2008 Impreza reviews

[equ]

The press freeze must be over, all the reviews came out on the same day (a few more if you nose around):

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=121788/pageNumber=1

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0705_2008_subaru_impreza_wrx/

[equ]

Also interesting, candid thoughts by the provider of edmunds' second opinion here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310695

[Doug]

I'm glad I bought mine when I did

[lupinsea]

Only read the edmunds.com review but it sounds like the new car is a step back for the enthusiast than the old one:

- softer chassis
- more body roll
- elimination of LSD in the back
- slower 1/4 mile times
- less involving driving experience

But other livability improvements in other areas:

+ lighter than outgoing model
+ still good 5.9 sec 0-60
+ more compliant ride
+ more roomy back seat
+ steep hill clutch control thingy

Given that the hardcore can go for the WRX STi, is this new car moving in the right direction?

Not too familiar with these cars. Never driven one (but have driven the Evo VIII). Thoughts?

[Doug]

There's also Vehicle Dynamics Control and worse brakes

[Jeff_DML]

doesnt sound that exciting when the though the pre-08 wrx was a great drive, my was a understeering wallowing pig stock:)

at least it is lighter, unlike the fatty over-tech EVO X. But at least the EVO is decent looking( but the STI could look ok with proper mods)

[lemming]

i think overall, it's a much better car than the one it replaces.

having owned a WRX (2002), an STi (2004) and a Forester XT, i feel pretty qualified to make this commentary.

the little day to day annoying things about the imprezas are finally addressed in the new car. and while the powertrain hasn't changed much (subtle re-doing of the power to make it more accessible in the midrange) --if the interior is a full notch better, it hasn't gained weight, gets VDC standard, and gets the Legacy's platform (which means multilink rear instead of strut based rear with semi-trailing links).

you know, i don't think it's a real looker, but then again, the other WRXs weren't either --and my guess is that the STi will look a whole lot better. and maybe subaru in the near future will revamp its turbos so that they're twin scroll units.

unlike BMW, where we see technology in a lot of cases for technology's sake, subaru is moving forward cautiously and i think they've really improved the car. at the same time, they're also accomplishing what BMW can and will never do: control weight without exotic materials and still make cars to a certain pricing point instead of steadily marching upward in price every generation.

quite frankly, for anyone in new england buying a 328xi --power to ya, but the legacy or impreza have superior AWD systems, are lighter, are faster and are more inexpensive.

[Doug]

i think overall, it's a much better car than the one it replaces.

having owned a WRX (2002), an STi (2004) and a Forester XT, i feel pretty qualified to make this commentary.

the little day to day annoying things about the imprezas are finally addressed in the new car. and while the powertrain hasn't changed much (subtle re-doing of the power to make it more accessible in the midrange) --if the interior is a full notch better, it hasn't gained weight, gets VDC standard, and gets the Legacy's platform (which means multilink rear instead of strut based rear with semi-trailing links).

you know, i don't think it's a real looker, but then again, the other WRXs weren't either --and my guess is that the STi will look a whole lot better. and maybe subaru in the near future will revamp its turbos so that they're twin scroll units.

unlike BMW, where we see technology in a lot of cases for technology's sake, subaru is moving forward cautiously and i think they've really improved the car. at the same time, they're also accomplishing what BMW can and will never do: control weight without exotic materials and still make cars to a certain pricing point instead of steadily marching upward in price every generation.


Umm...what review did you read? :dunno: I'll take my '06 hands down over the '08

[Sharp11]

Pricey.....

Ed

[equ]

As the wrx is on our radar, we've been driving them a bit (02-05). We've also driven some saabarus and some base imprezas (04 & 06). They are great around town, accelerate & handle decently.

Their biggest weakness for me is on the highway.
1. Lack of stable feel
2. Too much road/wind noise

The subies feel stable up to 75 or so and then they give up on feel to the germans. Perhaps with wider, lower profile tires that are not the crappy re92's and a lowered suspension/sways, this would go away, but I'm not sure.

The saabarus & 06's had a bit better NVH but not by much. Sounds like the 08 improves on one of their biggest deficiencies - though it gives up on feel. Regardless, if I/we do replace the S4 by a subie, it will be sorely missed.

[FC]

I've driven my old Saabaru on long trips many times. It was surprisingly stable at 90mph for being a cheap car. Never had any vibrations or missalignment issues. But yes, wind noise was loud and the seats were not good after 2 hours. Body roll was significant and brakes were crappy (probably because the tires sucked pond water). But this was the Linear.

My father's F150 scares the shit out of me at 70mph - unloaded.

[Doug]

The reviews bring out one resounding statement; Subaru has gone for cush and button push compared to previous models.

What seems good, lighter car with a better type of suspension in reality shows us as softer suspended, less pedal feel during braking (though shorter stopping distance) and near identical track numbers.

How is this better?

A lighter car with a better suspension should be faster. This one is not in fact, due to the engine tweaks, it's slower in the 1/4 mile. and it doesn't corner any better but gets more body roll and understeer.

Oh but I missed, it's got bluetooth, an MP3 jack, multifunction wheel and frames on the windows.

Ya, that's progress

[equ]

Frames are actual progress, they'll help with wind noise. Frameless windows on wrx's make them easy to steal in our s***ty part of the country.

FC: I didn't say "unstable", I said "unstable feel". With the tall rolling feel and weakish brakes, the feedback to me as a driver is to back off (that's probably a good thing). Let's say on my test drive on the Merritt I didn't feel like hitting triple digits - which actually doesn't feel bad in a s4/zhp/cayman whatever. The wrx is almost as fast as the zhp but lacks in highway capability...

[lemming]

The reviews bring out one resounding statement; Subaru has gone for cush and button push compared to previous models.

What seems good, lighter car with a better type of suspension in reality shows us as softer suspended, less pedal feel during braking (though shorter stopping distance) and near identical track numbers.

How is this better?

A lighter car with a better suspension should be faster. This one is not in fact, due to the engine tweaks, it's slower in the 1/4 mile. and it doesn't corner any better but gets more body roll and understeer.

Oh but I missed, it's got bluetooth, an MP3 jack, multifunction wheel and frames on the windows.

Ya, that's progress

i think the improvements make the car a lot more liveable, quite frankly.

the new suspension pieces also make it a lot more predictable at the limit. the now "old" car's rear suspension is really lousy.

making the power more accessible lower in the rev band is progress.

i have no idea about the removal of the mechanical LSD --one hopes that it's staying in the STi. VDC as standard is also progress. if VDC being standard precludes the use of a mechanical limited slip in the WRX, then for 95% of the population, that's still progress.

[Doug]

i think the improvements make the car a lot more liveable, quite frankly.

the new suspension pieces also make it a lot more predictable at the limit. the now "old" car's rear suspension is really lousy.

making the power more accessible lower in the rev band is progress.

i have no idea about the removal of the mechanical LSD --one hopes that it's staying in the STi. VDC as standard is also progress. if VDC being standard precludes the use of a mechanical limited slip in the WRX, then for 95% of the population, that's still progress.


Why not go buy a nice Buick?

[John V]

They're going to make the chassis SOFTER?

Is that even POSSIBLE?

[Doug]

They're going to make the chassis SOFTER?

Is that even POSSIBLE?


Hey it's PROGRESS, ask Lemming. It will result in a superior product!

[lemming]

you can call it a buick because the car is more mainstream. but i applaud a more mainstream offering from subaru if it drives sales of the marque in north america.

in my opinion, making the WRX a nicer every day car means that they can make the STi the harder edged car. my STi felt pretty junky to me and i would have appreciated a nicer car with the power and suspension bits.

i agree that subaru doesn't always tune the suspension setups well from the factory, but the legacy chassis is a vast improvement over the current impreza chassis. much more predictable behavior. does not mean the damping is better sorted but the car does not do odd things when pressed into hard driving.

[Nick M3]

Frames are actual progress, they'll help with wind noise. Frameless windows on wrx's make them easy to steal in our s***ty part of the country.

FC: I didn't say "unstable", I said "unstable feel". With the tall rolling feel and weakish brakes, the feedback to me as a driver is to back off (that's probably a good thing). Let's say on my test drive on the Merritt I didn't feel like hitting triple digits - which actually doesn't feel bad in a s4/zhp/cayman whatever. The wrx is almost as fast as the zhp but lacks in highway capability...
Frameless windows saved my butt when I had to break into the '02 a couple years ago. :)

[Doug]

i agree that subaru doesn't always tune the suspension setups well from the factory, but the legacy chassis is a vast improvement over the current impreza chassis. much more predictable behavior. does not mean the damping is better sorted but the car does not do odd things when pressed into hard driving.

Ya, when the softer suspension and excessive bodyroll puts her on the bumpstops she'll be predictable at the limit (which will be about 35mph) :rolleyes:

[lemming]

maybe you can comment then, if you've owned the Forester XT, the 2002 impreza, the 2004 STi and the 05 Legacy (both sedan and wagon)?

in my own empirical findings, the legacy rear suspension is much better than the strut based rear design of the impreza that is currently still on sale in the US.

[Doug]

maybe you can comment then, if you've owned the Forester XT, the 2002 impreza, the 2004 STi and the 05 Legacy (both sedan and wagon)?

in my own empirical findings, the legacy rear suspension is much better than the strut based rear design of the impreza that is currently still on sale in the US.


but you havent driven the '08 Impreza. The reviews favor a car for the masses but not for an enthusiest. great for the Subaru bottom line, bad for us. The fact of the reviews remain, it's a lighter car with a "better" suspension that posts the same or worse numbers than the previous model. That aint progress in my book it's a step backwards

[rautox]

More roll/softer than an '02 subie is not good. When it rolls, it stops turning. Turning is good.

[lemming]

but you havent driven the '08 Impreza. The reviews favor a car for the masses but not for an enthusiest. great for the Subaru bottom line, bad for us. The fact of the reviews remain, it's a lighter car with a "better" suspension that posts the same or worse numbers than the previous model. That aint progress in my book it's a step backwards

:dunno:

the first thing is that improvements in quality of life sitting inside the car while keeping it lighter is a vast improvement to me.

the second thing is that while everything but the engine has changed --my dealer strongly hinted at engine upgrades soon after the new chassis arrives.

in its totality, the new car is really a step forward, in my opinion.

[Jeff_DML]

always thought they should offer some sort of sports suspension on the wrx, i.e. like bmw. Sounds like they need one even more with the 08. 8 inches of travel is handy for rally racing and hitting bumps but lowering it a bit would be nice

[lemming]

"subaru's latest rally-bred pocket rocket crash lands on the internet. we pick up the pieces and set the record straight."

...Though it shares the same architecture, displacement and output as the 2.5litre boxer four it replaces, the new engine isn't a holdover from the previous WRX, but from the older brother Legacy.

...In fact, over fast bumps and potholes, the steering wheel snaps back with surprising kick--a bit like the bad-boy Evo IX MR in our long-term fleet.

...Suspending this chassis upfront is the Mac-strut setup cribbed from the Legacy. The key advantage over previous generations is that hte front subframe is gone.....reduces weight, but allows the engine to be set 10mm lower for better handling."

[Sharp11]

"subaru's latest rally-bred pocket rocket crash lands on the internet. we pick up the pieces and set the record straight."

...Though it shares the same architecture, displacement and output as the 2.5litre boxer four it replaces, the new engine isn't a holdover from the previous WRX, but from the older brother Legacy.

...In fact, over fast bumps and potholes, the steering wheel snaps back with surprising kick--a bit like the bad-boy Evo IX MR in our long-term fleet.

...Suspending this chassis upfront is the Mac-strut setup cribbed from the Legacy. The key advantage over previous generations is that hte front subframe is gone.....reduces weight, but allows the engine to be set 10mm lower for better handling."

Sounds like the same basic motor as in my wife's '05 Outback.

It's a good engine - torquey enough with a pleasing growl. Flat-four design means a lower center of gravity. In the Outback, there's a surprising amount of room in the engine compartment making this car a rarity these days; a car you could work on yourself.

Ed