1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS | Retro Review

[@Magnero]

24 years later and this car never stopped being cool even for a second.

[@omairsh8]

I never thought I'd like golden rims, but they just fit the Impreza

[@claudiobizama5603]

Most imprezas of this gen are modified to be or look like the WRX, full of aftermarket stuff too. I personally like how it looks stock, even more the more basic models.

[@1985_Honda_CRX_Si]

Same

[@theKevronHarris]

Same. The 1st generation Impreza is the Karin Sultan classic on the GTA 5 game.

[@nighthawk0077]

Overall it looks good, but the front end looks exactly like a Toyota Corolla

[@ask3xd903]

This is what we had minus the turbo. We had a rough time for awhile, but we made do .

[@DiggyT]

People in the 90s slept through the greatest generations of Japanese sports cars.

[@alexlau5022]

Thats because here in the US we got so few models the big 4 were the 300zx 3000gt supra and rx7 and thats about it most were never brought to our side sad thing

[@palebeachbum]

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Japanese vehicles were progressively getting better up into the 90s and people thought they would continuously get better. Nope.

[@burnerphone5120]

@@palebeachbum uh, Toyota is king. Sadly

[@palebeachbum]

@@burnerphone5120 for reliability probably. They're pretty lousy in every other way compared to their competition. Features, infotainment, interior quality, driving dynamics, overall design aesthetics.

[@DoubleTime53]

@@palebeachbum I dunno man. Considering the Camry has been the best selling car in the US since 2002, they've got to be doing more right than _just_ reliability.

[@subeyguy66]

My first car was a 2000 model. The only problem was constantly being revved at/challenged to race by people thinking it was a wrx. Great car, a little spendy to maintain after 100k miles.

[@melifter8897]

Oh man I had a year 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS. I’m telling you, I liked the car better than I do my 2021 WRX. My 2.5RS was the best handling vehicle I ever owned to this day. Oh how I wish I held on to that little car.

[@slowgoat6089]

Whyd u sell it

[@MPowerSubie12]

I have a bone stock Aspen white one driven by a 64 year old lady and manual! It’s a crazy feeling to bring out in the streets these days and gets a lot of attention! Little car that’s so fun!

[@shaloon64]

I still have my 1999 sti and don't plan on ever getting a newer one (2017+)

[@melifter8897]

@@shaloon64, wow, a real JDM legend.

[@MPowerSubie12]

@@shaloon64 glad you kept it! I have my mint stock 2000!

[@rhythm_is_life]

My teenage self thought this car was all that, even though my teenage self was obsessed with HP numbers and 0-60 times. The bodykit, wheels, and World Rally Blue paint were and still are beautiful, and Sport Compact Car magazine showed me that if I wanted more power, there was a turbo kit for that. Some 2.5RS owners even swapped in a WRX engine from Japan. The NA 2.5 was no slouch though. Even the Outback had respectable acceleration, at least with the manual.

[@ThomasP187]

These cars taught me everything I know about cars. They taught me how drive stick. Ive owned 3 OBS Subarus over the years. My 99 2.5rs daily currently sits at 188k.

[@nathanpetrohilos]

Owning these cars are like chips. You cant only have one!

[@dawge30]

I loved this car as a kid. My first new car was a 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS wagon. Not quite the same as this little coupe, but a fun car nevertheless.

[@doylee469]

I remember being on the bus in primary school and passing a dealer with 10-15 of these on the front of the lot and drooling.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Boy I used to want that car badly when it first hit the market! It was a little beast back then!👌🥰👍and still looks great today!

[@aaronredbaron]

Got mine a year ago with a blown engine for $900, found a beat up 2002 WRX and swapped the entire drivetrain myself on jackstands! I can't believe it's actually running! Now it's the real monster it always should have been!

[@nathanpetrohilos]

I was in the same boat last year with mine. Well worth all the work involved

[@alexyoungberg5232]

*What is this Sunday morning blessing? Thank you Motorweek!* 👍

[@kasio22B]

Back then and maybe still is, the new episode is airing Sunday morning on PBS

[@alexb8926]

Thank you MotorWeek! Brings back good memories 👍🏼

[@dongypooh]

This makes me miss my old 2005 2.5RS Wagon. It was a base model spec., so it wasn't anything that wins any comparos, but it had a certain charm, was very useful, and fun to drive. Certainly felt less like an appliance, like the Subarus these days...

[@nochannelz5815]

Best looking Impreza, hands down.

[@hiaceadventurevan3929]

I still own my 98 black diamond pearl 2.5RS, amazing cars, so fun and nimble

[@Ricelord4]

I still have my 1999 2.5 RS coupe, and I'm not kidding when I get approached all the time at gas stations by people wondering if I'm selling it. I'm planning to get a fresh coat of paint eventually, as it's starting to come off now.

[@neo8378]

These were so cool. I still want one!

[@GeeEm1313]

My favorite generation of Imprezas. I still see a few out here in Hillsboro, Oregon.

[@davidg4026]

I wanted one of these so badly when they came out!!

[@K03sport]

Yes, yes, yes. This car got me interested in Subaru and the WRC. even test drove one in this color scheme. When gold wheels meant something.

[@palebeachbum]

This was back when Subarus were actually worth buying. They were well-built, dependable, and great to drive. Throughout the 80s and 90s my step-mom would drive nothing but Subarus. She had an '84 Loyale wagon and a '90 Legacy wagon. Both 5-spd. I vividly remember riding in those cars and loving them. Once Subaru started relying so heavily on their head gasket blowing 2.5L engine, things progressively went downhill with reliability overall.

[@BReal-10EC]

I started driving in the 80s... and this was the first Subaru I really actually WANTED.

[@nathanielbarbeau4821]

I’ve owned 2, and even tracked one. One stock and another WRX swapped. Such a good car!

[@LrulestheworldM8]

This is the only subaru ive ever cared about. This was back when they were really trying to make themselves known, and their cars to look great. And at just $20k for this little car, its a wonder they didn't fly off the shelves. This was direct competition for the Quad 4 and its racing career, and I couldn't be more happy to see it here on motor week. I'll own one some day, if i can find one in decent shape.

[@nickmotsarsky4382]

They weren't all that. The 2.5 had good torque, but wasn't very fun or powerful overall.

[@geckk]

I have one and honestly they're ok stock. Really slow car despite it being a more "sporty" trim. The wrx is a great car, but the 2.5rs is more on par with a corolla s than a wrx. Not really worth it for a guy in the 90s looking for a sporty car considering there were so many better options in that golden era. They're only great now that engine swaps have become cheaper and more easy to do.

[@geckk]

It does handle well though, not as good as the later models though. The chassis is very lose and flexible compared to the second generation. Can make it way better with a cage, or even a half cage, but out of the box it's no competition.

[@bilbytrilby4675]

Is that Shia Lebouf testing the trunk and interior features?

[@yuriypodgorniak2728]

Drove that car many times it was amazing vehicle for its time ❤️

[@ChamuKING95]

The car I learned to drive manual transmission

[@AndrewB23]

I currently drive a 98 2.5 RS coupe and love it. It's wide-bodied and saving up for the sti swap it deserves, this car is going to be amazing with 300 whp at just over 2800lbs

[@Josh-ce9sv]

My buddy bought one of these brand new when he got his first job- while still living at home. I've always modified my cars..so he wanted to as well, but didn't have the money. Well, we simply removed his muffler and put a piece of flex pipe in it's place. Believe it or not- the car sounded great...and you could really feel it rev more freely. Bounced off the limiter too easily... was a fun car. His mom wasn't amused.

[@MPowerSubie12]

I have an Aspen White 5-Speed Manual 2000 Subaru 2.5RS Coupe that’s 100% stock and mint with all factory options that was driven by a 64 year old lady in North Carolina for over 20 years! I couldn’t be more pumped when I found out it was traded in for a new Subaru!😍🤩 I’ve searched for a decade!!

[@cgreenfield6655]

One of these with low miles and in near mint condition would go for serious $$ now

[@staywoke2198]

I sold a mint one early last year with 80k miles but everything in perfect condition for 7500. Probably could have gotten a lot more for it this year.

[@cgreenfield6655]

@@staywoke2198 yes. Very true. Hindsight and all that

[@ninjaturdle69]

Recently got mine for 6k!

[@MPowerSubie12]

@@ZZ-topp $22,000 US

[@staywoke2198]

@@cgreenfield6655 yeah oh well. It was fun but way under powered. I was intending on doing a swap one day but just used the proceeds to buy a bugeye and have no regrets. I would have kept them both if I had more space!

[@RallyLancer95]

Remember seeing these around when I was a kid. Miss them

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

The Subaru dealership in a neighboring town I used to grow up in had this on display front and center on like a raised ramp thing when I just got my license in high school. Oh my God it was beautiful with the bronzey wheels and rally blue pearl mice ugh I wanted that car so bad. 2.5 RS. Ended up with a 1992 VW Jetta but I loved it too, first car syndrome I guess

[@AlphaJDM]

It's just funny that this was be toted as the ultimate performance subaru over here in the states meanwhile the 22B was over in Japan existing

[@OldieProductions]

Super cool seeing this as a current 2001 2.5RS Coupe owner.

[@nathanpetrohilos]

I never owned a "RS" model but have owned 3 first generation imprezas. I absoulutely love these little vehicles. My first one was a turbo swapped 94 L sedan model. That was a blast to drive. My second and still own to this day is a 99' outback sport wagon with 255k miles on it. My 3rd one that i have is a 95 "L" model coupe. This one os my baby with 140k miles on it an no rust. I converted the car from a 1.8 front wheel drive automatic to a turbo manual awd monster.

[@jamesbyun8571]

Although the 2.5 RS was cool, my friends and I were disappointed we didn't get the WRX.

[@overworlder]

In Australia then the WRX was the favorite vehicle to steal, it could easily outrun cop cars

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Ah when once upon at time Subaru knew how to actually make a car

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

they knew how to make cars?

[@palebeachbum]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING Subaru made GREAT cars in the 80s and 90s.

[@MPowerSubie12]

😂facts. This is a time capsule now! Tbh it already was after one decade so you can imagine after two

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

@@palebeachbum What great car did they make in the 1980’s ? 😂 DL, GL, Justy, XT Coupe. Speaking out the ass ain’t good my friend.

[@palebeachbum]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING t The DL/GL were Subaru's bread and butter. They are what Subaru built its reputation on. Well-built and dependable cars.

[@chrisdooley1184]

I had a 98 I bought new off the showroom floor. God I loved that car. I owned it for fourteen years and a slightly leaky seal was the only thing I ever had go wrong. Miss it

[@theKevronHarris]

I've love the Subaru Impreza 2.5RS in stock form along with the basic Imprezas. Most of the first generation Imprezas are modified to look like a WRX STI.

[@xtifozzy]

Buying a 1st gen Forester, I get why everyone loves their old Subarus. Theyre just so capable and practical and fun to drive all at the same time

[@Loki_S13]

The saying "all the power all the time" is very true with a NA rs. You learn to enjoy flattening it out in the corners while not losing control. Also you appreciate it a lot more once you STI swap them and double the power.

[@YocoWheelin]

Had a 2000 RS in silver with the manual. Fun car, and the best looking impreza ever.

[@MrHubb1]

Great looking car. I drove an 03 WRX that was slightly modified and it blew my mind. Subaru despite being expensive do make great cars, head gasket issues aside.

[@Mr_57ChargerRT]

@3:01 Back in the day when manual transmissions was standard

[@Ghostysti]

I have a 2.2 gc and I still love it being 16 it handles so good and it’s fun

[@kander7775]

I bought a 1998 new off the lot (blue with gold wheels) for my wife on her birthday. She has put 260000 miles on it and still drives it. Best investment I ever made.

[@CountryCarReviews]

Back when Subie brahs now, were chewing on candy cigarettes instead of vaping as they do now.

[@manny7662]

These days it’s more synonymous with lesbians.

[@ejohnson3131]

I wish they would bring back this concept of a practical sports coupe with AWD that’s fun to drive, cheap on gas and can get you from point A to point B in a snowstorm. Everything is so expensive and full of gadgets we never use nowadays. The new BRZ is a good looking car, but a fail without AWD.

[@japjoem4077]

I've got a 98 rs ,and a 95 outback impreza wagon with a 5 speed has 215k and still runs strong!good cars

[@theKevronHarris]

The first generation Subaru Impreza 2.5RS is the Karin Sultan RS Classic on GTA 5.

[@antonch.657]

those wrc footage are gold

[@haac4825]

Wish I had this car now. Beautiful car.

[@Vampirebear13]

My 1999 2.5 RS Coupe was 1 of the 3 best cars I've ever owned & I'm still kicking myself for trading it in. I'd very gladly have another, especially when put up against today's crappy cars.

[@patrickmichael3384]

This was a couple of years after I as an American got into world rally racing (which was more popular elsewhere than in America) and when the late Scottish racer Colin Macrae (killed in a helicopter crash in 2007; R.I.P.) won 3 championships in a Subaru.

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

That such an amazing car! Stock is even good, love it!

[@super16g123]

It's interesting. The 24 2.5 rs with the cvt puts up maybe 20 more hp and identical performance numbers. Despite being much heavier. That's surprising. Also, adjusting for inflation, their the same price too. Pretty cool

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

I like those GC with that wheel... I had a 95 cherry red.

[@rmh5102]

Gran Turismo rally track king

[@kasio22B]

The 01' model was my first brand new car purchase. I bought it after I saw the release images of the upcoming WRX-very disappointed. All of my friends got vtec at the time, but I just want that rally style uniqueness. Wish I had the automatic, so I won't be modding it as much, lol... This is still the best looking Subaru vehcile of all time~

[@markjohnson2079]

I had a 2001 2.5 !!! Except for chewing up rear axle bearings and headgasket failure - car never put a foot wrong!

[@BikingVikingHH]

It was the mini R34-GTR

[@eriknephrongfr8847]

That last jump was sick.

[@Spheredalai]

the underrated impreza model

[@toadinthehole8085]

No turbo or intercooler so no need for that scoop no recaro front seats amongst other things.

[@J.Nev.]

I Always Thought These Cars Were So Cool. I Still See A Few Of Em Around Today.

[@robzeiter]

I loved my RS!! 2000 coupe in Silverthorne. I've owned two WRX since then that were faster and more capable but I just never felt quite the same way about them. Now my '08 Legacy spec.B on the other hand... 🤩

[@paulnadratowski3942]

I had a ‘99 Impeza wagon. Great car, drive it for 142,000 miles

[@Grapplerfan]

Wife made me get a new Saturn back in the day … should have got this one!

[@ryanb3053]

I’ve seen a abandoned one of these in my town , all the tires are flat , I’m thinking of making a offer for it as no one else has picked it up for a long time now , I have a feeling it’ll be worth it

[@SuperMatiz]

You know why this vid is sad for me? "how serious the folks in todays subaru are about performance" 2021- not anymore. "and how much racing really can improve the breeze" 2021- not anymore. PR guys saying that sport records doesn't sell cars anymore. looks like we, the people, changed the automotive industry. And because of us -another 90's of japanese automotive will never occur again. We have to rush to love japanese cars, because they rost so fast Cheers for all Subarists!

[@hobbymanx9200]

Wish they still produced a coupe. It looks so sleek that it's sexy.

[@Wesley_C]

That's a Rally inspiration car, my favorite Impreza.

[@theodor12]

Hello, could you please upload the original BMW Z4 review from 2002-2003? Thanks!

[@teenchy]

Remember when Subaru cared about performance? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Now it's all CVTs, puppies and more plastic cladding than paint.

[@vinhtran123]

Still the best body design especially the coupe.

[@roddydykes7053]

Wish there were more of them out there, best looking affordable Subaru imo It’s insane what they go for now, looked them up again and someone wants $6000 for a rusty base model autobox oil burner on Kijiji

[@BETTALIFE101]

Mine is for sale and zero rust.

[@dornie_donko]

If that car sold today with low miles stock it would still exceed its original cost, talk about resale value.

[@Kaffarov97]

Have the imported turbo version and it's an awesome car to daily.

[@CJ-if1ry]

Got my Impreza 2.5 in 2001 with 3k miles (person went to the armed forces) for 18k from a dealership. I still have it now with 150k miles.

[@oi32df]

Good old days of the availability of the 2-door version as with many other popular models.

[@undersc0r]

Man I want one of these so bad

[@jimmbobb]

90s Japanese cars are the best, hands-down!!!

[@6rimR3ap3r]

Thumbs up for playing AC/DC on the radio :-D

[@vossler360]

While it was a shame that we didn't see any version of the first generation WRX, the 2.5 RS wasn't a bad alternative. It showed the Subaru executives of the era that there was a market in the U.S. for a sporty car in this price range, which adjusts to around $34k in 2021.

[@Gnik4144]

It would be so cool to find one stock at a low price

[@netrioter]

When Shia Labeouf did the interior promo's

[@HotGritz910]

Would love to own one of these.

[@emilianocruz11]

We need the 1998 Cadillac sts retro review and later the 2000 Lincoln ls retro review pleasee

[@PANTYEATR1]

Classic Subaru💪

[@GalenlevyPhoto]

My friend has a Subaru Impreza 2 door coupe. I think 1998 but not the 2.5 RS and it’s 2.2 with an auto.

[@CameronsCars]

My friend Alex is converting his to a 2.5 manual.

[@rogergoodman8665]

I always wanted a blue WRX STI.

[@MidnightinSavannah]

The base price is around the same as a 1993 Firebird Formula with a more 100 hp, no thanks.

[@Vekurus]

Had 2000 coupe in Blueridge Pearl and 5spd. High points? unstoppable in the rain and snow, was actually fun in the snow as it handled similar to a RWD car, but far more forward pull. Nothing looked like it, drew attention everywhere. Downsides? Slowish, worst manual transmission I ever owned. My 99 Jeep wrangler had a better trans. Super thin paint. It was cool, but one car I don't miss.

[@kebabaluba]

Feel sorry for americans who didn`t get this Impreza generation in turbo trim, WRX or GT.

[@saintsubie6661]

Subaru should have adapted the current Impreza into a coupe instead of the Subuyota BRZ. Amazing that Subaru is still using that exact same 2.5 liter in their cars 23 years later!

[@dalewasson5919]

Years later, we got the WRX/STI. Mostly thanks to Gran Turismo.

[@ShenmueAtheist]

A friend I had in high school had one of these...for about 2 weeks. He thought he was competing in group B, flipped it in a ditch and that was the end of that car.

[@sammyt3514]

A buddy of mine had this car back in the day and he still bitterly regrets selling it despite the fact he's currently driving a Lexus.

[@shannonmcatee9610]

I always wanted one back then, wish u could still pay 20k