Subaru Impreza WRX

hypov

The hype to be the first on the block to have one has dwindled down. Just because the WRX is going @ ~$600 over invoice isn't any indication it is not selling. The "I'll wait till the rush is over" is now in the market. Actually, I fail to see your point.
Either way, MSRP:INVOICE, for a WRX owner it is well spent. The "Drive", priceless.

p/s explain logic of the Sentra pricing. My take on it is, it isn't selling. :-)

-Dave

WarpDrive

The Spec V ranked fourth place JUST before the Neon, OUCH! The Impreza RS was second.

That SE-R six speed shifter sounds like a nightmare and the interior coloring is just plain gaudy. And it's sad when the non-SE-R Sentras look better than the Spec V sport version. I don't see the value there except a big engine that generates tons of torque steer no thanks to front wheel drive. Doesn't sound like a fun ride to me. C&D got 0-60 numbers of 7.4 seconds which is pretty disappointing.

Actually, I scheduled a test drive of the SE-R when the dealer gets one in this month because we might need a new car for my wife. She doesn't need anything fancy, a FWD econobox such as the SE-R is fine for her (she doesn't like Civics or Corollas)

ateixeira

Hmm, the WRX's little brother, the RS, just spanked the Spec V in a comparo.

Subaru doesn't even need to pull out its biggest guns to win. Though when they do, they managed to spank that Bimmer you mentioned, too.

I visited a Nissan dealer to drive an Altima last Thursday, and even the dealer had not seen or driven an Spec V yet. But it still has that droopy rear styling and the rear suspension isn't even independent!

I've got a solution, though. Chop the car in half! Seriously! The front half sounds great - good power, limited slip diffy, decent front styling. Too bad it has to tow a rather lame rear half along with it.

-juice

bluesubie

Sometimes people get so caught up responding to flame bait, we skip over questions that people may have (AH's post #3141). Or maybe it's because there are only a few auto WRX owner's out there. :-)

AH, my wife's Auto OB is similar. It became less severe over time. IMHO, it's just the way the Subaru autos work. Maybe some techies could provide more info?

One thing that may help is switching to synthetic ATF. People have reported that it smooths the shifts. If you go that route though, get a complete Tranny fluid exchange at a shop that uses a machine. Simply draining the fluid will not remove all of it because some remains in the torque converter.

Dennis

ateixeira

You're probably feeling it shift back into 1st gear after coming to a full stop. It should smooth out, if not I'd have a dealer look at it. For now, just check the ATF level to make sure it's full.

-juice

hunter001

Thanks for the response and the explanation. I will check out the ATF level today and maybe change my ATF to synthetic. I plan to switch the engine oil to synthetic after about 10,000 miles.

Actually, the "kickdown" happens right BEFORE I come to a full stop not after I come to a full stop. It is a very distinctive sound/feel. It could be the trans shifting to the first gear before coming to a full stop.

About the comment about the auto WRX.... :-) :-) ...actually, my wife insisted on the Auto, since she has not driven a stick in 10 years, and I was also fine with that, since the WRX auto has a markedly better AWD system :-) :-) J/K

Thanks,

AH

ateixeira

Maybe the ECU is learning your (possibly) aggressive driving style, and getting into low gear to be ready to accelerate out of an upcoming turn?

The 45/55 rear bias does sound fun. :-)

-juice

hunter001

Yup ! The 45/55 front/rear power bias of the WRX Auto, sure is fun, even though I have been babying the car (rpms varying continuously but always below 3000 and really annoying the drivers behind me with my slow acceleration), since I bought her home yesterday. I guess I will wait till about 1500 miles before I really let her rip. Also the Variable Torque Distribution (VTD), AWD system of the Auto WRX, is an added plus, which should partially mitigate the fact that it is an "Auto". :-)

I think the fun factor would increase after I switch the rear sways of my Wagon, with the WRX Sedan rear sway. (20" vs the 17" of the wagon ??) :-) Any issues with doing that ? ;-)

Later...AH

barresa62

I switched the 17mm rear sway bar on my WRX wagon with the 20mm from the sedan and it makes a world of difference. The rear stays more planted and there is less body roll. For the $ it's the best bang for the buck. The one thing I find (subjective impressions perhaps) is the front needs a beefier sway bar than stock (I'm going w/a 22mm) to offset the fact that the front tires are now required to cut in sharper and bear more of a load when cornering than the stock set-up. Of course, the RE92 tires show their inferiority with this set-up and this doesn't help. Maybe with a bigger/better 17"wheel/tire set-up there wouldn't be as much of a need for a beefier front sway bar. Hope this helps.

Stephen

ateixeira

Sways are the most cost-effective upgrade.

Most people look straight to the engine, but I prefer chassis reinforcements, then brakes/tires, then engine upgrades, to maintain a good balance.

-juice

corkfish

I think the only spanking that's going to get done is the one that the Spec V will dole out to the rest of the cars in that article. See you at the next stop light!

WarpDrive

...only if you can get it in the right gear in the first place and you can keep it on the road with that torque steer. Really, I look at cars from a complete package. The SE-R deserves the 4th place finish if its shifter is as bad as they say and the seating color is as gaudy as the pictures show. As I said, with a 0-60 of 7.4 seconds, this is surely disappointing to those who've been eagerly anticipating the next pocket rocket. A Civic Si would easily spank it back to the drawing board.

ateixeira

I dunno, a Jetta with a chip would cream it. It's a lot easier to modify a turbo.

Not a lot of pocket rockets are going to remain bone-stock, so keep that in mind if you race people at stop lights.

-juice

hunter001

Good to know about the sway upgrade first-hand, from a person who has already done it.

I think I will go for it after a couple thousand miles or so. I was also planning to go for the 205/55ZR16 Michelin Pilot Sport All season Ultra-high performance tires, to replace the stock RE92 tires (they are a lot pricier than the stock tires). I changed the tires on my second car (Acura TL) after I bought it (to Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 Ultra-high performance all-season), and that changed the driving experience altogether with gobs more grip than stock.

Later...AH

barresa62

you should notice a positive change w/the better tires. An even larger positive change (offsetting any larger wheel concerns) would be to upgrade to 17" wheel/tire. Keep the stock 16" rims w/the RE92s or (if you have the chance of snow in your area) have dedicated snow tires mounted on the stock rims. Just some thoughts...

Stephen

sheeha

I had my evil check engine light come on with my new 2002 wrx a few weeks ago. Got it into the shop immediately, they didn't see anything but wanted to replace an engine vent that was the initial trigger of the light.

Took the car in today to get the vent replaced and am now being told that my central computer (EMC) has to be sent back to Subaru to be reprogrammed. Indicated they had some problem with a number of units. Has anyone else heard about this? I've checked in a number of places and haven't seen any other reference...pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Patiently nervous...
Jerry

corkfish

I think some people forget the what the target of this segment is for. The Spec V was the fastest in the quarter mile, fastest to 100, second fastest to 60, had the best braking, the fastest road course, the fastest lane change manuever and people complain about the interior? Keep in mind it did all this for thousands less than the others. I always thought that pocket rockets were about bang for the buck. Yes, the Si should be quicker, but I'm skeptical because Honda will not want the Si to step on the toes of the RSX. Time will tell! If you don't like the shifter, put in a short throw. I also think that the drivetrain will be more durable than the other cars. The engine is strong enough to pull the Altima and the transmission is the same one in the 255 horsepower Maxima. If it can handle that, it should be bulletproof in the Sentra. Sorry, I know the truth hurts, but dollar for dollar, the Spec V is a much better car than its peers.

barresa62

A car is more than the sum of its performance numbers...pocket rocket or not. If this wasn't true than GM would have no reason to abandon the current Firebird/Camaro editions because we'd all be driving them. I suggest you re-read the R & T article and commit it to memory, then go and test drive a SpecV when available to see if any it's true. Get back to us then. :-) BTW, while you're waiting you may want to take a spin in my WRX to see what bang for the buck is really about.

Stephen

thecat

Jerry - Apparently there was a glitch in the program that keep giving false CEL lights. I had mine reprogrammed about 4 months ago. Most dealers, mine included, were not aware of the process but thanks to our .. ah .. inside connection .. I was, and asked the dealer to contact SOA. It's no big deal .. Fed X'ed to and from SOA and you're on your way. Haven't seen a CEL since.
- Hutch

pfiffer

What the heck are you talking about in your comment? What is your entire comment referring to? What segment? What is the the Spec V being compared to - the WRX? What? What? What?

hunter001

I did read about the Dunlop SP5000. It is one of the good and less pricey alternatives around. The Michelin Pilot Sport All-season ($178) has got a slightly better max load factor (1323lbs vs 1279lbs) and a UTOG rating of 400 vs 340. No biggie but nevertheless a factor.

cupholder1

And what do you like least?

paisan

Um, any of those test you show above, were done in a controlled environment.

1) Warm Sunny Day
2) Closed course
3) Clean track/road surface
4) No rain/snow/road dirt/gravel/bits of sand etc.

When you come back out of the theoretical tests, and get on the street, the WRX is gonna put the smack down on the Spec V

You could say the same thing about my XT6 beating most all of the WRXs @ auto-x. 13 y/o car, AT, 14" tires, etc. But in reality on the road, the WRX is gonna spank my XT6 and send me home crying. But the nice tight turned auto-x is all mine

-mike

wrxguy

1. It does the fast sweeping corners better than anything ive driven in a long time. I think this car an do corners alot better than I can drive it!
it challenging!
2.smooth and quiet on the freeway!
3. Steering is precise and very predictable
4. seat is very comfy
5. steering wheel is perfect
6. Torquey !!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I like least???????????
1. brakes could be a bit better
2. stock tires squeal tooo soon
3 its not broke in!

paisan

What were you driving before this? a yugo? hee hee

i wouldn't call the WRX torquey below 3500-4K rpms

-mike

cupholder1

What do you drive?

paisan

XT6 '88
Trooper '01

Have driven quite a bit of:
'00 RS
'02 WRX
'97 Legacy L
'97 OB
'00 OB
'92 SVX (a few times)
'92 Legacy L FWD
'91 Escort (owned)
'74 Olds '98 (owned)
'83 Dodge Ramcharger (owned)
'94 Plymouth Acclaim
'8x Lebaron GTS Turbo
'92 Caravan

-mike

cupholder1

I don't think the WRX turbo lag is anywhere near 3500 RPM - 4000 RPM. I felt it kick in hard at 3000. The VW GTI seems to do a better job of kicking in the torque at lower RPM though.

wrxguy

well about 3000 RPM it is!!!!!!!!!!!!
okay somebody said it before me!!!!!!!!!!
my last and still owned vehicle is a 89
B2200 before that was 68 VW
before that was 1960 falcon
before that was a datsun 1600 p/u 1975
before that was CJ-5 1972
also a SUZUKI GS 750 1977
before that was a honda 350 1969
and before that was a clay wheeled skate board when NIXON was president

mikemajesty

ive been reading along here for a couple hundred posts. you do offer some good information, but will you stop with you xt6 talks. i think we all know how "great" your xt6 is, get over it.

paisan

I just like to add a dose of reality to the the WRX love-fest

-mike

thecat

Wake up and smell the coffee ... or if you prefer .. put your helmet on and get back in the game. This is a freekin' WRX board ! What were you expecting?

- hutch

paisan

I know I know. I don't like coffee, I'll take some Rally Bread and some Turbot and call it a day.

-mike

bluesubie

compares the WRX to a Subaru! Don't forget that a large number of posts here are comparing the WRX to other cars. Nissan, Audi, Acura, Honda, blah blah blah. He's doing the same thing that other people do. Comparing the Rex to another car. Hel-lo???

Dennis

WarpDrive

First, acceleration in the segment is important but so is looking good. Half the people out there buy the pocket rocket car for its hot looks. . The previous Civic Si's were nicer looking, have a nice aftermarket and definitely are faster. Did you even see the numbers??? 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, nothing to write home about considering its bad boy image. Last time, C&D measured 7.2 for the Civic Si. The new Civic Si would easily put the smack down on the SE-R based on its European reviews.

Secondly, a short shifter would NOT solve the problem with the vague cable shifter in the SE-R V. The narrow gates of the shifter lead to a lot of missed shifts. I have a narrow gated shifter in my own car and unless you experience it for yourself, you realize how important the shifter is when it doesn't work well. As I said, a poor shifter can ruin a perfectly good car and it seems that this indeed might be the case for the Spec V.

Thirdly, you are paper benching this car. Drive the car when it is available and tell me if it's the bargain it's cracked up to be. Initial reviews have varied between good to bad, and that already doesn't bode that well. Torque steer sucks, and that can easily ruin the driving experience also. Drive this car and tell me if the torque steer doesn't bother you. I've driven powerful FWD and torque steer gets old FAST.

Not to mention, the SE-R is going to be selling at list price for the first bit anyway due to pent up demand. I've already priced out this car with broker services and it's far better waiting for a while to get this car. RS's and WRX's can be had for deals now.

Looks are subjective, but the SE-R doesn't look any better than the Subaru. And as I said, the regular non-SE-R Sentra looks better, that is so sad.

Maybe the SE-R has everything the typical buyer in this segment could want, but so far, there is nothing about it that leads me to believe I'd prefer it over the Golf or RS. In fact, I'd always take the Golf over the SE-R. The Golf is exceeding simple to get more power out of and that is every boy racer's dream.

hypov

Dennis - if you've read the recent AAA article on the WRX, they list the Toyota Camry as a "competitor".
Huh?

-Dave

bluesubie

I'll have to look for that. :-D

Dennis

1subydown1togo

I saw this on the i-club and was somewhat concerned as I was planning on getting a WRX. Has any of you experienced this problem...Patti..any news or squawks at SOA regarding this?

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102893

jaserb

The comparisons between the WRX and the SE-R are inevitable, mostly because WRX is what the SE-R used to be - a no frills, no compromises sport sedan (although with far less power than a WRX). Anybody driven a classic SE-R? No power locks or windows, no gimmicky stereo, just fantastic handling, a perfect shifter and a sweet, high revving engine. I've been looking at the new SE-R because of the lower price of admission and I've been seriously disappointed in what I've seen and read so far. Audio fanatic package? Does that sound like an option that should be available on a driver's car? Also, what were they thinking with the seats on the Spec V? If they'd have put simple sport seats like in the original SE-R or the WRX and spent more time on the shifter I'd give it serious consideration. For now, I'll either have to keep saving my pennies for a WRX or just pick up a decent classic SE-R and save some cash.
-Jason

bluesubie

This can happen with any car with ABS. It's happened a couple of times on my OBS and also in my Neon before the OBS. Any time you go over a smooth surface (i.e. bridge plate, painted crosswalk, etc.) it can affect the ABS.

There was a big ABS debate on the i-club last winter. I did some searching on the internet and found that things happen exactly like that i-club poster mentioned. The same thing happened to me last winter while I was driving in deep snow going downhill at 20 mph. I almost went through a redlight and plowed into a BRAT. My brake was on the floor and I managed to make a quick right at the intersection.
Normal ABS if you ask me.

Dennis

rsholland

Too many folks over at the I-Club can verify this situation. So, what's the scoop Patti?

Bob

barresa62

Well, I hate to spoil the sheen on my WRX but I too have noticed scary ABS antics over rough surfaces. This never happened to this extent on my 00'OB Ltd. A couple of times in my WRX I nearly left a soiled spot on my seat. It is something I've wondered about. It's not the fact that ABS acts up on rough surfaces. It is, however, the extent at which it does in the WRX. It can be so bad at times that it soils an otherwise great ownership experience with my WRX.

Patti, please send this to whomever you need to. It really does need to be addressed in one way or the other.

Thanks,
Stephen

bedabi

I participated in another, older discussion on i-club in re early ABS activation. I suffered from it until I adjusted the tire pressure to recommended levels, ie., 32 psi front and 29 rear. When I first received the car from the dealer, they were all at the max pressure, 44 psi! (Apparently this is common practice when cars are delivered to the dealership.) Many suspect the lousy RE-93 tires as well since their grip levels leave a lot to be desired. Now I have them at 38 front and 35 rear as a trade off in handling. ABS rarely activates now. I highly suspect many new WRX owners were simply pushing their cars harder than their previous cars. I know I was. At any rate, I fully intend on getting 17" wheels to put in 4-pot front brakes, like we should have gotten in the first place, the way UK-, Japan- and Aussie-spec WRXs have.

p0926

I too have read that it's common for ABS to be fooled by rumble strips and the like. However, I'm not certain that the I-club poster doesn't have something else wrong with his brakes.

-Frank P.

barresa62

Thanks for the tip about the tire pressures. I know mine aren't 44psi but I will see if they are close to your settings and adjust accordingly. I also figured that switching to a good 17"tire (heck, even a good 16"tire) and wheels would help the situation as well.

Stephen

paisan

I can't speak for the WRX, but I did notice that with my Trooper before I installed gas shocks, the ABS would kick on when braking on washboards or very rough road surfaces. After changing over to better gas-shocks, abs kicks in less. Also over on the Trooper board people have mentioned that when they went to beefier treaded tires, they had less abs activation (although we rarely do get abs deployment on the troopers in general).

I believe that the changes in frequency were due to the wheels staying in better contact with the road. If this is the case, the RE92s could be suspect. YMMV.

-mike

bedabi

I'll be in Ireland for a week come Tuesday (Carlowe). Any chance of renting an Impreza Turbo there? I'd love to see what the older ones were like compared to mine.

rex_ruthor

No, I have it too..we all have it. The first time I experienced it I narrowly avoided an accident. I was flogging the car pretty hard thru some twisties and piled on the brakes coming into a downhill hairpin and the brakes simply failed to apply themselves..thats exactly the sensation...push the pedal, no brakes. Scared the crap out of me, but fortunately I had the good sense to lift off the brakes and scrub the excess speed off in the corner using the berm.

But it could have been very very bad. I would have been better off with no ABS in that scenario. Other i-club members I know have had similar experiences. We all have a new respect for this deficiency. But, to some degree, a 17 inch wheel with a lower profile, stickier tire reduces or eliminates this effect...this is what I have heard. I have kept my stock set up, but now drive in full awareness of this problem.

subaru_team

First thing to getting something addressed - please make an appointment with your dealer so they can check out the system. Then, please call our 800 number to have a case/file started.

We do not have much data on this issue at all. Without it, there won't be any movement on the complaint.

When you call us, please make sure you can provide some specific information that may help sort out concerns. Weather conditions, road conditions, etc.

We will contact your dealer to get information from them to see if it is a normal characteristic or not once we compile the information.

Thanks for your anticipated help. NOTE: I know what you're thinking....why bring it into a dealer if it is an intermitent problem and they probably won't be able to duplicate it. Well, they can check out the various brake components to see if everything is in order there - thus eliminating other factors that could contribute to excessive brake pedal travel.

Patti

bedabi

I'll be in Ireland for a week come Tuesday (Carlowe). Any chance of renting an Impreza Turbo there? I'd love to see what the older ones were like compared to mine.