2007 Subaru Wrx Limited Wagon...mint, Tons Of Extras on 2040-cars

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Mazda MX-5 Miata goes Head 2 Head with Subaru BRZ

It's a battle that's been in the making for some time now: the Subaru BRZ versus the Mazda MX-5 Miata. And now that the new Miata has arrived – and in Club spec to boot – that's exactly what Motor Trend has lined up for its latest episode of Head 2 Head. Now before you go screaming that one's a coupe and the other a convertible, take a few commonalities into account. Roofs aside, both feature a 2.0-liter four mounted up front, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Both are made by Japanese automakers and cost around $25-30k, give or take. Both produce around the same amount of torque, and while the Subaru may be more powerful, the Mazda's considerably lighter. To create a more even contest, then, you'd have to line a BRZ up against a Scion FR-S, or the MX-5 against the upcoming Fiat version of the same. Of course, being that close on paper doesn't mean that it's a draw. One has to come out on top. And after taking both along country roads and the Streets of Willow racing circuit, our friends at MT have picked one over the other. You'll want to watch the 22-minute video above (or at least skip ahead to the end) to see which came out on top, but if you're as enthused by a purist driver's car as we are, you'll enjoy every minute of it. News Source: Motor Trend via YouTube Mazda Subaru Convertible Coupe Economy Cars Performance Videos motor trend mazda mx-5 head 2 head

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept leaves us feeling flushed

When last we checked in on our topless would-be hero, the Toyota FT-86 convertible had been reportedly placed on "indefinite hold." That was back in early October, not long after Toyota had trotted out the rear-wheel-drive canvasback to Scion dealers as a possible future product carrot if they decided not to turn in their franchises. And yet, we're here at the Tokyo Motor Show, where Toyota has taken the time to at least repaint the FT-86 Open Concept in "Flash Red," if not build a whole other car (the original Geneva showcar was white). It's enough to make our heads spin like a teenager on the verge of a breakup. Will they? Won't they?
At this point, we still don't know any more than you do - the last word we heard out of Toyota was not encouraging, although the story was that the program could still be fast-tracked if management had a change of heart. As the car has never been seen before in Japan, perhaps Toyota is merely extending its domestic audience a courtesy view before it lines this showcar in mothballs, or maybe they're still trying to make a decision on its fate and gauging public reaction on the homefront.
Interestingly, in a new story published today, Automotive News quotes Subaru brand boss Yasuyuki Yoshinaga downplaying the likelihood of a production model, saying flatly "We make the car, so if we don't make it, it can't happen." The executive went on to note, "Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change." Given that such a car would probably trade in rather small volumes, that sounds like a significant hurtle.

2019 Subaru Impreza price goes up by $100

The 2019 Subaru Impreza is going to cost you an extra Benjamin. Pricing was announced for both the Impreza Sedan and 5-door hatchback model, which were redesigned for the 2017 model year. The base 2.0i sedan with a five-speed manual transmission starts at $19,480, including destination, while the comparable 5-door is a bit more at $19,980. Opting for the CVT costs an extra $1,000. These prices are up $100 from 2018. A marginal uptick in cost isn't the only update for the 2019 Impreza, however. The base model can now be equipped with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite for a perfectly reasonable $845 given that it comes with adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning and lane keeping. EyeSight is also now standard on the Impreza Limited trim. Note, though, that EyeSight is still unavailable with manual transmission-equipped Imprezas. The range-topping Limited trim also comes standard with a pair of new safety features: reverse automatic braking and automatic high beams. The Impreza Premium trim now comes standard with an upgraded Subaru Starlink 6.5-inch touchscreen that includes HD and satellite radios, two USB ports for rear passengers and a CD player (yay, save the CD's!). Black alloy wheels are also now included on the Premium. Finally, the Impreza Sport gains an STI short-throw shifter when, quite obviously, it's equipped with the manual. The full pricing breakdown, all including destination can be found below. The 2019 Subaru Impreza arrives in dealers "this summer," which we can only assume means if it's not on dealer lots already, it will be very soon. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2019 Subaru Impreza Image Credit: Subaru Subaru Hatchback Sedan eyesight