Opinions on Subby Impreza

[rjastra]

For a daily drive, I prefer to adopt the Jeremy Clarkson attitude about tooooo many gears though. Why is 4 not enough? My wife drives in peak times stop-start traffic for 40+ minutes to and 40+ minutes from - why would she NEED a 7 speed tranny? And let's keep in mind they aren't a cheap addition to the base price either! Add a couple of other desirable toys and the Golf very quickly becomes overpriced for what it is.

JC was talking about a car with a 5L V8 (ie the IS-F). More gears are good if the engine in question is small (<2.5l) or has a limited rev range (TDI)
Anyone who thinks a 2L normally aspirated engine lugging over 1300kg will suffice with a 4 speed auto needs to reassess reality

And if I am not mistaken the 7 speed DSG is a $2500 option on the Golf. The 4 speed ( 1 LESS than the manual) is a $2000 option. You don't have to order a Golf with any of the options if you dont want to. At least VW offer the options. For instance, optional Dynaudio system for the Golf is exxy but apparently by far the best in class.

The $3000 leather/sunroof/xenon option on the Impreza is very good value.

[Wraith]

The DSG in the 1.4L Golfs is the new dry clutch version. Less maintenance required than the older wet clutch versions in the GTI and TDI versions.
I think the new DSG has an improved hill holder function as the DSG has a little lag between applying throttle from standstill and engaging the clutch (which makes sense).

A dealer accessory is flappy paddles for the DSG. Could make it more fun to drive for you.
Also, both the 90TSi and 118TSi can be updated via firmware reflashes. I think the 90Tsi goes to about 110kw and 220Nm and the 118tsi goes up to about 150kw/290Nm.

The Focus diesel uses a similar auto gearbox now.

Wraith: I had a sit in the MPS3 and SP25. I tend to agree with the others that the interior is very "busy". The auto SP25 had way too many buttons and paddles in the steering wheel.

New Golf MK6 1.4 TSI is up there on my list too, still investigating it ATM so no final conclusion yet

Interesting regarding the Mazdas rj as most people think the same, but for me I like all the extra kit/bells and whisltes you can possibly get in a vehicle, so the loads of instrumentation and buttons in the new Mazda 3 and others like Mazda 6 etc. suit me just fine...

The only 2 points that work against the MPS3 for me are the manual trans and real World efficiency...as for the manual trans it works a treat, but I'd prefer an auto/DSG type trans for a DD vehicle, but having said that I would still get a manual if all the other aspects which are important to me are there

[Wraith]

ones id be looking at (in this order)
1.0 Golf VI
2.0 SP25
3.0 Corolla
4.0 i30
5.0 Lancer Sportsback
6.0 Impreza RS
7.0 civic

my old man has an 05 impreza RS (2.5ltr auto) and to be honest, its a huge slug of a car. Add to that that its not that versatile (back seats dont fold down), its a car thats reliable, cheap to run, but not the cream of the crop. He drove the SP25 recently and much preferred the drive of the Mazda. The Golf, to me would be the most enticing auto to drive out of the lot.

As for the Mazda, with anything new that pushes the envelope of opinions and personal perference, it will take time to get used to it. I personally admire Mazda for being funky with their design and depending on colour choice, you can mask up certain areas that might not be so appealing.

The Corolla (read 'boring') is the safest option. Not my cup of tea, but theres a reason why its the best selling car.

i30 has won many motoring awards, and should be discounted as an option IMO

Nice list !

Have all of those on mine too

I'm very keen on the Civic (and also have looked at the City as a lower budget option) and am also going to give the i30 a good look over...I like what the Hyundai offers for the money, no one can take that away from it

I'm also keeping an eye on what Ford are doing with the XR5T Focus, it's not on my list BUT if they are going to be giving them away again for $32,900-$33,200 drive away, that would be a hard bargain to resist :rollyeys1:

[mania]

The i30's are fantastic cars imo. The boot alone convinced me of that (worth seeing!).

[Wraith]

The $3000 leather/sunroof/xenon option on the Impreza is very good value.

Agreed !

When I was looking at the new Impreza MY09 WRX's earlier this year AFAIK it was 4 or $4,500 extra for all of the above + sat nav. as well, with a bigger in dash screen which featured digital tacho display features - very cool

[Wraith]

The i30's are fantastic cars imo. The boot alone convinced me of that (worth seeing!).

From what I've seen so far they are very good looking and very nicely finished off, certainly a not bad effort at a quality product IMO !

If people can get over the brand, they'll easily appreciate it for sure as it makes for a very good 'normal' type DD vehicle...

[JohnBu]

For a daily drive, I prefer to adopt the Jeremy Clarkson attitude about tooooo many gears though. Why is 4 not enough? My wife drives in peak times stop-start traffic for 40+ minutes to and 40+ minutes from - why would she NEED a 7 speed tranny?

4 is not enough in 2009.

no one needs 7 speed transmission, just like no one needs power windows. however, the more ratios means better performance, smoother shifts & lower fuel usage.

4sp compared to the 7sp DSG
- worst performance
- more noticeable shifts
- higher fuel usage

7sp DSG wins.

In peak hr traffic... does Adelaide have peak hr traffic??? haha

In peak hr traffic, you'll still notice a difference, accelerating to 50kmh, the 4speed auto may be changing into 3, the 7sp will be changing into 4th whilst being smoother and more fuel efficient as the increased ratios means its in the correct powerband more of the time.

As you said it yourself, the DSG is very good.

without being subjective, compared to its rivals my conclusion on the Impreza- slower, less fuel efficient, worst handling (less agile). Subjectively, it doesn't win interior or exterior looks either.

[phtm]

Don''t know what the new imprezza is like. I have a 2001 hatch. I love the boxer engine and the build quality is good, ( something you don't get on cheaper cars). The AWD is good but I have the manuel not an auto. I have done 225.000 km on original clutch.

[mania]

4 is not enough in 2009.

no one needs 7 speed transmission, just like no one needs power windows. however, the more ratios means better performance, smoother shifts & lower fuel usage.

Those are all true, but doesn't mean more gears is always desirably. Definitely by the time you reach infinite (cvt) you've got far too many and the ride becomes unnerving. The extra couple of percent fuel economy over 5 gears doesn't make up for it.

As it is, on my manual, I find 4 gears to be sufficient. Which leaves me two I rarely use. 4th and 5th - what's the point? Acceleration in 6th is fine for accelerating from 60kmh+ for casual driving. For spirited acceleration you need a lower ratio - 2nd, or where over 100kmh is permitted, 3rd. I imagine 5th isn't useful unless you're aiming at breaking 200kmh... why on earth would you need 7 in Australia? I mean they're nice to have, but that's all really..

[gslrallysport]

the i30's are fantastic cars imo.

+1

4 is not enough in 2009.

+2