2008 Subaru Impreza WRX [Pics inside]

-> I think no matter how ugly it definitely is, if Subaru sell these 'ugly' cars in a significant number, they win. If not, we win. They better not screw up with the STi.
 
The good news is that with the STi they can clean some things up...

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But with the WRX as is (above), it is hard at least from this perspective to see what exactly they are going to do. If the outgoing model is any indication, undoubtedly we will see a larger hood scoop, a taller rear-spoiler, more aggressive front, side and rear skirts, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the lower fascia enlarged to take in more air for the intercooler...

Thank God for the aftermarket, as I'm getting the sense that a lot of people will be putting new front-ends on these things...
 
Subaru hasn't made a lovely Impreza since the 2004 model. It took me a while to gel with today's Impreza. Unfortunately, it may take longer for me to gel with this. Someone needs to be fired from Subaru's design department (or at least demoted). This car would look better as a sedan (or maybe a coupe as well). The headlights... I'm okay with them. That sort of "fishnet" grill on this thing really kills part of the looks up front. The front is in need of an Extreme Makeover as well.

Here is my personal best Impreza design-wise:
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/wrxsti2004.html (2004 model)

But what you done for me lately? You all did this:
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/wrxsti2006.html (2006 model)

At least the 2006 and 2007 models kept the rear taillights of the 2004 and 2005 models. What I've liked about Subaru over the years has been their awesome Impreza. It's the flagship machine of this highly-respected make. I also sort of like their influence of blue and gold, which semi-inspired my apparent love of blue and gold, especially with their rally programs. This is not a pleasureful design of their flagship car. It's no Aztek or that ugly ass G6 GXP Concept, but it's terribly designed up front. The sides are okay. I've already commented that I've love to see a sedan or coupe version of this. I have very few complaints about the rear design. I like Subaru, but this is a bigger nightmare than its previous design. Unless Subaru wants to intentionally not allow people to buy the car because of its design, then something needs to change on this car in future iterations. Out of 100% approval, I'm giving this 45% approval.

[UPDATE] I noticed the newer WRX sedan in Post #62 by YSSMAN. After looking at that specific deal, I give that sedan design 75% approval. Still need some improvement to have a new favorite Impreza besides the 2004-2005 model. Either that (and I know Subaru wouldn't want to read this), or I'll go with the Lancer Evolution X.
 
Well personally I like the 2006/07 model better than the 03-05...

Personal preference...
 
Damn that is no Impreza... looks like that how was it called Pulsar, that small Nissan...
 
In a way, it kind of looks like a Mazda 6 up front with the lights and grill. A 6 with a big ass hood scoop (not hating, as I'm sure it's functional).

What are the chances (out of 100%) that this thing still ends up selling wonderfully despite its almost horrid looks? Will this shy away some Subaru lovers?
 
JohnBM01
What are the chances (out of 100%) that this thing still ends up selling wonderfully despite its almost horrid looks? Will this shy away some Subaru lovers?
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30% chance of selling as well as the year before, 90% chance of giving the boot to all the new clientele gained since the first USDM WRX in 2002. There was a reason they changed the bugeye WRX so quickly: it was weird to many people. What I don't get is what Subaru was thinking when it dropped the Peter Stevens design (2004). Is Andreas Zapitinas really good a salesman? And who actually designed the 2008 version? I haven't heard any names associated with it, so either it was done by comittee, or the person is in hiding...as they should be.
 
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Pics from the nasioc forum.... I actually like this grille a little bit more...
 
Station wingin'....

Yeah, pretty dumb. What makes them think they'll be any more competitive in WRC with a station wagon, anyway?
 
Technically, a hatch :p

Looks funny as hell in that disguise stuff. Awesome stuff. Though I still am waiting to see its final version, because I think I may like it.

Yes, I said I might just like the NEW STi. Every revision since they stopped having the old GC8 I think has been an improvement. And I love hatches... so yeah.
 
Azuremen
Technically, a hatch :p
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You call something THAT long a Hatch? Nah, It's a wagon. It's not even (proportionally) tall enough to be something like the PT Cruiser, HHR, Vibe, xB or Matrix

*takes second look*

Well, okay, it kinda-sorta bridges the gap between Hatch and Wagon. Could have at least been more Fastback-ish.
 
Ugly. Undeserving of the Impreza name...... Mitsu's Evo is a new design but they pulled it off better than Subaru did.
 
You know, when theyaid a few months back that the new impreza will be a hatch, I expected a Saab 9-3 Viggen type hatch, moulded beautifully onto the 07 model, but instead its a ugly "Lexus". the sedan looks ok though as long as they slap a new front bumper onto the STI :scared:
 
-> Wagons, hatchbacks, fastbacks are fine by me, why hating the wagon? :confused:

-> But I gotta say that is a bad camo packaging of the next STI, looks like Subie is going to the toilet on this one. :indiff:
 
They admitted on AutoBlog (where I got the photo) that it could be a Pontiac or Toyota mule, but given the spoiler, they wouldn't doubt it being a Scooby...
 
YSSMAN
They admitted on AutoBlog (where I got the photo) that it could be a Pontiac or Toyota mule, but given the spoiler, they wouldn't doubt it being a Scooby...
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Well, in looking at it more, the side windows match up pretty good to the current 08 model design, as do the side view mirrors. So I think you might be right in thinking it is an STi test mule.
 
The Vanishing Boy
-> Wagons, hatchbacks, fastbacks are fine by me, why hating the wagon? :confused:
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Because wagons are not sporty. Hatchbacks and fastbacks work just fine, but this is a wagon. Having driven an Impreza wagon within the last 10 years, I can tell you that there is a clear difference between that shape and the Impreza sedan: better storage, wobbly chassis.

And it looks like poop. :yuck:
 
harrytuttle
Because wagons are not sporty. Hatchbacks and fastbacks work just fine, but this is a wagon. Having driven an Impreza wagon within the last 10 years, I can tell you that there is a clear difference between that shape and the Impreza sedan: better storage, wobbly chassis.

And it looks like poop. :yuck:
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^ I don't quite agree with you on that one, the wagon has better weight distribution than any sedan. Easier to transfer the weight on any given situation (like gravel or wet for example). Wobbly chassis, thats an easy fix in the future. Plus every wagon-hating 'Rex sedans (non-STi's) are being humiliated by my little wagon (stock-per-stock). :indiff:
 
The Vanishing Boy
^ I don't quite agree with you on that one, the wagon has better weight distribution than any sedan. Easier to transfer the weight on any given situation (like gravel or wet for example). Wobbly chassis, thats an easy fix in the future. Plus every wagon-hating 'Rex sedans (non-STi's) are being humiliated by my little wagon (stock-per-stock). :indiff:
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I have first-hand experience, and I strongly disagree. It may not be the paper bag I described, but it's defintely different. The wider track and ~100 lbs less weight on the sedan (USDM WRX 2002+) also helps quite a bit.

And being able to "fix it" after the purchase is irrelevant when it comes to describing factory cars.
 
You don't think he has first hand experience? I think he actually owns a WRX wagon.
 
harrytuttle
Because wagons are not sporty. Hatchbacks and fastbacks work just fine, but this is a wagon. Having driven an Impreza wagon within the last 10 years, I can tell you that there is a clear difference between that shape and the Impreza sedan: better storage, wobbly chassis.
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If you mean that a wagon can't be sporty, then Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru (yes), and even Dodge would like to have a word with you...

If you mean that a wagon is inherently less sporty due to a "wobbly chassis," well, the same can be said of soft-top convertibles, hard-top convertibles, targas, T-top cars, sunroof-equipped cars, and sedans, which all sacrifice a degree of rigidity compared to an ordinary 2-door coupe. Hell, any car that doesn't have a rollcage is wobblier than a car that does. Plus, who needs to have their doors open? It would be better if we skipped doors altogether. We might as well fortify every car's structure with 1000lbs. of steel, and then they'd barely wobble at all!

Everything is relative. ;)
 
harrytuttle
I have first-hand experience, and I strongly disagree. It may not be the paper bag I described, but it's defintely different. The wider track and ~100 lbs less weight on the sedan (USDM WRX 2002+) also helps quite a bit.
And being able to "fix it" after the purchase is irrelevant when it comes to describing factory cars.
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1st Sentence-> I do understand the benefits of the sedan over the wagon, but it is harder to obtain better weight distribution than widening the car and/or making the car light.

2nd Sentence-> Um, thats why some of us tune our cars if we're not satisfied on our 'stock' configuration of factory/mass-market cars. If you want more body rigidity than a ordinary stock car, why not get those 'club-spec' cars from the that are not street-legal anymore like this beauty:

Porsche911GT3-Cup2005-01.jpg


(:
 

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