.0GT just floats my boat with the turbo rush and tunability.
15 June 2006, 06:55 PM
#29
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Got my 3.0r a few weeks ago and couldnt be happier, refined but still powerfull and fun to drive , best of both worlds IMO.
Heres a couple of piccys as we havent had any of the new shape yet.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...AGE_00009a.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...AGE_00010a.jpg
Sorry about the crap images , I took them on my phone.
Heres a couple of piccys as we havent had any of the new shape yet.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...AGE_00009a.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...AGE_00010a.jpg
Sorry about the crap images , I took them on my phone.
Last edited by fallwood; 15 June 2006 at 06:58 PM.
15 June 2006, 09:35 PM
#30
Originally Posted by Einstein RA
Opinions are like **** holes Ali, everyone's got one. There is nothing wrong with a thriving aftermarket for a car like the Impreza. Indeed were it not for this aftermarket then I doubt we would have seen monsters like Andy F's or Roger Clark's new age model.People
wanting to explore the limits of technology and putting their money where their mouth is. This thriving aftermarket has allowed tuners to invest money in bigger and better products. This has been an ongoing thing and has culminated in a four door saloon capable of beating any supercar, no mean feat. So okay you go ahead and reminisce about the 'good old days' but don't castigate those who want to be a little different. How's the 4.4 v8 going BTW?
wanting to explore the limits of technology and putting their money where their mouth is. This thriving aftermarket has allowed tuners to invest money in bigger and better products. This has been an ongoing thing and has culminated in a four door saloon capable of beating any supercar, no mean feat. So okay you go ahead and reminisce about the 'good old days' but don't castigate those who want to be a little different. How's the 4.4 v8 going BTW?
But that's an issue, especially with the aftermarkets mods; Is it mods for the sakes of it, or mods because the car needs it. Doing stuff to the car to make it better such as reducing the woeful understeer and brakes is a good thing. But what about that person who sees some stuff in a catalogue/Bansai mag and wants their car to look just like that?
If anyone looked closely at the aftermarket industry. Products that are developed divides into two sectors: Work/modifications that actually were deveolped by specialists solely dealing in Subarus. And others that just sell a load of bolt on bits under the heading "Impreza" in a catoogue that sell the same stuff for any other established car (just with a different fitting kit). Previous being remaps, ALKs, headers etc i.e something that was developed specifically for the car. The Latter being spoilers, backboxes, stickers, dump valves, cone filters etc. - i.e stuff that is generic with only the need for a different fitting kit. The market has seen the gap and filled it with as much tacky junk as there is stuff that actually is worth it, that is part and parcel of the model's success.
I don't think some of the top tuners would be too happy if it was inferred that all they did was order stuff out of calatogues to bolt on for the sakes of it. That's not the point in question
But then, there are droves are poeple who went out an bought an Impreza, and then felt compelled to do something to it. I'm not saying don't mod them, I'm not saying don't buy them.
What I am saying is through the popularity of the car, through the sales, the media, and aftermarket industry, it has undermined the very qualities that I considered quite rare in such a run-of-the mill production car: Subtlety, combined with performance, practicality and low purchase price, giving a package that was abit different without shouting to the world in a bellowing American voice "HEY!!! LOOK AT ME!! I've got a fast car".
Now it does exactly that, apart from it shouts it in a scouser accent (no offence to scousers
), fine if you like that kind of attention. Not so fine if you don't. And therin lies the problem. 13yrs ago you could park an Impreza in scumsville, leave it overnight on a pub carpark and not be worried about anyone nicking it, or ripped off parts, or just vandelising it just for the fact that it was an Impreza. You could do the same with a Legacy, and you can still do it today. Because its not so well known, it's not recoginsed, and therefore gets much less attention.
13-15yrs ago, Subaru had no image. Like Skoda, Subaru suffered the from the badge snobbery. People won't even look at an Octavia VRS becuase it's a Skoda. But that lays the advantage of the q-factor of the Octavia VRS, and to the people who could look beyond the badge; the masses were ignorant to it. This was the orginal appeal to the Impreza once had, the saving grace is the Legacy still retains it. For that reason, I consider the Impreza dead. Its popularity will be its demise.
As for the 4.4 V8, it's now a 5.3 V12, although I still hanker for a 7.0 LS7