Purchasing a New Impreza 2.5 RS

Greetings Everyone,
I'm thinking of purchasing the 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS. Here in Ottawa the MSRP is $26995 for the 4dr Sedan 5spd. First, how much will I be able to knock off the MSRP? Second, interms of body integrity, how well does the 4dr compare to the 2dr coup?
Who is the prefered dealer in the Ottawa area?

I test drove the 2.5 RS today, and was quite impressed. It does not quite pull as hard as an Eagle Talon (210Hp) yet it is much better behaved in braking and handling. What kind of mods should I consider to get the top end?

I appreciate your time and knowledge.
Thanks,
Michael

[This message has been edited by mvitic (edited October 13, 2000).]

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[Nigel]

Before I bought my Legacy Turbo, I got a quote from a dealer in Toronto for an RS 2 door for I think it was $26200 (2 door MSRP is $26695). This included everything, like freight ($800+), a/c and gas tax, and metalic paint ($200), but not gst and pst. I don't know how you'll do in Ottawa though. A friend in Calgary couldn't get the dealer to go below the MSRP price.

As for 2 door vs 4 door, the cars are almost identical with the exception of the number of doors and the different rear spoiler. But the floor pans are identical so don't buy the 4 door thinking that you are getting more interior room.

My personal preference is for the two door. To me, it looks much sharper. I equate 4 doors with hauling people, not hauling a$$! Also, I'm very tall and I find the longer door of the two door makes it easier to get in and out of the car. However, as I have found with the Legacy, the shorter door of the 4 door means that you can open it wider in a tight parking space.

Structurally, I don't think there is much difference, and the weight difference is minimal as well.

So, unless you really have a need for slightly easier access to the back seat that a 4 door offers to justify the extra cost, why not get the 2 door?

As for mods, an intake and exhaust will give you modest results. For real power, it's either cams, or a turbo for the ultimate thrill.

Nigel

[Wrx31]

Hey, welcome!

why don't you wait for the new WRX? Heard it is going to cost only a little more than the current RS. In that case, forget about the mods. It will kick A$$!

I think the chasis on the coupe is slightly better than the sedan. (Not sure about this one. Correct me if I am wrong.)

Got mine '99 coupe for 24,000 plus taxes.

[Robin2]

mvitic,

For the impreza, where about are you from in Ottawa? You have a few choice in Ottawa (3 dealers) and then there's a few more around town (within 2 hours drive)...

For top end... you could change the muffler and add a Scoobysport exhaust (form www.spdusa.com), intake, cams...

It all depends what you want to do and how much you're willing to spend.

For more info, email me at robin@ottawasubaru.com

Later...

Robin
National Capital Subaru CLub www.ottawasubaru.com

[markus]

As it relates to structural strength, sedan are typicallt always stronger than coupes since the door openings are not as large. I believe the Impreza is no exception.

To my knowledge the only reason they went with a coupe for the WRC car was due to the huge flares that they put on the body to accomodate larger tires.

For the most part, the sedan is the car of choice throughout the world and it is really only in North America that the coupe has a following. Everywhere else its a limited run model. There are a number of reasons why the sedan is the car of choice (mostly for insurance purposes), but in reality the structural difference between a coupe and a sedan are fairly small.

Cheers,
MB

Hi,

I bought my 2001 RS three weeks ago and it cost me just over 32000 (all inclusive) from Otto's on Richmond.
I've just moved over here from the UK so I don't know whether that was a good price or not. Then again, compared to the UK price (about 44000) it's a bargain :-)

Cheers,
Stef

[Hoopster]

Stef,

I know what you mean, I don't think I could have ever afforded an Impreza in the UK (I've been here three years), but here it's like wonderland !!

Hoops

Hoops,

And then there's the "half-price" fuel - fantastic! :-)

Stef
[where you from BTW?]

[youthanasia]

Wow... and here we are complaining about gas prices =P

[Hoopster]

Stef,

Gotta love the fuel ! Heading home at Xmas and I'm stuck with a ****ty little car because of the petrol prices....

I'm from the Wirral near Liverpool, but don't hold that against me, I'm alright really !!! What about you ?

Hoops,

I'm from Nottingham (THE best city in the world - not that I'm biased ) So, did Canadians have trouble understanding your accent when you first got over here?

BTW, how safe is it to leave your car down there in Toronto? I'm thinking of heading down in a couple of weeks but heard that car crime is quite bad.

Stef

[Gambit]

Go to a sedan Impreza and look at the b pillar. On the ceilling you youshould be able to feel a hump...it is the extra beam which 4drs have over the 2drs. Hence it's more rigid. Also if you head off to subaru.ca, it lists the sedan is acually lighter than the coupe! Have you felt how heavy the coupe dr is?!

Thanks for the info everyone!

Does anyone know what are the specs going to be for the WRX version of the impreza that is going to be sold in Canada, and what will be the MSRP?

Michael

[markus]

mvitic,

Only rumours and speculation!

200+ hp and around C$30,000 from what I've heard.

Cheers,
MB

[jackwei]

the 2-door impreza shell was found to be weaker than the 4-door in the design process, but they strengthened it, so it actually is stronger than the 4 door.

[tulit]

Closer to $40,000 CAN actually ;-)

[Hoopster]

Stef,

I have replied off topic to save everyone else having to read my chatter !

Hoops