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Comments
IMHO (right?!)
Stephen
Also, whats the general concensus on options? Air Filtration system? Carbon Fiber kit? Armrest extension? should I spring for these?
Stephen
If you think its worth the money, then pay for it. Personally, I agree that, even at MSRP, this is a good deal.
And, no, I'm not a dealer of subarus or any other cars.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I also believe this is one of those rare cases where the car is WORTH the MSRP. So, yeah, quit yer whinin'. :-)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The MR2 is cute, but I'd take the WRX any day! Even at MSRP it's a bargain. Some people that ordered in advance negotiated a little, and some dealers haggle a bit even now, but not all.
Get the air filtration if you have allergies or asthma. I have it (and asthma).
The armrest extension is the same height as the armrest on the door. I love it.
Ask for the diffy protector if you plan on rallying with it. I'd also get skid plates, but that's aftermarket.
-juice
Also, has anyone seen the WRX with the carbon fiber kit? What's included? From what I've seen, its the center stereo console, hand brake and shift knob. Anything else?
Carbon Fiber parking brake handle.
list price $295 plus installation.
Carbon Fiber shift knob (manual only).
list price $175 plus installation.
http://www.cars101.com/impreza.html#2002 Impreza
I wonder what they included in the trim kit. Anybody knows for sure?
-juice
BTW, www.kbb.com has info on the 2002 WRX (including invoice prices for base car and options).
Cheers,
-wdb
Patti: What's up w/this. Any ideas?
Stephen
Indeed, there is a turbo lag, similar to any 2.0 L turbo; however, just keep the gear lower and the RPM a smidge higher, and then you're taking off. I have an MR2 turbo. This WRX is faster, even with only 7 miles on it.
It's not fancy, for the Audi-BMW-even VW-philes. But it appears solid, handles well, and serves it's purpose in spades.
2 hours into this purchase, things are looking great.
How is the brake feel? C & D said it was firm and linear but Autoweek said somewhat mushy. I have already experienced the infamous mushy feel in my 00' OB Ltd and don't want the feel in a car that can hit 140mph!
Let us know other impressions too. We live vicariouly through you for a time. :-)
Stephen
Now I've got a decision to make. WRX or A4 1.8T Quattro. The Subie is faster, the Audi is nicer. Decisions, decisions. I guess it could be worse
Looks like it will be an A4 for me. I can get it (MSRP $29k) for $400 per month, zero down.
WRX is a neat car though.
JG
00 Viper GTS
01 Acura CL-S
When I first sat in the vehicle I immediately noticed the high-bolstered seats. I found them extremely comfortable and supportive. I'm not quite as impressed with the cloth material as a few other seem to be, but it's all personal preference. My dealership mentioned getting aftermarket leather (with heated seats) and it's something I may consider.
Once I got in and closed the door I moved the seat around a little to get into a comfortable driving position. I'm about 6'4" and didn't have a problem getting comfortable. There is a ton of headroom for such a small car and I actually had the seat at least one or two clicks forward of the furthest back position.
When I got it onto the road my first impressions were that it was solid and more quiet than I would have thought. Also, I liked the thick Momo steering wheel (I have big hands, so it's nice to have a thick wheel!).
Initially, I ran through the gears without revving the engine too much just to see how the clutch was. I liked it more than a few other people who posted earlier seemed to. Overall, I like the clutch and shifting better than my Acura Integra.
When the engine was warm I finally revved it up a little. Although it didn't feel as quick as I thought it would be, the car's speed definitely hit the 60 mph mark very quickly. It felt very solid and stable during acceleration and at speed. Again, I have to stress how much faster the car was going than it felt ... I think this car will be easy to get a speeding ticket in. The trubo-lag was definitely noticeable, but once the engine reached higher RPM's it definitely rocketed off.
I unfortunately didn't play with the brakes or the handling too much, but I'll look into those items more seriously later this year when I'm ready to buy mine. Nor did I play with the stereo, climate controls, etc.
I happened to drive a wagon, and I think I'll probably end up with one. The wagon provides a lot of headroom for rear occupants, though the legroom still isn't spectacular ... it wouldn't be bad for kids or shorter adults, though.
Finally, the dealership had a Blaze Yellow sedan, and I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I thought the yellow was going to be brighter ... it was almost a pastel yellow. Personally, I liked the sedan in blue and the wagon in silver.
Thanks. As the weekend nears, I'll push it a bit on our very winding and hilly roads.
I've never had an AWD, but already I feel safer and more secure. I actually considered a 4.2L A6), but right now, it's not my style. This WRX wreaks of simplicity and determination. I look forward to reading your impression, and the thoughts of all you who know much more about Subarus, AWD, and cars in general than I do.
Long-termer? Sweet. We can read about it for months to come. They do tid-bits on those all the time.
Congrats, Intrigue.
I's buy a Subie instead of leasing. They tend to last a long time, so why let the next owner benefit from that? Plus I could not imagine being tired of a WRX - even then I'd mod it.
krause: so, you buyin'?
-juice
I have another friend with an 01 Aviator Gray/black 225Q coupe- lease is $600/month, 48 months, 12k miles/year, $2000 out of pocket, and rolled $4k worth of negative equity out of a 99 M3 into the lease.
These are the numbers, no BS.....my friend with the Denim Blue car couldn't swing a $500/month payment.
The breaks are great IMO, and the shifter is really good. The person who was driving it (ex-rally driver drove it for me cause I cant drive stick yet :P) did a nice drift around a 15mph corner...
The stock RE92 tires suck guys, get new ones ASAP.
Man, those seats are COMFY! and I really like the interior! Theres WAY more space than an A4 (with the seat all the way back, I can still fit my knees behind the seat in the Impreza. In the A4, I have to bend my legs around the seat...)
But, I also got to see 2 2002 RS's today... Man these are sleepers! They have THE SAME suspension as the WRX, and almost IDENTICLE interiors minus the steering wheel... But the blue center seat material is Black/gray instead, and I actually like it better! The WRX is out of my price range, but the RS is my #1 choice! I even liked it without the scoop or foglights!
WRX lease
MSRP - $25,036
Cap cost - $25,036
Residual - $13,269
Depreciation/mo. - $327
Interest/mo. - $165
Taxes/mo. - $19 (and my taxes are only 3.8%)
Total payment/mo. - $511
A4 lease (for 2001 A4 1.8T Quattro almost fully loaded)
MSRP - $29,100
Cap Cost - $27,500
Residual - $16,878
Depreciation/mo. - $295
Interest/mo. - $107
Taxes/mo. - $15
Total lease payment - $417, including taxes, $402 w/o taxes.
The A4's have a much higher residual (58%) and very low money factors right now through Audi Financial (.0024 = 5.76%), not to mention that they can be had for $1,500-2,000 less than MSRP, that's why they are cheaper to lease. The TT's have residuals somewhere near 70% on 3 year leases, that's why they can be had so cheap.
-juice
Subaru is bringing in 12k WRX's this year... that is a BIG number for Subaru. They didn't bring in that many 2.5RS's over the last 3 years combined.
It also remains to be seen the long-term sales numbers for WRX's. Sure they are going like hotcakes right now, but what about the long run? Subaru is testing the market right now, for themseves and others. How quickly will it be saturated? How many WRX buyers are there out there ultimately?
I'd be willing to bet that after the initial excitement dies down, you will be able to easily find $500-$750 over invoice deals just about everywhere on WRX.
Just my guesses and opinions. :-)
I agree that eventually prices will cool down, just like with every other new car. Plus, low finance rates usually come at the end of each model year (but don't expect that until fall of 2002 I'd guess).
-juice
PS One more important point - the A4 is about the be redesigned. Even if you like the current bodystyle more, it'll still be seen as "the old A4" by all your friends. That's why the low finance rates exist - it's an outgoing model.
Good point about the "old A4" but in my circle, it wouls still be fly (if I really cared about that sort of thing.) ;-) I like the compact dimensions and especially the lower prices and sweet deals on the current A4.
NMy freinds gawk at my 12-year old Volvo. I mean, it's in really ncie shape, but c'mon!
But still, it is a factor. You fork out cash for a new car, and you want to get complements. Not, "Is that used?"
-juice
Stephen
Stephen
-juice
Thing is, if we start getting that specific, we should compare the WRX to an Audi that offers similar performance (which insurance companies hate), and that would put you in an S4.
-juice
As for comparisions to the S4, I don't think you can make a rational comparison. People compare cars by how much they cost first, then they find what they like in that price range (at least that's how I do it). I doubt anyone getting a $40k S4 would even look at the WRX. The WRX is a great car for the money, but it's not in the same class as an S4. I think the only Audi you can really compare the WRX to is the A4 1.8T.