thinking about an impreza

[Thor the Mighty]

havnt decided on wrx or just strait up impreza. what are your thoughts on that? is it a very roomy, comfortable, smooth ride or is it stiff and raced out like an evo?

[Spank666]

To start off, I'd say go straight to the WRX. Having that said, the ride stiffness really depends on the year. As the years go, Subaru has tended to soften up the suspension. The '02-03s noticeably have the stiffest, most responsive ride. On the stock suspension, it isnt uncomfortably stiff (take my word with a grain of salt), but you will definitely be able to feel the road.

As for roomy, I move between MD, MI, and OH every 3 months, packing all sorts of shit with me, and I always have more than enough room to spare. The back seats are a touch cramped, especially for people around 6 feet tall. Theres more than enough room in the front.

Getting more into detail, please note the interior quality is often seen as sub-par. In the winter, it rattles like all hell. The doors make a near-horrifying slam when you close them, even if you dont close them hard. The A/C and heat work pretty damn well, in my experience. The WRX comes factory with an in-dash 6-disc changer, tape deck, and AM/FM radio (for which the antenna is right above the driver's door window, and must be raised and lowered by hand).

I've had 2 WRX's over the last year (first one totaled, not my fault, picked up another one). My car is my most prized possession, and I wouldn't give it up for the world. I enjoy every second behind the wheel, be it heavy highway traffic, city driving, or regular highway driving.

For someone who just wants a car that will take them from point A to point B, this car is not for you. However, if you want a car that can get you from point A to point B and have a hell of a fun time getting there, this car most likely fits your needs just fine.

[Papero]

I'd suggest a Yaris, good gas mileage for the coming $4.00+/gal.

Perhaps a 50cc scooter.

[Skiptomylue]

The back seats are a touch cramped, especially for people around 6 feet tall. .

taht made me giggle, jsut cuz i instantly thought of the RX7 Back seats... lmaohttp://www.geocities.com/boatseason/pic00009b.jpg

[sheepsoup]

(for which the antenna is right above the driver's door window, and must be raised and lowered by hand).




That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.


Subarus are good cars. Get one and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I've never owned one, but I would certainly look at an Outback if I were in the market for a car right now. Bug-eye Impreza's are really good looking.

[Mojocaster]

Don't buy one unless you want to be in the shop every other week fixing cosmetic problems because the car is put together with scotch tape, not to mention tons of transmission issues and their AWD system is garbage, I've seen like 8 winter crashes in 'em.

[Fnr Bikes]

Don't buy one unless you want to be in the shop every other week fixing cosmetic problems because the car is put together with scotch tape, not to mention tons of transmission issues and their AWD system is garbage, I've seen like 8 winter crashes in 'em.

Oh.... I see, Better get your flame suit on before Pat chimes in...:uhoh:

[Mojocaster]

^ I'm not afraid of some flammer, if this Pat has any shred of intelligence he won't even bother trying to defend those recycled foreign shit boxes

[Fnr Bikes]

lol ok...


lulz

[elliott678]

if this Pat has any shred of intelligence he won't even bother trying to defend those recycled foreign shit boxesYou seriously underestimate Pat, he'd defend a Yugo if it was made in Japan.

[pat99872]

Don't buy one unless you want to be in the shop every other week fixing cosmetic problems because the car is put together with scotch tape, not to mention tons of transmission issues and their AWD system is garbage, I've seen like 8 winter crashes in 'em.

Well, the paint is pretty weak and the tranny is a little touchy but it's a fun car to drive. I wouldn't say their AWD is garbage, it pulled me through 12 inches of snow last winter.

You seriously underestimate Pat, he'd defend a Yugo if it was made in Japan.

haha

You will defend anything from the pontiac fiero to the ford pinto as long as it has a ford or chevy emblem on it.

[Skiptomylue]

its true, even if Every SINGLE person in this world agreed that chevy was the best manufactor on the planet. he would fight you to the death that it wasnt

[RangerDanger]

their AWD system is garbage, I've seen like 8 winter crashes in 'em.

AWD system is garbage?

I don't know where you live, but if you knew what you were talking about you'd realize that they are second only to Audi Quattro.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3691/1001332wk5.th.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001332wk5.jpg)

Edit: my legacy in background

1991, 201100ish miles, original transmission

[Pillow]

The best advice I could give is go test drive one.

I first went to the Subaru dealership and test drove a 2.5i Impreza and, to me at least, seemed like a very solid and fun car to drive. I was coming from a 1976 BMW 2002, so it was a different car altogether.

Then I drove the WRX. The power difference between to two was noticeably faster. I liked it 100x better than just the 2.5i.

What year were you looking at?

[Thor the Mighty]

honestly this is just preliminary stuff dude. i have a 97 accord and its been a great car but i got in a crash and ithink the frame is effed and the inside is turning to hell so im thinking about a new car. i like the wrx's because of their style and the reviews my friends gave me about it. what years are the best?

Don't buy one unless you want to be in the shop every other week fixing cosmetic problems because the car is put together with scotch tape, not to mention tons of transmission issues and their AWD system is garbage, I've seen like 8 winter crashes in 'em.

yeeeeahhhh i dont see myself listening to you anytime soon unless you have evidence for this because ive heard nothing like that so far.

[car_boy_16]

taht made me giggle, jsut cuz i instantly thought of the RX7 Back seats... lmaohttp://www.geocities.com/boatseason/pic00009b.jpg
lol those seats remind me of Prelude seats...but probly a little smaller. I cant wait to get an FC RX7...I think a V8 swap is in order--probly an LT1 though, LS1's are too much for my budget as of now. But actually, a better choice probly would be an S13/S14/240z/260z with a VK45DE in there. I just cant decide which one I want, but I'm thinking the Nissan route might be better in the long run.

[Pillow]

honestly this is just preliminary stuff dude. i have a 97 accord and its been a great car but i got in a crash and ithink the frame is effed and the inside is turning to hell so im thinking about a new car. i like the wrx's because of their style and the reviews my friends gave me about it. what years are the best?



yeeeeahhhh i dont see myself listening to you anytime soon unless you have evidence for this because ive heard nothing like that so far.


06-07 WRXs have the 2.5L turbo over the 2.0L from previous years.

Some people complain about tranny issues in the 02-03 models, but depends on how the car was treated.

04-05 seem to be more popular as far as looks and styling goes.

My personal favorite are the 1998-2001 2.5RS's.

[Spank666]

Some people complain about tranny issues in the 02-03 models, but depends on how the car was treated.

The 5MT from '03-07 is all the same. The only difference from '02-'03 in the tranny is the gears are 1mm wider.

[RTShadow]

AWD system is garbage?

I don't know where you live, but if you knew what you were talking about you'd realize that they are second only to Audi Quattro.



This really depends upon what you are looking to do with your AWD. If you are talking about sensible AWD that is good in incliment weather, yes, then the Subaru system is right up there.

If you are talking about the race track however, I'd have to say the newest Evo has really upped the ante on that.

[Spank666]

If you are talking about the race track however, I'd have to say the newest Evo has really upped the ante on that.

I'd honestly beg to differ. The EVO is clearly quicker than the new STI in the straights, yet somehow still cant seem to beat the STI around a track. Some Japanese show (the one where they race a lot of nice cars around a track, all driven by professional racers) held a race with the new STI, EVO X, '06 STi (might have been some special edition, I dont remember), and EVO X SMT. The Subarus swept the event, and the SMT was nothing short of a disappointment.

[ahaga]

if you are concerned about room, maybe look into an outback
my dad has a '98 outback and its pretty nice considering its age

[RTShadow]

I'd honestly beg to differ. The EVO is clearly quicker than the new STI in the straights, yet somehow still cant seem to beat the STI around a track. Some Japanese show (the one where they race a lot of nice cars around a track, all driven by professional racers) held a race with the new STI, EVO X, '06 STi (might have been some special edition, I dont remember), and EVO X SMT. The Subarus swept the event, and the SMT was nothing short of a disappointment.

You don't think that has anything to do with the power to weight ratio comparison between the two cars?

[Kumacho]

lol those seats remind me of Prelude seats...but probly a little smaller. I cant wait to get an FC RX7...I think a V8 swap is in order--probly an LT1 though, LS1's are too much for my budget as of now. But actually, a better choice probly would be an S13/S14/240z/260z with a VK45DE in there. I just cant decide which one I want, but I'm thinking the Nissan route might be better in the long run.

Do yourself a favor and save the money for an LSX engine. The LT1 is a good engine, but it has a cast iron block and is considerably heavier.

Weights of complete engines with manifolds, waterpumps, flywheels:

VK45DE weighs 522 lbs
LT1 weighs 492 lbs
LS1 weighs 457.6 lbs

[elliott678]

LS1 weighs 457.6 lbs
Which isn't all that much lighter than an iron small block Ford.

[sheepsoup]

if you are concerned about room, maybe look into an outback
my dad has a '98 outback and its pretty nice considering its age

Yeah! What he said.