Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS (1998)

This is a ridiculous, stupid and an ugly car. (Other than that, we liked it quite a bit.) We think of the Impreza 2.5 RS as an unwanted flashback to the AMC AMX. (Anyone remember that car? It was a pimply high schooler's dream, complete with air dam, white-lettered tires, and a pimple cream dispenser built into the dash board.

This car is too fast, and too stupid. It's unconscionable, unethical and immoral to make a car like this, in our humble opinion. Besides: what, pray tell, is the rationale behind having a souped up Subaru? Isn't that somewhat oxymoronic?

Subaru makes good, nerdy, practical cars. Why go after the Camaro crowd? Why not reinforce your image with your buyers? Here's a suggestion: instead of an Impreza 2.5 GT, why not come out with an Impreza 2.5 I.M. Nerdo? It could have black, plastic glasses around the headlights, plaid upholstery and a slide rule in the glove compartment. Now, that's marketing to your strengths, Subaru!

A final anecdote about this car, from our Producer, Dougie Berman. One winter night, Dougie drove the 2.5 GT home and parked it in his driveway. Because it was winter, it was-- what? Dark. Dougie, being the perceptive fellow that he is, notices that the parking lights were still on. He checks the headlight stalk: off. He starts the car up. He turns it off. He fiddles with the light switches. Nothing. Sadly, no matter what he tries, he can't seem to turn off the parking lights.

Dougie looks for the owners manual-- and it's, where? gone. (Bugsy Lawlor always takes the owners manual when he drops off a car for us to drive, so we won't steal it and sell it for food money.) Dougie calls Bugsy. No answer. Now, understand, Dougie would have been happy to simply let the battery die, were it not for all the neighbors who were ringing his doorbell, politely telling him that he left his lights on. So, our esteemed Producer goes outside, pops the hood, and starts pulling fuses. Finally, the parking lights go off.

The next day, Dougie gets in the car, and there.... on top of the steering column.... is a little parking light switch. What, consarn it, is that little switch doing there?

We only include this anecdote, so that those of you who ignore our advice and buy this car, will know how to turn off the parking lights when your neighbors come knocking at the door.

View cars.com model report on this vehicle.

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