The Evo X looks good, but why did they have to ruin the STi? I really think Subaru will have a huge drop in sales once the travesty that is the new Impreza hits the road.

I'm not a huge fan of the STI's new looks either, it looks too much liek a Legacy, but it is better than the previous front end by leaps and bounds.

The front bumper on the new Impreza (and it's variations) is ok, but the rest is just hideous.

Pretty sure looks don't make a car go fast or fly off the lots. PT Cruiser is hideous by most, yet it still sells a rediculous amount each and every year.

Only guessing here but methinks Subaru are thinking off the WRC with the design of this car. With the very short overhangs it should be a far more graceful rally car than the current Impreza. Particularly as Subaru have been losing ground to the other manufacturers (all running hatches).

Dont get me wrong, I am a massive fan of the look and shape of the current Impreza, but I can see why Subaru might choose function over looks.
I only wish they diversified it into both a hatch and a saloon rather than change the whole thing....

"Pretty sure looks don't make a car go fast or fly off the lots.PT Cruiser is hideous by most, yet it still sells a rediculous amount each and every year."

Actually, a lot of people DO like the looks of the PT Cruiser. I think that there are a couple of glaring flaws to keep me from loving it, but it's not hideous and I like what they attempted to do.

Also, Sabaru is NOT making any improvements to the engine or transmission. The new STi will, at best, be as fast as the old (while it's competition gets faster) and possibly may be slower if they increase the weight. Most people buy a car like an STi or an Evo based on the car's "cool factor". The new Evo looks sweet and is getting a performance increase. The new STi looks butt ugly and is staying the same performance wise or possibly taking a hit. Which of these cars do you think will have a higher "cool factor" when it comes to most customers?

Hey Remy, 2 things to keep in mind here, the Subie is not getting upgrades to the drive train, however it will actually be loosing about 50 lbs.

The Evo will be getting a better engine, the newest rumor is that output is going to be in the high 290's the other rumors put it between 300~325, only time will tell, what the real numbers are. The Evo should also get an acceleration boost from the DSG style tranny. However the base lancer put on around 200 lbs compared to prior models, so the Evo is likely to come in a bit portly this time around.

should be an interesting battle, I don't think the new WRX is inherently ugly, to my eyes the profile is nice, it's just really really poor detail decisions on the front and rear that make it seem so ugly, The WRX STi may look a lot better with the mesh grille, I know I thought the normal one on the plain WRX was part of what was making it so ugly.

Hey Remy, 2 things to keep in mind here, the Subie is not getting upgrades to the drive train, however it will actually be loosing about 50 lbs.

The Evo will be getting a better engine, the newest rumor is that output is going to be in the high 290's the other rumors put it between 300~325, only time will tell, what the real numbers are. The Evo should also get an acceleration boost from the DSG style tranny. However the base lancer put on around 200 lbs compared to prior models, so the Evo is likely to come in a bit portly this time around.

should be an interesting battle, I don't think the new WRX is inherently ugly, to my eyes the profile is nice, it's just really really poor detail decisions on the front and rear that make it seem so ugly, The WRX STi may look a lot better with the mesh grille, I know I thought the normal one on the plain WRX was part of what was making it so ugly.

If I was either one of these cars, Nurburgring is where I'd like to be "caught".

I agree that the Subaru has almost generic styling. One of my pet peeves is for a car to change the styling/identity to appeal to a larger crowd. The Sti/wrx worked because it is fast, stable and had trademarked Sube' styling (quirks and all). Enthusiasts did not care, and purchased them in droves (Once they finally reached US shores).

Mitsubishi seems to be on target of maintaining the identity of the EVO and its heritage.

Both cars will continue to sell well and appeal to the tuner crowd. I just wished the Subaru would maintain its character.

I don't know what to say lancer looks good but it has its flaws elsewhere. Impreza what can I say it always had to grow on me but it has its pluses two. I will always like the old Impreza design from 99 the 2 door made it so much more desired too. But now if you think about it cars from back then skyline, RX-7, Supra, 3000GT, they had the looks and the grunt to back them up. Now its only lean, tree huger friendly, god forbid loud, ultra cheep to make, 4 door rockets now if only they would keep the price lean two. Had to make a trip to junk yard and noticed a 90 legacy sitting there took a peek inside not a single rust spot just amazes me now i see cars starting to rust on their 3rd year they used to care about consumer now its all quantity, meet the demand.

I dont think the new WRX looks like a legacy as much as it looks like a very poorly done version of a Mazda 3 hatchback. The old WRX wagons, while not the best looking wagon ever made, still had a distinctive style. It looked like a WRX still... This new one, they make it look like they ditched every styling factor and started from scratch. When your improving a car's design, you normally wanna try and keep something from the old design. That something helps you to familiarize with the new styling, recognizing it as the newer version, thus allowing for more change the next year. If this was their final style... They should have phased it in by making the styling changes in incriments.
The Evo looks pretty sweet though. I didnt like it at first look, but i saw it a few more times, different colors, ect, and it really changed my mind. It keeps some of the old styling, but has a much meaner look to it. Based on just looks, I'd say the evo is gonna win hands down. But subaru has been a great car and pulls out some pretty crazy stuff from time to time.
Only time can tell eh :)

i think the new STI isn't going to help out suburu at all, posibly even this car being the end of the wrx series, the evo n the other hand looks nice but if its anything like previous models will be good for about 3-6 months until another car name/brand shows us what a real rally car is for the masses, you put a good $20,000 into each of these cars and truley you will see there potential

i started selling subaru ever since they transfer me from the nissan dealership. and i gotta to say these subarus are the ugliest shit i've ever seen. for all u subaru loyal owners or fan may i ask what is it w/ these shit boxes that u find so interesting? is it the symetrical AWD system, reliability, boxer engine design? but please dont say looks. back in 07 subaru made this big hype about the 08 STi coming out like it is going to be a piece of artwork or beast when we finally got 3 in i almost fell outa my shoes on how hideous it looks. subies keep on making shit after shit and they are wonder y their sale volume is not like Nissan, Toyota, or Honda. and for all u hardcore Sti fans thinking its a speed demon please wont u give my 06 vet ZO6 a shot i will murder u. probably not on a rainy day but u know what i mean. dammit y did they have to transfer me.

So you are saying your $80k car will beat a $35k car? Wow, your intellect is astounding. Throw $15k in mods on the subaru, which a lot of people do, and your z06 wont stand a chance. Rain, snow or shine.

Also, the scooby still cost $30k less than the vette.