Subaru Impreza WRX

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Comments

  • nschulman3nschulman3 Member Posts: 125
    As mentioned earlier, I have 16" rims. I love the look of the 17" rims, but the city streets are too rough. I have an Audi TT with 17" rims and performance tires and the ride in the city is terrible. The dunlops are about 80% of the summer tires performance with a better ride and all-season capability.
  • andrewinlaandrewinla Member Posts: 15
    I need to know which options are needed or not. I will be driving mostly on the street, no off road. May do 1-3 AutoX evets a year (I have a car just for track events).

    I heard the silver dash scratches easily but the carbon fiber look does not.

    Is the diff protector needed as cheap insurance or a waste?

    I think the standed shifter was fine, although a bit hard to get into gears.

    The car I drove had the boost guage. But what do I need to waste $300 on that for? I have rev limiter which I should be watching right?

    Also what kind of pricing is possible at this time?

    Im in SoCal.

    Thanks a bunch!
  • rex_ruthorrex_ruthor Member Posts: 140
    the CF trim is fake. its only plastic. i wouldnt kick down $300 for it. The Gauge pack is $995, not 300, and there are problems with it, like the dials are tiny, and not illuminated well. Go aftermarket for that. The shifter is a nice option but Kartboy is supposedly better and cheaper.

    I got the diff protector just for the off chance i take it on a rally course. You dont really need it otherwise.

    you should be able to get within 250 of invoice if not at invoice, due to the crappy economy. People were getting $500 over before the events of 9/11.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If you RallyCross, get the diffy protector. It's nice to have but not a necessity otherwise.

    The boost gauge is for kicks. The tach does the job.

    -juice
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    you decide to install a manual or electronic boost controller...or perhaps other mods that may affect boost, otherwise really not needed as Juice pointed out.

    Stephen
  • wrxguywrxguy Member Posts: 51
    I think even if you don't think you want the differential protector for the idea of Rally Cross, you may end up changing your mind. I didn't give it much consideration, but the more I drive my WRX the idea of sliding around on a dirt road sounds like fun! Though you stated that you have a rally vehicle soooooooo,,,,,,

    I have the Carbon fiber Trim. It looks nice to me, its one of those things for the eyes. I've never read on any post about scratching on the silver ones, yet you could do some more posting on i-club if these questions are not clarified to your liking.

    Living in So Cal should mean more Subie dealers=better price... and ought to get invoice or less
    as stated earlier.. make those sales dudes earn your bisness.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Patti,

    At the past couple of meets I've attended, there were a few WRX's with aftermarket mudflaps. One had a set of cheapo Pep Boys flaps and they actually looked decent.

    Don't forget that a lot of Subaru owners prefer function over form. A mudflap option for MY 03 would be nice. Along with a moonroof and heated side view mirrors. :-D

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I 2nd that!

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Ditto (Bob)
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    I have to confess, the mudflap issue ticks me off. It's ridiculous that small (Forester like) protective flaps, not only aren't provided, you can't even get them!
    If I had never had heated seats I wouldn't care but the Forester has em' and darn it, they feel good. If you can give them to Canada why can't USA have them?
    Moonroof .. don't get me started on that one....
    - hutch
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Subaru always adds content each model year. The Forester added power mirrors, temp gauge, 2nd trip odo, cargo cover, CD changer, etc. over the years. The 2003 WRX will probably address 2-3 of the things we find missing currently.

    -juice
  • cupholder1cupholder1 Member Posts: 231
    any inside word as to when the '03 WRX will be released?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    My guess is next August. The all-new Forester is supposed to be released in the spring. I doubt Subaru will introduce another new model at the same time, since it might steal some thunder away from the Forester launching.

    Bob
  • crash_68crash_68 Member Posts: 4
    I had the opportunity to test drive a wagon this weekend and enjoyed it as much as the coupe I test drove a few months back. I saw the earlier post about the gagues and am surprised that they don't light up. I actually saw a dealer that had what looked like an aftermarket PepBoys boost gague attached to the steering column, talk about cheap looking.
    Anyways, I asked two diff salesmen and got two diff answers to the following questions:
    1. I do alot of fishing and need to know if I can drive this on the beach. One said absolutely not and the other swore that if I had the clearance I could.
    2. I REALLY want a moonroof (not sunroof) in this car; can I get one installed without worrying about leaks later on? One said there is a cross member in the roof that HAS to stay in place. The other came back and said I could get one installed by the dealer for $1500.

    I've been saving for the wagon and figured I'd turn to the folks who would REALLY know the answers to these questions: YOU!

    ps please refrain from the "get a Jeep or Outback" comments. I want THIS car, I just need to know what it's limitations are ;^D

    Thanks
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    1) yup should be no problem on the beach, so long as you have the clearance and air-down the tires, it's only 1/2" aprox difference in height to the Outback Sport

    2) Moonroof. I'd be leary of cutting into that center crossmember in the roof. If you wait for '03 you can probably get one in it as it may be an option. Albeit a small wide one. Or have an aftermarket place put a small wide one in that doesn't cut the crossmember.

    -mike
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    Is it possible to order the WRX without the scoop?
    I can't imagine that's it's essential to the cars performance or function and it makes it look very "boy racer".
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Corkfish, if you don't have the scoop, your Intercooler will not get air (it's right under the scoop) and then your turbo will be less effective and/or blow up due to overheating. Also the aluminum hood helps dissipate engine heat from the engine compartment.

    -mike
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    but your question kind of gave you away. I mean if you had done any research on the WRX one of the first things you would have known is that the hood scoop is an intregal part of the intercoolers/turbo's system. Like Paisan (Mike) said: Huh?, it helps to cool down the turbo. I apologize if this seems harsh but the WRX is definitely a car to be researched before you buy. Heck, a number of car magazines would have given the same answer we have. Ok...sorry...next question... :-)

    Stephen
  • rex_ruthorrex_ruthor Member Posts: 140
    ...and a WRX with no scoop is an RS"

    :)
  • jfhseajfhsea Member Posts: 10
    I just spotted the following bizarre news bit on:


    From: http://www.worldrallynews.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1004447388,99548,


    The text of the article is posted below. I know that tobacco is still considered more acceptable on FHI's home turf, but, with a FIA tobacco sponsorship ban coming in 2004-2006, I can not believe that SWRT would be stupid enough to risk whatever recent brand identity they have built up with the WRX (yeah, I know the blue and gold are legacy tobacco sponsorhip colors...), paint it red, and stigmatize the WRX with, with ....MARLBOROS????? Jeez, get with the 21st century, guys!!!


    I have to think that this is a hoax or a bum rumor. I'll be writing to SoA, FHI, and SWRT to inquire.


    Presently, I have a silver 2002 WRX wagon. I also have a pair of 1st class tickets to go watch Subaru/Makkinen at Monte Carlo in January. If SWRT adopts the Marlboro logo in 2002 I can say that my wagon will be for sale at a very attractive price next year (so long as you are willing to repaint it after I add some paint/logos) and I will be turning those tickets back in.


    What a bummer this would be. SoA, please tell me that this is baloney or that the person that dreamed this up has been fired.


    Jim


    /****************************** article *********************************/

    Marlboro linked with Subaru for 2002


    October 30, 2001


    Senior management in Japan is rumoured to have cleared the way to a deal between Marlboro

    and Subaru by dropping its insistence on Subaru’s customary blue and yellow colour scheme.


    Subaru’s World Rally Championship team hasn’t had a sponsor since British American Tobacco turned its attentions to Formula 1 and company insistence on specific colours

    deterred most alternative backers. If there has been a change of heart, it could signal a realisation within Subaru that it will have to increase budgets if it is to keep pace with rivals

    such as Ford and Peugeot.


    Mitsubishi is still hoping to keep Marlboro backing for a fourth consecutive season, but Ford is

    also reckoned to be a possible alternative for the US tobacco brand. If Marlboro does strike a

    deal with Subaru, it is possible that Belgian driver Freddy Loix could drive an Impreza. He

    does not form part of Mitsubishi’s 2002 plans.

  • 1994corsica1994corsica Member Posts: 8
    does anybody have any idea on how to get the japanese domestic market headlights for the wrx and how easy it would be to do the swap? if iam not mistaken, dimensionally they are the same size but iam concerned with the electrical compatability since they utilize h.i.d. technology. do they simply hookup or do they require different power requirements, fuses, electrical connectors etc. etc.
  • zenthealienzenthealien Member Posts: 1
    Yep, a girl here who actually did serious homework before buying this new car (can't afford not to) and that homework brought me to my new 2002 WRX Sedan. Wow, I feel so lucky and proud: I love this car. BUT I must say, the looks of it did take some -er- mental adjustment. (A friend of mine just bought a new MR2 for the same $.) I mentioned the WRX to a friend who promptly began dropping magazines, article after article, off at my house. The car started to look better and better and now this proud owner wouldn't trade that scoop and squarish butt for any car twice the price. Park it next to a new Mustang, the WRX looks beautiful, classy and - well, like parking a cat next to a dog. Pull the MR2 up - and the MR2 looks like a kiddie toy. BUT ENOUGH OF THAT: Question for the gurus: Driving lessons? Can anyone suggest any info resource or (even better) a place in SoCal one may take a pro lesson? One spectacular motorcycle wreck taught me ALL about driving faster than one's skill level. OW.
    Thanks!
  • hunter001hunter001 Member Posts: 851
    "Is it possible to order the WRX without the scoop?

    I can't imagine that's it's essential to the cars performance or function and it makes it look very "boy racer". "


    The un-fortunate fact regarding this issue is that boyracers employ a fake hood-scoop to "look cool" and convey a "high performance" look for their ride, which invariably is a "poor performance ride".

    In case of the WRX, the hood-scoop is not intended to make it "look cool". It is truly functional and does some "real cooling" under the hood. It feeds cool outside air into the intercooler, which cools the air, thus making the air that is forced in by the turbo-charger, more dense, since cooler air = denser air. More dense air would generate more usable power. Thus the hood-scoop in case of the WRX, is a true "high performance" feature and not something that "looks like a high performance feature, but is not", that the boy-racers employ !!!

    Hope this helps,

    Later...AH
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    crash - like paisan mentioned, it's all about having clearance. I also fish and occasionally take my OB Sport on the beach. It has about 6.5" of clearance and the WRX has about 6.2" (or something like that). If I had a WRX though, I definately wouldn't take it on the beaches in NJ. In some spots the sand gets 6-8 inches deep. The AWD isn't a problem, but the front bumper becomes a bulldozer. Packed sand will be a cakewalk. If you must drive on the beach, I would look into a Forester, an Outback (had to say it :-p) or even better, the Legacy-based BRAT that comes out next year. None will be as fun as the Rex though. If you really want to be different, get a WRX and install a lift kit available from autocaresubaru.com. :-D
    Check out http://www.isuzu-suvs.com/events/index.html for pics of other off-roading Imprezas (Isuzu/Subaru Pine Barrens links). Some of them are lowered RS's.
    Some dealers are installing after-market sunroofs. I believe most of them are cutting into the cross member. Not a good idea, IMHO.

    Brittany - Congratulations! I'm not familiar with So. Cal. clubs. You could try a search on the internet. Also check i-club.com and look in the regional forums.

    - Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You can also buy a spare set of rims with higher tires that might give you an additional inch or 2 of clearance.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    IMO you'll be fine on sand as long as you air down and avoid the softest, deepest stuff. My Forester has been great, though it has about 1.3" more clearance, I haven't hit bottom. It's actually better that it does not have mud guards, which act like sand scoops when they're in place.

    Consider a small moonroof that lies ahead of the B-pillar, leaving the cross member in place. My Forester had a B-pillar cross member, and it was removed when I put on an ASC roof. They add their own bracing, and mine has not ever leaked or squeaked.

    I don't see why the WRX would rely more on this cross member than my Forester would, but some folks here disagree. Ask to talk to an installer, and have him detail exactly what he would have to do. See if he sounds convincing about keeping structural integrity intact. I think a reliable, certified ASC shop would, while a chop shop would not.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I don't think there is much room for taller tires. Maybe 1/2" extra radius, that's about it. Wider tires also float better, but again, clearance is very limited.

    -juice
  • huibregtsehuibregtse Member Posts: 24
    Why is it that the A4 1.8T, for example, doesn't need a hood scoop? Is the system inherently different, or is it just because the boost isn't as great?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The 1.8T in the A4 is a light pressure turbo. The engine in the high-end Audi TT gets more boost, for 225hp.

    It also depends on where you locate the intercooler. Often times it's near the grille opening, towards the front of the engine. The WRX puts it on top of the engine.

    The WRX force feeds air at an impressive 14psi or more. Compressed air get hotter, so the intercooler is a real boost.

    -juice
  • huibregtsehuibregtse Member Posts: 24
    Until I give in to temptation and buy a real one, I'm having much fun racing the WRX rally car in Grand Tourismo 3. What I don't like about it, though, is that my son beats me because he just bounces off the walls in the turns, generally maintaining momentum, whereas I slow down so as not to hit them - the game doesn't penalize for hitting the obstacles.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure a car owner would rather have you driving for him! ;-)

    -juice
  • saintvipersaintviper Member Posts: 177
    IMO, the original Gran Turismo is the best version that was released and probably the best driving game on Playstation. I say driving because nothing else comes close the the driving physics, but AI drivers in all versions of Gran Turismo don't really race, they just drive around and if you get in their way, they just drive into you with their cars that seem to weigh 10 times more than yours. Best driving game, absolutely, best racing game, probably not.

    In the original version of Gran Turismo, you could add stuff you your car, play with the settings, refine your driving ability, and hit the track and blow away the competition. It took quite a bit to reach this point though, and it made for some great racing along the way. The developers of Gran Turismo tried to make things a little more racy in GT2 and GT3 right from the start by introducing speed compensation. What this does is make cars that are behind faster and slows down cars with leads. This effectively ruined the game for me. What good is it if you tweak the setup of your car, take it to the track, and drive the perfect lap? In GT1, you do that and you could build up a big lead. Later, as your tires wear out, you could screw up and you'd have a cushion before they other cars catch up. In later versions of GT, you drive your perfect lap, everybody is still right on your tail. You do an average lap, same result. You screw up, they pass you, but then wait for you. Not like real racing at all, and it doesn't reward good driving or car setup.

    So anyway, GT1 was the best of the 3 for actual racing. GT1 also had a setting for head to head play where you could turn speed compensation on and off. In later versions I think it was defaulted to on. In GT1, you should be able to race you son and be rewarded for good driving. Sure he can still cheat and ride the guardrails once in a while, but eventually he'll spin out and you'll get him. Once that happens, the lack of speed compensation will keep him from catching up with no penalty.

    GT1 does have the Rally version of the WRX. It's the best handling car in the game. The only drawback is that the gear ratios limit it to 165mph which is a drawback on tracks with long straits against some cars that can do nearly 200mph. It should be cheap if you can find it, so give the origial Gran Turismo a try. It won't look as good as a PS2 game, but the racing is much better.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I agree - some of the newer games have great graphics, but sacrifice what I call "playability".

    -juice
  • jregen7243jregen7243 Member Posts: 91
    A few months ago, someone at i-club bought those headlights and installed them. I'm not sure who it was or if he had any problems, but he posted pictures of it and it looked great. I would check there.

    Jon
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    There are several posts on the i-club about these lights. First off, they are very expensive at about $1500, I believe. Secondly, I'm not sure that it has a plug wiring harness. For example, the UK300 lights being sold by Prodrive do not and, up until a couple of weeks ago, neither did the Morettes. Without the plug-in harness you would have to do some splicing. Not a fun job.

    Stephen
  • cupholder1cupholder1 Member Posts: 231
    are made for the PC and not cartridge game machines.
  • jk111jk111 Member Posts: 125
    I don't agree on how gran turismo 1 is the best of the three series. I have all 3 games, and GT2 probably has the best physics and dynamics of a real driving experience. While GT1 has more of an arcade feel to it. Graphic wise, GT1 was better than GT2, while GT3 trumps all.
    I played both games back to back, and you can definitly turn easier and faster with GT1, while in GT2 you will really have to calculate the angle and braking speed during turns. Not to mention you get penalized more if you are off track in GT2, the recovery is harder and more realistic.
  • mjvchicagomjvchicago Member Posts: 149
    Hey all... has anyone here replaced the standard WRX Guage Pack option with the other one's offered by Subaru? The WRX package has the boost, volts and oil temp guages... but I think the Forrester/Legacy offer a different gauge pack that swaps the boost guage for a manifold pressure gauge. With the new steering-column-mounted boost guage available from Subaru, I was opting to get that instead and have the dealer put in the Forrester/Legacy pack so I can get the more valuable manifold pressure guage. Any stories out there, or other solutions?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Will likely not match the rest of your white-faced ones. Just a thought. I'd buy the housing and get some VDO or other aftermarket guages put in.

    -mike
  • bruticusbruticus Member Posts: 229
    I was supposed to get a WRX this year, but various factors are forcing me to hold off. I know total import quantity is 12K; are they still readily available, and how much longer will they continue to be so?

    I may have to wait until spring 2002, at which point any 2002 models (if any are leftover) may have year-end discounts.

    In a similar vein, a friend was forced to get a new car when his old Honday gave up the ghost. He spec'd out a VW GTI through a dealer here in NJ, put in deposit etc, and they gave him a delivery date. That morning they called to say it was the WRONG CAR (5-spd, not the Tiptronic like he wants). For the last 2 weeks this dealer has had his deposit and he still has yet to get this car. They keep telling him "it's here," "it's there," "it came in with the stock rims." Today's excuse: "the driver who was supposed to truck it down from Connecticut is sick."

    I expect next it'll be "they found white powder in the trunk, so the FBI quarantined the car."

    DjB
  • strider98strider98 Member Posts: 89
    come down to Houston. One of the dealers here has 13 of 'em sitting on his lot out of 21 total WRX's. Another dealer has 6 out of 15...
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    I'm seriously considering the Rota Subzero wheel which is now available in a WRX friendly offset. They are basically styling knockoffs of the Racing Hart CP035. $500USD for a 17x7.5" and only 16.5 lbs. Amazing value! And race proven too (Currently used on the WRX USTCC race car which is doing well thank you)

    Anybody else considering these? I was going to spring for the good quality OZ Superleggeras but these are quite the deal at half the price.
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Yes, I'm seriously considering these (probably purchase around March) for my WRX wagon. I like the looks, weight, and especially the price. I think I posted a link to some pics of the wheels over in Mods or something. Anyhow, the price of the wheels allows may to freely spend for a set of 225/45 x 17 Bridgestone S03s! :-)

    Stephen
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    The Rotas are so cheap that I almost have trouble believing that they are any good. You're so right, this would allow me to get some T1-S or S-03's (haven't made up my mind yet...I ordered some T1-S's for my Miata and can't wait to try them out next spring). They also have one that looks like a Prodrive P1 but I prefer the Subzero's more aggressive design. Can't make my WRX sleeper wagon look *too* sedate you know.
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I'll be selling those ridiculous gold rims on the STI if they insist on including them on the car when it comes out ( I'm 42, and would prefer not driving on rims that look like something a pimp would put on). Any ideas on how much I could get for them?
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    New P1 rims are about $280 each so you'll be working down from that. What makes you think the Sti will ever get here in the first place? I actually like the gold rims on the blue car...watching all those rally events have that image ingrained into my head.
  • hunter001hunter001 Member Posts: 851
    Yesterday, after having driven my Auto WRX for >2000 miles, I went to our local dealership and drove the 5-speed WRX. Basically, I could not find any discernible difference between the manual WRX and my Auto-WRX which was broken in well and whose performance was gradually built up to my present aggressive levels. It was certainly sluggish off-the-line exactly like my Auto-WRX. Later I drove 2 other brand-new Auto-WRXs at the dealership (a sedan and a wagon) and it was noticeably sluggish. Later on, I drove an Auto TS-Wagon (same engine as the Outback Sport) and found that off-the-line it was slightly better than the Auto-WRX but runs out of steam quickly when the speed rises to 60mph and beyond. I took it to the highway and it was noticeably lacking in any guts, when compared to my Auto-WRX, which is a literal kamikaze on the highway. The turbo-lag (of the Auto-WRX and the manual WRX) could prove very useful during the snows, since you can modulate the speed very well when off the turbo-boost.

    The lesson from that was that Auto-WRX (due to its adaptive transmission), will drive sluggishly when brand-new (with very few miles on it) but transforms dramatically after a couple of thousand miles.

    Incidentally, our dealership has over 6 manual WRXs on the lot (2 wagons and 4 sedans) and every single Auto-WRX that pops in at the dealership, sells within the first two days. The silver manual-WRX wagon I drove has been on their lot for a couple of weeks now. So if we exclude this group of manual lovers, the Auto-WRXs have been flying off the lots while the manual waits for buyers. Just a heads-up.

    Later...AH
  • bruticusbruticus Member Posts: 229
    Most drivers have agreed that performance will inch up during the first 5K miles. If your broken-in autobox WRX is faster than a brand-new autobox, and a brand-new manual WRX is faster than a brand-new autobox, then by definition the manual WRX should retain its edge over an autobox as both cars break-in

    DjB
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Try not to cross post stuff...

    -mike
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