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Comments
-Dennis
Craig
DjB
My current car (Jetta) is turbocharged, and there is hardly any lag, even with automatic. There is some, but I am used to it now (got 30K on it). Also, I have heard you have to rev the WRX to about 3000rpm for "life", is that true? I am used to it kicking in at 1950rpm, but that's because the torque curve is flat from 1950-5000rpm in the 1.8T.
http://subaru.com.au/explore/impreza/specifications.asp?item=1159- 1
I'd like to see a comparison of 5-60mph times (ie "rolling start") between the auto and manual, and predict the difference to be less than 1.2 seconds.
DjB
Michael
Also, a difference of about a second is common between manual and autos. For example, a 2002 Maxima SE in manual - 6 seconds 0-60 and 6.9 0-60 for the auto - Car&Driver.
Craig
If you think the lag is bad, you may want to try a Forester turbo if it gets the rumored 2.5l light-pressure turbo. In fact that would feel a lot more like your 1.8T, sort of.
It's not confirmed, though. Forester could even get the 217hp 2.0lT from Japan.
Subaru has a major announcement coming on Wednesday, so I bet we'll know for sure in 2 days!
-juice
They said I would have to leave the car for probably a couple of days, so I'm taking it in next week, since this week is kinda hectic for me.
Anyway, is this something that can happen any time? What are the causes? I know I can still drive the car (although there's a bit of hesitation during strong acceleration) but should I drive carefully--not get the rpms up too high, for example?
Note: As usual, because the fiance was with me, the service technician started talking to him instead of me...why is that?? My fiance had to tell him, "It's her car--talk to her."
--sonya
An engine that runs too lean can cause the cat to overheat and gradually deteriorate the catalyst honeycomb, which may lead to it getting plugged up. An engine that runs too rich or has a weak spark can plug up the cat (with soot basically). So it could be several possible issues. Can you think of anything that would have precipitated this? An engine mod? A questionable tank of gas? Has the exhaust looked OK?
Craig
I would take it in as soon as you can. It's basically choking the engine.
-juice
2002 Subaru Impreza prices:
SubaruMod BaseMSRP BaseInvoice Holdback BaseCost
WRX wagon $23,495 $21,523 $706 $20817
Holdback: 3% of the Total MSRP
Example: Base Invoice - Holdback = Base Cost
Base Cost (above) - Rebate/Incentive = True Cost
So just wondering what is a good price. thank you all.
Craig
Forgive me if my tone is a bit plaintive, but I've never been very good at this kind of face/face negotiation. I know all about "you're the customer, make them earn the sale" etc, but never seem able to put it into practice. My brother-in-law got a Liberty at a major under-invoice deal (so big that the dealer wrote in the paperwork a trade-in value of $7000, when in fact it was only $3500) but he wasn't able to tell me how beyond "I just haggled him down."
DjB
On my wife's Forester, we had to haggle a little, but they eventually came within a few hundred dollars of the Fitzgerald price and I was happy with that. The deal involved a trade, which always complicates matters, but we did OK.
On my WRX, the dealer was advertising for $3000 off MSRP on any WRX in stock, which made life real easy. Zero negotiations. I didn't even complain about the processing fee! I would have tipped somebody if I had cash!
I had to haggle long and hard when I bought my Prelude in 1997. This was at the end of the model year, and they had about 6 of them on the lot. Only one was equipped they way I wanted, but I didn't tell them that. Of course, they acted like they would sell all the cars imminently, but I could tell some of the cars had been on the lot for a while (in VA, you can look at the inspection sticker to see when the dealership receives the car).
The dealer started way above MSRP. After a few weeks of negotiation, they eventually came down to the price I wanted (close to invoice). I think the key was to let them know that I was interested in the car, but basically to wait them out until the price was right. Even if you want the car really really bad, you have to keep cool and stick to your guns. Go to a different dealer if necessary.
The same dealership also sells Subarus a few blocks down the road, but they have never even bothered to follow up after the initial contact (they sell for MSRP+, even when Subaru offers incentives). I have bought 4 Subarus from a dealer 50 miles away, after starting at the local place first and then moving on. So I guess a lot of it depends on how badly they want the sale. Obviously, the Honda store wanted the Prelude sale more than the Subaru dealer wants my business!
I guess my only real advice is to be prepared (I bring my laptop in with all the info I could possibly ever need), and be willing to wait them out until the price is to your liking. Time can be a valuable weapon against a desperate sales staff! Also, be prepared to deal with the manager directly. Often times, the sales guy is helpless, but you can play hardball with the manager.
Craig
The way I use this is to begin with dealers about 100 or more miles away. After Ihave 5 or 6 decent bids, I call the locals and, if their price is higher, tell them I have one X-dollars less. They usually jump at it.
JW
Alan-
I'm going to sound off, I know mike [paisan] will soon
Get in touch with Mark Jerrick @ Staten Island Subaru 718 979 9595. He's a good friend of mike and ever ready to work a deal favorable with you.
I think he still has a 4EAT Black WRX wagon that was supposedly be for me. ;-) From a mix-up.
-Dave
-mike
do yourself a favor and drive it, and see if you like the response. I would think that as long as you stay in the gas pedal, you can stay in the 3k+ range while accelerating.
Seems to be some confusion/redudancy within their sales department. Doesn't inspire a high degree of confidence.
DjB
I think for instant response, even a V6 (or H6) might not be enough. No replacement for displacement. The Nissan VQ V6 might please you, or a V8, or maybe even a diesel. Especially the new diesels being offered in Europe, like the Touareg's V10 turbo. :-)
-juice
I think getting away from smaller displacement engines definitely helps response. I don't find the 1.8T too bad, once you get used to the mild lag. That's something I don't think I wanna deal with on my next car though.
I drove an Altima, too - torque steer was awful. A little stiff, too, plus a vague shifter, some cheapness inside. Maybe add a limited slip - but that's the Maxima's job.
-juice
The interior was upgraded a little for 03, and didn't look too bad. What surprised me was a general lack of headroom (this car did have a sunroof) compared to my VW. Also, the engine seemed to transmit some vibration through the frame of the car upon idle (3.5), something I really don't care for.
It's funny, as different as VW and Subaru are, owners are similarly loyal to the brand.
-juice
I haven't driven a new V6 Accord, but it seems like it would be overpowerd in concept. I am sure Honda did not cut as many corners as Nissan, but still, that seems like overkill to me. My parents have a previous generation 4-cyl Accord, and the car is damn near perfectly balanced in my opinion. Nice engine, great handling, and more than adequate power with a 5-spd. Why that car needs another 80 HP is beyond me. I can see how the refinement of a V6 is appealing, especially with an auto trans, but the extra power seems like a ludicrous overkill. In a sports car or sports sedan aimed at enthusiasts, fine. But as a family car? No way.
Craig
The Accord was very quiet, Lexus like almost, and a little vanilla. Also, I found it to be a surprise that the Accord doesn't have heated mirrors in any trim level. $29K and no heated mirrors?!?! Even a $15K Jetta GL has those standard! With the Altima, I felt a little vibration of the engine through the frame of the car during idle. I didn't like that, and also the head room was a little tight for me (I am 6'3 and must have a sunroof).
I think many cars are trying to wear 2 hats basically. Have room for the family, and handling/power to satisfy a driver when he/she wants it. A perfect combo, IMO.
If a little vibration bothers you, you're not going to like the WRX then. The WRX has a very lumpy idle.
What I mean is, are the brakes upgraded to stop as quickly as they go? What about the suspension?
The Accord tested by C&D was quicker than all the near-luxury cars tested in the same issue a couple of months ago, yet it's braking distance was the worst, and handling was also sub-par.
Scary thought, no?
-juice
Also, the Altima SE is a good deal more athletic than the Accord EX V6. I drove both back to back over the same roads..
In terms of torque steer, unless you get LSD and/or equal shafts in the front, you will get torque steer.
I had it in my old V6 Camry.
You might also like the Maxima, but with a sunroof, I think it has less headroom than the Altima. Also, can not get LSD with it unless you get the manual.
I rented an 02 Maxima SE for a day, hated the driver's seat. Hurt my back like hell. I did, however, like the Toyota RAV4. I don't need any size of SUV though, just liked the way it felt.
Also, I don't want stick because my car is primarily used for commuting purposes. I was also just checking out my options, my car is a little more than a year old. No new car anytime soon for me.
Bob
I realize this is the previous generation, but Ed ran autocross and was quicker than the V6 Accords and Maximas that were there. In his Forester. Sans turbo. On his rookie run. That says a lot.
-juice
:-)
-mike