Article on the 2008 STi in the LA Times

[409industries]

Link:

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-hy-neil16jan16,0,7968145.story?coll=la-news-highway_1

The car you see on this page is subtle. No, seriously, ignoring the blown-out front fender deltoids, the heinous sacrilege of sport tires and roof-extending rear wing the size of a snowboard, and ignoring the Talmudic specificity of the name -- Subaru Impreza WRX STI -- there is a lot of nuance here. It's nuance fired out of a howitzer at point-blank range into your face, but you could still easily miss it. Yes, that's what impresses me after a rib-bruising half-hour with this 305-hp, all-wheel-drive samurai license-killer: its deep allusiveness and indirection. It's practically Pynchon-like.

It's helpful, in the face of such dialogical quietude, to start at the beginning. The Impreza line was redesigned for model year 2008 and I think we can all agree that is a good thing. The sheet metal has been vastly improved, contemporized and brought into line with Subaru's new corporate look. The ogre spell has been broken...Ogre spell? are you kidding? the GD's are sexy as hell. not to mention the GC's too...

[Dirty TR]

Every generation of Impreza was hideous to me at first glance. Every single one of them has grown on me to the point that I completely forgot how ugly these cars are. If you look at it from an outsiders point of view, I think you'll agree. Most people think Impreza's are ugly.

When I first saw the '08 I all I could think of was "Ah god damnit. Look how ugly that wagon is. I hate wagons.' Rest assured, I appreciate wagon models and understand that people like them and blah blah blah, but personally I don't find them attractive.

The more and more I saw the '08, I fell in love with it. I want one. I was really contemplating trading mine in for one. The only reason I didn't was because I don't want an 8 year 500+ a month car loan.

I think my ultimate goal is to pay off my 07 then I can play it by ear and not screw myself over.

I apologize for this all-over-the-place rant, but reading that article made me want to vent.

I love the new '08. That is all.

[MBasile]

people like curvy, flowing lines....the only curves on a bugeye are the headlights and foglights

[PSG STI]

people like curvy, flowing lines....the only curves on a bugeye are the headlights and foglights

Take a look at the front and sides of the new STi. Now take a look at the rear. There is no flow from the side to the rear of this car... one of the biggest dissapointments to me in design. Smooth, curved lines as you start at the front and go over the fender flares, then you go to a blunt rear with very sharp taillights??? Just doesn't work for me.

Pig nose is where it's at.

[Dirty TR]

I love my pig nose. Just the right amount of curves. But even so, for some reason, I don't know, but I like the 08 STi. *shrugsshoulders*

[409industries]

I agree, the lines from the side don't flow well into the rear (especially with the tail lights). I used to think the new wagon (hatch if you will) was pretty damn ugly but i like it now. I was able to sit in one and play with all the gadgets inside and it is very nice. However, $39K for a fully loaded Subaru is damn expensive!

[MetalNeverDies]

hell yea it is. i wouldnt want to take my car off road if i payed that much for it. to replace parts on it would be insane. i hate all the chrome they put on it :*(

[bfrancis827]

I hated the new STi at first, but when I saw the WRC model in person, I changed my mind. I like it, but I would not trade in my 07 STi. The biggest reason being a huge hit in the wallet. I was running some numbers and it would probably be smarter to fully prep my car for rally then to trade in. Hmmm. *lightbulb turns on* Maybe that is all the justification I need.

[409industries]

I hated the new STi at first, but when I saw the WRC model in person, I changed my mind.

UMMM when did you see this? Pics please! Maybe i've been living in a cave, but i don't think ive seen any real pictures besides the FHI released ones...

[UP2MTNS]

yeah, i dunno...I don't really like the 06-07's still....the 08 WRX is atrocious, the 08 sti is a little less worse, but (and I never thought I'd say this) the EVO X is pretty sexy...

[Dirty TR]

http://e-kereta.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/2008-Subaru-Impreza-WRC-STi-1.jpg

This it?

[bfrancis827]

This was back in September right before I left Germany. It's funny saying that considering I am in Germany right now.

http://dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1186