On the roads ..... have they actually sold any?

I could, however, be mistaking it for any of the Astras/Mazda 3's about?

 

i had a look round one friday at the subaru dealers for the first time. since then iv seen two, a white one today near northampton and a dark grey one in rotherham. they do actually look a lot better in the flesh.

 

i have seen one every day in my driveway its my wifes 2.0 rx 2008

 

I've only seen four... and two of those were at the Motorshow.

The grey STI I saw on the road didn't look as bad as in the pics... but tbh I still prefer the saloons over the hatches

 

Think I've only seen 1, going the opposite direction so couldn't get a real view.
I think from the front they look nice, but they blend in with Vauxhalls and Mazda type hatches in traffic. the saloon always stand out
Wiley

 

From the rear and rear-threequarter angles the pumped up STI looks great - there are quite a few down south. Very similar to the Integrale. Watch out for a facelift to toughen up the front though.....

 

Correct..I've seen a few saloons around Swindon...and only one or two have recognised that it's an Impreza coming the other way.

 

I spoke to a dealer recently who described sales of the new Impreza as woeful. He wouldn't tell me how many he has sold, but it is in single figures!!!

 

Funny that, an honest dealer I've spoken to 2, and each time they've advised me to be quick to place my order. They can't sell them fast enough

 

By the number of Audi brochures I'm receiving, I'd suggest it's a industry wide slow down!

 

Well I said that to him, but he just shook his head and rolled his eyes towards the lovely new STI in the showroom which I took to mean ... if only.

 

The market for the STI has been greatly reduced since our wonderful government has introduced the new road taxation though.... it was always going to suffer more than the more eco friendly models.

 

Just look at 2nd hand impreza residules.... they're all suffering

 

Well I think it would help if Subaru weren't trying to replace a saloon car with a pig ugly hatchback and I think that is what the dealer was getting at.

 

I'll remember to write in to Subaru and tell them you don't like it..

I on the other hand, do like the new Impreza..

 

What a strange comment, am I to apologise for having a different opinion to you? You like it, bully for you

 

Not at all... you're entitled to your own opinion..which is why I stated I like the new impreza...

But to imply the new shape's looks is the sole reason for lower sales is somewhat blinkered...that's my point.

 

I didn't. I merely said it was pig ugly. The salesman implied the car was part of the problem, a big part - I take that to mean its looks, it being a hatchback, cheap interior, lack of focus etc. etc.

Anyway moving right along

 

I believe that it is not selling as it does not add up financially .... terrible mpg figures, rock bottom residuals, skinflint attitude to equipment levels, challenging looks.

I liked the WRX version as it had smoked glass and front fog lamps - the STi does away with those 'niceities' and demands another Ł6k+

Having driven the WRX Version I liked it a lot - but, at Ł20k, there are simply too many other cars which are on a par (or maybe better?)

 

It's not selling because there's no diesel. End of.

 

You could always get an EU one for Ł14K

 

I had a 1.5 R as a courtesy car from the local stealers whilst mine was in the garage for a week It was was gutless but quite comfy. Got some funny looks when it was noticed whilst driving it about.

Only seen a couple of STi's ( 1 x blue, 1 x Black), and those have been where I work parked up.

 

Seen quite a few myself,alot more than the new Lancer

 

Can't say anyone would notice the New impreza

 

You might not notice them but please don't speak on behalf of the whole world by saying "can't say anyone would notice..." that's simply not true, my car gets easily spotted as something different from all the current brand of hatches, whether people like it or not it is sufficiently different to always be noticed with many waves, smiles, looks of puzzlement etc. every single day.

Should also add, I think I've seen maybe 5 or 6 STI's since I got mine and maybe 2 or 3 non-STI's... certianly not loads of them but very understandable for a niche product (who really needs 4wd everyday?) and non-diesel. Stick in the oil burner and price it attractively and I reckon sales would increase, no matter how ugly or hard the dash plastics are

 

But the whole point in the Hatchback, is to make it more mainstream, and not a niche product.

The fact it's ugly as **** is the reason it ain't taking sales from Focus/Astra man.

 

Thought they went hatch for smaller rear overhang on the rally car rather than anything else?

...so put a beautiful body on a car and it wll sell as many as a Focus... rubbish, how many Alfa's are sold compared to the Focus or Astra???

Even if they had made it one of the best designed hatches ever I still think it would be a niche product... all time 4wd and only petrol engines... mmm huge market for those isn't there.

"a business that focuses on a niche market is addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers. A niche market may be thought of as a narrowly defined group of potential customers" So hatch or not I would think all models of Subaru fall into this definition of niche

 

As an ex Gralé owner i take that as an insult!

 

whats different about yours? has it got some stickers or something .... as it looks like an ugly version of a mazda3 or astra when fresh from the showroom.

 

No I don't ... just asking why yours stands out from the other hatches?

All I could think is that it had stickers - I certainly don't see them standing out from the others ........