I Never Thought I Would Consider A Subaru Impreza

[SeriousBlack]

As some of you know, my 2006 RAV4 has well over 155,000 miles and still runs great. I'm letting my wife drive it more since she has a short commute. I'm looking for a cheap economical awd for my daily driver. I never liked the Impreza and didn't realize that the 2012 gets 36 mpg highway from a 2.0 liter motor. I was surprised to find this out. I know it's not a performance car (expect for the bigger motors in the WRX and WRX STI ) but the gas mileage is pretty impressive for an awd. I'm researching it some more, but so far it has impressed me. I'll get my performance car once the kids get through college.

Driving Sports TV - 2012 Subaru Impreza Reviewed - YouTube

Driving Sports TV - 2012 Subaru Impreza Reviewed - YouTube

[jimski]

Here's a hot Subie you can afford and play with BEFORE you put your kids through college...

Tamiya Subaru WRC 1/10 - YouTube

Tamiya Subaru WRC 1/10 - YouTube

[SeriousBlack]

That's so cool. I need one! I like that close up shot in the vid.

[Dr. Dyno]

Did you notice my quickie 2012 Impreza test drive? Post 24 here: Sold my Rav4 after 8 months

Pretty much agrees with what CU says about it in their May 2012 issue. I thought the "downshift" for engine braking was a bit too aggressive. Probably hurts mileage some and I always figured brakes are cheaper than engines & transmissions. Why not let it roll until you need to stop? If it's going to engine brake why not do it when you touch the brake pedal? That's how my hybrid works - uses regenerative charging the of hybrid battery any time you let off but doesn't do regen braking until you touch the brake pedal. But all that is simply programming that Subaru can change anytime they want.

Using the paddle shifters and keeping it in "6th gear" would be a bit of a why-am-I-not-driving-a-manual pain but eliminates the braking and would probably improve the already decent fuel mileage. As you slow down enough it automatically goes down thru the "gears" by itself.

[SeriousBlack]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dyno

Did you notice my quickie 2012 Impreza test drive? Post 24 here: Sold my Rav4 after 8 months

Pretty much agrees with what CU says about it in their May 2012 issue. I thought the "downshift" for engine braking was a bit too aggressive. Probably hurts mileage some and I always figured brakes are cheaper than engines & transmissions. Why not let it roll until you need to stop? If it's going to engine brake why not do it when you touch the brake pedal? That's how my hybrid works - uses regenerative charging the of hybrid battery any time you let off but doesn't do regen braking until you touch the brake pedal. But all that is simply programming that Subaru can change anytime they want.

Using the paddle shifters and keeping it in "6th gear" would be a bit of a why-am-I-not-driving-a-manual pain but eliminates the braking and would probably improve the already decent fuel mileage. As you slow down enough it automatically goes down thru the "gears" by itself.

Yep, I saw the thread. I've heard a lot of good things about the Impreza. I'm still checking around, but I may add one to my stable this summer. I'd still keep the RAV4. I just never thought I would get a 2.0 liter engine, but heck, the MPG with AWD are decent.

[RTexasF]

Is a manual gearbox available for that 2.0L? From what I've read it's pretty anemic but a stick would liven things up a bit. I totally understand your need for all wheel drive and one would be hard pressed to do any better than a Suby for street use.

EDIT: I just looked and three models are available with a five speed!!!!! Having driven a CVT Nissan I doubt I could live with a CVT on any car.

[SeriousBlack]

There is a 2 mpg difference between the standard and the CVT. The standard gets the less. But since I'm using this for high mileage mostly highway car, I'll probably go with the CVT.

[RTexasF]

Have you driven one yet? I'd gladly give up 2 MPG for some fun in driving.

[SeriousBlack]

Originally Posted by RTexasF

Have you driven one yet? I'd gladly give up 2 MPG for some fun in driving.

I haven't driven the Impreza yet. I have driven many sticks over the years, from mustangs, trucks, R/T's, etc. I really want something to get high mileage with AWD that my family can share (they don't drive sticks). I will put on 25,000 miles a year just on this car, so my fun factor will be somewhere else (snowmobiling, bass fishing, other gas consuming sports, etc).

[RTexasF]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. Have you driven that particular car with a CVT? After it's warmed up and all fluids up to temp stomp on it from a stoplight. Then tell me the words rubber band don't come to mind. Same on the highway trying to pass. SB, it may work for you but I think it is absolutely horrid. I understand the family being stick shift deficient but if you're going to be the main driver you'd best make sure you can live with that rubber band feeling after a responsive V-6 RAV with real gears for so many years.