Subaru Impreza WRX

dop50

I seen the pictures you posted. I can sympathize with how you felt. I think these cars are prone to that kind of damage, with the alum hood and thin sheet metal. I guess it's one of those things we have to deal with.

I washed mine yesterday, the first time in about a week, the weather has been pretty crappy.

I noticed two small door dings on the front passenger side door, with paint scrapes. I was pissed to say the least! People have no regard anymore for other peoples property. I took the car to a local body shop to get an estimate. I was shocked to find out that they wanted $327 to repair two small dings. I guess the next step is to check out one of those paintless repair shops. Has anyone had any dealings with that kind of repair work? My main concern is that if I go with the repair and paint, that they won't be able to match the silver metallic perfectly. Plus the fact that even if I do get it fixed, it'll just happen again anyway.

Maybe I should just wait till it gets more dings before considering having it fixed. Maybe I should just consider that now the car is truely "broken-in", and leave it at that. I think I can buff the other paint off of it, then it would hardly be noticable. I just irks me that people are so inconsiderate.

Almost 5000 miles on the car and no problems what so ever, other than stupid people.

Haven't been able to duplicate any of the other problems some have suggested. Mine has been great from the git-go! I did buy the rubber floor mats for use over the winter, THOSE are a waste of good money! They continually creep forward and get caught up in the pedals. But that isn't a problem with the car. That's my own fault for continuing to use them. I even tried some skid resistant rubber matting under them, that doesn't work either.

Over all, I would buy another one in a New York minute! It is THAT much fun!

Ken

bull3964

I posted awhile back about it. It was a pretty deep ding (actually 3 digs total). They popped them out and repainted both doors. They matched the paint perfectly.

If I were you, if you are sure you want them repaired completely, do it now when you car is new rather than let the color fade. It'll be much harder to match properly after a year or two in the sun.

I've already decided that once I get a garage i'm either trading this one in on a newer one or having it competely repainted at the best paint shop I can find. I'm then going to have the complete stoneguard kit installed. The finish seems too fragile to leave unprotected.

The one good thing about this whole thing is replacing the hood gets rid of about a dozen small paint chips. I think they will have to repaint the roof as well to smooth it out, that also gets rid of one nasty stone chip i got up there.

I also have the rubber mats and have no trouble with them. I'm even considering not putting the carpeted ones back in for the summer.

twrx

The wing was a required option on the blaze yellow special edition. Otherwise is is a stand alone option. The first two WRX sedans I saw locally were a black and a Sedonia Red and both were lacking a wing. (But I like the wing.) No ABS prolems at 13,000 miles on my WRX wagon. No clutch problems either. The clutch and shifter action on my car are very good. The only drivetrain complaint (and I have heard it echoed here) is noisy gears on deceleration. It whines if you downshift at any speed that has the engine spinning pretty fast.

TWRX

tenchijin

I have 11k on my sedan. No clutch problems. I don't *baby* the thing, but I am careful.

As far as the braking power-loss... I've had it happen a couple times to me. I can usually make it happen when I'm flying across some RR tracks near my house. If I slam the breaks just prior to crossing, they release right at apex, and then catch again as soon as the car settles (about .5 secs).

cptplt

after all , ever see an advert for a WRC race where the car wasn't airborne!:-)

does anyone know if the ABS on the WRX is different from other Imprezas, if it isn't, it clearly must be a suspension problem

rileyyh

Hmm...I've decided to either get the WRX or the Vehicross after I test drive the Vehicross, but I'm beginning to think the WRX might cost me a lot more than the VX. In my research, while the WRX is one of the safest cars to crash, it is also the most expensive to fix in even 5mph crashes. The average cost for a 5mph crash into something like a pole came to be around $630. As a comparison, the Jetta costs about $230 to fix. We're talking expensive parts here for the Subaru. With that in mind, it worries me how easily it seems to scratch and chip and ding. Maybe the difference in gas consumption will not make a difference and maybe the VX will actually be cheaper in the long run. It does have a 10 year/120mi warranty with other stuff being 5 years, and 5 year 0% apr, so it may turn out to be the cheaper buy. Couldja tell me if the fixes you've had to do so far on the exterior are expensive in comparison to most other cars?

In contrast, the VX I'm considering comes with chip/scratch resistant lower body cladding. But might be a hassle to get the parts from Japan.

riley

barresa62

hate to burst your bubble bub but the Vehicross is a limited production vehicle which was also never sold in large numbers. Parts, as a result, will be expensive. The drive of the vehicle is still an SUV, albeit a sporty SUV. The dash is atrocious (my opinion, granted), a sort of 80's throw back. The rear seat is uncomfortable and the rear visibility is challenging (that's being charitable). In fact, in Japan, it comes w/a rear camera do-hickey. I'm sorry, if you're considering the Vehicross then you really don't get what the WRX is all about. Because of this...I say buy the Vehicross but don't come to us for sympathy....ok..maybe Paisan, but certainly not me! Seriously though, my points about the Vehicross have been echoed on every driver's test done on the thing. :-) Good luck!

Stephen

hypov

while the WRX is one of the safest cars to crash, it is also the most expensive to fix in even 5mph crashes

If it's just for crashing, get the VX ;-)

-Dave

paisan

Hmm the dash is just fine on the VX, the rear seat is a pain to get into and out of, but the rear seat is much more comfy than the back of the WRX once you get in there. (I've cramed my big butt in both on a few occassions) As for the warranty it's 10/120 on the PT and 3/50K on the BtoB. Parts are no more expensive than subaru/vw/etc.

I still don't understand how you can comare the 2 vehicles since they are like the ying and the yang.

-mike

bruticus

I thought the Edmunds people had talked with him about that...8-P

I'm also glad to hear your insurance is helping out; it's still too bad you had to call on them in the first place.

If I ever get the WRX (or ANY new car for that matter) Stonguard will be a must. I have the misfortune to live w/o a garage (the choice between "townhouse w/ garage" and "townhouse w/ basement" was made by my housemate, as it's her name on the mortgage). Now that I am confident I can afford the WRX whenever I want it, I might just wait until I move into my own place and try like hell to find an apartment w/ garage. Why does it seem that these are becoming more and more rare?

DjB

rileyyh

Thanks Barresa but I already know all that. Actually, while there is nothing spectacular about the dash, I really don't like the shifter for the Vehicross so I would definitely change that to a Razo shifter or another. And if I get the Vehicross, I will be getting a rear view camera and monitor for about $250 total.

How do the WRX and Vehicross even compare you ask?
-both have power 227hp and 215hp
-the WRX is one of the best handling cars around $25,000 and the Vehicross is the best handling SUV (except in comparison to the Mercedes SUV?)
-While the WRX MSRP starts at $23,500ish and the Vehicross starts at $30,000, the depreciation of the Vehicross and its special financing and the options I'd get with the WRX make them both about the same in cost (the Vehicross may come to about $1000 cheaper still).
-both are very hard to come by on the road (unlike jettas or accords or civics)
-i like the responses i'd get from both (although not a factor in whether I buy the car or not but just another plus). people who know about cars would say nice! to the WRX while anyone would be like woah! to the Vehicross.
-i like the fact both have good AWD/4WD. (VTD and TOD systems).
-i like the seats, i want these seats (wrx sports seats or Recaro seats of Vehicross)

So while another person may not see how I can compare the two, in my view, they are definitely comparable with no one vehicle having a clear advantage. So far, in theory the WRX has a slight lead in my book because I've been in the car and have seen how well it handles. Only a ride in the VX will decide for me whether the handling of the VX is good enough for me and which I like personally. Paisan.

riley

paisan

Riley's been hanging over @ the VX board way too much But I can see your point, don't forget you are talking to someone who had a deposit on a Legacy GT before getting my Trooper.

-mike

ateixeira

Riley: get a quote from your insurance. Costs to repair a collision won't come out of your pocket, insurance premiums will.

-juice

paisan

Will have a much higher insurance premium than the VX for sure. Isuzus are like the last car to be stolen and no turbo/sports car tag will help as well. Heck Conway's 2001 Trooper cost him less than a 97 Mazda Protege to insure!

-mike

ateixeira

Really? Wow, I would've thought an SUV had surcharges for the damage they inflict on other cars. Like you've said, the Trooper's crumple zones are the other car.

-juice

paisan

I think the theft part winds up outweighing any increase in liability. Since they are so rare, the market for used parts is so small that they rarely get stolen. I've actually not met a single person since '97 that has had an Isuzu stolen.

I love having other cars as my crumple zone. Here is a pic of a Trooper that t-boned a ~70something caddy @ 50mph http://isuzu-suvs.com/gallery/arek.html and to keep it on topic, I am glad it wasn't a subaru it T-boned.

-mike

kens

rileyyh May 1, 2002 5:37am

Riley,

You make a gross oversimplification in your list of comparisons:

the WRX is one of the best handling cars around $25,000 and the Vehicross is the best handling SUV

While they are the best handling in their respective classes, you can't even begin to compare the handling between a sports car and a SUV. If one of your selection criteria is "best handling", I don't understand how you could mix up the two.

Ken

wannawrx

Riley just pick the one that looks best to you, is cheaper for you to pay for and or insure and go with it. Their differences as a car and SUV are not making up your mind. Go with the SUV cause it looks different and has good financing.

Just have fun in whichever one you get. My bet is on the SUV. any takers?

zlanshark

I've got a WRX sedan--man, standard wheels etc.

Has anyone had any trouble getting the wheel alignment done correctly. My car feels like it steers asymetrically--different from one side to another. This is not the result of changes in road camber. I've had the alignment done once, but it is worse than before. I took it to the dealer and got ripped. They told me it was the tires and the needed to be rotated due to "run out" and that Subaru recommended doing it every 6000 miles. I let them as it was only $17 dollars, but it didn't correct it. They never checked the alignment.

Any comments.

Thanks

paisan

I'd reccomend rotating tires ever 5K miles.

-mike

filod

I am not intending to have a discussion between a manual and auto; it is just that I have to get an auto for my needs.

I love what I read about the WRX performance and driving capabilities (an officemate of mind just bought a WRX sedan manual and we loved talking about during lunchtime)

My question is, will buying the WRX auto still make a lot of sense in terms of experiencing what it is suppose to be (good acceleration and driving performance) than buying the base Impreza or for that matter the mainstream auto sedans like the Accords, Camrys or Altimas? Thank you.

lilbluewgn02

Yes..I also have an auto, handles great and it is fun

hunter001

The Auto-wagon I own is a pure delight in terms of acceleration and handling.

Today I just got back from a 1300 mile trip in the WRX wagon and it was simply fabulous.

Later...AH

djasonw

If you need an auto, go for it. I have the auto/wagon and I LOVE it! Fun to drive and plenty of pep. A bit slow for a 1/2 sec from off the line then it's fine. I have no regrets and my needs are AUTO ONLY. I live on Long Island. Need I say more?

bluesubie

Go for a test drive. There are some Bay area folks on this board that could probably recommend a good dealer.

AH - Wow! That's your shortest auto post ever! Must be tired from your trip :-D

-Dennis

edge01

Has anyone who's had CEL issues actually gotten them resolved? Mine will be going back in the shop again this week for the 4th time in the last 5 weeks for this problem which they continue to blame on a loose fuel cap, even though on the last visit (Wednesday), they replaced what they called a "defective" gas cap. Well driving it Friday (I'd not put any gas in it since picking it up), the light returned. I'm losing my patience with either the car or the service depts in Philly and Denver.

yellowbikedon1

I had a CEL experience with my '01 LL Bean last year. Took it into the local dealer who checked "why" and removed the onboard computer and sent it via overnight mail to SOA. New chips were installed and the wagon was back on the road in under three days. NO PROBLEMS since. Are you sure you're tightening the fuel cap several clicks after fueling? From what I can gather, SOA is, like most manufacturers, very aware of the problem and unlike many, they actually do remedy the situation. Have patience but be persistant with your dealer.

Don

hunter001

:-) :-)

Later...AH

cinosweive

I had a recurring problem w/ a Honda I once owned. The dealer would fix it and within 6 months the problem was back. The last time the problem occurred, the car was out of warranty. I took it to a different dealer - they fixed it for free, and the problem never came back.

I'd find another dealer.

edge01

Thanks for the tips guys.

I've had it to 2 dealers, one in PA(3rd time in 2 weeks this week), one in CO(one visit) with the same results. I finally just emailed the Distric Sales Mgr for this area who actually took me on a test drive last summer to see what he can do as far as motiving someone. I'd take it to another Subaru dealer here, but that would mean at a minimum a 40 minute drive each way.

cptplt

I had an 86 Integra, the CEL was always on whenever it was over 85deg, they changed something twice during the warranty and I must have had them look specifically at it a half dozen times the first year I had it, but it never helped. I got used to it, if it came on I would usually drive slowly for a minute or two to be sure it wasn't something other than the "old" problem. Then continue on my way. Once the engine cooled it went off. But it was a pain worrying about it.

narenji

I had a recurring problem on my 5spd wagon, and my dealer was completely inept at fixing it. The first two times they just reset it, but later, they diagnosed a faulty ECU, which they replaced. The light came back again. This time they thought it was a fuel pressure sensor (which is inside the fuel tank), and they replaced that. The light came back again. Until now, the car had been with the dealer for a total of about 10 days in my first 30 days of ownership.

So I called Subaru of America and advised them of the work the dealer had performed. In a month, I met with a regional Subaru rep at Irvine subaru, and they fixed the car completely, and the rep offered me a free 6 yr/100k warranty for my trouble. So call Subaru of America and ask a rep to diagnose your car, because I believe some lemon laws could be brought to bear on repetitive problems, even though a CEL isn't a real safety hazard. Good luck...

qualityguy

As per British Auto Express, there is a new H-6 high-performance coupe in pipeline - death to Bimmers? As per Auto Express, General Motors asked Subaru to develop a 250+ bhp coupé model powered by an all-new flat-six engine for the US market. It will have a high rigidity monocoque platform, Subaru's famous 4WD symmetrical drivetrain layout, and a prototype should be there by mid-2003, and the car will be ready 2005.

ateixeira

Interesting rumor, are they certain?

H6 supply is low, and Subaru doesn't even have a coupe. Did they say what platform would be used?

-juice

rsholland

for some time that Subaru was working on a new coupe. This is the most recent, and probably the most accurate. I just can't see Subaru without some sort of coupé in its lineup.

Bob

edge01

Well I called SOA this morning to report the problem with my WRX, the dealers' inability to correct the problem, and the local dealer not returning my call for a service date. They said that they would take care of it and have the dealer schedule a time to repair it once again with a rep from SOA there. That was at 10am, it's now nearly 6pm and no call. I'm a bit disturbed at this.

As for the lemon laws, at least in PA this does constitute an issue according to the state advocacy board which I checked with today. I don't want to invoke this, but I just might so that I can have this headache taken care of. Driving as much as I do, 1700 miles or more in 2 days at a time, having an idiot light on is disconcerting. I want to keep with Subaru and get another one if this goes that far, but I've had enough of this particular car.

I'll let you know what happens.

Ryan

ipse_dixit

I posted and article on the "New Subaru SVX" discussion board about this mystery car. The word is not that it will necessarily be a new H6 Coupe, but rather that it will use a modified, high-performance version of the H6 engine.

qualityguy

steerin problem sounds familiar... could be outer tie rods. Lift the car (with the jack). If you can move tie rod bacwards-forward, the things are gone. They are like 50 bux apiece; I would even get aftermarket if you can find them, not nesessarely super-duper-high-performance. Will work the same, and the cheaper, the better. Installation takes 5 minutes each side. Then I would have gotten wheel alighment, going to the dealer and complaining that the previos didn't work, so do it pls for free, you @#$%&^s.

qualityguy

On the second thought - did you recently hit a curb or a pothole, even lightly, with a front wheel while driving? If yes, then it could be rack and pinion - you can get away with 250 part + 150 labor. If you hit it hard, could be anything in suspension - including struts.

narenji

You have to get a little pushy with them for them to know just how important this is to you. But once they know, they will take care of it. Just try a different dealer. From my experience, dealer competency varies quite a bit. So the Subaru rep said to make an appt when the regional rep shows up at the dealer?

sensei1

Greetings everyone. Just got my REX 4/28 and love it. I've been reading about it from every source I can since the car was first introduced..and yes I've been monitoring this site quite a bit too. I'm one of those that tries to do homework first before splurging. Anyway I'm just now getting acquainted with my silver bullet and finding myself looking forward to driving it every chance I get. This is my first Subaru but from everything I researched, this could be a lasting relationship. The last sporty car I bought was in '80 (RX7 5speed and still have it with 98k) and had fun with it. Yes I'm in my young 40's. I'm teased, this is mid-life crisis. What sold me with AWD was last thanksgiving driving through the snowstorm in the sierras with my AWD T&C minivan without chains. I was quite impressed. But AWD w/ power and handling? I had to have this one. And yes I drove my first week with the radio off just to hear the hum of the engine. So far so good and not disappointed. Curves, on-ramps and off-ramps will never be the same.

rms_600

Hello,
Any recent experiences of how much over invoice
dealers are selling 'em at? Any other tips and
advice would also be appreciated.
Thanks

sensei1

rms_600,

You're sitting on one of the best resources,edmunds.com to check on prices. When I was shopping around the internet (3-4 dealers) around my area, MSRP were all the same for cars with identical options packages. I got mine for ~$200 over invoice. With the options package the MSRP was $26404. I checked the dealer website and went there with the VIN they showed on the web. The good part was my car was in the storage lot and not the show lot, meaning everybody else including myself have driven the ones in the show lot. Don't know how they drive but the way my salesman was showing off the WRX we tested I wouldn't buy it. He was really pegging the tacho for a new car. Mine had all the protection wrappers with 15 miles when I drove off the lot. So take it from there..Good luck, I've only been a REX owner going on 10 days now and loving it.

wrxguy

Congradulations on your purchase!! It is good to hear that another guy in his fourties did not buckle over and buy a Camry or other painfully practical car. Why is it that a fun car should be limited to the younger crowd? Ive gotten teased over owning mine too.

rms__600,
I also utlilized the online price quoter from edmunds as well as other search engines. I made them compete for me. Then I played them against each other. We as consumers are fish to the seller. My advice is be a Barracuda!!!

ateixeira

Congrats, sensei. (juice bows)

Fitzmall.com is a local no-haggle dealer, and they have sedans and wagons for $150 under invoice, quite a deal. That's the first time I've seen prices under invoice, probably because the 2003s are coming soon.

-juice

newcar31

Yesterday I pulled up next to a WRX with what appeared to be two super-trap mufflers. It sounded strange, but strange in a good way. Compared to all the Hondas running around that sound like wet farts, the WRX was pretty burly sounding. I decided to rev my engine to see if I could get this kid to open the WRX up. I knew the WRX would take my Protege by at least 10 car lenghts but I just wanted to egg him on. The kid TOOK OFF and all I heard was a grumbling sound, then psssssst, then what sounded like an aftermarket blow off valve. I've never seen a WRX take off in person (let alone a modified one) and this thing looked like it was wickedly fast and could probably peel the paint off of my old Mustang. I hear that it doesn't take many mods to significantly up the power in the WRX. I'd personally take the wagon because it would be one heck of a sleeper. I'd feel bad for the poor fool who pulls up next to a modded WRX wagon thinking it was just another Subaru. You WRX owners sure are lucky.

crash_68

I've been looking for anything on the web regarding what the 2003's will have to offer. Even the standard car mags (R&T, C&D, MT) don't have anything listed for the non-STI versions. I've read on prior posts that the release date is anywhere from June-September. Unfortunately, I was just hit with an $800 repair on my 10yr old Honda and alothough it has served me well, I am itching to get rid of it for a WRX. Has anyone heard anything? New colors, options, moonroof (which is the main reson I held out this year), anything? Sorry if this info was posted earlier and I missed it.

protege_fan

Any pics anywhere? I'm really interested in the above info and seeing what the new WRX will look like. The looks are the only thing stopping my g/f from liking the WRX (thus preventing me from getting one!).

paisan

Tell your girlfriend to hit the road if she doesn't like the car you like!

-mike

brekke

my dealer fixed my CEL problem by replacing the mass air flow sensor and the air assist injector valve assembly(?). Don't the codes tell them what to do?