2004 Impreza Questions (CDN)

[Vern Tarbutt]

I am seriously considering purchasing a Subaru Impreza (2004 model) and
would appreciate some comments concerning the vehicle. I have been a long
time Volkswagen person but have grown tired of the vanilla models they have
been producing recently. I believe that Subaru is my only alternative as I
want a small car that is above all fun to drive, has lots of road feel and
looks a little bit different.



In Canada there are two different trim levels for the "basic" Impreza, a
2.5TS Wagon and an Outback Sport version. There is a $4,000 CDN price
difference and I would appreciate any advice concerning the additional value
of purchasing the upgraded model.



There are a few standard items on the Outback Sport Impreza that I would
like (heated seats in particular), but are not by themselves worth the extra
amount. So any opinions on the other features would help me in making a
decision. The major upgrades include a stiffer (heavy duty) suspension, 16"
alloy wheels, fog lights, upgraded upholstery and quite a few convenience
things like lighted cargo area. The paint scheme is also different, a two
tone effect with a standard metallic grey paint applied to the bumpers and
around the wheel wells. I was told the grey paint is better at preventing
chipping in these vulnerable areas, is this true?



If possible I would also like to hear any comments about the car in general;
I have gone through the message board and have not seen many posts about the
basic Impreza. I understand that the 2004 model is relatively new, but any
comments, even those about Subaru would be helpful.



Thanks

Vern Tarbutt

 

[Justin F. Knotzke]

In Canada there are two different trim levels for the "basic" Impreza, a
2.5TS Wagon and an Outback Sport version. There is a $4,000 CDN price
difference and I would appreciate any advice concerning the additional value
of purchasing the upgraded model.

I'm in Canada and I purchased a Impreza TS 2.5 about 6 weeks ago. I
didn't get the Sport model because I couldn't see where they got the
$4000 difference. IMHO its not at all worth the extra price and even the
dealer hinted as much to me.

I LOVE my TS. Of course, its only 6 weeks old and one has to be very
careful when taking advice from someone who just purchased anything.
Most people will not admit they were ripped off until much later if at
all.

Having said that, and being a former owner of a VW GTI VR6 I can tell
you that the TS is in the ballpark. Its got excellent bottom end, handles
very well and is a complete blast to drive. The GTI (VR6) had more power
especially at the top end. The TS though, to me, has good torque at
lower speeds and comes close to the VR6.


If you do get a TS, the first thing I would do is get yourself a
better sound system. The one that comes with the car is junk.

Good Luck,

J

 

[Vern Tarbutt]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I am also having a hard time understanding how they arrived at the price for
the sport model, this is why I posted my question. In my opinion the
standard TS is more than adequate in terms of performance for my needs. I
have not had the opportunity to test drive the sport version so do not know
how the heavy duty suspension affects drivability. Like your dealer, mine
has hinted that the extra features are not worth the cost.

I do prefer the appearance of the sport version (two tone paint scheme) and
my wife would really like the heated seats, but $4,000 is a steep price to
pay for a minor styling enhancement and a single comfort feature. If the
paint was better at protecting against chips and the suspension noticeably
better than the standard car I might be more interested. At this point I am
trying to keep an open mind concerning some of the features that are not
important for me, if someone was able to describe the benefits of some of
the enhancements I would at least understand their value.

I appreciate your comments concerning your Impreza, especially from a former
VW owner. And the advice concerning replacing the sound system is exactly
the type of comment I was hoping for.

Vern Tarbutt

I'm in Canada and I purchased a Impreza TS 2.5 about 6 weeks ago. I
didn't get the Sport model because I couldn't see where they got the
$4000 difference. IMHO its not at all worth the extra price and even the
dealer hinted as much to me.

I LOVE my TS. Of course, its only 6 weeks old and one has to be very
careful when taking advice from someone who just purchased anything.
Most people will not admit they were ripped off until much later if at
all.

Having said that, and being a former owner of a VW GTI VR6 I can tell
you that the TS is in the ballpark. Its got excellent bottom end, handles
very well and is a complete blast to drive. The GTI (VR6) had more power
especially at the top end. The TS though, to me, has good torque at
lower speeds and comes close to the VR6.


If you do get a TS, the first thing I would do is get yourself a
better sound system. The one that comes with the car is junk.

Good Luck,

J

 

[null_pointer]

I am also having a hard time understanding how they arrived at the price for
the sport model, this is why I posted my question. In my opinion the
standard TS is more than adequate in terms of performance for my needs. I
have not had the opportunity to test drive the sport version so do not know
how the heavy duty suspension affects drivability. Like your dealer, mine
has hinted that the extra features are not worth the cost.

I do prefer the appearance of the sport version (two tone paint scheme) and
my wife would really like the heated seats, but $4,000 is a steep price to
pay for a minor styling enhancement and a single comfort feature. If the
paint was better at protecting against chips and the suspension noticeably
better than the standard car I might be more interested. At this point I am
trying to keep an open mind concerning some of the features that are not
important for me, if someone was able to describe the benefits of some of
the enhancements I would at least understand their value.

I have also been looking at the TS for when I move to Minnesota next
year. I just visited Edmunds.com and looked at the TS vs. the OBS. I
deleted all the accessories and got the two prices (both were
automatics), and there was only a $1,117 (US) difference between them.
I personally don't care for the look of the OBS paint job and I would
rather have the 15" steel wheels so I could put winter tires on them.
I would buy some 16" or 17" wheels for 3 season use. As for the
heated seat, does anyone make a thin seat pad that would plug into the
lighter socket??

 

[ed]

Take a look at the brochure, it specifies all the extras on the OB Sport.
Also, I believe the gray part is a plastic covering, not paint, which is why
it resists chipping.

I did a similar comparison about a year ago and actually got the OBS. IT
was the added accessories, the raised suspension, and the heated seats. Was
the difference worth it? Well maybe to some, but as a fact, I know the
dealers like to move the TS as they have a better profit from it. I have
seen the numbers for both.

 

[powertrain]

In Canada there are two different trim levels for the "basic"
Impreza, a 2.5TS Wagon and an Outback Sport version. There is a
$4,000 CDN price difference and I would appreciate any advice
concerning the additional value of purchasing the upgraded model.

Just 2 models? What about the Impreza RS? Your $4000 would be better
spent getting that model unless you absolutely want the wagon.

 

[chuckles]

Hey Vern,

I'm in Canada too and am a former VW owwner and a firm believer in the
reliability of the VW diesel engines. I don't own the Impreza but have had
a Forrester (basic model) and now an Outback Limited edition. My mum has
the Impreza RS and my dad, a WRX wagon.

In my opinion, the Impreza RS is the better handling than the Forrester and
Outback because of the lower centre of gravity and shorter wheel base. I
have yet to try the WRX wagon as my dad only recently purchased it and I'm
over 5000km away.

With regards to sound systems, you can never get audiophile quality sound
out of an auto system. One reason is due to the positioning of the speakers
(not directly at ear position). Being an audiophile, with several systems
in my house (my main system costs over CAN$25K), I have come to the
conclusion that it is not worth the money upgrading sound systems in the
car. Your best bet is to just go home and enjoy the sound system that you
have there.

Chuckles

 

[UserEddie214]

I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth

the money upgrading sound systems in the car.
Your best bet is to just go home and enjoy the sound
system that you have there.

Chuckles

What if you don't have a sound system or you
don't have a home to begin with???

The speakers in many Impreza's are plain awfull
so even a cheap upgrade can make a relatively big
difference.

s.z.

 

[Justin F. Knotzke]

With regards to sound systems, you can never get audiophile quality sound
out of an auto system. One reason is due to the positioning of the speakers
(not directly at ear position). Being an audiophile, with several systems
in my house (my main system costs over CAN$25K), I have come to the
conclusion that it is not worth the money upgrading sound systems in the
car. Your best bet is to just go home and enjoy the sound system that you
have there.

Given that you spent more on your home sound system then on the price
of the TS, I'd say you and I aren't canoeing in the same lake.

To the OP, a new sound system makes a nice difference to us mere
mortals.

J

 

[chuckles]

sound system at home meaning your stereo or getto blaster. there are many
low cost mini systems that sound much better than a car system.

home meaning the house that you own, the apartment that you rent, or even if
you're living with mummy and daddy, your room. home doesn't have to be
exclusively one that you've purchased. i used to refer to my rental
basement apartment my home as that was where i went to every day after work.
if you don't have a home then you wouldn't be driving a subaru, let alone a
rusting piece of crap.

 

[chuckles]

i'm no more special than the op, as you put it. i work hard for what i
have. i was just trying to make the point that, unless you spend a
significant part of your day in your car, ie, you put in enough driving time
to cover over 40,000 km per year,it would not be worth upgrading the sound
system in it, however, the choice is up to you. i never said that you would
be dumb should you decide to go for it. i just said that it was not worth
the money upgrading the sound system in a car. that is my opinion after all
and i was just providing it to you. i'd rather put the money in rrsp's or
towards my mortgage, more worthwhile choices, again this is my opinion.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

[posted and mailed]

I am seriously considering purchasing a Subaru Impreza (2004 model) and
would appreciate some comments concerning the vehicle. I have been a
long time Volkswagen person but have grown tired of the vanilla models
they have been producing recently. I believe that Subaru is my only
alternative as I want a small car that is above all fun to drive, has
lots of road feel and looks a little bit different.

In Canada there are two different trim levels for the "basic" Impreza, a
2.5TS Wagon and an Outback Sport version. There is a $4,000 CDN price
difference and I would appreciate any advice concerning the additional
value of purchasing the upgraded model.

There are a few standard items on the Outback Sport Impreza that I would
like (heated seats in particular), but are not by themselves worth the
extra amount. So any opinions on the other features would help me in
making a decision. The major upgrades include a stiffer (heavy duty)
suspension, 16" alloy wheels, fog lights, upgraded upholstery and quite
a few convenience things like lighted cargo area. The paint scheme is
also different, a two tone effect with a standard metallic grey paint
applied to the bumpers and around the wheel wells. I was told the grey
paint is better at preventing chipping in these vulnerable areas, is
this true?

If possible I would also like to hear any comments about the car in
general; I have gone through the message board and have not seen many
posts about the basic Impreza. I understand that the 2004 model is
relatively new, but any comments, even those about Subaru would be
helpful.

I just picked up a 2003 Impreza TS Special Edition about a month ago. I
was originally looking at the Outback Sport but didn't like the color of
the cloth interior or the two tone paint. The Special Edition is between
the base TS and the Outback Sport. It get's alloy wheels, an unavailable
paint color for the Impreza TS (platinum silver?!) fog lights and a shiny
exhaust tip.

I wanted all of these things (could care less about the exhaust tip) added
to a base TS and loved the color so this was ideal for me. My car doesn't
have the roof rails (another plus for me) but they can be installed. The
added bonus was that it's a 2003 model so I got $1500 cash back on the
purchse. I wanted a 2003 as I prefer the styling of the 2003 vs the 2004.
All in all I am very happy. For a complete comparison of what's different
between the various versions of the Impreza check this out:

<http://www.subaru.ca/interface/Subaru02/PrintDataSheet01.asp?
Range=Impreza&SpecCategory=All&PrintDataSheet=Y&view=SELECTED&WebSiteID=&D
eSelected=Y>

The above is one long URL

I have no idea if there is a Special Edition for 2004.

I believe that aside from the different looks of the 2004 there is very
little else different. Things I seem to recall that have changed:

- antenna now in the glass
- no key access to the tailgate (keyless entry only)
- roof rails are standard on all wagons
- 4 wheel disc brakes are now standard on all Imprezas