Jalopnik
Exterior Design: ***
The 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI isn't what you'd call traditionally handsome. But with the wildly flared arches, huge hood scoop and restrained rear wing, it caries an air of purposeful muscularity. We prefer it to the old version, but would order ours in either black or white. Red does not flatter this shape.
Interior Design: ****
Wait, wait; hear me out. Sure, the interior's all swoopy and odd, but the minimalist instrument cluster is positively refreshing after driving anything Japanese. Just three dials exist there to control the HVAC; the rest reside in the touch-screen sat/nav or on the steering wheel. The Alcantara-covered Recaro seats look great and feel better, and any true driver's car that can accommodate four adults in comfort is a winner in our book. Further satisfaction is derived from the racy red instruments and chunky steering wheel, which always manages to feel just right.
Acceleration: ***
Below 4,000rpm, you've got nothing, above that it flies, but a 4.8 second 0-60 time is now unremarkable in this class. Whilst hooning, you're working the gearbox hard and never notice the turbo lag, everywhere else, you do. In sensible mode, it never becomes easy to pull away smoothly, making you hop and jerk like a 16-year old just learning how to use a clutch.
Braking: ****
Competent and confidence inspiring, if somewhat unremarkable. The relationship between gas and brake pedals makes for easy, intuitive heel and toeing.
Ride: ***
Abysmal, but nothing less than what you'd expect from a car of this caliber. On the plus side, the STI always feels in control, no matter how rough the road gets, just keep a firm hand on the steering wheel. It also has a reasonable ride height, which means you wont be grinding out the undercarriage on every driveway lip and speed bump.
Handling: ****
Ultimately extremely capable, but pushing it hard initially requires an unnatural level of trust as the chassis lacks that nth degree of feedback. The STI rewards a firm, experienced hand like few other cars while still providing plenty of thrills for the inexperienced, and it never feels like it's going to bite.
Gearbox: ***
Notchy, requiring a firm, accurate throw. The clutch is suprisingly light, which, if it weren't for the engine's lack of fervor at low rpms, would make for easy stop-start driving.
Audio: *****
It's not the radio that makes this car sound special, it's the engine. Since when did 4-cylinder turbo boxers sound this characterful and just plain special? The stereo with Aux input sounds pretty good too, but you won't want to turn it on, it covers up the engine noise.
Toys: ****
Right where you'd expect to find an iDrive knob or climate controls in a lesser vehicle, the Subaru features a knob to adjust the throttle response and a switch to adjust the degree to which the differential locks up. In fact, the only thing keeping the STI from a five star rating is the painful lack of a manual intercooler water spray button and Active Yaw Control. Oh, and if tweaking the throttle and differential settings ever gets old - trust us, it won't - the touch-screen sat/nav system works pretty well, too. There's an acceleration meter located somewhere in the depths of the touch-screen, but it's gimmicky and we prefer trusting the seat of our pants.
Value: ***
At $39,440 with BBS wheels and sat/nav, the STI isn't the performance bargain it once was. Still, this level of performance doesn't come any more practical. If you're prepared to put up with the harsh ride, road noise and turbo lag, you could get away with using it as an everyday car. A BMW 135i is similarly priced and more luxurious, but lacks both the space and pace. A Lotus Elise would provide a similar thrill level, but has only seats two and starts at $46k. Crucially, however, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution comes in about five grand less than the Subaru.
Overall: *****
More than the sum of its parts, the 2008 Impreza STI offers a truly special drive, all the more so for its numerous foibles. It's refreshing to find a vehicle this rewarding in such a compact, practical body. The controversial looks will keep it from mass-market acceptance, but don't be afraid to take the plunge, it'll flatter and reward both mediocre and experienced drivers by offering a package that's always safe and fast, but ultimately somewhat challenging to get the most from.
Also see:
All of our reviews are always available by clicking the Jalopnik Reviews tag in the masthead.
Comments
I love Imprezas but 40K for a tarted up hatch is eyewatering.
In part three you should just go ahead and say: "Who Should Buy This Car: People with gawker screenames that rhyme with Sandy Drunken"
@racerx: Blame the plummeting dollar, we're going to see a whole lot more cars get eyewateringly expensive in the near future.
@Wes Siler: I've always been fond of dollars, and prefer not to blame them. I'd rather chalk it up to something more innately hateable, like malaria.
Damn you, malaria, for sending us expensive autos.
Isn't this part II? Is part II of Part II tomorrow?
Based on reviews I have read and looks alone, I would go with the Evo.
I did drive a GTS and am not a fan of the CVT or the amount of engine noise coming into the cabin.
I think the Ralliart edition of the lancer will be a nice compromise for the everyday driver.
@Wes Siler:
In addition to the skyrockets-in-flight price of entry on the STI, both it and the EVO have supercar consumables pricing. I think a lot of people would be shocked at having to spend a grand-plus to replace the tires after 15K miles or $900 for a brake job. It's still probably the cheapest way to get factory Recaros though
My biggest complaint with this new STI is not the styling but that they're moving it upmarket when its soul has always been as a barebones, cheap rocket ship. Differential adjustment? Sat Nav? Alcantara? Fuck it all! Lock it up. I'll buy a map. And -- get this -- I LIKE cloth seats. Leather is sticky in the summer and cold in the winter.
Anyway, what's the interior space like, especially with the back seats down? I was hoping for an open-hatch shot.
@graverobber: I've seen ~$900 4-corner brake job quoted by a dealer on plenty of "average joe" cars, from a Toyota RAV-4 to a VW Golf. It's out of control.
But to me, not knowing how to DIY brakes is like owning a home and not knowing how to mow the lawn. Actually, that's getting more common, too.
Headers, swaybar and 275's would fix a majority of the problems. I did the styling and interior. No IC sprayer?
40large ducketts is too much for my bones. 31 for mine 3 years ago was even a stretch.
@ash78:
You speak the truth my friend. I think anything over five bills for a 4 corner brake job is insane. I was channeling an article from a year or more back in R&T regarding the WRX and EVO, and the materials alone for the EVOs brakes was around $900. That's crap your pants territory in my book.
BTW, I do my own brakes and mow my own lawn, so I hear ya brother.
Minus the expensive wheels and the nav system, it's about the same cost as the outgoing STI.
A BMW 135i is similarly priced and more luxurious, but lacks both the space and pace.
Space, yes, but pace? The 135 should be in the same range as the STI.
@Fuck Lion: Maybe in a straight line, it'll be significantly outclassed once corners start to rear their ugly heads.
@Fuck Lion: Based on the reviews (as I have driven neither) the STI has a faster 0-60 time and should be faster around a track than the somewhat soft 135i. Maybe if BMW releases the Tii concept then it will be more of a competitor.
@grzydj: Yeah, but the outgoing STI had the BBS wheels standard. The stock wheels on the new STI are garbage. So it really is about a $3k difference, and besides, I think the 2007 STI went up in price from 2006.
What I'm starting to realize about Subarus is that since they're not ever going to be 'perfect" or look like a million dollar baby, most people would not touch it. It's like your favorite indie band that nobody knows about, and you want to keep it that way..
I don't know what my point was, but I did test drive the normal WRX a few months back, and the ride was pretty soft but sure-footed. As I was leaving the test drive in my older WRX, I decided that I like the stiffer suspension on mine better, but at the same time I thought I could love the new model wih the softer setup if I was wanting to go more "civilized" ...But then I said, "why? I'm not ready to join the masses yet!"
@graverobber: In this day of people who turn the radio up when their car makes a noise, many techs now quote "full consumables replacement" for all jobs. This is not just Subaru. Many dealers routinely come out to the waiting room and say, "Good news, you brought the car in early enough that we don't have to replace the rotors, so we can do the whole job for $250." Ask the dealer about their replacement/resurface policies. Many times that is where the expense is.
$40g's for a WRX.
$46 for a new 405hp Corvette.
I like the Subie but that's nuts
@akirachan: I guess I'm in the minority, but I always thought the 2004 STi looked perfect. I wouldn't have changed the body at all. Maybe done engine/interior stuff, but I LIKED the funky snout on it. And keep in mind, I'm an VW/Audi/BMW daily driver.
@Wes Siler: It's a good think our wages are increasing at a comparable rate.
Oh, Wait...
4-corner brake jobs? $900.? just curious - is that for pads and rotors?, why not change the pads before the rotors warp?
@SubyDrew:
I wonder what ever happened to the little squeal tabs they used to put on pads to alert you (screeeeeeeeeeeeech) when the pads were low? I guess it's more profitable to let consumers gouge theor rotors, and then gouge the consumer for the replacement cost.
@sliderule:
I'm sure that was pads, resurfacing and labor. The pads alone are like $400 OEM.
@DoctorNine: Thank you. You and I are both in the minorities. I do like the snout on my 06 WRX. Alfa-esque to me.
Am I the only one who seriously dislikes the sound of the Subaru flat-4s? It's not a smooth sound. Always reminds me of a standard inline-4 that's missing on a cylinder.
@Buckster:*UCK, I ment Thing
@Buckster:
Good luck driving your 'Vette to work in 10 inches of snow. ;)
I went to look at a red '08 on a local lot last week. It looks like an Impreza, and there is thus some serious cognitive dissonance in paying $40k for it. I might just be partial as a former owner of an '05 that I bought used for $24k, a more Impreza-like sum. However, if I were shopping for a new car, I'd hold off a few months for a 135, soft or not.
I suppose we'll have to HEAR you out on the interior styling as you didn't post any pictures of it. I hate to be picky but in order to see what you were talking about I did a google search and went to Edmund's Inside Line to see interior pics. Complaint over.
On an upbeat note, I really want to drive this car and if I had the money I'd be interested.
@grzydj: Good Point.
All wheel drive of not, I dont think the STI would do that well either.
@Buckster:
Both my Forester and my WRX have handled 10 inches of snow with aplomb. A set of decent all season or dedicated snow tires are a must however as the STI is shod with summer only tires from the factory.
Wes...did you have one with Sat-Nav? I wonder what the subie system is like. My friend's Acura system works great, but the WRX I test drove looked not as nice...would order without that if I go this route. Please advise....
@Buckster: Second. Now any halfway decent performing car is going to be over 35K?
I'll take ab eater and fix it up thanks. Make a little stoplight ninja..
@Al Navarro: Yep, and it worked just fine, not the best system I've used, but far from the worst. You could always go the Tom Tom route.
wes
@arowsell: Interior pics tomorrow. Sheesh.
@Trembler: I would've said the same thing until I saw/touched/sat in both at the auto show.
I went in fully expecting to despise the STI and lust over the EVO.
The EVO feels very cheap while the STI somehow manages to come off feeling solid and almost classy.
@IppoJ: Agreed, although I did like the Recaros in the EVO better than the STI's seats: they have more lateral support. I also liked the look of the evo when I first saw the pictures of it, but after seeing them both in person, I actually prefer the look of the STI now.
@cyclopticgaze:
it's always had differential adjustability (at least since they've been selling them in the states...) and you can keep your "cloth" seats, Alcantara is much grippier. (also something it's had for like... ever?
Dude, you can add a manual intercooler sprayer complete with button for $25. Button, nozze, hose, washer fluid pump, siphon break (one way fishtank air pump valve works great, $3 at a pet store), a few zipties, little bit of wire, and you're done. Mount it right in front of the shifter on the console. Only problem is, they don't like you to use it at the track, which is where you would want to.
how does an average rating of 3.6 stars get an overall 5 star rating?
@camp6ell: "More than the sum of its parts, the 2008 Impreza STI offers a truly special drive, all the more so for its numerous foibles."
I wonder how much that license plate will fetch in Dubai.
@b20a yours is the best comment yet !!!
I truly respect these cars performance wise, but they sound like farts. :(
@Wes Siler: How near? VW was offering $2000 off the R32 last month, $3000 if you had a new VW. My local mitsubishi keeps sending me emails with the EVO GSR at $2000 below MSRP. The weak dollar and housing market mean people are going to have a harder time buying cars. Sure the luxury folks (Audi/BMW/Merc/Lexus) can all just pass some of the cost along as their demographic is wealthy, but not these three (if you toss the R32 in with the EVO as car and driver saw fit too). I've not seen so many incentives for cars in this bracket so soon after launch before. the only eyewatering expense we'll see is that carried by the dealers with swollen inventory.
Comment on this post
Reply by EmailLogin with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?