2008 Subaru Impreza: Tester's Comments
2008 Subaru Impreza ▼
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- MSRP: $16,995 - $34,995
- Invoice: $16,246 - $33,010
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2008 Subaru Impreza. See if the 2008 Subaru Impreza is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | WRX STi |
| Arrival Date: | 06/16/2008 |
| Engine: | Turbocharged dohc H4 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door hatchback |
| Transmission: | 6-speed manual |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 36,995 |
| Price as Tested: | 37,640 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 3911 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 4643 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 732 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 34.908 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 20.97 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
With the 2008 redesign, Subaru has smoothed off many of the WRX STi's rough edges and made it a more pleasant day-to-day driver. In doing so, some of the original generation's scrappy personality was lost, but this is still a supremely capable perfomance car. However, unless you're a hardcore driver planning on utilizing the full capabilities of the STi's elaborate AWD system, you'd probably get a similar level of enjoyment out of a Mazdaspeed 3 or VW GTI (and your wallet would thank you too).
Don Sikora
The new Subaru WRX STi is surprisingly livable as a commuter car, especially considering the performance potential it has. You have to pay for that potential though, and if you're planning to use the car as a daily driver, much of the technology will never really be exploited.
Ed Piotrowski
Automotive techno-philes, rally car enthusiasts, and the Subaru faithful should absolutely love the 2008 STi for allowing drivers to tailor the drivetrain to specific road conditions. Altering throttle response and differentials will be of little consequence to everyone else. Taking that out of the equation, the new STi is a much more livable car than its hard-edged predecessor. It still suffers from the same problem as the regular WRX in that the STi may be a touch too civilized for those who loved the original's rough-and-tumble character but not civilized enough for mainstream acceptance. Its stiff price tag doesn't help either. Though they don't have all-wheel drive or any of the available drivetrain tweaks, the Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI are just as much fun to drive, and cost a heck of a lot less. The VW R32 also costs less, but it has AWD, a V6, the wonderful DSG transmission, a navigation system, and nicer interior appointments.
John Biel
The brash punk that was the previous WRX STi seems as if it's gone for a shave and a haircut. If that doesn't scare off some prospects, a sticker of $37,640 (on this test car as equipped and with delivery) certainly might. For a high-performance car, fuel mileage wasn't bad, but if you choose to think of it first as a 4-cylinder car, high teens to low twenties mpg isn't so hot.
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