After years of hype, here’s what the Subaru equivalent of the Toyota FT-86 will look like in production form. The Subaru isn’t sporting a body kit like the leaked images of the Toyota, so it looks a bit more conservative than the “Fast and Furious” FT-86. The plain vanilla color doesn’t help add appeal, but I actually prefer the Subaru’s subdued lines to the over-the-top styling of the Toyota (and Scion FR-S). Read More…
Thumbs Up: Value for the money, AWD traction.
Thumbs Down: Marginal fuel economy, fake wood trim.
Buy This Car If: You want a midsize sedan alternative to the usual suspects.
Subaru has always been one of those brands that enjoys tremendous popularity, but only in certain regions. The Northeast, for example, loves its Subarus, as does Colorado. Here in Florida, Subarus aren’t as common, and in California they’re fairly uncommon (since everyone in California drives a BMW or a Prius). If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re correct. Read More…
Thumbs Up: Crossover utility, car-like ride; model spans a variety of price points
Thumbs Down: Pseudo-luxury touches not needed, confusing infotainment interface
Buy This Car If: You live where it snows and don’t want an SUV or crossover
The Outback saved Subaru, at least in the United States. Back in 1995, American buyers wanted SUVs, not compact sedans and wagons. Gas was cheap and the SUV represented an American ideal: the ability to go anywhere, in any weather across (nearly) any terrain. So what if most SUV owners never traversed anything more rugged than a gravel parking lot; the very idea that they could represented freedom, and nothing is more American than that. Read More…
Mark Higgins is not a sane man. How else could you possibly explain the rally driver’s blatant disregard of fiery, cataclysmic death as he set a new automobile lap record of 19 minutes and 37 seconds around the Isle of Man? To call this video epic is an understatement, and I’d put it in the top 10 motorsport videos of all time; my only regret is that it doesn’t cover Higgins’ entire lap around the island. Don’t miss his recounting of a 150 mile per hour “incident” with a journalist in the car, where any driver with less than god-like car handling ability would have reduced the Subaru STI to flaming wreckage.
Higgins, who’s from the Isle of Man, described the incident as follows:
“This is one of the most daunting tracks I have ever driven, and the most terrifying. We were only able to get two practice runs and on our second practice I had the biggest “moment” of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH, the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected–it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 110 MPH, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was.”
I’ll get in a car with any pro driver on a racetrack, but I’d have to take a pass on lapping the Isle of Man as a passenger. Enjoy the video below. Read More…
The record setiing STI. Image: Subaru
The Isle of Man is home to what, arguably, is the most insane motorcycle race in the world. Each year, riders from around the globe converge on the tiny island, located directly between England and Ireland, to contest for top honors in the Isle of Man TT. Unlike motorcycle races in the rest of the world, the Isle of Man TT is held on closed village roads, with little thought to safety other than the occasional hay bales. Crash hard, and there’s a good chance of serious injury or death, as the island has see 231 rider fatalities since 1907. Read More…
Triumph TR4 and TR3
This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.
I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone. So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!
Thumbs Up: Faster and much more refined than previous generations.
Thumbs Down: Heavier clutch than a Dodge Viper.
Buy This Car If: You want to go fast, in all weather, on a budget.
I’ve danced around buying a Subaru Impreza WRX for a lot of years. I came close, very close, back in 2003. I test drove four or five different models, but I just couldn’t convince myself to buy one. Back then, the cars felt crude and entry-level, and you definitely sacrificed comfort and amenities in the name of performance. Oddly enough, the WRX of 2003 didn’t even feel fast, although it was. I never could warm up to them enough to buy one, and my current financial situation puts a 2011 WRX well out of reach. In the words of Kurt Vonnegut, “So it goes”. Read More…
Sometimes, regardless of how big or how much power your 4×4 muscle truck makes, the forces of nature will conspire against you and cause embarrassment. Take this 2500 series quad-cab Chevrolet Silverado for example. In standard form this sucker should be able to tow in excess of 10,000 lbs, haul you and your family across the country in comfort and then romp you through the desert if called upon to do so. However, as it happens, this particular Chevy looks to have been halted by a little mud. Mud unfortunately is one of those rare substances that can not only become slick as snot, but it has the ability to disable just about any vehicle out there. Thankfully though for the owner of this particular truck, a buddy with an AWD Subaru was able to lend a helping hand. Now in the real world we all know that the big Chevy would stomp this Subaru into mush, but just this once, we’ll let the Subie fans out there rejoice and celebrate this brand victory.
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The 2012 Subaru Impreza. Image: Subaru
When Subaru ramps up production in Japan again, the auto manufacturer will begin building the fourth generation of the Impreza sedan and wagon. The car will be sold worldwide alongside of the higher performance WRX and WRX STI variants, which soldier on as third generation models. Future versions of the Impreza will be based on the fourth generation car, while all new WRX and STI versions will be based on the current, third generation cars. Why the split? Call it marketing or call it emission compliance. On the marketing side, Subaru is trying to emphasize the difference between their sport models and their environmentally friendly, fuel efficient models. On the emission regulation side, Subaru will need to ramp up sales of base model Imprezas to justify building a higher performance, less fuel efficient model. It’s all about achieving the upcoming CAFE and Euro fuel economy and emission targets. Read More…
In my time on this earth I’ve owned around 30 vehicles. I’ve had cars, boats, motorcycles and even a snow mobile, and in that time I’ve got to say that they were all pretty good. So when it came time to sit down and think about what the absolute worst one was, it really wasn’t that easy of a choice. First I categorized them by vehicle type, then the time period for which I owned them, and lastly I worked out how they affected me financially and emotionally with a list of pro’s and con’s. It was actually a pretty fun exercise and one that took me on a nice trip down memory lane. After looking at my vehicle list and then cross referencing it with my pro’s and con’s, I was finally able to come to a decision – my 1998 Subaru Legacy GT. Back then I was looking for a car that was quick, fun to drive with a five speed and more importantly, had all wheel drive. In the late 1990′s there were only two real choices; the all new Audi A4 or a Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS (predecessor to the STI). After deciding that the Audi was too expensive I decided to go for the Subaru. My plan was to lease the car for three years and then If I liked it, I’d buy it out at the end of the lease.
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