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You need therapy for that one. Oops, wait, you ARE a therapist! Where do therapists go for therapy? A therapist retreat? ;-)
-juice
-juice
I also think with all the power WRX has, I am bound to get aggressive and get a few tickets on the highway.
What do you guys think? Has anyone made a choice between RS and WRX and what were your thoughts?
Thanks.
I'd be getting the WRX with dealer leather seats, carbon fiber trim, and probably a stick (which my dad will have to teach me how to drive).
For about $800 less, I'd be getting a Jetta 1.8T with automatic (triptronic shifting), sports luxury package (17" wheels and sports suspension which should be much better than the one we test drove), leather interior, monsoon audio package, basically fully loaded except for the cold weather package (which could possibly be added, meaning a fully loaded car).
Now, I'm the type of driver that does like to press the gas off a light once in a while, but since it will be my first car, will probably go easy on it everytime I drive, going for maximum fuel efficiency. I drive very unaggressively, keeping a two car distance between me and the car in front, but have never gotten into an accident, except for bumping a parked car while learning how to parallel park.
The reasons for why I am leaning towards the WRX is because I'm thinking that even though it has turbo, since it has more power, it will be working less to do the same job so it will last a long time. I also heard about subaru warranty in comparison to problems with VWs. I also like the possibility of adding a body kit (i've already found a nice one) and the possibility of adding lights under the car. I would customize the car with little aesthetic changes to personalize it.
The reasons I am considering the Jetta is because I've always liked the Jetta ever since they came up with the new design. I think it is a lot of car for little money, in quality wise (starting from the flip key to the monsoon system and super large trunk with fold down backseats for more space.) Also, my dad likes the Jetta a bit more and my mom is undecided, but thinks the WRX is cute. And automatic on the 1.8T would be very responsive off the light because the torque hits max at below 2000 rpms. I hear German transmission is much smoother than japanese.
While I don't want to buy a car that may have little problems that bug me (like parts breaking off a VW), I also don't want a car that is going to lose its paint job because of a little sand.
I really don't know, some people say the Jetta is a girls car but that is not a factor since I'd be happy with either car. I just wanted some feedback. Would the fact that the WRX has more power than the Jetta mean the engine will work less hard? Also, is it possible to drive the WRX without using the turbo if I shift up before reaching 3000 rpms even at highway speeds? Thanks.
Riley
Riley, if it's gonna be your car, why weren't you test driving? Don't take that as a snide question; was it because you can't drive stick yet? If that's the reason, at least test-drive the auto WRX; the suspension & steering are exactly the same as the 5MT.
On a similar note, if you're thinking of buying the VW with sport suspension, then try very hard to get a test drive in one. A good friend recently bought the brand-new GTI with the "sport suspension" and comments that it seems to do little to improve body roll or overall suspension feel. Comments/complaints about VW's soft suspensions appear in just about every review I've read, except for the review of the 25th Anniversary Wolfsburg GTI, which isn't available in the US. He's put 8200 miles on the car since last November, but has had the car in the shop a few times alreadyn. One visit to replace several interior trim pieces that had simply dropped off, and two more visits to correct the steering alignment (3 days after arrival it began to drift to the right, and on the first service visit the dealer apparently didn't even test drive afterward)
Be sure you're comparing prices exactly as you'd order the car (including emissions package, which is an "option" on the VW which you MUST order if you live in certain states)
Also consider insurance (if you're going to be paying for that yourself). A very slight difference in monthly premium, over the multiple years you're probably going to own the car, will eliminate or increase a new-car price advantage.
DjB
I wouldn't worry too much about the engine working less hard and thereby lasting longer. You're young and probably won't keep the car more than a few years anyway.
I'd favor the WRX for two reasons. The Jetta is a dated design, with roots reaching way back to the VW Rabbit. VW has constantly updated it, but it is an old car that has been tweaked and tweaked. The body is very 70s, IMHO. More important, the Jetta has had enough quality control and reliability issues to be dropped from Consumer's Reports "recommended" list.
But you are debating two excellent cars. This seems mostly like a decision you have to make with your heart. Too bad you can't test-drive the WRX. Can you do another "shotgun" test drive, concentrating on all the little aspects of road behavior?
Good luck!
Any regrets? Colour I mean
-Dave
I was thinking the same thing as you (buying an RS instead) but my dream was to own a turbo Impreza, so I splurged, but for my purposes (need a winter car to augment my Miata), the RS would have been great too. I might have regretted not living my dreams while I have the chance so I decided I needed the WRX after all
Definitely test drive both if you can. That should easily allow you to discern if you would benefit from the WRX. However, I also suggest you let the engine wind up the RPMs a bit every once in a while because it really won't hurt the car any.
No way. Never again. I went with the exact opposite (silver) exactly for the reason I that I owned a black car and couldn't stand how easily it looked dirty, showed rock chips and swirl marks. If it's a garage queen, then maybe.
Also, another thing I noticed, black tends to accentuate the "bugeye" headlights more which is definitely not my favorite feature of the car.
This point I cannot emphasize enough, THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT CARS.
Already i can see (now again, don't take this as a snide comment), if you are thinking of getting leather seats in the WRX, it's not the car for you.
Jetta is geared more toward comfort where the WRX is uncompromising performance. My co-worker wanted comfort, he wanted doo dads like heated leather seats and windows that roll down automatically and things like that. To him, this stuff was more important than performance.
The Jetta is a much softer ride. You don't notice the bumps as much and you are more isolated from the road noise. As a result though, there is more body roll and it doesn't quite glue itself to the road like the WRX (he does have the sport tuned suspension on his car). It has brisk acceleration and a nice flat torque curve, but it weighs a little more than the WRX and is lacking in almost 50HP so raw performance doesn't quite match up.
The Jetta 1.8T is a daily driver that provides enough fun so as not to be totally boring.
The WRX on the other hand is quite a bit stiffer on the road. I don't mind it at all, but it may grate on some. The stock seats are sublime though, very good side and lumbar support, very comfortable on long drives. Low end torque is a little lacking, but the engine loves to be wound up. I view the WRX as having three levels. You have tame where you shift by 3k rpm. You still have good acceleration but you lay easy on the gas. Then you have midlevel where you take it up to about 4500 before shifting, this provides a good kick in the pants . And of course you have extreme where you take it up to redline. I do not like to compare this engine though to the ones in the S2000 and RSX, it's not nearly that high strung. You can get a healthy bit of performace at sub 6k rpm levels.
The WRX is a car that begs to be driven hard and can be a daily driver on the side.
Basically, if you view your car just as a tool to get you from point A to point B in as much comfort while trying to keep you awake, get the jetta.
If you want a car that you go out on a drive just for the sake of driving, the WRX is your car. I can't tell you how much this car has changed me. I mean I loved driving before but I would never had cravings to do things like I do in this car. I start thinking about four wheel drifts and i now currently have this nagging feeling that i want to get the car REALLY dirty somewhere. The WRX is not so much a tool as it is a toy that serves a useful purpose.
Still of the five current WRX colors I like the black best. It has a nice blue-black sheen in the sunlight. White is growing on me, though. I feel about red cars the way most do about black. There are far too many silver WRXes on the road; ditto with the World Rally Blue.
WR Blue also has the same thing going against it as black Chevy Monte Carlos do: the wannabe syndrome. I know I'm gonna be guilty of gross generalization here but here goes. The majority of black Montes I see on the road have the big italic number "3" plastered on them somewhere, their drivers harboring some kind of Dale Earnhardt fixation (wannabe NASCAR drivers or just big fans?). I think Chevy even makes an Earnhardt signature edition. I'd venture a guess that the same applies to WR Blue WRXes; I've seen a few with the SWRT logo on them and I imagine their drivers harbor a McRae/Burns/Makinen fantasy of some sort, too (same Q: wannabe WRC drivers or just big fans?). I will say this much: I've never been a big fan of blue cars but WR Blue is a pretty color.
[flame suit on, along with my SWRT cap ;-) ]
Ed
Warp & Ed-
I was weighing the cons pretty much along those lines. Oh... but it's such a beautiful colour. Like Colin had expressed over at the wagon thread, I too was drooling over the colour. Maybe I'll dare myself to be different (the micro few)and if the colour doesn't pan out then, I'll re-paint Platinum Silver with a Pinkish hue
Hmmm... what do y'all think, Blaze Yellow WRX wagon? If they ever offer it.
Thanks guys for the input.
-Dave
I'm going to echo what bull3964 wrote and also say that the two are quite different vehicles. You need to choose them based on what you're looking for in a car.
My wife drives a Jetta GLS VR6 so I understand where you're coming from in terms of it being an attractive vehicle. The quality of the materials are top notch and the vehicle gives a very plush ride for a compact car. The 1.8 Turbo is VW/Audi's workhorse engine and is quite durable. However, the Jetta is very softly sprung and you reach it's handling limits very quickly.
I suggest you ask yourself again what your main objectives are with a vehicle. If it's for a comfortable means of transportation with some spunk, go for the Jetta. If you want unparalleled performance, go with the WRX.
Ken
-juice
If your car will be sitting in a dusty area, go with a light color. Otherwise, darker colors aren't too bad, as long as you can keep them clean.
Question... My wife has a 2002 Legacy GT Wagon, every time we back it out of the garage, the brakes squeek. It only does it when backing. Is this something normal for Subies or what? My WRX don't do it! I guess I ought to call the dealer, but that is over 100 miles away, should there be a problem. I'm thinking one of you guys may be able to enlighten me on this.
Thanks,
Ken
There was a shim kit fix dealers were told about, though it may have been for the H6. It's worth asking your dealer.
-juice
DjB
Unlike others, I define comfort in a car that gives good seat support with very very firm shocks which do not bounce or have a lot of travel (I LOATH large taxi cars such as Lincoln Town Cars). So suspension-wise, I'd say I'm a sports car suspension guy.
For creature-comforts, while I do think the VW has a lot of neat things like the key and sun-roof and high quality audio, those options are more what my parents want me to get. Basically, they are adamant I get leather seats because they stay cleaner and aren't as dusty, etc. In VWs, since everything is packaged, if I want leather, most likely, I'll be getting the luxury and audio package. That's why I'm getting a practically fully loaded Jetta or a WRX with leather. I myself don't need leather or a sun roof or one touch windows, while a good audio system would be nice.
And one thing I noticed a lot mentioned is that I should buy the WRX for the performance and if I'm not an engine revver, I should get the Jetta. While I do find the power an attractive aspect, it is really the AWD, stiff chassis, rareness, and low body roll that attracts me to the WRX. As I think I mentioned before, the one thing about a car that unnerves me is one that leans hard in a turn (such as a highway offramp) that I feel I'm going to hit the barricade. For the less body roll, I give two points to the WRX.
I guess I mainly wanted to find out what you guys (owners) think are good so far about the WRX and what is not so good about the WRX in comparison to what you've heard about the Jetta.
Another aspect I like about the WRX is that, while the Jetta is already made nicely that I wouldn't modify it, I already have plans to get a body kit for the WRX, and possibly a spoiler (not dealer option) and neon lights for under the car. It would all cost about $1400 extra, but the only thing I would do in the beginning would be the body kit $850. But of course, this means that the WRX I'm planning for would cost even more than the Jetta.
I want to keep this car for at least 5 years, develop a bond.
Oh, one thing that would REALLY be helpful is if you guys could tell me how much you pay in insurance for the WRX including what state you are in and what a Jetta 1.8T would cost in comparison in your state. Anyone in the state of Virginia would be especially helpful. Bull3964, could you ask your coworker how much he pays for his Jetta 1.8T insurance and compare it to yours? Thanks!
Ken
Just my opinion, but the best mod you can do for the WRX is to get 17" rims. It'll cost you more than $1400 but it will let you experience the full potential of the machine.
Ken
FWIW, as a 22 year old I pay $130/month for full coverage (PA, around pittsburgh area).
BTW, the WRX will cost more than the Jetta anyways, Jetta's are much cheaper than WRX's. You are looking at maybe 22 grand for the Jetta while about 25 grand for the WRX.
Also, are your parents paying for the car? If not, they should have zero say in what you get. The reasons for leather are about the most absurd I've ever heard. Why should they care if your seats may or may not be more dusty? There's a reason why leather is not given as an option on the WRX. It detracts from it's intended purpose.
Also, though this doesn't relate really to your decision, what you are describing that you do to the WRX makes me cringe (alot). Don't take this on a personal attack on you, but if you are planning on ricing that car out, do the rest of us WRX owners a favor and don't buy it. I cry every time I see WRX with alot of unecessary crap on it. Yeah it's personal opinion, but about the only thing the WRX needs are a good pair of 17 inch rims. Neon and all that other crap detracts from the beauty of the car.
Go for the non-turbo Impreza Outback Sport or another Subaru. You still get the AWD, and with the OBS a stiff suspension, plus a bigger motor without relying on a turbo for your power.
The ONLY real reason to spend the additional $5000 for the WRX is for the performance, and it doesn't sound like you want to use it. This is a car for people who really want to get the most out of a driving experience. You need to try another test drive in an automatic! If you are not going to use the best feature or a WRX, then don't waste the $5000. Like a magazine writer wrote about the Honda S2000 [paraphrased] "for the people who never get the car above 7000 RPM (the S2000's power range), it will feel underpowered, and they might as well get an Accord."
Plus, if you get a WRX and put neon under it, you will get lambasted on these boards. That is for people who buy Civics and, dare I say, Jettas.
For insurance, go to www.progressive.com and put in both cars as if you had them both. You will get an exact quotation based on your age, location, etc. I would venture to say that the VW will be substantially lower than the WRX. There is a recent college grad on here who will be paying more on his insurance each month than on his car payments!
HTH,
Steve
(And yes, I did look to see what date Riley posted this question, because I seriously thought it was an April Fool's joke.)
_____
Avon, Ohio, USA
1958 MGA Roadster http://homepage.mac.com/mga1500
1997 Ford F-150 *For Sale* http://my.en.com/~smorris/ford
2001 Audi A6 (Deb's drive - no web page)
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon http://homepage.mac.com/subaruwrx
If it isn't wet, a California duster does wonders for keeping a car clean. I discovered this with the MG (which has no windows, and the top is never up) and use it on both black cars. It looks great when it is clean, and if it gets dirty, it is still fun. I happen to think it looks a little ugly like a bulldog, so a little dirt just makes it look meaner!
Someone mentioned the black emphasizes the bugeyed headlights, and I agree. Only I think it makes them look nice. I didn't like the headlights when the new body style came ot, but bringing them to a point of focus on a black car makes them look great IMHO. I'm taking the orange turn reflectors out and putting clear sidemarkers on, so the front will just be black and glass.
Pics on the web page, below.
Steve
_____
Avon, Ohio, USA
1958 MGA Roadster http://homepage.mac.com/mga1500
1997 Ford F-150 *For Sale* http://my.en.com/~smorris/ford
2001 Audi A6 (Deb's drive - no web page)
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon http://homepage.mac.com/subaruwrx
Steve-
Thanks for the encouragement. You're certainly one of the daring micro-few to venture with the Black.
Love those pics
I'm imagining 17" B4 wheels, UK projector lamps, tinted windows.... it'll look just awesome.
-Dave
p/s What do y'all think of metalic "PINK"?
p.s. I am 24, live in st.louis and I pay 350 every six months for insurance on the wrx and about 250 for the Jetta.
-mike
You need to set the "invoice price" for the machine you want including options. Armed with that you visit the dealer and start working your offer ...up.
Reading most comments on this...people seem to be happy with about invoice + $500.
Factors will include * dealer/area/demand/availability/how long you are willing to wait for delivery/your acceptance of whats on the lot/and how anxious you are to be driving one.
Hope this helps...inputs to follow!...:)
So, they ended up giving me $3500 for my trade and not touching the sticker price. Since that was $1500 more than I would have been able to get just about everywhere else, I like to think that I got $2000 for the trade in and $1500 off the sticker. That would put me $500 above invoice. The dealing when several rounds and every time I tried to tell them "Yeah, that's trade in, but you didn't touch sticker" They would come back with, "We're giving you almost double for your trade in".
Either way I think I got the car for just about as cheap as I was going to.
Now about cruse control. It works the same way on a manual as it does on an automatic only that the car will not downshift if it's bogging. It will just loose speed to the point where the cruse shuts itself off. This really isn't a problem for the WRX though because at about 73 MPH, the car is at 3k rpm and has plenty of pull. I think only a very steep hill would require you to shut off cruse and downshift into 4th. At highway crusing speeds, the car pulls very well in 5th.
DjB
I figured I got it for as cheap as I was going to.
If you trade in a car, you get the trade value taken off the taxes on the new car, so it doesn't matter much how they work the #s either way you save the tax.
-mike
Stephen
They are offering 5 spokes 17" OEMs as an option.
Looking at the wheels, they looked like wheels off from the Blitzen/B4. Are my eyes playing tricks?
-Dave
Stephen
I'm sure there are others....shop around...go to www.i-club.com and do a search...lots of ways to find out the best price.
Hope this helps....:)
-mike
Patti-
Are these wheels offered as OEM option?
-Dave
When does the first boat arrive for MY2003?
-Dave
Later...AH
They are listed @ $1,350.00 (set of 4 I suppose).
-Dave
I intend to take on a second job to accelerate the paying off of my WRX and to also kill my school loans while at the same time lower my monthly residence payments by buying a condo instead of renting.
Now I'm starting to think of a companion vehicle for my WRX maybe 3-4 years from now. I think the Baja would be the perfect choice. I could most definatly be able to pick up a used one by then (the 1st gens will probably be going off lease right about then) so that would give me something I could haul a moderate amount of stuff in if i needed too as well as having a 'beater' vehicle if I didn't want to risk taking my WRX somewhere.
So, what do you think?