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Comments
Also, another thing to avoid is pressing on the accelerator when starting the engine, this is a no-no on these newer cars. This is hard to get used to, especially if you are used to the older cars that you had to press the accelerator to "set the choke" before starting.
The owners manual does a pretty good job explaining how to drive with the standard tranny, but there really is no substitute for practice. Just take it to an empty lot somewhere and just practice stopping and starting, it will take a bit and don't get frustrated, the main thing to remember when first starting out is to "ease out" on the clutch while you slightly depress the accelerator, in the beginning. Once you figure out the coordination between accelerator and clutch, then you can do it faster. And until you get used to it, AVOID stopping on "up" hills with traffic behind you! That can be a real problem! Especially with a beginner. If it can't be avoided, don't be ashamed to use the emergency brake (SLIGHTLY!) for assistance, to avoid coasting backward into a car behind you.
Practice, practice practice! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Now as you get used to that, the big question that you are faced with is delaying gratification and keeping it in the parameters of the break-in-period!
Happy Motoring;)
As far as the parking light button on top of the steering column, this allows you to have your lights on while the ignition is off. Since the Impreza has auto-off headlights, this is the only way to have some lights on, while your engine is off. If you were to leave this on, this would drain your battery.
Enjoy your new car. I have 700 mules on mine and can't wait until a 1,000 so I can open her up!
Paul
Yes, the clutch was pushed in totaly when i tried to start it up those few times that it wouldn't start. Yes, the key was in all the way (it wasn't locked like when the steering wheel is turned to the side). Yes, I was "cranking" it - however no typical clicking sound from the starter when there is a limited amount of juice, BUT I was getting the "Check Engine" light to shine (I do not remember if that light comes on the other "normal" times that I stalled the car or not). Also, the sales guy did already warn me about the switch above the steering wheel - some black electrical tape will soon be covering that - however I am FAIRLY (but not 100%) sure that I had not hit it. I actually was wondering WHY that switch was there (since even the sales person didn't know the reason), until I read the manual and saw that SUPPOSEDLY the car will NOT let you leave your lights on after the ignition has been turned off - the only way to get teh lights on while the car is off is to hit that button. At least thats what I THOUGHT I read - after my earlier scare today, I was not about to test it to see if it would turn the headlights off, after I pulled the key out.
Back to the Standard tranny issue (sorry if I am asking 2 many questions). Is it ME, or is 1st pretty darn hard to get into? Like I do not know if it is because of my inexperience, or if the shifter in this car way more notchy than most?? (I had previously testdrove the RSX/ Cougar/ Stratus coupe and they all seemed to be smoother than the WRX, ESPESIALLY the RSX, VERY sweet action). I mostly have to 'wiggle-it' into 1st - seems like that works best (also, would the short-shifter that you can buy from Subaru help solve that notchy fealing, or what?).
Also, in the Manual, I believe reading that at stoplights, it is not recommended to keep the car in gear, but to shift it into nueatral, and let off the clutch. Is that true, or is that one of those things that they recommend but that no one does (kinda like checking your tire pressure EVERYTIME you go for a drive - give me a break)? Also, do most people just "roll" through Stopsigns while still in 2nd gear, or are you REALLY supposed to drop into 1st? And is 1st gear really JUST for starting from a total dead stop, or does it just seem that way?
OK, well once again, sorry 4 all the questions - but for me its not just a new car, but a new tranny also.
Oh, and yea, I have been a "good boy" and kept the revs down below 4K - less than 24hrs, and 3 guys wanted to race (a Neon, an Intrga & an RX-7), but I did not give into temptation... just 1650 miles to go, just 1650 miles to go...
-HAZDAZ
--"Is it ME, or is 1st pretty darn hard to get into?" It IS a little hard to get into, expecially while you're rolling. My advice is, don't force it in, or wiggle it in, just gently, and patiently push the gear knob into first. The synchronizor appears to take a little time to work, so just be a little patient. You'll see after a few tries this way, that it does indeed slip into first without you having to force it in.
--"Is the shifter in this car way more notchy than most?" Yes, it is notchier than other cars I've driven. It's a matter of taste, really. I like it. And after about 10,000 miles, my shifter got much smoother. I kind of miss the neat feel of snikt-ing it into gears. My former car was a Maxima, and not only were the throws very long, there was just no feel to it at all, lacking any fun. I haven't driven an RSX (yet), but the feel of Honda/Acura manual trnasmissions seem to set the standard.
-- "I believe reading that at stoplights, it is not recommended to keep the car in gear, but to shift it into nueatral, and let off the clutch. Is that true?" To save wear and tear on your transmission, you are supposed to be in neutral at stops. I do this all the time. And I live in NYC where I have to stop at every block. Keep in mind that there's more stress on an AWD drivetrain than a 2WD's. I think you said it's your first manual. The joy of driving a manual tranmission, IMO, is that you are much more involved in the driving process than an auto trans. Dropping it in and out of neutral at lights as a part of it.
--"Also, do most people just "roll" through Stopsigns while still in 2nd gear, or are you REALLY supposed to drop into 1st? And is 1st gear really JUST for starting from a total dead stop, or does it just seem that way?" Let me guess, these were the moments when you stalled out, right? I used to be able to take these shortcuts in my Maxima, but I can't with the WRX. First, there's the lack of low-end torque, especially while in that very tall second gear. Second, the AWD system seems to require a lot more power to get it moving from a stop. And you're not going to get that power while in second gear. I'll admit, I do occasionally roll through a stop sign in second gear and speed up, but at those times, I'm never in a rush and only give it a little gas to roll thru the RPMs slowly.
I'm also a firm believer that people who drive manual transmissions generally get involved in less accidents, simply because it requires the driver to actively DRIVE and constantly moniter road conditions. (With the exception of Paisan, of course. ;-])
I thought the break-in was just 1000 miles??? I wonder if the car magazines wait for the break-in period when they test them? Or do they only get them after they are already broke in?
I think it's best to hold it down as much as possible though. Except is cases of emergency.
Like when those big rigs come barreling down on you, and you just have to get out of their way!
-juice
--RA
-mike
PS: I hate DRLs too
Any ideas?
Ryan
Are you running stock tires or do you have winter tires on? I know the stock tires are not the best in snow/ice. I live in a snow belt of Michigan and I just bought the snow tire and wheel package out on tire rack a couple of weeks ago. It came with take-off WRX rims and Dunlop Winter M2's. There is only a little bit of decrease in dry-road performance and the snow and ice improvements were huge. I particularly tested my stock tires and then the winter tires right after I put them on (on a strip on snow and ice), and I stopped in a much shorter distance without ABS coming on, where the stock tires lit up the ABS like crazy.
If you plan on keeping your vehicle a long time, winter tires really pay off in keeping a nice set of rims (no salt on them), and the added safety.
Paul
-juice
Bedabi: I actually have never stalled it while "rolling" though a stopsign while in 2nd (I have only stalled it either in Reverse or going from a dead stop - while in 1st). It actually seems smoother that way to me - atleast for now. Also, my boss is about the only person I know thats ever driven standard (let him drive it a little today), and he just basically said only use 1st if your coming from a total dead stop, if you got some momentum going forward, might as well keep it in 2nd.
On the DRLs issue, how can some inspectors require DRLs for ALL `02MY cars, when GM is bascially the only car company that has them (atleast in THIS country)? Either way, I have never been a huge fan of them, and plan to find a way to get rid of them.
I also want to pop in the blue-ish tinted bulbs from my old car into the WRX (and NO, they are not THAT blue, just a little more than "normal" bulbs) - I think blue bulbs are great, and help me see better at night (I had read somewhere that the colors that blue-ish bulbs produce are easier and more natural to the human eye, so you can see a little better with them).
Hey, just out of curiosity, what kind of gas mileage areyou guys getting?
-HAZDAZ
-Dennis
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/drl.php
Paul
High end... 26.6 mpg, mostly highway. (first tank which included driving back from St. Louis)
Low end... 18.3 mpg, mostly town driving (last tank included a lot of waiting in traffic)
Average Overall... 21.9 mpg.
All highway - ~27 mpg.
All NYC - ~14.5 mpg. You gotta rev hard to keep those Yellow Cabs from cutting you off!
I dont know about the light being more natural (sunlight is white) or easier to see, but they do produce more light with less power than conventional headlamps, thats why they are desirable. If anything, the xenons are more annoying to other drivers than regular lights.
Anyway, red is proven to be the easiest on the eyes, all ships use red lights in passages to prevent "night-blindness". Another very interesting thing is "if you are a fisherman" and you ever hunt "nightcrawlers" use a red lens in your flashlight, and you won't scare the critters away, makes it much easier to catch them.
Yeah, I hear you guys, bright red taillights are a pain too if you have to follow them very long on a dark night. Now, with your WRX you can pass them and let them see yours!
Also, on the comment that they might blind oncoming traffic, if the headlights are aimed properly AND your not using your high-beams, I have not had much problem. I see cars coming at me with either the expensive Xenon lights, or just the tinted bulbs, and it doesn't bother me as much as when I sometimes see a car with yellow/orange foglights - now that just totaly blinds me.
Also going back to the gas mileages you guys have posted, I have to admit that I am a little disapointed. Are your cars automatics (which get a little poorer gas mileage)? I have hoping that since I will be forced to use the more expensive Premium gas, I would be breaking even since I would be getting a little better gas mileage than my last car. I see that that is probably not going to happen - bummer.
Seems like they have pretty gone by the wayside now though, thank goodness!
Guess if you had a pretty good gas mileage car before, you may even see a decrease. (depends a lot on how you drive it.) I had a '98 Dodge Durango before, so my gas mileage pretty much doubled.
Hey, for anyone who didn't know (like me) BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works, not British Motor Works.
Stephen
The companies that market those fake blue bulbs have done a good job of fooling consumers into thinking that their tinted bulbs are somehow better, when in fact they are worse, more dangerous, and illegal.
http://www.hwysafety.org/safety_facts/qanda/drl.htm
Which states that they are not required, and also mentions that DRLs are not required on motorcyles in any state.
-mike
I believe it is Bayerische Motoren Werke, even though BMW is a Bavarian (the region of Germany encompassing cities like Munich) company.... I visit Munich (Muenchen) quite a lot.
Later...AH
http://www.bmwusa.com/welcome.cfm?page=&bottom=0
Whatever works.
Ken
Once there, click on Joy of Driving
Follow to Tradition
click on BMW History and Racing timeline
See 1916
Yes, hazdaz, it really is irrelevant, I just thought it's interesting that so many people talk about BMW's all the time, but they didn't know what the letters stand for. (Myself included)
Thanks for putting up with me.
Ken
Bayerische Motoren Werke in Deutsch is Bavarian Motor Works in English. You might want to brush up on your Deutsch the next time your in Muenchen. ;-)
Danke.
-Dennis
Another point is that even if you are not proficient in German, you can get away with English (and maybe a smattering of German) in cities like Munich/Frankfurt. I never really needed to know German while in Munich etc. Neither in hotels, nor while moving around in cabs/trains nor in the workplace. Just a heads-up.
Later...AH
OK, Overall, i really like it. While I still can't rev it too hard, I can tell it should be a fun car to drive in the curves.
Also, the steeringwheel is real sweet, as are also the seats. I have been flipping though quuite a few mags, and I think I already know the order in which I will put in aftermarket components (1. Wing/Rims-already own a sweet set of rims from old car 2. cone airfilter 3. easierflowwing exhaust with a SLIGHT rummble 4. sunroof... more to come). I am real glad that aftermarket companies have embrased the WRX and I see ALOT of components coming out for it - very cool.
I also like how the visibility in this car is great - its actually pretty darn practical for such a fast/sporty car.
OK, now the nitpicking stuff: The inside is DARK - and I don't mean that its a black interior (I actually like black interiors). I just am used to having window/lock/temp/key switchs illuminated. The trunk-lid is REALLY cheap. While the gaps for the opening are nice and even, the sheetmetal is got to be no thicker than paper. The sun-visors are super cheap. The windshield does not have that blue-tint which I thought ALL cars had in this day and age. The speedo should have MPH increments in 10, NOT 20. The standered floormats that came with the car are crap. My biggest issue is that the backseat does not fold forward (big mistake on Subaru's part).
Most all of the items above are obvious cost cutting efforts that Subaru took to keep the price of the car down. While I really can't complain too much about these issues, I am wondering if you guys noticed any other "faults".
-mike
Don't forget we get oxegenated gas at this time of year, and our city driving is far more harsh than that of other "city" driving. I'll ask my buddy who has a WRX in Union what kind of milage he gets, but I think its equally as bad as yours.
-mike
The storage compartment in the console is a joke also. And whats with that little tiny flappy thing up there above the mirror? That's about as worthless as [non-permissible content removed] on a boar. I think if the sun ever peeks through there, I'll just turn around and drive in the other direction. Other than that, I really like the car.
Just a few of my observations.
Ken
Eric
-mike
Actually, I think it's supposed to be a little drop down sun visor to keep the sun from peeking between the mirror and the roof????? Seems kinda worthless to me. Don't know what you're supposed to do if the sun gets below the mirror?
Ken
You must drive as fast as paisan does, if you're getting 14mpg.
-juice
-mike
Gas mileage--I used to own a '72 Porsche 911S--had almost exactly the same performance specs as the WRX today--0-60 in 6 sec., 0-100 in 15.5, top speed 143. Today that car is a rare collector's item and would set you back at least as much as a new WRX. The gas mileage in that was 14mpg if you babied it, 10-11 if you drove it hard. We've actually come a long in 30 years--so I try not to gripe too much about the 20mpg in the Rex. For the performance we get, it's really not too bad.
-juice
I would have been much happer with an explanation stating that it was a "cost-cutting effort, but you can get a folding seat as an option for $XXX extra". I would be more than happy to drop a few hundred $ if that was an option - its THAT convenient. Once you have a car that has a folding seat, its REAL hard accepting one that doesn't (espesially since I am coming from a car with a good deal bigger trunk). Also, IF structurally Subaru kept the seat from folding, they could have reinforced that opening in other ways - like most other manufacturers are doing.
Either way, I AM nitpicking, cuz I do really like the car, but I know that this issue will bug me come spring time when I can't throw 2 bikes into my trunk like before. I really don't like bikeracks in back or God forbid on the roof, but I just might HAVE to take a good look at those - ugh.