Subaru Impreza WRX

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh yeah? I'm going to go back and delete one of my posts so I have 4700. ;-)

    -juice
  • ignore90210ignore90210 Member Posts: 2
    Do any of you miss the 2 door impreza? I always loved coupes. Subaru says there is no demand for a coupe. I think they are wrong. I hope they bring the STi over soon and include a clutchless manual. May be we can get ehm to bring over the 2 door... Email them asking for a 2 door. They can't ignore us forever.

    This may not be the right person but ask them to forward to the right person.

    Subaru Email:
    RDube@subaru.com
  • strider98strider98 Member Posts: 89
    I am by no means an expert on MT's, but the one test drive I had in a MT-WRX, the sales guy, who unfortunately had to tag along, said that it was normal to not get into first while rolling at a certain speed to a stop. I could hardly push it in until I had nearly come to a complete stop and had reclutched a couple of times. He said it was some kind of design thing that helped to keep from grinding gears. I don't know if he was misinformed or not as he owns one and seemed pretty knowledgeable about them. If this is true, I am certainly glad as it would keep me from polishing transmission gears since I have less experience driving standards than hazdaz ;)
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    (I know, it's not a Sube, but) At least on our Saturn SL with a manual, you can't engage 1st unless you're moving less than 5 mph, again to minimize grinding. It also seems to engage 1st easier if you go 2nd, then 1st. The reverse trick works also - 1st then reverse. I also experienced these on a Jeep Comanche 5 speed, which didn't really have good syncros to begin with.

    -Brian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You do realize there is no coupe of the new body style, nor a clutchless tranny (unless you mean the manumatic 4 speed)

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I say build a new SVX based on the WRX chassis with 2 doors. Tune it like the STi and sell it for $30k in limited numbers.

    -juice
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Okay - strange identifier on your profile. Edmunds friends - please - do not send e-mails to RDUBE@Subaru.com. If you want to share your comments, please do so at Subaru.com or through our 800 number (1-800-SUBARU3).

    Thank you!

    Patti
  • hazdazhazdaz Member Posts: 56
    Coupes are so much "cooler" than sedans. The WRX does loook "homely" (but I say that in a 'luving' way), if it was a coupe, it might look a little cooler - or even better... a 3 door hatch (more like the RSX body style). Who cares about the practicality of 2 doors- I rarily have more than 1 person in the car anyways, so entry and exit for any rearseat passanger wouldn't bother me (ofcourse i AM in front). Anyways, thats MY views on coupes.

    On shifting into 1st, I have actually been paying attention to the speed (wow, what a concept) while I have been slowing down, and under 10MPH, it is MUCH easier to pop it into 1st. I have NO idea if that is kinda a 'Subaru thing', or most all cars are like that. Now that I know about it, it makes it ALOT less frustrating when trying to get into 1st and am unsuccessfull.

    BEDABI: I think filming the whole front section of the car (atleast MY car) is kinda over kill. Cool is you are willing to drop the $ on it, but to much for my blood. I'll be happy to protect just the hood for about $100. On the meet thing, I am more than tempted to drive down to Queens. What do you guys do - umm, besides look at eachothers cars, ofcourse ;) I got a couple of weeks here to decide, but if not this time, then let me know when the next one is - I feal my car might be a little too 'naked' right now since it has not mods ;( (just kidding).
    Just out of curiosity, roughly how much did you drop on your exhaust? (hate to be nosey, but oh well).

    Oh, I tried "launching" the car today, let off the clutch at I THINK 3K or so, and it definitily fealt like it was going to explode forward, but then it kinda bucked forward twice and then went normally (I think I left off the gass, instead of leaving it at a steady RPM). Ofcourse then I had a VERY FAINT smell coming from the car - Mmmm burnt clutch... yummm. THats GOTTA be sooo bad for the car - I ALMOST rather let a crappy Civic beat me.
    Anyways, about 50 miles till 1K, so then I can rev it.

    -HAZDAZ
  • xcskierxcskier Member Posts: 34
    My 5 speed wagon came with a turbo gauge (the single unit on the steering column, not the 3-pack on the dash). I wouldn't have ordered it, but it was already installed in the vehicle I bought off the lot, so now I get to play with it.

    I'm not sure how one really uses this to drive. I can see the boost going from negative pressure at low RPMs, when decelerating, etc. and up to positive pressure when accelerating. My question is, "So what? What are you supposed to do with this information?"

    Does this really serve any useful purpose, or is it just a nice toy to appeal to the 20 year olds?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well my buddy has a spiking problem. Under acceleration, his turbo is spiking (jumping up and down) so he knows there is something wrong with it. We are suspecting a bad spring in the wastegate. Just like most guages, under normal conditions you won't need it, but if a part of the vehicle starts to act up, it will help you diagnose the problem.

    -mike
  • xcskierxcskier Member Posts: 34
    I was wondering if it would ever be used similar to the tach. That serves a purpose while driving by giving info on when to shift, over revving engine, etc. Does the turbo gauge do the same thing somehow?
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    I have the column mounted turbo guage. No, it's not as instructive as the tach, and I rarely take note of the guage. I'm sure you know when the turbo kicks in. Mostly, as Paisan said, I and others take note of it for diagnosing the workings of the turbo. For example, your car may overboost in cold weather until it's warmed up well. You would only feel the car stuttering, but if you had a guage you would see the boost kicking way up for a split second in second gear.
    Also, it's a MUST HAVE if you do any modifications to the turbo boost such as a manual boost controller, etc. If you intend to keep the car totally stock, I don't think you really need one. One less thing to keep your eyes off the road.
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    Is this a dealer installed option? How much does it cost?
  • xcskierxcskier Member Posts: 34
    Mine was there when I bought it. I don't know if it came from the factory, or if the dealer installed it after he took delivery.

    My recollection is $180 invoice, $300 MSRP, but I'm not positive on it.

    So far, I agree with Bedabi. It's there, but I don't really look at it. The tach is much more informative while driving.
  • cinosweivecinosweive Member Posts: 166
    I think that in the early days of turbocharging the gauge may have had some relevance in helping you prevent overboosting the engine. These days everything seems to control itself automatically (unless, as the man said - you do some tinkering on your own).

    In case you don't already know this - 0.05 MPa is about 7-1/2 psi (half boost) and 0.1 MPa is about 15 psi (full boost). So if you see the needle pass 0.1 - you may have a problem.

    The gauge is both a port and dealer installed item. Dealer cost on the port install is about $180. I am not a big fan of the placement of the gauge. It is out of the plane of focus of the dashboard, so you have to refocus to switch to reading either from the other. I guess that is no problem if your eyesight is better than mine.
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    I bought mine from the internet and installed it myself. And if I can do it - I have the mechanical skills of a squid - anyone can. That being said, I wish I didn't get the OEM one and bought an aftermarket one that reads in psi instead since everyone refers almost standardly to psi units. I've no idea why Subaru decided to go with mPa units. The guages, by the way, are manufactured by Lamco, and even has "Lamco" on the face of the guage. No "Subaru" written anywhere on it. By the way, 0.1 mPa (mega Pascal) = 1 bar (atmosphere) = 14.5 psi.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wouldn't that be like having a lot of extra hands? I wouldn't mind a few extras. ;-)

    -juice
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    It's spelled "G-A-U-G-E". I'm getting senile.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    So, if one were to do some minor mods [i.e. Turbo XS Stage 1, Vishnu Stage 0 (ok, minor compared to Stage 3's :-))], would anything more than a boost gauge be necessary (EGT, etc.)?

    -Dennis
  • hazdazhazdaz Member Posts: 56
    OK, tell me if this SOUNDS wrong or what:
    Someone on another board removed his muffler completely from his WRX, and just has a straight pipe hanging out the back of the car.
    I WANT to think this is a cool (and cheap) alternative to buying an exhaust system. It just sounds "WRONG" to me. He says that the car is NOT that loud at all actually, and emission wise its the same. I would be MORE than curious to hear what your opinions are on this matter. If it was like ANY other car, I would think that its would be LOUD as heck, BUT maybe not on this car since it does have the 3 cats and all.

    -HAZDAZ
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    Hazdaz:
    I have personally heard WRXs with loud mufflers (BPM Twister is the loudest, IMO). They are LOUD! But as far as I know and imagine, muffler don't do a ting to clean HC emissions. Cats do all the work. Again, come to a meet sometime. I actually thought my Stromung muffler was loud at first till I heard all the others at a meet. Now I realize it's hardly louder than my neighbor's Mustang GT.
    Blusubie:
    Like anything else, I think it depends. I do know that on both systems you are able to adjust the max boost level via a manual boost controller on the Vishnu and a valve on the TurboXS. If you're going to go past their recommended levels, definitely get one, especially if you're in California with only 91 octane gas. And if I recall correctly, you need an extra bung in either your manifold or up pipe or downpipe for an EGT sensor. The Vishnu system involves replacing the up-pipe with a catless one and I think it comes with that extra bung for an EGT sensor. The TurboXS set only onvolves a muffler, so i think you'd either have to fabricate a bung in your stock pipes or replace one of them with said bung. (Heh heh, I said "[non-permissible content removed]".)
  • hazdazhazdaz Member Posts: 56
    Dude, I think I do wanna come down to one of those meets - are dates posted any specific place?
    You mention that your car isn't as loud as some of the others, but this dude that posted in another forum actually said he totaly removed his muffler. Period. Just a straight pipe back from the engine (all 3 Cats still left in place). Now, fine, it might not affect emissions at all, but removing the muffler on most cars is 'PULL-ME-OVER-&-GIVE-ME-A-TICKET' loud. Theres GOTTA be someone else out there thats tried this out.
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    go to i-club and keep your eye on the "Tri-State" forum. They get announced. Paisan posts his "I beat a WRX in auto-cross" stories there too. (haha!). Believe me, that guy's car is LOUD! But some people just like it. What can I say?
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Thanks. When/if I get a WRX I would likely go the least tinkering route, so most likely the TXS 1. Or maybe by then the US Prodrive Performance Package backed by SoA's 3 year warranty will be ready. ;-)

    Btw, I'm in NJ and have heard paisan's separated (?) exhaust. :-)

    -Dennis
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    She makes a good exhaust note! :) I have actually picked up a WRX muffler to be put on the good old XT6. I haven't beaten any WRXs in auto-x lately (it's the off-season) also next year it won't matter because SCCA finally realized that the WRX needs to move up a class and that the XT6 should be down in the bottom class. I will be taking on the likes of 1st generation Integras, Civics, Tarus. Should prove to be interesting though.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Knock 'em dead, paisan. You should make the regionals.

    -juice
  • lookoutranchlookoutranch Member Posts: 2
    I'm a long-legged guy, and while I had a blast test-driving a WRX, I was a little concerned that it might not be very comfortable over the long haul. I know this isn't the thing to buy for long trips on the superslab, but I sometimes have to spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel (which is why I want something fun to drive). So what's it like after a few hours for long, lanky people?

    Thanks.
  • bull3964bull3964 Member Posts: 65
    I'm 6'3" (36" inseam so long legs) and I find it amazingly comfortable. In fact this is the first car I've driven where I HAVEN'T had to put the seat back the whole way. The longest time i've driven this car at once has been about 2 hours. Didn't have a complaint. This was the only smaller car that gave me enough overhead visibility (with the Mazda Protege being second on the list).

    I bought my WRX December 15th. 5 speed, blue (dimming compas, security system upgrade, upgraded speakers, spoiler). I managed to get 1600 knocked off of MSRP. I just walked on the lot and bought it. No waiting, no haggling. I decided to buy it on Friday and went to the dealer on Saturday. This was my first new car purchase and it was amazingly easy.

    I have about 1800 miles on it now (33 when I drove off the lot). I can't get enough of this car. I get a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel.

    I find it amazing that you people are waiting on delivery on these cars. The lot where I bought mine is sold out now, but there are at least 3 other subaru dealerships within 20 miles that have 4 or more WRX Sedans on the lot. This is near Pittsburgh, PA.

    One other thing I noticed. I mentioned the dealer where I bought mine from was sold out and the other's aren't. Well, the other dealers have dressed theirs up with titanium shift knobs, short throw shifters, and boost gauges. All of which push the price up over 26 grand.

    I guess that's why they still have some on the lot.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    We did a 48hr drive around the NY/NJ/PA/DE area a few weeks back http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/48hrsoftristate/pics and there were a # of WRXs that made the 1200 mile trip. No one complained of being uncomfortable!


    -mike

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    They auto-x? The SHO version? Really can't picture them on the track - they seem to big (body wise) to be out there.

    -Brian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It brings out everything! I've seen Ford Ranger pickups wih H-stock. Passats, 80s monte Carolos, hyundai excels, yugos, beetles, maximas. Even if you don't win, it lets you get a good feel for your car in a panic situation or a spin. I know I've become a safer driver knowing what my car can and can't do on the street :)

    -mike
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    the dragstrip. I worked at one here in the area one summer while in college. saw some strange ones try the 1/4 mile. one that sticks out the most was a 4x4 Ford truck that ended up blowing out his transfer case. got one heck of a launch though!

    always did like to hear the turbos spooling up in the GN-X's, Eclipses/Talons, Typhoons, and those turbo Toyotas (?).

    -Brian
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Paisan: you going? I may drop by to watch if I get my morning chores done.

    Ed
  • hazdazhazdaz Member Posts: 56
    Well I am definitly not that tall, so sorry that I can't say how it is for tall people. BUT I think I should mention that anyone with bigfeet should go for a test drive before they buy this car - When I have my huge snow boots, I am always worried that I am goign to hit the wrong pedal -ofcourse inexperience with the clutch pedal also adds to this. Nothing beats driving bare-foot ;)
  • jsncjsnc Member Posts: 2
    I had planned on ordering a WRX this month, but after doing more and more research, I am beginning to find that many people are having problems with clutch/transmission, power steering lines, strange noises, upholstery wearing out, etc. I had hoped to see that most of the problems were in the first issue, but it seems like even the newer ones have them. I really like the car, but at the same time, these cars aren't even a year old and I wonder what will happen as they get more and more miles on the car. I want to be able to spend more time on the road than in the shop.

    Have any of you had problems? Are my concerns justified?

    Any advice would be helpful.

    Thanks
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Lark: Nah, not going to make it, I'm not a big fan of winter Auto-x, too cold to be standing outside for 6hrs. :)

    1/4 mile: The big difference between 1/4mile and auto-x is that auto-x requires skills other than the right foot! :)

    -mike
  • wrxguywrxguy Member Posts: 51
    Ive read many posts in places such as i-club and here. Ive not had any significant problem such as tranny, power sterring lines, strange noises ect, ect. Many of the guys that post on i-club do extesnive modifications to their Subies. I can only suspect that many of the clutch/tranny problems are from trying to squeeze out tons more HP's. I dunno, I bought mine in spite of that inner conservative voice. I have no complaints. Upholstery wearing out? power steering lines? strange noises?

    where you do your research?hmm...... the sky is falling? ...sorry had to be a smarty :)
  • lookoutranchlookoutranch Member Posts: 2
    Since this car has a rally pedigree, has anyone actually taken one of these off the pavement?

    I live in an area near a lot of dirt roads and think this would be a fun machine on dirt roads, but it probably needs a little more clearance, probably best achieved with a higher profile tire.

    Has anyone fitted theirs with higher profile tires? Do they fit in the fenderwells? Obviously this would sacrifice street handling, but how much?

    Thanks.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Check out http://www.i-club.com.

    There's a great search function on the forums there and you can probably find some pics and posts.
    Here's one i-clubber's Rex wagon:
    http://home.dal.net/idjiit/hairpin.jpg
    It depends how much dirt driving you do. For occasional use, the stock tires should be o.k. For more serious dirt road blasts, you might want a rally tire.
    Same guy: http://home.dal.net/idjiit/deathvalley2.jpg

    -Dennis
  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    JSNC - I got my WRX in March of 01'. It's one of the 1st. With 12k now .. no problems other than a bad battery which was replaced under warranty.

    Some of those guys at I-Club subject their cars to abuse that would break anything.

    - Hutch
  • bedabibedabi Member Posts: 149
    I've also had my WRX since last march, also first allocation. Problems: 0. Okay, the front passenger seat squeaks a bit while going over bumps. I treat my car right.
  • jsncjsnc Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the info.

    I sort of thought that some people may have been very hard on their cars, but I just saw so many people posting on the same topics that it got me concerned. Also, you never know what kind of modifications people have done that could have influenced things.
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    the only problems I have are a creaky right front passenger seat (only when someone's sitting in it) and a squeak coming from the trim around the center stack. I have a intermittent creak coming from the front sway bar but it's an aftermarket 22mm and I think I need to grease the bushings a bit more... All and all I am very pleased. I echo what folks have said about some of the posters and the way they treat their WRXs over at the i-club.

    Stephen
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    on my wrx 5 speed wagon. No major problems. OK it is hard to get into reverse at times but that seems to be an issue that many with the mt have. No squeaks or rattles. The windows freeze and won't open on cold mornings more than other cars I've had. For some reason the windows also seem to fog up inside more than other cars I've had too. None of these minor problems bothers me much. Not nitpicking just trying to be 100% honest. Sure have not seen any of the horror story problems that seem to show up on iClub. I did have clutch trouble on my previous Forester and the clutch feels much smoother on this car. In fact it is the equal of any I have had before with the H badge on the hood.

    TWRX
  • snead_csnead_c Member Posts: 64
    My WR Blue WRX has 7956 miles and the only complaint I have is very thin paint. The car is all you would want in an economy model below 3000 RPM (24-27 MPG) and terrriffic above (including 21 MPG).It rides well on the road and clings to curves. I did change the tires to Dunlop SP5000's (put the originals on my wife's Jetta...he he he.After some reading on the net I decided to use Mobil 1 oil and Pure 1 filters every 4000 miles.The blue filter also matches the paint !
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Will the sti have a little more displacement to help with lack of low end torque or will it mostly be an increase in boost on the current engine?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    We saw that news release too, shortly after it was published on Wards.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Larger displacement? I very much doubt it, if it wants to remain true to its WRC heritage, which limits engine size to 2.0L. All other current WRX-STis on sale are all 2.0L.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    STI gets upgraded internals, 6-speed gear box, and higher pressure turbo. This gives it additional HP. It also gets stiffer springs/struts, and bigger rims stock.

    -mike
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    ...those Brembo brakes. The STi's six-speed gearbox is a Subaru designed unit and it's supposed to be leagues ahead of the WRX's in feel. The weirdest thing has to be the intercooler sprayer. You have to fill up the sprayer with water in the trunk.
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