The Star: April 13, 2017

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.kiwi
Thursday April 13 2017
OVeR 1000
VeHiCLes
FOR
saLe
Sharp price for
new Impreza
• By Ross Kiddie
SUBARU IMPREZA: Stacked with value features..
THIRTEEN YEARS ago
I guided an acquaintance
into a new car, it was a
Subaru Impreza and it was
a car which was priced at
$25,000 with four-wheeldrive
and 2-litre engine.
My friend still has that
car and it has now travelled
fault-free over 200,000km,
scheduled maintenance has
been the only service cost.
I remember writing at
the time how much of a
bargain that car was, and
if finances at the time had
allowed, I may well have
purchased an Impreza as
well.
Well, nothing has
changed, I still can’t afford
a new car and now Subaru
has another new Impreza
available at a budget price.
For just $5000 more than
the new price in 2004, the
new-generation model
represents amazing value,
and it is stacked with value
features, items which you
wouldn’t ordinarily expect
in a budget car.
The new generation
model gets Eye-sight driver
assist technology, a camerabased
system which is
linked to adaptive cruise
control, lane departure
warning, pre-collision assist
and pedestrian avoidance.
Other features for comfort
and convenience include
automatic stop-start as a
fuel saving measure, keyless
entry and ignition, Apple
Car Play and Android
Auto capability, along with
the usual features modern
cars include as a matter of
course.
The new Impreza still has
the traditional 2-litre, flatfour
(boxer) engine. It has
been developed to a point
where it is state-of-the-art
in terms of power outputs,
emission control and fuel
efficiency. In terms of
figures, the quad-camshaft
unit is rated at 115kW and
196Nm, while a 6.6-litre
per 100km/h (42mpg)
combined cycle fuel usage
average is claimed by
Subaru.
That works well with the
8l/100km (35mpg) figure
showing on the comprehensive
trip computer,
along with a 5l/100km
(56mpg) instantaneous
figure cruising the 100km/h
legal limit (engine speed
1600rpm).
Drive is channelled to
all four wheels through
a continuously variable
automatic transmission.
Not only does the fourwheel-drive
system
alleviate the fear of grip loss
on loose surfaces, there is a
lot of natural grip supplied
on the seal, the Impreza
has handling ability which
is unrealistic for this class
of car.
In the first instance, grip
is supplied by 205/50 x 17in
Bridgestone Turanaza tyres,
and even though they aren’t
Bridgestone’s sport specification
rubber, the tyres
have prodigious grip. If you
add in a flat and controlled
body balance and drive
channelled constantly
through to all wheels, the
handling balance is biased
towards sporty.
• Price – Subaru
Impreza, $29,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4460mm; width,
1775mm; height,
1480mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheeldrive,
1995cc, 115kW,
196Nm, continuously
variable automatic.
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 9.3sec
• Fuel usage –
6.6l/100km
That comes without the
springs and dampers being
overly firmed, ride quality
is still paramount to the
Subaru way of manufacture.
I took the test car on
a loop that took in both
sealed and unsealed surfaces
and I’m pleased to
report that for what would
be deemed an everyday
family sedan, the Impreza
imparts a sporty handling
sensation.
Power is directed freely
through the transmission.
In this form the Impreza
doesn’t get the turbocharging
system of its WRX
stablemates, but it is an
honest, punchy engine. I’ve
written many times how
much natural torque horizontally-opposed
engines
develop, and the Impreza’s
naturally-aspirated unit is
a honey.
In my introduction I
mentioned the high level of
specification. Another useful
feature are the steering
wheel-mounted paddles
which the driver can use to
initiate ratio changes within
the CVT system. There’s
also a sequential system
at the main gearshift lever
itself, but as a driver you
can be lured into a sporty
sensation if you utilise the
paddles.
However, first and foremost,
the Impreza caters
for the family unit. While
sedans are fast losing popularity,
I’m still a bit of a fan
and I’m quite smitten with
Subaru product; together
I’d be sold on the Impreza
in this form.
On-board comfort is
high and space for three
rear occupants isn’t overly
compromised by compact
exterior dimensions. Up
front the seats are body
forming and have a vast
range of adjustment and,
as you would expect from
Subaru, the controls fall
easily to hand.
Subaru’s line-up isn’t
extensive, but the company
is far more than a global
niche market player. All
of the models offered here
are functional and practical,
each designed for a
different role. The Impreza
is there to tempt as an entry
level car into the brand.
Just like my friend, those
who do choose to buy Subaru
will be rewarded with
reliability, functionality and
a high level of safety, much
of the latter attributed to
the stability and grip fourwheel-drive
offers.
You’d had better be quick,
though, from what I’ve
heard through industry
sources the Impreza in
this form is only available
in limited numbers and is
selling fast.
Best
Motorbuys
TM
corlet motor company www.corletmotorco.co.nz
$9,999+Reg
2007 SUBARU ImpREzA
1.5R Sporthatch 1.5 2WD with only
49,000kms in Silver Metallic. Factory
Alloys and factory body kit.
$12,999+Reg
2005 SUBARU LEGACY 3.0R
Genuine 60,000kms, 3.0 auto, 5
door wagon, air con, CD player, full
leather upholstery, factory alloys.
$14,999+Reg
2007 mAzdA AxELA 2.0S
Genuine 29,000kms, 5spd tiptronic, keyless
entry & start, Facelift model, 29,000kms,
factory alloys & body kit.
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT | DEAN COrlET 03 365-8102 Or MOBIlE 021 325-037
rEDUCED
$8,990
2006 toyota Corolla fiElDEr x
1.5 VVT, auto, New Shape, reversing camera,
rear spoiler, tinted glass, airbags, aircon,
great value wagon.
2007 NissaN Dualis 20G
2lt, auto/Tiptronic, Factory Panoramic Roof,
Reverse camera, alloy Wheels, Climate
Control air Conditioning, $13,800 + ORC.
2008 toyota BLade
2.41ltr tiptronic, just arrived,
ready for delivery.
NOW $8,990
2006 toyota VoXy
8 seater coach,factory alloys,
spoilers, UV tinted windows.
NOW $8,990
rEDUCED
$8,990
2005 toyota vitz rs
1.5 VVT, auto, factory 'RS' model
with body kit, alloys wheels,
SMART key/button start, 71,000km.
$9,990
2012 sUzUKi alto Glx
1.0, 5 speed manual, Electronic Stability Control,
front/side/curtain airbags, fog lights, remote
entry, only 17,000km.
331 BLENHEIM ROAD, CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 5855
www.metrochch.co.nz
www.wheelermotors.co.nz
2014 BMW 320D Motorsport New Shape
NZ New 1 Owner only 27,000kms, Heads-up display, Full Leather, Heated/Electric Seats, LED
Daytime Running Lights, 19 inch Motorsport Alloys, Blue Brake Calipers, BMW I Drive CD/
Stereo/Reverse Camera/NZ Navi/Bluetooth, Auto Lights, 2 Remote Keys, Privacy Glass, Climate
Air Conditioning etc. Late model, low kms and economical European Sedan!
NOW $44,995
2005 HOnDa insPiRe
3000cc, automatic with cruise control, factory
alloy wheels, we have just done the cambelt.
$6,995 or No Deposit Finance.
$43pw
2011 laNDRoveR DisCoveRy 4 TDv6
Turbo Diesel engine, NZ New by 1 owner,
leather and super loaded with extras!
$39,999
2005 nissan teana
2.3 automatic, smooth driving luxury car.
Only 57,000kms.
$7,995 or No Deposit Finance.
$48pw
2008 Mazda Bongo Low Roof
1800cc manual, twin sliding
doors, tinted UV windows.
NOW $8,990
below is a small
selection of our
great deals!
To advertise in Best Motorbuys, phone Lea Godfrey 021 277 3086
2011 NissaN Juke ‘15RX’
1.5lt engine, airbags, aBs, 17" factory
alloys, Great look and low 30km!
$16,999 + ORC
Phone (03) 366 6369, 171
Moorhouse Ave
2016 Range Rover Vogue 3.0 TDV6 Black Edition High Spec
Black Edition Badging/Grills/Door Handles and factory 22 inch Turbine Sports Alloys, Glass
Panoramic Sunroof, DVD Screens with wireless headphones, Soft Close Doors, Heated
Steering Wheel, Heated/Cooled Seats, Running Boards, Black Roof Rails, Self Park feature, LED
Lighting, Piano Wood inlays, Meridian Surround Sound, Push Button Start etc. Save on new!
NOW $164,995
511 Blenheim Road
PH 03 366 8328 A/H 022 536 0868
2002 mitsubisHi aiRtRek
2 litre automatic, good look in silver on alloys,
only 159,000kms, cheap roomy motoring.
$4,995 or No Deposit Finance.
$33pw
265 Colombo Street, Christchurch
(opposite Beckenham Mitre 10)
Phone 03 337 9933
2005 Mazda RX8
1300cc twin port, only 43,000kms,
stunning, just arrived.
NOW $9,990
68 WilliAMS 321 High StReet, Street, KAiAPoi Rangiora
- FReePHoNe mbmotors@vodafone.co.nz
(03) 420 4207
1055 Main North 03 Rd, 423 Chaney’s 3287 or 027 Cnr, 211 Belfast 1158