New Subaru Impreza

[Fluids]

We picked up our new Subaru Impreza (hatch) on tuesday. Very nice car ! Deep Cherry Pearl in colour ... depending on the light, we've had people say it looks black, chocolate brown, red, purple .... amazing metallic finish.

Subaru have certainly come along way. It's the nicest feeling small car I've driven in a long time. I'd post up a pic', but I can't keep Mrs F out of it long enough to get a photo ... I will try a little harder ;)

Never thought we'd buy a new car, but after looking at low km examples, the cost of finance, and the MY12 being just so much better than the earlier models, we decided to do it .... and it comes with and additional 5yrs extended warranty (so 8yrs in total - fixed price servicing for the last 5 years) AND 8 years road side assist ... so I won't be putting a spanner on it for a long time.

What a great feeling to own/buy/drive a brand new car ! :)

We were originally looking at a Forester, but bought the D2a instead as the Forester doesn't have enough space for a family wagon .... so 3yrs on, this one has become Mr & Mrs F's mid-life-crisis car :p ;)

276km and counting ... and since it doesn't get used to commute to/from work the k's should rack up slowly. Currently shows 6.8L/100km ... AWD & not run in ... pretty impressive for a 2.0L 6 speed manual !

[Hoges]

You could almost argue that the Fluids have staged a "Boxer" rebellion:eek::eek::D:wasntme:

[land864]

Looking at geting one ourselves around JUne Kev.

keen to hear updates

[V8Ian]

Good on you Kev, enjoy the ride; you've earned it. :)

[101RRS]

Why do Brits and Kiwis pronounce them Soubaroo Impretza?

I can maybe understand the different pronunciation for Subaru but there is no 't' in Imprezza.

Garry

[Fluids]

Why do Brits and Kiwis pronounce them Soubaroo Impretza?

Garry

... BECAUSE ... they are Brits & Kiwis :p

[mikehzz]

I thought it was bahhh like a sheep in the Kiwi's case? :) Didn't know the Brits said it that way.
I've had 2 Subarus, great cars, well made, I don't think you will need the warranty.

[JDNSW]

Why do Brits and Kiwis pronounce them Soubaroo Impretza?

I can maybe understand the different pronunciation for Subaru but there is no 't' in Imprezza.

Garry

Without checking, I suspect the -zz- spelling in Spanish is pronounced -tz-. This would explain it (not sure imprezza is Spanish, but even if it isn't, it is meant to look as if it is). Probably originated from the UK, where, being almost next door to Spanish speakers, they would tend to pronounce it "correctly". I have no idea how the Japs pronounce it, but they probably use the Spanish pronunciation, if I am right.

John

[Fluids]

I thought it was bahhh like a sheep in the Kiwi's case? :) Didn't know the Brits said it that way.
I've had 2 Subarus, great cars, well made, I don't think you will need the warranty.


Thanks Mike .... probably won't need the warranty, as mech's and owners I've spoken with say they are pretty bullet proof, but Mrs F was happy to buy the extended warranty for (her) peace of mind ... and I was happy for her to pay for it as it means I probably won't have to spanner the thing for the next 8 years :p

I can live with that ! :D

[Fluids]

Without checking, I suspect the -zz- spelling in Spanish is pronounced -tz-. This would explain it (not sure imprezza is Spanish, but even if it isn't, it is meant to look as if it is). Probably originated from the UK, where, being almost next door to Spanish speakers, they would tend to pronounce it "correctly". I have no idea how the Japs pronounce it, but they probably use the Spanish pronunciation, if I am right.

John


... 'cept "Impreza" has only one Z not two John ! ;)

Impreta ? :p

I'm surprised Ron missed that one :p

[101RRS]

"Impreza" is a coined word, deriving from an originally Italian word, impresa, meaning a badge or motto. In Polish, "Impreza" also means to celebrate, or party.

So not Spanish - so not T is supposed to be pronounced.

[Fluids]

So she's at work today ... here are some photo's of the "Boxer Rebellion" as promised :p

I think one of these in the XV build would be a very nice cross-over style ride. The XV is basicall an Impreza with a lift, and 10cm more length in the body. Same engine & drivetrain, same interior ... and that Burnt Orange colour you either love or hate :)



So, in low & overcast or shadowed light it looks black (or chocolate brown mum says) ...


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1627.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1628.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1629.jpg


... but in direct sunlight it's ...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1630.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1631.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1632.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1633.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1634.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1635.jpg


Nice dash layout, with all stereo & bluetooth for phone on the steering wheel (with voice recognition for making phone calls - push the button, and tell the car what phone number to ring ... nice one!)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1636.jpg

Decent boot space ... and very cavernous with the rear seats folded forward.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1637.jpg

... and the business end. Note the smart placement of the oil filter, in its own drip tray/ring. It's quite surprising how small/short the engine block is ... the gearbox front starts inline with the front wheels, and the whole engine is overslung in front of the front wheels centreline. Access around the engine is pretty easy. Not sold on the plastic inlet manifold, but I guess that's progress.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1638.jpg


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1639.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1640.jpg

So, so-far, we like everything about it (Mrs F's permagrin is working overtime) .... but I'm don't like the "spacesaver" 60psi pizza cutter spare tyre ... that can only be used on the rear ... so a flat front requires you move a rear wheel to the front, and put the spacesaver on the rear ... which begs the question ... where do you put the flat full size spare (especially if the boot is full) ???? Maybe in countries w/out our vast distances between towns/service it might be OK, but at 80km/hr (spacesaver speed limit) it could be a long drive to the next stop.

All for the driver.

[Fluids]

Land864 ... FYI

80km/hr = 1800 rpm in 6th - trip computer reads 4.2L/100km

That's 1300km to a 55L tank! :) ... don't know where I could drive for 1300km non stop in one go at 80km/hr though ;)

... and there's an upshift indicator on the instument cluster, that signals for an upshift at around 1600rpm ... supposed to be set for best economy ... 5th to 6th at 1600rpm and it does it without labouring.

[land864]

Thanks Kev

It's Pete :)

They are great figures.

You may have said but what trim level is

Pete

[Fluids]

Hi Pete !

Figures done using cruise ... does a little better with cruise off, not much better, but the acc' pedal is pretty touchy (drive by wire).

It's the base 2.0i and we added bonnet protector, rubber floor mats, mud-flaps & boot tray liner.

[JDNSW]

"Impreza" is a coined word, deriving from an originally Italian word, impresa, meaning a badge or motto. In Polish, "Impreza" also means to celebrate, or party.

So not Spanish - so not T is supposed to be pronounced.



Assuming you are correct, being a coined word, the pronunciation is (failing a very strong advertising campaign) what the general population thinks it should be from the spelling. Regardless, in the UK, with many people being familiar with Spanish spelling conventions, it is very likely that this would lead to the -tz- pronunciation there.

A good parallel I can think of is the Toyota Hiace - in Australia invariably pronounced "High - Ace". But in Japan and a number of other (non-English speaking) markets, it is pronounced something like "Hee-Ah-Chay".

John

[BigJon]

... and the business end. Note the smart placement of the oil filter, in its own drip tray/ring. It's quite surprising how small/short the engine block is ... the gearbox front starts inline with the front wheels, and the whole engine is overslung in front of the front wheels centreline. Access around the engine is pretty easy. Not sold on the plastic inlet manifold, but I guess that's progress.




Plastic intake manifolds have been around for 2 decades or more. You won't have any problems with it.

I haven't seen one of the new Subaru engines with the filter mounted up there first hand. It looks like a timing chain engine as well, no 100 000km belt replacements. We have an '05 Liberty 2.5 which is a lovely car.

[Fluids]

Hi Jon ... thanks for the vote of confidence on the plastic inlet manifold!

Yes, it's a timing chain engine. Also runs variable valve timing. Explains why it will hold a tall gear (6th) at such low rpm happily.

It's a whole new generation of 2.0L engine.

[land864]

Kev

Can I be rude and ask $ on road please?

Pete

[Allan]

We've had Subaru's in our family now for years. Dollar for doller very hard to beat. Just service and drive, those little engines are almost unbreakable. I still miss my rex at times.

Allan

[Fluids]

You can be as rude as you want ! :p

$27,545 RDP ... with options & ext' warranty $29,180

[land864]

Thanks Kev:)

Captain rude. That's me :o

We have a $25k Budget so may have to go the Demo option or something in June and hope that the dealesr are desperate.

Allan , you are 100% correct ,our 2003 RS Impreza still drives like new with little to no special atention ever needed ( except scheduled services that is)

Pete

[Tikirocker]

My father has a Forrester and Outback - both great cars. When I was T-boned last year we needed a new car and after shopping around ended up with a 2002 Subaru Liberty RX wagon 2.4ltr - fantastic car and we haven't looked back!

Tiki.

[Fluids]

Pete, I did get a price of $26,400 drive away from one dealer (but they are 2hrs away from us) ... and that's all you pay ... (out actual driveaway before options, etc was 27,490) options can always be added later, and an extended warranty isn't always necessary (esp' if they are as reliable as folks are telling me). They have a 3yr warranty.

They are a hot item atm (being they were only released at the start of March), so the dealers aren't discounting heavily, if at all .... it may cool a little in a few months.

Good luck. Start arm twisting and shopping around now :)

[tomalophicon]

What the? Since when have they ditched the sporty/aggressive look they've had for so long?