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Comments
- Hutch
I had the same thing happen to my Grand Am at 50k miles. While not a subaru, my guess is that oil pumps fail like any other part has a tendency to do. My only concern when it happened to me was that when they replaced my engine, all the other "parts" of the car had 50k on them, while the engine was brand new. I have noticed that my gas mileage went down... maybe it was just that the rest of my car was tryng to catch up to the new engine. In any case, since your engine blew at relatively low miles, you may not experience any problems. My 2 cents.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/ivoq/oscripts/IVOQ/VOQ/voq1.cfm
Nothing will happen without a certain level of noise.
Thanks!
-Kevin
I'm not sure what this is and am curious. Can anybody enlighten me?
Thanks
DjB
-Dennis
http://www.turboxs.com/
I'm also happy to report absolutely zero problems with the WRX. No squeaks, rattles, paint chips, ABS glitches, deceleration noise, etc.
The Subie STI shifter is working flawlessly using the stock gearbox oil even though at first it was a little tough to find 3rd when downshifting from 4th. After it was "broken in" the STI shifter is much better than the stock shifter and I highly recommend it. There is no way I'm going to mess around with different bushings which might raise warranty concerns for the synchros, etc.
Finally, I'd like to make a general comment about driving satisfaction, which is that people often pay too much attention to 'pure performance' and not enough to overall balance. I think the WRX has one of the best blends of power & suspension you'll find and the SLK320 also does a nice job.
I've fooled with aftermarket mods on other cars but found it to be a slippery slope. Raise the boost or add a supercharger (like with my former Integra GSR) and you may need expensive upgrades (like suspension) to deal with that extra power. Mods are fun but it's often better to just get a well balanced car to begin with, leave it alone, and just enjoy it. Less warranty hassles, too.
Sorry .. I couldn't resist.
- Hutch
I agree 100% with this statement !
Later...AH
Stephen
Later...AH
-mike
I'd hate to buy one and see a new model out next week :-)
Btw, have you gotten the 17"UK rims yet? I was considering them but went w/17" Gram Lites in silver w/Toyo T1's instead.
The 17" rims will fill out the wheelwells nicely on your wagon compared to the 16"s.
Playin' wit ya in Seattle,
Stephen
There are some wish lists around (moonroof, heated seats/mirrors for U.S., 17 inch wheels), but nothing has been announced by SoA yet.
-Dennis
Maybe have a stripped down sporty model and a more luxo one for us other folks.
No I have not yet got the UK 17s. I am waiting for the RE92s to wear out a bit before going for the 17s. In the meantime, I would hope that Michelin would come out with 215/45ZR17s for their Pilot Sport A/S tires, since that is the tire I really want. Maybe, the UK 17s would become standard fare on US-spec WRXs by then....in which case, I might be able to get somebody's takeoffs at a reasonable price.
Did you get 225s or 215s with your 17s ?
Later...AH
Of course this will never happen - one blue is enough and I doubt they'll discontinue WRC Blue for navy!
I'm mulling over Teins that are specifically designed for the wagon combined w/STI topmounts. I don't want to lower much. Not a fan by any means of a "slammed look" (especially on a Subaru!). There's a good thread over in the suspension section of the i-club about a fellow who has put these coilovers on his wagon. I believe he also has 225 size tires.
Stephen
Stephen
patilpan
Quick question.. In the last few days my wrx sedan has given me issues when turning at low speeds. When I'm parking or pulling out of an intersection, it feels like I lose power steering until I speed up again to above 20mph.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem before I spend an entire day driving 80miles to the nearest Subaru dealer.
Ryan
patilpan
The "slammed look" does not interest me either. All I would probably do is to change my wheels/tires. If I feel really adventurous, I might go for Kaaz/Quaife front/rear mechanical differentials but that would not be immediately, since I am perfectly happy with the handling levels of the stock setup.
Later...AH
Haven't got the tires/wheels mounted yet but will try lock to lock once they're on.
The only reason I am considering coilovers is because I still don't like the body roll. I could live w/it though since it's not excessive but keeping my options open. I know when one is talking mods these are famous last words. :-)
Stephen
Patti
I think your friend needs to have the dealer check his alarm system. Heck, if you bump mine too hard the horn beeps.
There is a option package that includes the auto dimming mirror and the alarm system. I have both and would not call them "must haves" but I am pleased with both.
- Hutch
My Situation:
I am 21 years of age, a student living in Santa Cruz, CA (Winding roads, rains all the time, snows even sometimes...but has the lovely highway 1 to race down). I currently own a 1998 Honda Prelude (Sequential Sport Shifter) pretty much bear bone stock (except for the stereo stuff). I recently got a job that would give me an additional 9k a year. Due to the somewhat harsh living conditions around where I live, I've thought of getting rid of my prelude and trading it in for a WRX. I like the fact that it has AWD, it handles well, and it is just as sporty if not sportier than my prelude.
I have another few years before I am out of school (2 years to be precise). My question for you guys is, what should I choose from of the following options.
1.) Keep my Prelude and use the 9k to "soupe" it up. Adding new rims, exhaus, and an f-max turbo kit. New brakes, new adjustable shocks/springs..etc.
-Pro: Probably saves me some cash and the automatic is still suitable for the harsh commutes through San Jose (Silicon Valley) which I will be doing after I get out of college (Business and Technology Major)
-Con: The fact that I'm stuck with an Automatic, and I love driving a manny. I made the sacrifice of driving a 4 speed tiptronic for my parents sake when I was high school, so they could drive it too if they have to. But now that I live on my own, its not really an issue.
2.) Sell the Prelude and spend the extra money on investing in a 02 WRX right now. Assuming I could get 15k for my car in a private sale or 12-13 in a trade in. The 9k could be spent on a bare bone stock WRX, with maybe a few options.
-Pro: Power, Versatility, 4 doors
-Con: The fact that after this couple of years I will have to drive stick through traffic day in and day out.
3.) Wait for the STI to come. I could invest the money or hold onto it, wait a year or so and perhaps my money + the value of my car will be enough for a 30k STI when it hits the states. I haven't ruled out a lancer evo vii (because apart of my job is driving new cars back to my store--drove a lancer and it drives nicely for such an affoardable car)...but for now, I was thinking STI. I just like them better for some reason. I also was thinking in the business world, is refinement and luxury more important than performace? Perhaps an Audi s4? (Used)?
-Pro: Even more power, a dream car in my hands
-Con: Don't know if a 23-25 year old could afford any of these cars in this economy, well maybe not me...and some of the same cons for #2.
Gotta wait too. I hate waiting for good things.
4.) Wait for a while and sell my car to get a used 02 wrx. I figure by the time the STI and the Lancer EVO come, a lot of you guys with your 02 wrx's will be selling them at a decent price to get the new bad boy STI's and EVO's, so I might be able to get one of those in a year or so for a decent price. Perhaps even subaru will start to see many lease returns or trade ins as well.
-Pro: Probably end up costing me less. Get a nicely groomed WRX from somebody who loved it and put some time into fixing it up. Could be great.
-Con: I'm getting a used car all the same. You have to be weary of used cars sometimes, especially ones with turbos. For the most part people take care of cars, but some people don't know how to take care of cars (especially the demanding needs of turbocharged engines). By this time somebody could have done some real damage. Also patience is never a virtue of the young. I'm 21, I hate waiting for toys. I love getting things now now now. But as I've gotten older I've gotten better about this.
Anyway guys, I know i'm going to get a lot of IMHO's, so shoot away. If you don't want to say anything then that's fine. But I'd love to hear what you guys think I should do. If you have questions for me, let me know. I'll respond as soon as I can. Thanks guys.
Reason?
Your age. I'm 22 and while my insurance isn't killer on my WRX, it's a little on the high side. The insurance on the STi will be killer for an under 24 year old (if they will even insure you at all). The same goes for the Evo.
I think the best thing for you do to is gauge the depreciation on your car. Will the decrease in cost associated with buying a used WRX offset how much your car will depreciate in the next year or so?
I only had 2k to put down on my car. I was going to wait until I had 8k to put down to keep my monthy payments under $300, but after throwing the figures around, I realized that I would end up spending MORE for the car overall (the interest I would have saved for financing the less did not offset the amount my trade in would depreciate in the time it would take me to save that much.)
My recommendation? Go for it, now. This is the best time to buy the MY02 since dealers are anxious to offload them before the MY03 come in. There isn't supposed to be any differences between the 02's and 03's so it wouldn't make sense to wait for one of those. You also probably won't save THAT much by buying a used '02 and could inherit a beaten car. For once, your impulses are telling you to do the right thing.
But that is one thing I didn't think of. Thank you so much, I should figure that into the equation. (Bull3964)And how much, may i ask do you pay for insurance for the wrx? Do you think it is comparable to my Prelude? I mean, I have a 2 door sports coupe vs. a 4 door Turbo charged sports sedan. You have a torque and HP increase of about 22hp and 70 something lbs, so would that translate to a "lot" more in insurance or a small hike. I've never been in any accident, never had a speeding ticket, nothing. But yet being a youn man who loves to drive is tough when it comes to insurance. Why don't they charge girls more? hahah. Thanks again. Any other comments peeps?
Also bear in mind that I live in western PA, these things vary alot by location. I have a friend that's paying just the same amount on his 10 year old 3000GT SL which isn't anywhere near as quick as my WRX and he doesn't have comprehensive, but he lives in DC.
Your insurance company won't be able to tell you what an STi or an Evo will run you since there is no data on them yet. But I do know that Aussies put the STi in the same insurance bracket as Ferarri's and Porsches. I would expect something similar here.
The best thing you can do is just call your insurance company. They can give you a pretty good estimate how much the current WRX will cost you since the data should be out on them by now.
It sucks being under 24 and male. Especially when you aren't the type of driver that hikes up the premiums for everyone else.
-mike
-mike
Him: "Hmm, i've never seen 4 wheel drive add so much to a car before"
Me: "All subaru's have AWD so it's not that"
Him: "Oh, I didn't know that"
Me: "It probably has something to do with the 62 HP increase over the base impreza"
Him: "Yeah, that'll do it"
This whole conversation actually taught me something though. AWD/4WD is NOT a virute though the eyes of the insurance company. They view it as a risk rather than a saftey feature.
-mike
-Steve
-mike
-mike
Another suggestion is to find an on-line calculator to see exactly what the payments will be.
I wouldn't even put the STi in the equation. The word is it will be available in limited numbers (~1700). Most people think the sticker price will be around $30,000.00. And first SoA has to announce we're getting it. :-)
-Dennis
As you may have guessed, I'm casting my vote for the "wait" option. The longer you drive your current car and sock away money in mutual funds (or whatever you feel comfortable with), the more options you open up for yourself in the future. As has been mentioned, perhaps your priorities will soon shift to house/wife/family or who knows what else. If you've got a nice nest egg going you'll be better able to afford those things. Or, perhaps in five years having a sweet car remains your top priority -- at that point you'll have many more choices since your budget will accomodate more expensive ones.
Bottom line, if you resist the urge to blow a bunch of money on a nice new car straight out of college, you'll be nicely rewarded for your patience down the road. And, since you've already got a car that's much more than just adequate, to me it's a no-brainer.
I don't condone spending money friviously, but on the other hand I don't believe in doing without all your life so you have a big nest egg either. Nesteggs have a way of going rotten on occasion. Mine is less than half of what it was two years ago, thanks to our wonderful economy. Hopefully that will come back some day. But I'm not about to sit here and fret about it, or cry about it. That's the way it goes sometimes. Life is too short to worry about most things. I've known too many people that done without all their lives, or died young.
It is my feeling, that a person, should take a serious look at their priorities. I'm not saying they shouldn't save some for the future, they definately should! I'm just saying they should enjoy what they can afford to enjoy while they can. But don't get yourself in a bind doing it either.
My WRX cost me twice what my first house cost, 30 years ago. I am now to the point where If I can afford something comfortably, I go for it. I don't plan to give all my retirement money to a nursing home.
You say, what about the kids? We do what we can for our kids now, while we can watch them enjoy it. Other than that, they may have to fend for themselves.
You tend to start thinking differently once you cross the 50 barrier.
Enjoy life to the fullest! You only go around ONCE!
My PLAN..... Die 10 min. after spending my last dime!
Ken