that the U.S. automotive press will love it. In fact, I'm willing to bet it will one, if not several, automotive awards this year. ...Actually next next year, since it's a 2002 model.
10Best will be tough. Not that it's not good enough, it's just that usually they go for either very mainstream cars (Focus) or pricey near-luxury sedans or roadsters. It's hard for a niche manufacturer to even be noticed.
Automobile had an all-stars list, which it is more likely to make. Motor Trend only picks one COTY, and it's almost always a very high volume model (good or bad).
Who else? AAA? Doubt it. Not practical enough. Edmunds most wanted? Maybe, given they categorize by price. CR? Not likely. They'll complain that a child seat won't fit...
the rev is a bit higher in highway speed is because it's a short ratio tranny for optimum overtaking at high speeds! Bring 'em on. I will be parting out my OBS for sure come 2003/4.... unless I end up getting married which is quite unlikely...or settle in a house. Oh no. I must enjoy while I am still single!!!
I would concur with your co-worker's assessment of the H4 LTD with the AC on. We drove a LTD 5-spd on a hot day in August (at 5000 ft. here in Loveland, CO) and found it to be a bit sluggish for what we were expecting. It didn't cool as well and wasn't as peppy at low speeds as our '91 Mazda 626. As a result we decided to wait and save up for a VDC unless a really good deal on a Ltd came along (none yet).
Paisan--if in Japan, you can tell which car has the surcharge, as the license plate has a two digit number at the top beginning with "3". Both the turbo Forester and the 2.5 l get the 3 license, so I think there may be some hp connection, too. The surcharge is a higher tax, and also a much more costly inspection. Can also result in higher parking lot costs, higher car wash costs, etc.
Bob--you are correct, the WRX pumps out more hp than the turbo in the lower Imprezzas and Forester. I think the WRX is bored out a bit.
Ken, if you have the brochures, can you check that?
Anyone--what is the upcoming WRX rumored to be priced at in the US?
I certainly wouldn't expect any magazine whose name contains the word "consumer" to get the idea of the WRX, but I would hope at least C&D would "get it".
Ramon, you can still enjoy it all when you are married. Just marry rich:)
you old fart! ;-P nah me too. Hey, I'm actually quite a domestic kinda guy. I cook aight. And it's not Krafts Dinner! I love that phrase juicer! I will try to follow it. However if I raelly do, that means I have to leae all the Subaru bbs since you all are always tempting me to try certain mods. =(
putting cereal on a bowl and then fill it up with milk ain't cooking. I'm talking rasing a chicken from scratch and then chop it's head off, chase after it, dump it in a boiler to get rid of it's feathers and then cut it up, marinate it to make chicken cordon bleu.
The current issue of AutoWeek (11/20/00) has a glowing review of the UK-spec WRX.
The following URL is AutoWeek's web site, but I couldn't get it to load to load. It says no such address exists, but it's the same URL as is in the magazine!?!?
according to AutoWeek, the UK WRX gets 17" tires, 218 HP, 215.4 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Top speed of 143 mph with a 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It goes on to say that the shifting is crisp and sharp, and the steering is astonishingly communicative. It describes the performance as world-class, and will be a wake-up call to benignly driven Porsche 911s. Should the surfaces turn slippery, the Impreza simply ups its game.
Well, assuming those benignly driven 911's aren't Carrera 4 cars with sleeper drivers!!
Nov. issue of Car magazine features their PCOTY, "P" for performance. Impreza P1 and Audi RS4 were semi-finalists in the road section, but at the track, everyone lost to...the 911 Carrera 4.
I don't need that kind of attention. The WRX is perhaps the best "Bang-for-the-Buck" out there. That's where the smart money goes. There's no need for me to flaunt my wealth.
However, since I don't have "wealth," it's not even an issue.
Colin- you're driving me nuts with your secret! I wasn't buying it until I saw RP's comment. I guess it does make sense though. After all, we can't get the 280 P1's, grey market imports, etc. that the UK gets. I guess they're throwing us a bone. Hey, let's start a h.p./price pool. Dennis
if say some guy has 2 keys.(all maintainance will be done free for you) One to a WRX and the other to a C4 turbo. Which one will you take? Which one will YOU take? As much as I love the Scoobies, but I'd be lying if I say the C4 does nothing for me. It was the best car in PCOTY daggamit!
You missed my point. I'm simply saying that there is nothing on the market that can match a WRX for the money. As we both know, you can probably buy three, perhaps four WRXs for the cost of one 911.
But, to answer your question; sure, I'd take the 911 C4, if I had a choice between a WRX and the 911. I may be crazy, but I'm not nuts!
that for the money the wrx is really hard to beat. But then again, how about spending a few thousand for an L and then gut it out with STi parts? nah just kidding. From the showroom stock, the wrx is awesome deal.
Ken, after reading your post about the Subaru showroom, I stopped by yesterday. I pass through Shinjuku everyday, sometimes pass the Subaru building, but didn't even realize they had a showroom. I sat in the Imprezza. I'm a pretty thin guy, 5'11" and 155 pounds. All I can say is, anyone with a much bigger butt than mine is going to have a hard time squeezing into those seats. But, boy, what a great feeling once you're wedged in there. You know this car is dying to be thrown into a corner.
Can't wait to see the reaction to the WRX once it hits the streets in the US.
Glenn Wallace's site, New Impreza.com. I got an e-mail from him this morning, and he's been invited by SOA to the US launch in Arizona. He might also have some pixs (shortly) of the US versions that were recently spotted in Georgia.
Glenn races an Impreza, has connections within SOA, and... perhaps most important - SOA is very much aware of his web site, and the influence it has upon Sube-fanatics. In fact, one of SOAs sr exec vp of something mentioned his site at the press launch in Georgia.
Thus... he, and not you or I, is going to the dealer launch in Arizona.
ppl like dat goes far.... =( I should stop sitting on my thumbs and do something about my mundne life. we'll just haf to wait then eh? Know what tho? My subie buddy's dad in my hometown is friends with Subaru of Canada's top guys. So they've told my bud that the new WRX asedan and wagon is already in town for secret testings and trainings. So he might pull some strings and get to ride in one. I'll prolly hop along too. Think it could be this december! yeeehaa!!!
Hey - I'm Crew Chief, and my web site gets 700 hits per week! Invite ME SoA! Patti?
Never mind. I'm sure that's .001% of the hits he gets, and I don't want to pay for the air far anyway. That'll subtract from the WRX fund!
Besides, my site is for accessory nuts. I'm not sure how secure my bike would be on top of a WRX at over 1 g...
C4 is sweet. Turbo even better. But very showy. You'll get pulled over just to be messed with.
The WRX wagon is stealthy, and therein lies its genius - the fuzz won't think it's any more than a soccer mommobile and won't look twice if you're doing 10-15 over.
Remember - no yellow for the wagons!
Colin: the article was in Autoweek, actually. Just read it and they basically gush about it over and over. You read that and you just can't take a negative angle.
Maybe the 227hp will be a special edition? Autoweek is usually reliable, though they do make mistakes, and take a lot of liberty with guesstimates.
I was just visiting our friends to the north, SOC's web site and noticed that a Impreza "TS" is already sold there. It appears to have the same market position as our "L" model. The only difference is that I noticed that 15" alloy wheels are standard. I also noticed that 15" alloys are standard on the Outback Sport, whereas they're optional here.
Therefore I'm predicting that all 2002 Imprezas will have some sort of ally wheel as standard (15"/TS, 16"/RS, and 17"/WRX).
I also noticed that there seems to be an "error" on the SOC website, in that it appears that all the "features" for the Outback Sport and the base (Legacy) Outback are reversed. Everything listed under the OBS should really be listed under the base Outback, and vice-versa. Can somebody (Drew, etc.) from north of the border confirm this?
Bob: The lineup here in Canada is slightly different as in the US, in the Impreza and Outback H6 and sport, as you've seen. Here, we have Impreza TS, 2.5 RS and Brighton Wagon. Your L sedan and coupe is pretty much "equivalent" to our TS, and your L Wagon to our Brighton.
For the outbacks, the (Legacy) Outback is reversed with the Outback Sport, and they spelt differential, "differentiel". The lineup is also different for the H6 Outbacks, where Canada has just an Outback H6-3.0 and Outback H6-3.0 VDC.
the Canadian TS is much better equiped than the US Ls. The TS has those kewl alloy wheels like the Canadian OBS, has power everything, leather wrapped steering wheel, leather shifter (interior same as RS pretty much down to the seats!).
Bob - alloys on all models would be pretty bold. My guess is the sedan gets them but the wagon does not. Just like the WRX wagon doesn't get the flares or wider track.
I drove an H6 VDC Outback Saturday morning and came away with similar impressions to Ken's, so I won't repeat them here. I think the drivetrain would work better in the lighter Legacy L or GT than in the Outback. Suffice it to say I won't be trading my Forester in right away for one of these; but an H6 GT wagon with 5-speed paddle shift manumatic would set me thinking...
I also generally agree with Ken's analysis of the new Impreza styling. I have the full-line UK brochure which has the WRX sedan on the cover. It looks better from a lower front view than it does looking slightly down at it and yes, the fender bulges on the sedan make it better-looking than the wagon (the front fender bulges even remind me a bit of the Forester's). As I mentioned in Meet the Members forum, I didn't get to see any new Imprezas in the metal over there - just the mighty P1.
There are 3 levels of new Impreza sold in the UK: WRX, GX (sedan and wagon, normally aspirated 2.0l, manual or auto) and TS (wagon only, 1.6l, manual only, no alloys).
Comments
I bet it makes C&Ds 10 best list.
Bob
Automobile had an all-stars list, which it is more likely to make. Motor Trend only picks one COTY, and it's almost always a very high volume model (good or bad).
Who else? AAA? Doubt it. Not practical enough. Edmunds most wanted? Maybe, given they categorize by price. CR? Not likely. They'll complain that a child seat won't fit...
I think Automobile is most likely, Edmunds 2nd.
-juice
Bring 'em on. I will be parting out my OBS for sure come 2003/4.... unless I end up getting married which is quite unlikely...or settle in a house. Oh no. I must enjoy while I am still single!!!
Bob--you are correct, the WRX pumps out more hp than the turbo in the lower Imprezzas and Forester. I think the WRX is bored out a bit.
Ken, if you have the brochures, can you check that?
Anyone--what is the upcoming WRX rumored to be priced at in the US?
I certainly wouldn't expect any magazine whose name contains the word "consumer" to get the idea of the WRX, but I would hope at least C&D would "get it".
Ramon, you can still enjoy it all when you are married. Just marry rich:)
Steve
Actually, it's the STi WRX that pumps out more. Here's what I found:
Forester S/tb:
240ps@6000RPM 31.5kg-m@4000RPM
Impreza Wagon 20K and WRX NA:
250ps@6000RPM 34kg-m@3600RPM
WRX STi:
280ps@6400RPM 38kg-m@4000RPM
Ken
Remember what we Brazilians say: To be born poor is unlucky, but to marry poor is stupid!
Steve: $25 grand was the estimate I heard.
-juice
nah me too. Hey, I'm actually quite a domestic kinda guy. I cook aight. And it's not Krafts Dinner!
I love that phrase juicer! I will try to follow it. However if I raelly do, that means I have to leae all the Subaru bbs since you all are always tempting me to try certain mods. =(
Here's another phrase you'll love. The best way to make a small fortune in racing? Start with a BIG fortune...
-juice
Well, at least I can grill. And I Sandy loves to go "cooking" around some nice curves around here.
-juice
It'll be interesting to see how well the new Impreza does. The 2000 Legacy made big improvements, so I'm sure the Impreza will too.
The bad thing is increased weight. Keep it under control, guys!
-juice
http://www.new-impreza.com/modelcodes_us02.htm
Dennis
I'll take blue w/black interior, MT5 of course.
-juice
The following URL is AutoWeek's web site, but I couldn't get it to load to load. It says no such address exists, but it's the same URL as is in the magazine!?!?
Bob
http://www.Autoweek.com
AW also says the USA version will lose 3 HP.
Bob
C'mon, SoA. Next thing you're gonna tell me the wagon doesn't get the fender flares...
-juice
..Mike
-juice
Nov. issue of Car magazine features their PCOTY, "P" for performance. Impreza P1 and Audi RS4 were semi-finalists in the road section, but at the track, everyone lost to...the 911 Carrera 4.
-mike
Umm, four doors, a tow hitch, and a cloaking device?
Cheers,
-wdb
Bob
However, since I don't have "wealth," it's not even an issue.
Bob
Performance shouldn't be significantly different from the UK version's 218 claimed HP.
-Colin
-mike
I wasn't buying it until I saw RP's comment. I guess it does make sense though. After all, we can't get the 280 P1's, grey market imports, etc. that the UK gets. I guess they're throwing us a bone. Hey, let's start a h.p./price pool.
Dennis
As much as I love the Scoobies, but I'd be lying if I say the C4 does nothing for me. It was the best car in PCOTY daggamit!
But, to answer your question; sure, I'd take the 911 C4, if I had a choice between a WRX and the 911. I may be crazy, but I'm not nuts!
Bob
Can't wait to see the reaction to the WRX once it hits the streets in the US.
Steve
I hope we stil get the MOMO badged wheel.
Bob
http://www.new-impreza.com/
Bob
Thus... he, and not you or I, is going to the dealer launch in Arizona.
Bob
we'll just haf to wait then eh? Know what tho? My subie buddy's dad in my hometown is friends with Subaru of Canada's top guys. So they've told my bud that the new WRX asedan and wagon is already in town for secret testings and trainings. So he might pull some strings and get to ride in one. I'll prolly hop along too. Think it could be this december! yeeehaa!!!
Bob
Never mind. I'm sure that's .001% of the hits he gets, and I don't want to pay for the air far anyway. That'll subtract from the WRX fund!
Besides, my site is for accessory nuts. I'm not sure how secure my bike would be on top of a WRX at over 1 g...
C4 is sweet. Turbo even better. But very showy. You'll get pulled over just to be messed with.
The WRX wagon is stealthy, and therein lies its genius - the fuzz won't think it's any more than a soccer mommobile and won't look twice if you're doing 10-15 over.
Remember - no yellow for the wagons!
Colin: the article was in Autoweek, actually. Just read it and they basically gush about it over and over. You read that and you just can't take a negative angle.
Maybe the 227hp will be a special edition? Autoweek is usually reliable, though they do make mistakes, and take a lot of liberty with guesstimates.
-juice
Therefore I'm predicting that all 2002 Imprezas will have some sort of ally wheel as standard (15"/TS, 16"/RS, and 17"/WRX).
I also noticed that there seems to be an "error" on the SOC website, in that it appears that all the "features" for the Outback Sport and the base (Legacy) Outback are reversed. Everything listed under the OBS should really be listed under the base Outback, and vice-versa. Can somebody (Drew, etc.) from north of the border confirm this?
Bob
For the outbacks, the (Legacy) Outback is reversed with the Outback Sport, and they spelt differential, "differentiel". The lineup is also different for the H6 Outbacks, where Canada has just an Outback H6-3.0 and Outback H6-3.0 VDC.
Jeff
-juice
Bob
I also generally agree with Ken's analysis of the new Impreza styling. I have the full-line UK brochure which has the WRX sedan on the cover. It looks better from a lower front view than it does looking slightly down at it and yes, the fender bulges on the sedan make it better-looking than the wagon (the front fender bulges even remind me a bit of the Forester's). As I mentioned in Meet the Members forum, I didn't get to see any new Imprezas in the metal over there - just the mighty P1.
There are 3 levels of new Impreza sold in the UK: WRX, GX (sedan and wagon, normally aspirated 2.0l, manual or auto) and TS (wagon only, 1.6l, manual only, no alloys).
Ed
Bob