All-New Subaru Impreza WRX STi Launched
25 Oct, 2007
57 Comments 
After months of leaks and rumours, Subaru has officially taken the cover off the new 2008 STi at the Tokyo Motor Show.
First impressions are a little disappointing. Sure the new STi is more aggressive than the mundane new WRX, with flared guards, a new rear wing, dual exhaust, bigger wheels, modified front and rear bumper profiles and grille. But then again, a Golf GTi is more agressive than the new WRX.
It seems that Subaru has all but given up on their current market, this is evident with the company using a silver coloured variant to launch the all-new STi and not its traditional blue and gold that has become an icon for Subaru.
Interestingly, Subaru has officially only released 2 photos of the rear, one of which is darkened, not exactly a confident start for the STi. Furthermore, the STi is launched as a hatchback only, marking the first time Subaru Australia will not sell an STi sedan. Rumours say the sedan variant will come, but there is no official time-frame.
Photos are of the Japanese domestic variant which makes use of a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, Subaru Australia has confirmed that it will have a 2.5 litre turbocharged engine when the car goes on sale here in the first quarter of 2008.
Evo or STi? You know which one we’d pick.
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I’ll take an Evo X thanks.
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
A bit retro eh?! Looks like a previous model Ford Focus ST170 thats been raped by a new mitsubishi Outlander.
My moneys on the EVO X as the next cult classic.
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October 25th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Just like to ordinary impreza, the thing is still ugly. This is coming from a current Subaru owner. Normally Subaru’s are not the best looking cars around, but they do have character, but the impreza has lost its character. Lets hope they don’t imprezise (f*#K up) the new forester, which as rumour has it, they have.. Take the EVO. I have seen more Lancers on the road now than impreza’s, and the lancer was the latter to be released. Must say something.
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October 25th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Subaru is heading down the path to mediocrity.
I heard a rumour that the next models will use the Camry platform…..and the camry body, interior, etc.
AND for the first 100 buyers, there will be a free fawn cardigan.
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Riiiight…. one of your best calls Reckless
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October 25th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
And in relation to this article, ‘darkened so Subaru aernt confident’… I highly doubt it, the clear shots showing the quad exhausts look awesome, there is nothing to hide… its one of the strong points of the STi. Seems like alot of speculation of a negative nature being made here.
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Quote: “Seems like a lot of speculation of a negative nature being made here”
In relation to the next gen forester, on a forester specific forum a bunch of UK members were invite to research day. They believe they saw the new forester and based on the description, there is very much reason for negative sediment
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
This is an STi….
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October 25th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Let’s see how the car goes before we shoot it down for styling alone. The EVO X does look good though but it’s still fairly basic inside, with the exception of the gear shift and driver’s side cockpit.
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October 25th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Looks OK to me, and to be honest I’d consider it over an EVO X - I just don’t like small sedans. EVO will probably be faster, and more comfortable (STi’s ride will probably be tough as nuts), but I don’t mind it. Then again, I probably wouldn’t buy either of those cars - you could buy a HSV or FPV for roughly the same price as these cars.
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October 25th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
If I were a Ralliart dealer i would be rubbing my hands together.
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October 25th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
The problem with the wrx’s look is the back half, it is too fat and out of proportion. If you could cut the car in half at the B-Pillar and design a slimmer, different rear end I dont think it would look too bad at all. The front isn’t perfect, but there’s worse.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Starkers - How could you even try to compare a piece of crap holden or ford to a Subaru. Those two makes are rolling hunks of crap with lack of handling to match.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Flying High, it seems like you don’t know passion. At the cars you say are “crap” are made in Australia, you just can’t say they crap because they not AWD.
Ford and GMH don’t take on these rally cars. Just because of that doesn’t mean they both Ford and GMH are “rolling hunks of crap”.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Sorry Going….Thing. But they are crap. Not because they are Australian made and not even because they are not AWD. But because they are Fords and Holdens. And Fords and Holdens are not synonymous with quality. Never have been and never will be.
Not to say they dont look nice - but parting with your cash to own one of these…. nup. And the telling is in the resale value or lack thereof.
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October 25th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
If the Sti and EVO X were my only options, there would be no question I’d choose the Subaru. Wouldn’t be seen dead driving a Lancer no matter how fast it was!!! The Lancer must be one of the daggiest cars ever!
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October 25th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Nothing wrong with resale value of the latest Cobra mate…….just made $23.000 in 2 weeks on it …….oh you meant de-value!!!! Nope don’t have any! Crap! Now what can we claim against our tax! hehehehe
Sorry what did you say …..I missed it!
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October 25th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Oh well Flying High, some people have different passions. But thats just your opintion, saying they crap because they no AWD.
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October 25th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Yep true Me……….different stokes for different folks!
Thing is I love Rexs…would be my choice next over the M3!
When we worked on cars in our workshop…..Subaru was JUST below Honda in quality……as Honda don’t make a Pocket Rocket I like and the Rex ! Love it for its years of burble past me and its history of performance so far!
As you say though their different cars though ,I agree !
Bang for Buck……hard one !
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October 25th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
There is little point comparing an EVO or STI with the V8’s produced by FPV or HSV. Platforms are completely different and so are the target markets. The car manufacturers know this which is why they don’t even bother marketing against each other.
If you prefer an EVO over a HSV or vice versa the most likely reason is buying preferences not performance.
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Holdens are total rubbish. when i was working at the holden dealer in the repair shop i was advised by all the mechanics to “never buy a holden, they’re shit quality and made to break”. that was evident at all the cars we had to repair aswell, most of which were brand new and needed major repairs. this is coming from people who work there hahaha
DO not buy holden people
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Lol I sat in the Lumina at the motorshow, it doesnt take Einstein to realise they lack quality!!! You would have to lack any grey matter to buy that thing no matter if it offers rear parking sensors or any of those other gimmicks over the Aurion and Falcon.
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October 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
‘Going Ford…thing’ you really must learn to read the threads. I did not say they were crap because they are not AWD - they are crap because they are Fords and Holdens. And you don’t buy a Ford or Holden because of passion. You buy it because you cant be arsed about quality or simply because you have been sucked into the dopey ‘ever since I was knee high to a grass hopper, you were either a Ford man or a Holden man’ mentality. I mean Holdens had blinkers as optional extra’s until nearly the 1970’s!!. I am sorry if you find this offensive, as clearly you are passionate about your Ford…
Anyway this is going completely off the thread which was to discuss the glory (or lack thereof) of Subaru’s King, the WRX STi. It’s another ugly duckling from Suby, but I am sure it will be successful for them…
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October 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I agree on Ford and Holden sentiment… new Subaru ugly duckling though, more like stylish duckling… well at least compared to previous models.
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October 26th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
pull your head in flying high…. most cars had optional blinkers up untill 1966…….
Australian cars are not that bad….. After all your beloved toyotas (camry and aurion), toyota paul are built here also….
I have no doubt a european or even a japanese built car has exceptional build quality…. but where else in the world can you buy a high peformance v8 or turbo 6 car for the money we can but some of our great homegrown stuff….. there is not too many i can assure you.
Maybe the reason our australian built cars ic because of twats like yourselfs bagging them and turning away from them, maybe if opinions were higher of australian built cars… wether it be holden, ford, toyota or mitsubishi maybe we might have a world class product.
I think the australian motor industry needs more support rather than a bagging, we do make some superior products!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Go Tonyn!!!!!!!!!
Still looking for the info on those valves
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October 26th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I would take my Mk5 R32 over either of them.
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October 26th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
yeah i am, i have tried to call my mechanic but he isnt good at returning phone calls!!
I am sick of hearing all the bulls$#t that people spin about australian cars, we do make a great product, and we should be proud of it, maybe if australians talked there product up and the world took notice of them maybe we would have a world class product.
i think people like flying high and toyota paul have no knowledge of motoring, they prob only have ever driven there mums cars and wish they could afford a XR8 or SS, and for that matter STi and EVO. Im just a little fired up about this!!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
You’ve all gotta be kidding me… I understand that the new Impreza range isn’t exactly the best looking car produced by subaru… But the Evo X, is by far the worse of the two cars! Can’t people see the resemblance of an Alfa Romeo in the Evo X? It’s gotta be one of the most ugly cars ever made on the planet. The STi has better performance, always has, and just plain looks better. Has anyone even seen the Sedan version yet? Well it looks bloody awesome, and kicks the ass of every single Mitsubishi produced!
EH!
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October 26th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I agree with Tonyn. I think its time to come clean boys, what cars do you drive Flying High and Toyota Paul… ;-)
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October 26th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
A recent study with industry figures showed Ford and Holden to be equal last in reliability… so yes they have bad quality. Just go step inside the Commodore Lumina, absolutely disgraceful.
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October 26th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Currently drive a Liberty GT. Tonyn FYI it shits all over Fords and Holdens. And I support quality products wherever they are made ESP Oz products, so mind your tongue telling me to pull my head in. I have plenty of knowledge of motoring and have been underneath more than my fair share of shit boxes of all descriptions. Prolly pulled out more motors than you have had schooners of VB. So I know quality. And I know how to drive. Hence the reason I stay away from Fords and Holdens. The arrogance of some posters here is unbelievable. Put your cards on the table Tonyn - what is your fantastic set of wheels?
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October 26th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Oh yes Tonyn - your 1966 blinkers optional comment. That was NOT in European made vehicles who had blinkers for decades prior. It WAS a feature of the home grown Holden. The common practice was to stick your arm out the window to indicate to turn left or tight. In fact sticking your arm out the window was still considered acceptable practice by the RTA as per their rule books up until the early 1990’s!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Ahhhhhhh really now I know why Holden drivers have their arm hanging out the window ,I thought they were just holing the roof on! hehehehe
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
make that holding!!!!!
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October 26th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
i’ve heard alot of these similar comments from mechanics on ford/holden cars. beleivable to say the least especially when mechanics dont actually sell cars
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October 27th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
V8 cars may make generous power but compare that to the amount of horse power per litre to that of a STi and Evo. No comparison what so ever. If Holden or Ford applied similar technologies like mivec or avcs, a 5.7 V8 should be producing power close to 600 hp. With the world turning to alternative energy’s we see them increasing the capacities for additional hp. No wonder there is global warming.
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October 27th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Got the same anti spam word again? Whats changed in a few hours?
Hey Taka……..I have had the same argument for 20 odd years with my other half {not my husband then by the way,is now,what was I thinking!}
I must say Ford do a better job per cube than GMH in their defense!
BMW M also has had the policy of every litre must make 100 hp! Yep their still doing it normally aspirated too!
Its not like either aren’t capable I think,its just they know their market they have to go up against and that only each other! Even though GMH make reference to being better than BMW……….yep…right!
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October 28th, 2007 at 7:31 am
flying high…
ill put my card on the table.. i drive a TS50 falcon, i also have a 1972 gt falcon AND a Audi a4 3.0 tdi quattro s line. So i Dont drive anything i wouldnt concider quality.
And of course you liberty is going to blow an australian made car off the line….. it is all wheel drive… its like comapring two swimmers… one with his hands tied….
Arrogance is exactly what your displaying…. and i dont drink VB, as you know if you appreciate quality it would be crown lager or something of that ilk…. Ive rebuilt and restored plenty of cars so your assumption is very wrong…
As for blinkers, Austins, minis, humbers, leyland products, volkswagens….even some MERCEDES products didnt have blinkers till the mid 60’s…. so european products still had them as options too
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October 28th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Hey Tonyn…..you at work I take it? Off to the ALL FORD DAY here this morning,only taking the Cobra cause its been raining and don’t want to get the undercarriage of the XA dirty !Wimpy ha !
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October 28th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Lol yeah you cant compare an AWD… if a company makes it AWD and its the same design and price etc you can compare it. Ford and Holden offer crap… they are budget cars with budget quality.
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October 28th, 2007 at 9:53 am
You having a bad day Paul?
I cant figure you out,some days you will come to bat for Ford
saying its a better car than Holden then days like today you just trash it! Give yourself some credibility and become a little more consistent. There is an old saying “throw dirt lose ground” To make such as statement as you have
” Ford and Holden offer crap… they are budget cars with budget quality.” is just rude and un-thought out! Your not an idiot so why make dumb comments like it?
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October 28th, 2007 at 10:14 am
guys why do people only assume the falcon is all ford has?
ok now why hasnt the Focus been mentioned? we were talking rally werent we? gee you guys are dead set tools if you choose to pin a WRX against a bigger heavier falcon. how about the Focus that is giving both the Evo and WRX a paddling in rally?
also to compare a N/A ford motor to a boosted WRX motor in terms of power:displacement ratio is real tough too
Big question for Paul…….
have you ever owned a ford? you seem to know how bad they are maybe you’ve owned say 10 or so and been burnt every time. thats the only reason i can think someone would be so bitter and anti-ford
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October 28th, 2007 at 10:38 am
no i wont take my XA out if it even looks like raining!!! BM!! i am getting my XA ready for summernats…. i think that is the next show i will be doing! might even take the TS if i still have it! i love all ford days they are so much fun to participate in! im jealous you guys are off to one i might have to make the move over to the west…. nsw show scene had died off big time!
Toyota paul…. that was a little rude…. i think you just like to throw fuel on a fire…. and hey… holden, ford and even mitsubishi are showing a little more commitment to australian manufacturing at the min…. and lets face it paul toyotas reliabilty credentials have taken a beating lately….. so i dont think we need to be talking about ford and holdens being budget…. before you know it we will be getting camrys from thailand….
Andrew… i see your point but you cant buy a focus even close to the Rally spec Focus… and as much as i am a ford man im embarressed to call our australian ford rally team a factory outfit… there a discrace!! Ford do have one of the best product lineups they have ever had…. and from what i know orion falcon will give everyone a big shakeup!
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October 28th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Tonyn, thats right.
i dont know why ford dont do a rally spec vehicle to compete with the WRX etc.
the point i was making was if you drive the other 2 wheels and boost it to a comparible level of the WRX it is a mighty fine competitor.
it maybe a 65K focus by the time you do that but so is what it would compete against.
ive read they are working on a rally spec in the UK (or pretty close to it)
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October 28th, 2007 at 10:56 am
so true again tonyn toyotas commitment to OZ revolves around the aussie dollar and taxes. they are being hit by it and are considering making the camry in thailand.
ive read 2 releases on the subject now and toyota is sending exec’s here to plead with the government to not lower import taxes. so as of 2010 will we see the camry imported again? thailand and a couple of other countries are keen to take over
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October 28th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Bavarian… there is no lack of credibility due to inconsistency in relation to Ford talk, in some areas they are good, such as their engine… and you can note I defend them against Holden, who are even worse! But the quality of their vehicles in general is reasonably poor… 60% having problems in the first 5 months is evidence of this no? Where a lack of credibility exists is when you and your buddies show blatent biased towards Ford and try to appear like your impartial in your comments. I admit Im alittle
biased to Toyota, but I still think Im more critical then the Ford camp are to their respective manufacturer.
Tonyn… Toyotas reliability in Australia is as strong as ever, the only incident has been with the TRD… ONE VEHICLE. I dont know how you made that claim. As for product, yeeeeees in Thailand, did you know that Toyota exports something like 70% of its vehicles overseas? TOYOTA MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO AUSTRALIA!!!!
Andrew.M… I havent personally, parents have owned 3. Havent been burnt either. But common sense shows they lack quality compared to the Japs, this is a fact you find hard to grasp.. jus like this reliabilty argument, cant grasp the possbility that the Japanese design mroe reliable and when they want to, more powerful, vehicles.
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October 28th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Paul,
do you have selected reading or what? mate tell me right now where i have said fords have a better track record than toyotas??
WAITING
also the TRD isnt the only toyota to have problems. that is your problem. you fail to see that toyota does have their share of problems too. the history shows they have had less problems but it doesnt show they have none as you try dictate
Ok so toyota means a great deal to australia now do they? or is australia means a great deal to toyota. because by the sounds of it toyota are only using australia for the benefit of affordable exporting otherwise they wouldnot be kicking and screaming about the rising aussie dollar and possible lowering of taxes.
yes toyota can have their track record of reliability but like you started to say ford has their good credentials too.
the motor like you said, and then the safety is another good one for ford. oh and then handling too thats another good trait from a ford and not just the falcon but also the european fords are highly respected for their handling
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October 28th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
paul… very rarely do you see a stop production on a ford… i think you are more than a little biased….
and toyota have had a few recalls lately… i can remember from the days i was working with toyota… only 12 months ago there was recalls regarding hilux suspension… camry headlights… im not knocking toyota reliability… but surely you can see there not perfect…. id rate honda and subaru higher in quality than toyota. I managed a multi franchise dealership which sold toyota and mitsubishi, and i do have to say other than regular maitnence i very rarely saw a mitsubishi in the workshop…. sufice to say very rarely a toyota but there was less warranty issues regarding mitsubishi than i had toyota….
they dont think too much of australia, to me it sounds like an excuse to close toyotas australian manufacturing plan down…
End of the day, i like toyota, there still bland but i think they are working to dispell that image. I still will disagree there reliabilty is as strong as ever… on a world wide basis they have slipped…..
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October 29th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Tonyn - Thankfully you are an owner of the more tasteful Fords and surprisingly you don’t drink VB. Is the Audi your Mums car? :-)
(kidding) good on you mate - enjoy ‘em all
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October 29th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
good to see you have a sense of humour…
Yeah mate mum hates when i drive her Audi…. hehehe no luckly enough i get the Audi as a company car… honestly the best european car i have had!
Didnt mean to sound like i was attacking, just trying to prove a point.
Hope you enjoy the liberty! there a good thing!
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October 29th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Yes. Don’t mind the Audi’s except the ‘Fox’ I used to own gave me no end of heartaches.
When I grow up I would love an Audi RS4.
And btw no offence taken. And for hte record - I love the sound of a burbling V8 whether its in a Ford, Holden or otherwise - a bloke would have to be pretty lame not to! :-) cheers!
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October 29th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
i have just given back a RS4…. i was like a kid not wanting to give a toy back!
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October 29th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Thats cause your spoilt..hehehe When is the new one arriving?
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October 29th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Andrew.M
1. I dont intend to look through every article I find exact quotes, you have said before that Fords have great reliability, you are wrong.
2. Yes I dont admit they have problems… despite mentioning in the past how for example Camrys ha sludge problems. I have never denied Toyota have problems, this is where you cant read, I am sayin that Toyota are more reliable. This means, on avg, their cars dont have problems. This is not only backed up by industry figures but many many many customer surveys. You ask anyone who isnt biased which car brand is reliable… 9/10 you will hear Toyota. Thats not purely based on marketing, they really havent pushed their reliability in marketing, its got to do with the facts and a 20 year record of producing great cars…. meanwhile you Ford fairies attack it based on TRD… that sounds logical, forget 20 years of history!
3. As for the quote, its a joke, Holden used that slogan… I think Toyota honestly means a great deal more to Australia then both Ford and Holden… not only does it sell to Australians but 70% of vehicles produced are exported… that creates alot of jobs and thats not just limited to those employed under Toyota!
4. I dont deny Ford has toyota in other areas such as handling (albeit Toyota is starting to cathc up)… but that is one relatively small segment of car manufacturers market. Most people would regard reliability over handling… they just want something that will keep going and going.
Tonyn
I HAVE NEVER SAID TOYOTA HAVE NO PROBLEMS. This is Andrew.M doing his usual twisting, Ive mentioned a few of their problems before and in fact this has been debated before, reliability is all about probability, with these industry figures on avg 70% of Toyotas had no issues, only 40% of Falcons didnt have issues… these are the facts. As for Mitsubishi, I really find it hard to stomach they are more reliabile, I know many people who know even more people… to date not one has a non-problem story about them. The studies and surveys also reflect this, as Toyota is above them in all ones conducted. I do agree though their reliability has slipped worldwide, no doubt… HOWEVER its still number 1 and in Australia, it hasnt slipped at all as we have not experieneced the same issues as the U.S (Camry trans etc).
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October 29th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Unfortunately, I don’t think Subaru are going to offer the nice rear spoiler of the WRC fame. There will almost certainly be after market companies offering something similar.
I was quoted at a base price of $58,990 by Suby over the weekend and this pretty much seems to be the mark - although I am not sure what that price will include. Prolly not the leather interior. It was not clear if they were going to offer a base spec and a ‘premium’ pack spec - but I suspect that is what they will do. The premium pack spec on the road will be close to about $67K it would appear.
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November 19th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
The US pricing for the new STi was just released, it will cost the septics $US 34995 for the base model STi, which is $1500 more than the outgoing model. So add the usual 60 - 70 % markup price that Australian imports usually cop (10% currency change, 10% import duty, 50 % rip off Australians) and around $60k looks about right.
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