kebab nemesis Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Had a test drive in the new STi today, all I can say is give it a try, agreed it may not be the prettiest thing on four wheels but it certainly looks better in the flesh. As for the driving experience it was superb, really smooth power delivery, ride quality was excellent, you could travel a large distance in this car without feeling fatigued. I wont be trading in the RB but if I was looking for an STi I wouldnt hesitate. The prodrive pack will make this another animal altogether, cant wait for a shot of that.
uRaBu5 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 John, Is this you looking for a car for Sharon? Sounds like a fair swap – only joking!! Agree the car looks much better in the flesh, still not quite sure though. Did you have the car all to yourself or did the salesman go with you? Derek
the_ex_leper Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 (edited) i guess it was you we saw on saturday morning while lost in glenrothes lol Edited February 25, 2008 by the_ex_leper
scoobyseller555 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Hmmm whos going to get one 1st out us all ME Gav
Carson Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 theres always one fancy pants haha jk did you post up pics gav? chris
scoobyseller555 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 theres always one fancy pants haha jk did you post up pics gav? chris ........as a demo m8 Gav
karps Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Im begining to change my view on it http://www.chargespeed.com/english/grb-bottom-1-e1.htm
millsy13 Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Hi I went for a test drive too and since selling my old STI last April could not hep myself and ordered a nice WR Blue one Hopefully should have it in time for the April Fife meet.
RS Grant Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Well, I drove this on Monday... and I was prepared to slate it and back up the claims that Subaru should be locked away in a padded cell for dreaming this thing up. In reality, the thing absolutely blew me away.. not so much the power, which was nice, progressive and I'm sure it felt quicker than my car did as standard. But, having a done a couple of wee things to mine I'm kind of spoilt for power/torque now so its hard to make a back to back comparison on that front. I'm sure that if someone was in a stock Hawkeye STi and had a drive of this new STi then they'd definitely feel the difference though. However, what really got me, was the ride/handling balance.. the car manages to tick all the boxes IMO. Over normal british roads (i.e - Crap) the car soaks up the bumps, which I experienced in the new WRX as well.... and assumed that it was going to be like the WRX in the bends as well and a bit 'rolly polly' and soft. I was wrong. This car is truely amazing in the bends, a very little body roll, massive grip, communicative steering and just amazing ground covering ability. This just shows that the new Impreza has moved on MASSIVELY from the previous MY cars, I havent driven an Impreza that does everything so well straight out of the box.. ok, some might say that a P1 will handle as well as this does, which is true, but if the truth be told the P1 is pretty harsh on the road. A new WRX is just as comfy as the STi on normal A-road/Motorways but is a fair bit behind the top model when it comes to ability on a twisty section of road.. I have done a couple of handling things to my Hawkeye STi (Springs, Geometry, Eagle F1s, Strut Brace) and I think it handles well, but its quite harsh over the lumps and bumps that are found on our roads. As standard, the new car handles as well as mine but also with ability to soak up the defects and when you get to the twisties I think its got a greater level of feel through the steering than my car too. Styling is a personal thing... and I was part of the group that slated the look of the new Impreza and I still dont particularly like the look of the range, apart from the STi. I was out for a drive in a White STi and the dealer has a White WRX so its very easy to compare the cars as they sit next to each other.. the STi looks great, very menacing with its wider stance and although I'm not 100% sure of the bonnet scoop from the outside, from inside it reminds me of my old ST205 GT4 bonnet bulge which I loved. The rest of the interior is nice too, the dark headlining, seats, dials, etc all add to the feeling that you arent just in a stock Impreza with a bit more poke, which is the feeling that I sort of got with the WRX. Well, just thought I'd share that with you all. If you haven't driven or seen one of these cars, then I'd recommend heading down to your local dealer just for a look...... I'd be really surprised if you weren't as shocked as I was. Cheers, Grant
micra_wrc Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 john-kebab nemeisis, Grant, thanks for writing up the reviews. I was one of the minority that liked the hatchback and had a suspicion that folk will change their minds when they see it in the flesh/get behind the wheel it doesnt take much (even for me!) to realise that a smaller car will handle better/be nimbler on the road. hopefully the introduction of this model in the WRC will boost the marque's standings in the championship and the increasing number of test drives that us lot will have changes the initial negative reaction to the car
gus the bus Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Well not being able too stay away from Subarus for 3 weeks I went to the local stealers here in Nova Scotia (Dexters) and they have the new cars in SALOON form Looks like they are getting something we aint. Have too say tho it looks pretty bland in saloon compared to previous versions Canny wait for a wee test drive of the new STi tho too see what its really like
Big Gordon Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 Well not being able too stay away from Subarus for 3 weeks I went to the local stealers here in Nova Scotia (Dexters) and they have the new cars in SALOON form Looks like they are getting something we aint. Have too say tho it looks pretty bland in saloon compared to previous versions Canny wait for a wee test drive of the new STi tho too see what its really like You need to take some pics Gus and post them up, spy shots
nanaki Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 if i remember correctly the saloon versions are for the american market only, reason being they are being built in america and not japan like the rest of the range so expect them to do 30,000 miles and then collapse to bits. also doubt they will get wrx or sti models of them.
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