I personaly think it's not an aversion to change that's getting the 'Subbie crew' upset, more like what on earth were the Subaru marketing bods thinking when they decided to change direction and further dilute the already diluted WRX in order to enable it to appeal to ordinary folk and in so doing created what essentially is a car that is ugly, expensive to run, expensive to tax and slow when compared to the 'gold standard'.

Missed it last night. so just checked it out on You Tube!!!:(

I guess owning a WRX is not something that you can be proud of anymore!!!:brickwall


YouTube - Fifth Gear - VW Golf GTI vs Subaru Impreza WRX Shootout

The original WRX was seen as at least as a match for fast Golfs and the like, but now? 2 Seconds a lap slower than a Golf....2 Seconds! ...A lap!!......
If Subaru wanted to take a part of the Soft Hatch market then why market the car as a WRX, should have sold it as the GT and dropped the WRX name or just restricted the WRX name to the WRX STi end of the range. Unbelievable that a car with AWD and an extra 500cc is slower on the track, not good for the brand image. The STi will be quicker than the Golf but its not aimed at competing with the Golf sector of the market, it is designed to take on its rivals like the EVO. An I have seen screen shots of the new STi and it still look horrid.Sorry but Subaru have cooked up major in my own opinion........hope I am wrong as I will still need parts to keep my classic alive from Subaru!

Watched the program last night and indeed it was disappointing. I seemed to remember them doing a similar test against the focus st 2.5t. The gti came out on top then as well, by a similar margin i think. As somebody else said the golf gti is the leader in it's class. It out handles the more expensive r32, focus st, astra vxr.

Maybe vw found just the right amount of power to put through the front wheels without causing handling issue i.e. astra vxr the worst of the lot but most powerful. It would be common sense by Subaru Engineers to make the wrx around the 265hp mark with the tranmission losses and I'm sure it would have been a totally different result. Be interesting to have seen what the result would have been against a blobeye.:wonder:

Well here it goes. . . . .

I haven't been on here since 2005 when I said goodbye to my MY02 Bugeye and chopped it in for a Fabia Vrs. It was all the rage back then and quite a few die hard Subaru fans did the same as I noticed they migrated across to Briskoda as well!

Anyway, I never got rid of the WRX because I needed more, it was more a cost thing as the fuel costs were crippling. I think I worked out I could have the Fabia all in with finance for about the same amount I was paying out in fuel! Anyway as much as I loved the Fabia (they are fantastic cars) I missed the dynamics of a turbo charged petrol car. Torque can only satisfy you for so long.

So what was out there for around the £20000 mark brand new?

I considered the following

Octavia Vrs
Astra VXR
Focus ST
Civic Type R
Impreza WRx
and of course the apparent expensive option, the Golf GTi

After doing relentless research each car had its pros and cons. In the end I went for the Golf GTi and after 2000 miles I couldn't be happier. (I went a little over budget and added met black paint, 18" wheels, Ipod connectivity and a few other bits and pieces!)

Anyway where I am going with this? Well the thing is it is always easy to justify buying something if you really want it. After test driving the Golf I was sold on it. It really is, in my opinion, leagues ahead of the others in every way. I truly expected, being a Skoda convert and all that, that I would drive the Octy Vrs and then the Golf GTi back to back and be unable to justify the five or so grand more for the Golf, but I could. I can’t really explain how but it just felt better in every way. The Skoda felt cheaper in comparison and looked like a poor mans Impreza, but it is still a fine car. There was also a bit of snobbery I suppose and at the end of the day, what would you rather be seen in if cost wasn't a consideration.

Anyway, the Impreza. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at it. I know its all down to personal taste but I have absolutely no idea what Subaru has done. With my Bugeye, I knew it was not the best looking Impreza, but despite being heavier than the original it was still a clear leap forward, so it sold. The Blob eye and later models, you could argue, got better looking. But the latest one really has got lost. Reading the specs I thought it would survive on performance alone. After it's outing on fifth gear I really don't think it will.

I fully expected the Golf to be carved a new one when I switched Fifth gear on last night but we all know the result.

Don't lose sight of the fact the Golf is a very fast car and designed to excel at everything. Ford and Vauxhall wanted to make a faster car and, at the expense of handling, did. Well in a straight-line anyway. Both clearly aimed themselves at the Golf and upped the power stakes. The Golf's stated 7.2 to 60mph (6.9 for the DSG) is very conservative. Let’s not forget it will pull itself up to 150mph as well.

Forget making excuses about it. The new Impreza is ugly, underpowered and overweight. The argument that it is more the family variant and the STi will be the answer is ridiculous. The WRX was meant to be the answer to all of the above cars and I think it will struggle against them all. The STi is a whole other league, with near on 300bhp, if it's not faster than those mentioned then there really is no hope.

Subaru have lost sight of who counts, us lot. How many people will want to chop in what they have now for the new model? I wouldn't.

Did I hear someone say residuals?..............

but don't worry, they'll bring out a 350bhp PPP to go with the sti's 400bhp PPP:lol1::lol1::lol1: like fcuk they will:lol1:

said it before, will say it again, it's a dog.

and a slow dog come to that.

sad bstards, deserting the marque because some failed woman racing driver with a penchant for golfs drove one faster than the WRX, i bought an impreza for the fun, performance and tunability, because i like driving fast, and am not made of money, i didn't buy it for the looks or the interior, or to boost my ego. if you don't like the new impreza, don't buy one, just stop whining about it.

So the STi is not the answer, but the WRX is meant to be the answer. Not in Subaru’s opinion. If you are considering any hot hatch of course the STi is the answer. I paid about £1800 more for the STi over the GTI that I was considering. Same price range, same key features and even practicalities. So why is the STi not the answer?

PS. I have posted the test drives before buying the STi. Nothing came close to the STi. Nothing.:luxhello:

OK -- but have you seen the STi in the metal? Very few posting on here who have reckon they still don't like it. Like most, I was dubious but having seen one, I think it looks the business.

Still doesn't make the WRX any better though!

I think you have miss interpreted what I have said. My critique is of the 2008 model Impreza WRX not of the STi or previous STi's. I always considered the STi to be the sparring partner of the Evo's as the WRX never really stood a chance in the power stakes.

The new Impreza WRX and for that matter the STi IMHO looks like a turd. It reminds me of the car Homer Simpson designed.

http://machinelake.com/site-media/up..._homer_car.png

You can forgive that if it were a class leader in performance. The WRX isn't.

It really is a sad end to a great heritage, Subaru sit on their ar$e and watch the competition overtake them in everything. Rallying, Car Performance, Dynamics, Interior Design........

If was fine back in 1998 to have a UK Turbo with 210bhp (If I can remember that far back) kicking A$$ and the likes of the Type-R, RAs etc etc. 10 years later and all they offer is 230bhp out of the box is a joke.

Wake up and smell the coffee Subaru.

I didn't realise the STI was only 2k more expensive than the GTI featured, 20-21k making the sti a steal at 23k.
Sadly though the sti is 'from' 25k otr.

Nik.

Well its the previous impreza that got un-competitive in the WRC.Maybe the new hatch WRC can bring in the good results?
It was said that there would be no WRX?but they did make some to fill the gap before the STi arrived?I heard there would be a performance diesel instead of the WRX.
what I can't fathom is the Bug eye and Blob have 219gm/km while the new one is 246gm/km.Why did they not stick with the 2 ltr?then at least the tax band would have been better.But they may kill off the WRX once the diesel comes in September.

People mention transmission losses, but if the WRX is over a second quicker to 60 then that can't be the case, it must be the handling. VBH says the Golf turns in better and "just rose to the occasion", wtf is that supposed to mean, sounds like bs to me. I'd be more inclined to believe that result if the Stig was doing the driving tbh.

dont know about blobs but my 01 bug is classed as 244gm/km:(

I got the feeling she was gloating a bit at the end.
Definately The Stig for me

I’m guessing the bit you didn’t realise is the Golf 2.0 T-FSI 200PS in 5 doors is £22650 OTR. The few extras I wanted took it over £23000. The edition 30 is £24380 OTR in similar spec. Do you realise now?:confused:

It's hardly an unbiased opinion to say the new STi is 'fantastic' when you've either bought one or are on the waiting list for one! ...I will reserve my judgement on the STi until i drive one ...but having seen them in the flesh & having sat in one, i'm in no great rush tbh

What you guys are all forgetting is that Subaru NEVER WANTED TO SELL THE WRX in the UK!

They bowed to the pressure of YOU GUYS moaning that you weren't getting the WRX and that the STI wasn't yet available, so they imported a limited number to shut you up!

The WRX is not meant to compete with the likes of the golf GTI because the that's not the target market! Europe is not the target market!!!!

The WRX and STI were always far too close to each other. They were basically satisfying the smallest differences of essentially the same market! People who want a fast Impreza - THE Hot Hatch - Buy the STI!

People who want a quick car but don't want the harsh ride of an out an out sports car will chose the WRX. Yes, there really are people out there that prefer a car to be comfortable and will be much happier with a WRX than a Golf GTI even if its a little slower round a track!

WRX and STI are now two very different cars for very different market segments. The WRX is no longer the enthusiasts car! Get used to it!!!

who cares about 2 seconds did you actually hear what she was saying whilst driving the impreza WRX. It seemed to me that VBH thought it was a good car regardless of the time it posted:freak3:

Sorry but which planet are you from?

Subaru did not want to bring the WRX to the UK. I guess you must have been in the boardroom at the time they made the decision.

Simple fact is that the WRX got owned, no excuses the Golf is the better car.

Have to agree with that. I've seen the new STI in the flesh, and was really impressed by what I saw. Interior is far better again than picture would have you believe.

However.
I think the car is very colour sensitive, and believe that the choice colours will be Black, Dark Metallic Grey (the colour I saw) and Silver. Blue just looks soo wrong.

Also, I'd only consider buying one when Prodrive release the PPP figures. And also when Subaru give the PPP away free as an incentive. Just like when I bought my current STI.

Residuals will still be a major stumbling block though.

I'm from planet Earth mate!

PistonHeads Headlines


I'm not trying to deny that the Golf beat the WRX, in fact I would very much expect it! The point is, the new WRX is not meant to be a 1:1 replacement of the old one! Its a different car targeted at a different market!

The new STI is meant to replace both the old WRX and the old STI!

What's the point in making two cars that are both more sporty than any of the competition! If you look at the golf, you can then look both ways - If the golf isn't quick or sporty enough for you then you can go for the STI. If the Golf is too much on the hard-core side for your taste, then the WRX fits in nicely!

Stop trying to compare the old to the new and take a look at the bigger picture in a world where the majority of people wouldn't buy either the WRX or STI! People on here are slating the looks of the new car, saying it looks like a Focus/Mazda/Rover 25, but take a look around and see how many more Focus's, Mazda's and Rover 25's there are out there compared to Impreza's!

Sales of the new Impreza are massively up compared to the old one right across the range - FACT! Subaru have got the new Impreza spot on!

"the WRX got owned" ffs. :lol1: . the golf was 1s quicker at the first corner, how? it is slower, so how the fcuk did vicky bint mangage that, she is obviously far better at voice overs than racing cars.

It may well be true that the new WRX car is aimed at new markets, but aimed at who exactly.............someone who wants a slower but more comfortable soft hatch that look like a Hyundai. Em... Women? Older people? The retired.........The USA! Makes sense now.......... :)

:lol:

I personally don't think a car with a top speed of less than an average Mondeo deserves to wear the WRX badge, Do you? :wonder:

An ugly sh*t car IMHO :cry:

I was beginning to think I was the only one that agreed with what Subaru were trying to do. :wonder: Thank goodness for another sane voice. :luxhello: No one in the Subaru showrooms was trying to pass the new WRX as a performance vehicle. Just look at the brochure and internet, it all makes sense. Subaru have given us a new STi which I love, and it is most certainly a performance car. I have never had so many people looking at a car as I drive around. Only ever had positive reactions.:)

Why does the 'new' WRX only have a claimed top speed of 130mph..? The proper ones were 146mph iirc..?

Basically, both the WRX and STI have been softened to appeal to newer markets. IMHO the 'WRX' is no longer worthy of the badge and is a no brainer (which originally is why FHI weren't going to bring it here).

The latest EVO test of the STI said it's a lot softer, with initially unnerving levels of body roll. Although if you ignore this :eek: the car does actually hold it's line through the bends.

Just back to the fifth gear test, on the straight the wrx hit 120, where the golf just made 112mph, so the wrx has the grunt (just looks like a runt..:lol1: )..!

On the the other hand, all MY2008 golf gti's now come with the 230bhp 30th anniversary engine, so an extra 33bhp..!:confused:

As a blobeye wrx owner, I for one would have been happier if FHI had stuck to their original plan of no 2008 WRXs in the UK/EU..:(

No they don't. The Edition 30 is a completely different model. Standard 2008 Golf GTi 200bhp (197 actual) Anyway the one on fifth gear was an 07 plate without DSG