Originally Posted by ALi-B

It's still nice to know I can have my own opinion then

But that's an issue, especially with the aftermarkets mods; Is it mods for the sakes of it, or mods because the car needs it. Doing stuff to the car to make it better such as reducing the woeful understeer and brakes is a good thing. But what about that person who sees some stuff in a catalogue/Bansai mag and wants their car to look just like that?

If anyone looked closely at the aftermarket industry. Products that are developed divides into two sectors: Work/modifications that actually were deveolped by specialists solely dealing in Subarus. And others that just sell a load of bolt on bits under the heading "Impreza" in a catoogue that sell the same stuff for any other established car (just with a different fitting kit). Previous being remaps, ALKs, headers etc i.e something that was developed specifically for the car. The Latter being spoilers, backboxes, stickers, dump valves, cone filters etc. - i.e stuff that is generic with only the need for a different fitting kit. The market has seen the gap and filled it with as much tacky junk as there is stuff that actually is worth it, that is part and parcel of the model's success.

I don't think some of the top tuners would be too happy if it was inferred that all they did was order stuff out of calatogues to bolt on for the sakes of it. That's not the point in question

But then, there are droves are poeple who went out an bought an Impreza, and then felt compelled to do something to it. I'm not saying don't mod them, I'm not saying don't buy them.

What I am saying is through the popularity of the car, through the sales, the media, and aftermarket industry, it has undermined the very qualities that I considered quite rare in such a run-of-the mill production car: Subtlety, combined with performance, practicality and low purchase price, giving a package that was abit different without shouting to the world in a bellowing American voice "HEY!!! LOOK AT ME!! I've got a fast car".

Now it does exactly that, apart from it shouts it in a scouser accent (no offence to scousers ), fine if you like that kind of attention. Not so fine if you don't.

And therin lies the problem. 13yrs ago you could park an Impreza in scumsville, leave it overnight on a pub carpark and not be worried about anyone nicking it, or ripped off parts, or just vandelising it just for the fact that it was an Impreza. You could do the same with a Legacy, and you can still do it today. Because its not so well known, it's not recoginsed, and therefore gets much less attention.

13-15yrs ago, Subaru had no image. Like Skoda, Subaru suffered the from the badge snobbery. People won't even look at an Octavia VRS becuase it's a Skoda. But that lays the advantage of the q-factor of the Octavia VRS, and to the people who could look beyond the badge; the masses were ignorant to it. This was the orginal appeal to the Impreza once had, the saving grace is the Legacy still retains it. For that reason, I consider the Impreza dead. Its popularity will be its demise.


As for the 4.4 V8, it's now a 5.3 V12, although I still hanker for a 7.0 LS7

Originally Posted by Einstein RA

You do make some very valid points Ali and I really enjoy our exchanges Makes a change from all the usual comments being slung back and forth. Much as it pains me to admit I think you are right the Impreza is a victim of it's own success. Now your 5.3 v12 would that be the HE version , as for the Lister well that's automotive **** mate once described by a journalist as the finest sounding engine he ever heard. Like you Ali I still appreciate the big hearted engines of yore.

Maz

Originally Posted by ALi-B

It's HE A slightly ill one at that With a huge flatspot at low revs, plus a habit of randomly cutting out once a month. So very far from a Lister in performance Sounds lovely at full chat though, I'll sort it one day, just need time, patience and lots of petrol.

Originally Posted by ALi-B

Trust me, you don't want to know how much has been spent on that thing over the years . It's a family relic and I now have the reponsibility of any up-keep on it. Whilst we're on about tacky mods, I hear a set of tubular headers and centre section is good for almost 40bhp on these.

Originally Posted by Legacy4x4Turbo

and me this one (not the white one )

Originally Posted by Alg

B4 RSK

Originally Posted by ALi-B

The numbers are in english :

5 speed Manual
280ps @ 6400rpm
343N/m @2400rpm (hmm, that's either wrong, or very impressive )

5 speed Auto
260 @ 600rpm
343M/m @2400rpm

Also appears to have a 9.5:1 compression ratio which would help the low down torque (as well as the turbos )

All for about 3,391,500 YEN (manual) (£15,961.53 )

Doesn't appear to say 0-60. Top speed is 112mph though

Originally Posted by Gerry M

I'm on my 3rd leggy now, the latest one being a 99 B4. I like its discreetness, its comfy, you dont generally get every saxo trying to race you. The local police approve of it because of it's stealth appeal. I wanted an impreza whe younger but my sensible head told me not to as i needed more space. 2 leggy estates later in non turbo form & i knew what the next car would be. the motor trade didnt refer to the1st gen leggy turbo as the subaru lunacy for nothing

Originally Posted by Marky9074

Gerry! Is that you! How is 'M' ?

Mark

Originally Posted by paulpalmer

That's a nice photo Mark I like the use of the background.