Was the 2.5RS just a test?

slidewaysmike · 08-15-2001, 08:30 PM

I was wondering if anyone else thought that maybe Subaru was thinking of bringing the new WRX here all the way back in 98. So what they did was use the 2.5RS as a market test to see what kind of interest there was?
I am almost convinced that this is the case. If it is, then pretty much anyone who purchased a 2.5RS played an integral role in getting the WRX here. Wouldn't that be nice?

Just curious.

Mike

Gerlando · 08-15-2001, 08:35 PM

I think it would be a safe bet to say that ALL current vehicles are market tests for future products. The RS will preclude the WRX which will hopefully preclude the STi which will preclude the Legacy B4!

At least that would be my product launch list if I was in charge!
-Gerlando.
http://www.clubSTi.com

FuJi K · 08-15-2001, 10:48 PM

IMO.................i think it was a test!!!

Tony · 08-15-2001, 11:33 PM

I can't see it any other way. They stick an engine designed to push around automatic Outbacks into their smallist chassis and tack on cheesey wings and scoops off the WRX. Luckily it turned out okay (except for the lame suspension and tires). Seems like a smart move. If they'd just jumped in with the WRX in 98 they wouldn't have the sales or performance image they have due to the 2.5 RS. Makes selling the WRX easier and a surer bet.

Tony

ivbdn · 08-15-2001, 11:39 PM

It's a test. Why else would SOA reply w/ things like thank you for your interest in blah blah blah car. Unfortunately...you get the picture.

Flowmastered87GL · 08-16-2001, 02:33 AM

I'm pretty sure it was a test, I believe the good sales of the 2.5RS sedan was the reasoning behind making the WRX a sedan and not a coupe. Even though I never see 2.5 RS sedans, i heard in the last year (or 2?) they outsold the 2.5RS coupes

Hmmm with the # of subies around here it seems like I would see more sedans, but I dont...

Penphoe · 08-16-2001, 02:59 AM

SOA/C would have sold if they also had an RS wagon! I'd buy one for sure!

LaterZ!
Darren!!

jim-bob · 08-16-2001, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Penphoe
SOA/C would have sold if they also had an RS wagon! I'd buy one for sure!

yeah, i would've bought one a few years ago. instead i just beat the piss out of my old legacy wagon until the wrx showed up.. not that i mind too much.

sjt · 08-16-2001, 03:21 AM

maybe if we're really LUCKY and I mean REALLY, this WRX thing could be the precursor to the STi which would hopefully lead to (sorry not the B4 RSK) but like an RB5 or UK300 (both Prodrive twists on a good idea) or even better the JDM twist on it, a 22B-STi!!! How dope would that be???

slidewaysmike · 08-16-2001, 03:41 AM

sjt--> now that would be really cool. I guess it is a good thing that WRXs are selling like hotcakes. Maybe SOA will decide to bring the STi or STi type RA or maybe the B4. I bet there are a few people who would love to see the Forester performnce version come here also. What is that called again?

Mike

sjt · 08-16-2001, 12:31 PM

Forester R Turbo!!!

25RS · 08-16-2001, 02:21 PM

i personally don't think it was a test. the JDM wrx's were turbo charged cars and the only thing the usdm imprezas had in common with them were the chassis.
since the new age imprezas looks nothing like the GC body styles, how was it considered a test?

Testing styling or engines?
2.5 RS (same chassis no turbo which we got)
JDM WRX (same chassis with turbo which never came)
USDM 2002 WRX (different chassis with turbo which we ended up with)

Umm what were they testing? whether we liked turbo (of course we do) or the new age styling which doesnt resemble the 98-01 RS's. just adding my 2 cents worth of thoughts.

- Jon

SlideWRX · 08-16-2001, 02:48 PM

they were testing the market reaction to a subaru branded performance/image car.

I think when the SVX came out, so few in the US knew of any racing /performance heritage that subaru didn't get the response they wanted. I think that prompted the RS, which was cheaper and (sort-of) more conservative. I think they knew the RS would help them build thier performance image better (especially considering the resemblance to the rally car - image wise) and prepare the US for a WRX release.

they weren't testing specific styling or performance, but rather rally inspired styling and performance. I think that if they brought over the WRX way back when it was first available, it would have had a much slower start, which didn't make good business sense.

Plus, the SVX and the RS also let subaru understand the market and time the release of the WRX to get great reviews.

also remember that when the SVX came out, subaru was in financial trouble and was saved by the outback, in the SUV craze. A little later subaru announced it would stop making 2wd vehicles, since they sold so few. I don't think subaru could have brought the WRX over back in the 90's because of the financial risk. Subaru didn't know if it would sell well enough to cover the expense.

slidewaysmike · 08-16-2001, 02:53 PM

Well said Slide- (Cool name by the way)

They were testing whether or not a performance oriented Subaru would sell very well in America.

I don't believe they were testing the turbo concept, because we already had turbo Subarus here. They probably also were trying to determine how many WRXs they could sell in America based on sales numbers from the RS.

Thats what I think anyway.

Mike

25RS · 08-16-2001, 03:26 PM

i totally agree that subaru was testing us by bringing over the 2.5 RS which was a watered-down-rally-INSPIRED-"performance"-vehicle. i also believe they noticed the fact that many RS owners were going out of their way spending alot of money trying to bring the usdm imprezas up to par in performance with the turbo wrx's we never got. this may also have contributed to their decision to sell factory boosted 2002 imprezas here.
therefore, 2002 WRX owners must thanks us by loaning out their cars to 98-01 RS owners for a week to show their appreciation.
2002 RS owners will need to stand in line behind the owners of 98-01 RS's waiting for their turbo kits.

- Jon

goobie · 08-16-2001, 03:36 PM

I may be way off in left field here, but it seems that if subaru was using the rs as a base upon which to project future saled of WRX then in my opinion they would have pushed a little harder with the marketing of the RS. The RS is not a car that everybody know about, infact it's probably one of the least known compacts out there. Subaru has really put a BIG effort into marketing the WRX since its release in north america and almost anyone who knows anything at all about car knows of its existance and reputation. When people ask me what I drive and I tell them a "subaru impreza" the normal responce I get is "Is that the really cool looking fast car in thoes commercials?" Then of course I end up having to explain the RS, In fact I'm so sick of that queston that now depending on who is asking I will just smile and nod.

Iowannaski · 08-16-2001, 03:42 PM

My understanding was that the RS was the best substitute they could come up with for the WRX until they could get the WRX to pass US crash test/emission regulations. It's a little convoluted, but I doubt they made much money off the RS. One of my favorite "features" that shows just how hard they were trying to keep the price of the RS down is the missing trunk light. I don't know, but the common thinking is that we would have seen a GC8 WRX, but for US crash testing. And I'm suggesting the volume wouldn't have justified the cost of the donor cars, rather reengineering the cars to pass the tests was the prohibitive cost factor.
my 1/50 of a dollar.

Iowannaski · 08-16-2001, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goobie
When people ask me what I drive and I tell them a "subaru impreza" the normal responce I get is "Is that the really cool looking fast car in thoes commercials?"

Do you also explain to them that the car in the commercials isn't really cool looking?

jetfire67 · 08-16-2001, 04:12 PM

yup, we were all test subjects...just a bunch of lab rats!

blaster88 · 08-16-2001, 06:07 PM

I don't think it was a test.

It was a car designed to sell to a new market, for them.

The 98 might have been a test, that's why they only made 400 something of them. The response was good, so they made more of the Imprezas like that in the following years.

The WRX is coming because people wanted them. I would put no small part of the responsibility for the arrival of the turbo Impreza to US shores on this bulletin board.

rogue · 08-16-2001, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jetfire67
yup, we were all test subjects...just a bunch of lab rats!

And that makes the Blaze Yellow WRX... the cheese at the end of the maze?

alexs001 · 08-16-2001, 10:48 PM

The cheese stands alone!

Tkacik · 08-16-2001, 10:56 PM

Yep...just a test, and I like the results

08-15-2001, 08:30 PM	#1
slidewaysmike Scooby Specialist Member#: 3517 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: New Albany, OH Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Silver	Was the 2.5RS just a test? I was wondering if anyone else thought that maybe Subaru was thinking of bringing the new WRX here all the way back in 98. So what they did was use the 2.5RS as a market test to see what kind of interest there was? I am almost convinced that this is the case. If it is, then pretty much anyone who purchased a 2.5RS played an integral role in getting the WRX here. Wouldn't that be nice? Just curious. Mike

08-16-2001, 02:59 AM	#7
Penphoe Friendly Neighbourhood Moderator Member#: 269 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Burnaby, B.C., Canada Vehicle: 2005 ABP LGT LTD BP6 00 Impreza RS GM6 RIP	Imagine how many wagons.... SOA/C would have sold if they also had an RS wagon! I'd buy one for sure! LaterZ! Darren!!

08-16-2001, 02:48 PM	#13
SlideWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 3803 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Soon to be Indy Vehicle: 07 Mustang GT Learn2Spinout noob!	they were testing the market reaction to a subaru branded performance/image car. I think when the SVX came out, so few in the US knew of any racing /performance heritage that subaru didn't get the response they wanted. I think that prompted the RS, which was cheaper and (sort-of) more conservative. I think they knew the RS would help them build thier performance image better (especially considering the resemblance to the rally car - image wise) and prepare the US for a WRX release. they weren't testing specific styling or performance, but rather rally inspired styling and performance. I think that if they brought over the WRX way back when it was first available, it would have had a much slower start, which didn't make good business sense. Plus, the SVX and the RS also let subaru understand the market and time the release of the WRX to get great reviews. also remember that when the SVX came out, subaru was in financial trouble and was saved by the outback, in the SUV craze. A little later subaru announced it would stop making 2wd vehicles, since they sold so few. I don't think subaru could have brought the WRX over back in the 90's because of the financial risk. Subaru didn't know if it would sell well enough to cover the expense. Last edited by SlideWRX; 08-16-2001 at 02:53 PM.

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08-15-2001, 08:35 PM	#2
Gerlando Scooby Specialist Member#: 8172 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Willow Glen SJ, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon SRP	I think it would be a safe bet to say that ALL current vehicles are market tests for future products. The RS will preclude the WRX which will hopefully preclude the STi which will preclude the Legacy B4! At least that would be my product launch list if I was in charge! -Gerlando. http://www.clubSTi.com

08-15-2001, 10:48 PM	#3
FuJi K Scooby Guru Member#: 3687 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St. Paul, MN Vehicle: MY99 GF4 JDM 6spd 22T/255-S200SX 1.22a/r TS	IMO.................i think it was a test!!!

08-15-2001, 11:33 PM	#4
Tony Scooby Specialist Member#: 287 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, MD. Vehicle: 2005 9-2X Aero Desert Silver	I can't see it any other way. They stick an engine designed to push around automatic Outbacks into their smallist chassis and tack on cheesey wings and scoops off the WRX. Luckily it turned out okay (except for the lame suspension and tires). Seems like a smart move. If they'd just jumped in with the WRX in 98 they wouldn't have the sales or performance image they have due to the 2.5 RS. Makes selling the WRX easier and a surer bet. Tony

08-15-2001, 11:39 PM	#5
ivbdn Scooby Specialist Member#: 2736 Join Date: Oct 2000 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles, CA US Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS Aspen White	It's a test. Why else would SOA reply w/ things like thank you for your interest in blah blah blah car. Unfortunately...you get the picture.

08-16-2001, 02:33 AM	#6
Flowmastered87GL WCSS Drunk Moderator Member#: 8914 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland Oregon Vehicle: 2005 Baja Sport Regal Blue Pearl	I'm pretty sure it was a test, I believe the good sales of the 2.5RS sedan was the reasoning behind making the WRX a sedan and not a coupe. Even though I never see 2.5 RS sedans, i heard in the last year (or 2?) they outsold the 2.5RS coupes Hmmm with the # of subies around here it seems like I would see more sedans, but I dont...

08-16-2001, 03:21 AM	#9
sjt Scooby Specialist Member#: 4135 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: no where, everywhere, anywhere Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Velocity Red	maybe if we're really LUCKY and I mean REALLY, this WRX thing could be the precursor to the STi which would hopefully lead to (sorry not the B4 RSK) but like an RB5 or UK300 (both Prodrive twists on a good idea) or even better the JDM twist on it, a 22B-STi!!! How dope would that be???

08-16-2001, 03:41 AM	#10
slidewaysmike Scooby Specialist Member#: 3517 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: New Albany, OH Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Silver	sjt--> now that would be really cool. I guess it is a good thing that WRXs are selling like hotcakes. Maybe SOA will decide to bring the STi or STi type RA or maybe the B4. I bet there are a few people who would love to see the Forester performnce version come here also. What is that called again? Mike

08-16-2001, 12:31 PM	#11
sjt Scooby Specialist Member#: 4135 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: no where, everywhere, anywhere Vehicle: 2004 Mazda RX-8 Velocity Red	Forester R Turbo!!!

08-16-2001, 02:21 PM	#12
25RS Scooby Specialist Member#: 5150 Join Date: Mar 2001	i personally don't think it was a test. the JDM wrx's were turbo charged cars and the only thing the usdm imprezas had in common with them were the chassis. since the new age imprezas looks nothing like the GC body styles, how was it considered a test? Testing styling or engines? 2.5 RS (same chassis no turbo which we got) JDM WRX (same chassis with turbo which never came) USDM 2002 WRX (different chassis with turbo which we ended up with) Umm what were they testing? whether we liked turbo (of course we do) or the new age styling which doesnt resemble the 98-01 RS's. just adding my 2 cents worth of thoughts. - Jon

08-16-2001, 02:53 PM	#14
slidewaysmike Scooby Specialist Member#: 3517 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: New Albany, OH Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Silver	Well said Slide- (Cool name by the way) They were testing whether or not a performance oriented Subaru would sell very well in America. I don't believe they were testing the turbo concept, because we already had turbo Subarus here. They probably also were trying to determine how many WRXs they could sell in America based on sales numbers from the RS. Thats what I think anyway. Mike

08-16-2001, 03:26 PM	#15
25RS Scooby Specialist Member#: 5150 Join Date: Mar 2001	i totally agree that subaru was testing us by bringing over the 2.5 RS which was a watered-down-rally-INSPIRED-"performance"-vehicle. i also believe they noticed the fact that many RS owners were going out of their way spending alot of money trying to bring the usdm imprezas up to par in performance with the turbo wrx's we never got. this may also have contributed to their decision to sell factory boosted 2002 imprezas here. therefore, 2002 WRX owners must thanks us by loaning out their cars to 98-01 RS owners for a week to show their appreciation. 2002 RS owners will need to stand in line behind the owners of 98-01 RS's waiting for their turbo kits. - Jon

08-16-2001, 03:36 PM	#16
goobie Scooby Specialist Member#: 8273 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Kanata, Ont. Canada Vehicle: 2006 WRX Wagon WRB	I may be way off in left field here, but it seems that if subaru was using the rs as a base upon which to project future saled of WRX then in my opinion they would have pushed a little harder with the marketing of the RS. The RS is not a car that everybody know about, infact it's probably one of the least known compacts out there. Subaru has really put a BIG effort into marketing the WRX since its release in north america and almost anyone who knows anything at all about car knows of its existance and reputation. When people ask me what I drive and I tell them a "subaru impreza" the normal responce I get is "Is that the really cool looking fast car in thoes commercials?" Then of course I end up having to explain the RS, In fact I'm so sick of that queston that now depending on who is asking I will just smile and nod.

08-16-2001, 03:42 PM	#17
Iowannaski Scooby Specialist Member#: 8268 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brighton, MA Vehicle: 00 GM67 BRP me ASAP	My understanding was that the RS was the best substitute they could come up with for the WRX until they could get the WRX to pass US crash test/emission regulations. It's a little convoluted, but I doubt they made much money off the RS. One of my favorite "features" that shows just how hard they were trying to keep the price of the RS down is the missing trunk light. I don't know, but the common thinking is that we would have seen a GC8 WRX, but for US crash testing. And I'm suggesting the volume wouldn't have justified the cost of the donor cars, rather reengineering the cars to pass the tests was the prohibitive cost factor. my 1/50 of a dollar.

08-16-2001, 04:12 PM	#19
jetfire67 Scooby Specialist Member#: 4926 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere Vehicle: 1988 FC3S 10th AE & 2009 STI	yup, we were all test subjects...just a bunch of lab rats!

08-16-2001, 06:07 PM	#20
blaster88 Scooby Specialist Member#: 1109 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Reston, VA Vehicle: 1999 Suzuki Samurai Blackish	I don't think it was a test. It was a car designed to sell to a new market, for them. The 98 might have been a test, that's why they only made 400 something of them. The response was good, so they made more of the Imprezas like that in the following years. The WRX is coming because people wanted them. I would put no small part of the responsibility for the arrival of the turbo Impreza to US shores on this bulletin board.

08-16-2001, 10:48 PM	#22
alexs001 Scooby Specialist Member#: 8096 Join Date: Jul 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada Vehicle: 1998 Impreza 2.5RS Rally Blue Pearl	The cheese stands alone!

08-16-2001, 10:56 PM	#23
Tkacik Scooby Guru Member#: 847 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Milledgeville, GA Vehicle: 2006 Titan Crew Cab 2003 Odyssey EX-L RES	Yep...just a test, and I like the results