Subaru Impreza WRX

12930323435224

Comments

  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    but they are all great cars.
  • mmm3587mmm3587 Member Posts: 4
    Gee, have you ever thought about making some decisions before you start looking for cars? You're looking at a psuedo-lux, pseudo-performance, mid-priced FWD automatic-only Ameri-boring 6 cylinder mid-size coupe, a luxury FWD antomatic-only 6 cylinder American full-size sedan, a luxury automatic-only 6-cylinder Japanese full-size sedan, and a FWD yet-to-arrive Japanese sport coupe. Of those, the Altima is innovative, the 300M and TL-S are middle of the road, and the GTP uses technology from before all of use were born.

    Let me guess, if you buy a WRX, it will be an automatic, and you'll complain about the turbo lag and the lack of low-down torque off boost. Then you'll tell us that the WRX was too expensive, because they put the MSRP near where the car is actually worth, instead of inflating the MSRP like every single other car on the list.

    Why don't you just buy a TL-S? It's appropriate for your desires more so than the WRX is. The others are only all great cars if you are a soccer mom writing a car review column for a suburban paper.
  • klkrauseklkrause Member Posts: 96
    Just because someone doesn't have the same sort of shopping list that you would doesn't mean it's stupid. There are a lot of good reasons for having such a diverse list.

    If somebody were to complain about the lack of low-end torque in the WRX and the turbo-lag, they are both valid complaints. Although the WRX is a great car, those two negatives come with the car ... they can be very annoying in every day driving.
  • jk111jk111 Member Posts: 125
    The price variation is huge here, we are talking about 10 grand between cars. Are you seriously thinking about buying? or just muddle around for opinions? Personally if you are looking for comfort and value, you can't be TL-S. It will get you around town and it is not all that slow either. Altima will be nice as well, but not nearly as powerful as the TL-s or luxury, but it is also ALOT cheaper.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Follow the link in the Additional Resources box on the left sidebar of this page and let us know what you think.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
  • chem123chem123 Member Posts: 272
    Edmunds must have a really slow driver...0-60 in 6.3? Ouch.
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    so it has turbo lag?

    SCREW THAT!

    happy now?

    I have decided. I will get a Grand Prix GTP that has instant torque that peaks out at 280 lbs*ft and go seek out some WRXes to stomp.

    All I want is a nice car to commute with while having fun. I need a good amount of interior room and a good size trunk. Wife does not drive stick, but she drives my car once in a while, hence the need for auto.

    jk111 - I usually lease. Sometimes lease numbers are quite similar despite such a diversity of MSRPs.

    I am not trying to pick a fight here. I am trying to see if WRX is a car for me.
  • mikemajestymikemajesty Member Posts: 99
    LET ME KNOW IF YOU EVER STOMP A WRX. THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING.I JUST HOPE YOU BRING YOUR WOOD PEGS, CAUSE THE IMPREZA IS GONNA BLOW YOUR DOORS RIGHT OFF.
  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    The clutch? My WRX has 800 miles on it and I have been following the breakin period, as painfull to do as it is, and the clutch is vibrating like mad. It started about a week after I got the car and has been progressively getting worse/annoying. I am bringing it in to the shop on Tuesday, but just wanted to see if anybody has had any issues with it? (if I were to push the clutch in slightly, it goes away pretty much, but there is no way I am going to drive my brand new car all the time like that.

    Also, what is the deal with the muffler you folks stated before? what is illegal about it? I know that they have a strut/suspension package that nulls the warranty, but what is it about the muffler that would get folks all up in arms?
    I don't think that it could be emissions, the cat takes care of that, is it just alot noisier than the stock one? And I just love kids that put on those huge coffee can mufflers on cars that are slightly more powerfull than a lawn tractor. I saw a kid have one of those huge mufflers on a Civic CRX HF (HF models were the super duper fuel sippers, they had minimal horsepower) the car sounded like a chainsaw, but that did not stop him from running it to redline in the parking lot, ugh.
    Ok, off my soap box...
  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    Does anybody have any good aftermarket parts links for the WRX's? I am curious to see what is out there already.
    Oh, and does anybody know if Yakima makes a roof rack for the sedan WRX? Their site does not handle the Impreza Sedan, ugh...
  • kostamojen2kostamojen2 Member Posts: 284
    Here are some sites:

    www.subaruparts.com
    www.cobbtuning.com
    www.new-impreza.com/upgrades.htm
  • blakjak20blakjak20 Member Posts: 2
    parents suck (j/k to u parents out there), they said get into a good school and we'll buy you a car, i got into a good school but guess what! NO CAR!!!! i've FINALLY decided on the car i want and it's THIS ONE! there are just WAY too many integras/accords/civics/ etc. etc. out there, don't get me wrong, they're good cars too! but this one just stands in a class of it's own!! it's a work of art in my opinion, can someone write a DAMN good list of excuses for me to get this car? i would GREATLY appreciate it! =)

    --Ian in Berkeley
  • svillekensvilleken Member Posts: 9
    I live in Greenville, SC and I am looking for a good dealer between Atlanta and Charlotte...any recommendations for ordering a WRX so far MSRP is my best offer.
  • bruticusbruticus Member Posts: 229
    http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/43923/page007.html shows that, unless this new GTP gets a degree of suspension rework similar to what goes into the engine, keeping those 280 horsies in contact with anything other than a straight, streetlight-to-streetlight road will be pretty tough.


    DjB

  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    Hey Blakjak, no offense, I would not buy a WRX for a child going into college either. (No, I am not a parent). I had an 81 Chevy Impala station wagon when I was in school, and I was happy to have that. (yes, sounds like one of those 'when I was a kid' stories and it is) The chevy had a 267ci engine and was a dog. I know what I did with that car, and shudder at the thought of what I would have done with a 227hp awd rocket!
    I wish you all the luck in getting a good safe reliable car, but don't really think that you 'need' a WRX.
    I do agree with you about there being a ton of other Honda/Toyotas out there, and the WRX does stand out. I love mine!!
    Best of luck to you.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I don't recall the name, but there's a dealer or two in NC selling for a few hundred over invoice. Try the i-club at www.i-club.com. It has a great search feature and you could probably find a good deal. Try searching in the Southeast Forum and the WRX forum.
    Dennis
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,769
    Geez! If you're going to come in here and make a really dumb suggestion for a WRX competitor, the least you could do is pick the Firechicken (refer to the comparison mentioned above). At least that could take a ReX (in a perfectly straight line on a flat dry road). Not to mention that its a heck of a lot cheaper than the GTP and more in line with the Soobie price.

    '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

  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    I think that turbo lag went into your head.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I found it funny to read that the Intrigue actually has a wider track than the Grand Prix. Marketing hype cracks me up.

    -juice
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,769
    I'll just assume that comment means you're not pleased with my assessment. Hey, don't shoot the messenger. Just look at the numbers. They speak for themselves.

    First off, you're comparing a mid-sized, FWD that weighs over 3500 pounds to a compact, AWD weighing over 11% less. They are nowhere near the same class. Not to mention, in 0-60 and quarter mile, the Soobie blows the GTP away. And you can forget about even keeping an eye on the tail of the ReX when you hit the turns and/or if the weather isn't ideal.

    If you don't believe all the reviews and hard data, why don't you find out for yourself? You already have a GTP, so just go find a WRX to race if you want.

    I am tired of hearing people try to compare everything under the sun to the WRX (and vice versa). If the car is too small for you, then go get something else. If you think the idea of a small turbo 4-cyl is a bad one, then go get something else. But don't think that your car is better just because you prefer it. If everybody wanted the same car, the world would be a pretty boring place.

    '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

  • wrc555stiwrc555sti Member Posts: 12
    I see an Integra Type-R, BMW Z3, Camaro Z28, etc. It's a waste of clutch to beat Pontiac GTP, BMW 330, Preludes and Maximas.
  • ottosottos Member Posts: 80
    It seems like we need a road course lap comparison. Get the avg. of five laps for each competing car and compare. If you want to tip it in GTP's favor, one could have a rolling start.
  • pdefinapdefina Member Posts: 14
    I can't come of the line without the engine bogging for a split second and ruining my 0 - 60 times. I tried it twice with me and 1 and a half passengers in the car. Could it be the extra weight? I tried bringing it up to 4k ram and dumping the clutch. Also tried 5k and letting the clutch out a little slower. Either way, the traction is so great that the ram's dip below 3k and the engine bogs (turbot lag) for a split second. My best time was 7 seconds.

    Anybody know how to get off the line fast?
  • pdefinapdefina Member Posts: 14
    I mean rpm's, not rams. The spellchecker messed me up.
  • kezzie24kezzie24 Member Posts: 9
    Are there any bad items that I should know about before I purchase this vehicle. I mean mechanical. Has anyone seen the carbon fiber trim? If so, how does it look?
  • wonderdudewonderdude Member Posts: 7
    the carbon fiber-look trim is ok, but it would be cooler if it were darker and glossier.
  • kezzie24kezzie24 Member Posts: 9
    Wonderdude,
    Which looks better the standard flat silver trim or the carbon fiber?
  • wonderdudewonderdude Member Posts: 7
    Comparing these two cars is like comparing NASCAR to WRX: they are extremely different styles, and you either prefer one or the other. I happen to prefer WRC/WRX. If you are the NASCAR-type, then buy the GTP. It is my opinion, however, that the WRX is so much closer to the actual race car it is based on, that it isn't even funny. If you still prefer the GTP, more power to you; you will be much happier with it! Now go buy your GTP, enjoy it, and go discuss it in an American car forum. It really is better to keep car comparisons within the same league. By the way, if you buy the GTP, give my regards to the Pontiac service manager;)
  • kezzie24kezzie24 Member Posts: 9
    Seamdoggie,
    I was reading how you have the carbon fiber trim. Does it look better than the stock flat silver trim? Any pictures that could be passed along?
  • wonderdudewonderdude Member Posts: 7
    kezzie, Sorry, I have not yet seen the silver trim in person!
  • blakjak20blakjak20 Member Posts: 2
    bowenx, i've never had a car before... drove a 97 lincoln continental (sorry, not familiar w/ cubic inches) but it was a nice engine v8 4.6 very fun to drive, but i want MY OWN CAR!!!!!!! that's the point, but u love yours! correcT? then give me the reasons WHY you love yours, please?!?
    COME ON MAN! my sister wants to get me a camry, please don't let that happen to me! PLEASE!!!
    any drivers think they're hot?
    go visit korea, driving there is like hell, that's where i learned -.-
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    my GTP never saw the service manager for any problems. Just oil changes and tire rotations. I presume you still do those on your WRX as well.

    I tried to have a civilized discussion but got flames instead. It seems like a lot of WRX fans are teenage punks. I hope it is not the case.
  • pdefinapdefina Member Posts: 14
    I have 2500 miles on my WRX and have had only one possible problem. If I redline the engine in third gear and try to slam it into 5th gear before the revs come down, it seems to grind a bit. I know this seems like an odd thing to do but still, I don't think it should grind as long as the clutch is in.

    If I wait for the rpms to come down a bit and then shift into fifth it works fine.


    Note that this never happens during normal driving.


    That said. It's obvious that I don't drive this car easy and that's the only possible problem so far. It might not even be a real problem. I need to show it to the dealer and see what they say.


    The car is tight and it's lot's of fun. It's quiet and rides nicer than it should (suspension needs to be tightened up a little for my taste). Compared with my former 2000 mustang GT it's a treat to drive on a daily basis because it's roomier, quieter, tighter, rides better, tracks corners better (although on a smooth road the mustang will out corner it because of it's 245/45ZR17's) Plus it will go in the snow. The mustang's v8 did have a cool rumble and endless amounts of torque though...


    Compared with my former 2000 Maxima SE (auto) it's more fun but not as comfortable. The AWD makes it really fun around corners compared with the maxima's FWD. Still, unless you like to break the tires loose around corners and really drive a car hard, I'd buy a 5sp. Maxima. A loaded Maxima SE is going for 25k these days.


    The build quality is almost perfect, but the materials are nothing like the maxima. This "is" an imprezza. I will say however that everything is located in easy reach of the driver and the interior is sufficent for daily use. The mustang's interior was almost less than livable (cramped and dated).


    Now for the best part. For around 5k the WRX can be transformed into a screamer and a handler. If only the market would recover!!!


    Oh ya. THESE BRIDGESTONE TIRES HAVE GOT TO GO!!! I can't believe subaru would use these things on this car. Junk...


    See:

    http://www.cobbtuning.com/projectwrx/wrx-stage1.html

  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Actually the age demographic for the WRX is older than you think...check out the topics concerning such on the i-club forum.

    Stephen (39 years young!!)
  • kostamojen2kostamojen2 Member Posts: 284
    The average WRX owner in a survay conducted by I-club is a 30 year old male from California... And only a few people below 20 are even in the club :p

    As for the Trims, I like the Silver much better than the carbon fiber... The Carbon looks cheap while the Silver is much more classy (despite that its fake) and matches the pedals/gaugetrim better.
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    I'm at about 2300 miles on my WRX sedan, manual. The only modification is a K&N drop filter, and I only use 93/94 octane gas. I have not had a single problem with the car.

    I've experienced the same shifting grind as pdefina (post #1584), but in my case, it's usually from 2nd to 5th gear. (I'm usually a pretty sedate driver, but the urge to rev can be greater than Homer's urge for donuts! Doh!) I had a 1999 Maxima manual, and I'd do that often after quick acceleration in that car without a hitch. But then, the Maxima's FWD transmission was a lot more forgiving since the engine didn't seem to be as directly tied to the wheels and the road as the WRX does on all four wheels. I don't see this as a problem, though, and have just adjusted my driving style to row through all the gears.

    As for engine bogging at quick starts with the manual -- I'm getting better at it. There are two ways: 1) You could dump the clutch at about 3500-4000 RPMS while thrashing the throttle down, and then sit in the stench of a burned out clutch; or 2) Rev the engine to about 3000, then feather the clutch out while slowly but firmly pressing down on the gas (this is what I do).
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,769
    >so it has turbo lag?
    >SCREW THAT!
    >happy now?
    >I have decided. I will get a Grand Prix GTP that
    >has instant torque that peaks out at 280 lbs*ft
    >and go seek out some WRXes to stomp.

    Is this your idea of a "discussion"? Maybe the invitation to an intelligent exchange of views was overlooked due to the use of the terms "screw that" and "stomp". But, if its in there, feel free to point it out.

    I'm sorry you're feelings got hurt, but I don't think that was anyone's intention. You made a silly statement and it was responded to with facts (maybe a tad emotional at times, but nothing severe). Like a couple of folks have stated (including me), go get another GTP if that's what makes you happy. I'm just telling you that you won't be "stomping" much of anything in it.

    '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

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The street-going Grand Prix only has its name in common with the NASCAR race car. I mean, what does a V6 FWD unibody have to do with a V8 tube-frame chassis RWD race car? Nothing!

    The WRC is a WRX with different wheels, tires, springs, and a few tweaks to the engine. Same chassis and engine block.

    -juice
  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    Hey Blakjak,
    I can totally understand your desire for your own car, my concern was that for your first car and being in school still, maybe in reality the WRX is not the ideal choice. If you have the means to get one, then sure, go for it, you won't be dissappointed. The car handles like mad, there is tons of power and the seats and overall feel of the car is fantastic.
    As for my first car, the Wagon, put it this way, the car was 4175 lbs and had 125 horsepower (not a lot of ways to get into trouble).

    As for some of the arguments/discussions on this board....I always wonder why folks 'yell' back and forth at each other over issues or ideas or thoughts that are so minute. I love my car, and I would assume that everybody on here loves their car for their own reasons, why do people give eachother so much grief because they might love their car better than they love your WRX?
    Almost all message boards are the same way, the idea that you can just berate somebody for no real good reason and be annonymous at the same time just must appeal to some folks.
    (this board is actually pretty tame compared to some I have seen, so please don't take offense any of you out there, was just 'voicing' an opinion.)

    As for which car is best for you, only you can decide, and you will be happiest picking one that you love, don't get a car for anybody other than you! (unless you have like 4 kids and really need a minivan and you go out and buy a WRX and then have to explain to your wife just what you were thinking----no, I didn't do this, heck, I am not even married, but you get the idea)
  • corduroygtcorduroygt Member Posts: 19
    is a little more than just springs shocks wheels and tires, and engine mods. Why? Think of doing $476K worth of mods to your WRX to match the $500k price of the rally car :)
  • nematodenematode Member Posts: 448
    Still bogs pretty badly with clutch dumps at 3500rpm. If you want to get the best launches (and must likely destroy your clutch) feathering and then dumping at 4500-5000rpm will get you into the high 5s for 0-60. But if someone is going to do this and is not on a test drive (like I was) there are probably only 3-5 launches like that before a new clutch will be needed. The WRX was not intended to be a 0-60 car....it can do it with the best muscle cars but there is a price.

    Our dealer now sends sales people out on evey test drive of the WRX. I got in before the new "policy".
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    Like I said, I'm just getting better at launching my WRX without frying my clutch, and I'm already at 2300 miles. Call me a slow learner. As for the 3500 RPM drop-the-clutch launch: A friend of mine did it to my car and even got the wheels to spin (quelle horror!). But then, he drag races his heavily modded '85 Mustang SVO all the time, so he's skilled like that. I can assure you, my baby will never be launched like that again!
  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    What is this I-club you are talking about? and does anybody have a link to it?
    thanks
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
  • intrigue3intrigue3 Member Posts: 15
    Mr. Bedabi-

    Regarding your starts:

    "2) Rev the engine to about 3000, then feather the clutch out while slowly but firmly pressing down on the gas (this is what I do)."

    I have also done this to see the response- great I must say. But is this not also bad for the clutch? Is it not comparable to sitting at a red light on an incline, no brake, clutch half in, half out, holding your ground?

    I am terrified of killing the clutch, this is why I ask.

    Thanks,

    John
  • ruskiruski Member Posts: 1,566
    you guys sound like you have never experienced more than 160HP in a car before and now that you've gotten your hands on 227HP you think that nothing will ever beat it.
  • bowenxbowenx Member Posts: 13
    Hey folks, I am driving a 'loaner' WRX wagon w/auto and I actually like it alot. I dropped off my 5sp sedan WRX to have them check over some stuff. This car feels a bit loose compared to mine, but only slightly. The transmission shifts nicely and the lag is not that bad at all. Now, granted I am treating this just like I treat mine and don't mash the throttle and try to see what she can do, but with keeping the revs below 4k, it drives pretty nice.

    Thanks for the I-club info.

    and as for some prior posts, I have seen the carbon fibre pieces on one of the cars, and I was not overly impressed, I would suggest you save the coin and keep the stock pieces.

    Funny comment Ruski! heck, my other car is a 79 Triumph Spitfire so when I go from the 55hp it has to the 227, just driving it like an econo car is a huge improvement for me!!

    Happy motoring
  • mmcbride1mmcbride1 Member Posts: 861
    The WRX is faster than a GTP. That's a fact.
  • imturboimturbo Member Posts: 4
    First time turbo users? I havent driven the WRX yet but my wife has. She said it had typical lag but quickly got used to it.
    According to her, it was not as bad as my car, but if you spool it up a bit before taking off, you can launch super hard and wiz by a GTP without heating the clutch hardly at all.
    This does take very little practice, and once you achieve the timing of everything, you will notice no more lag! It usually takes one nice rev of about 3500-4500RPM just before you leave the line, but you can still launch decently at about 2000RPM. Good Luck!
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.