Rambling Car Reviews: 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX Hatchback

"Reigntastic" (reigntastic)
04/26/2014 at 16:59 • Filed to: Car Reviews, WRX, Subaru, Impreza, Turbo

The Subaru Impreza WRX is a perfect example of everything one could possibly want from a wagon, the particular example I will be discussing today is a Spark Silver Metallic 2008 hatchback. This model came standard with the 2.5 liter EJ255, made complete with an Avo 380/TD06-20G, a forged bottom end, and a few other goodies. This setup is tuned to make 365 horsepower, and 420 torque.

One of my close friends, and a fellow Opponaut Opposite Locksmith owns this car, and built it to suit his needs. Despite all of the go fast goodies, it’s still fairly stock in appearance, including a stock exhaust, and is a proper sleeper. The only thing that gives it away is the functional hood scoop, which leads to an air to air inter-cooler that sits right above the boxer flat 4 engine.

I was fortunate enough to drive this fine all wheel drive machine, and I have to say it’s one of the few cars I’ve driven that properly puts my head back into the firm yet forgiving seats, with adequate bolstering for the type of lateral hooniganism that such a machine is capable of. Upon pulling onto the street from my place, feeling the quick spool gives the impression that the engine charges to redline, and is eager to bring you ever closer to legally implicating speeds. A quick run through the first three gears confirmed my suspicions, but the confidence inspiring brakes quickly bring you back to reality, where this car is surprisingly competent as well.

The interior is far removed from luxury, while remaining tastefully austere, with a vinyl dash and plastic gunmetal overlay that surrounds the HVAC system and radio. Cloth covers the seats, but they are comfortable and well designed for light g forces. The gearshift is nice and direct, due to the lack of a lengthy linkage, complete with a leather wrapped shift knob for the 5 speed transmission. Storage space is a definite benefit of the hatchback, and fold flat rear seats make me question the need for smaller SUVs.

I didn’t particularly push the car through any corners, but on one long left curve, the suspension handled the banked turn with little body roll; while the aging economy tires complained they did comply. All in all, it’s very different from my personal vehicle; with a longer wheelbase, taller ride, all wheel drive, and front engined setup. That being said, I thoroughly loved my drive in it, and it makes for a fantastic all around vehicle. It does use premium, but on the highway it is capable of 35mpg with an economy engine tune.

With the 2015 WRX being as absolutely stunning as it is, I can’t help but draw parallels with this fine example of a Subaru, and long for something more than a traditional sedan. I don’t expect it now, but for Subaru to never produce another 5 door Impreza in the United States I would be extremely surprised. I know I won’t be buying one until they do.

Chris Hanna or Reigntastic is an amateur writer, who is currently employed full-time as an IT Technician, freelance graphic designer, and extremely amateur web-developer. Sometimes he likes to drone on about things he owns or encounters in day to day life, and even less often other people read these incoherent ramblings.

DISCUSSION (32)

Burrito de EJ25 > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 17:03

That scoop also helps blow air to the actual turbocharger.

So, for all you sickos who install a FMIC, keep the scoop.

Burrito de EJ25 > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 17:11

35 MPGS?!

The most I was able to squeeze out from 6 hours of highway driving was 27. Is that tune out of an Accessport? Because I'm about to drop an order if that's so.

Reigntastic > Burrito de EJ25
04/26/2014 at 17:13

He wrote the tune, but he did use an accessport to apply it.

Joan Caparulo > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 20:02

HEYYY i see that car around the austin area all the time.

Super nice guy, and happy to talk about the car! I believe his modifications go past just a forged rotating assembly, he seemed pretty anal about his build

Reigntastic > Joan Caparulo
04/26/2014 at 20:25

Yep, it's in San Marcos. Aside from pistons and rods, I believe he's done his camshafts, I don't remember what else off the top of my head but really not much more.

Joan Caparulo > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 21:37

He mentioned auto-xing it, and im sure he mentioned calibrating sway bars + endlinks and aftermarket diff(s?), and all of the supporting mods for that turbo (fuel delivery system, downpipe, ebcs)

Opposite Locksmith > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 21:55

Shes my baby! She's got quite a bit in goodies, I refrain from using the word tuned, I prefer honed. She's perfectly honed to suit my driving style, I've spent whole weekends making her neutral when you push her, with a lick of tailhappiness. The current sway setup is amazing for rotating for the tight stuff, all while handling 110 mph left hand curves at full throttle in 4th no T/C, even behaving when I transition from WOT at 110 mph to semi hard braking with no stability management. The stock rotors with semi race pads (so I don't eat my rotors, just dust the wheels terribly) and stainless lines filled with brake fluid up for the job/temp perform fantastically.

With my current suspension setup, she's rotates under throttle instead of plowing like a traditional 50/50 torque split awd vehicle.

She's never been about top end, she's about as fast a daily anyone needs at 365/420. That with awd makes for a damn potent DD as the awd makes everyone single one of my 365 ponies eager to eat the street

People call the 2008 soft, I give 0 shits because I love my vehicle, and I have it right where I want it.

iPhone typed no hate plz

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
04/26/2014 at 21:56

my vehicle, tmic is the way to go! Less boost tubes = better throttle response

Opposite Locksmith > Joan Caparulo
04/26/2014 at 21:56

if that's your real name I have no idea who you are...

Opposite Locksmith > Joan Caparulo
04/26/2014 at 21:57

WHO ARE YOU

Opposite Locksmith > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 22:00

vids plz!

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
04/26/2014 at 22:40

I lowered the CR to 7.2:1 when I built the engine, coupled with low boost on the economy tune it can get not terrible mileage

EL_ULY > Reigntastic
04/26/2014 at 22:51

does this car really have a "scratching the front bumper" issue when pulling into places?

Burrito de EJ25 > Opposite Locksmith
04/26/2014 at 23:19

That car is staggeringly clean. Fantastic work!

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
04/27/2014 at 00:11

Thank you very much friend! I have 14k miles on my build with 0 hiccups I'm very proud!

Opposite Locksmith > EL_ULY
04/27/2014 at 00:13

no? But this town does have treacherous, gaping potholes. I've seen broken oem wheels on trucks

Burrito de EJ25 > Opposite Locksmith
04/27/2014 at 00:55

It's the direction I want to take my WRX.

Everyone seems to go straight for the generic power mods that eventually lead to a blown engine.

I prefer your methods. Methodical, comprehensive, and tasteful. Something to suit me and my environment.

EL_ULY > Opposite Locksmith
04/27/2014 at 02:47

dayum! Be cafeful, i'm sure you know where they all are lol. All of us do :]

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
04/27/2014 at 11:59

oh my gosh thank you hahahaha I'm honored.

Those were the values I had in mind. My logic was that stock turbo engines are tuned within 75-80% of their capability, sometimes less. And to assure myself that I was going to have a reliable vehicle, I was to build up the engine, and raise up the power proportional to the stock engine and its potential. My engine could be easily putting out almost a hundred more horses with the right turbo, but I chose a turbo that matches the natural torque curve of the engine, for sublime throttle response and a torque table instead of a high revving exponential curve

This car is my daily, and my thoughts are that a bigger turbo would be nice for top end horses, but higher boost coupled with revving the nuts off our boxers (lol) to get power doesn't seem like a good idea for a reliability. Nothing like being able to pass people at 45 mph in top gear either :)

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
04/27/2014 at 12:04

for reliability* -or- for a reliable vehicle*

Sorry for the ramblings! Never been able to get my tuning mantra listened to, bros just want nitrous big turbos and wheel spacers

Reigntastic > EL_ULY
04/27/2014 at 12:34

That right there would require a driver mod to repair, simple fix

Opposite Locksmith > EL_ULY
04/27/2014 at 13:29

Once saw a wheel leave a Tacoma at 45 mph due to a pothole, only to watch the truck scrape on it's front rotor for 200 ft

I use cheapo tires with plenty of sidewall. Comfort, teaches me to drive and react due to softer limits and gradual loss of traction. I'm also broke as hell

EL_ULY > Opposite Locksmith
04/27/2014 at 15:43

lol me and you both. I stopped buying expensive tires a long time ago. Those are my exact reasons you mentioned.

Kenaft - some new kid > Opposite Locksmith
04/27/2014 at 18:59

What sort of things did you adjust on the suspension to get this setup?

Opposite Locksmith > Kenaft - some new kid
04/27/2014 at 19:02

Perrin front sway bar, Rallitek rear with AVO adjustable end links

Opposite Locksmith > Kenaft - some new kid
04/27/2014 at 19:07

I tried various sized sway bars for both the front and rear before deciding on this setup. (Now trying to sell the last front sway bar I decided against)

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
10/26/2014 at 13:38

never considered that, i have joked about getting a NA impreza hood (gf drives one hehe) and going FMIC, utilizing the '08 wrx's conservative styling to the fullest.

But then i thought id rather have around a 1/3 of the "boost tubing" so i really feel like my right foot is connected to the engine

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
10/26/2014 at 13:40

also, sorry for the late reply, havent been hanging around here since losing my license due to pretty frequent seizures all of the sudden. My baby sube is sadly put away at my parents house, dont trust myself to have it at my townhouse

Burrito de EJ25 > Opposite Locksmith
10/26/2014 at 15:16

Dude, I'm sorry :(

Opposite Locksmith > Burrito de EJ25
10/26/2014 at 23:53

really blows, I miss Hans Turbovagon, and I hate being a burden on my wonderful girlfriend. This is all pretty new in my life but I'm figuring it out, the meds are absolutely HORRIBLE though.

Saving every dime for a turbo back when I'm healthy

Dsscats > Opposite Locksmith
10/27/2014 at 00:18

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Opposite Locksmith > Dsscats
10/27/2014 at 04:28

Really sucks, hate to burden the girlfriend too. She's been wonderful. I'm far off from driving again :/ I've thought about writing something up here calling out all oppos who couldn't drive for medical reasons but I don't think there are enough of us