Comments on: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan

By: Renz

Renz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:41 +0000

I am just 14 yr old and I am a fan of subaru cars especially the STI. I would like to buy one when I am in college. But now that I saw the new WRX impreza I still like the sporty look of the hatchback STI.

By: 2000 Rex

2000 Rex — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:32:49 +0000

I have owned my MY00 WRX for 6 years now and each year I wait for the new, better looking and improved version, when that day arrives I will update. It looks like I will wait for another few years. I have seen and driven the later models and spoken with people who own them. I don’t see a great difference in those cars except they are not as good looking as my 2000.

I’ll keep waiting or switch to Lancer..

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:05:23 +0000

The Subaru Impreza is a performance car, yes it isnt as pretty as most but the fact you have 190kw + under your right foot, all wheel drive and a 5 star safety rating for essentially $40,000 is pretty damn good. There is nothing that comes close to it. The hatch is better looking but the sedan will provide a alternative. If you don’t like the look don’t buy one, but if you want bang for your bucks and a car that will last the distance, buy a WRX.

By: Kevin Hoffman

Kevin Hoffman — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:33:48 +0000

Subaru Australia executives must be on drugs? Why import the MY09 WRX without 18″x 8″ wheels on 235/R40/18 rubber, a 6 speed box,quality Recaro seats and 7000rpm redline as standard. It also
needs a MRT cat back exhaust system and Go Fast Bit (GFB)BOV.

Real Aussi men who love performance machines want a true Rex not a half baked KIA/Camry/Madza look a like.

We want something along the lines of the new MY09 Ford Focus RS 3 door hatch – 6 speed twin clutch seq box, fantastic Recaro seats, a start button, 19″ wheels, full style kit, and 290hp (216kW) & 390Nm etc.

It’s time Subaru Australia delivered a proper performance WRX for $48,450.00 NOT $64,990.0(STi)

By: nicks

nicks — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:17:37 +0000

give it 200kw who cares its still ugly sit inside the car and admire the cheap plastics seats etc for 45grand youve got to be joking the design old boring would never buy one 4 speed auto we are in 2008

By: BrianB

BrianB — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:04:22 +0000

To put everyones mind at ease, I just returned from the motor show and the figures are 195kw/343nm. The price is still 39,990 or 42,490 with leather and sunroof. Suspension has been stiffened but no sure to what extent. the claimed 0-100 figure is around 5.4 secs.

Looking good to me.

Oh and 2ndeffort, don’t put the 182 in any type of fugly category, i previously owned a Ph1 172 Cup. What a car!!!

By: 2ndeffort

2ndeffort — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:27:26 +0000

I’ve done loads of research and have been reading about this model since it came out in the states 2 months ago. I have an invoice already for one from a dealership and as soon as somebody buys my Clio Sport 182 I’ll pony up.

There are already comparisons up on the web for the MY09 WRX against the Lancer Ralliart and the Lancer doesnt seem to do all that well. Apparently ‘de-tuned evo’ might be more marketing spin than fact. What the article above doesnt mention is the changes to the suspension, apparently 43% stiffer in the MY09 than the MY08.

If this is the same car as in the states it keeps the 5 speed manual. Interested to hear what is in the premium pack!!

I’ve cancelled my order for a Golf V GTI (not when Golf VI is almost on the way) and I’ll be getting a WRX. I cant work out whether to get the hatch or the sedan. Hatch is probably more practical. Driving experience is more important to me than looks, you can probably tell that from the fact I currently drive a Clio Sport 182!!.

By: msw761

msw761 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:08:54 +0000

I fear for what the next gen liberty will look like. That should be due soon

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:10:08 +0000

Sam, I agree, and toyota is number 1 at moving dull looking cars.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:31:01 +0000

I agree, it looks very ordinary. I think perhaps it could be Toyota’s influence coming through in the design….

By: James

James — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:17:10 +0000

yeah its not particularly aggressive looking, but you have to be kidding to say all WRXs have been “pretty”.

None of them were pretty, they were aggressive looking which appealed to hoons.
Now, they want to steal away Euro buyers, hence the styling.

Do I agree with it?
No… they could of done better thats for sure.

I like the hatch still, and the STi is still my preference.

But seeing people here say Subaru know nothing about cars based on the looks of their new WRX…. ignorance.
Im not saying I agree with the styling department, but they are still engineered very well.

Give me the STi anyday however with the B Spec Liberty GT a close second as far as my Subaru choices. Mitsubishi EVO X are nice, but Sti still more practical and with staggered wheel arrangement, 18×9, 18×10 setup (Anthracite/charcoal) Forged Enkeis/Work/BBS etc. Looks like tough as…. *drools

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:52:51 +0000

Great write up Joe. The thing was, when the wrx came out in 94 it had no competition for the buck. Now there is alot more choices. But the new wrx sedan will cost about the same as the wrx in 94, however 40 ish k today is not the same as 40 ish k in 94, plus the new model would run rings around any model before it, so it has advanced (I am talking stock). Subaru has never made pretty looking cars, lets face it, but their overall package is hard to beat. I think alot of peoples perception will change when they see it in the metal, especially in black.

By: msw761

msw761 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:40:07 +0000

I agree with Mr Senior that the impreza range sales have increased but thats only because women are buying the entry level imprezas to use as shopping carts.
But i am yet to see many wrx hatches on the road. i see way way more GTI’s, actually – even more XR5s.
Why do all good car companies feel the need to conform every decade or so? Toyota with their MR2, Supra GT4, Nissan killed their silvia, etc etc

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:33:38 +0000

Wheelnut: Fair enough, but you haven’t driven the new WRX, so you can’t comment. I’ve driven pretty much every model WRX from 1994 up until now, including STi’s, and every type of modified example you can think of.

The MY08 WRX handles better than the 07 and previous, although a lot softer…doesn’t mean that it doesn’t handle. It grips better even on the narrower tyres, and has better turn in, as well as less understeer. This is what a stiffer body and suspension refinement creates over the previous model.

It is just as quick as the previous model (its no heavier and has same power), just more refined i.e. less turbo lag….doesn’t feel as “punchy”, because of the lack of turbo lag, it feels more like a big naturally aspirated engine. Just as quick though.

It has a more modern, airy feeling interior than the previous model. The plastics are harder, but the quality is there i.e. panel gaps are great, no squeaks, rattles or flimsy bits anywhere. It’s also more comfortable and will eliminate the “numb bum” of the previous models firm seats. Although the seats don’t hold you quite as much, they are by no means flat. It’s a good trade off.

The car is quieter too and has a lot more safety features than the previous model, so its extremely safe. It also doesn’t cost any more than the previous model and the MY09’s “Limited” option (leather and sunroof) for 2 grand more is fantastic.

We ordered our MY09 WRX Limited hatch as a practical, safe and reliable car to replace the mrs Mazda 3 SP23, and it just happens to do 0-100 in the low 5s.. Can’t complain with that! It’ll also haul my quad bike on a trailer, and carry the inevitable children in the years to come.

I also think it doesn’t look too bad. It’s non offensive and no worse or better than any other hatch in the price range. It achieves our purpose and then some. It also complements my heavily modified 450HP MY02 WRX, which we drive on the weekends.

THIS is why the WRX has sold more this year than last year. It meets the purpose and appeals to the greater masses with its more tame, refined nature, and none of the loss in performance or handling from its previous model. You could say that those who never bought a WRX because it had that “boy racer” appeal (especially so with the 2000 and earlier GC8 WRX), have now been able to justify buying one. Thats a win if you ask me.

By: Jboy

Jboy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:00:46 +0000

I think it looks great. If you want a goofy looking car, go for the old Imprezas. I’ll get one of these as soon as my current lease is finished.

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:50:35 +0000

Joe – I have infact driven the new Impreza Sedan [the equivalent of my 02 2.5 Litre RS] and it has lost so much of the feel and the attitude which the Impreza is/was known for.. Not to mention the looks power and features – compared to my RS.. although I am gradually getting used to the way the hatch looks its not enough to make me want to buy one.

By: confusion

confusion — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:08:18 +0000

Mr Nick Senior says…

“New generation Impreza has proved a sales winner since its introduction last year, with sales up 12.5 per cent.This final addition to the range will expand its appeal still further.”

With respect Mr Senior, it seems you’re full of it.

By: James

James — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:06:27 +0000

Subaru have proved to me they have given up on cars. Their Tribeca still look shit. And so does this. It’s like they’re inspired by Kia’s design language because it would fit perfectly in their range. I don’t care is this will cost $10′000 and Go, Stop and Corner better than a Pagani I would still not buy due to it’s poor efforts in design.

By: ihatemycardotcomdotau

ihatemycardotcomdotau — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:34:16 +0000

If Subaru has upped the power to 190kW as widely expected, would it change your opinion of the car?

Will not…this car looks way too soft…flared guards missing…even with those the car would look S**T

By: GTRmon

GTRmon — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:31:14 +0000

I thought Soobie had hit a low with the bug-eyed WRXs. I’ve grown to quite like the STi hatches, I’d pay for one. This sedan though, ugly.
It’s not muscular enough. Where’s the flared wheel arches? Intakes? Brake ventilation? What’s with the back end, looks like the designer was driving it to the boss and got rear-ended on the way.
The WRX design peaked at the MY00.
Save some money and get an Evo 6 TME or an evo 9.