Alan-G

Getting a test drive in the new STi tomorrow at John.R. Weir in Perth tomorrow with the big man - Russ - the salesman.

Woo hoo - Cannae wait.

To be honest, the STi is looking much better than the original Photos and the interior is remarkable.

I think prodrive will see this one a true seller although a bit like a Honda Civic-ish at the moment. Time will ultimately tell.

Will report back soon.

(With pics hopefully)

BigAl024

Well.....Come on....Tell us!!!!

Alan-G

Lost for words actually.

Obviously I am not ! as I continue to type

I am going to describe the new 08 STi from the inside out but - I shall comment from the outside in a bit later.

From the inside of the car - well its just Luxury, going against my WRX 56 plate. But the difference in spec is obviously clashing.

Don't get me wrong - the WRX is just fantastic - but this test drive with Russ (Mako) from John. R. Weir. today was quite frankly shocking !

I am not a Rally driver and don't want to be one, but this car .. oucha.

Russ did his usual around his usual test track and had to get the valeting squad to clean up the passenger seat

Well, the new 08 scoob STi is quite unbelievable. The difference between an 07 Hawkeye STi is the handling (leave the looks for a moment)

This newage Scooby has all the diff. controls (but it would seem like a bit better than the Evo diff. control - I really am not sure which is better or not so ignore me if I'm wrong)

Auto setting. (Russ thinks thats the best, tell me if I'm wrong)

Super sport setting - thats the ticket that changes the ECU into a different mapping mode - well impressive - TWO mappings of a single ECU at the touch of a button !

But Russ reckons that the 'I' mode is the most efficient.

The 'I' mode is - the intellegent mode, and the most economical driving condition that the new 08 has in its new brainbox. Not that it really needed a new one, but just woooo, this one thinks a bit better.

This car is so balanced - straight out of the box with 300/300 bhp etc

I drove it today.

It is concrete chancing its arm with Tarmac.

One wants to eat the other - and tarmac loses.

This car eats roads up for breakfast/lunch/brunch -if yer a pansy-/dinner time and a touch of super (spelling error intended)

Outside looks, which I was going to answer honestly in my opinion.

Who cares. Honestly it does grow on you, especially in white! Needs a bigger spoiler though........say's me misses!

This is weaponry beyond belief.

I was going to post this on the SIDC forums originally but me and me wife Fab1 got deleted from the SIDC last night. Thanks Phil Stephens and Andy_WRX for that.

Mako

He ain't lying. Usually I am very critical of Subaru when they bring out something new but I honestly believe that this car is the best Impreza that has been produced.IMHO (Russ goes and puts his flame suit on). OK the looks are not everyone's taste but it would be a ruddy boring world if we were all the same.
I personally love the look of the Sti. Yes I admit it should come with tints as standard and the 17" alloys are slightly lost in the arches but that just leaves scope for modding and a bit of individualism.

The drive is fantastic. That's all I will say. If you haven't driven one yet then get a test drive booked.

Oh one last thing. If the amount of Sti's I sold today is anything to go by then Subaru have DEFINATELY got something right. ( We have cleared out our allocation already) 4 more ordered today.


Cheers

Russ

92typeRA

1 thing
you know all the banter about classic V newage. heavy/slow not as raw ect ect well what about the new impreza where dose that fall into the script.
dose it feel heavey/ slow compared to a classic ? .dose it feel heavey/slow compared to a newage.

dare i say im starting to like the look off the new sti aswell (will decide when i see1 in the flesh)....

nice wright up Alan . Mako you would say all that your the salesman


did you not take any pics would like to see the white1

DIPSY

If i had the money i would still go for the Jdm Sti

Mako

Mako you would say all that your the salesman


did you not take any pics would like to see the white1[/QUOTE]

LOL Agreed, but a very objective salesman.

Oh and also an ex classic, bugeye and blobeye owner.

And if funds permit a definate 08MY STi owner


Russ

Alan-G

LOL Agreed, but a very objective salesman.

Oh and also an ex classic, bugeye and blobeye owner.

And if funds permit a definate 08MY STi owner


Russ[/QUOTE]



92typeRA

Hmmm.

Drove Ali_ wifeys 92 type RA and was superly impressed.

Excellent car with all the power / torque you would need. Handling ? - didn't get the chance to give it a ruggle unfortunately - but the car had all the charateristics of being ' pure born ' rally materiel.

Subaru is funny breed of an organisation.

Ford motors get worse from year in to year out for about 10 - 15 years then give you a focus ST. Lovely fast motor - but its just a Ford.

Subaru just seem to get better - consistently.

My WRX is just the dogs Horlicks ... But the 08 STi is just utterly Astonishing.

I have no other words other than ; Blindingly fast, refinely balanced beyond belief, ... just ...

It's like driving a Nuclear explosion - except - you know you wont go straight on at a corner !

It's an outstanding piece of equipment. On a different level from any other car.

Yes the bodyshell is different and looks a bit Honda Civic - ish. But so what really (After having a shot). It's a Subaru thourobred through and through.

In my view.

Yep, Its the best Subaru have on the market yet.

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

Great review

had the wrx out a month ago and it was rapid and i shaved a whole 3 minutes of my normal 20 mile test route
but the springs were far too soft for me but traction of engine supurb

i look forward to testing the new Sti next week

scoobychick555

good review Alan.
I had liked the new STi hatchback right from the start and its good to see someone else saying it grows on you.... as I suspected it would.

RBGUS

iTrader: (7)

The new sti sounds awsome,good write up alan

I wasn't keen on its looks when i first seen pics of it but its
starting to grow on me now.Cant wait too see one in the metal

92typeRA

92typeRA

Hmmm.

Drove Ali_ wifeys 92 type RA and was superly impressed.

Excellent car with all the power / torque you would need. Handling ? - didn't get the chance to give it a ruggle unfortunately - but the car had all the charateristics of being ' pure born ' rally materiel.

Subaru is funny breed of an organisation.

Ford motors get worse from year in to year out for about 10 - 15 years then give you a focus ST. Lovely fast motor - but its just a Ford.

Subaru just seem to get better - consistently.

My WRX is just the dogs Horlicks ... But the 08 STi is just utterly Astonishing.

I have no other words other than ; Blindingly fast, refinely balanced beyond belief, ... just ...

It's like driving a Nuclear explosion - except - you know you wont go straight on at a corner !

It's an outstanding piece of equipment. On a different level from any other car.

Yes the bodyshell is different and looks a bit Honda Civic - ish. But so what really (After having a shot). It's a Subaru thourobred through and through.

In my view.

Yep, Its the best Subaru have on the market yet.[/QUOTE]

nice1 alan.
cumon the classics ....
must say iff i ever have that kinda cash i would get the typeRA-R (yellow1 )
for a family car i would take a steel gray/......white (what colour off white is it) newshaped sti .
so what wee going to call it the japs eye, squint eye, or just the scooby hatch

scoobyseller555

...........................the only reason Russ doesnt take the dccd out of auto is he is FFFFFEEEEAAAARRRRTTTT!!

All joking asside big man,how awesome is this thing,it handles like no other impreza i have ever driven(or sold)

Russ,like you i am now begging and borrowing to try and get cars.

'THE OTHER SUBARU SALESMAN'

Gav

Alan-G

Gav,

As much I have met you mate - Russ did the STi quite proud I must say.

You could argue between yerselves if you want - but .... Go for it if you like.

Agreed Gav - it's Just different class.

4 exhaust portals, smooth - everything ! (except for the salesman )

Build in iPod adaptor... A family cars dream.

Russ took me through a few things though Gav that youve not mentioned maybe.

It's overall quite a remarkable car ... Period.


This STi is truly a piece of art in the motoring world.

It's performance is like sticking a large amount of Semtex up the exhaust - lighting it - and let's see what happens.

Downsides : Not many actually, The door pillars are something I'm not used to but could live with. The looks are hmm ok but ProDrive will sort that one out. Black Brake callipers... yugh.

Upsides : Back seats fold down Power mapping of the ECU is stunning and it's just a driveable nuclear weapon.

scoobyseller555

Russ and i enjoy the banter.
Like Russell i have owned imprezas for too many years,and i can honestly say after 10 of them that this is awesome,i have had over the years evos,escort cosworths,sierra cosworths,E30 M3(and that was amazing)but honestly i have never driven such a complete bit of kit like this in my life.
The cars turn in is amazing,performance is instant,nice touches like the sti badge on front of the gear stick that lights up when you put the lights on,overall interior quality has never been seen before in an impreza,the si-drive i dont agree,as i have tried it in all modes and find no difference in both fuel economy or performance.
Like Russ i have never done so many test drives in a new subaru,and after a proper demo of the cars capabilities(me driving)so many people saying where do i sign and how much deposit would you like!
To sum up,after buying my first impreza back in 94 i am 14 years older(jesus) and this is a thinking mans impreza to rekindle that old flame that brought me to the brand all those years ago,and all for £24995.

Gav

Mako

Hey Big Man I concur. You have summed it up perfect (this is a thinking mans impreza) Fabulous.

Subaru!!!! Get us proper salesmen more Sti's. Gav and I need to make money to buy one each

Russ

Dirty Bus

I drove the demo at s and s in ayr and will be collecting mine on Sat, I totally loved it also. Same as some here been a scooby driver for 10 years and this STI is very refreshing

bmac800

Are the 18" BBS alloys,fog lights,Recaros etc available as options - the 17" wheels really spoil the look of the car.Notice the BBS alloys are £3000 plus tyres and centre caps if bought through the accessories on the website

Dirty Bus

recaros aren't an option everything else is

sandycam

iTrader: (1)

any idea when the specs plus price lists will be announced?

bmac800

Was wondering the same myself are they not doing a higher spec version with the BBS wheels,Recaros,fogs,starter button etc like in the US or is the idea to sell the car for a reasonable price then charge rip off prices for the extras.

bogie

They'll change the specs etc once the sales slow down!

I'm going for my test drive in a couple of weeks.

To make those sitting on the fence jump, sales guys will always say "oh they're selling out really quick"

The last thing a salesman will tell you is he is itching for sales, they keep their cards close.

I'll wait till all the excitement dies down a bit then get a better deal. Nice to play sales at their own game ;-)

bmac800

Yes was thinking the same I was planning changing my car for the new STI but will wait and see.Would not even consider the one that is available just now without the recaros and with the awful looking 17" wheels.Makes a fully specd JDM car look very appealing.

scooby222

thats the most enthusiastic review iv read for a long time, was in for a quick look on saturday and saw you heading out Alan-after the obligratory piccies!
the looks im still not sure of but ive always been more concerned with the view through the steering wheel. you in on sunday Russ, i may just pop in before the que gets too long!

scoobyseller555

As one of those sales guys,this is no bull,and Russ will back me up on this one,i have now sold my quota up until the end of july,getting a deal!!you have one chance,no chance m8.
Dont think anyone can imagine our frustration when your wages are made up mostly on the back of how many cars we sell,if we cant get cars then we dont make money.
Russ and I are scooby through and through,and this is the most complete impreza yet,and as a result are selling out to the point of nobody having any cars,its like 1996 all over again when you had to order a turbo 8 months in advance.

THE BEST IMPREZA YET!!

Gav

bogie

Yep, but unlike 1996 these won't always be on quota or have the "high" demand they now have because they are the latest.
Once the 1st batches have satisfied initial surge of people wanting the latest impreza the market will slow down and there will again be excess STi's and to shift them, trust me deals will be struck.

Apart from the early days of the impreza where there was someone behind willing to pay the full price, not now.

Subau UK will be limiting numbers for a reason, i.e testing the water.

scoobyseller555

In your opinion,lucky i'm on the inside and know different.

if your willing to wait for a couple of years,but unlike you many people after driving it want it now.

Gav

Mako

RS Grant

I posted this up on SIDC, but thought I'd stick it on here as well...

I was prepared to slate this car and back up the claims that Subaru should be locked away in a padded cell for dreaming this thing up.

In reality, the thing absolutely blew me away.. not so much the power, which was nice, progressive and I'm sure it felt quicker than my car did as standard. But, having a done a couple of wee things to mine I'm kind of spoilt for power/torque now so its hard to make a back to back comparison on that front. I'm sure that if someone was in a stock Hawkeye STi and had a drive of this new STi then they'd definitely feel the difference though.

However, what really got me, was the ride/handling balance.. the car manages to tick all the boxes IMO. Over normal british roads (i.e - Crap) the car soaks up the bumps, which I experienced in the new WRX as well.... and assumed that it was going to be like the WRX in the bends as well and a bit 'rolly polly' and soft. I was wrong.
This car is truely amazing in the bends, a very little body roll, massive grip, communicative steering and just amazing ground covering ability. This just shows that the new Impreza has moved on MASSIVELY from the previous MY cars, I havent driven an Impreza that does everything so well straight out of the box.. ok, some might say that a P1 will handle as well as this does, which is true, but if the truth be told the P1 is pretty harsh on the road. A new WRX is just as comfy as the STi on normal A-road/Motorways but is a fair bit behind the top model when it comes to ability on a twisty section of road.. I have done a couple of handling things to my Hawkeye STi (Springs, Geometry, Eagle F1s, Strut Brace) and I think it handles well, but its quite harsh over the lumps and bumps that are found on our roads. As standard, the new car handles as well as mine but also with ability to soak up the defects and when you get to the twisties I think its got a greater level of feel through the steering than my car too.

Styling is a personal thing... and I was part of the group that slated the look of the new Impreza and I still dont particularly like the look of the range, apart from the STi.
I was out for a drive in a White STi and the dealer has a White WRX so its very easy to compare the cars as they sit next to each other.. the STi looks great, very menacing with its wider stance and although I'm not 100% sure of the bonnet scoop from the outside, from inside it reminds me of my old ST205 GT4 bonnet bulge which I loved. The rest of the interior is nice too, the dark headlining, seats, dials, etc all add to the feeling that you arent just in a stock Impreza with a bit more poke, which is the feeling that I sort of got with the WRX.

Well, just thought I'd share that with you all. If you haven't driven or seen one of these cars, then I'd recommend heading down to your local dealer just for a look...... I'd be really surprised if you weren't as shocked as I was.


Cheers,
Grant

Alan-G

Who that then Grant ?

The site that banned me from posting for a reason Phil Stephens cannot email me back with the answer to ... (After 4 requests)

Oh, and he, and Andy banned Fab 1 (my wife) also, who hasn't posted for months on that site. Hmmm. Due to association maybe.

But Marky t.s. - me good mate from Lanarkshire got it dead right in an SIDC thread "Was it you" (in Perth) by scooby222.

The Big German word he used, I believe has an incorrect spelling if googled - but the correct spelling when googled, or given the "Urban slang dictionary" kind of says it all really.

Shall be de-badging me and Fab 1's scoobies of SIDC tomorrow..

Now thats a shame.

I gained a lot of friends there...

Thanks Phil and Andy.