Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Changes You'd Like To See in the Subaru Impreza
This is the place to let Subaru and the rest of us know about changes you think would improve the Impreza. Maybe it's just more available options, maybe it's a major design change. Whatever it is, post your wish list here!
Tagged:
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
-juice
I put my seat into the lowest position immediately after getting the car and I still can't place my forearm flatly on the door armrest. It also needs to be wider, because even when I slump in the seat to get my arm onto it, the thing is still too narrow to keep it from sliding off.
And, of course, I'd like to see a center armrest just as high but probably far enough back to prevent elbowing it during steering wheel turns. Forget the optional console armrest, unless it were better padded or cloth-covered foam cushioned.
-mike
-juice
Bob
The 2007 STi Limited is even closer.
Trunk hinges: get them out of the way of the cargo.
See a VW Jetta 1996 -2004.
Gas tank 3+ gallons bigger.
Angle the switchgear in the centre console at the driver.
I have the automatic climate control, works well
if you study the switches well during every use.
Make the indicator lights *bright* to show the AC is on easy to see.
In bright summer day, with sunglasses.
Brighter than a thousand suns, if need be.
Have a rocker switch for AC and another for defogging
so I can have one touch cold or one touch defogging
and can confirm the settings are what I asked for.
Colour code them --
red for hazards
blue for AC
amber for defogging.
Heater-defogger element in rearview mirror.
Better, supportive heated front seats.
iPod etc input plug
Slightly bigger storage bins, map pockets behind the better seats.
Sound deadening.
Modest e46 ///m3 style rear spoiler.
Illuminate the lighting and cruise control controls.
And all window controls.
Add trip computer like BMW, MINI, VW GTI
with stalk mounted display controls.
Arrange the trunk so I can have at least two full size spares, and no donut spare.
Add holder for gas cap when refueling.
Put the buttons for the remote lock/unlock/security in the key head (see 2002 MINI), and resist activation when I sit down with
keys in my pocket.
Add more electrial power sockets: two in centre console,
one in rear seat, one in trunk.
Rubber pucks on underbody to make jacking points obvious.
Trunk release button/latch on outside of car, and on remote.
Louder horn.
Keep all the differentials the way they are. Love the responsiveness, and no traction stability nanny.
Let gas gauge reset when I refule with accessory power on.
Volumous hatchback like GTI bodystyle.
Better air venting so I do not overheat when running windshield defogger air..
Modest rear wing.
Retro bugeye look.
Rub strips -- practical urban bumpers.
2. Shorten the Clutch pedal travel and raise the bottom stop in relation to the footrest.
3. Reduce driveline lash.
4. Provide more seat cushion tilt adjustment (rear of cushion is too low even at maximum height.)
5. Fold-forward rear headrests to improve rearward vision (I have stowed my outboard headrests in the spare tire well, the middle is in the garage.)
6. Move center-rear shoulder belt to port side to avoid obstructing driver's rear quarter view. ( or make the center seatbelt an option - those of us whithout small children are unlikely to use the center position.)
7. Provide continuous adjustment of instrument illumination, rather than discreet steps.
8. Provide a means to turn on instrument lights without turning on the ignition. (e.g switched with parking light switch.
9. Move the fuel door to the proper side (how often does anyone but the driver fuel the car?)
(By the way, I am enjoying the car.)
Keep it on the other side, as I've saved hours and hours of time when on trips by being able to breeze into a gas station and fill up while others are stuck waiting in line for the other side of the pumps. (around here they require you to pull straight in when on the NJTP to fuel)
-mike
Why not have fuel fillers on both sides? Half the time I visit the gas station the lane that is open is ALWAYS the wrong side for my car. Having 2 fuel fillers is a no-brainer for me.
Bob
-mike
While at it, it would be cool to see Subaru pick up some of the nifty little things that VW puts on their cars like the Automatic windows with the touch of the key fob or some cooled cupholders/console. And I'm not sure if the higher end Impreza's have it but a one-touch open/close roof would be nice, maybe even a dual roof like the Legacy.
5. Fold-back might be the better route, especially with children. That way they can fold out of view and not obstruct a passenger of... small stature... should that be the case.
6. Does this belt not retract into the ceiling with a quick pop of a key on the Impreza? I found it to be somewhat obstructive on the Outback as well, but I just retract it any time it is not in use. Somewhat awkward, nonetheless.
8. That would certainly be nice. The odometer/trip meter illuminates with a push of the trip meter button; it would be nice if the whole panel would come to life instead. I think it is a 10-second illumination on the odometer.
Great feedback, daysailor!
-mike
I agree with paisan, though, the lines on that side are usually more crowded. It seems more often than not I'm filling up from the opposite side because I avoid the lines.
-mike
It is also nice though living in the overpopulated northest, in that I can hit up probably over 100+ different resturants in a 1-2 mile radius and none of them are "Applebees, Chilis, etc"
The price we pay for living in the capital of the world
-mike
Oddly, gas was $2.71 for regular on Thursday, and went up to a whopping $2.84 by Sunday on our way back.
I didn't need gas but I did spot a pump on the Subaru side with no line. All others had a line. :P
Argggg.
-mike
Full size spare. It looks like it would be stupidly simple to rework the sheetmetal a bit to fit it. There's already enough depth in the spare wheel area as it is.
Lower loading sil/bumper cut out on the wagon. It amazes me to see so many good cars with miserable trunk openings. Take the Fit - the cargo "area" is much larger than the opening. Not by a little like the Subaru, but by a huge amount.
Wider opening rear doors. I like this feature on the Fit, though.
The center armrest should have a slide forward feature so that with a manual transmission, you can have something to rest your elbow on.
Something other than black interior on the base model. Even grey would be better. Black is hot in the sun, afterall.
Storage are in the center console needs to be an inch deeper so you can fit CDs in it and close the door.
Move the clock to the console/radio and clean up the dash. That "opening" on the upper dash looks very 80s.(poor styling, IMO)
6 speed gearbox option on all models.
And of course, most of what the others said.
Plus, my biggest gripe/need: 5mph bumpers! No more plastic and flimsy! Give us real bumpers again!
Oh yeah, let's not forget auto-up power windows too.
Bob
I think a diesel option where the diesel actually gets really good economy would shoot the car to the top of my must buy list. A redesign on the nose of the 2008 would be another change I want to see. Also for automatic lovers I think a CVT tranny would be miles better than a 5EAT. maybe one with paddle shifters. For me always buy manuals but I think the paddle shifter is here to stay and please if you DO make them have them usable while you are turning.
Diesel yes, but diesel and CVT may be too costly for a small company like Subaru. They're actually talking about Direct Injection for the gas engines, too. :shades:
500 bucks more for an outback seems reasonable. Especially if they want to clear out old inventory for the new one.
CVT would be much better for their economy and higher end cars. The diesel has already been rumored on Edmunds.
I'd go for the diesel over gas even if I had to give up some performance to get the better economy.
I'll take mine with a stick tho. If Subaru stops making manuals I'd no longer buy Subaru's!
Bob
Look at GM and diesels after the early 80s fiasco. They still don't have any passenger cars or light trucks with diesel I believe, nearly 30 years later.
Changes - not much:
Split, fold down rear seat.
Make the cruise control more user-friendly (I think the newer models have moved the on/off button to the c.c. lever).
Cruise control - does NOT want to maintain speed unless the road is glass-smooth. My '99 Saturn SL2 w/5-speed was rock-solid in comparison.
Like I said, there's not much that I would change on my beloved bugeye...
Drive safe!
Macksrex
1st - 2003 Subaru WRX sedan
2nd - 2005 Subaru WRX sedan
3rd - 2014 Subaru WRX hatchback
4th - 2015 Forester XT Touring
-mike
I would say that if you get rid of your car before your powertrain warranty goes, it should not be an issue.I like to keep cars.
I did own a CVT scooter way back when.
-mike