I might be looking at a base model Impreza hatchback in a month or two, and I hate CVT transmissions, so it will be a 5-spd. I've heard some pretty damning reviews about the manual transmission, including the comment "dreadful" from Car-&-Driver (Ouch!). A quick search on this forum shows that there is an issue with rev lag, and several people have claimed that the shifter feels notchy (not sure what that means).



I have owned more than a dozen cars with 4-spd and 5-spd transmissions, and I didn't really hate any of them. The '93 Miata box was exceptional, while the '89 Nissan pickup required orangutan arms to reach from 1st to 2nd. Is the newer Impreza 5-spd really that bad? Eventually, I will drive one, but I'd like some feedback, so I know what to look for.



Thanks all

The Rev hang is something to get used to. The notchiness is an opinion, not an issue. It's not bad or good. I have the 2018 sport, and find the notchiness nice because ik if I'm in gear.

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with it. It's all opinion. If you want to know for yourself, I highly recommend setting up a test drive with your local Subaru dealership.

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I liked the 5 spd, added the Subaru short throw shifter linkage, liked it even more, then got a tune that eliminates the rev hang and now I love the 5 spd.

 

Doesn't the linkage and custom tune void the warranty? The whole reason I'm looking at new cars is that I'm tired of repairing mine, and I want 60k miles where I don't pay for anything but maintenance. Pretty sure that I have a bad U-joint this weekend after just fixing the EGR and transfer case last weekend.

 

I'm actually really enjoying my 5mt car. There is a noticeable shifter feel difference between the sport and the base but mechanically they are the same. It's plenty strong for the kind of power the car puts out, and the rev hand isn't bad if you double clutch.

 

I might be looking at a base model Impreza hatchback in a month or two, and I hate CVT transmissions, so it will be a 5-spd.

I thought the same until I drove Subaru's new CVT. It's not what you think it is. It also gets noticeably better gas mileage than the manual and the paddles are fun to play with.

 

My parents have a newer Forester with the CVT, and it is much nicer than any other CVT I have driven. Quieter, smoother, and more responsive. Only thing is that the Forester has a lot more power. Nothing worse than an automatic behind an under-powered engine, and I'm betting that CVT's will not last much longer than 100k miles (probably cheaper to rebuild though). Most importantly, the nicer models are out of my price range.

Regarding mileage, I think the jury is still out on this one. The EPA mileage ratings are not based on real world driving, and the fuelly website actually suggests a slight advantage to the 5-speed. I have never seen an auto get better mileage mileage than I can get with a 5-speed in the same car. CVT's might prove to be a game changer, but I'm skeptical.

 

Love my CVT.

 

I love that Subaru has manual trans available in most of their models and enough enthusiast community to have great aftermarket options.

 

Next 3 years is a bit too pessimistic. This global platform is pretty young and has multiple options for manual trans. Very doubtful that BRZ or WRX would stop offering it anytime soon. Automotive apocalypse isn't likely to come to the Subaru lineup that soon.

 

We shall bet ONE dollar!

 

https://www.motortrend.com/news/could-subaru-discontinue-manual-transmissions-in-the-name-of-safety/

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-n...ill-off-its-manual-transmission-because-eyesight-isn-t-compatible-ar180284.html

https://www.autoblog.com/2018/03/08/subaru-manual-transmission-future-doubt/

Time will tell.

 

Mazda sells more Miatas with manuals than autos (as it should be). That will never change. Long live the Miata:grin2:

 

Regarding the original question - I've got a 5MT Sport and I find the gearbox to be fairly snicky. I've owned only Honda manuals previously and I consider them to be as good as any other gearbox on the market. I travel quite a bit internationally and 9 times out of 10 am able to get a manual gearbox in rental cars (got stuck with an automatic in Scandinavia a few months ago), so I've got a pretty good base for comparison.

If the Hondas are 10's, my Sport is at least an 8.5. Maybe a 9. My old 2011 Impreza was like a 6.

I believe the Sport has a different linkage than the other models, so a "standard" manual may be different.

As always, YMMV, so go try one for yourself.

 

I guess I'll just have to drive one. I definitely will not add a tuner if it voids any part of the warranty, so I either live with it in stock form or don't buy it. Also looking at a Forester with a 6-spd or a Civic hatchback. It might be sacrilege to mention Civic on a Subaru site, but it's hard to ignore a nice looking car that does 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds and still gets 40 MPG. No AWD, but the gearbox got great reviews.

 

Whether or not you like the CVT the fact remains that they keep the engine in the most optimum power band and can shift faster and are propel cars faster than manual transmissions. That is why many exotic car companies are going ONLY with these "automatic" systems. In just about every car magazine article these days the writer will first whine about the loss of a manual and then state that the cars with automatics are faster it is just a fact.

Is it more fun to shift? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

 

Whether or not you like the CVT the fact remains that they keep the engine in the most optimum power band and can shift faster and are propel cars faster than manual transmissions. That is why many exotic car companies are going ONLY with these "automatic" systems. In just about every car magazine article these days the writer will first whine about the loss of a manual and then state that the cars with automatics are faster it is just a fact.



Is it more fun to shift? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Cvts don't actually shift. But I agree you.

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There is NOTHING wrong with the 5 speed with the STI short shifter on the Impreza Sport!

Feels a little notchy, about it. Works fine...

 

I guess I’ll add my 2 cents here since I just drove my son’s 2019 Sport with the 5 speed. I’ve been driving nothing but manuals since the mid-70’s (a BMW, lots of VWs, a couple of Honda’s and a Mazda 3). The shift quality is on par with most other “cable actuated” mechanism (as opposed to a solid linkage) that are on most manuals these days. The exception was probably my 2011 Honda Fit, which is the best cable actuated manual I’ve driven. Since I mostly do highway driving I went with the CVT since the revs are 700 - 800 rpm lower at highway speeds making for a more relaxed drive. During the spring, summer and fall I drive my Miata, which by far has a better feel than any cable shifter can match.

 

What Cables ???

 

I was gonna say the same thing. to be honest the shifter feel is better on my sport than my 02 wrx.

 

I dunno. Looks like cables to me.

 

Maybe that cable operated lever is for the CVT car? I installed the short throw shifter linkage on my base model and didn't come across anything like that with cables.

https://www.impreza5.com/forum/10-e...45-unofficial-c1010fl050-sti-short-throw-shifter-installation-instructions.html

 

Well, the parts sheet says “manual” right on it and says it’s for a 2018 Impreza. But obviously from your pictures the Subaru diagram is suspect, so I guess I stand corrected, I was just going by what “Subaru Parts” indicated.

 

I was going to say, my definitely is not cable. The gears would be much softer if they were cable. I've driven so many Honda Civics, though I imagine it may be harder to spot on newer cars.

But the new Impreza manuals are 100% direct connect. No cables.

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The 5MT feels exactly the same as it has forever - notchy, not particularly smooth, but fine. I've driven manual Subarus since 2000 when I bought my 2.5RS, and it's very familiar. I will say that the '17+ Impreza has a VERY light clutch. I also like the STi shifter in the Sport, though I've been a proponent of Kartboy shifters forever.

Subaru has never had buttery-smooth manuals. The short-ratio 6MT in the STi feels different because of that, but it's still not what I'd call slick. Honda, BMW and Porsche all have a pretty good lock on how to make a nice manual, but it's also something that's gone by the wayside, mostly. BMW doesn't have them anymore, which is quite sad. Honda was traditionally excellent with them.

I've not driven a BRZ/FR-S/GT86 so I can't comment on that one.

 

The 5MT feels exactly the same as it has forever - notchy, not particularly smooth, but fine. I've driven manual Subarus since 2000 when I bought my 2.5RS, and it's very familiar.

That's good to hear. I enjoyed how my Wife's old 2010 Impreza Hatch - 5MT shifted and hoped that the newer 5MT wasn't much different.

 

I'm a stick shift fanatic but must admit my CVT has saved me from getting a few red light camera tickets as the CVT downshifts faster than I do when I'm just cruising in traffic. By the time I push in the clutch and grab the shifter the CVT has already done a perfect downshift.

 

my CVT has saved me from getting a few red light camera tickets as the CVT downshifts faster than I do when I'm just cruising in traffic.

Too bad you didn't order the optional brake pedal :grin2:

 

I was torn choosing my Impreza: I always preferred MT over automatic but got CVT because I wanted:
- better gas mileage
- Eye Sight
I got used to it and I would even say I love the CVT *if* it didn't implement "false shifting". However, that feature is engaged only when you accelerate a bit harder so I can often enjoy the super smooth CVT operation (when I drive like a grandma). When I go to the "grandpa" mode the fake shifts give me the feeling I have some more horses than I actually do ;-)
Bottom line (for me): Got used to CVT and happy with it.

 

I finally found a use for the flappy paddles. Snow! We finally had some snow here, and the Impreza performed well as expected. Using the flappy paddles to hold gears in the snow was a blast. I had not really had a use for them before this.

 

Besides 3 Subaru Brats, which I honestly don't remember how they felt shifter wise, that was a while ago, I've had 3 other manual Subarus: 99 RS, 04 Forester XT and a 16 BRZ. Now the 19 Impreza Sport, which comes with the STi Short Shifter installed. Subaru's are typically notchy or at least described that way. I like, it I'm use to it. My other car is a 99 Miata manual which I feel is probably the best shifting car I've owned. Worst I've ever had was my 64 Chevy pick up with a three on the tree The BRZ was my least favorite subaru, being cable driven. All 4 I've installed Kartboy Short Shifters which makes the shifts shorter but also more notchy and positive feeling.

I would not consider the Impreza a horrible shifting car by any means, it's fine as far as I'm concerned. Having a manual for my own car is something I really like and want. My wife has an outback with the VDC and I was driving a 2010 Legacy 3.6R with the 5EAT for years, nothing wrong with an automatic. The Impreza is not a fast car but it is a fun car with a manual. When I switch back to my Impreza from my Miata I don't say to myself, wow this shifts like sh*t what was I thinking when I got the manual? It's different, I have to get use to where the clutch catches etc VS the Miata but the Impreza shifter is fine even before I put the KB shifter in. Rev hang is another issue but my BRZ had that too, it's annoying but I live with it.

If you do get a manual and don't want to mess with changing the shift lever you can swap out the OEM shift knob for something like a Kartboy one and lower the knob height quite a bit. I realize a short shifter is not really about the height of the lever and means changing the fulcrum point, but it helps some.

I have some KBSS pics here >>Click me<<

I reaize you are just trying to get a feel for what people think, take one for a drive and see for yourself.

 

The BRZ was my least favorite subaru, being cable driven.

Not that I'm aware of, it's the same Assin 6 speed found as far back as S-series Nissans and later NB series Miatas.
It's whole life this has been recognised as not the best 6-speed out there, particularly the 1-2 shift when cold.....

Here's the BRZ mechanism, can't see any cables there.....

 

I missed some of the other threads but I can say that I saw a post of the 2018 Manual drawing and that looks more like a 6 speed shifter assembly, not the 5 speed. The impreza is a 5 speed without cables. I say that for a few reasons. I see a lock out reverse collar in that diagram. That is only with the 6 speed, same goes for cables. My BRZ was a cable shifter and I've had the whole thing apart doing the KB short shifter. It's a lot harder on the 6 speed to install. Also, I've had my 2019 shift lever out and it's not cable actuated, it looks the same as my 99RS and 04 Forester when I had that assembly apart. I just went to an on line OEM parts place and have this diagram for the 2019 Impreza. So I'm not sure what the other one is for.

 

The 4 Miatas Ive tried have the best shifters I've ever driven, and I've tried well over 50 different manuals over the years. If I fit inside I would have one. Actually, they are among the best handling as well.

 

The gearbox feels okay to me. I'm sure using amsoil/redline/motul in the gearbox would help shift feel a bit. Just feels a bit sticky going with first.