AWD to FWD

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

I'm not sure how the Mazda 3 is "far and away" better. Unless you're talking the speed3, I'd take the Impreza any day vs the 3.

The 3 is arguably the best compact you can buy right now. Inside and out it's miles ahead of the Impreza which I consider a middle of the pack compact car behind the 3, Civic, Focus.

[Sliver]

I'm with EE. Subaru owners seem really happy all the time (anecdotal), but whenever I look at any of their cars, they seem to be a decade behind the competition in terms of quality and look/touch/feel of their interiors. Personally, I wouldn't want one.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I'm with EE. Subaru owners seem really happy all the time (anecdotal), but whenever I look at any of their cars, they seem to be a decade behind the competition in terms of quality and look/touch/feel of their interiors. Personally, I wouldn't want one.

I am really happy with my Subaru, but yeah the looks are not the intended selling point of the car, but I am not sure who the competition would be. There isn't much in terms of quality AWD cars in the sub-$40k price range on the market. That's Subaru's niche.

At least they don't look like Saabs... except for that one year when Saab borrowed the entire design of the car.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Yeah, fair enough. Power wan't an issue in my 300C (340 hp) and it had a 70/30 rear bias, but I never really thought of it as a fun car in that way. Straight lines were awesome, but it wasn't a handler by any means. Whatever you're talking about is a level of fun that wasn't available in my war machine.

The car in question was a V8 Audi S4 with coilovers and a stiffer rear sway bar to dial out some of the understeer that plagues most cars these days as a safety factor.

I would find excuses to go for a drive on snow days.

[heep223]

Mazda 3 and Subaru Imprezas aren't even in the same category IMO. Impreza is miles better under the hood and getting power to all four wheels.

Yes if you're buying a car for the interior definitely don't get a subaru but saying "miles better" is quite a stretch.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by heep223

Mazda 3 and Subaru Imprezas aren't even in the same category IMO. Impreza is miles better under the hood and getting power to all four wheels.

Yes if you're buying a car for the interior definitely don't get a subaru but saying "miles better" is quite a stretch.

LOL. You obviously know nothing about Subaru engines which are typically dated designs and inferior to the competition. The newly designed FB engine still doesn't have direct injection but an added bonus is that it consumes oil like a rotary engine;

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/...ng-071714.html

Then you have the old EJ25 still used in the STI which is amongst the most fragile engines ever manufactured that can crack ring lands or spin bearings stock or modded for no rhyme or reason. I'm an owner and I know fully well their cars are no better than average in every single metric and when it comes to engines below average.

[Bill Bumface]

^ The A/F ratios on the stock map for the EJ25 is just ridiculous. They run so lean from the factory. Those cars are one of the few that are likely more reliable when chipped.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

^ The A/F ratios on the stock map for the EJ25 is just ridiculous. They run so lean from the factory. Those cars are one of the few that are likely more reliable when chipped.

I have mine pro-tuned and at least know I only get about -1.40 throttle tip in knock but clean runs at full throttle but it's pretty scary especially anything under 94 octane with the stock maps or even the Cobb OTS maps that don't perform as well with Canadian gasoline.

[Burninator]

My friend has the new Forrester (fully loaded XT) and I thought it was pretty nice inside. Even had auto dimming side mirrors which was neato.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

LOL. You obviously know nothing about Subaru engines which are typically dated designs and inferior to the competition. The newly designed FB engine still doesn't have direct injection but an added bonus is that it consumes oil like a rotary engine;

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/...ng-071714.html

Then you have the old EJ25 still used in the STI which is amongst the most fragile engines ever manufactured that can crack ring lands or spin bearings stock or modded for no rhyme or reason. I'm an owner and I know fully well their cars are no better than average in every single metric and when it comes to engines below average.

OP, the FA DI series engines which will now be in all 2016 models (including STI) are awesome, reliable and fuel efficient. The super knowledgeable poster above fails to mention this. He's right though there have been a few models of EJ series engines that are notorious for producing some "lemons".

Btw ^ there is no need to have such an entitled attitude.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by heep223

OP, the FA DI series engines which will now be in all 2016 models (including STI) are awesome, reliable and fuel efficient. The super knowledgeable poster above fails to mention this. He's right though there have been a few models of EJ series engines that are notorious for producing some "lemons".

Btw ^ there is no need to have such an entitled attitude.

I'm not entitled. I've been a long time member of NASIOC as well as IWSTI as well as owning them. I know all about Subaru's and the FA hasn't been super reliable sorry not in the Tobaru twins which are the least reliable models in both Subaru and Scion's lineups. The FA20F in the Forester and 2015 WRX isn't a bad engine though. It's got really nice midrange but runs out of steam over 5000 RPM much like the old Mazdaspeed 2.3 engine. The FA hasn't been a disaster by any means but the oil consumption issue is pretty bad with the FB engines and a lot of owners have been affected. Also the NA FB engines aren't even DI and Mazda, Ford, Honda (2015 models I believe). Have you driven an FB20? They are really, really gutless.

Oh and there has been absolutely zero information to indicate the 2016 STI will get an FA engine. Again why say that when you have absolutely no evidence? This is why I get a little angry when posters sling crap against the wall like this. I don't doubt a higher output FA20 or even FA25 will eventually find it's way into the STI but it's not likely going to be in 2016.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Oh and there has been absolutely zero information to indicate the 2016 STI will get an FA engine. Again why say that when you have absolutely no evidence? This is why I get a little angry when posters sling crap against the wall like this.

Maybe before being a dick you should realize that there's a possibility that you might not know everything.

http://thenewswheel.com/subaru-prominence-2020/

Subaru will also drop all gasoline engines for direct injection by 2016.

[shane_c]

I decided to go with the '14 Impreza Touring hatchback. I've had it for a week now and am enjoying it. It has 2" less ground clearance than my '07 Forester i traded in so it'll be interesting to see how it handles the winter. I'm not sure why people complain about the 2.0 with the CVT. It only has 148 HP but I find it smooth and peppier than my Forester. My biggest complaint is the stereo. It's absolutely horrible. I think my clock radio has better FM sound quality!