THERE'S good news and bad news from Subaru this week, depending upon whether you have just bought an Impreza, or are planning to.
Roundly criticised for its looks, which embody the worst excesses of Asian styling on steroids, the current incarnation of the Impreza is in line for a much-needed facelift.
Like Ford's ugly-duckling Scorpio, which was acknowledged by everyone on the planet to have been a design disaster, so the latest Impreza is generally accepted to be a mistaken mish-mash.
In the face of mounting criticism, the company has taken a knife to its jugular, in the hope of achieving the sort of cosmetic enhancements that only major surgery can hope to realise.
The company has issued pictures of the improved newcomer, ahead of its showroom launch next February, in the hope that punters will be prepared to await its arrival rather than deserting the brand and opting for one of its rivals.
But what of unsold stocks of the current unloved model, whose only crime is to embody the sort of controversial looks that you either love or hate?
Subaru's answer is to knock a whopping £3,000 off the price, which makes the cars something of a bargain for those looking for the ultimate in reliable long-term personal transport.
It means that in the case of the Impreza WRX Sports Wagon, for example, you now pay £18,995, which represents a saving of £3,000. Lower down the price scale, the Impreza 1.6 TS Sports Wagon now weighs in at £12,495, which is a saving of £1,455.
However, whilst this is naturally great for anyone looking for a cut-price car, spare a thought for the poor folk who have just bought one at the pre-sale price. It means that the value of their investment has just been decimated by the amount that Subaru has now wiped off its list price.
In the case of the WRX Sports Wagon, the value of any cars bought so far this year will now be worth £3,000 less - in addition to their normal rate of depreciation - because of this week's reduction in the new price.
If owners of recently nought Imprezas fancy trading in their current car for a new one in February, they will be justifiably horrified when the salesperson breaks the news of its value, or rather lack of it.
Things are not quite so bad in the case of the 1.6 TS, but its value plunges by virtually £1,500 nonetheless. The no-frills Impreza 1.6 TS comes in five-door estate form only, which makes it an obvious rival to established favourites, such as Ford's Focus and Vauxhall's Astra. The Subaru's flat four unit produces just 94bhp in comparison to 113bhp in the Ford, and even the 1.6-litre version of the Focus at £12,245 is more powerful than the Subaru.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the compensation is likely to come in the form of superior economy, but that is not the case. The official consumption figures are 27/48mpg for the Ford, and 23/40mpg for the Subaru, which is quite a difference. The Ford's CO2 emissions figure is also far better than that of the Subaru.
Then there is the Sportwagon format, which Subaru uses instead of "hatchback" to indicate that the car is a real load-lugger, although in reality that is simply not the case.
Although obviously more spacious than a conventional hatchback, the Impreza does not offer as much cargo space as most estate models in its class. However, it does have a trio of significant attractions, which have traditionally been enough to attract buyers.
The first and most important is its permanent four wheel drive system, which is tremendously reassuring for those who endure harsh winters and excessive rain.
The difference in terms of grip between two and four wheel drive is much greater than many people appreciate, and can easily make the difference between reaching your destination and becoming stranded in snow or ice. Even townies can feel the benefit from four rather than two wheel drive in everyday conditions, which give a more reassuring feel to handling and road-holding. The downside is the extra drag, which has such an effect on performance and economy.
Something else in the Subaru's favour is it generous equipment level, which includes anti-lock brakes and twin airbags, although no side air bags on this version. There are also four electric windows, an alarm and immobiliser, remote central locking and split-folding rear seats.
The third bonus is the brand's enviable reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction, which is consistently second to none. Winner of just about every award for the sheer enjoyment of the ownership experience, Imprezas somehow manage to be about the most durable cars on the road despite lacking the apparent depth of quality of an Audi or BMW.
As the cheapest Impreza on offer, the 1.6 TS could hardly be expected to be the most impressive, but it does a fair job for those who want a 4WD car on a budget. Other estate models offer significantly better performance, and conventional off-roaders are more competent in the rough.
However, for those who prefer a conventional car with the added advantage of four wheel drive at the most affordable price, the Impreza 1.6 TS fits the bill. Now more than ever.
FAST FACTS Subaru Impreza 1.6 TS AWD
Price: £12,495
Mechanical: 123bhp, 1597cc, 4cyl engine driving all four wheels via 5spd gearbox.
Max Speed: 105mph
0-60mph: 12.5 secs
Combined mpg: 31.7
Insurance Group: 10
CO2 emissions: 210 g/km
BiK rating: 24%
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles; 6yrs antirust.