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I did get a chance to see the Elantra GT concept car at the LA auto show this year. It was fully tricked out in huge wheels, spoiler, aftermarket brakes, custom paint, racing seats, racing harness, and roll-cage. And it did look better than the also tricked out Tiburon they had on display. Unfortunately, I don't have any info on price and performance (they probably haven't been announced yet). It might end up just being a three-door version of the Elantra, but if the show car is any indication of where Hyundai wants to go with the GT, I'm all for it.
Incidentally, (not that I would know) but I've read that the Hyundai Tiburon does pretty well on the World Rally circuit using an AWD turbo version of the 2.0 liter engine standard on the Tib and Elantra, pulling more that 300 hp. The Tib also has the same chasis as the Elantra. We're probably not going to get anything that radical in the Elantra GT, but you can always dream.
Saw a Lance Evo 7 as well, very nice.
This is a little late for me since I just picked up my blue 5MT WRX sedan today (finally!
All AWD systems are not created equal! Some AWD vehicles are actually ONE wheel drive (if all the differentials are open). Food for thought...
Im interested in the SE-R too, but I find the sentra's interior really confining (low roof line) and not much room in there either... Im thinking the SE-R will be about 1600 over the SE, and the Spec-V will be closer too/probably over $20k considering the specs.
The car was delivered as promised, when promised. It had 6 miles on the odo. (I had specifically asked that no "test drives" be allowed). Paul waited to have the PDI done so I could be there for the road test . Because the dealership doesn't have 93oct fuel, we took it up the road to a gas station and filled it up (on their acct). The PDI seemed thorough--the tires even had the proper pressure(!). The financing was very good (7.35%/60 months), basically matched the best I found on BankRate.com. The price was $23,000 plus tax (ouch) and tags, with no haggling to speak of (this was back in February). No pressure to buy an extended warranty or any of the normal dealer add-ons. For the first time in years I honestly cannot think of any solid criticism after a major business/financial transaction. Of course I could have temporarily lost my edge due to WRX-induced euphoria or maybe FMC is some sort of 'Stepford' dealership--hmmm...
They still have the 5MT WRX Wagon and the Auto WRX Sedan for test drives. Near as I can tell they aren't allowing sold/ordered WRX's to be driven.
Needless to say, I,m taking it easy but it sure is difficult--especially since the dealer said no "break-in" is necessary (!). There is no mention of a break-in period in the owner's manual either. Where does the <4K RPM for 1K miles come from? Is this just conventional wisdom? I'm inclined to split the difference at ~500 miles. Anyone care to shed some light? My thinking is that just as oil change intervals have crept up (to a max of 25K miles for Mercedes, depending on operating conditions) due to modern machining tolerances and better oil, so too have break-in periods shrunk to non-existent.
Finally, I still think the handling with the stock tires is a bit "disconnected"--there's a delay between the front end's response to steering input and the rear end's reaction. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been driving a Nissan NX 2000 with Dunlop SP 8000's since '93, so I'm used to 'go kart-like' handling. The B/S RE 730's should be here in the next couple days--you can bet I'll let you all know how much they improve the handling. The ride on the other hand is much better than the NX and I hope that doesn't change for the worse with the RE 730's. Testing and more testing...someone has to do it!!
- hutch
Every engine that comes out of a factory has very small differences in how valves seat, piston rings fit, etc etc. The break-in allows these minor differences to adjust out; if the break-in isn't done, a variance that would otherwise adjust out could become a real failure.
Think of it this way: buy two "fitted" suits of the same listed measurements off-the-rack. Those two suits will fit slightly differently; one may have a certain tightness here or there. If you wear them for a while, they adjust out. If, instead, you put on the suit and hit the basketball court for a quick 2-on-2 matchup, chances are the suit will tear.
DjB
Frank
BTW, is this forum what became of the old RS forum? There seems to be a forum missing.
Allen
DjB
I'm sure there is some fine print in there somewhere.
thors hammer, thanx for the info, that's not too far for me to drive...im in Orlando
out
joe
-Dan
Bob
http://www.cobbtuning.com
If someone is giving away an STI and an M5 and I'm asked to make one choice. I'll probably take the M5. I don't care if the STi is faster. I mean I love the STi but an M5 is kinda hard to pass up. Besides, if I get tired of the M5, I can always sell it and get two or three STIs. : )
Let us know what you think.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Q: What is the AWD difference between the AT and MT Impreza's?
A: Lets talk about MT cars first. If you think about the way a viscous limited slip works, it's obvious that "50/50" is a huge oversimplification. Put the car up on a lift and run the engine (not recommended). Now put a brake on the rear driveshaft (i.e., both rear wheels), and measure the torque there. Initially, there will be very little torque as the rear end slows down due to the braking force. 50% of the engine's torque is obviously not going there right now. Only after the rear shaft has slowed down, and the fluid heated up causing viscous drag, does torque begin to be delivered there. In other words, some amount of slip must occur before the torque "transfer" occurs.
Now let's take AT cars with the MPT (multi-plate transfer clutch) system. This is a very sophisticated system similar to the one used on the WRC (but built for MUCH lighter duty use of course). TCU, or Transmission Control Unit, does indeed "anticipate" slip by applying clutch lock-up depending on throttle, speed, and gear position. So when you accelerate from a stop at WOT, the TCU always sends torque to the rear, regardless of wheel slip condition. Note that the Haldex center diff used on VW's is mechanically identical to our MPT, however by not being connected to the TCU it is lacking this very powerful feature -- like the viscous coupling, the Haldex must sense slip before lock-up occurs.
So the "90/10" myth is exactly that. With the MPT clutch fully disengaged (low throttle or braking at highway speeds), maybe this is somewhat accurate, but at every other situation, it is not.
Note that you can force fully locked 4WD ("50/50") on the autotrans by putting the selector in "1".
I also believe the Japan spec STi uses the auto AWD type system but it also has a manual overide control to split the torque however you want from 35/65 (front/rear) to 50/50.
Also, how does rain and snow getting into the hood scoop affect the intercooler etc?
The WRX seems to have a very vague "on center" feeling reminicent of an old American lead sled. It's primarily noticeable on smooth high speed roads (where other vehicles would easily hold a straight line). I've found that I've had to constantly adjust the steering wheel position to hold a line. Other than a little stumble off idle, it seems to be running very well--of course I won't really know until I can open it up. Finally, as mentioned in my test drive post, these cars have significant low end torque. We have a very steep "2nd gear" hill on our road--tonight the WRX walked up it in third gear with no problem at about 2,000 RPM.
One suggestion for SOA--the break in should be prominently posted in the vehicle (like air bag info) and listed in the Owner's Manual Index under "Break-In", not just "New Vehicle..."
Dips, hills, pot-holes, curbings... its almost scary how when you first drive a Impreza/Legacy, and are worried about such things, then realize your not going to bottom out that easy! Its just sooo cool
I've now had a chance to audition the stock stereo with well recorded CD's and am happy to report that while it may not win any contests, the stock stereo does a respectable job. If you're looking for heartbeat altering bass--keep looking, but the stock WRX system is musical--at least with good source material.
Anybody done similar? Is the 6disc wired to work with an amp/sub combo?
Thanks
DjB
Where can I see more information on the differences in awd systems? I am interested to find out more, as not all awd systems are created equal and there are countless variations of awd being peddled by manufacturers out there. Like to know which are best for different driving conditions...
Also, with this information, and this being a subaru WRX board, a car whose essence is based on the AWD system, I would like to hear yet more opinions/thoughts/comments on this subject....the very least to keep the ball rolling in this forum....
Frank
You can read more about VTD on Subaru's website.
Ken
That means two things - in stock form, you won't bottom out all the time. And second, there is more room for improvement with aftermarket suspension bits.
-juice
lever mounted on steering column. WRX advertisements posted 6.4 sec.of
0 to 60, while one tested drive posted 5.7 and the other has 5.6, what a nice car!
Stephen
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum28/HTML/001328.html
Dennis
Yesterday a brand new Celica GT pulled up next to me, and took off at the light. We had a long stretch ahead of us. As I didn't want to "pop" the clutch, a waited a few seconds into my acceleration. Having behaved for the first 1100 or so miles, I pushed it a bit. I thought this thing would take off at about 3200 rpm (which it did), but when I got between 4000-5500, I was gone. The Celica disappeared.
I was so concerned about the police, I didn't see that I went into redline territory. The car really slowed down. I backed off quickly.
Did this redlining (probably about 2-3 seconds worth) hurt my car?
Thanks.
It basically prevents you from doing any damage, and given your car is past the break-in period, no harm done.
-juice
'preciate it.
John
Such short visit to the redline will not hurt your engine. Some people even argue it's good for your engine like a deep breath or muscle stretch... one of those pointless arguements.
Quote from a young friend:
"I figure... those red lines are there for a reason..."
He is known for having many tickets and paying very high insurance premium. But it could be purely coincidental.
The redline is usually set to protect components that spin with the engine. Engines themselves can usually rev far higher, but belts and accessories would have a hard time keeping up.
-juice
Stephen