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Old 02-20-2012, 04:34 PM   #1
jmews
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Default Roof rack options for 2012 Impreza

I searched, but could not find much information on this.

It looks like I am going to be forced into buying a sedan, as my car died and we are in a hurry to purchase (been renting for a week now). Hatches in Socal are all slightly out of our price range (or just plain unavailable!), but we can get a sedan for $500 under invoice. We specifically are looking for premium, CVT, all weather.

I was okay with this compromise, as I figured I could put my bike on the roof. Browsing the Subaru website, it looks like the roof bars are only available for the hatch. This is a big problem! I can't find anything compatible on Thule or Yakima, but I am entirely new to this whole roof rack thing as I previously drove an Outback wagon and could fit anything I needed in there!

We WERE going to buy tonight (sedan, awp premium - $19500 or $20k dependent on options), but this is something I cannot compromise on. Does anyone have any more information on this? Any potential solutions?

Thanks

James
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Old 02-20-2012, 09:47 PM   #2
noahj
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You are correct. The Subaru crossbar set is only for the hatchback, and neither Thule nor Yakima sells anything that fits yet.

I'd go for a hatch, regardless (can't imagine why anyone would buy a car with a trunk, since the hatch is so much more useful). If that's not on, see if you can get a tow hitch amd a hitch mounted rack.
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Old 02-20-2012, 11:57 PM   #3
RxMPLS
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You can drill your roof and put racks on the sedan, but it's going to be a much easier option to go with the factory raised rails on a Sport model and then add a rack from there. If you need any help, call Yakima; they're super helpful over the phone. You can find their number on www.yakima.com
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Old 02-21-2012, 02:47 AM   #4
somebody else
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You don't even need the Sport rails.

The hatch rood comes with sockets for fixed-position cross-bars which can be removed and returned to flush easily. That's what I'm doing.
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Old 02-21-2012, 03:02 PM   #5
RxMPLS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somebody else View Post
You don't even need the Sport rails.

The hatch rood comes with sockets for fixed-position cross-bars which can be removed and returned to flush easily. That's what I'm doing.
Somebody else is right -- this is a new fit since the last time I looked on Yakima's site. It's a good one, too.

The 5 door must have some attachment site where you can put Control Towers with Landing Pad 11 and 48" crossbars to build your base rack. This is actually a better fit than the one for the Sport models as it's rated at a higher weight-bearing capacity (165 pounds vs 125 pounds). Heck, now I wish I hadn't gotten a sport! You could carry nearly anything on this.

The four door will require Q Towers or drilling for a fit, though. Both of these are slightly more labor-intensive racks, and Q Towers should be removed when not in use. I'd go with a 5 door non-Sport...

Last edited by RxMPLS; 02-21-2012 at 03:10 PM.
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Old 02-21-2012, 08:07 PM   #6
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Default Impreza Sport Premium - Thule Aero Setup

I figured I'd chime in since I haven't seen anyone else with this rack on here yet. I moved my Thule Aero Bar Setup from my old car to the new Subie. I know you're talking about the sedan, but I love the way everything fits on the stock rails and I've been using the hell out of it going skiing!

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Old 03-04-2012, 03:03 PM   #7
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Has anybody actually confirmed that the attachment points aren't on the sedan?

Most places say no, but when I hit a search engine, came across this dealer/parts.subaru.com site:

Roof Carrier Bars
Description
Can be installed or removed in minutes. Fits both 4- and 5-door models and are compatible with most Genuine Subaru roof attachments and carriers.

I want to believe the above, but I doubt it is true. Especially when the WRX/STI and 2010-2012 model years are included.
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Old 03-04-2012, 03:57 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beanboy
Has anybody actually confirmed that the attachment points aren't on the sedan?

Most places say no, but when I hit a search engine, came across this dealer/parts.subaru.com site:

Roof Carrier Bars
Description
Can be installed or removed in minutes. Fits both 4- and 5-door models and are compatible with most Genuine Subaru roof attachments and carriers.

I want to believe the above, but I doubt it is true. Especially when the WRX/STI and 2010-2012 model years are included.
There might be attachment points there that would fit the Subaru branded roof rack, but not ones that Yakima currently has a fit for (as of last time I checked their site, at least). Aftermarket roof racks (Yakima and Thule, at least) tend to be superior to the Subaru branded racks, often made by companies that don't make great racks. Sometimes Subaru sells old Yakima racks rebranded as Subaru racks, too...also not as good as what you'll get directly from Yakima or Thule.
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Old 03-04-2012, 04:18 PM   #9
Beanboy
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I've got the Mont Blanc (http://www.montblancuk.co.uk/) cross bars on my LGT, which are the Subaru accessory bars for the LGT rails, so I figured Subaru re-branded.

My brother just got a 2012 Impreza sedan and was asking about roof rack options, hence the question.

Thanks to the OP for starting the thread BTW...
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Old 03-04-2012, 04:23 PM   #10
Beanboy
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Huh, plot thickens, check this out:

http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2012_Subaru_Impreza.htm

Yakima Control Tower Roof Rack - 2012 Subaru Impreza
Sedan with no existing rails or crossbars

Installation Notes
This system attatches to OEM fixed mounting points on your vehicle's roof
Capacity 165 lbs

Maybe there are attachment points on the sedan after-all?
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Old 03-04-2012, 05:10 PM   #11
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All 2011s, sedan or hatch, had OEM mounting points. There's no reason Subaru would remove this from the 2012 models. Makes no sense. All you need are the 2012 OEM crossbars. There are numerous rack options available that will fit these bars.

Last edited by Geerolla; 03-04-2012 at 05:15 PM.
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Old 03-04-2012, 06:04 PM   #12
RxMPLS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beanboy
Huh, plot thickens, check this out:

http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2012_Subaru_Impreza.htm

Yakima Control Tower Roof Rack - 2012 Subaru Impreza
Sedan with no existing rails or crossbars

Installation Notes
This system attatches to OEM fixed mounting points on your vehicle's roof
Capacity 165 lbs

Maybe there are attachment points on the sedan after-all?
It's entirely possible. Yakima fits don't all come out at once -- for landing pad fits, sometimes a specific landing pad needs to go to production. Also, fits depend on Yakima's fit team obtaining a test vehicle from local dealerships or the manufacturer themselves. With a popular vehicle like the Impreza, it can be harder to get some models tested right away, so fits come out in varying timeframes.
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Old 03-04-2012, 06:09 PM   #13
RxMPLS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beanboy
Huh, plot thickens, check this out:

http://www.etrailer.com/roof-2012_Subaru_Impreza.htm

Yakima Control Tower Roof Rack - 2012 Subaru Impreza
Sedan with no existing rails or crossbars

Installation Notes
This system attatches to OEM fixed mounting points on your vehicle's roof
Capacity 165 lbs

Maybe there are attachment points on the sedan after-all?
Actually, this is probably referring to the WRX sedan. Yakima's dealer fit guide doesn't yet show a 2012 Impreza sedan fit with Landing Pads, and their fit guide is the final word. That doesn't mean it won't happen...but there isn't one designated yet. There is a Q Tower fit, but there might still be a forthcoming Landing Pad fit, also.

Call them if you have any questions: 1-888-925-4621
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Old 03-06-2012, 05:27 PM   #14
transistor
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I love my yakima
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:49 PM   #15
brockd
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxerSport2.0 View Post
I figured I'd chime in since I haven't seen anyone else with this rack on here yet. I moved my Thule Aero Bar Setup from my old car to the new Subie. I know you're talking about the sedan, but I love the way everything fits on the stock rails and I've been using the hell out of it going skiing!

more pics?
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brockd View Post
more pics?
I'll try and take some more tomorrow.
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:43 PM   #17
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Thanks. Debating on buyin one for my car. Yours is the only I hav seen with another fairing.
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Old 03-07-2012, 09:32 PM   #18
BoxerSport2.0
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brockd View Post
Thanks. Debating on buyin one for my car. Yours is the only I hav seen with another fairing.
Here are some pictures, I will say if you go with the Thule setup go with 53' bars. The 47's are too short in the front you can see in the picture the end caps are not on. On to the pictures from today.







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Old 03-07-2012, 10:19 PM   #19
Xafen
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brockd, what sort of MPG hit do you see with just the rack on?
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Old 03-07-2012, 11:59 PM   #20
RxMPLS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xafen
brockd, what sort of MPG hit do you see with just the rack on?
There are some things that are just not polite to ask!

(long-time roof rack devotee here, but they do cut back on mpg, for sure...so I take mine off when not in use)
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Old 03-08-2012, 01:48 AM   #21
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I don't have the rack yet... My wife has a pretty nice one though.
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Old 03-11-2012, 03:32 PM   #22
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[quote=BoxerSport2.0;36572428]Here are some pictures, I will say if you go with the Thule setup go with 53' bars. The 47's are too short in the front you can see in the picture the end caps are not on. On to the pictures from today.




Thanks for the tip. I am gonna go for the 53". Do 53"s get in the way of your head when you enter and leave the car?
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Old 03-11-2012, 09:21 PM   #23
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[quote=freshrider;36602339]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxerSport2.0 View Post
Here are some pictures, I will say if you go with the Thule setup go with 53' bars. The 47's are too short in the front you can see in the picture the end caps are not on. On to the pictures from today.




Thanks for the tip. I am gonna go for the 53". Do 53"s get in the way of your head when you enter and leave the car?
I would think you wouldn't have an issue hitting your head as it only will stick out another 3" on either side. In reference to where the roof rails are I think it will just make it flush with the top of the door if anything.
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Old 03-12-2012, 05:50 PM   #24
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[IMG][/IMG]

Here is my optional crossbar with thule snowboard rack
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Old 03-14-2012, 04:44 PM   #25
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I can confirm that there are NO mounting points on the 2012 sedan. I can also confirm from trying to mess around with it that there is no simple way to put a rack on the vehicle. No rain gutters or any good places where a hook can grab the roof.

I'm going to be pissed if this is the case and may even go so far as to trade the car in. Skiing and cycling is pretty integral part of my life.

Edit:
Just got off the phone with Thule. They stated that in about 2 weeks, they will be releasing the kit for the 2012 Impreza 4 door with the "Naked Roof". Parts needed will be:
480 Foot Pack
LB50 Load Bars
1649 Kit


Keep your fingers crossed that it actually works.

Last edited by huckedup16; 03-14-2012 at 04:54 PM.
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