Subaru Impreza WRX

vegoen

Does anyone but me feel that if I am going to pay a premium price for the WRX I should have better workmanship in the interior.

Specificly, I want a better sound system for 25 grand, better quality built head deck, and sterring wheel, and why not leather shift knob?

Bottom line I feel I dont get my money's worth

himiler

You're paying for hardware, not interior appointments, with the WRX. Think of it as "function over form."

If you want a car that performs like the WRX and coddles you, pony up $40K for the S4.

vegoen

Good point, you think I can upgrade the speakers and sound?

Can anyone give me their thoughts on the outcome of a WRX vs a 1999 grand prix GT 210hp 3800 series engine

ateixeira

They're almost opposites. I think Pontiacs are truly sporty, they just tack on enough spoilers to make a few people think they are. It's heavy and big, so don't expect that engine to be fast, though torque is decent.

The 6CD+cassette on the WRX is fine for non-audiophiles. Sounds like you'd only be happy with the Macintosh in the VDC, though. I'd go aftermarket for speakers first, then maybe XM or Sirius for the head unit. Or add an iPod to the stock unit, those are cool.

-juice

vegoen

I feel so dumb talking about sound when u can get the sound upgrade with sub and amp, damn forget that then I like subaru now yea call it what u want Im just an idiot

vegoen

ok im gettin the 2003 wrx, what is the safety rating? I dont know how the cage is made, but I know that the new maximas is very stable, its really well built steel, does that go for a smaller wrx frame?

ateixeira

http://www.crashtest.com/subaru/index.htm

Solid results, IMO. IIHS gives is a "Best Pick" designation.

Where is really shines is in active safety, i.e. accident avoidance.

Get the door tweeters, they make a noticeable difference, I've heard. Most other stereo stuff you'll get more of your money's worth in the after market.

-juice

prayerfor

vegoen --

himiler is right -- with the WRX you are sacrificing some creature comforts and style in favor of all-out performance. If you're interested in a more balanced combination of features and performance (and it seems as though you are), then the WRX isn't a real good choice.

You can have it all in a $40K car like the S4. For $25K, you can have all the performance but less style in the WRX, or most of the style and less performance in any of several vehicles.

dsattler

You say 25 grand for a WRX, but you can get one for $22k easily, at least a 2003. Throw another $1,000 into an aftermarket sound system and some sound deadening, and you've still got a bargain screamer. Best part: when it rains you don't have to slow down!

robmarch

I'm having a hard time taking your posts seriously. Your posts have a condescending tone, and are full of bizarre statements. You think the Mazda 6 is more tunable than the WRX? You state that the WRX is slower than a Mustang, but then change the comparison to a Supra TT when the facts show? You live in Chicago, and there are no Mazda or Subaru dealers?

If you're sold on the Mazda 6, congratulations. We're not here to attack that car, and if it meets your wishes and needs, enjoy it. It's certainly getting good reviews in the FWD midsized sedan category. The Accord is a very natural competitor to the 6, so I'd drive both before you finalize your decision.

to answer your latest question...you can pick up a WRX for 21k right now. There are exactly 0 cars that match the overall performance of the WRX for 21k. If you widen your search to include cars that cost a little more, but perform nearly as well, you will find comparable interiors. Better interiors at this price point require large performance losses.

The WRX interior is sporty, simple, and has good ergonomics. It's not a luxury car with a coddling interior, it's a sports sedan/wagon with grippy seats, leather wheel and shift knob, and well spaced pedals. If you're looking for a luxury sedan with power and a large back seat, it's probably not your best choice. If you're looking for a well balanced sports sedan and are happy with BMW 3-series rear seat room, it's the best of the bunch, at this price point.

The car has leather wheel and shift knob, indash 6-cd changer, and has good workmanship inside, even if you don't like the materials. All for considerably less than 25k, which is hardly a "premium" price.

Again, if you like the interior, back seat room and style of the 6 better, and don't need the better acceleration and handling of the WRX, go for it.

Have fun picking your car out...I'd be test driving as many as possible just for fun

sonya4

Vegoen--Yep, test-drive, test-drive, test-drive!!

I liked the 350Z when I test-drove it (just for fun) but boy, there is so little room for anything other than 2 people and a duffle bag /golf bag. It's very smooth though. Interior is so-so.

I've heard good reports about the M6, for a FWD car. The Accord is always a favorite for many. Pontiacs aren't bad either for the price, just check them out carefully, some aren't that reliable.

By the way I also live in the Chicagoland area, and there are plenty of Mazda dealers around, and some Subarus. You need to look them up and make the commitment to go find them if they're not near you.

--sonya

twrx

On the safety issue. You can't beat a Subaru. Not only do they pass the insurance industry tests with the best ratings but they are great in the real world. Last year there was a post on iClub from a guy who was driving a WRX sedan at 80 mph. on a race track, slid into the grass, had a wheel dig in and flipped the car several feet into the air and then rolled it over several times. If there had been back seat passengers they might have had problems because the roof was partially collapsed at the back but the front seat area was perfect and the driver walked away with only bruises.
TWRX

subearu

Fitzmall has '03 WRX's for ~$21-22k...look here: http://www.fitzmall.com/carfind/resultsa.asp?mode=NEW&lstMake- =SUBARU|IMPREZA

-Brian

snead_c

Please refrain from hints at foul language. We are all guests here and need to be sensitive to all members.
I suggest you take a deep breath and count to ten...if you still have anger wait till you cool off before you write.
Have a nice day.

redkey1

You are looking at MSRP. Most cars do not sell for MSRP, in the case of a 2003 WRX you should be looking at invoice prices. Go up to the top of this page click the blue tab marked new cars and make your way to the subaru wrx. You can build and price your car how you like and get msrp, invoice and true market value prices.

In all seriousness I think you need to read some of the advice articles on this site. It is obvious that you are not that well informed when it comes to car pricing (invoice vs msrp pricing)and it would benefit you to educate yourself to save a bit of money. We are trying to help you, but you are all over the place and you did say that it was easier to mod a Mazda.

#8735 of 8787 And by vegoen Mar 31, 2003 (4:41 pm)
And I wanna attract the ladies, so I can modify my M6 cheaper then the WRX.

neekofab

I just bought a 2003 WRX Friday and got invoice pricing no problem, no hassle.

With dealer holdback and dealer cash back, they should be more than happy to sell at invoice (invoice for options too).

redkey1

Veogen - in addition subaru is offering $750 cash back plus 2.9% financing for 60 months. The M6 w/ a v6 is going to run you full msrp plus standard financing. They do have 3.9 / 60 mo on the 4cyl.

paisan

I think the miata and protege have more mods available than the subies. Mostly cause they have more out on the road.

Also I'd get the miata or protege for racing just cause they are cheaper to fix up.

-mike

redkey1

Which is a brand new model.

paisan

I agree redkey, not to mention it's a FORD engine anyway.

-mike

vocus

Don't say, 'it's a Ford engine' on the '6 board...that might get you killed. They say it's not because most of it was reworked by Mazda. Ok, whatever...

ateixeira

$21,669 if you follow Brian's link. And that price includes freight. We paid that exact advertised price when we bought our 2002 Legacy at that exact dealership. No gimmicks.

Ford block, but Mazda re-engineered it enough that they're really only getting the block itself from Ford. It has S-VT, which the Duratecs don't have. I heard they're not using Ford trannies, but JATCO instead.

Still, I'd wait and see. MSRP is overpriced, wait 'til the 6 reaches invoice prices, and by then you'll also have at least preliminary reliability info.

-juice

subearu

http://www.carsdirect.com for the 60631 area (Chicago zip code) is listing '03 WRX's at ~$22k.

FWIW,
-Brian

kevin111

You can get a 2000 and maybe a 2001 3-series (323) for under $25K.

Here you will get the interior you desire, as well as handling.

It will not be as fast as a WRX, but will still be a fun car to drive, has the new body style, and will have exactly what you want -

1. Attracts the Ladies
2. Nice interior

vocus

If you need a car to attract the ladies, then you're shopping in the wrong class there too..

ateixeira

Stick with the 323i and not the 318i because the former has a straight-6 engine that is smoother and quicker. I think they had 170hp for the first few model years. It's actually a 2.5l, even though they name implies otherwise.

The 1.8l made about 140hp, not very competitive with anything.

-juice

vocus

Jetta's a chick car, they drive them and are attracted to them for some reason. I don't know why, it's just a car...

dgraves1

juice - I'm pretty sure the latest 3 series (E46s) were not offered with the four cylinder engine in the US. I don't think BMW sells a four cylinder car at all in the US anymore.

ateixeira

I think he meant a used Bimmer. The 323 hasn't been offered for a couple of years now. They changed the name to 325 once the bigger engine upped displacement in the 330.

-juice

dgraves1

Yes, he was talking about 2000-2001 which is an E46. They still used the 323 name at that time. The 325 name came back in 2002. I think the last year for the 318s was 1998.

honwrx

I'm jazzed just bought a wrx 3/17/03 -I'm over 1,000 I got it for true market value (no dealer fees)is a extended warranty recommended

hypov

You sure took the long long loooonnnng way home. ;-)

Congratulations!!!

Color? Options?...

-Dave

ateixeira

I see what you mean. I was just suggesting he avoid the 318, no matter what model year.

Scott: how many miles per year do you drive? What's your tolerance level for small problems? Do you have backup transportation or does your dealer offer a loaner car?

-juice

honwrx

red-spoiler,aircleaner,alarm it had 75mi I had a honda cvic -Dave

honwrx

juice: what are u talking about - 15,000 mi a yr what problms

vegoen

The AWD in the WRX, peeling out alot, and speeding in slippery weather, wouldnt that ruin it and it wont work as long? and as good?

the wrx with premium package still amounts to 25,225

jmgregory5

vegoen, I know you mentioned you are in the 20-25 age bracket, but your questions sound more like what a 12 year old would ask. Is this the case?

I don't know if anyone on this board should be answering questions (not written like questions) such as "the awd in the wrx, peeling out a lot, and speeding in slippery weather..."

What is the premium package you refer to? You still have not looked at what dealers are actually asking for the wrx have you? Of course you haven't - that would actually make sense.

This will be the last time I post a reply to any comments or questions by you. I refuse to waste any more of my time.

John

paisan

I gave up on any responses as he's clearly here to troll...

-mike

corkfish

If he's buying a WRX I think I'm going to buy something else.

redkey1

Call a dealer and tell them you'll pay $25k for a loaded WRX, they'll bring one to you to test drive.

robmarch

might be tricky.

prayerfor

You should be looking at a Schwinn vegoen

ateixeira

I asked those things because an extended warranty covers you if you don't have a backup car and need a loaner whenever repairs are being done. If your tolerance for problems is low, again the Subaru Gold warranty would be a good idea. Plus you get roadside assistance, towing to the dealer, etc.

If you are mechanically inclined, crank up the tunes when you hear a squeek or rattle, have a spare car, your brother has a tow truck, etc, then the extended warranty is a waste.

vegoen: not a good idea to try to spin the tires with AWD, you've got 4 tires fighting with the drivetrain trying to break something, probably the clutch or tranny first.

If you want tire spin go with FWD and an open differential, those spin with ease.

-juice

vegoen

Thats what i mean, in a case when you are racing someone, your forcing AWD to work real hard so in a sense is there a way to wear it out? Same thing goes in snowy weather, if you have a heavy foot on slippery roads can't you ruin your drive train then?

robmarch

kills parts.

Street racing kills people.

I'm not sure which you were implying, but aggressive driving will wear out parts faster on any car. driving on snowy or slippery roads is probably easier on the drivetrain, if you're going to try to spin your tires, though.

vegoen

with the impreza i wont be able to go off road cause the drive train is not 4x4, so allwheel drive is only good for slippery weather... am i right?

ateixeira

Ground clearance is your primary limitation. No, don't expect to go off road.

While the WRX is fast, it's not a one-trick pony car. Pardon the pun. It's about speed, but with control, not tire spinning. Although snow is fine, Subaru's market share in Vermont is 14 times what it is in Florida, and that's not a coincidence.

Get a one year old Camaro V8, since they depreciate like a rock falling off a cliff, if you want a 1/4 mile drag car.

-juice

vegoen

yea i figured that, but now im thinking if I really need a speedy car like the wrx?

The only reason to is to have the thrill of showing it off when your friend sits next to you.

And since Im a high rpm shifter Ill probably get a ton of speeding tickets.

So anyone recommend any coupe type wrx cars?

himiler

Why not consider the 2.5RS instead? It'll be cheaper to buy, run and own, there are plenty of aftermarket performance and dress-up parts available, and you've still got the benefits of AWD.

Just because it's not the WRX, don't think you can't get away from more powerful cars on a wet (or dry!), twisty road while driving one. Driven with skill, the RS is a bullet, too.

manavi

I'm not big on the new Accord sedan, but I think the Accord coupe look's really nice. That's what I would suggest for you.

It apparently has a very nice interior, a nice exterior, Honda reliability, runs on regular unleaded gas, a 6 cylinder engine. I think it fits all of your criteria.