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2008/09 Subaru Impreza STI
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Comments
How about the reliability of the Subie 4A ?
Thanks for the responses.
Automatic Transmission
Optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic with SPORTSHIFT® manual control6
The automatics have been pretty good. In fact I remember when the 2002s came out and people started boosting power, the manual gears had trouble accomodating more than 250 or so horsepower, while the automatics could go up to 300 or so with the stock internals.
The STI's 6 speed was a sought-after upgrade for people boosting power to manual trans models.
Aside from the 1999 model year, I have heard of few, if any, transmission problems that were not the result of human error. It is a very reliable unit.
I will keep looking,
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=125928?tid=edmund- - - s.il.home.photopanel..2.*
Also worth noting the example they bought has navigation, so it will be interesting to see how this NAV unit works in real life.
While they haven't yet posted an STI entry here on their Long-term blog, they will—and shortly, I'm sure. So anyone interested in tracking this vehicle in terms of how it fares with Edmunds editors—and in learning about all the details, good and bad, this is link should be something you check daily.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/
Bob
-mike
Bob
If you want to know what it's like to "live" with the STI, you should be checking in here often.
Bob
That's your problem in a nutshell. I'm 63 and look it. I had no trouble at two dealers getting a test drive. Oh... I also drove up in a WRX, so I guess they figured I was okay.
Bob
Showing that sort of effort will prove you're a serious shopper and not just browsing for a joy ride.
You mean like Bob? :P
To be fair I think he would consider one in the future. Plus he blogs it so Subaru is getting more than their fair share of coverage for it.
I really think Subaru's (and Mitsubishi too with the EVO) policy on no test drives, except for serious buyers is a mistake. Their argument, that I've heard from many dealers, that they don't want the cars to "have a lot of test miles on them" could be applied to everything they sell.
Here's what I've learned from driving the EVO and STI. Despite the fact that the EVO may put up better track numbers, I don't want one. It's much too hardcore for me. The STI, on the other hand, is a near perfect blend of sportiness, comfort and utility. For me it's a much better fit in terms of my desires and needs.
If I'm putting down close to $40K on a car—I want to be damn sure I know what I'm getting ahead of time—and (numerous!) test drives are the only way to find that out.
Bob
-mike
As to the WRX, expect the '09 model to have sharper handling than the '08 model.
Bob
I have no idea about the Impreza, but the new suspension, tuned properly, can corner very flat. Keep in mind the aftermarket possibilities if you find the stock springs too soft.
Dude the STI secret price fully loaded with BBS wheels & Upgradable navigations system is about 35,000. Moreover, for the 2009 EVO MR , mitsubishi is not willing to lean back much on the price 48,000 crazy price for a fully loaded Mr.
The secret price on the MR fully loaded will eat 44,000 out of your pocket for automatic dip s**t . I will pick up a EVO 8 MR over the X MR anytime.
Don't even put the 2009 StI 330HP 320lb of T next to the MR. EVO AUTOMATIC.
Yes i test drove the both cars and the evo suspention is sick but a true driver drives manual not auto. i have a 2006 350z manual 500hp 480lb of Tor and i will never trade in for automatic z even with a twin clutch. Anybody considering a evo mr x, is surely new to the game just get a gsr and make it into a monster... or do yourself a favor and buy a 2009 sti coupe spec c
Anyway, better late than never ! The only question is, why does it take Subaru more than one try, to get it right ? Once you lose the original model launch momentum, it is well nigh impossible to get it back.
Interesting news about renaming the Auto WRX as the "Impreza GT" ! Unfortunately, without a 5-speed Auto with paddle shifters, this will fail again, like the prior 4EAT WRX Auto models, unless they spring a surprise and put the 5EAT from the Legacy-based models, into this GT model.
Hopefully they will up the ante with the STI too, to maybe a 330 or 350HP/Torque engine, some better seats than the current "flats", and more tuned suspension like the EVO, to put some distance between the upgrades being put into the WRX.
New to Subaru are yah?
1998 2.5RS = 2.5L DOHC, small fogs, whacky interior, different brakes
1999 2.5RS = 2.5L SOHC, large fogs, white face gauges, different brakes, normal interior
2002 WRX = same brake pads as the 01 RS, bad 2nd/3rd gear trans issue, no moonroof, etc. etc.
2003 WRX = "new" brakes, etc. etc.
Seems to be the trend that Subaru has, with the impreza line.
-mike
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/07/subaru-uk-announces-three-special-- wrxs-at-british-auto-show.html
Bob
Serge
That's the second time a link has disappeared. Really strange...
Bob
Guess that's why I've set my sights on a 2010 GTR for my next street car, it's a tad more refined and like a 911 wouldn't be doing that drifting crap.
-mike
I hope to use my STi at a track. I have only had it for a couple of weeks, but drifting and donuts is not why I bought the car...and promoting that image is not what I think subaru should be going for. I would think the traditional rally videos and/or track videos are more appealing.
This video was done by SOA as a teaser for the '09 WRX. It was intentionally done this way to closely link the (new found) performance of the '09 WRX with that of the STI. That's why both the STI and WRX are out "playing" together. It's important that Subaru, with the new '09 WRX, distance this car from the '08 WRX, which has gotten luke-warm reviews at best. This kind of video shows that the WRX is once again the fun car it used to be.
As to lack of skill, I disagree here too. They are using SOA's two top rally drivers, Pastrana and Block—and they certainly know how to handle themselves in a race car. In this video they are just out playing around and having fun—and showing that the WRX is once again fun to drive. There's no competition here in which they're showing off (or proving) their level of skill. That was not the intention.
All in all, I think this is a successful video, as it accomplishes what the marketing goals were.
Bob
Bob
It's quite an immature driving style and an insult to any of us folks who really DRIVE their cars on the track and race them.
As I said, if we want Subaru to be compared to the NEON SRT4 (similar to that Dodge commercial a few years ago street racing) then so be it. However, I'd rather see our car brand walking with the likes of Porsche, Lotus, BMW, who would not be caught dead with a commerical/video like that sanctioned by the manufacturer.
I guess you are a fan of the STi in the new Fast and Furious movie too, afterall, they are just out having fun. Going out on a track and abusing the vehicle as they were in that video shows them to be toys, not precision driving machines. I guess we will just writeoff the WRX as a toy from here on out
While I agree with them distancing themselves from the 08 WRX, perhaps they could get out there and show the subaru enthusiasts rallying, road racing, autoxing their cars, which happens in 1000s and 1000s of parking lots, race tracks and rally and rally-x events EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND by common Subaru owners.
-mike
It's just a teaser video to get folks excited about the new WRX. Nothing more.
Bob
I keep thinking back to around 2000 when we started to track our GC Imprezas and they laughed at us saying "what are you doing on the track, those are subarus" Now you can't go to a track day and not see at least 10 subies there!
-mike
Subaru need to go back to the TV ads they came out with, when the WRX first came into the US, in 2001, and build from there. I have always stated that the 2008 WRX was an aberration and from Subaru's perspective, that model is like a bad nightmare. The 2008 WRX was essentially an Outback Sport with a turbo in it, than the all-conquering WRX.
The 2009 WRX needs to get back to its rough-and-ready roots and you don't do it by doing silly "drifting" videos, especially when one is drifting off-the-road and not being able to stay on the road.
But I do understand what Bob is trying to say, which is that this is essentially the 2009 WRX, moving away from the lackluster image of the 2008, which is all good but do it while staying on the road, than off the road.
Bob
All the rumors were true.
Bob
Bob
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Y_9jbDXro
It (intentionally) comes off like a 1950s or 1960s era instructional video.
Bob