('08-'10) 08 2.5i

[made in china]

Originally Posted by Chava

Pictures of the car do it no justice. It looks small and scrawny in most of the photos I've seen. However, in person it's a different story. I'm in love with my 08 hatchback. They really did a good job on the styling. I love the long front end too, looks sexy. Anyhow, don't let it bother you, you have a bad ass car. heres a dancing banana

The 4 door, in my mind, does look a bit plain. Not ugly by any means, just plain. Looking at the car though, it reminds me of the 90's styling. It's kind of a nice retro subaru look on the vehicle. It gives you a nostalgic feeling. The hatchback is where it's at though, for me anyhow. = )

Chava

Yeah, the 08's look better than I thought they would. Now when I see the <07's, I really feel they are old, outdated and not nearly as classy looking as these new ones. My wife's friends mistook her car (08 hatch) for a new BMW wagon.

My co-worker bought a 2.5i Sedan with PP and WRX wing, and I gotta say it looks pretty good! If you look at some of my older posts, I bashed pretty hard on the new 08's, now I realize I was all worked up over nothing. The 08's definitely outclass the previous generation.

Of course, the <07's had alot going for them that Subaru left out of the new car, like upholstered door panels and vinyl padded dash, but overall Subaru did OK with the content shifting.

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[Bucky92]

Originally Posted by Slightlychilled

Got my tint and a muffler tip to day will post pics in the am.

You better!! What % did you go with the tint?? I went 20% on mine ( Legal here is 35%oops ):



How can anyone say these cars aren't gorgeous? That OBP Sport is just making me drool..The body kit on the Silver ..breath taking! I think those who say how "ugly" our cars are ..are just jealous. Its just a HUGE improvement over my 93 Imp..its almost as fun to drive as my XT6. And its comfortable..2600 miles R/T to Florida without any back problems or fatigue. I just wish I would have gotten the alloys instead of cheaping out..but maybe soon some of you will be getting new rims and I can sneak in and grab your alloys

[Slightlychilled]

30% tint all around just a muff tip for now holding off for SPT stuff to come out.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...d/100_0037.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...d/100_0039.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...d/100_0036.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...d/100_0038.jpg

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by Chava

I'd like to do this actually. I assume it will fit up perfectly? How would I get my hands on a stock wrx rear sway bar? and would it come with all the hardware to mount it, bushings, etc?

Thanks
Chava

Edit: Thanks Zordos, I was considering ordering some of those. Let us know how it goes with making them fit properly.

go to your parts department at your subaru dealer.


if they need a serial number to find the parts, pick one from a wrx in their lot

[ArcticRobot]

There is Rallitek sway bar available for 2008 Imprezas.
http://www.rallitek.com/20imsu.html

whoosh: what are rear and front bumper underguards made of: aluminum or just heavy duty plastic? They are available for Imprezas and I'm considering on purchasing one(if it's metal)

[Zordos]

i'm thinkin of replacing the stock tubing between the maf and tb with a somewhat straight pipe. would this have a negative effect since the maf won't picked up the changed airflow since it starts right after it?

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by uzhas

There is Rallitek sway bar available for 2008 Imprezas.
http://www.rallitek.com/20imsu.html

whoosh: what are rear and front bumper underguards made of: aluminum or just heavy duty plastic? They are available for Imprezas and I'm considering on purchasing one(if it's metal)

the silver trim peices are plastic....like the rest of the car



as far as the rear swaybar goes, i would just get the wrx setup from subaru.

you'll have a lot less trouble.

[outlaw2005]

I've been thinking about getting an 08 2.5i. I have an 05 STI right now, but the upkeep and gas costs are just getting too much for me, especially because I am planning to buy a house soon.

I haven't decided if I should trade the STI in or try to sell it privately. What is the general consensus? Other than a couple of scrapes on the back bumper, it's in great condition. I feel like I could get more for it selling it than trading it in, but that would be more of a hassle for me.

[Retribution]

The downside about the '08 2.5i is that they don't have a temperature gauge just this icon that lights blue when you first start your car to indicate you should let it warm up till it goes away. boo

[Slightlychilled]

No the down side is the road noise if a small rock hit the underside of car... WOW it's like you'r car got shot by a cannon ball. Or if you would like an auto WRX it's $3,100.00 more then a stick,you need to get the prem pack to get auto thats bull, but the base impreza you do not need the prem pack.thats a BIG down side but I do love my car.

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by Retribution

The downside about the '08 2.5i is that they don't have a temperature gauge just this icon that lights blue when you first start your car to indicate you should let it warm up till it goes away. boo

and when do you really need a needle anyway?



i'm sure it will turn red before the engine explodes.



as my father use to say "the more there is on a car, the more there is to break down"

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by outlaw2005

I've been thinking about getting an 08 2.5i. I have an 05 STI right now, but the upkeep and gas costs are just getting too much for me, especially because I am planning to buy a house soon.

I haven't decided if I should trade the STI in or try to sell it privately. What is the general consensus? Other than a couple of scrapes on the back bumper, it's in great condition. I feel like I could get more for it selling it than trading it in, but that would be more of a hassle for me.

if you own the car outright then it's cheaper to keep it.


i get 19 city 30 highway (cruiseing 65)


do the math. it's cheaper to keep the car and spent it on gas.

[ArcticRobot]

Originally Posted by whoosh

the silver trim peices are plastic....like the rest of the car



as far as the rear swaybar goes, i would just get the wrx setup from subaru.

you'll have a lot less trouble.

Thanks, man. Saved me couple hundreds here. Subaru charges a fortune for plastic underguards.

[Bucky92]

Originally Posted by whoosh

as my father use to say "the more there is on a car, the more there is to break down"

+ 100000 I wish more people would understand this. Thats why I bought the base 2.5i and have been adding the little things piece by piece.

Like why get the built i GPS? To me thats a HUGE waste..I have a Navagon and I can swap that from car to car..have life time traffic etc..so when the stereo in my Imp goes south..all I have to do is toss an aftermarket in.

I am still super happy though..have 6200 miles on it already..in 2 months..Love driving this car!

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by uzhas

Thanks, man. Saved me couple hundreds here. Subaru charges a fortune for plastic underguards.

my subaru parts department gives me 10%-20% off for being a nasioc member.


you just have to ask, the only thing they can do is say no

[whoosh]

as far as the rear swaybar goes, the aftermarket bushings don't hold the grease more than 4 months, at the best. so you'll be loosening them up, cleaning them out, and re-greasing them 4 times a year. the stock bar rubber bushing are better because they have more torsional flex so you don't have to grease them on a regular basis.

i bet that the front 2.5i bar is the same diameter as the one on the wrx. if it is then i'd get the wrx sway so the cars balance isn't "upset." too strong of a rear sway will give you oversteer and the front will want to slide laterally instead of a slight roll and the tires slightly digging in. also a stiff bar may damage your wheel bearings over a shorter period of time than normal.

[Retribution]

Originally Posted by whoosh

and when do you really need a needle anyway?



i'm sure it will turn red before the engine explodes.



as my father use to say "the more there is on a car, the more there is to break down"

Your right, I just hope the red light comes on before the engine blows up. Another thing I've noticed is that when I hit a minor bump the dash near the passenger side I hear a noise like a loose part. Anyone else get that? I'm guessing it's because of the hard plastic on the car or the crappy glove box (cause it feels cheap).

I'm getting a little annoyed by the sound sometimes. ugh.

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by Retribution

Your right, I just hope the red light comes on before the engine blows up. Another thing I've noticed is that when I hit a minor bump the dash near the passenger side I hear a noise like a loose part. Anyone else get that? I'm guessing it's because of the hard plastic on the car or the crappy glove box (cause it feels cheap).

I'm getting a little annoyed by the sound sometimes. ugh.

on the 05+ legacy one of the problems was the glove box. the hinge has too much play.

[Slightlychilled]

Japanese License Plate
08
NA25I

on the way just thought I would share.

[Chava]

Originally Posted by whoosh

as far as the rear swaybar goes, the aftermarket bushings don't hold the grease more than 4 months, at the best. so you'll be loosening them up, cleaning them out, and re-greasing them 4 times a year. the stock bar rubber bushing are better because they have more torsional flex so you don't have to grease them on a regular basis.

i bet that the front 2.5i bar is the same diameter as the one on the wrx. if it is then i'd get the wrx sway so the cars balance isn't "upset." too strong of a rear sway will give you oversteer and the front will want to slide laterally instead of a slight roll and the tires slightly digging in. also a stiff bar may damage your wheel bearings over a shorter period of time than normal.

Great info thanks Whoosh. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Chav

[made in china]

Originally Posted by whoosh

and when do you really need a needle anyway?



i'm sure it will turn red before the engine explodes.



as my father use to say "the more there is on a car, the more there is to break down"

Since when did a lack of equipment make a car more reliable? I have never heard of a water temp gauge causing reliability problems. And I have seen just as many manual crank windows jam up as I've seen power windows go bad, and I have seen far more power window cars than crank window cars (as an example)

Originally Posted by Bucky92

+ 100000 I wish more people would understand this. Thats why I bought the base 2.5i and have been adding the little things piece by piece.

Like why get the built i GPS? To me thats a HUGE waste..I have a Navagon and I can swap that from car to car..have life time traffic etc..so when the stereo in my Imp goes south..all I have to do is toss an aftermarket in.

I am still super happy though..have 6200 miles on it already..in 2 months..Love driving this car!

Base 2.5i: No rear discs, BIG NO NO. What does Navi have to do with the PP? The PP comes with things that do NOT alter the 2.5i's long term reliability. Let's see, fog lights, rear discs, steering wheel controls, 6disc MP3, alloy wheels, etc etc don't make the car less reliable.

If it makes you feel better, than go ahead and think you have a more reliable car. Me, I'd just say you have a more stripped down car.

[Slightlychilled]

"made in china" I think you miss the point

[Bucky92]

I think you missed the point too...down the road..5-10 years from now..you think that Navi system is still going to work? What we are saying is the more crap that is added..IE..these cars with heated seats..those remote door and hatch openers...hot and cold cup holders..stuff like that.. thats the stuff that goes wrong. .. I am a car collector and I restore for a hobby...I bought my 08 because I drive 100 miles a day to work. I chose the stripped down model cause I plan to have it for 10 or more years...The less it has..the less things break..get it? If I got a loaded car with power seats,Navi..etc etc etc ..guaranteed in 10 years..most of it will not be working anymore.Not saying its less reliable.
For example..I have an 83 GL-10 coupe with the ( cool at the time) Digital dash...guess what...it doesnt work...and to find a working one is not that easy.( If you are not up on your pre Impreza Subarus...you will know that GL-10s were your top trim packages of the day).

Gadgets are cool...if you dont plan on keeping your car much more then 5 years...for those of us who do keep ours a long time..gadgets are a curse. ( And rear disks arent that important to me..been driving many cars without disks for years...plus I can swap them out in less then 2 hours)

[ArcticRobot]

Actually, dealerships are having huge troubles selling base models. That's what dealer told me. Because just for +1500 for Premium package you get: rear disk brakes, vehicle dynamics/traction control, fog lights, alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel, 10-speaker sound. I know, only first two matters, but they are worth it.

[RLW]

With today's interest rates, every $1000 that is financed (based on a 60 month term) will cost you about $20 more per month. Therefor, a $1500 increase in cost equals about a dollar a day more on a monthly payment. That premium package ends up being a pretty good deal for some.