4 Variations Of Subaru Impreza And 2019 S209 Tackle Angeles Crest Highway
We host a group drive to review the 2019 S209 and recognize four well-tuned Subarus.
Coordinating a spirited drive up Angeles Crest Highway with four Subaru owners on a weekday afternoon ain't easy, but when you can entice 'em with a first look at the 2019 S209, well, things just fall into place. The S-series trim of the STI is the ultimate model if you're into all-wheel-drive production model Subarus. For years they've been forbidden fruit until the U.S.-only S209 hit dealerships earlier this year. It takes the standard issue flagship car, then does everything better, from suspension tweaks, firmer braking, more power and flashier style. To the untrained eye, it could easily look like a STI with a big wing, but for enthusiasts, this is as good as it gets and the four Southern California Subie owners we invited can attest (despite its rather extreme price tag of $63,995).
0:00 / 0:00
You can read my previously published review of the S209; however, today I'm excited to share these gorgeous photos of four well-groomed Imprezas—not all are STIs, each has its unique character, but all are delightfully cool, especially when put through the exhilarating gauntlet of backroads known as Angeles Crest Highway.
THE HEART OF A HERO - Louis Yio | 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
First generation Imprezas are hard to come by these days, especially two-door 2.5RS models. With vibes of rally and the 22B, chances are if you ever fancied a Subaru, it was because of this body style and its all-wheel-drive prowess that dates back to the early nineties. Unfortunately, it didn't come with a turbocharged powertrain but a 2.5-liter flat four capable of about 165hp—basically not even enough power to beat mom's Toyota Sienna off the line. So, what's become quite common for these Impreza owners is going with a STI/WRX swap and Louis Yio's 1998 model is a prime example. His Impreza features a full powertrain swap from a 2005 STI—everything from the engine, transmission, subframes, axles and brakes were swapped over resulting in 300hp and 300lb-ft powertrain in a car that's easily 400 lbs lighter. The different wiring harnesses were merged by iWire and appropriate elements kept stock to keep the entire setup California state legal.
As for the rest of the coupe, it keeps its OEM style with refinished BBS wheels, also borrowed from the 2005 STI. The chassis features KW Clubsport coilovers, StopTech pads and lines, and Yokohama A052 tires for maximum grip. Louis tells us his car was actually owned by Formula DRIFT driver Ken Gushi's dad (aka "Papa Gushi"). The original intention was to build it into a pro rally car, but plans changed and eventually the car was sold to Stephen Papadakis, who then sold it to Louis. Pretty damn cool!
Thoughts on the S209 from Louis, a first-gen Subaru owner:"From the few minutes in the S209, I'm quite impressed by it. It's noticeably slower than my car but that was almost a given, just from comparing the specs on paper. Compared to my car, I really liked the steering feel as the new 2015+ STI have such great steering racks. Everything felt more direct with the minimal input I'd give to the car, especially in corners. The big sweeper showed where it shined over my car. Corner exit speed felt great as I was more comfortable getting on the gas earlier than in my STI for that same corner. Wasn't a fan of how late the turbo kicked in. Felt like around 4,300rpm which is a lot later than in my STI, but it feels amazing as long as you're keeping it in the powerband. It feels large but it's definitely got some punch when you push it.
Steering wheel felt very solid. Wish my steering wheel had the same suede texture. Hands down the best part was the dual water sprayers for the intercooler. Better than the single one in my car, which I didn't swap over during the STI swap process... Totally something someone in 2050 will talk about. Many people compare the WRX to the STI, saying that the WRX is the better daily, but coming from my car, which is a bit more visceral than most STIs, I feel like the S209 would make a great daily as it as that perfect balance of performance and comfort. Obviously, I've never driven the newer WRXs so my opinions would change if I ever hopped into that."
