Maybe this should be in O/T, but has anybody compared the P5 and an Impreza TS wagon? I know the TS has a little more power, but is also 300lbs heavier due to the AWD. Their MSRP's are similar, as well as their overall size. I have driven a P5, but have not had a chance to drive a TS. How much better/worse does the TS handle? Just curious really. Any opinions?

 

Whats a TS wagon?

 

My friend has a TS. The TS is the 2.5L 165 hp Subaru Impreza Wagon (non-WRX).

IIRC, the TS is just about $3000 CDN more than a P5. But for that you get AWD. I think that AWD being a factor really depends on where you live. I almost had my friend into a P5, but he really wanted the AWD for winter driving up here in Calgary, Canada.

In terms of equipment, etc., they're pretty close, but IIRC, there is no moonroof option on the TS or even the WRX for that matter.

Both are good cars and I don't think you can go wrong w/ either. I personally don't mind the styling of the Subaru, but some people just hate the front end.

BTW, there is no strut bar on the TS and the tires are P195/60 R15 and alloys are not standard (at least not in Canada, AFAIK).

I'd give the handling advantage to the P5. Not sure about acceleration though.

 

It's the wrx wagon without the wrx.. basically it's the 2.5 rs

 

ts is faster and has awd but is ugly as hell. I guess looks are personal prefernce but I hate the way the back looks from the side and the front from all angles. I drove both and the shift box in the ts is also very sloppy. Go drive them yourself and make a call. Each to their own. While your at it drive vw golf. solid car

 

Thanks for the replies! Yeah, I will go drive one before I consider it seriously. I agree, the P5 wins big time in the looks dept., but the 2.5 in the TS has a lot of potential (+ the AWD). What's kinda interesting is that the Impreza RS (which as I understand it, is basically the same car but in a sedan version with a sport suspension, better seats, and rear discs) costs like 5 grand more than the TS! There must be more to it for the money. Anybody know what?

 

the RS and the TS should be very close to the same price. The WRX is the one that is $5K more.

Its hard to say on the handling with the TS though. Subaru did some weird **** with the latest generation of the Impreza. The RS and TS have slightly differend AWD systems than the WRX (sedan and wagon) to begin with. And on top of that, each trim level has significant differences between an Auto and Manual. There's something like 4 different combinations possible. The Manual WRX's Have the best, while the Automatic TS and RS are practically FWD cars when going over 35 MPH. All of them should handle very well in general, but comparing them to a P5 or Focus or whatever is kind of hard since there are so many variations in the scoobies that you'd have to compare each combination seperately.

 

The Impreza TS wagon starts at $21,995 (or $2,100 more than the P5). For that money over the P5 you get the bigger engine and AWD, heated mirrors, illuminated inside visor mirrors, rear wiper de-icer, variable intermittent wipers and standard A/C. On the other hand, with the TS you have to pay extra for keyless entry, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and fog lights, and you can't get cruise control, four-wheel discs or a sunroof at all.

The Impreza RS sedan is $26,995. The $5,000 over the TS gets you four-wheel discs, sport suspension, rear stabilizer bar, 16" wheels and tires, better upholstery and cruise control. Still no standard fog lights, sunroof or standard keyless entry.

I also looked at the Impreza and decided that it was a car for people who really wanted AWD and didn't mind paying thousands extra for it (and giving up some features in the process).

 

I looked at the TS as well and the thing that killed it for me was that the back seat is really little. Our rear-facing baby seat in a base barely fits in the Pro, and definitely would not fit in the back of the TS.