Damn, that couldnt be a Subaru, it's too pretty!:) :) :) :)
I would buy that in a heartbeat. Subaru finally got their shizz together and designed a car that EVERYONE would want to be seen in.
We all love Subarus for what they do, but I think most people buy car for how they look. This car could make an "average Joe" consider buying a Subaru.
No more bug eyes or nasty schnozes, just good clean lines!! Add leather and an XM radio, and the typical American will look at this before the Jetta. Good work Subaru.

^^^ I have a feeling that some of these people praising the look of this mutant are just some SOA bots posting. A sad attempt by soa to change our minds.

why didn't they just mass produce the prodrive p2?!?!?! sexiest subie ever!! am i the only that thinks subaru is going in the wrong direction? a car similar to the p2 would have so much more appeal.. hopefully this is a bad joke. and subaru has something else planned..:rolleyes:

http://static.paultan.org/proooodrive.jpg
http://static.paultan.org/101661158591.jpg
http://static.paultan.org/101661158593.jpg
http://static.paultan.org/10166120110.jpg

http://paultan.org/archives/2006/01/26/prodrive-p2/



that is the ugliest boxiest piece of **** that I have ever seen. It only would appeal to die hard impreza fanatics and subaru cannot make money that way.

Why does subaru persist to change the body now every 2 years? I dont think it means more sales just *newer* Bump that... I like my peanut eye even after the 06 came out... In fact, the bug eye was really nice too! Too bad they didnt make it for a couple more years and wait on peanut eye...

^^^ I have a feeling that some of these people praising the look of this mutant are just some SOA bots posting. A sad attempt by soa to change our minds.

I don't think they'll change our minds. That new design is similar to how the Jetta IV was redesigned to the Jetta V. Poorly!

LOOKS LIKE A TOYOTA Corola type S

the P2 was said to cost over 70,000 thats why

Maybe the countdown is a huge public apology :lol:

LOOKS LIKE A TOYOTA Corola type S

exactly what I thought

Both of the new pictures are a damn shame. I think hatchbacks are trash and wouldn't drive one if someone paid me. The article says the STi is going to be a hatchback, a 5-door, or maybe a 3-door like short hatchback, which is terrible. Hopefully I can get the 07' STi by May or June at the latest because the new stuff looks hideous.

There are not enough words in the English vocabulary to describe how hideous the new Impreza looks. Corolla-S is too kind. By far the ugliest design I've seen from a car manufacturer in years and there are some attrocious looking cars outhere. Oh well, I guess my 05 will be my first and the last Subaru.

I think it looks fine. The wrx could be a little more aggresive but it looks much more like a cohesive car than the 02, 04 or 06. The "i" model looks plain but then again so did the GC L-models, the 2.5rs from 02-present.

http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/subaru/1998/98_subaru_impreza_l_sedan.jpg
GC's looked like crap except for the STi. The NA 2.5rs took many of the body panels from the STi.

http://www.parkwaychevrolet.net/specimages/16090-1.jpg
Yeah thats aggresive. Can you say: Hi!

http://wikicars.org/images/en/thumb/3/36/800px-2006_Subaru_Impreza.jpg/300px-800px-2006_Subaru_Impreza.jpg
zzzzz

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/images/subaru-impreza-06-2.jpg
zzzzz (probably the best looking base model impreza though)

See a trend here? Base models look like crap and the WRX looks like crap until people make it look more like a STI model.

It's been said before in this thread but, this forum just pisses and moans about everything subaru does. This new platform is very polished looking. Looking hard at the 2008 wrx, I have *FAITH* the STI version will be a beautiful and aggresive hatchback.

I've never thought of my ’02 or ’05 Imprezas as gorgeous cars, but this? HIDEOUS! That ex-Alpha limp wrist needs to be fired. Better yet, hand him a sword to do the only honorable thing. Yes, maybe the world population is aging, and maybe testosterone is not PC, but it’s actually simple… I’ll shop elsewhere. And I’ll bet a lot of others will too.

This styling disaster tells enthusiasts that Grandma and Suzy Q are the target audience. There is no body kit, wheels, or tires that will fix this one. No sign of any hair on the chest or any muscles underneath: all we can hope is that the next sti shares no body panels with this effeminate mistake. Hang your heads in shame, Subaru.

it actually looks like a family wagon now...hahaha...its soo crappy looking ... hahaha...i pitty the foo

what the ****, Subaru, what the ****!? :(

Reading about the Impreza sedan, I am wary of any Japanese or other imported car designed exclusively for the North American market. I hope it won't be watered down (like the Legacy GT was), not to mention the lack of Japanese aftermarket support.

dunno... I really like it now. Especially the hatchback, it looks very X5'ish... kinda crappy that the hatch cant fit the dual exhaust, although i'm sure there will be a work-around for this in the future :)

I keep reading that the wrx may not photograph well. Generally speaking, ugly cars are ugly in photographs as well.

This design is alright, and it is a bit disappointing to see the imprezza line without those nice fender flares, but than again the engineers and designers probably did a lot of testing and that is what we see before us. As far as the hood scoop goes maybe this design allows more effent airflow over the IC for a colder intake charge.

As someone already stated the US market isn't the only market that they sell to, and as of 2006 Subaru has been trying to break-in to the Euro Market and take on companies like BMW and Audi and one thing they know is that you can't sell cars that look like Teenage Boy Racer. Subaru knows that they have the proformance and the safety now they have to make the styling to match the market they are after. Either they do this or risk loosing sales altogher and have an outdated poor performer which we just saw in the past few months when C&D did a head to head.

I'm also wondering what it would look like in person, but I can't be much better than this because i'm extremely disappointed in the loss of flares.

I'm more interested in specs though, anyone know why it has torque more readily available at lower rpms?
Also, suspension, any differences there, as well as the transmission? Blah, 50 pounds lighter, not any justification for weight loss for me.

I know the photos just came out, but i'm much more interested in this than the looks of the car.

No character at all, looks like a Chevrolet or Kia, come on, what's wrong with Subaru. Do they listen to their customers at all? I don't want grandma-looking family car with stupid "euro" taillights.

GC forever.

Hate the 08' design. But I'd buy that P2 in a second if it was ever actually made. That thing is sick!! Watched a TopGear video of them testing it...its freaking fast!

this reminds me of the bugeye days when it first came out :lol:

wow, it looks so boring and generic. I was hoping the WRX version would look nicer w/ the wide body and hoodscoop. but it just looks like a camry SE w/ a hole in the hood. w/ each new model year, im happier i have my 04.

Really happy with my 04 and even the 06 model STi is nice. Not sure where they are going with this. Couldn't even imagine those cars with a catback exhaust. They look like Mazda 3s....

However, I still can't wait to see what the new STi looks like.

-Wes

it looks like the ass end of a tribeca mixed with a little piece of **** for a face. where exactly is subaru trying to go with they're sports cars??? honestly now

http://e.autokrata.pl/a206/5266ee21000948ad460a416b

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/motorshows/2006/paris/03-large/mazda-cx-7-f.jpg

I don't understand where subaru is going, if we look back the classic coupes, wagons and sedans are some of the most beautiful cars ever produced, bug eye ok, grew on people but no coupe, 06 is a little whack and people seemed to adjust to it somewhat, but what are they doing now!?!?!?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v462/jumpmayn23/08WRX2.jpg
a PS done by jumpman23 on i-club. i think it looks pretty sweet, imagine the STI with bigger wheels and fender flares :cool:

looks pretty sweet not gunna lie
- danny

Looks like a Corolla! u know why? koz |Toyota bought 13% till now from Subaru and they are planning to go further :( Bye Bye Suby

^^^ I have a feeling that some of these people praising the look of this mutant are just some SOA bots posting. A sad attempt by soa to change our minds.
hey, i resemble that accusation! uh, I mean resent that accusation...
now you apologize. Geez, conspiracy theorists are everywhere.
So the new design reminds you of a corolla. thre new ford fusion looks like a jetta.I dont have a posting ability, but would someone take a rear end picture of a WRX, compress it horizontally, and post it. it looks just like an Echo, but nobody ever complained about that similarity

I like it.

I'm glad they got rid of the 3-grill front, but I still like my 05 best.

I think I understand what Subaru is doing by making the Impreza more appealing to a wider audience (which necessitates toning down the aggressive styling of the current model) but I think a lot of the negative backlash from the current customer base could have been avoided by naming this new WRX something different. Maybe something like the "Impreza GT," for example.

Hey, don't you ever dare to name that thing after my car, "Impreza GT". This is what "Impreza GT" looks like and i don't think Subaru will ever be able to have such a great design again.
http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9143/415714buyukha2.th.jpg (http://img506.imageshack.us/my.php?image=415714buyukha2.jpg)

That was the sexiest thing about the 02-07 Imprezas. I'm disappointed. I'll be looking for an 04.

I think the STI has great possibilities, especially with larger wheels and fender flares. I think it has the possibility of looking fantastic. I can't wait for them to release it.

:lol: Where are all the people who've posted in the forums "I'm waiting on the 08 model?"

They are going to get the Chrysler PT Cruiser badge with a Subaru emblem hot-glued on it for a grill. :lol:

-Biggly

I just hope the STi looks drastically different! Hopefully an entirely different model all together! That would be quite a zinger...they cover the commuter market with this corolla thing and gives us enthusiasts what we want.

At least the Tribeca looks good now.

extremely disappointed, thats all im gonna say.

oh man...... so, so glad i picked up my 06..
unless they saved the boxed fenders etc for sti... then maybe..
but im having a hard time picturing how they would make it attractive.. and knowing that the performance will be more or less the same... geez.
l do like the interior. maybe 08 owners will want to do full interior swaps with us 06'ers.. hahah..

looks like a chysler pacifica

Since I own a pacifica also, I have to agree. It's like the midget cousin. Lets hope it handles better

Ugly as hell. I'm so disappointed. Two horrible restyles in a row, and they weren't even needed.

It's not hideous or even ugly. Actually it looks ok. It's average... and that's what's disappointing.

Sure make the base impreza look like a corolla, as that is its direct competition... That's understandable. People who buy the base model don't want a F1 wing and flared fenders. They usuallly want low key average point A to point B transportation.

But they really should have added something to the WRX model to set it apart from the base model. Most people who go for the WRX want an affordable sports car that looks sporty. Subaru didn't put their touch on it, they just built a reallly fast corolla-S & Matrix lovechild with a hood scoop... big deal.

....framed windows.....:confused: :( :furious:

Ouch.. I'm really not liking it. It's hard to make a solid decision about the new styling though as i've only seen three official pictures. At this point though i'm very pleased to, in my opinion, still own the best looking year impreza. :p

wow now thats a Saaabaaru

While I'm not enamoured of the new design, do y'all really think Subaru cares about the opinions of a few online forum members? This thing was designed (obviously) for the mainstream Corrolla/Camry/Sentra/etc...market. It's a better business model. Enthusiasts only help pay so many bills. It's too bad that Subaru has moved away from design for enthusiasts (which helped put them into a better playing field from 2002-now) but eventually everyone needs to sell Camrys to pay the rent.

I guess the one, upgrade they have done was Dual exhaust, the wrx is not bad i like it, A little exterior dressup with the grill and the sedan version will be alright...i hope:huh:

Hmmmm
is it just me or has this car lost all of its personality.

:furious:

06 FTW!

front end looks liek a honda and then the mazda hatchback looks, looks disgusting

The GC is still my favorite of all the styles.

This new thing is so ugly than I'm actually embarassed that it is wearing the Subaru badge. Its a downright disgrace.

Like many I'm really astounded by the design change. What I used to like about Subaru was that they did not look similar to others but this is unappealing. 93-07 is it for me.

And all this time I thought they would stop mounting the engine in the headlights, and move it back a bit.

If you actually own a Subaru or have access to one go out and pop the hood. Now look down behind the the engine. What do you see? The front axles! To move the engine back "a bit" you would also have to move the wheels back "a bit". Unless you want Subaru to ditch the front mounted flat four and go with a transverse inline four they will always have the engine mounted in the headlights.

I personally like wagon/hatchs and this looks decent, but it does lack that extra something that all the past models had. Now if they came out with a 2 door hatch sti with slight flares, then that would just be hot! :D

Hmmmm
is it just me or has this car lost all of its personality.

:furious:

06 FTW!

yes sir...

My bugeye just went up in value. WoooHooo!

there's a million horrible thoughts running through my mind about this and i can't narrow it down to how much i hate every aspect of subaru's thought process. You can photo shop that thing all you want and i'll still hate it. there is absolutely nothing i like about the car, first thing that popped into my head with the first pic is that it looks like a kia. interior look like ass even with the navi. The pic of the tan interior made me wanna vomit. car looks way too high. subaru is trying really hard to make me hate impreza. And i'll lose all hope if they make the STi a hatch. I'am def. gonna be sticking with my 04. they can keep their new model cuz i don't want it. I really wanna fly to japan and kick those designers in the dong.

I never thought I would say this...but when I saw the full side view:

http://galeon.com/psijas73/wrx5.jpg

I almost fell asleep. So freaking BORING. What the hell Subaru. I knew it was going to be a hatch back but if it was sporty and well designed I was going to buy one this year and replace my 05. Not now. I will hold onto my 05 until the 2010's come out...if they don't look like grandma's hatch back.

i'm pretty "underwhelmed" and kind of disappointed. The car looks un-inspired and a bit boring. Hopefully the sti is nicer, and maybe the new body style will grow on me

Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but has anyone else noticed the wrx's in the pictures only have 2-pot front and 1-pot rear brakes? I hope they arent downgrading from the 06-07 models

^^^^^ I guess you did not read the first page of the endless "Motor Trend / 08 Impreza" thread.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1230198
it was post #2, I believe.

Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but has anyone else noticed the wrx's in the pictures only have 2-pot front and 1-pot rear brakes? I hope they arent downgrading from the 06-07 models

:lol: :lol:

It's been mentioned several times in this thread........

I pinged some friends in Australia to what the reaction to that brake change will be since they have had the 4/2pots since 1999.

Subaru Oz has not released the details so it's not known if that is a US specific thing or not

Given that these are the "official" photos and the cars in NY are like that, there is no reason to believe the released car will be any different.

Boring, this is such a same I am recent Subaru enthusiast but, this grocery getter is awful, I don't see my next vehicle being a subie

It's not that bad. Not as groundbreaking as the 02s or 06s, stylewise. If it came FWD and/or hybrid, I'd consider it!

Turns out the sedan IS NOT going to be US only

Subaru Oz is saying the 5 door hatch is there in Sept 08 and the 4 door sedan along with it in Sept 09.........

So it's US only for the launch not US only ever as is kinda implied

If you actually own a Subaru or have access to one go out and pop the hood. Now look down behind the the engine. What do you see? The front axles! To move the engine back "a bit" you would also have to move the wheels back "a bit". Unless you want Subaru to ditch the front mounted flat four and go with a transverse inline four they will always have the engine mounted in the headlights.

That doesnt make it impossible to move the engine back. They did it in the 07 WRC spec Sti. I would just take some re-engineering.

Thankfully they ditched the "airplane" inspired grille on the new car... . Definite Chrysler influence in the front, Mazda-esque grille and very Tribeca-ish from the rear. Very slab sided, again much like a Trib, IMO.

I never thought I would say this...but when I saw the full side view:

http://galeon.com/psijas73/wrx5.jpg

I almost fell asleep. So freaking BORING. What the hell Subaru. I knew it was going to be a hatch back but if it was sporty and well designed I was going to buy one this year and replace my 05. Not now. I will hold onto my 05 until the 2010's come out...if they don't look like grandma's hatch back.

Saab must be loving the new design, though. When they make the new 2008 Saaburu, it will look much more like the rest of the Saab lineup than the current WRX does. Somebody should photoshop a Saab grill onto the front view of the hatchback and see what that one is going to look like.

:mad: uh oh...

NOT a fan at all! Just ugly... YAY for Bug Eyes!

God, it looks like a Camryspeed3. Or a choptop Tribeca. On top of that it is yet another car with those lousy Bangle-influenced side creases. And what's up with the herpes-outbreak tailights? This thing has some of the most obviously derivative styling I have ever seen, like someone grafted different bits representing each competing car company's design language cues and then added a couple of the worst of Subaru's own design features and then sent it on it's merry way. Let's get Dodge's lower front valence, try to infuse it with a profound sense of ordinariness distilled from all that is Toyota, pretend like it's a Mazda/ BMW 330/ Tribeca/ Toyota Sienna from the side, add some herpes simplex/ Ford Fusion taillights, then turn it loose on the test track with that guy with the stapler from Office Space and see what happens. Well, looks like I will be keeping my ugly-enough-looking 92x for a few more years.

JDM 2008 WRX STI and 2008 EVO X:

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/9318523993.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5145766)

God, it looks like a Camryspeed3. Or a choptop Tribeca. On top of that it is yet another car with those lousy Bangle-influenced side creases. And what's up with the herpes-outbreak tailights? This thing has some of the most obviously derivative styling I have ever seen, like someone grafted different bits representing each competing car company's design language cues and then added a couple of the worst of Subaru's own design features and then sent it on it's merry way. Let's get Dodge's lower front valence, try to infuse it with a profound sense of ordinariness distilled from all that is Toyota, pretend like it's a Mazda/ BMW 330/ Tribeca/ Toyota Sienna from the side, add some herpes simplex/ Ford Fusion taillights, then turn it loose on the test track with that guy with the stapler from Office Space and see what happens. Well, looks like I will be keeping my ugly-enough-looking 92x for a few more years.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Wow, that is some fermunda cheese. Like every one's sayin though, at least my bugeye won't catch so much flack. Biggest

I wonder if there's anything left for Subaru to reveal at the NYAS press conference tomorrow.

Thanks Subaru.... for ruining my annual trip to the NY Auto Show.


Did anything bring up the idea that most the cars in WRC, the Skoda, Citroen, etc. are hatchbacks? Maybe thats what brought about the idea of creating this imposter.



Im going to agree with the Chrysler Sebring front end, but also with the Saab-aru comment too. Now for the butt, Im going with a wagon version of the European Ford Mondeo.....Yuck-o

SICK!!! Glad to have my '05 WAGON, and yes I am proud to call it a WAGON compared to this piece of junk HATCH

Mondeo Rear:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2006/09/25-ford-mondeo-concept/

Chrysler Front:
http://evenements.caradisiac.com/salon-paris/IMG/jpg/chrysler_sebring_1-2.jpg

Saab-aru
http://www.autocentre.ua/ac/04/05/images/03/Detr4_08.jpg





Woah..... Deja-Vu... I just Sold my Jeep Wrangler because I hated the way the company was headed.......weird.

I like it. I remember when the 02 WRX came out I didnt like it and was happy I still had my 01 RS. Then It grew on me and I now love it. I think the same will happen here. I like the headlights and how the was the scoop is integrated in the hood, and the sedan will look better with the red tail lights instead of the clear lights that the hatch comes with. Interior looks nice too. I cant wait to see it in person saturday at the NYAS.

I've got to agree with the consensus so far... I really can't support Subaru on this one. I mean, my car (GC4) needs body work, and suspension work... and more work after that... but I would still have her over the new Impreza any day. This looks like a sad attempt at the 30-something market, instead of being the car we were all hoping to upgrade to. The way I see it, my car's resale value just got a lot higher cuz no one's gonna want that car lookin the way it does.... too bad.

After seeing this new Impreza, I'd go with the mazdaspeed 3. More horsepower and torque, cheaper, and actually looks cool.


This new Impreza, looks like the OLD mazda 3!

Boring!!!

The new Impreza is a completely inconsequential vehicle that looks like many other vehicles on the road already.

My wife, however, says it's "cute".

Too bad for Subaru that she don't buy the cars around here.

Looks like a Sentra SE to me. I'm happy this thing is coming out because my 05's re sale value will skyrocket.

Just because Mitsu is making a new platform doesn't mean you have to follow.
I bet you Travis P is mad since he signed a new deal until 09 now he will have to drive this SaAb/MB C130/ Nisan Sentra looking box.

This, Chevy Aveo Sedan, looks like the new Subaru. You should know what I think about it...
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/G/S/2007_ChevroletAveoSedan.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k92/joscolem/040220071519399294.jpg

imagine if it was all a practical joke and tomorrow they will reveal a new, better car

I've got to agree with the consensus so far... I really can't support Subaru on this one. I mean, my car (GC4) needs body work, and suspension work... and more work after that... but I would still have her over the new Impreza any day. This looks like a sad attempt at the 30-something market, instead of being the car we were all hoping to upgrade to. The way I see it, my car's resale value just got a lot higher cuz no one's gonna want that car lookin the way it does.... too bad.


I AM that 30-something market and they missed with me. I have owned an 02 and 04 WRX and nearly an 07 (got an Evo instead). No way I'd buy this current sorry ass excuse for a WRX. I want the flared fenders dammit.

Yeah even the base model Lancer looks somewhat muscular.
This looks like something my grandmother would buy if she couldn't afford a 98 lincoln conny big ass boat.

EEEeeeEEeWWWww! 04/05 peanut front ftw!

i wonder how many of those they plan to sell. the new rex is horrible looking too.

lol the sedan looks like a Camry. I didn't know toyota's control had that much influence over Subaru.

For the last time, the first reason Toyota bought a share in Fuji Heavy Industries, was to be able to produce around 100,000 more Camrys in the Indiana plant, as create a new plant from the ground up is expensive. An additional reason was to use FHI experience in batteries, for use in hybrid vehicles. Those are the only reasons, and Toyota could care less what the new impreza looks like, and had no design input into it, as the design was mostly finalized by the time Toyota bought a share in FHI. Any resemblance of the new impreza to the corolla is coincidental.

Additionally I think the STI version will be completely different, because expanding the wheelbase does not make a vehicle handle better, look at all the rally cars out there, and how small of a wheel base that they have...maybe that is just wishful thinking on my part

I believe the bean counters at Toyota took all the design budget out of subaru's design department and this is all first year designers could muster up... 06/07>>>>>>>>>>>>>08.. Subaru you f***ed up... Where are your balls or should I say take off the skirts and grow a pair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! If I buy another Subaru it will be a legacy gt unless they screw that up too...

For the last time, the first reason Toyota bought a share in Fuji Heavy Industries, was to be able to produce around 100,000 more Camrys in the Indiana plant, as create a new plant from the ground up is expensive. An additional reason was to use FHI experience in batteries, for use in hybrid vehicles. Those are the only reasons, and Toyota could care less what the new impreza looks like, and had no design input into it, as the design was mostly finalized by the time Toyota bought a share in FHI. Any resemblance of the new impreza to the corolla is coincidental.

Additionally I think the STI version will be completely different, because expanding the wheelbase does not make a vehicle handle better, look at all the rally cars out there, and how small of a wheel base that they have...maybe that is just wishful thinking on my part


Agreed, and besides the share that Toyota bought seems way to small to have a controlling interest.

didn't look at every page, but even though the outside is horrid, the new interior is georgous!

http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2007/04/medium_444848269_3f9374fcbb_o.jpg

:lol: Where are all the people who've posted in the forums "I'm waiting on the 08 model?"


Right here, son. This car is so disappointing it's actually embarrassing, even if it had a Hundai/ Kia badge resting on the grill. They've learned, Subaru, why haven't you?

Big thumbs down, although I still want to check it out in person. The STi version better have it's sack filled in the looks dept. as these are "pre-vasectomied" from the factory.


Also, how do they get such a hot Legacy and still manage to crap out this visual blunder?
--$.02

It's not entirely bad, I just don't like how it looks like every other sedan out there, where's the flares!?!?!

While we're on the subject of comparing the new Impreza to a corolla, can someone post a pic of a GC Impreza and a mid 90s Corolla? IIRC they kinda look alike too (except for the hood on the RS model)

How is that a reborn of a LEgend??

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1038/normaluntitled13fi4.jpg
I think the car has potential. With a lil bit of tweeking it could be a bad ass car.
I personally don't like hatchbacks, but most cars in WRC are hatched.

I didn't think it could get anyworse. I do like the interior but that is where it ends. The exterior has sucked ever since the bug eye. They should have never gotten rid of the big fog lights. If I ever see anyone that owns this body style i will slap them in the face.

Bring The Coupe Back!!!! Bring The Coupe Back!!!!! Bring The Coupe Back!!!!

The single biggest 'miss' on this is the lack of any kind of obvious fender flaring/bulging. The photoshopped/generated pics of this new wagon in STi trim look a bunch better just b/c they have the fender flares.

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/images/12201_super.jpg




http://www.vente-voiture-occasion-htx.com/catalog/images/daewoo%20lanos.jpg



http://www.capndesign.com/images/etc/mazda3-5door_0204.jpg


=


http://www.balita.com/images/_contents/_2005/031205/Blue-Man-Group.jpg

NEW SUBARU COMMERCIAL TO BE AIRED ON LIFETIME.
Show picture of woman getting into car.
Announcer Says- "Shove 5 different cars in a blender and hit puree'... It's what makes Subaru a Subaru."
cue Sheryl Crow "Everday is Winding Road" music.
Fade out.
Out of exsistance.

Loks like a cross between a pacifica and a b9 tribeca in a small form and the sedan looks like a mazda 6 with some toyota corolla. the new interior looks exactly like and ugly camry
http://www.new-cars.com/2004/toyota/camry-solara/2004-toyota-camry-solara-dash.jpg <------this pic is a camry the one below is the new suby WTF ---Bugeye foreverhttp://www.jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2007/04/medium_444848269_3f9374fcbb_o.jpg

WTF? Did Mazda and Kia buy controlling interest in Subaru recently? Man that thing is ugly! Hopefully, the STi looks better.

Im sorry, but that thing is UGLY...Id never buy it.

this is truly disappointing, I have an 05 sti and I have never been happier I didn't wait. I even like the 06 look, but this new redesign lacks everything that subaru has come to represent. It really has to be the ugliest design possible. if all the mitsubishi engineers got together and planned how to make the new subaru uglier, they couldn't have done a better job than the subaru design team. I am truly at a loss for words. i though the new evo was a departure from regular, but this takes the case. I also hope my car and parts last forever because if the car looks like this I will never but a new STI again. :mad: :mad: :mad:

I don't even think that the STI models will be better, that front end is horrid and the rear looks like a fishtail with no flare, flat and ugly.

Yea that sedan rear forces you to buy a hatchback, that is the most god awful ugly rear end ever! I'm so bummed out with subaru right now :(

I can already tell that the smiley is gonna grow on me. I like the lip of the official design over what was in the pre-pics. I am most excited for the STi though...that has GREAT potential. Is it just me, or does it seem like they made it quite a bit longer?

Side note: the new Beca looks a lot better. Could've rounded it out a bit more perhaps, but much better.

The Rex has just lost its personality with this design. I can not believe they done away with the flared fenders!

I think you guys are right -- Subaru is obviously targeting a different segment of the car market and flipping the middle finger to the enthusiasts.

Crap, did Subaru just do to the Impreza what Mitsubishi did to the Eclipse? I love the older Eclipses, but the last 2 generations have been horid and I'm sure the enthusiast market has dropped way off.

And now Subaru does this to our WRX???? WTF?!

I think it looks great. Light years ahead of the 04-05, which IMO, is the worst of the bunch. The interior looks fantastic, and my only real gripes are the lack of fender flares and the clear tails on the hatch.

it looks alright, atleast the sedan, the hatch...wow you cant get worse than that, its a cross between Shat and a kia! Im hoping that when i graduate for coolidge maybe i will have other options than a supped up Kia!

Pics in this article are the 2.5i model. The WRX Still has a scoop.

http://www.drivingsportsvideo.com/subiesport/08sedan_cornering.jpg

USDM WRX Sedan
this car looks like a toyota .

i guess Subaru is going to hell. When will the new supra come out? Maybe they will keep a turbo and make a good super car again. Prob just more cylinders. sad.

looks like a corolla s.....

those front fenders are UGLY! the whole car sucks....

You know - I had many of the same feelings that are being exhibited here when the 06 came out, and all there were were pics. In person, I think it looks pretty good. I, for one, am going to save judgement until I see it in the flesh.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1038/normaluntitled13fi4.jpg
I think the car has potential. With a lil bit of tweeking it could be a bad ass car.
I personally don't like hatchbacks, but most cars in WRC are hatched.

I wish the car looked like that. Also, what are they making the cars out of? I thought they weren't using aluminum anymore because of the shortage?

I was planning to replace my 03 with the new sti but these pics are scary!!! Still waiting to see the STI in person, I'll give it a chance, but I'm not keeping my hopes up....I'm feeling a little dissapointed right now...Making the new Supra (assuming they put the turbo 6 and not the crappy little v8 in it) or the EVO a little more of a possibility....I'll sure miss that subaru burble though....I knew there were going to be problems when they redid that last front end change to the new subaru look that ended up looking exactly like the POS suzuki front end....ARGH!!!! Subaru get a clue!!!!

Hmmmm
is it just me or has this car lost all of its personality.

:furious:

06 FTW!

Please know that i am aware that this car is more homoginized looking, and that is why i think Subaru is going to sell a lot more imprezas with this redesign. the current model is way to edgy for most buyers, and most people dont look under the hood like we do, they just want glossy paint and leather.
Case in point: Tribeca.
Th e tribeca is way to wierd looking for most buyers, and it has not impressed the car magazines or the buying public. just another ugly crossover vehicle, and the current impreza has a lot of design features in common with the tribeca
And damn that hatchback is hot! (above)

WAIT ONE MIN. Didn't Subaru just join with Toyota. Maybe there the culprits. Maybe Toyota's designers made/helped make this car called a WRX. Because to me it looks like a Corolla. Not that I don't like the car, but it shouldn't have been called an Impreza in my opinion.

Did we go backwards again? The WRX lost its 4 piston/2piston brakes? Will it take another 3 years to bless us with the brakes the WRX always had outside the US?

What's up with the exhaust on the right hand side?

hmm...

the sti better be a lot different or i will be going to mitsubishi. an sti was in my future but the redesign is HORRIBLE.

Terrible Job. This design is suppposed to last another 8 years and it's already old looking. There isn't a forward thinking line in the whole car. Nothing aggressive about it at all. Just another run of the mill commuter car. Interrior looks exactly the same. Not a bit of thought on updating it. Crappy brakes again. Just plain boring all around. And what did they do to the engine? It's the legacy engine? And a cheap plastic intake manifold? My oh my. :mad:

It's a SubaMazda !

Found a bunch of pics, not sure how i feel about it...Looks like the hatch is a grocery getter. Would love to see what they are doing with the STI though....

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-subaru-impreza/

oh how sad... i thought it was a suv from this shot
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/00_ny07_wrxhatch---01.jpg

i must agree, it does look like an suv. Maybe they should scrapped the hatch version adn made an suv!

good god, its even worse in that picture!

Well at least my 04 will retain some of its value. Thanks for effin up Subaru!

I think they'll sell a lot of the sedans. It doesn't look too bad and people were intimidated probably by the outlandish colors, etc. I think the back end on both really are too tall design-wise, but, it might be for safety. And over my interior, i do like the new one.

The hatch is just not really practical. Viva la wagons!

The hatch is just not really practical. Viva la wagons!

Whaaa? Not practical? That's what hatches are all about, the most usable space in the smallest, most affordable package. Because of the wider interior and higher ceiling coupled with less intrusion from the rear suspension I'm thinking that the actual cargo volume may be almost the same or equal to the current GG wagons. Now if you are serious about practicality you might want to wait for the '09 SH model Forester that will take up where the discontinued Impreza wagons left off except with more cargo space.

Indian tear...

I think its ugly I would take any other model 02-07

quick PS:

http://home.comcast.net/~TTZMatt/Mike/1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~TTZMatt/Mike/2.jpg

jeeze you would think that with all the new high powered cars coming over IE-Skyline; Subaru would give us the h 6 with the new models. That body is ugly!

Pics in this article are the 2.5i model. The WRX Still has a scoop.

http://www.drivingsportsvideo.com/subiesport/08sedan_cornering.jpg

USDM WRX Sedan

that looks hot, I'm so glad I saw this, I'll be getting this when it comes out...oh booooyyyy, glad I get my 5 grand every year from the af on Jan...I'll be using that as my down payment :devil:

saw this...not sure if this is for real or not, looks good imo
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee9808d/cmd.233/enclosure..ee9808e

I don't know if this has been said already, but I don't see the wrx pedals on the freaking WRX.

Whaaa? Not practical? That's what hatches are all about, the most usable space in the smallest, most affordable package. Because of the wider interior and higher ceiling coupled with less intrusion from the rear suspension I'm thinking that the actual cargo volume may be almost the same or equal to the current GG wagons. Now if you are serious about practicality you might want to wait for the '09 SH model Forester that will take up where the discontinued Impreza wagons left off except with more cargo space.

Yup - the actual footprint of the hatch area is looking smaller on the '08: granted, it LOOKS it, unsure if it is true.
However, when I use my wagon for cargo, i tend to not pile things up and block my rear view. Thus why I say actual footprint size matters more than volume. Additionally, I dont want decapitated when I get stuck behind a horse and buggy and slam on my brakes and have my camping axe lodge itself into my skull :)

Eh, everyone was bitching when photos of the 06 were released and then as people started buying and modifying them, all of a sudden everyone loved them.

I predict the same thing happening again. The look will grow on you.

(I personally think the back of the hatchback is hideous :huh: Though I do think the sedan is very handsome.)

saw this...not sure if this is for real or not, looks good imo
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee9808d/cmd.233/enclosure..ee9808e

its soo suprising how old this photochop was and how right on it was... im pretty sure the sti will resemble this pic.

It looks to me that the new body style is an effort to improve the Aerodynamics of the Impreza line. There are lots of subtle clues that they are trying to improve the aerodrag (and indirectly the fuel milage) with the new body layout.

We will know when they publish the CD and frontal area numbers.

The current STi has a CD that is pretty high, so it wouldn't take a lot to improve on it.

Larry

I'll wait til I see one. I still think the bugeye rules.

The new design looks like a Saab melded with a Saturn that was 1/4 Mazda. Regardless, it's very ... universal Japanese (I know, I know, still, UJM ... errr ..UJC). At least the Alpha schnoz has gone.

Does it weigh less than my '03. Too bad there's no 2.0. Hatch? No way. Wagon; oncce you've had a wagon you never go back. Those 20 series tyres are gonna be hell on the commute, not to mention that first Connecticut pothole ....

:Puke:

GC forever.

gotta agree with this guy

Bugeyes are teh better :p

Just wanted to agree that this is by far, THE worst impreza I've seen.
Honestly, since the WRX came here to the states, Subaru has dropped the ball every single time (in terms of styling). The STi brought back my trust taht subaru was still paying attention to us, but the wrx...well it just sux now. I'm guessing they want 80 year olds driving this car to BINGO every night, because that is who they are adversing to.
Honestly, I don't think it is fair/right/ethical for them to attempt to advertise this car as a WRX or a "rally inspired" car.
MY GC turns heads all the time. Even my bug eye did and I don't like the bug eyes. This however, won't turn anyones head. It has lost the whole spirt of the "rally inspired" bad ass impreza. Now it just just a "car".
Good work subaru, you guys really need to fire someone. Horrible.

I think I'll keep my 04' alittle bit longer! :lol:

I like it, inside AND out.

We could've pulled the threads from when the '04 came out as well as the '06 and it'd be nearly identical to this one. Cracks me up.

Bill

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1038/normaluntitled13fi4.jpg
I think the car has potential. With a lil bit of tweeking it could be a bad ass car.
I personally don't like hatchbacks, but most cars in WRC are hatched.

That front grill is Renault Megane RS :o Come on subaru even the new Toyota Corolla/Auris and Honda Civic are way more handsome then this :p

My heart sank when I saw the photos. :huh:
That sums it up. It's lost much of it's character & stance.

The STI will be better...but what happened here?
My expectations were probably a bit too high.
I'll make the final judgement when i see one up close and personal, but overall it's a disappointment.

I've still got my 04 and I'm sticking with it! :banana:

oh how sad... i thought it was a suv from this shot
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/00_ny07_wrxhatch---01.jpg

Hahaha, I spoted one thing that they fixed which should make it more appealing to many. LOOK, even fender gaps front/rear! :lol:

I like it.
I've liked every new style.
However, my JDM bugeye still is my favorite.

Chances are, like every change, the people that are hating now, will be loving it later.

sigh... you know, i didnt like the new 06's for some time but now i like the newer front-end but i have big doubts about this "whole car"....

i still love my gf8 wagon though.

I am so disappointed. I've been a suby owner for 5 years now and it looks like I will have to stay with the older ones. Personally, I really don't like it. It looks like Subaru stole one of Mazda's engineers and I don't like Mazdas. From now on I guess I will be buying used :(

the prodrive p2 ... sexiest subie ever!! :rolleyes:

http://static.paultan.org/proooodrive.jpg (http://paultan.org/archives/2006/01/26/prodrive-p2/)

I agree without reservation: the Prodrive P2 is a stunning exercise in design and engineering that fullly embraces the 21st Century exotic car idiom. As an artistic expression made rolling sculpture, it reflects global sensibilities and yet incorporates distinct Japanese styling cues into a package that showcases Subaru's unique platform and design elements.Were the P2 to be adopted by Subaru as a halo vehicle for the STI brand, it would doubtless become an iconic success because it stimulates the four senses and satisfies the all important 'fifth emotional sense'. A symphony for the senses where harmony and automotive 'feng shui' would be achieved.No, the Prodrive P2 show car isn't destined to be our next Impreza but, with senior management that has the foresight and courage to push the envelope for its own sake, the P2 or its successor could become a world class high performance image builder for Subaru.


-Catsmeow

my god... what have they done... they new 08 wrx, both the sedan and hatchback are completely and utterly hideous... I will never buy one of these nasty looking things... what happened to the flared fenders?!?! Sigh* the hatchback looks like a mini tribeca mixed with a mazda 3... yuck... not to mention that front grill and hood are completely disgusting. wow... I was dreading subaru releaseing a hatchback just to fit in with the hatchback crowd... but my god what have they done??? lets just hope that the sti looks a lot better than this fugly pos that they've come up with. Double wishbone suspension should be good for the track tho.. I think that's the only and I do mean only upside to this all.

*sigh... So they managed to fit the engine in the Ford Focus series... I smell GM and Ford. Maybe the designer just got fed up from the complains of the front grill from 2007, now, it does make the 07 looks better.
Heck, EvoX looks like a better deal now. Sorry.

my god.. the back of the sedan looks like a ford fusion or something... and don't be sorry... the next car I buy will definately not be one of these ugly pieces of ****. as you say, the evo X is definately looking a LOT better right now.. I seriously think that subaru is trying way too hard to please everyone in the looks department and has now ruined the impreza... they should have just stuck to whatever method they used before to design the looks of their cars... i want fender flares...

these are subarus bad days...Hopefully the next re-design isnt crap...
Man im 17 and waiting for october to come around to get a suby but damn they messed up bad...But Cut subaru slack cuz Nissan went kia-boxy with the sentra and The new GTR looks like a g35 with a 80`000$ increase...Geez, i hope the 04-05 subarus aren`t that expensive in a few months...:(

I haven't liked the '06 since it came out still think its ugly, but its still a subaru and i respect it as one. But the '08's i can't even respect those, they dont even look like an Impreza

everyone said the 06' was ugly as f***, but hey look now, everyone loves it. only time will tell .....

I very much agree. On a comment about the styling...the blurb talks about how the interior was Tribeca inspired. However, the exterior seems to be that way as well...except more compact.




http://www.drivingsportsvideo.com/subiesport/08sedan_cornering.jpg


From this angle...it resembles a Pontiac GTO....The grill looks like a french mustache...

you know....I love Toyota and all but just because they are now working together doesnt mean it should look like one. I can step outside and look at my sister-in-law's corolla. it looks pretty much the same overall. Very dissappointing. My only hope is that the STI looks TOTALLY different.

bug eyes are still my favorite. dont know who all has senn the sedan yet but here she is for anyone who wants to see it

http://blog.cardomain.com/blog/2007/04/2008_wrx_sedan.html

I'm soooo disappointed... I have nothing to say!

Well, was going to get an 08, looks like i'll be getting a used 06-07 this year? Suck!

I totally agree with all the bashers. WTF is this? It's painfully obvious that the design itself was probably "inspired" by cost control accountants. I bet you anything that that assembly time is less owing to the cars now simpler shape. Way to go guys. You'll improve your bottom line and destroy aesthetics in the process. It's a systemic problem in this world. FAHK FAHK FAHK. I'm keeping my bugeye now, driving it till it falls apart and then welding it back together for some more.

I just got back from the auto show and the WRX looks pretty bad.
the new intercooler looks smaller. the hood scoop is pushed a lot closer to the nose of the car. The seats and interior look nicer than previous years.


-they had a Gran Turismo game with a rally sti and a sti seat that moves with the car in the game.

If Petter Solberg brings a wrc title in 08 with that beast, I might have second opinions about the car. Ha!

Uhhhhh...........BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

:huh: :eek: :mad: :confused: :furious: :(

I'm embarressed to have a Suby now. This is very dissapointing.

*sigh... So they managed to fit the engine in the Ford Focus series... I smell GM and Ford. Maybe the designer just got fed up from the complains of the front grill from 2007, now, it does make the 07 looks better.
Heck, EvoX looks like a better deal now. Sorry. I was just thinking that same thing.

this is "design quality" of subaru in the fiji heavy industry website:

"To achieve the most scientific and globally encompassing Subaru design, rather than imitate or follow the example of advanced premium European brands, Subaru will call upon its own heritage and technical attributes to create original functional aesthetics that are unique to Japan's Subaru brand as well as globally acclaimed expressive design."

http://ir.fhi.co.jp/english/corporate/advantage.html

it seemed that the 08 wrx has really succeeded in staying away from "advanced premium European brands", but instead follow that of the budget-minded Koreans brands.

It looks like a four door Ford/Kia Aspire

http://fordaspire.5.forumer.com/index.php?act=home

i will never be embarrassed about owning a subaru but they wont be getting my business for the next couple years................

oh my god the tail-lights from that nyc car show shot..
this is ridiculous.. someone is actually getting paid to design this ****?
and to think how many meetings that model went through..
ridiculous. i will run my 06 into the ground, turn it into a track car and buy another brand for everyday..
cant wait till they ruin the forester and then bring the sti version here.. i'll have no interest.. imagine what the next legacy is going to look like..
ouch.... subaru.. you reallly messed up.

The hatch is especially fugly

i agree with the rest of the group. bad move, and not attractive.

I'm going to the show tomorrow. Whoever came up with this at subaru is getting fired. I am so disappointed and I don't even own an Impreza. (someday, But not that POS)

i really dont want to see these things coming off the truck where i work. it looks a little like a small lexus RX if you ask me. its like all the big jap automakers had a sibling orgy... what usually happens when inbreeding occors??? a down syndrom funny looking thing like this new impreza pops out onto the market.

if it isn't broke dont fix it, ok subaru!

and btw with all panels being steel now in the new body style, the aftermarket is going to have a field day with this ugly duckling... (im not saying it will turn into a swan)

I like it, inside AND out.

We could've pulled the threads from when the '04 came out as well as the '06 and it'd be nearly identical to this one. Cracks me up.

Bill

That's exactly what I'm saying..

i kinda like it.... which is weird... cuz im pretty attached to my gc

what 5th grader designed the front bumper....

just toss in a lower grill and put a few circles next to it....wow...wonder how long it took them to come up with that? :(

Wow and to think, I actually couldn't wait the next 14 months untill my truck is paid-off so I could get a new WRX wagon (I race motocross so I kinda need the truck since I really don't see you cramming a CRF450 into the back of a WRX no matter how much KY you use). I saw this discrace and the only thing I'm thinking is that the lead designer went on a weekend long coke-bender before the final design was due to the board. When he sobered-up the only drawings he could find were of the neighbor's Corolla that his epileptic son drew. :huh:
I know I'm in the small minority of Subi fans who can say I actually like at least something about every model WRX EXCEPT THIS ONE!!!!! At least with all the other "refinements" they were just that... REFINEMENTS!!!! They would change the headlights, change the grille, tweak the bodylines, etc, etc. All the while maintaining the same basic appearance with a clear family resemblance. They didn't just s***-can the whole thing and copy everyone else. :confused:Subaru has never done this, for better or worse you could always spot one from a mile away. Alas, the one last unique auto brand has finally succumb to the fool's pursuit of trying to please everyone. Unfortunately this usually is the death knell for a car model, the company makes a "bold new statement" and ends up killing the line when sales fall into non-existence... Here's to Subaru, please make me eat my words...:(

Wow and to think, I actually couldn't wait the next 14 months untill my truck is paid-off so I could get a new WRX wagon (I race motocross so I kinda need the truck since I really don't see you cramming a CRF450 into the back of a WRX no matter how much KY you use). I saw this discrace and the only thing I'm thinking is that the lead designer went on a weekend long coke-bender before the final design was due to the board. When he sobered-up the only drawings he could find were of the neighbor's Corolla that his epileptic son drew. :huh:
I know I'm in the small minority of Subi fans who can say I actually like at least something about every model WRX EXCEPT THIS ONE!!!!! At least with all the other &quot;refinements&quot; they were just that... REFINEMENTS!!!! They would change the headlights, change the grille, tweak the bodylines, etc, etc. All the while maintaining the same basic appearance with a clear family resemblance. They didn't just s***-can the whole thing and copy everyone else. :confused:Subaru has never done this, for better or worse you could always spot one from a mile away. Alas, the one last unique auto brand has finally succumb to the fool's pursuit of trying to please everyone. Unfortunately this usually is the death knell for a car model, the company makes a &quot;bold new statement&quot; and ends up killing the line when sales fall into non-existence... Here's to Subaru, please make me eat my words...:(

wow buddy...that's a pretty big rant...

in all honesty, as consumers, i really don't think we have a right to complain...ESPECIALLY if you're already a subaru Car OWNER. notice the emphasis on the car owner portion. I did not say SUBARU OWNER for a reason. If I owned stock with the parent company attributed to share holders, then I would complain and sell my stocks after the maturity of the 07 models.

However...seeing how the automotive industry is a bad market to invest in, with the exception of hybrid car producing companies, complaining about the body styling can in fact possibly move fuji heavy industries to already think about the 2010 models going retro....or whatever other styling trends best fit the market.

this post is not intended to put down the OP of the quote above...it is simply a way to express my disappointment towards FUJH. I am nowhere near a financial expert...but from an investors perspective and a happy Suby owner, I must admit....the new Impreza looks quite odd....

looks a lot better than the current design. i visit a lot of boards and it's always funny to see the comments from everyone regarding the newest model of 'their' car. usually always negative.

if my legacy gt is paid off by the time the sti comes out i'll give it a look.

It looks wierd ahh!! I thought that I might wanna buy the new one but i think i'm startin to like my 06 STi better, i hope that the New STi looks good,i also just have one question,what ever happened to the STi legacy?

its not as horrible as the first pics, i like the headlights but tats aboutit. aside from the STI being a 2door hatch i don't see this model being saved. 2010 i wait, bugeye til i die

they refined the wrx too much to be legacy-ish. if i wanted refinement id get a LGT, it seems they missed something here, now theres a void in the market, its a good car to go against a ms6 i guess, but its too pretty to rally IMO. time will tell, maybe a new grill and bumper woud make it more "evil". but this car does not scare me nor would it anyone that saw it in the rearview

I actually think that the new look isn't bad. I don't like it as much as the '06 or generation II models, but the '08 looks solid. Although I'm not too thrilled about Subaru converting the Impreza to a hatchback, I think that it will gain more favor among the US drivers after it's been tested.

On a side note, I hate the wings on the sides of the Subaru badge. It looks like they've ripped a page out of Chrysler's book...

Just got back from the NY Auto show. It is apparent that Subaru fired all the designers and let the bean counters style the car. I thought the new Tribeca front end was bad enough, but they've essentially killed the Impreza and WRX. The hatchback is a bad ripoff of the Mazda 3 and the sedan is just plain ugly.

Dear all,
Hello from greece!...
In my family we own ONLY Subarus from 1978...i nearly go every year to watch the rally Acropolis and support the SWRT.When i heard that the new Impreza will have a hatchback version except the sedan, i was very happy because hatchbacks are very popular in Europe and look more sporty than sedans. I almost had a heart attack when i saw the new impreza..its the worst mix-design i have ever seen..it reminds me of some chinese stupid vehicles that copy all japanese/european/american cars without having character and real design.
The new Impreza is not a bad designed car, its an awfull copy car!
Citroen c4 5 doors / mazda 3 5 doors / bmw 1 5 doors / daewoo-chevrolet lacetti / ford focus 5 doors - european version...
As your club is one of the largest subaru's clubs in world i suggest you make a protest letter to the company for this mess.

That thing is ugly! Just when I was getting used to the 06/07's, looks almost like a Chevy Malibu from the front and a Ford focus from the rear. The lack of rally style flared fenders makes it seem as if they are following Mitsubishi's Lancer design. Terrible, I hope this isn't the final product because I would never trade in my 04 for that!!!

Looks like the Legacy GT sales will be going up. The LGT is hot hot hot!!! the 07 is GORGEOUS!

where are the wide wheel fenders?

i heard that toyota will obtain subaru or something like that. does toyota already have a foothold on subaru? Apparently so from the looks of those models.

i am just shocked at the body style and some people out there don't like the my06's this will make them think about that , damn the 08's are ugglyyyy puke:

Not sure if someone else noticed this but there are now hood struts and no prop rod.

Saw them at the NYAS yesterday. WRX hatch is GH7 and the 2.5i was GE6 couldn't get a look at the VIN on the WRX sedan.

I was also disapointed that you couldn't sit in any of the new models at the show.

^^^^^ I guess you did not read the first page of the endless "Motor Trend / 08 Impreza" thread.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1230198
it was post #2, I believe.

...regarding the brakes. The '08s get the Legacy GT brakes and thus, are larger, which is good. The loss of the 4-piston calipers... well... yeah... that sux.


PS. IMHO... I think the new interior is waaay hot. As for the Hatch... yeah the tail lights are eh... and that chrome bar across the back is eh... but my biggest problem is the grill. +1 for the photoshop a few posts back though... made a hell-uva diff.

Anyone hear that subaru was making a diesel. Anything AWD w/ good gas mileage?

subaru is making a diesel, but theres no telling if or when it will come to the states.

i want to see it in person before i say anything

Yeah, not liking it so far, but I also hated the 06 when i saw the first pics...(now in a cruel twist of fate I own one) The thing that realllllly worries me is the fact that the 08s have what apears to be Plastic intake manifolds...may save weight but quality is signifigantly decreased with the switch to plastic :(

The interior looks really nice,..the outside looks like a Ford,..YIKES!!

Yeah, not liking it so far, but I also hated the 06 when i saw the first pics...(now in a cruel twist of fate I own one) The thing that realllllly worries me is the fact that the 08s have what apears to be Plastic intake manifolds...may save weight but quality is signifigantly decreased with the switch to plastic :(

Much less heat soak though.

Plastic is cheaper than aluminum... and it's not Ford or GM doing it... I have a little more faith in Subaru when it comes to this kind of thing (just not when it comes to front end designs). My only advice if it's getting swapped is to buy a torque wrench (if you don't already have one).

'07 Wagon for me... oh well... can't have everything.

It's definitely different. If it's lighter and performs better then I'd probably be able to 'learn to love it'.

yessSsssss! i have the best looking subaru--the bugeye!

Plastic is cheaper than aluminum... and it's not Ford or GM doing it... I have a little more faith in Subaru when it comes to this kind of thing (just not when it comes to front end designs). My only advice if it's getting swapped is to buy a torque wrench (if you don't already have one).

'07 Wagon for me... oh well... can't have everything.

The other advantage to a plastic intake manifold is that it is nice and smooth on the inside, so you don't have to worry about stuff like porting the casting flash to get maximum flow out of it.

I have a Bugeye too and I think it's the best looking of the USDM(and JDM) models. I love my wagon and think that I'm not quite so fond it is gone to a more hatch type configuration. The thing that makes me laugh is that next to the ricers we are the most mod hungry group of car enthusiasts I can think of. Who doesn't want a non-stock looking car? It looks like it has factory HID's and certainly some smoked lenses on the rear would mute the euro tails. Throw on an aftermarket grill, lip, rear duiffuser, some 18's, sti scoop, and a hks cat back and it'll look pretty sweet!

Dear all,
Hello from greece!...
In my family we own ONLY Subarus from 1978...i nearly go every year to watch the rally Acropolis and support the SWRT.When i heard that the new Impreza will have a hatchback version except the sedan, i was very happy because hatchbacks are very popular in Europe and look more sporty than sedans. I almost had a heart attack when i saw the new impreza..its the worst mix-design i have ever seen..it reminds me of some chinese stupid vehicles that copy all japanese/european/american cars without having character and real design.
The new Impreza is not a bad designed car, its an awfull copy car!
Citroen c4 5 doors / mazda 3 5 doors / bmw 1 5 doors / daewoo-chevrolet lacetti / ford focus 5 doors - european version...
As your club is one of the largest subaru's clubs in world i suggest you make a protest letter to the company for this mess.

I couldn't agree more, I wasn't even that butt-hurt over the switch to the hatch since I like the wagons anyway. My single biggest gripe is the total lack of character this car has. It's totally non-Subaru.

What happened... Whenever a new body style comes out It seems that I start out not liking it. However they all seem to grow on me, but this is one body style that I am pretty sure that I am not going to like. Subaru seems to be desiging this car for an older more refined market. When they should be styling the Impreza for the 16-30 year olds who are currently buying them!

God Speed on the Re-design, with hopefully some performance improvement also not just terrible styling.... :furious:

Phew! I was starting to get a little nervous. When I bought my 07 I kept thinking, "maybe I should wait for the new one". Hah! I wouldn't even recommend that thing to my sister!

Still lovin' my 07, but Subaru, you f****d up.

I like it! I like the looks of it a lot, especially the front. Looks aggressive, like an evil face with eyes squinting at you.

I think what is throwing some people off is the non-aggressive, boring looking wheels. Change those and it may surprise a lot of people. I don't like the wheels. :furious:

I remember when the WRX first came over here and how a large majority of people did not like the looks of it. Same things were being said of that car as this car. It is just a cycle.

its weird. in the past the sedan has always been the smaller impreza and now its the big one.

Hideous and disgusting.
Front is off a Chrysler/Corolla/Camry
Back is a Corolla/tribeca crap with clear tails. BARF!
Overall egg-shaped 5-door hatch instead of the beautiful wagon rear end from MYs 02-07. I hate the C-Pillar especially. I love the hidden C-Pillar of my wagon.

Looks like a crap econo-car. All the agressiveness is gone. What was wrong with the awesome 06-07 front end? It was beautiful, aggressive and unique. Hopefully no one will buy any and they'll restyle it again next year. Too bad that'll just propogate the stupid lie that Americans won't buy hatchbacks. They don't buy UGLY hatchbacks like this or UGLY AND SLOW hatchbacks like the 04 Civic Si. Good looking fast hatchbacks will sell.

They brag that this new WRX gets a 10% boost in fuel economy. Why does it still run a 5-speed?!?! WRX is LONG overdue for a 6-speed. :furious:

Anyone have for certain that the U.S is getting a Diesel?

everyone said the 06' was ugly as f***, but hey look now, everyone loves it. only time will tell .....


I actually like the 06/07 look. I haven't been around Imprezas much, am looking at them for the first time as I'm car shopping for the first time in 8 years. I don't like the hatch idea for 08. The new front styling could grow on me I'm sure, but I do prefer the 06 grill believe it or not, and liked it from the first I saw it. I don't even know what exactly the term "bugeye" refers to so I don't know how to compare with that.

I really liked the WRX Limited for 2007, but I'm annoyed that it's too small for me, my head rubs where the moonroof frame/mechanism takes away from headspace above the fabric. Grr!

this is where the legacy steps it up. the 08 is beautiful.

I actually like the 06/07 look. I haven't been around Imprezas much, am looking at them for the first time as I'm car shopping for the first time in 8 years. I don't like the hatch idea for 08. The new front styling could grow on me I'm sure, but I do prefer the 06 grill believe it or not, and liked it from the first I saw it. I don't even know what exactly the term "bugeye" refers to so I don't know how to compare with that.

I really liked the WRX Limited for 2007, but I'm annoyed that it's too small for me, my head rubs where the moonroof frame/mechanism takes away from headspace above the fabric. Grr!

well there is an easy (but costly) solution...get a bride seat with some low seat rails :)

Anyone have for certain that the U.S is getting a Diesel?

I'd say right now it's unlikely seeing as the Mercedes BlueTec E320 is the only new car with a Diesel engine. California, where I'm in, definitely won't be getting it because of stupid CARB laws. Stupid CARB wants us buying rip-off Hybrids. :furious:

Although I didn't read all 19 pages of responses, I am shocked at how little discussion there has been over the mechanical changes. The vast majority of posts are "omg it's so ugly", "it looks just like a mazda/corolla/saab/cheap korean car/etc," "it's the suxorz." I thought this was a performance oriented site. Styling is always subjective and most of the time people dislike any form of change. The critics hated the bugeyes, but a lot of people love them. People said they hated the 06 when the pictures were first released, but love them now because of the engine.
These are the important things I read:

Good:
Legacy GT engine, TMIC and turbo (VF40?) More headroom for tuning without upgrading TMIC or turbo.
Larger brake rotors.
A touch lighter.
Upgraded suspension. (still have not read any specifics)
Quicker steering ratio.

Bad:
No more 4 pots
Look to be heavy wheels
Scoop integrated with hood.

Unknown:
What size wheel / tire will fit?
Are there any changes to 5 speed from 06 / 07?
What aftermarket TMICs / FMICs will fit?
What changes to the ECU?
What are the gear and final ratios?
What is the interior space? (head room, leg room, etc. I'm 6'5", I gotta know if I'll fit.)
What aftermarked parts for current Legacy GT and Impreza will still fit?
And the biggest unknown, the STI.

I still can't believe there hasn't been more discussion about this stuff. This is what I am interested in, not what creative insults people can come with to describe the new look. So, let me know what I missed or screwed up or tell me to get lost so you can continue to trade insults.

-Mike

Although I didn't read all 19 pages of responses, I am shocked at how little discussion there has been over the mechanical changes. The vast majority of posts are "omg it's so ugly", "it looks just like a mazda/corolla/saab/cheap korean car/etc," "it's the suxorz." I thought this was a performance oriented site. Styling is always subjective and most of the time people dislike any form of change. The critics hated the bugeyes, but a lot of people love them. People said they hated the 06 when the pictures were first released, but love them now because of the engine.
These are the important things I read:

Good:
Legacy GT engine, TMIC and turbo (VF40?) More headroom for tuning without upgrading TMIC or turbo.
Larger brake rotors.
A touch lighter.
Upgraded suspension. (still have not read any specifics)
Quicker steering ratio.

Bad:
No more 4 pots
Look to be heavy wheels
Scoop integrated with hood.

Unknown:
What size wheel / tire will fit?
Are there any changes to 5 speed from 06 / 07?
What aftermarket TMICs / FMICs will fit?
What changes to the ECU?
What are the gear and final ratios?
What is the interior space? (head room, leg room, etc. I'm 6'5", I gotta know if I'll fit.)
What aftermarked parts for current Legacy GT and Impreza will still fit?
And the biggest unknown, the STI.

I still can't believe there hasn't been more discussion about this stuff. This is what I am interested in, not what creative insults people can come with to describe the new look. So, let me know what I missed or screwed up or tell me to get lost so you can continue to trade insults.

-Mike


Most intelligent post of the thread.

I disagree about it being an intelligent post, especially not the most intelligent.

No one cares because it's so ugly no one will buy it. No doubt the atrocities done on the outside are hints of what's been done on the inside.

Subaru changed the rear suspension mainly for more trunk space. That's never good. Nissan did the same thing to the G20/Primera except a little worse. Independent rear to mutlilink beam.

4 Pots going away is probably why it needs larger rotors.

Quicker steering is a plus, since it was behind the Evo.

Integrated scoop is not a bad thing.

5-speeds gearing is probably changed a little because they claim an increase in fuel economy. That probably means a taller 5th. Again, not good for the sportiness. 6-speed from STi desperately still needed in the WRX.

Interior space has increased all around no doubt. Especially in the back. Longer wheelbase. Again, trunk floor space increased (although with the hatch design total space probably equal to the old wagon)

No one's said it in the thread, but world wide the WRX will be 5-door. North America is the only place getting a Sedan WRX. STi will be the 5-door.

This model looks to be cost cutting garbage inside and out.

A Toyota Corolla was raped by a raccoon and had a bastard baby.

:eek:

Hmmmmm

It's a head turner, for sure. I turned my head and puked.

I never bitched about the looks before. It's not looks that first attracted me. however, JEEZ! That's getting Aztec ugly. Makes my decision to buy a used STi an easy one.

Actually, I'm kinda grateful at Subaru. They just made my next purchase so much easier. I was up in the air in replacing my GC8 with an STI or a G35 coupe. Seeing as how Infinity didn't **** up their restyling like Subaru did, you all know what I'm buying next. http://www.freebmw.net/obyone/Emoticons_Threads/Forum%20Pics/01%20-%20Smilies/monkeyFlip.gif

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( The hatch looks like the focus, mazda3, and the old civic si hatch had an orgie.... The sedan I will have to see in person......the sedan looks like a mazda 3 and an 06-07 wrx got it on in the back room of an auto show..


it looks like a newer bodystyle hyundai/kia got in on the action too.

new body FTL

5-speeds gearing is probably changed a little because they claim an increase in fuel economy. That probably means a taller 5th. Again, not good for the sportiness. 6-speed from STi desperately still needed in the WRX.

:lol: When was the last time you were racing around in 5th? :rolleyes:

Besides, why would they put a very expensive 6 spd tranny in their bargain sports compact and significantly raise the base price of the vehicle?

For one thing, the change in brakes doesn't exactly mean a "downgrade." Whether or not they were actually cheaper, I don't know but since this IS the current legacy platform, it wholly makes sense to use the GT brake system, rear suspension (double wish bone... good system!) engine, turbo, etc. I'm sure it's got LGT gears too. As for the same "power" as the old WRX (except with a lower torque peak, etc.), I'm sure thats simply to keep their budget racer from trumping their flagship sedan right out of the box. Given the same turbo, etc. and the extremely low torque peak, EM should open up ALOT of power right away.

Actually, I'm kinda grateful at Subaru. They just made my next purchase so much easier. I was up in the air in replacing my GC8 with an STI or a G35 coupe. Seeing as how Infinity didn't **** up their restyling like Subaru did, you all know what I'm buying next. http://www.freebmw.net/obyone/Emoticons_Threads/Forum%20Pics/01%20-%20Smilies/monkeyFlip.gif

G37 looks like an ugly piece of crap too. All the lines have been destroyed. The concept they showed last year was much better.

:lol: When was the last time you were racing around in 5th? :rolleyes:

Besides, why would they put a very expensive 6 spd tranny in their bargain sports compact and significantly raise the base price of the vehicle?

Exactly, fifth is too tall as it is to be usable. 6-speed isn't expensive and they've been raising the base price every year anyway. If you mass produce a product, it's cheaper. The 6-speed is in the STi and GT Spec B. Put it in the WRX and it gets even cheaper. The 6-speed with a tall 6th would be better for fuel economy while adding sportiness. Why do you think Germans are making 6 and 7 speed automatics?

For one thing, the change in brakes doesn't exactly mean a "downgrade." Whether or not they were actually cheaper, I don't know but since this IS the current legacy platform, it wholly makes sense to use the GT brake system, rear suspension (double wish bone... good system!) engine, turbo, etc. I'm sure it's got LGT gears too. As for the same "power" as the old WRX (except with a lower torque peak, etc.), I'm sure thats simply to keep their budget racer from trumping their flagship sedan right out of the box. Given the same turbo, etc. and the extremely low torque peak, EM should open up ALOT of power right away.

Yes, the brakes are a downgrade. They may have the same stopping power because they're bigger, but they're added weight as well. It's a cost cutting measure.

Edmunds says it's a double-wishbone rear suspension, but I don't think they know what they're talking about. Motor Trend says it's an unequal control-arm suspension. That's aka unequal double-wishbone (A misnomer), but it's nowhere near the same thing. It's basically a cheaper version of a multi-link. They both state it's for more trunk room and mention nothing of performance benefit.

WRX should always beat the Legacy GT. The GT is a GT, the WRX is the sporty car. It's lighter, rougher, faster. They get the same power, engine, and tranny, but the Spec B gets the STi 6-speed.

6-speed isn't expensive and they've been raising the base price every year anyway. If you mass produce a product, it's cheaper.

When was the last time you priced one?

And yes, mass producing a product makes it cheaper. That's why they make more 5 spds than 6 spds.

people said an did the same negative things bashing on the car when it first got released, 02-03's and the 06-07's, but now everyone its pretty ok with them. im pretty sure everyone will get use to this 2008

wtf thats not a ****ing rally car!! jesus christ gay as ****. omg

people said an did the same negative things bashing on the car when it first got released, 02-03's and the 06-07's, but now everyone its pretty ok with them. im pretty sure everyone will get use to this 2008


what are u stupid? that isnt a rally inspired car AT ALL PERIOD. its luxury. thats so stupid. i honestly cannot stand up for subaru anymore. stupidest move yet

I really hope that the new motor and the differences are easier to pull power out of because I think they definitely have taken a huge step down in the looks department. It kinda makes me sad and sick to my stomach to see such a "nice" corolla-looking thing. I'm sure there are a lot of other sad suby owners now. It looks like something that's supposed to be half electric and get 60 miles to the gallon. I guess we'll just have to see what Mitsubishi does and hope that when the new Suby is actually released that it is better than what most of us think now. Welp. 'Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

It has a sad and strange resemblance.
http://i15.tinypic.com/2iigz83.jpg
http://i17.tinypic.com/2r2yaud.jpg

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Yep, that resemblance is exactly what I was thinking. Now look at the new EVO. Mitsu has it right. It's got a mean look. The new impreza looks like something my grandma would be driving. I'll buy the EVO.

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/22-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg

Meh, Ill wait to see what the new STI looks like before I make judgements on the impreza or subaru as a whole. But yeah this one we are seeing now is what my grandma whould drive and is pretty pathetic in the looks department. As for the Evo X its pretty crappy looking too though, a large departure from the IX and dosent really look all that much like a rally car either. Makes me glad I went ahead and got a 06 STI when I did.

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Yep, that resemblance is exactly what I was thinking. Now look at the new EVO. Mitsu has it right. It's got a mean look. The new impreza looks like something my grandma would be driving. I'll buy the EVO.

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/22-2008-mitsubishi-prototype-x.jpg

Reminds me of a lot of high school/college kids. For some reason they have to have a "mean, aggressive" looking car to show how tough they are or something. Funny part is, every time I look over to see the driver, 9 times out of 10 it's some scrawny little dork that looks llike he lives in his parents basement. lol. The new version looks fine and is a big improvement over the pig snout grill or the 2002 Dodge Neon with a hood scoop joke. With more main stream styling Subaru will sell a lot more of these to people who don't want to be associated with boy racer high school kids. I'll bet you they sell more of these than last years version.

The 02-03 great I own one
So are the 04-05 actually like it better
06-07 looks good too....
But this 2008 TurboCharged granny-mobile hatchCrap disgust me !
The sedan is alright just looks like a upgraded Corrolla S with Suby Mods

Subaru really needs to make it up with the STi Model
and I don't know if they can dig themselves out of this big crater they created for themselves.

well i work a target and i was walking by the magazine section about a week or so ago and i didn't give the new car and driver a second look cause all i saw was a car that looked like a ford focus. then i actually stopped later cause a friend said the wrx was in the mag so i looked and actually felt sick to think that this company that we all love would make their car look like some american piece of crap. it was bad enough that they changed the different versions of imprezas and other cars(i.e. 2.5i and 2.5 ts) but that i could deal with. i still love subarus but i hope this gen doesn't last long. i love all impreza, w