Finally, our turbo AWD super hatch is here, and it's lines look very similar to my 5door SVTF. I am SO glad that I work for Subaru :D

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_425/car_photo_212758_5.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_425/car_photo_212757_5.jpg

Unveiled: Impreza's shock new look
We can exclusively expose the fresh look of Subaru's next-generation Impreza

These images reveal the forthcoming Impreza, two months before the car makes its official world debut at the New York Motor Show in April.

As our images reveal, the changes are significant, and the styling sees an unparalleled reinvention of the firm's most important model. Perhaps most striking is the fact that the UK version of the Impreza is no longer a saloon. British drivers will be offered only a five-door hatchback when the new car arrives in showrooms in October.

Gone, too, is the unpopular aeroplane motif that debuted on the front of the new Tribeca. Originally inspired by Subaru's aviation heritage, the look also appeared on the last-generation Impreza, as well as the controversial B5 concept.

Now, Auto Express can tell fans of the brand to expect far more toned-down styling, centred around a wide, narrow grille and upward-slanting headlights which owe their shape to the current model's design.

To broaden the newcomer's appeal, the stylists also chose to keep things simple when it came to penning the rest of the bodywork. As a result, the Impreza's clean lines focus more on performance and packaging.

At the same time, engineers have worked to keep prices down. The aim is for costs to fall in line with models such as the VW Golf, which Subaru identified as a key rival for the newcomer during road tests in the US.

All this means the next Impreza will be a very different size than at present. The five-door will be around 130mm shorter than the current sal*oon, and 50mm wider. To improve headroom in the rear, the car will be a fraction taller, while the kerbweight stays at around 1,400kg.

Yet while it's all change for the styling and dimensions, under the bonnet the maker plans to carry over much of the existing engine line-up. As a result, the base Impreza will be powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre boxer delivering 115bhp.

The top-spec STi is to feature a reworked version of the current 2.0-litre turbocharged flat-four. This offers 300bhp and 431Nm of torque. A new 2.5-litre motor is also under development, although it's likely to debut in the US before heading to the UK.

The bad news, however, is that Subaru is not expected to launch a diesel variant until 2009. Its engine, tipped to be a 2.2-litre flat-four, is the culmination of more than 25 years of development, which has involved Toy*ota. The new oil-burner will employ a particulate filter to reduce emissions, and is expected to return CO2 figures of less than 140g/km.

Exact performance details are not yet available, but Subaru is thought to have set a target of 150bhp for the unit, with a further development offer-ing nearly 180bhp in 2010.

Both petrol and diesel variants will come with a choice of five-speed manual or six-ratio automatic transmissions. Meanwhile, the STi will be equipped with an upgraded six-speed manual. Instead of adding to the top-of-the-range car's already explosive power output, company engineers are concentrating more on beefing up the low to mid-range torque.

We can also expect some major tweaks to the already superb 4WD system, in addition to revisions of the Driver's Control Centre Diff (DCCD). Our source revealed to us that a new rear multi-link suspension set-up will also be employed on the Impreza - a strategic upgrade which will improve handling, stability and ride quality.

With both the STi and Mitsu*bishi's fresh Lancer Evo expected to arrive in showrooms in early 2008, the stage is set for a new battle royale, Japanese-style: blindingly quick four-cylinder turbos with 4WD traction for a little over £20,000. More pictures of the Impreza are expected as the New York expo approaches.

I like the overall design of the car...but not the wing. I know its supposed to be a trademark of the STi, but that's just plain ridiculous. There's no way it can be doing anything back there in the wind shadow being created by the car itself.

yeah, but the STI limited is wingless :)

or you can just ask the dealership to swap lids with a WRX/base Impreza. Here's a prototype pic captured @ subie HQ
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/Streega/subarufy7.jpg

oh...BONER

lol yeah right the only changes ford are goin to make is to the mustang and crap on the focus!!!
i think ford doesnt want to have a smaller more compact car out running its pride n joy right off the showroom floor which is why i think they didnt want to offer trims with more power.

that stI is off the walls with it!!!

Two words.

IN

CREDIBLE.

lol yeah right the only changes ford are goin to make is to the mustang and crap on the focus!!!
i think ford doesnt want to have a smaller more compact car out running its pride n joy right off the showroom floor which is why i think they didnt want to offer trims with more power.

that stI is off the walls with it!!!

that's why i said 'should' have done :)

SHOCK: It's not ugly! I'm sure before it hits production they'll do something stupid to it, like give it 4 nostrils, or headlights in the wing mirrors, who knows. Looks quite decent at the moment, I agree with the pointless wing comment.

if you look closely, the wing is shoddily photoshopped on from the current model line. obviously not a serious part of the renditions. here's some work that subie fans did.
3 door and 5 door hatches without gaudy wing :D
http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74099233.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74099234.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74096788.jpg

That's more like it, that black/grey is awesome.

I think it'd be fine without any spoiler, or if they must sell it with one, something similar to the SVT/RS spoiler.

yeah the RS wing would look sexy on this car. Either way...goddamn it looks good in a hatch!!!

Very sexy car! closest we'll every see to a rally car in US, besides the EVO. Ford has given up. W/O SVT there really is no theat to the market.

Very sexy car! closest we'll every see to a rally car in US, besides the EVO. Ford has given up. W/O SVT there really is no theat to the market.

Somehow I doubt Subaru and Mitsubishi ever felt threatened by SVT, considering the only vehicles that SVT did real work on were V8 equipped and built to go fast in a straight line. The SVT Contour and Focus were just rebadged Euro ST models developed almost exclusively by SVE. All SVT did on the Focus was design the SVTF bodykit and slap their badge on the back.

That is a very sexy car. How much will these new hatch WRX's go for? About the same price as the current ones?

SkaAddict-I guess "threatened" was a bad term to use. Just w/SVT gone there are only focus, not an SVTF. Where people talk about the "STI" and "EVO" not just the impreza and lancer. I know that the is no real compititon at ALL. Just venting STILL on the SVT loss.

Unfortunately the cold, hard fact is Ford won't ever sell anything similar to a STi or Evo in the US. As far as I'm concerned, the best compact we'll ever get here from Ford has come and gone in the SVT Focus, which was a nearly untouched import of the ST170 as far as performance is concerned. We'll never get a C1 chassis or next global-platform chassis Focus with any form of factory FI.

Unfortunately the cold, hard fact is Ford won't ever sell anything similar to a STi or Evo in the US. As far as I'm concerned, the best compact we'll ever get here from Ford has come and gone in the SVT Focus, which was a nearly untouched import of the ST170 as far as performance is concerned. We'll never get a C1 chassis or next global-platform chassis Focus with any form of factory FI.

I agree 100%, its the sad truth.[:(] Oh well, I still love my focus[clap]

so who is more well respected in the world-wide rally car area, Ford or Subaru? I know that Subaru obviously markets these rally ideas to America a helluva lot more than Ford does, but Ford Europe is majorly kickass! We have all already established that Ford America sucks balls. We can't blame Ford...only Ford America. I dunno why America wants to stay so far behind other countries in so many ways...we have potential to be by far the best. But hell..we don't even use the metric system as a standard yet.

so who is more well respected in the world-wide rally car area, Ford or Subaru? I know that Subaru obviously markets these rally ideas to America a helluva lot more than Ford does, but Ford Europe is majorly kickass! We have all already established that Ford America sucks balls. We can't blame Ford...only Ford America. I dunno why America wants to stay so far behind other countries in so many ways...we have potential to be by far the best. But hell..we don't even use the metric system as a standard yet.

Hallelujah!!![thankyou] Preach on Brother!!!!

Unfortunately the cold, hard fact is Ford won't ever sell anything similar to a STi or Evo in the US. As far as I'm concerned, the best compact we'll ever get here from Ford has come and gone in the SVT Focus, which was a nearly untouched import of the ST170 as far as performance is concerned. We'll never get a C1 chassis or next global-platform chassis Focus with any form of factory FI.

Now aint' that the truth. The sad thing is, as Ford tries hard not to become the failure that it has wanted to avoid now a days, alot of dedicated ford owners will probably look towards other options when it comes time to buying a new car. Ford just cannot afford to dish out performance set 4 bangers right now. Sad, but it's the truth. Don't get me wrong, I love the focus, but I will probably look towards an import on my next purchase. It sux, because I believe Ford in Europe does pretty well, and they get all the nice performance cars. [:(]

http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74099233.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74099234.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/benjacobsen/image/74096788.jpg

[80?] OH.........MY.........GOD....finally!!! [thumb]

Very cool! Kudos to Subaru. Although I'm still not a fan of that front grill and the bra-shaped headlights. I prefer the front styling of the previous two generations of WRX sedans.

Finally! Being such a loyal fan of hatchbacks, this is the epitome of a damn hot car.

I think someone over at Subaru HQ has been trolling through this website and finally decided to put out what we've been trying to dig out of Ford for so long. As it's looking now...so long Ford!

it looks hot, and for a hatch, i love it. I hope they sell well. But, this might not be such a good idea for subaru. Even though hatches are sorta making a comeback here, they are still not that popular. And now they have a disadvantage against the evo. Im sure many people torn between the too will be like, I dont want a hatchback, so im getting the evo instead. Yes there might be some people who will go ooo its a hatch im getting it instead of the evo, but i think itll be more often the other way around. Just something to consider.

Finally! Being such a loyal fan of hatchbacks, this is the epitome of a damn hot car.

I think someone over at Subaru HQ has been trolling through this website and finally decided to put out what we've been trying to dig out of Ford for so long. As it's looking now...so long Ford!



LoL adios ford america :) nicely put infared!!!

Now if they can only keep it priced under 30k.

Now if they can only keep it priced under 30k.

which wont happen, youll have to settle for a wrx...but even then that would be a hot car.

Thats i nice looking car

Love it. I would buy one!

Chad

well i know what my next car is! heheh

beautiful car... i kind of like the wing... because it fits , useless but fits, the svt and others hatchs dont have room for a wing like that, but this one have it ... so look kind of cool

Now if they can only keep it priced under 30k.

the sti has never been under 30k. the wrx will always be, and the TR version is just barely over 20k

That thing is ugly as sin! Look at that wing! YUCK!

I likw it, hate the wing, I have always been an evo fan ever since the evo3 but i like that hatch and not a hatch fan either but i think i would go for the 5 door sti with out the wing over the new evo it just looks more of s sleeper than a rally car.

I have never understood the Subaru-Australia connection they have always pushed here.

OH MY [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]G GOD, ima get one of those 3 dorrs those are very very nice!!!

to bad fords dumb to do something like this

I have never understood the Subaru-Australia connection they have always pushed here.

Yeah it is kind of wierd...



Anyway I'd NEVER buy an STI. It has such an unbelievable "boy-racer" following. I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have a bunch of scumbags loitering around your car at every parking lot dispensing pearls of wisdom like "hey mang that shizat is hawt! kidt yous gots some sweet dubs and wing on it! How many people you raced?" or something really intelligent like that.

Even if it didn't have that rediculous fan club, I still wouldn't buy it. While the Focus isn't a beauty, I still like it more than the Scooby. I can also think of quite a few other cars I'd rather have with 30k to play with.

Anyway I'd NEVER buy an STI. It has such an unbelievable "boy-racer"
following.

what the hell is a boy-racer following........

It is a following by a bunch of idiots.

Boy-Racer:
A level headed young male between the age of 17-25 who sensibly makes modifications to his vehicle to improve performance. The use of offensive stickers, spoliers borrowed from British Airways, clear tail-lights that give you a headache and practical rims that cost more than the car are all well implemented by the boy racer. As all boy racers are aware, such modifications make a car not only cool but endlessly faster. Most boy racers obtain this valuable information from such reliable sources as their mates.

Boy racers are also known to drive recklessly, as doing so clearly helps in impressing the opposite sex and compensating for sexual inadequacy. The effect that this has on sensible motorists and elderly pedestrians is generally not taken into consideration. It is not a widely held belief amongst boy racers that motorists will eventually tire of them and encourage them off the road with a nudge from a pick-up truck, or pedestrains will get a sudden surge of adrenaline and hurl a rock through their window and/or plastic spoiler. However, some motorists theorise this will happen.
In conclusion, boy racers make excellent 'airfix' style modifications to their vehicle and spend an admiral amount of time and money modifying a cheap, crappy car with a small engine. Srangely, these modifications never seem to improve performance. They also drive with extreme charisma, few people could claim to handle a vehicle with such spectacular incompetance.

Just don't ask them to change the oil filter, drive up an incline or reverse a trailer.

lol nice esplantion of boy racer, but would the foucs people be underthat? cept for the end part, cuz we have a small engine car and wanna make them go faster?

but im polite and aware of my surroundings and not a douche to wina race even if it means inticing a accident

Cool car, but still ugly...

Chris-
There are plenty of boy-racer Foci drivers too but not as many. I see them here sometimes when they intentially try to spell out this screwed up language that I guess originally use to be English. Everyone makes typos and abreviations but words such as "mang", "shizat", "hawt", etc seem to some of the popular molestations of the average bnoy racer. I remember when a group of FF people and I were ripping on some of the Boy Racer Focus driving morons on some myspace forum. It was pretty funny!

I think that Focus drivers are more grounded than most of the other sport compact drivers. You alot of these boy racer tools in Civics with the trash cans almost dragging the ground behind them.

Btw, I didn't make that deifnition up. It was on urban dictionary. That website is hilarious!

Hot.

Boy racer following? How many kids do you know that own one? As far as my experience goes, I've only seen older 20's to 50's throwing those around.

Hot.

Boy racer following? How many kids do you know that own one? As far as my experience goes, I've only seen older 20's to 50's throwing those around.

I see tons on campus, almost a couple per parking deck if not more. They also have the sticker fever on them as well.

, under the bonnet the maker plans to carry over much of the existing engine line-up. As a result, the base Impreza will be powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre boxer delivering 115bhp.

Is that with the Turbo?

i hope they make a 3 door hatch, the 5door just isn't that appealing to me

i dont want to say this but........ I'm GONNA TRADE MY SVTF FOR THAT!!!

Boy racer following? How many kids do you know that own one? As far as my experience goes, I've only seen older 20's to 50's throwing those around.

You must not live in an area with a lot of rich parents who buy their kids brand-new $30,000+ cars for their 16th birthday or when they graduate. Around here, it seems like every other fast compact is being driven by someone who could not have possibly bought it themselves.

You must not live in an area with a lot of rich parents who buy their kids brand-new $30,000+ cars for their 16th birthday or when they graduate. Around here, it seems like every other fast compact is being driven by someone who could not have possibly bought it themselves.

^^Exactly (don't look at me though, I am paying for my GTI)

ya not many kids around here like that, most of their parents either A let them drive their vehicles whenever or B by thema semi decent car, but the boy racer term i never heard of and it doesnt apply that hugley up here, maybe a handful if that

the black three door is sweet w/o the stupid wing--im loving subaru -- i think i would buy one of these before i would buy an evo

i hope they make a 3 door hatch, the 5door just isn't that appealing to me

yeah i belive i read somewhere that they are going to making the sti a three door only model- but not completely sure--hopefully they will have both

Hot.

Boy racer following? How many kids do you know that own one? As far as my experience goes, I've only seen older 20's to 50's throwing those around.

I see them all the time too. And even if they don't drive them doesn't mean there isn't a following from them. Most of these boy racer punks cant afford a 30k car but this gaudy ricer styling appeals to them so your sure to get all sorts of attention that you don't want from them! lol

lol this has turned into a boy-racer conversation?! yikes. I dunno if boy-racer will be able to afford this car. Boy-racer would have to have a very good job or very loose parents with lots and lots of money. Meanwhile I'll enjoy my leather and handling while i pay 250 a month out of my pocket. If I see one of these on the road I will bow my head...but when i get out of college I'll probably buy an M3 or something nicer. In the mean time my SVT will do just fine [:D]

m3---yum

Yeah it is kind of wierd...



Anyway I'd NEVER buy an STI. It has such an unbelievable "boy-racer" following. I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have a bunch of scumbags loitering around your car at every parking lot dispensing pearls of wisdom like "hey mang that shizat is hawt! kidt yous gots some sweet dubs and wing on it! How many people you raced?" or something really intelligent like that.

Even if it didn't have that rediculous fan club, I still wouldn't buy it. While the Focus isn't a beauty, I still like it more than the Scooby. I can also think of quite a few other cars I'd rather have with 30k to play with.

over 70% of STI buyers are over 40 years old, less than 5% are under 25. 95% of Subaru of America buyers make between 70-150K/year. I don't see many boy racers in that market.

I see what you mean though, we get a ton that come in and drool over the car. We had a 16 year and 4 months old kid come in with his dad driving an E63 AMG benz. The dad acted like we were wrong for not letting the kid drive an STI on Monday. 'He learned how to drive on my maserati' was his comment. It's like, so buy the car then and do what you want with it, it's not the money it's the liability. Unisured motorist under 25 years old according to our dealerships policy, summer tires, 4 degrees, -15 windchill, 293hp, 16 year old with a high boost turbo that hasn't been broken in. Brilliant.

I see tons on campus, almost a couple per parking deck if not more. They also have the sticker fever on them as well.

I can say for a fact that there are more Focus driving boy racers that post on this website than own STIs. Guys with mullets and pickup trucks love the Corvette, does that make the new Z06 any less of an incredible car or mean they all drive them?

Putting STI stickers, a boost controller and the winged trunk lid on their WRX doesn't make it an STI.

lol this has turned into a boy-racer conversation?! yikes. I dunno if boy-racer will be able to afford this car. Boy-racer would have to have a very good job or very loose parents with lots and lots of money. Meanwhile I'll enjoy my leather and handling while i pay 250 a month out of my pocket. If I see one of these on the road I will bow my head...but when i get out of college I'll probably buy an M3 or something nicer. In the mean time my SVT will do just fine [:D]

Considering the base version of the 6cylinder twin turbo 3 series is already 10grand more than the STI, I don't think you'll have much luck snagging an M version for the same price as one :)

If the next gen STI interior is anything like the legacy spec b or legacy GT limited, I'd take it over a BMW anyways. That car is unbelievable inside.

Heh, I went out to get some food at Wawa (like 7 Eleven, but in the mid-atlantic region) and I saw a brand spankin' new white STi parked out front. On my way back to my friend's car I saw the owner having a conversation with some random stranger that stopped by to compliment his car.

The owner looked like the very definition of a college preppy: popped collar, buttoned down shirt with stripes, spikey gelled hair, sailor pants, etc. The random stranger that stopped to talk to him was saying something along the lines of, "Duuuuude, sweet ride. You should drop a blah blah blah into your blah blah blah. That'll really give it a kick. But even bone stock kicks ass!"

You have no idea... I tried my hardest not to crack up. I guess it was just the way the two of them looked--how the preppy owner had this "uhhh okay" look on his face while this guy who was into ricing out cheap cars (but was probably much more well knowledged) was trying to give him suggestions on what he should do. Priceless, absolutely priceless...

95% of Subaru of America buyers make between 70-150K/year.

Household income?

Household income?

just buyer income

I look like I'm 17-19, and prefer to have my hair spiked, pumas, and a layered long sleeve t shirt and t shirt. Most wouldn't have guessed that I came from a suit and tie software engineering firm or car sales for a brand that's core market is extremely conservative and savvy business types. They probably think I'm a boy ricer in my SVT with white 10 spoke rims all shined up, rather than someone going to an autocross or open track day.

then again personally, I could care less what kind of attention someone else is going to give or not give me based on my appearance, car selection, etc when it's my personal time. If you don't want the boy ricer crowd following you around, debadge it and put a standard 2.5i or wrx trunk lid on.

You still haven't answered my Australian connection???

I'm just gonna wait a bit and snag a SVT lightning thank u.

Cause the look of running or beating some cars that cost alot more. In a pick up PRICELESS!! Exspecially these suits in there 350's & G35's

a smaller pulley & a tune some sticky tires etc. Easy 12's/11's 1/4

You still haven't answered my Australian connection???

The only Australian connection I see is calling one of their vehicles an Outback. I imagine it's because the image of the outback is a rugged off road type place and that's what it's designed for. An AWD wagon with higher ground clearance than the legacy it's base off of, and a nice towing capacity to boot.

I'm just gonna wait a bit and snag a SVT lightning thank u.

Cause the look of running or beating some cars that cost alot more. In a pick up PRICELESS!! Exspecially these suits in there 350's & G35's

a smaller pulley & a tune some sticky tires etc. Easy 12's/11's 1/4

It's even more fun when you smoke a 350z or G35 in a Forester
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/2006/Q4/122220061441059834.jpg

lol the only australlian connection I know of is the "SUBarRRUUUUUUU" commercials with crocodile dundee driving an outback in the outback. Some weird ass marketing for a japenese car company. I actually thought they were australlian for a long time.

the sti has never been under 30k. the wrx will always be, and the TR version is just barely over 20k

I never claimed that they were under 30k. I would know better since I've probably walked around a dozen or so at the dealers in state. Keeping it under 30 stacks would just make it that much sweeter.

what the hell is a boy-racer following........

Let's just say that it's a mid-life crisis car.

It's even more fun when you smoke a 350z or G35 in a Forester
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/2006/Q4/122220061441059834.jpg

Ya. But I'm a Ford tech. I bleed blue. No offense, just have always wanted one even love the old lightnings, But like the new ones more but would settle for a two tone black and silver 03 harley sc they haul also.[:)~] [race]

lol the only australlian connection I know of is the "SUBarRRUUUUUUU" commercials with crocodile dundee driving an outback in the outback. Some weird ass marketing for a japenese car company. I actually thought they were australlian for a long time.


Apparently, that's what they were going for.

It wasn't just the Outback. It was all their commercials.

wow...I actually kinda like it. That thing is pretty sexy!

Subaru really impress me day by day. The get better than ever with those designs!

beautiful car... i kind of like the wing... because it fits , useless but fits, the svt and others hatchs dont have room for a wing like that, but this one have it ... so look kind of cool

They don't hang useless crap from rally cars, and this design can be seen on the hatch back based rally cars.

I wouldn't be suprised if the wing is functional, but to my eye, it's a little too funky..

But I'm loving the hatch back. With Subaru's interior quality going up, and it's proven hot-rod building abilities, and the wicked lines of this car, I'm a believer. I can easily see myself in one of these. (And I have 2 full size Bronco's, and a Bronco II parked in my yard, next to my Focus)

just buyer income


mmm, id have to say no...so what people who buy bmws have a personal income of 200k. Yea, there are plenty more cars floating around that are more expensive then a subaru, and the amount of people that make that kinda money does not equal the cars on the road.

Just buyer income does sound a little strechy. Hell, the average yearly salary is about 35,000, right? So by those numbers, people buying not only STIs, but Tribecas, Foresters, regular Imprezas, and Legacies make on average at least double the national average. Sounds a bit inflated. If that's a company statistic, it could be inflated to attract more of the Mercedes, BMW buyers to Subaru. I worked very part time at a country club here in Bucks County, PA the past few years in the bag room, and most of the members are in that 70-150K range, and I saw not one Subaru out of many, many cars. Most were the German sedans, and they were not at all car people. They wouldn't know a piston head from their wife's breast. The few car people had a second car, like an M3, S4, Elise, GT, E55 AMG, Mini S, not a single Subaru. Not that I'm saying that ol' Spring Mill CC is the basis for the rest of the U.S., but we're talking a few thousand members, and simple averages would call for at least one Subaru, but there was indeed not a single one.

On a side note, there's nothing like working the bags of guys who talk big golf, but when it comes times for side games, the $7 an hour bag boy with a scratch handicap takes all of their money, lol.

Pics from the sedan:

http://www.scoobyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/CA330001-1-1.jpg

http://www.scoobyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/CA330002-1-1.jpg

http://www.scoobyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/CA330004-1-1.jpg

[woot]

i think the main reason most ppl w/ an STI are over 24 is not the price of the car, its the price of the INSURANCE...

the car is nice but it kind of reminds of the outback but shorter. if there was a 3 door, thatd be hot, i havnt been a fan of the new headlights though, i prefer the 04-05(maybe started in 03?) look

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2007/0206/subaru.impreza.2.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/news/2007/0206/subaru.impreza.500.jpg

I bet by the time my insurance goes back down to an acceptable rate i'd be able to snag one of these for a decent price! ( 3-4 years )

That's the whole reason I even have a focus right now, because I had gotten my hands on a brand new 06 wrx wagon, but my insurance skyrocketed to $400+ / month so I had to sell it after only 6 months of ownership. Now with my focus im down to $175 / month lol.

I am very much in favor of this design ( just without that goofy giant wing lol. the little midwing is fine in my eyes though )

any word on the numbers yet?

mmm, id have to say no...so what people who buy bmws have a personal income of 200k. Yea, there are plenty more cars floating around that are more expensive then a subaru, and the amount of people that make that kinda money does not equal the cars on the road.

SoA only sells about 200K cars a year. What does having money have to do with your preference of cars? There are plenty of millionaires in my area that never drive anything beyond a 30K Ford Expedition.

Like it or not, it's a demographic fact. The majority of Subaru owners in NA are into a lot of money and buy Subaru for the quality, safety and versatility.

i think the main reason most ppl w/ an STI are over 24 is not the price of the car, its the price of the INSURANCE...

the car is nice but it kind of reminds of the outback but shorter. if there was a 3 door, thatd be hot, i havnt been a fan of the new headlights though, i prefer the 04-05(maybe started in 03?) look

Yeah, the WRX is the 4th most expensive car to insure in the US because of the boy racer following. Luckily if you can afford that, you can afford an STI. Then again, the STI isn't even on the top list because of the age demographic most buyers fall under drives the insurance cost way down and seperates them from the WRX owners.

over 70% of STI buyers are over 40 years old, less than 5% are under 25. 95% of Subaru of America buyers make between 70-150K/year. I don't see many boy racers in that market.

Look:
I see them all the time too. And even if they don't drive them doesn't mean there isn't a following from them. Most of these boy racer punks cant afford a 30k car but this gaudy ricer styling appeals to them so your sure to get all sorts of attention that you don't want from them! lol

There are plenty of millionaires in my area that never drive anything beyond a 30K Ford Expedition.

Sorry, but SE MI isn't a real good sample for car demographics. Bob Lutz is probably driving a Solstice in the summer and Dr. Z has a HEMI.

They don't hang useless crap from rally cars, and this design can be seen on the hatch back based rally cars.

I wouldn't be suprised if the wing is functional, but to my eye, it's a little too funky..

BIG difference between what goes on a production model and what goes on a WRC car...just look at the wing that's being put on the MkII Focus WRC car:

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/images/ford-focus-rs-wrc-2.JPG

Isn't that a RACE car though?

BIG difference between what goes on a production model and what goes on a WRC car...just look at the wing that's being put on the MkII Focus WRC car:

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/images/ford-focus-rs-wrc-2.JPG

Maybe this has little to do with this thread, but consider this:

http://www.rallycars.com/_cgi-bin/show-Toyota.cgi?18

It's not a perfect match to the Subaru, but the concept and execution shows similarity.

Sorry, but SE MI isn't a real good sample for car demographics. Bob Lutz is probably driving a Solstice in the summer and Dr. Z has a HEMI.

The idea that being able to afford more is going to turn off a customer from buying a Subaru is ignorant. It doesn't matter where you live.

They don't make these numbers up, it's just the fact of the demographic. You'll find the majority of wealthy people don't splurge on daily drivers, because they're smart enough to reinvest rather than waste.

And for the record, Mulally drives a Lexus. I don't know what the other big 3 execs drive.

I just sold my '04 STi. Might just have to pick one of these up!

i still ove the 3 door!

I love the three door. I guess I won't be waiting until 2010 to get a new car.

there is always great cars coming out- and then there are always great cars coming out and then there are always great cars coming out- its like mirrorball going round and round and we are all blinded by this shiny object going"ooooooohhhhh, aaaaaahhhhhhhh"

Just thougth I would jump in here to answer some thigns I saw.

Can't say I am a big fan of the hatch since the STi being a sedan was one of the main factors I bought the car. Just makes more room for a Legacy tuned by STi[shhh] .

The wing, while extreme, has proven to be somewhat useful but you really have to push the car to it's edge for it to be purposeful. Most owners who went wingless said the rear end seemed somewhat looser than when the wing was on. It also helps keep the car more level when pulling Dukes of Hazzard type jumps.

As far as the owner income...that is a tough one. I know if that was true I would be inthe 5% bracket that makes less...far less[hihi]. When I get my car serviced, the people I am stuck with in the waiting room seem rather well off financially but anyone can give off that appearance given certain conditions. The held a poll over on the STi forum to see how much the guys pull in financially but people are more inclined to lie than be truthful. In reality I can't deny what 2004Auto is saying since i have heard that from other people as well. I wouldn't be amazed if people making that much would buy a Subaru...they are extremely reliable and cheap to maintain. Toyota could claim something similar as well...ever take a look at how many millionaire Hollywood stars drive a Prius??

Ahhh, the boy racer image. Yes this car causes many a street races but it takes two to tango. Keeping your ego in check is one of the first things to learn when driving this car. At first I couldn't stand the thought of someone jumping online and bragging about killing me in a race when I wasn't really racing...I got over it after a week. I am not saying I don't drive enthusiastically every now and then though[:)] . It takes a thick skin too. I have had so many things yelled at me from people walking down the street and people driving by me that I have lost count....If some people get pissed because I worked my ass off for this car while they are stuck in their mid 80's Dodge that is their problem and they can say whatever they want. Can't say it doesn't get to me...even to the point of getting rid of the car for something more low key like an M3 or an S4 (low key meaning no hood scoop or gimongous wing). Everytime i think about selling it this car pulls me right back in after I drive it. I wouldn't dream of chagning the looks drastically even though that would cut down on the negative attitude. The hood scoop and wing is what maintains the character of the car for me. It's not all negative either. People who really know what this car is capable of compliment it and then you also have guys who are curious as to what the car can do and haven't seen one before.Even with all the crap you gotta deal with, being the owner of this car has been a joy.

Finally...to those who say there are better cars at the $30,000 price range. I would say you are right to a point. There might be better cars for your taste in that range. I paid $30,000 for a car that looks like it's $15,000. My $30,000 pays for all the crap underneath that $15,000 exterior. There is so much technology packed into this car it is unbeleviable. It handles well, is very fast (even in a straight line), has 4 doors, and has AWD for those nasty days out. That is what I was looking for. Not many cars in that price range has all those options. The added bonus is that this car is every bit as fast and tossable as the upper Euro imports but costs half as much and any repairs that are needed have prices similar to what a Domestic would cost where as a M3 or S4 repair bill could get extremely pricy. Euro imports easily defeat the interior components of my Suby though.

Sorry for the book just felt like adding my .02 here.

i like what you said specially the last paragraph-- very good comment - ad i like how you are very level headed about it-i personally would rather have a sti than a bare bones beemer or audi- i mean a gti loaded is in the 30k range- for me i would rather have the sti

if you want a nice interior just get an STI Limited :D

well the new sti is supposed be a lot more upscale and made with quality materials throughout so we'll see

well the new sti is supposed be a lot more upscale and made with quality materials throughout so we'll see

subarus interior quality has been getting better and better, so this next one should be good too. Plus, the Evo X's has gone through a drastic change, the quality has increased and it doesnt look so raw anymore, so im sure subbie will go in the same direction.

I like the STi. Before I perfered the EVO, but I really liked the hatch. I was curious what current STi owners thougt of the hatch.

i hate the current evo's interior too blah- look like a rental car a kid put a momo steering wheel in- but the new evo is nice looking on the inside and i like how they have kept it simple but it looks more like a 30k car inside- the next sub sti should be very nice on the inside from what ive heard--and lets face it the current sti inside is still better quality than ford- so.....

nice very nice and true + the hatch is nice but id stick with the 4door actually il stick wit a wrc foci TRUTH

they look very nice, but i would not buy one. i had nothing but problems with both the car and SOA and the fact the dealer had only 1 subaru mech to work on them, nothing but a PITA all around.

im liking it more and more

Holy WOW! Without that wing and at the right price I will be all over that!! Good thing I waited and didn't buy the Speed 3 yet!!

I will now be saving my money!