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Comments
-Frank P.
...at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/subaruchat.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Richard: Check out the i-club site for mods info. There is an overwhelming amount of it.
Stephen
To me the shifting was a bit choppy (may have been my rust showing at driving an M/T). But I was very dissapointed as the feel of the car was so much different than the RX auto I drove. I'll drive the manual and make my own call as to whether the smiles it will give me will compensate for the groans in bumper to bumper traffic. One thing for certain, the amount of agreement on the rx being a great car in this topic area is amazing. In almost all other areas of town hall one finds people who have had a bad experience with a car and are sorry they purchased it. Even BMW and Lexus are not immune to some dissatisfied customers. But this group loves their vehicles. Maybe that's because they don't expect perfection and don't fall prey to the hype of other brands. I think that they recognize that no one vehicle is perfect in every way but are so pleased with the rx's strong suits that they don't even pay attention to any weaknesses. It would be like saying that Cindy Crawford is great looking but I really wish she didn't have that small beauty mark on her face!
By the way, does the trunk of the sedan have room for a couple of golf bags?
Stephen
Woofie: Man, do I envy you! Raton to Taos. I don't even want to think about it unless I can be there! My wife and I have spent a lot of time in both NM and AZ and that is certainly a beautiful area. What really struck me was how POLITE drivers out west are. Several times when we approached a slower vehicle the driver would simply pull off on to the shoulder and let us pass--this is unheard of out here in the land of road raging, incompetant, moth brained, "me first" idiots.
One of my favorite drives was US 666 (since re-named) thru the White Mnts. in AZ--beautiful. Another thing that struck me was the combination of wide open spaces and the relative lack of other vehicles (outside of Phoenix, Tuscon, Albuquerque, etc).
I'd still like to move out there when I retire in 9 years. That is if Ted Turner and other wealthy celebrities haven't bought it all up by then.
Have fun and take a sweeper or two for me.
1) You can still drift in the Auto
2) The Auto has VTD and 45/55 layout (= Better AWD system than the Auto)
3) The Auto can still HANDLE :P
4) You can keep 2 hands on the wheel at all times
5) At the SCCA Auto Cross's ive seen lately, WRX's are having trouble with 1rst and 2nd gears and need to shift too much in the turns (auto CAN be better for this)
But of course, I admit, that the Manual adds something extra, but it DOES NOT compromise the car as much as it is made out to, other than the speed (Its the same engine, same Chasis, same suspension, same car minus the tranny guys!)
And yes, despite that I dont know how to drive manual yet, my next car WILL be an Impreza and it WILL be a stick. But if I didnt have the choice (or the car was going to be a family car) I would have NO PROBLEM with gettin an Auto rex, period!
Now just STOP IT guys! End of story... The Manual is faster, more in tuned with the car, WE ALL KNOW THAT! :P
502 Dillion Ct
North Brunswick NJ 08902.
Let me know what day to expect delivery so I can schedule accordingly.
:-)
DjB
Bob
Stephen
I first went to Livonia Subaru because they were the closest (I live in the downriver community of Trenton). I had heard about problems other people I know have had there. But the next closest dealers were a lot farther away. The salesperson and a person claiming to be the sales manager both told me that they don't have any prices for vehicles or options. They learn the prices when the vehicles come in, and there is no ordering. They would give me a call when one comes in in the color I wanted, and would let me know what price and options the car carried. I haven't heard from them since.
I called Suburban Subaru in Troy next. I talked to a salesman named Reggie who told me that the agreement between the dealers was for $2500 over MSRP, but he would be willing to come down to $1500 over MSRP. I called this dealership back a few weeks later and got an at MSRP price from Joe Mickle. Dwyer & Sons Subaru in Commerce is also sticking to MSRP.
Chuck Modrack at Hodges Imported Cars in Ferndale will work with you to get the price down a little. I will be going there for service when the need arises. He also has WRX wagons to test drive.
The only dealership in the area with a WRX 5-speed sedan to test drive is Ann Arbor Subaru. The salesperson there was Eric Anderson. He is also sticking to MSRP. Don't go there soon after it rains because their gravel lot will have enormous puddles making it difficult to walk around the car. Thank you "klkrause" for informing me about this dealership.
Also, thank you "scuby" for informing me about Williams Auto World in Lansing and Bob Landowski at Thelen Subaru in Bay City. They were both very friendly and knowledgeable, but would not go below MSRP. The same goes for Stosh at Yark Subaru in Toledo, OH.
The closest place to the Detroit area for a good deal is about 300 miles away at Van Bortel Subaru near Rochester, NY (800)724-8872. Thank you "ottos" for referring me to this dealership. My contact there was Diana Lee. They will sell at $400 over invoice, and even pick you up at the bus station when you come to pick up your car. They will charge you 30% over invoice for each option though, and $900 for the gauge pack installed which will negate the reason for going there when you include your time and travel expenses (10 hour bus ride at $62). So a car with few or no options is your best bet at this place.
Thank you "wrxanswers" for the Evansville, IN lead, although they couldn't give me my best deal. I was actually able to get my best deal at two dealerships.
Bill Blumenfeld at the Fitzgerald Auto Mall (800)876-3748 in Rockville, MD (suburban Washington, DC) gave me my best deal. He offered me the car and the options at a flat $500 over their total invoice price. He also offered the gauge pack at the usual $638 plus only $106 labor. These are his everyday no haggle prices.
Upon being notified of the deal I got at Fitzgerald, Bob Roles at Parkway Subaru (877)728-3293 in Peoria, IL matched the price. Thank you Dan Ponze from i-club for the reference. With Peoria being half the airfare and over 100 miles closer, I went with this deal. I figure this deal will cost me over $1800 less than ordering it locally with the options I want. I will just take US 24 home at a break-in pace.
Please feel free to mention you got your information from Chris Waligora in Detroit, MI when calling any of these dealers. My out the door price for the black 5-speed WRX sedan including options (armrest extension, air filtration, security system, premium sound package 1 and rear spoiler) was $23,849 plus $744 for the gauge pack (parts and labor) and $10 for a temporary tag for a grand total of $24,603. I will also have to pay Michigan sales tax (6%) when I register it, which brings my total outlay to $26,068 plus $10 for the temporary tag, plus whatever title and plate are going to cost.
Mmm, okay.
Would you mind telling me what dealer you were at? I want to make certain I don't purchase anything you might have brutalized with such antics."
The throttle was about 80% down in 5th, and I let slightly off the throttle to pull out of gear, blipped the RPMs to the appropriate level with minimal pressure on the gearshift, and then let it fall into fourth as the flywheel speed matched. After the gear was fully engaged, then full power. If you know what you're doing, the
whole thing takes a hald a second or so. And because the engine speed is matching the driveshaft speed, it's not even slightly bad for the drivetrain.
"FYI the Ferrari gearbox is a sequential, manual box in which the clutch and shifting action are operated electromechanically. It ain't no automatic."
Yeah, I know. I just figure calling it what I did would make it easier for a guy who doesn't understand drivetrain mechanics and who has never driven a manual to understand.
I want to know for sure that another batch will be shipping next year, and if there're any changes.
Thanks
DjB
another car in three years... it'll be here by then.
I was told (rumor?) it'll be on U.S. soil for MY '03 to counter Mitsubishi's introduction of the EVO VI (is it the 'VI'?).
Sweet, I am saving up. Of course during this span of time who knows what else there will be.
Is mitsu bringing the EVO for sure? I know the econo-box lancer is coming. If they do that will be some crazy competition. That would be worse than mustangs vrs f-bodies.
Right click on this and choose save as, otherwise the stupid browser will try to play it from the site. The file is about 13 MB long.
The video is pretty good, it has very cool AWD drifts on some curvers. The STI is said to have a more upscale interior than the EVO 7, it's a little more expensive, but the guy picks the STI over EVO 7.
Car and Driver said that the STI would come to the US towards the end of next year around $30k.
WRX
STi
I just found this great site which has great comparisons and reviews on the new Lancer Evo and the new Impreza WRX and Sti. I like his views since he is an unbiased source from Hong Kong, and sticks to facts, not feelings. His entire site rocks, and he gets no income from it what-so-ever.
Main Page:
<http://home.netvigator.com/~europa/Main_Menu.htm>
Review of Sti and Comparison:
<http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Track/9120/html/Subaru1.htm#STi vs Evo>
Review of Evo:
<http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Track/9120/html/Mitsubishi1.htm#Lancer GSR>
The editor feels that Evos performance is much better than the Subaru WRX, and also better than the Subaru Sti. The only drawback on Evo compared to the Sti is that the Evo has a 5-speed while the Sti has a 6-speed (WRX has 5-speed), and the Evo rides a little rougher. He feels that the Sti is the REAL competitor to the Evo. I feel the same since they should come out in the US at about the same time (some time in 2002) and equivalent performance.
I think the only thing left to consider is the reliability of the two. With the new Mitsubishi restructuring and Global market targeting, you never know they could match Subaru.
Clearly the EVO is better than the WRX, but STi now there's the comparison. Apples to Apples I say.
In my opinion I'll sacrifice a little reliablity, and even interior quality, for a great looking exterior. Evo VII has my vote, and money is waiting for it.
EVO is STi's competitor..
personally, I like EVO too, I like very fast AWD car..but so far my only choice is WRX..that's why I bought one..and maybe couple years from now I will trade my WRX for an EVO or STi..right now given my financial condition and the availabilty of these cars...I picked the WRX
but yeah if you're willing to wait couple years then go ahead pick an EVO or STi either way, you won't be dissapointed..
peace and rally on
Sure the WRX has a ton more horsepower, but if I was considering a 2.5RS, will i still get the excitement of the WRX everyone talks about? I like to know what I will be missing out on and if it's worth the money to consider the 2.5RS. Thanks all.
;-)
-juice
The RS replaced a VW GTI that I've driven almost 16 years. (College was a long way back for me!) Maybe the fact that my previous car had not much more than 100hp has left me with low standards, but I think the 165hp in the RS is plenty for zipping around town. I'm also banking on it lasting longer than the turbo engine.
I called my local Subaru dealer in Greenville, SC which is Fairway Subaru (new dealer) and they only sell at MSRP. Although I can afford MSRP, I would be ill that I paid potentially $1,000 - $1,500 more for no reason.
I e-mailed Fogler Subaru in Charlotte, NC and a Reba Taylor quoted me MSRP + $700. No pressing reason to go to Charlotte to pay more.
I talked to Randy Dunn at John Cook Subaru and he quoted MSRP - $100 to order the car.
I will let you guys know what I find or if you have ideas, let me know....ken
DjB
Their product maybe of interest
http://www.stongard.com
Full kit 701395 $364.95
Partial kit 701396 $226.95
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum28/HTML/003772.html
DjB
Now, on to the issue at hand. I've been reading over on the I-Club about removal of the SUBARU lettering from the trunk (aka Debadging). Saw several photos, and I have to say that I like the look. Much cleaner!
Anybody have an opinion about it?
(oh boy, is that asking for it!)
- hutch
Go over to Subaru Club under Photo Gallery. I posted pics of WRX from this weekend. One pic shows the back in all its glory. :-)
Stephen
I've had my 2002 for about a month now and am spending about an hour every week with a felt lint brush and duct tape... but I was hoping there was a better way?
I too like fewer badges. IMHO, less is more.
Bob
Stephen - I'm with you. Big letters are going ASAP. Hair dryer, floss, WD-40, and some NuFinish in that order. That's the Rx for debadging.
Bob - nosed & decked .. nope don't remember that one..but you're a lot older then me
Interior cleaning made easy. I've been using a roller designed for removing lint from cloths. It has a sticky paper that you peel off and discard to expose a fresh sheet. Works great.
- hutch
How about "frenched" headlights, "channeled" or "high-boy" deuce coupes, "chopped" roofs, and "sectioned" bodies?
Bob
http://us.imdb.com/Quotes?0040897 or http://us.imdb.com/Trivia?0040897 <--click for IMDB.com's take on this line.
At no point is there any line even coming close to the "badges" line in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
- Hutch
BTW "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is quite a good movie, chock full of other quotes you've heard and never known where they came from, not to mention some interesting acting from several well-known stars like Humphrey Bogart. A true classic.
Cheers,
-wdb
http://www.darryl.com/badges/
Is the stereo upgrade a legit sub and amp? The security upgrade adequate to protect. Armrest extension worthy. Popular equipment worthwhile. The spoiler certainly helps the rear look.
What about comments regarding boost gauge and short shift installation. Good info appreciated. I'm set on the car, but not the opt's.
-stereo upgrade actually places a sub under the driver's seat
-if you're used to having a center armrest (I'm not) this option is worthwhile, as it's well made etc. It can be added fairly easily at any time, so it's not a decision that you set in stone when you take delivery.
-I've heard the boost gauge pack is both expensive and hard to get; many dealers simply can't bring them in
-I personally think it's okay w/o the rear spoiler; the cost increase doesn't bring a corresponding improvement in appearance.
I've no info on security or short shift
DjB
I wanted to trade in my '99 Oldmobile Alero because I no longer feel safe driving it after checking the crash test and I wanted an AWD to drive during winter. I didn't know this car was in DEMAND, and I was so lucky to find one when we got to the dealer in the color I wanted: platinum and in automatic. I just love it! Except the stereo was not as clear as my Alero.
Other than that, I am glad I picked a better and safer car!!!!!