Topic: Quick Spin: 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport hatchback manual

[Autos_Editor]

Does a manual transmission-equipped Impreza still have that 'fun-to-drive' factor?

Read More...

[nlm]

"Gone is the old SOHC 2.5L boxer-four unit, replaced by a DOHC 2.0L boxer-four. As can be expected from an engine 20 percent smaller in size, power is down..."

 

[Ace]

<div style="text-align:left">

Does a manual transmission-equipped Impreza still have that 'fun-to-drive' factor?

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/quick-spin-2012-subaru-impreza-sport-hatchback-manual>Read More...</a></div>

Well.... does it? No comparisons were made between the manual and cvt transmissions

[nbtoab]

I read the entire article but saw nothing about the performance of the manual transmission. In the past, Subaru has been critized for installing lousy manual transmissions in many of their cars. So is this a good transmission or should I pass on it and go for the CVT?

[Mike]

I read the entire article but saw nothing about the performance of the manual transmission. In the past, Subaru has been critized for installing lousy manual transmissions in many of their cars. So is this a good transmission or should I pass on it and go for the CVT?

Yeah, you are right.  It was just that unremarkable of a transmission.  This was just a quick spin so I couldn't get into all of the driving features as I didn't spend enough time in it.  However, it is the same transmission basically that were in previous Imprezas.  So, if you didn't like it then, you won't like it now.

[Mike]

<div style="text-align:left">

Does a manual transmission-equipped Impreza still have that 'fun-to-drive' factor?

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/quick-spin-2012-subaru-impreza-sport-hatchback-manual>Read More...</a></div>

Well.... does it? No comparisons were made between the manual and cvt transmissions

What comparisons would you like between the two?  I have driven both.  There is another story posted today of me driving the CVT impreza and James and Chris both have reviews of it as well.

[Ace]

<div style="text-align:left">

Does a manual transmission-equipped Impreza still have that 'fun-to-drive' factor?

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/quick-spin-2012-subaru-impreza-sport-hatchback-manual>Read More...</a></div>

Well.... does it? No comparisons were made between the manual and cvt transmissions

What comparisons would you like between the two?  I have driven both.  There is another story posted today of me driving the CVT impreza and James and Chris both have reviews of it as well.

I am one of the few who still prefer driving a 3 pedal rather than a droning cvt. I thought you might have a preference. I guess not.

[Mike]

<div style="text-align:left">

Does a manual transmission-equipped Impreza still have that 'fun-to-drive' factor?

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/quick-spin-2012-subaru-impreza-sport-hatchback-manual>Read More...</a></div>

Well.... does it? No comparisons were made between the manual and cvt transmissions

What comparisons would you like between the two?  I have driven both.  There is another story posted today of me driving the CVT impreza and James and Chris both have reviews of it as well.

I am one of the few who still prefer driving a 3 pedal rather than a droning cvt. I thought you might have a preference. I guess not.

I think everyone on this forum would rather drive the manual myself included.    I was reviewing the manual Impreza with the implied notion that it was a give in it was for those who would prefer a manual vehicle.

[redman]

Subaru seemingly has jumped from a 4spd trans (on wife's 98 Forester S) to a CVT. What about a 6 spd etc...Why the huge leap to oblivion ?
Maybe there CVT just needs improvement. I've heard no complaints about the Nissan CVT's !
Nobody want lag time shifting from Reverse to Drive etc...

[Mike]

Subaru seemingly has jumped from a 4spd trans (on wife's 98 Forester S) to a CVT. What about a 6 spd etc...Why the huge leap to oblivion ?
Maybe there CVT just needs improvement. I've heard no complaints about the Nissan CVT's !
Nobody want lag time shifting from Reverse to Drive etc...

I am in a Maxima right now.  That is how you build a CVT.  Best one on the market I have driven hands down

[5 Wheel Drive]

This is the Impreza that I would have over the cvt one in your comparo.  I'm just not a fan of automatics.

[sailor723]

This is the Impreza that I would have over the cvt one in your comparo.  I'm just not a fan of automatics.

Like a lot of people I'm in a situation where I'm the only driver able to drive a manual in a multi driver family. The logistics just get too complicated when you have one of your cars that not everybody can drive. For this reason we buy autos and because of the crappy CVT the Impreza would be out of the running if we were looking in this segment.

There's a reason 90-odd percent of cars sold in NA are A/T.

[SaskSpecV]

I read the entire article but saw nothing about the performance of the manual transmission. In the past, Subaru has been critized for installing lousy manual transmissions in many of their cars. So is this a good transmission or should I pass on it and go for the CVT?

Yeah, you are right.  It was just that unremarkable of a transmission.  This was just a quick spin so I couldn't get into all of the driving features as I didn't spend enough time in it.  However, it is the same transmission basically that were in previous Imprezas.  So, if you didn't like it then, you won't like it now.

Does Subaru have a short-throw shifter kit for the new Impreza?  They do for some of their other vehicles (Forester), but I don't know if it improves the shifting experience at all.  I'm a fan of short-throw shifters in general, but they can't fix a crappy clutch or fully redeem a shifter with terrible feel.  But hey, any M/T is better than no M/T...

Consumer Reports is REALLY high on this new Impreza, as it outscored all other compacts (by a fair margin, I believe).  Their opinion is meaningless to me, as driving dynamics are an insignificant part of their evaluation. But surprising that it was rated so much higher than the new Focus.

[5 Wheel Drive]

This is the Impreza that I would have over the cvt one in your comparo.  I'm just not a fan of automatics.

Like a lot of people I'm in a situation where I'm the only driver able to drive a manual in a multi driver family. The logistics just get too complicated when you have one of your cars that not everybody can drive. For this reason we buy autos and because of the crappy CVT the Impreza would be out of the running if we were looking in this segment.

There's a reason 90-odd percent of cars sold in NA are A/T.

I know, I'm in the minority.  I taught Mrs. 5 Wheel Drive a manual years ago, before she was Mrs.  She picked it up right away, and has no problem with it.  Now if I could just get her on a motorcycle.....   

[dkaz]

I like this car. If the 5 speed manual is at least as ok as the Hyundai Elantra's 6 speed I'd be fine with it, which is no Ford Focus feel wise but it shifts into the gear you want it to go in if you're not too eager. If it's closer to the Corolla's 5 speed, I would stay away from the Impreza. I hated my 08 Corolla's shifter, it would grind even if I was careful with it. I hope it's not the latter case considering Toyota owns a small share of Subaru.

I heard the 6 speed manual mated to the 2.5 in the Mazda 3 isn't that great either, TWM has produced a full replacement shifter to dramatically improve the feel. The 6 speed Skyactiv manual is supposedly better.

I like this car otherwise. Unlike the Focus, the Impreza is quite comfortable in the back seat when I'm seated behind myself, and I'm 6'-1".

[SaskSpecV]

I heard the 6 speed manual mated to the 2.5 in the Mazda 3 isn't that great either, TWM has produced a full replacement shifter to dramatically improve the feel. The 6 speed Skyactiv manual is supposedly better.

I thought the 6-speed in the 2.5L Mazda3 was pretty good - but not outstanding.  It was only a brief test drive, so not a thorough test.  Maybe I was expecting too much from Mazda, as many rave about their shifters, but it didn't feel any better than a Golf TDI 6-speed or a Jetta TSI 6-speed.  But not any worse, either.  I'll be interested to see how the new Focus ST shifter feels.

I've heard good things about the TWM shifters, but never tried one.  Maybe hit or miss depending on the particular model for which it is designed?

[Fobroader]

This is the Impreza that I would have over the cvt one in your comparo.  I'm just not a fan of automatics.

Like a lot of people I'm in a situation where I'm the only driver able to drive a manual in a multi driver family. The logistics just get too complicated when you have one of your cars that not everybody can drive. For this reason we buy autos and because of the crappy CVT the Impreza would be out of the running if we were looking in this segment.

There's a reason 90-odd percent of cars sold in NA are A/T.

I know, I'm in the minority.  I taught Mrs. 5 Wheel Drive a manual years ago, before she was Mrs.  She picked it up right away, and has no problem with it.  Now if I could just get her on a motorcycle.....   

The little lady's Jeep is a manual and that makes me so happy. Sometimes its nice to be a minority.

[dkaz]

A Jeep Wrangler Unlimited considered small? Only in Alberta I guess. 

My Mazda 5 has a decent stick shift, but I thought the Chevrolet Orlando's was a bit better, at least when I rowed it at the Vancouver International Auto Show.

[sailor723]

Subaru seemingly has jumped from a 4spd trans (on wife's 98 Forester S) to a CVT. What about a 6 spd etc...Why the huge leap to oblivion ?
Maybe there CVT just needs improvement. I've heard no complaints about the Nissan CVT's !
Nobody want lag time shifting from Reverse to Drive etc...

I am in a Maxima right now.  That is how you build a CVT.  Best one on the market I have driven hands down

Since no one actually likes CVT transmissions what are the manufacturer reasons for using them?

Fuel economy primarily.

I'm not sure but I would also expect they are cheaper than a conventional 6 or 7 speed automatic...anyone know?

[Gamefreak]

Mike, what were your RPMs at highway speeds?