2012 Subaru Impreza Retains $17,495 Base Price

[kaboom]

Oh Subaru. My car goes off-lease near the end of October and the new
models are out in November. What to do now?

http://gadgets.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/redesigned-2012-subaru-impreza-retains-17-495-starting-price/

A more in-depth article on the new Impreza:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/2012-subaru-impreza/

kaboomie

 

[Larry Weil]

Oh Subaru. My car goes off-lease near the end of October and the new
models are out in November. What to do now?

http://gadgets.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/redesigned-2012-subaru-impreza-retains-
17-495-starting-price/

A more in-depth article on the new Impreza:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/2012-subaru-impreza/

Tje thing that bugs me about the new Impreza is that while it gets
better gas mileage than the previous Impreza, it requires the use of
synthetic oil. I wonder if anyone has worked the numbers to see if the
increased cost of every oil change cancels the savings from the better
gas mileage?

 

[Hachiroku]

Oh Subaru. My car goes off-lease near the end of October and the new
models are out in November. What to do now?

http://gadgets.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/redesigned-2012-subaru-impreza-retains-17-495-starting-price/

A more in-depth article on the new Impreza:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/2012-subaru-impreza/

kaboomie

Hi ya, Kaboomie! What are you looking at for a replacement? Come up with
anything yet?

 

[Big Jim]

You should be using synthetic oil anyway. Go to Walmart and get 5
quarts for under $20. Get a Supertech filter do it yourself and youre
still cheaper than a garage plus you know the job was done right.

 

[Wiess]

Why should synthetic oil be used? Is this what is specified in the
manual?

You should be using synthetic oil anyway.  Go to Walmart and get 5
quarts for under $20. Get a Supertech filter do it yourself and youre
still cheaper than a garage plus you know the job was done right.

Tje thing that bugs me about the new Impreza is that while it gets
better gas mileage than the previous Impreza, it requires the use of
synthetic oil.  I wonder if anyone has worked the numbers to see if the
increased cost of every oil change cancels the savings from the better
gas mileage?

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

Oh Subaru. My car goes off-lease near the end of October and the new
models are out in November. What to do now?

http://gadgets.autoblog.com/2011/08/19/redesigned-2012-subaru-impreza...

A more in-depth article on the new Impreza:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/2012-subaru-impreza/

kaboomie

Is that the new 2.5l with the timing chain? maybe that has something
to do with it?

Also, did the oil change interval lengthen in the manual with the
synth-oil requirement? That might hel pmitigate some of the xtra cost.

 

[Big Jim]

The only qualification to be a car designer today is to be a follower
and have no style. The Outback has been ruined and now the impreza
has the same front and side profile as every nissan, toyota etc.

 

[Big Jim]

First things first- if you lease a car use the cheap oil. If you keep
a car for a long while synthetic has several advantages- 1. handles
higher heat 2. flows in colder temps 3. better lubrication 4, higher
mpgs. I havent seen the new manual and likely wont as my next car
won't be a Subaru based on designs alone. It Took how long for them
lto lose the #%@^#@ timing belt!

Why should synthetic oil be used?  Is this what is specified in the
manual?

You should be using synthetic oil anyway.  Go to Walmart and get 5
quarts for under $20. Get a Supertech filter do it yourself and youre
still cheaper than a garage plus you know the job was done right.

 

[kaboom]

Hi ya, Kaboomie! What are you looking at for a replacement? Come up with
anything yet?

**Well, I was shootin' for a 2012 Impreza, guess not. Subaru has a
lead over the others in that 1. I like them, 2. I have $500 in Subaru
bucks to go toward a new purchase or lease and 3. If I lease, they'll
also pay for the first month. A few weeks back, Subaru sent me a
letter saying that there was a strong possibility that they wouldn't
have some of the models I might be looking for so I can also extend my
lease and they'll give me some goodies in case I have to do that.

Frankly, I don't want the vehicle anymore, it's too long in the tooth
for a lease. I'm sick of this fucking shitty interior. It undermines
the fact that the car itself has been fantastic. I've spent over 3
years making sure that the car stayed minty fresh and, even though it
looks freakin' great for +3, it's going to go downhill...starting with
my Mom backing into it yesterday morning. Then, she left and didn't
say a word to me. When I went to her work place to say: Uh, you hit my
car. She replied cheerily, Yea, so? Clearly she does not understand
the term: Lease.

I'm thinking of buying so she can run into my car with impunity.

kaboomie

 

[kaboom]

The only qualification to be a car designer today is to be a follower
and have no style. The Outback has been ruined and now the impreza
has the same front and side profile as every nissan, toyota etc.

**But But But, the Impreza has "POWERFUL WHEEL ARCHES!"

If the Autoblog in-depth story on the Impreza is true, it really has
been improved. Aside from a long list of things, I liked this:

"The driving experience should be improved because of the car's
stiffer body and wider track, expanded by a half-an-inch in front and
0.7-inch in back, and refinements like the stronger components, a new
stiffening crossmember up front and pillow-ball bushings in the
double-wishbone rear suspension from the STI. Spend on the upper trims
and Subaru adds different springs in the front dampers and a rear
stabilizer bar."

 

[Hachiroku]

**Well, I was shootin' for a 2012 Impreza, guess not. Subaru has a
lead over the others in that 1. I like them, 2. I have $500 in Subaru
bucks to go toward a new purchase or lease and 3. If I lease, they'll
also pay for the first month. A few weeks back, Subaru sent me a
letter saying that there was a strong possibility that they wouldn't
have some of the models I might be looking for so I can also extend my
lease and they'll give me some goodies in case I have to do that.

Frankly, I don't want the vehicle anymore, it's too long in the tooth
for a lease. I'm sick of this fucking shitty interior. It undermines
the fact that the car itself has been fantastic. I've spent over 3
years making sure that the car stayed minty fresh and, even though it
looks freakin' great for +3, it's going to go downhill...starting with
my Mom backing into it yesterday morning. Then, she left and didn't
say a word to me. When I went to her work place to say: Uh, you hit my
car. She replied cheerily, Yea, so? Clearly she does not understand
the term: Lease.

I'm thinking of buying so she can run into my car with impunity.

kaboomie

You should want your mother to have peace of mind!

 

[basia]

On Sat, 20 Aug 2011 09:20:35 -0700 (PDT), Big Jim



**But But But, the Impreza has "POWERFUL WHEEL ARCHES!"

If the Autoblog in-depth story on the Impreza is true, it really has
been improved. Aside from a long list of things, I liked this:

"The driving experience should be improved because of the car's
stiffer body and wider track, expanded by a half-an-inch in front and
0.7-inch in back, and refinements like the stronger components, a new
stiffening crossmember up front and pillow-ball bushings in the
double-wishbone rear suspension from the STI. Spend on the upper trims
and Subaru adds different springs in the front dampers and a rear
stabilizer bar."

Same price, much reduced torque and horsepower
from way smaller engine? Sounds like they're
after fools.

Basia

 

[kaboom]

Same price, much reduced torque and horsepower
from way smaller engine? Sounds like they're
after fools.

**Well, I guess I won't buy one now because I would be a fool. Better
interior, sportier ride, better gas mileage be damned. I needed that
170hp to get me the 1.5 miles to work and back gosh darn it!

 

[basia]

**Well, I guess I won't buy one now because I would be a fool. Better
interior, sportier ride, better gas mileage be damned. I needed that
170hp to get me the 1.5 miles to work and back gosh darn it!

I guess Subaru is trying to tap into the market
for underpowered cars. Underpowered cars with
sportier rides, better interiors, etc.

It is a big competitive market. It remains to
be seen how deep of a market for an AWD vehicle.

People in mountainous regions- traditional Subaru
bastions, will likely not buy this new Impreza.

So it is essentially a bet on flat-landers.
With plenty of incentives it can work, probably.

Basia

 

[AD]

I guess Subaru is trying to tap into the market
for underpowered cars.  Underpowered cars with
sportier rides, better interiors, etc.

It is a big competitive market. It remains to
be seen how deep of a market for an AWD vehicle.

People in mountainous regions- traditional Subaru
bastions, will likely not buy this new Impreza.

Why? Some gullible folk won't pay extra for wrx
and will slug up the hill in a normally breathing impreza.

So it is essentially a bet on flat-landers.
With plenty of incentives it can work, probably.

Basically you don't want to slug you'd pay for wrx you
want to be a fuel sipper you stay low with this basic model.
Mind you, the torque peak arrives earlier on 2.0 than on the outgoing
2.5
and I hated the old 2.5 slug with my whole heart. Soooo slow to spin
up.

I like how the new car looks even compared to 2005 impreza.

Heck, Basia, you haven't even driven the car.
323 (Protege) looked even blander on paper but it was hoot to drive.
Celica also is not much at 122 but with a single lightweight pilot it
was probably a blast in the twisties.

With the 2.3 gallon reduction in gas tank capacity FHI needed
that improvement in the mileage. I wonder if wrx and sti would
share the new puny gas tank. They probably will and that'd be a pity.
I hear the sound of subaru plonking the spare tire next to fix the gas
tank issue
in the next installment :-[

There are three kinds of lies: lies, gross lies and car specs.

 

[basia]

Why? Some gullible folk won't pay extra for wrx
and will slug up the hill in a normally breathing impreza.


Basically you don't want to slug you'd pay for wrx you
want to be a fuel sipper you stay low with this basic model.

Nothing in between- that's the problem.

Mind you, the torque peak arrives earlier on 2.0 than on the outgoing
2.5
and I hated the old 2.5 slug with my whole heart. Soooo slow to spin
up.

It may be a bit more "free-revving" but longer stroke
engines are generally not of such nature, that's
what they did to the 2.0L - made it a longer stroker.

I'm sceptical.

They should offer a choice of engines, like a 2.0,
and a 2.5, but the CVT is probably a weak one
(supposedly smaller version of the the Legacy's)
so can't handle more torque.

Bad. I don't like what they are doing to the Impreza,
turning what just a few years ago was a relatively fun
to drive car a fun car into some 'commuter.'

Why not a Civic, or Corolla then, or the upcoming
Prius C (City) Hatch, it looks so sexy, and promises
to be the cheapest hybrid.

Basia

I like how the new car looks even compared to 2005 impreza.

Heck, Basia, you haven't even driven the car.
323 (Protege) looked even blander on paper but it was hoot to drive.
Celica also is not much at 122 but with a single lightweight pilot it
was probably a blast in the twisties.

With the 2.3 gallon reduction in gas tank capacity FHI needed
that improvement in the mileage. I wonder if wrx and sti would
share the new puny gas tank. They probably will and that'd be a pity.
I hear the sound of subaru plonking the spare tire next to fix the gas
tank issue
in the next installment :-[

There are three kinds of lies: lies, gross lies and car specs.

 

[kaboom]

I guess Subaru is trying to tap into the market
for underpowered cars. Underpowered cars with
sportier rides, better interiors, etc.

**150hp is underpowered? I'm constantly reading how people think the
engine in my Impreza now is a slug, do you think they are talking
about the automatic? I have a 5 speed and don't think it's even
remotely sluggish. I will say that I understand you're peeved because
Subaru is going all middle-America milquetoast with their vehicles.
Trying to broaden its appeal perhaps?I don't disagree. I loved my 2005
Impreza wagon and I wish I still had it. It was fun and also had fewer
HP than my current Impreza which I like a skosh less (crappy interior
design-wise and quality-wise).

It is a big competitive market. It remains to
be seen how deep of a market for an AWD vehicle.

People in mountainous regions- traditional Subaru
bastions, will likely not buy this new Impreza.

**I live in a hilly region that gets tons of snow. I'm surrounded by
Subarus now and will most likely continue to be surrounded by even the
new 2012s. In my area, however, I think that Hyundai is giving them a
run for their money and I say: good. Hopefully, this leads to
improvement.

So it is essentially a bet on flat-landers.
With plenty of incentives it can work, probably.

**I don't know about Subaru's rep outside of New England. I know that
here in NE, they are gold.

 

[basia]

**150hp is underpowered? I'm constantly reading how people think the
engine in my Impreza now is a slug, do you think they are talking
about the automatic? I have a 5 speed and don't think it's even
remotely sluggish. I will say that I understand you're peeved because
Subaru is going all middle-America milquetoast with their vehicles.
Trying to broaden its appeal perhaps?I don't disagree. I loved my 2005
Impreza wagon and I wish I still had it. It was fun and also had fewer
HP than my current Impreza which I like a skosh less (crappy interior
design-wise and quality-wise).



**I live in a hilly region that gets tons of snow. I'm surrounded by
Subarus now and will most likely continue to be surrounded by even the
new 2012s. In my area, however, I think that Hyundai is giving them a
run for their money and I say: good. Hopefully, this leads to
improvement.


**I don't know about Subaru's rep outside of New England. I know that
here in NE, they are gold.

We'll have to wait and see.

It may be adequate with a manual transmission
on flat or moderatly hilly terrain.

In the mountains of Colorado, Sierra Nevada,
or Cascades, where many if not most US Subarus
find their home, it will not be optimal.

I am absolutely sure it'll have to be revved
a lot. With AWD 2012 Impreza will be a fairly
heavy 3000lb vehicle, while top power will
be coming at a high 6200 rpms.

A slightly larger, say 2.2L variant of the
engine could have been much better. Maybe
they'll offer a bigger engine later on, if
the CVT is not an obstacle (?).

Subaru probably has direct injection in mind
for the future, and for this market segment,
and that is why they settled for a relatively
small displacement engine.

Direct injection is not a perfect technology,
though. Nasty carbon deposits are known to form,
diminishing performance, and requiring periodic
cleaning of intake valves. Larger oil capacities
are also needed as unburnt gasoline is known to
dilute engine oil in these engines. Synthetic oil
may be needed(?).

Hmmm, maybe I am just getting old, but I really
don't like what they are doing to the Impreza.

Basia

 

[AD]

Nothing in between- that's the problem.


It may be a bit more "free-revving" but longer stroke
engines are generally not of such nature, that's
what they did to the 2.0L - made it a longer stroker.

I'm sceptical.

They should offer a choice of engines, like a 2.0,
and a 2.5, but the CVT is probably a weak one
(supposedly smaller version of the the Legacy's)
so can't handle more torque.

Bad. I don't like what they are doing to the Impreza,
turning what just a few years ago was a relatively fun
to drive car a fun car into some 'commuter.'

Why not a Civic, or Corolla then, or the upcoming
Prius C (City) Hatch, it looks so sexy, and promises
to be the cheapest hybrid.

because priuses always handled like crap and they probably always will

engine is only part of the fun
i don't like the outgoing impreza handling at all

if you don't like the base model there is always wrx to move up to
and the whole lineup is mirrored by mitsubishi now if you want
to trade up some perceived reliability of impreza for a better tuned
chassis of a lancer
(less understeer, better handling, etc) even the pig that it is in the
10th installment

 

[basia]

Same price, much reduced torque and horsepower
from way smaller engine?  Sounds like they're
after fools.

Oooops, my apologies to Canadians.

In Canada the new 2012 Impreza will be sold at lower
prices than the outgoing model, ...I guess for a reason.


MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 22, 2011 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is
pleased to announce pricing for the all-new 2012 Impreza lineup, which
goes on sale in October. Consumers may not be surprised that the
redesigned fourth-generation Impreza offers significant enhancements
over the previous model... . What might be surprising is the fact that
Subaru is offering the new Impreza at prices that are lower than the
previous model—at every single trim level.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2011/22/c5387.html