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.
Comments
I need an auto that produces good acceleration.
Launches in the WRX are easy. I did not mean to imply that to get good acceleration one had to do clutch dumps. I was talking about getting the fastest 0-60 times. AND yes they are bad for your clutch unless you are an expert. I'm not. If I had a WRX I probably would have alredy fried my clutch.
I've owned 3 Mustang GT's and never smoked a clutch. The first two were in my teenage years and I beat the heck out of them for many miles (100k on one of them).
The WRX does have AWD which means the tires won't spin so the clutch will slip more. But 3-4 starts and it's fried???
Does anyone out there have real world experience with this? Is the clutch plate covered by the warranty at all?
As far as good launches go; try my advice in #1600. I've had several satisfied people use this technique and they all swear by it---AND it is VERY clutch freindly!!!
And corkfish, think about how many cars you listed that are AWD. You need to realize that none of those cars have anywhere near the technology as Subaru when it comes to traction. Somethings got to give somewhere, and it sure as hell aint gonna be tire slippage!
I don't understand why anyone would complain about turbo lag in everyday driving? This is my first turbo and I don't even notice it most of the time. Just learn to keep the rpm's up and don't be afraid to hit the redline. That's the fun of a small, high revving engine. Most people who own cars like this never redline the engine. What's the sense of owning a fast car if your not going to use it? Peak HP comes on at 6000rpm so go for 7200 and have some fun. The mechanics of the WRX engine can handle much more than what it's tuned for in the states.
Sounds like you've never driven a manual. You should try it sometime. I'm amazed that people who love cars and driving can not hate automatics in all but the most extreme situations.
As for my feathering the clutch, I should have been more specific. Yes, intrigue3, keeping a clutch half in with the engine reved is definitely bad, sorry if I seemed to be advising it. What I meant was that I let the clutch out a little more slowly than usual at first, but as soon as it catches, I let it out completely very quickly while stepping on the gas. This seems to work pretty well and avoid "the bog".
Corkfish and pdefina, yeah, I never had a problem beating on my Maxima's clutch. But then again, my Maxima's front wheels slipped ALL the time on quick launch attempts -- even in second gear at 25-30 mph! I haven't experienced any wheel slippage in my WRX. And because of it, I do definitely feel that the tranny takes the brunt of more torque pressure than a 2WD car. Even when I quickly downshift to pass, especially to third, I feel the tranny shake a bit as the high rev torque immediately hits the pavement. While I felt something similar in my Maxima, it wasn't as pronounced. I really have no idea just what the limits of the WRX's transmission is (ie, what and when the clutch is fired), but given the extra stress I actually "feel" is being placed on the tranny with my butt sensor, I'm trying to modify my driving habits to match RPMs better on shifts, whereas the Maxima was more forgiving (not to mention more slippage, a strong pull to the right on hard acceleration, torque steer, lack of independent suspension, no seat bolstering, etc, etc, etc). (By, God, I do miss that sweet Maxima engine, though!)
In fact, as I've said in prior posts, I think there's a big advantage to the turbo not engaging till 3300 RPMs, especially in tight city driving conditions where more precision is needed, and for better mileage. I usually keep my revs pretty low, unless I'm on the highway, below 3000 RPMs, and I've gotten 20 mpg on all city driving (nothing to scoff at in NYC). But then again, on a day of busy highway driving where I was whizzing through every free lane I saw with the turbo kicking, I got about 14.5 mpg! Gotta pay to play, I guess.
Stephen
Today I pulled up beside a taurus SHO v8 and the guy immediatly floored it. I was surprized that the WRX could pull away from a v8 at highway speeds but I guess the taurus SHO is no screamer anyways. I can't wait to encounter a BMW 323 or 330. FUN!!!
As much as I like to drive quickly though, I don't like putting other people at needless risk by driving recklessly. I see quite a few BMWs and Audis on NYC freeways and I've noticed that their respective drivers exhibit certain behavior patterns.
Every driver of a new BMW 330ic drives like a teenager with attention deficit disorder, zipping in and out of tight lanes, blatantly cutting people off. I don't even try to keep up with them. 330 and 323 sedans are more often than not pretty sedate drivers with automatic trannies. I've encountered a few M3 drivers who are willing to play without going all out recklessly, I think b/c they tend to be older like me (32 y.o.). I had a lot of fun the other day tailing a M3 sedan through twisties in the Grand Central Parkway. Since BMW hasn't made an M3 sedan in a while with the gobs of HP they have now in the new coupe, it was pretty easy for me to keep up.
As for Audis? They're a dime a dozen here, especially A4s. And they ALL seem to be driven by people no younger than 60. They just don't want to play. I've run into a couple of S4s, but that was in bumper to bumper traffic.
Of course, these are just some casual observations of mine. They're not meant to mean anything!
I'm 33 with a wife and two precious boys. I don't want to leave them behind just yet!
-juice
One day old Silver WRX 5 sp Wagon
72 miles....
I am going to go test drive one this weekend, and I'm sure they're not going to take me for a highway trip. I was just curious...
1. How well does the car ride at highway speeds (70-80 mph)?
2. I remember on the Impreza 2.5 message board, there was a lot of talk regarding the smoothness of overall ride.. Anyone have opinions on this?
Thanks all.
mpin:
1. When your doing 85, it feels like your going 35
2. Smooth as a baby's bottom
Come discuss this topic on a new board. It's called SVT Ford Focus vs. Subaru Impreza WRX and it's under the Hatchback category. I hope to hear from you guys. You seem to know your stuff. Hopefully you can help me, and possibly others, make a few decisions.
It's just my impression (again, it's been some time since I read that article about the Focus SVT) that the two are comparable in terms of brakes, safety (altho Subies may have an edge in crash protection) and fun accessories (CD, etc)
It's personal preference. Try your best to get comparable test drives in the cars (tough to do as dealers guard them well) that simulate your normal driving needs, and decide from that.
I was lucky enough to find a dealer willing to work with me and my time frame, who let me have a test drive even though I told him I was only 1/2 way to my down payment (should have rest of it by end June). I got some highway time and was amazed at how much better it rides etc at cruising speed than my current vehicle, a Neon ACR (admittedly not the most compliant of suspensions, but corners well for a cheap FWD)
DjB
-Frank P.
BUT...
The WRX has AWD which makes a huge difference in corners, off the line and in the snow. The contour was very noisy and gave a much harder ride. Make sure you pay attention to this during the test drive.
You know what though. Research the reliability and durability of both cars. Consider price and all that stuff. Then, if you don't find any reasons not to buy either one, buy the car that puts a SMILE on your face when your behind the wheel.
I'll take any color, body style, I'm not picky! ;-)
I think the SVT will be a fine performance vehicle. Just look at the 2000 320hp Cobra. I mean 305hp. Oops, they didn't make a 2000 model, uh...
-juice
Omega Financial in central PA (my home area, and my mom works there) is offering 8.80 over 60.
DjB
there are places that are much cheaper than that in Jersey.
Even the dealership I'm buying from told me he could get me 8% if I wanted, but i said no for now because I'm anticipating getting slightly over 7 from one of the online places.
If you're wondering about online lenders, I use lendnetwork for my wife's car and have had 9 problem-free months so far.
But, it all depends on your credit. You gotta take what YOUR best offer is. I know my sister's boyfriend just bought a car and couldn't get better than 11.9%.
But, bruticus, if you got offered 8.99 from Sovereign, I'm willing to bet you could do better elsewhere. I find they are typically a half to a full point more than what I can get online.
'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
eloan is claiming 7.27% as of today.
My credit union is at 7.
Not a big difference in my case.
'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
Yep, and then there's the internet.
Dennis
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
My credit union is offering 7.0% for 60 month and 7.5% for 72 month loans.
The WRX is a league above, and definatly worth the money considering the great all around ride, the AWD, the sub 6 second 0-60, the excellent handling, the practicality, the reliability, etc... That extra 3-5 grand is worth it in every way!
Patti
I'm in a Neon ACR now, and many who own those cars use them as daily driver AND weekend racer, and in prowling the Neon forums I've not heard of many people complaining of early clutch death.
If the WRX does indeed have problems w/ clutch life, then shame on Subaru. At least they should offer an upgraded clutch assembly as a factory option. And, if clutch life is a problem, as soon as I have the money I'll have the dealer install a beefed-up aftermarket clutch assembly.
DjB
The WRX, unlike other performance cars, has no outlet for drop clutch 3500rpm starts. That is to say, other cars will spin the wheels under those conditions. The WRX can't. Something has to give! The weak link is probably the clutch. Having said that, I can't imagine myself sitting on asphalt and reving the engine to 3.5k and letting the clutch go. That's stupid !! Do that a bunch of times and you deserve what you get.
If you "beef up" the clutch you're just relocating that energy someplace else less desireable in the drivetrain.
- hutch
-Frank P.
Frank
P.S. With my driving habits I'll be the first to report on it, I'm sure.
P.S.S. What's all this talk about respect for the machine? It's just a car! and a fairly inexpensive one at that. If I felt the need to preserve this thing for 10 years I wouldn't bother buying one. The whole appeal of the WRX is it's speed and handling. If your not going to use them, buy an automatic Maxima and you'll be much happier...
Stephen