Subaru Courtesy Car
09 November 2007, 02:03 PM
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Subaru Courtesy Car
The Guys at Bell and Colvill in East Horsley spoiled me today.
They were good enough to loan me This:
their brand spanking new Impreza 2.5 WRX, with only 437 miles on the clock!
Much quieter than my 05 (yes, I know mine's an STi, but even so...)
Full write up after I've taken it back tonight. :nod:
They were good enough to loan me This:
their brand spanking new Impreza 2.5 WRX, with only 437 miles on the clock!
Much quieter than my 05 (yes, I know mine's an STi, but even so...)
Full write up after I've taken it back tonight. :nod:
09 November 2007, 02:28 PM
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My God, I was hoping it would look better than it does, it really is an ugly car isn't it! What's with them wheels? And don't even get me started on that grille!!
09 November 2007, 03:46 PM
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Much better curtousy car than I had once from a Subaru Dealership 
A chocolate brown Justy that smelt of Sheep 
I drove it for 1 mile, turned it around and collected my Car and never been back there to buy anything since 
they lost out in 7years of servicing, PPP's and 4 car purchases.
You'll notice a few things
1) The driving position is much lower than a newage
2) there is actually room for 5 tall adults
3) You'll be underwhelmed by the power
4) Ride is very smooth (17"s with 50 series tyres )
5) handling would be greatly improved with 18"s and lowered
I tried a JDM with a full 3" Miltek exhaust and still sounded VERY quiet
in standard form it is bland but the potential is there.
The STi will be awesome, hopefully
Tony
A chocolate brown Justy that smelt of Sheep I drove it for 1 mile, turned it around and collected my Car and never been back there to buy anything since they lost out in 7years of servicing, PPP's and 4 car purchases.You'll notice a few things
1) The driving position is much lower than a newage
2) there is actually room for 5 tall adults
3) You'll be underwhelmed by the power
4) Ride is very smooth (17"s with 50 series tyres )
5) handling would be greatly improved with 18"s and lowered
I tried a JDM with a full 3" Miltek exhaust and still sounded VERY quiet
in standard form it is bland but the potential is there.The STi will be awesome, hopefully
Tony
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09 November 2007, 07:21 PM
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plastic fantastic!
doesnt do much for me this, but the new STi version i saw in the paper today looks better
how the hell do you get that as a c - car though it just doesn't happen in real life lol.....well I am in Manchester don't mention car crime
doesnt do much for me this, but the new STi version i saw in the paper today looks better
how the hell do you get that as a c - car though it just doesn't happen in real life lol.....well I am in Manchester don't mention car crime
09 November 2007, 07:52 PM
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it's not that it's ugly, it's just soooo different from what we are used to, it looks like a mazda3, BMW shoe, focus, astra type of thing (perhaps hatchback was a better word ) give it a few years and a few rally wins and it will be loved. (or facelifted)
) give it a few years and a few rally wins and it will be loved. (or facelifted)
09 November 2007, 11:17 PM
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OK, I promised you a review, if you're sitting comfortably, then I'll begin.
Looks
Well, what can I say. As usual when there is a major change to a model, there is the like it or loathe it difference of opinion. Just look at the change from Sierra to Mondeo, or Classic to Bug Eye.
First impression was that one night, there was a threesome between a Ford Focus, Saab 9/3 and a BMW 1 series, this car being the result. From the look of published photographs of the new STI, it will benefit from the wider wheel arches, larger alloys and improved styling.
Inside, if you are familiar with the later Blob Eye and Hawk Eye Imprezas, the quality of the finish will be familiar, whilst slightly confusing. What do I mean by this? Well, it is the usual dark silver plastic finish and cloth upholstry, but with a revised dash layout. The stereo now sits above the air vents, and above this, where you usually find the digital clock, you now also find a readout of average fuel consumption and outside air temperature.
The car now also features the red illuminated instrument clusters previously associated with the JDM STI's with a needle sweep on startup, electric folding wing mirrors, cruise control and traction control, which, you will be pleased to hear, can be overridden!
Passenger side, the dashboard sits further forward, and has a distinct curve, as was first seen on the Tribeca.
There is no ashtray or cigarette lighter on his car! You still get a power supply with a blanking plug for mobile phone chargers or SatNav's.
The boot seems more shallow than previous models, but is improved by not having the wheel arches encroaching as far into the available space. This area also benfits from not having such a high lip, and having the rear lights set further outboard.
All round visibilty is good, with no real blind spots.
Geting under way
On startup, first thing you notice is the noise this car makes, or more to the point, DOESN'T! Gone is the usual burble, infact, a blip of the throttle and you would think you were listening to a 1.6 Focus.
The clutch is particularly light, with not alot of pressure being required to depress it. Gear selection is typical of the WRX.
Pulling away is no drama, with not alot of power needed to get things moving. I cannot comment on the cars true performace as it only had 431 miles on the clock, and is therefore still being run in. (Here's hoping they'll let me loose in it again for a true experience) The engine pulls well in high gears and low rev's. At "Motorway Speeds", you can barely hear the engine, 70 MPH on the A3 in 5th was at 3250RPM.
Ride is a little "bouncy", the suspension riding bumps in the road well, but could do with being just a little stiffer.
Steering is neutral, with not a great deal of feedback through the wheel.
Onto the backroads from the A3 to East Horsley, the car dealt well with the undulating road (Long Reach) although when applying power coming out of the tightish left hander by the farm, there was a significant sideways slide, checked by a small lift and reapplication of the throttle.
Overall, the car has lost its personality and character. The "I want to go faster" feel is not there, nor is the scream of excitement that the exhaust of previous incarnations gave off whilst getting you there!
Overall, would I have one? Yes... as a daily runaround, but there would be a real need to have a REAL car for some fun at weekends!
Looks
Well, what can I say. As usual when there is a major change to a model, there is the like it or loathe it difference of opinion. Just look at the change from Sierra to Mondeo, or Classic to Bug Eye.
First impression was that one night, there was a threesome between a Ford Focus, Saab 9/3 and a BMW 1 series, this car being the result. From the look of published photographs of the new STI, it will benefit from the wider wheel arches, larger alloys and improved styling.
Inside, if you are familiar with the later Blob Eye and Hawk Eye Imprezas, the quality of the finish will be familiar, whilst slightly confusing. What do I mean by this? Well, it is the usual dark silver plastic finish and cloth upholstry, but with a revised dash layout. The stereo now sits above the air vents, and above this, where you usually find the digital clock, you now also find a readout of average fuel consumption and outside air temperature.
The car now also features the red illuminated instrument clusters previously associated with the JDM STI's with a needle sweep on startup, electric folding wing mirrors, cruise control and traction control, which, you will be pleased to hear, can be overridden!
Passenger side, the dashboard sits further forward, and has a distinct curve, as was first seen on the Tribeca.
There is no ashtray or cigarette lighter on his car! You still get a power supply with a blanking plug for mobile phone chargers or SatNav's.
The boot seems more shallow than previous models, but is improved by not having the wheel arches encroaching as far into the available space. This area also benfits from not having such a high lip, and having the rear lights set further outboard.
All round visibilty is good, with no real blind spots.
Geting under way
On startup, first thing you notice is the noise this car makes, or more to the point, DOESN'T! Gone is the usual burble, infact, a blip of the throttle and you would think you were listening to a 1.6 Focus.
The clutch is particularly light, with not alot of pressure being required to depress it. Gear selection is typical of the WRX.
Pulling away is no drama, with not alot of power needed to get things moving. I cannot comment on the cars true performace as it only had 431 miles on the clock, and is therefore still being run in. (Here's hoping they'll let me loose in it again for a true experience) The engine pulls well in high gears and low rev's. At "Motorway Speeds", you can barely hear the engine, 70 MPH on the A3 in 5th was at 3250RPM.
Ride is a little "bouncy", the suspension riding bumps in the road well, but could do with being just a little stiffer.
Steering is neutral, with not a great deal of feedback through the wheel.
Onto the backroads from the A3 to East Horsley, the car dealt well with the undulating road (Long Reach) although when applying power coming out of the tightish left hander by the farm, there was a significant sideways slide, checked by a small lift and reapplication of the throttle.
Overall, the car has lost its personality and character. The "I want to go faster" feel is not there, nor is the scream of excitement that the exhaust of previous incarnations gave off whilst getting you there!
Overall, would I have one? Yes... as a daily runaround, but there would be a real need to have a REAL car for some fun at weekends!
09 November 2007, 11:39 PM
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Good write up mate.
The car looks toss though, as does the STi IMO.
What were Subaru thinking, they really have dropped a clanger this time.
G
The car looks toss though, as does the STi IMO.
What were Subaru thinking, they really have dropped a clanger this time.
G
09 November 2007, 11:43 PM
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what a horrible, drab looking piece of machinery.
i state again, i will never, ever buy this car. even the sti ill be a stretch one day.
subaru.... R.I.P.
i state again, i will never, ever buy this car. even the sti ill be a stretch one day.
subaru.... R.I.P.
10 November 2007, 09:51 AM
#21
IMO subaru should have launched this a new model
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
10 November 2007, 10:04 AM
#22
IMO subaru should have launched this a new model
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
Agree 100% with that.
10 November 2007, 10:10 AM
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Good write up.
I wouldn't have one as a daily runaround, though. I'd rather have a Golf GTi or a Focus ST. At least you wouldn't feel embarrased.
Surprised at the 3250rpm at 70mph. My Blob is doing 85mph at those revs. Does the 2.5 have shorter gearing? A focus 1.6 is higher geared than that!
I wouldn't have one as a daily runaround, though. I'd rather have a Golf GTi or a Focus ST. At least you wouldn't feel embarrased.
Surprised at the 3250rpm at 70mph. My Blob is doing 85mph at those revs. Does the 2.5 have shorter gearing? A focus 1.6 is higher geared than that!
10 November 2007, 11:56 AM
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IMO subaru should have launched this a new model
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
give it a new name and everyone would love it as im sure it will be a great hatchback. ie spacious, refiend, quite whilst still being very quick etc
the fact it has been called the impreza is what i don't like.
an impreza IMO should have a massive spoiler, massive bonnet scoop and a loud burbling exhuast, rally decals are optional
and no pillerles doors
could this be the first impreza that people opt for an unequal lenght header when modding to get the sound back???
"originally" the UK was never going to get a petrol WRX later on it would arrive as a Diesel model only.
IIRC Subaru reckoned thet peeps that previously owned a WRX would have the STi in standard form, for the equivient performance and handling. previous STi owners would go for one of 2 Tweaked STi packages.
But dealers put presure on Subaru to bring 500 WRX's to possibly satifiy some peeps
IMHO
Tony
Last edited by T5NYW; 10 November 2007 at 12:00 PM.
10 November 2007, 12:10 PM
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Nice write up mate, I got to say though, the description of drive and sound, sounds distinctly like how I would describe going from a Bug with exhaust to the new Hawk with standard exhaust. Even down to the suspension.
Spec sounds nice though.
Im sure I will have a go in one soon, got a couple of invites from dealers already lol
Spec sounds nice though.
Im sure I will have a go in one soon, got a couple of invites from dealers already lol
10 November 2007, 03:18 PM
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The looks of the new car are starting to grow on me.
However there will be a version that comes out with a boot grafted onto its *** to please the original fans
However there will be a version that comes out with a boot grafted onto its *** to please the original fans
10 November 2007, 07:28 PM
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