"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
09/25/2018 at 10:12 • Filed to: None
1
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"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
09/25/2018 at 10:12 • Filed to: None | 1
| 15 |
I will be graduating at the end of this semester and have several options that should allow me to move into fairly decent jobs rather quickly. While I have no reason to replace the Solara, as it is an excellent vehicle and has quite grown on me. I can’t help but look for something a little more engaging to driv e on a regular basis. Th e last couple weeks I have started seeing newer Impreza’s on the road and the more I look at stats t he more it seems like an Oppo dream car. Brand new Impreza base models with a Manual transmission start at around 19,500 MSRP. For a car with all wheel drive, manual, and still able to achieve 38 mpg highway, I think that’s a quite reasonable price. I also find it quite stylish looking. The flip side is that I doubt Subaru is anywhere close to Toyota’s levels of reliability. What does Oppo think about the newer base model Impreza’s are they “Impreza”-ing you much? Or do you think the wiser choice is to have a plain Jane Toyota commuter and a weekend fun car (like one of the Toyuburu Twins).
P.S. are Non-performance Impreza’s fun to drive?
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:37 |
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Logically you’d keep the Toyota until it started being a maintenance problem.
But “car guys” are not known for their logic. I do quite like the look of that Impreza you don’t see many in red.
If you have the space I would say keep the Toyota as a daily and get something cheap, and fun to drive in the side. Miata, old Honda, Old VW, BMW. Im currently living the two car life and I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:38 |
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P.S. are Non-performance Impreza’s fun to drive
If you went back to the original impreza and the model run from 1998 through lets say 2006 I’d say yes. However my mom ended up with a 2009 5 speed wagon and the NA 2.5L and it was not much different than driving
a carolla other than it had AWD. My 2002 bug eye was a gas, it handled great and had a peppy engine. The car liked to be tossed and do 180 deg ebrake turnes.
KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:40 |
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No Turbo and no CVT to worry about. I think reliability will be fine. I remember the older Impreza topping reliability and resale ratings.
P.S. are Non-performance Impreza’s fun to drive?
It’s not fun. What it is is sensible, safe, with very good AWD system that still gives good MPGs, cheap(ish) , decent tech and high resale and reliability.
ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:41 |
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I have driven this gen of the base impreza with a stick:
It is more fun than your average commuter car. The flat4 rumble is nice and launching the car off from a dead stop is fun, the AWD is pretty nice. Gear shifts were quite notchy tho, did not like it one bit. Steering feel is sorta meh.
As always, the answer is:
way2blu does a rev update
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:42 |
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Having test-driven both the “Sport” Impreza and the actual WRX 2.oT, I can confirm they’re both fairly engaging to drive.
A key bonus point for the WRX goes to the seats and overall driving position. It just feels right to sit in one, like you’re immediately familiar with the car. Impreza isn’t as natural.
Watch out with the Impreza though. It’s notably slow in a straight line, just like any other naturally-aspirated Subaru.
It’s not dangerously slow like the Forester or Crosstrek, but you really have to use the entire powerband to achieve “fast enough.” Other than that, it’s a fantastic car and great value for the money.
If you want something effortlessly fast, save up for the WRX.
If you like getting to drive all-out, all the time, enjoying the engine note all the way to redline, get the Impreza. Put a mild exhaust and maybe a cold-air intake on it, and let that little engine sing its heart out just to get you to work.
I can expand on why an underpowered car is the perfect commuter too; I have plenty of experience with that...
Textured Soy Protein
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 10:46 |
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My wife had a 2016 Impreza on the old platform. The two best things about it were the visibility and the ride quality over bumps. That rally-style suspension is really good on bumps. The steering at least had some feel and with the shit OE tires replaced by BFG Comp-2 A/S it had decent grip in corners. But i t was a CVT and slllllooooooowwww .
The new one is supposed to be quieter, with less body roll, better infotainment, and slightly less visibility from the higher beltline. But it has the same motor as before, just slightly tweaked.
Do you live somewhere that AWD is desirable for winter? Because the Mazda 3 is much better to drive.
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way2blu does a rev update
> ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
09/25/2018 at 10:46 |
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*ahem*
Pictured: the correct answer
Chuckles
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 11:00 |
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I like that Impreza, but I’m going to harshen your marshmallow and say that you should just keep the Solara for a year after you graduate and then re-evaluate your situation. A year gives you enough time to settle into your new job and to have a better idea what your car budget will be. It also gives you time to save up more money for the car. I don’t know what your living situation is, but if it’s going to change a lot after graduation (as in you’re moving into your own place), wait until you’re sure that you can afford it.
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ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
> way2blu does a rev update
09/25/2018 at 11:03 |
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*counter ahem*
Whiny boi is the correct answer
Arrivederci
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 11:03 |
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The base Impreza has the same 2.0L as the Crosstrek, I believe. That engine is painfully slow. I had a Crosstrek as a rental when my BRZ was in for a warranty repair and there are few cars out there that made my BRZ feel really fast. The Crosstrek was one of them. Aside from that, I rather liked it, which is why the WRX is the answer. Save up for one of those, or keep the Solara and buy a Miata for weekend duty.
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 11:19 |
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Wow I just looked at Australian pricing out of curiosity and discovered that they’ve culled t he manual across the whole range. You can get a stick WRX and BRZ and that’s it.
I always saw Imprezas as inexpensive enthusiast cars and thought they would be a holdout against CVT. That’s really depressing.
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Maxima Speed
>
09/25/2018 at 11:30 |
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I was actually surprised you could buy an Impreza with a manual. I assumed they had gone all CVT. Yes, it is depressing though. Australian auto manufacturers seem to have taken a real dislike to fun lately.
Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 11:38 |
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I just drove my brothers 2017 Impreza hatchback briefly and I think with a manual it’d be a reasonably fun car while still being quiet, comfortable, etc. I would say though, you’d be better served hanging onto the Avalon and getting something like a Toybaru.
BlurpleToyotaDishwasher
> Maxima Speed
09/25/2018 at 13:56 |
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I’d say don’t buy anything which requires financing until you’re six months in and past the honeymoon period, in case the well paid job turns out to be a total shitshow, especially if it’s an industry you’ve not worked in before.
Realistically, get something cheap, fun and solid. The idea of weeekend car/daily has never made any sense to me, other than when the weekend car is a rolling project
.
As for cars, the greatest car in NSW is QUZ759.
The Dummy Gummy
> Maxima Speed
09/26/2018 at 07:54 |
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While I have no reason to replace the Solara
The answer is right there.
S ubaru is anywhere close to Toyota’s
A lot last to 200k with ease; unless it has a turbo.
o r do you think the wiser choice is to have a plain Jane Toyota
I think it’s better to save your money, especially with no job firmed up.