Subaru Impreza WRX

kevin111

"(you're going to have more wheel gap with a 45/17)" - With 225s, the wheels are actually taller than stock. With 215, they are shorter. Was just curious what you meant by wheel gap?

bluesubie

Oops, that's only with a 215. :-)

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

-Dennis

WarpDrive

A larger wheel will increase the PERCEIVED wheel gap...even if overall circumference stays the same.

paisan

Good tire, I'd go for em as a summer tire.

Currently I'm debating the RE750 v. RE730 v. AVS Sports for my summer tire on the SVX.

-mike

hypov

Dennis-
Got it through as Craig did, your recommendation.
According to UPS tracking, it is arriving today.

-Dave

bluesubie

Where and who is this Arnie guy? Recommendation? I just supplied the link with pics of
mudflaps*. :-)

-Dennis
*disclaimer: The above mentioned party is not responsible for any problems that may arise due to modifications to your vehicle.

hypov

Sorry Dennis, "recommendation" was a poor choice of reference on my part.
Ya, I found my way to the mudflaps via the link. :-)

-Dave

cptplt

Mike
where did you get details on the RE750, are they just the 730 with UNI-T or whatever they call it?they aren't even on the bridgestone us website though tirerack says they are available soon.

epp1

...have treated me just fine. I'll qualify that by saying I did run Nokian Hakkas on my OE rims for most of the MN winter (free, thanks Bloomington Acura Subaroo).

They may be "budget", but they've held up nicely to our wonderfully deep and frequent MN potholes and less than ideal weather.

I have to admit though that there was nothing like passing SUV after SUV after jacked-up pick-up on 2-lane northern WI freeways at 80mph with my Nokians. The grip was unreal on packed snow. Like warm tires on dry pavement grip.

--Sean

PS - Off to TurboXS Stage 3...beam me up.

c_hunter

A couple of tidbits about the flaps: if you crank the steering wheel all the way, it is possible to install the front flaps without removing the wheels. A stubby phillips screwdriver helps. For the back flaps, I used a phillips bit clamped at a right angle in an adjustable wrench to tighten the screws, so I didn't need to take the back wheels off either.

The flaps come with an adhesive strip, but I didn't bother using it -- I figured the screws were more than enough, and the flaps fit fine against the body. I want to be able to remove the flaps in the future to wash/wax if needed.

I'm pretty happy with the flaps -- they look real nice. Give the car a hunkered down look. Quality is great too.

Good luck with the install!

Craig

hypov

Thanks for the tips
The flaps arrived yesterday, and yes they look feel qualilty good.
Looks like good weather when the sun rises today for the install.

-Dave

dill6

I'm not racing my wagon but I do drive frisky - I'm wondering if I should change out the rear bar for the 20mm one for street use? I DO feel the car understeers a bit strongly, but maybe I should wait until I get my new wheels/tires (17" with 225/45s), doing 1 thing at a time?

Another thing - does the aligment need to be adjusted for the tire change?

(I also posted this on the wagon board, sorry, but there hasn't been a post over there for over a week, so...)

raybear

Okay, I may have assumed the AWP (All Weather Package) is going to be available on the WRX, it is coming on the regular Impreza line.

The STi is going to be fantastic, I wish I was still going to be around to sell them!

cinosweive

I asked Subaru about installing the sedan's sway bar on the wagon. They strongly recommended against it although they wouldn't say why. I don't quite understand why the larger bar would be good for the sedan but bad for the wagon. I opted not to go with the mod based upon their recommendation. Wish I knew why though.

WarpDrive

just because they don't want to be liable for anything in the sue-happy USA. That's understandable.

The net effect of the sway bar is to decrease understeer. The wagon is designed for utility in mind, and the narrower track with smaller swaybar is better for larger loads and handling stability, so the engineers chose a smaller swaybar in light of the intended use of the wagon. Because it doesn't come like that as an option, in their view you are trying something the wagon was not designed for, and they have no idea of its consequences (unlike some of us who have actually tried it). In reality, they are erring on the side of too much caution, and you should be able to install it without much bad effect, just like you can use a 53mm offset wheel instead of the Subaru standard 55mm wheel. Most people like the effect of the larger swaybar, it increases roll stiffness and neutralizes the handling more. If you ask them more questions, you'll likely get the answer that you should never interchange sedan and wagon parts unless they have the same part number, or never use any brand of wheels other than Subaru OEM parts.

mgreene1

is obviously a safety issue due to the more rear-biased weight distribution of a wagon, esp. when fully loaded. The cheaper, safer, and far more flexible alternative is to simply adjust the tire pressure between front and rear until you obtain a handling feel you desire for the conditions.

ateixeira

They prefer conservative and safe understeer, but that doesn't mean you have to. They prolly put it in the wagon because they knew most car mags would test the sedan.

That said, I upgraded the rear sway on my Forester from 13mm to 18mm and it is more tail-happy in the snow, though it's a fun characteristic and not dangerous once you're used to it (practice on a snowy parking lot).

-juice

thecat

Dave and/or Dennis

Can you post the URL for the website where you found the flaps. I've been in search of something like this since I 1st bought the car.

BTW - to all you Soob-ers out there. Sorry I've been AWOL. Between business, back problems, and a new 2 wheel toy I haven't been doing any posting. I do read several of the topics every day. Please don't excommunicate me!
- Hutch

thickers

I have a lot of trouble getting a clean read on the level when I check the oil in my WRX. (I do everything exactly as instructed.) I've never had this problem in any other car.

Anyone else know what I mean? Any suggestions?

hypov

Hutch-
I don't have the URL.
Send Arne Haines an e-mail = ibarne@netzero.net
about the flaps. He'll take it from there ;-)

-Dave

bluesubie

Long time no hear, from one of the first WRX owners! :-) Hope your back gets better.

-Dennis

ateixeira

What, are you bench pressing half a ton like Hanz and Franz?

I know you've been working out but take it easy for a while and make sure you have a good spotter! :-)

-juice

thecat

Juice - Bench pressing is how, i think, I hurt my back. There are a couple of young guys that come in the gym that are just gorillas. I was working out with one of them on the bench one night and a psudo competition started. I made 210 but failed at 220 and ... oops .. fractured a vertebre. The Dr. says it most likely happend when I was younger and this incident was the proverbial straw. At 52 you would think I'd know better.
Dave- thanks for the email address. Flaps on the way.
Dennis - thanks .. surgery set for mid May. Lynn and I are headed to Bonaire for a week of scuba diving 1st. Hope the pain pills keep working. Getting old is not for sissies.
Question ... what's more fun than all wheel drive ? 1 wheel drive ... getting back on a motorcycle has been a gas !
- Hutch

kevin111

It truely is a saving grace!

From a guy who has already had a hernia (10 years ago) and benches that much routinely!

BTW, what is entailed in getting your Vertebre repaired? It sounds extremely painful. Wish for a speedy recovery!!!!!

One final thing, many of the kids today that can bench a ton use supplements and other size/strength enhancement methods. (I do not)

dgraves1

I know this is propogating an off topic discussion, but I used to lift a lot and always used a weight belt. It was considered foolhardy to not use one. But it seems like a lot of experts are now recommending against weight belts. The rational sounds a little like why free weights are generally better than machines. You develop all of your supporting muscles in proportion. The weight belt is allowing you to lift more weight than you body is ready for, so it can actually end up causing an injury. I don't know if there is research to back up either position but just the thought of doing squats without a belt makes my back hurt.

rsholland

Not sure what this has to do with WRXs, but in any event, I'll add my $.02:

Three times a week I work out with weights; some times free weights, other times on the circuit machines. When I'm bench pressing, I do three sets, pyramiding the weights: first set = 12 reps @ 105 pounds, second set = 9 reps @ 115 pounds, third set = 6 reps @ 125 pounds.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Bob

nowakj66

I noticed that Edmunds has posted WRX 04 pricing. Can the actual cars be far behind?

bluesubie

"Not sure what this has to do with WRXs,..."
Easy. You have to work-out to be able to handle the power that the turbo puts out, when it pushes you into your seat. :-)

nowak - The '04's are here! Dealers in New England have them so they should be trickling into the rest of the country soon.

-Dennis

rsholland

"Not sure what this has to do with WRXs,..."
Easy. You have to work-out to be able to handle the power that the turbo puts out, when it pushes you into your seat. :-)

I knew there was a link there somewhere. So, I guess you need to be "fit" just to drive one...

Bob

redkey1

I got a call from a dealer offering 750 rebate and 2.9 for 60 mo on an '03. Didn't know the 'o4s were in yet.

krzyss

keep 04 under covers so 02 and 03 can be sold.
Just joking. I saw that internet inventories are showing single 04s at MA dealers.

Krzys

redkey1

Edmunds doesn't have 2002 prices showing anymore. Can anyone guess what a 2002 should go for w/ the 750 rebate? $1000 under invoice?

himiler

I'd offer $1500 below invoice and hold my ground.

vocus

Try speaking with the internet salesperson, they usually provide the best deals.

bluesubie

It might have a few dings and scrapes from sitting on the lot so long. Check the mileage too.

-Dennis

redkey1

But, I've also heard 2004's are going at invoice plus the 2.9. I would probably add a sunroof anyway, so it is really only 500 more.

scoobiedoo

Hey guys,
I've been a long time reader of this message board, but I have never posted a message.

The reason I am writing is because I just bought a new 2004 Subaru WRX. I got the WR Blue Pearl, with a sunroof, spoiler, short throw shifter, guage pack, and AWP.

I was pretty suprised to see that the AWP, sunroof and spoiler came as standard features on my car.

I got a pretty good deal on the car, I am paying $500 under the sticker and the dealer threw in the short throw shifter and the guage pack. I also opted for the extended warranty through subaru, which is $1300 for 5 years or 100k miles with a $100 deductible.

Anyways, I pick the car up tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to let you guys know what I think of it.

-C

vocus

Congrats on the car!

You might think about cancelling that warranty though. You can get one from Warrantygold.com for 5 year/150K miles for about $1650 w/a $50 deductible...

ffsteve

Check Subaru website, and I saw it advertised on TV last night.

Subaru offering 0.0% financing...

paisan

Warranty. Although you can probably go for one through subaruwarranty.com I think they offer a cheaper one.

-mike

redkey1

2.9 was for 5

boomn29

THe 0% Financing is only for the 2003 models. They are trying to clear the lots off for the 04's to come in.

boomn29

I have been tracking the EVO/STi events for about 2 years now. I think the STi is too much for me in HP and $$$. The EVO is still $31k, and very hard to find yet.
  So, I'm thinking about an 04 WRX. Figure I could get one for near $25k with some options. And, if I wanted upgrades, there are plenty available, right? First one would be a wheel/tire upgrade for the summer months - probably 17's.
  How's that for a plan??

nowakj66

Scoobie - where are you located where dealers have cars to sell?

redline65

Is the STi that will be sold in the U.S. going to have 300 hp and 300 ft-lbs. of torque? When does it go on sale?

ffsteve

Gotcha. I didn't read your message carefully enough.

You're probably right about the 0.0% financing only for 2 year term. 5 yrs for 2.9% would be about right.

raybear

Drop me an email and I can tell you where the cars are located. My dealership is closing on Monday but I can still access the inventories.

qualityguy

There is an interesting article in The Car Connection - A SAAB STORY FOR SUBARU? link: http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5883&sid=173&n=156; only one question to GM execs - what's in there for Subaru?

kevin111

That GM might have Saab produce a version of the WRX.

Hey, can either get all-out performance with the WRX and WRX STi from Subaru, or a legitamite 3-series competitor (with the added weight as well) from Saab.

Think about it, if Saab was allowed to mod. the WRX for their line-up, the car would probably have added weight for the luxury amenities and softer sprung suspension. Virtually all the near-luxury market sedans have a softer sprung suspension than the WRX.

hunter001

I heard from a friend that in some South Asian markets, GM is coming out with a vehicle named Chevrolet Forester. This "Chevrolet" *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge* (coincidentally built in Japan), comes with a 2.5L SOHC engine developing 165HP and 166 lbs/ft of torque. :-))

Later...AH