UndercoverObbie
10-07-2007, 11:43 PM
Right then, here we go ;)
DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional anything. I'm merely a Subaru enthusiast, and bring with me the experience of RallyXing a few different models. Take what I say lightly- this is just for fun.
Model: 2008 Impreza 2.5i
Body Style: 5 Door Hatchback
Color: Spark Silver Metallic
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior: With its lumpy, unbalanced, and completely unaggressive exterior, this car can't decide whether it wants to be an Impreza or a Civic. Or heck, even a Camry- I find myself double-taking at anyone driving a newer model Camry because the front ends look similar, IMO. The lack of hood scoop really contributes to that look, I think. The silver is a nice color, but the pinstriping that the dealer insists is cool really detracts from the look, splitting the car into unequal halves. I'm also not a fan of look of the new front end, but that's just a personal thing. The back end bothered me more- those triangular lights just look awkward.
Interior: Not bad, not stellar. The 'sport shifter' concept was odd, and easy to slip into by mistake. The interior is similar to the new Tribeca, with a sweeping design that incorporates the entire dash. It's not the three part driver-console-passenger design that's been seen in every previous model- it's one flowing panel. I don't think it's too bad, actually. For the first time ever in an Impreza, I looked into the back seat and didn't think 'Wow am I glad I'm not sitting back there.' The increase in size has given more leg room all around, but for my purposes (no one ever rides in the back seat except for my dogs), that's not a selling point.
Driving: Where is the rumble? In fact, where is any sound whatsoever? It's definitely the quietest Subaru I've ever driven. That distinctive sound that all the previous years have had is completely absent in this model, making me wonder once or twice if the engine was even running while we were idling! The ride is smooth and soft, which is unusual when comparing it to the older, stiffer cars. I drove it on the streets and on the interstate, and was not particularly impressed with its performance on either. The automatic transmission seemed hesitant to shift between second and third- though I was going more by feel than by sound, because even at 40 I still couldn't hear the damn engine. Highway ramp was uneventful- it seemed average for a Subaru in the body-roll department, and I tried to throw it around a bit. Getting it up to speed for the highway, though- man. Not fun. I couldn't tell how fast the car was going by the engine sounds- I had to keep glancing at my speedometer to make sure. I very tentatively hit 80 mph, then exited. I was actually rather glad to get out of the car.
Overview: Anything that was edgy in Subaru- the rumble, the stiff suspension, the aggressive flow of the exterior- has been eliminated from the '08 2.5i. I'd be far more gentle on the more base models of Impreza, except I drove the '07 base Impreza a month or two ago and was actually rather impressed…
GDP (Gettin' Dirty Potential): It's a Subaru, so I mean, I guess you could, but... Nah. I'd honestly rather drive my dad's 13 year old Toyota on gravel than this one.
Rating: 3/10. Ick.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a professional anything. I'm merely a Subaru enthusiast, and bring with me the experience of RallyXing a few different models. Take what I say lightly- this is just for fun.
Model: 2008 Impreza 2.5i
Body Style: 5 Door Hatchback
Color: Spark Silver Metallic
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior: With its lumpy, unbalanced, and completely unaggressive exterior, this car can't decide whether it wants to be an Impreza or a Civic. Or heck, even a Camry- I find myself double-taking at anyone driving a newer model Camry because the front ends look similar, IMO. The lack of hood scoop really contributes to that look, I think. The silver is a nice color, but the pinstriping that the dealer insists is cool really detracts from the look, splitting the car into unequal halves. I'm also not a fan of look of the new front end, but that's just a personal thing. The back end bothered me more- those triangular lights just look awkward.
Interior: Not bad, not stellar. The 'sport shifter' concept was odd, and easy to slip into by mistake. The interior is similar to the new Tribeca, with a sweeping design that incorporates the entire dash. It's not the three part driver-console-passenger design that's been seen in every previous model- it's one flowing panel. I don't think it's too bad, actually. For the first time ever in an Impreza, I looked into the back seat and didn't think 'Wow am I glad I'm not sitting back there.' The increase in size has given more leg room all around, but for my purposes (no one ever rides in the back seat except for my dogs), that's not a selling point.
Driving: Where is the rumble? In fact, where is any sound whatsoever? It's definitely the quietest Subaru I've ever driven. That distinctive sound that all the previous years have had is completely absent in this model, making me wonder once or twice if the engine was even running while we were idling! The ride is smooth and soft, which is unusual when comparing it to the older, stiffer cars. I drove it on the streets and on the interstate, and was not particularly impressed with its performance on either. The automatic transmission seemed hesitant to shift between second and third- though I was going more by feel than by sound, because even at 40 I still couldn't hear the damn engine. Highway ramp was uneventful- it seemed average for a Subaru in the body-roll department, and I tried to throw it around a bit. Getting it up to speed for the highway, though- man. Not fun. I couldn't tell how fast the car was going by the engine sounds- I had to keep glancing at my speedometer to make sure. I very tentatively hit 80 mph, then exited. I was actually rather glad to get out of the car.
Overview: Anything that was edgy in Subaru- the rumble, the stiff suspension, the aggressive flow of the exterior- has been eliminated from the '08 2.5i. I'd be far more gentle on the more base models of Impreza, except I drove the '07 base Impreza a month or two ago and was actually rather impressed…
GDP (Gettin' Dirty Potential): It's a Subaru, so I mean, I guess you could, but... Nah. I'd honestly rather drive my dad's 13 year old Toyota on gravel than this one.
Rating: 3/10. Ick.