I don't think they're out in Canada yet, so I'm wondering if anyone has seen or driven the new 05 Impreza 2.5RS (the lowest impreza model now)?

I've seen pics and information on that cars101 website, but wondering about people's personal reviews.

 

Ive seen a couple of them at dealerships, but ya I really want to test drive one with the new 168hp motor. The interior is excellent, and the sports package is odd but interesting, but the fact you can get the wagon or sedan in the RS trim is great! The price is definatly appealing.

I took a couple pics of one and have them here: http://community.webshots.com/album/144542676FpLRKI

 

Well its not a "new 168hp motor."
Its the same engine, optimised slightly for 3hp more

Besides that, it's pretty much the same as then 2004 I own; if you've driven one of these (or even 2002/2003), then you probably won't notice much difference in the drive.

Interior is another story of course.

 

i sell em-
drove the 2.5 rs about 2 months ago-
as a part of training session. the car does have a little more "oomph" but
nothing HUGE. what is nice is that the car is more refined and the interior
is more clean.
plus the audio system is much better.
my only complaint... is the steering wheel design.
i like the old "momo" design.


aloha from the summit of Mauna Kea

 

well, the interior for the 2.5TS really turned me off cuz it was sooooo ugly. But this new interior seems a lot better (from the pics I've seen). the 2.5RS becomes the 2.5TS basically, right?

the 2005 2.5RS seems like a good deal It seems that the 2005 model has improved a lot on the previous version's problem: audio, interior, etc.

does the 2.5RS sport package come with Momo steering wheel?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong. But the N/A imprezas have the same 165hp engine they've had for a long time. Not the "refined" 168hp engine that the new Legacy 2.5i gets. I've driven both, and I'd say the updated legacy engine is a bit smoother and quieter although its still slow as hell.

Yes the 2.5rs sport comes with a momo wheel, but the regular 2.5rs does not.

Just look on Subaru's web site. Its all there.

 

I'm trying to check the Subaru Canada website but it's not updated yet.

Subaru America got the stuff updated, though. But I think Canada pricing will be kinda different.

 

You are wrong, in terms of the motor. ALL of the 2005 2.5 motors are either the 168 hp motor, or the PZEV motor. Impreza, Legacy and Forester too. The saab, I dont know...

 

 

I'm gonna say 165hp is probably the rating to go by.

What's this "sport suspension" they is mentioned about the new 2.5RS?
Is it an upgrade of the TS suspension? Or what the 2004 2.5RS has?

 

I believe the sport package on the RS is what the 04 rs used to have. Remember that it had handling that was as good as a WRX just not the turbo motor.

I think what subaru did was to make an RS that has the "plain" suspension similar to the 04 TS wagon, by doing that they can sell a sedan cheaper and have the option of paying for the sport suspension.

 

so I'd have to pay a few extra grand to get the 2.5RS I really want?
The thing is, the subaru.com website lists "sports suspension" in the 2.5rs base model. From what I understand, the 2.5RS sport package gets exterior and interior highlights... but no suspension changes?

 

could be that's the only change... but I know the base RS used to cost more than the TS wagon.. now the base RS (sans sport package) costs the same as a wagon

 

yeah... I'm just wondering if the 2005 RS = TS + extras

or whether 2005 RS = 2004 RS + price reduction