fabulous555

So what else is new? When have scoobs been praised for their looks? Their bread and butter has always been handling and by all accounts this 1 falls short of the mark.

BMWhere?

Its amazing how many people are so afraid of change! I hope people have a little more courage at the next general election!

Personally - I love it! Was a little unsure when I saw the first pictures, but still bought one anyway because I trust Subaru to build a great car.

When I finally saw it in the flesh, I fell instantly in love! This car is a massive improvement over all previous Impreza's in looks, build quality and performance/handling.

Just took it on the Nürburgring at the weekend and lapped 38 seconds quicker than my old 03 STI with 325PS and tuned suspension, despite an incredibly busy track!

The future is here... get used to it!

Blueblaster

I really like it. Red is definitely the new blue. It looks modern and purposeful without trying too hard. Have read the Autocar review and couldn't care less that it is possible to travel faster for less money. If Subaru make a WRX Diesel with that excellent new engine then I will be seriously interested. 20 grand for the basic car plus some tasty wheels, SAT NAV/excellent stereo and I'll be as happy as a pig in a bucket of pig swill.

fabulous555

If your lapping quicker at the ring in it maybe your just better suited to a softer car. Ive driven them all and to suggest the lastest is the best handling is, well just bollocks im afraid! Glad you like yours but il always be sticking to a well set up classic. Im yet to drive 1 thats felt as good as a classic type r. I refuse to except change when it aint for the better, thats called making do!

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Very true

lucky_strike

But aren't most classics that are 'well setup' non-standard or special editions? No reason you can't tweak the standard model 08 as I'm sure many will in time and you've got a great package? The 08 should just be the first in a long journey of evolution with the new model?

BMWhere?

Exactly!

I've owned every major Euro version of the Impreza, including the fabulous RB5 - The 08 is by no means soft and especially not in comparison to a classic - classics are the softest of the lot!

You can also only compare like for like! A standard Euro model is never going to be comparable to an imported Type-R or Spec-C etc.

Compare the 08 STI to an untouched Newage STI, an RB5, P1, whatever other Euro spec car, the new STI is a huge improvement!

Take of you're blinkers people, it might be a hatch, but the game has moved on big time with this car in basic spec. Once the tuners get their hands on it and new suspension parts are available, then there will be some serious 08's out there. Then when the Spec-C's start coming in its going to be another league altogether!

Distinguished Gentleman

Well said. Thank god not everyone on here talks out of their rear ends

DG

bmac800

Like others on this thread I waited to see the MY08 STI in the flesh because I really wanted to like it but when I saw it I thought it looked crap - never even took it for a test drive and thats coming from someone who has had three brand new Imprezas.
Why design a brand new car then stick the wheels from the old model on it - they look crap on the old Impreza and ten times worse on the new car.

bluenose172

iTrader: (2)

Just about every other hot-hatch on the market gives you the option of 3 and 5 door varients, why oh why didn't Subaru offer this, I reckon a 3-door version might be just about 'buyable'.!

lucky_strike

Maybe a future offering in 3 door? BMW have phased their model type introductions on the 1 series as an example so perhaps Subaru will follow their example?

Blueblaster

I know this is the case with other cars too, but I bet if you put on a really tasty set of wheels it would really look the business. I love it in red - I could see me getting a diesel one next year if it looked like the STI. The basic shape is nothing to write home about, but with the flared arches, 4 exhausts, other little styling tweeks and the right colour I think you're going to have a great looking car that is terrific to live with.

I wonder if people don't like it because it isn't a four door saloon with a wing on the back or they genuinely don't like the design. If you forget what the old car looks like and judge this one on it's merits I think it stacks up pretty well. VERY colour sensitive though.

DYK

I genuinely don't like the way it looks.Reason for me personally is because it's lost it's individuality.To me now it just looks like every other car out there.I drive along the street in my scoob and people look at the car and know it's a subaru,They hear that distinct sound of a subaru impreza,it had it's own character.ok some people said the subaru was an ugly car,even more when the blobeye came out,but atleast it did not look like every other damn car out there,which is what it looks like now..im not knocking at anyone who has bought one of the my08,it's just my own personel feeling as to why i don't like it.It's got no *****,and looks too politically correct..feel free to condem me..

lucky_strike

Trust me, people still stop, turn and look at this one as well and that's without them hearing it first

ballsie

iTrader: (4)

+1