Review: 2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i

[68_427]

Couple of issues...



Third, automakers don't make money selling cars to enthusiasts, and the relative few who are new car buying Subaru enthusiasts are all about the AWD/rally car thing.

I'm sorry but this isn't quite right.

[AutobahnSHO]

Couple of issues...

First, a FWD Legacy or Impreza is a very tough sell vs. an Accord or Civic; even with AWD, plus the cars already get good mpg.

Second, AWD has plenty of advantages in wet climates as even moderate-powered FWD vehicles will easily lose traction.

Third, automakers don't make money selling cars to enthusiasts, and the relative few who are new car buying Subaru enthusiasts are all about the AWD/rally car thing.

1- Newer legacies are selling to people who would normally buy Camries or Accords.
2- I agree, but most people would be happy with better mpg than a little bit more traction. (For the record I've NEVER spun the tires in my current Subie, even on gravel.)
3- By making "enthusiast" cars, it ups the image of the entire brand. (ie WRX, SHO) Even though most buyers will buy the cheaper versions.
I think though that the majority of Subaru drivers like something a little quirkier but runs well. Not really the "rally thing"....

[sportyaccordy]

Couple of issues...

First, a FWD Legacy or Impreza is a very tough sell vs. an Accord or Civic; even with AWD, plus the cars already get good mpg.

Second, AWD has plenty of advantages in wet climates as even moderate-powered FWD vehicles will easily lose traction.

Third, automakers don't make money selling cars to enthusiasts, and the relative few who are new car buying Subaru enthusiasts are all about the AWD/rally car thing.

It could just be a different avenue to take. And outside of snowy climates, unless you are on a racetrack there's no driving situation within the limits of the law that would benefit from the traction of AWD besides maybe merging onto a highway in the wet. Beyond that, an AWD vehicle will be just as prone to lose traction in a turn or braking.

Other than that, I agree, but I think it would be cool to have a cheap RWD car available. Subarus already give up space in the nose and cabin for their deisng.... might as well make something of it beyond the AWD thing.

[AutobahnSHO]

And outside of snowy climates, unless you are on a racetrack there's no driving situation within the limits of the law that would benefit from the traction of AWD besides maybe merging onto a highway in the wet.

-1

I can't tell you how many times I've spun the tires from a stop in my van. I've almost wished I had AWD on that thing because it's a NOTICEABLE difference in the Subaru.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm sorry but this isn't quite right.

What's not right about that?

There's no money to be made off of enthusiasts. Enthusiasts are a tiny part of the market.

[Raza]

-1

I can't tell you how many times I've spun the tires from a stop in my van. I've almost wished I had AWD on that thing because it's a NOTICEABLE difference in the Subaru.

Yeah, there's no solution for losing traction in a straight line. 

I've never owned an AWD car.  Have I driven AWD in snow?  Yes.  It's quite useful.  But I've gone 8 years with 2WD, without incident, yes, with some shoveling, and in some horrible conditions.  If I had money for a winter car, I'd get one that's AWD.  But as an only car?  For me, it presents a compromise with which I am not comfortable. 

[68_427]

What's not right about that?

There's no money to be made off of enthusiasts. Enthusiasts are a tiny part of the market.

I was talking about the part he stated most people buying new Subarus are doing it because of rally or something.

[Cookie Monster]

I was talking about the part he stated most people buying new Subarus are doing it because of rally or something.

"the relative few who are new car buying Subaru enthusiasts are all about the AWD/rally car thing. "

Subaru enthusiasts probably buy it for the AWD.

[68_427]

"the relative few who are new car buying Subaru enthusiasts are all about the AWD/rally car thing. "

Subaru enthusiasts probably buy it for the AWD.

But not all people buying new Subarus are Subaru enthusiasts.  IE My mom wasn't.  She bought hers because she liked how it looks.  The AWD was just a plus.  She is now a Subaru enthusiast though.

[AutobahnSHO]

Yeah, there's no solution for losing traction in a straight line. 

I've never owned an AWD car.  Have I driven AWD in snow?  Yes.  It's quite useful.  But I've gone 8 years with 2WD, without incident, yes, with some shoveling, and in some horrible conditions.  If I had money for a winter car, I'd get one that's AWD.  But as an only car?  For me, it presents a compromise with which I am not comfortable. 

What if it was this??

[sportyaccordy]

What if it was this??

As much as I love the 959, can't beat one of these

[Raza]

What if it was this??

There are rare examples of performance AWD done well, but you'll mostly find that they counter the boring-ness of AWD by moving the engine aft or with loads of electronic trickery to make it act more like a RWD car. 

[SVT666]

There are rare examples of performance AWD done well, but you'll mostly find that they counter the boring-ness of AWD by moving the engine aft or with loads of electronic trickery to make it act more like a RWD car. 

Like Lambos.  They are AWD but they are so RWD biased that the front wheels only take on 30% of the power.

[2o6]

There are rare examples of performance AWD done well, but you'll mostly find that they counter the boring-ness of AWD by moving the engine aft or with loads of electronic trickery to make it act more like a RWD car. 

I'm sorry, but can't you defeat "stoginess" with proper gearing and locking diffs?