Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

ateixeira

Keep in mind the 2005 WRX also gets the same interior improvements. The Saabaru is only very slightly different, mostly the AWP on the wagon and the moonroof availability, plus warranty and free service. For a price, of course.

-juice

paisan

Shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you a few places to get em.

-mike

nixomose

I got a recall notice a few weeks ago about a clip for the intake cable driven by the cruise control computer. What it is, is there are two cables, one from the accelarator one from the cruise control. if you pull on one the other gets pulled along too but if there's nothing to take up the slack in the cable, the cable gets pushed out of its sitting position in the arced metal thing. I wish I knew the names for these parts. Anyway, all they do is put a tiny clip over the open cable to keep it from jutting out so it can't fall out of its track.
Anyway the practical upshot is this: if you find that after you step on the gas hard, the engine doesn't go back down to idle, look under the hood, it's right on top center just in front of the intercooler you'll see a cable not sitting in its track in this curved metal thing. Put it back in it's track and you'll be fine. Go to the dealer and get the clip.

roc312

Wagons are cool. An STI wagon would be confident, yet subtle. It would not attract unwanted attention like the "boy racer" STI sedan, and could "fly under the radar".
The Legacy Wagon is a great car, but is bigger and heavier than the Impreza, and cannot be modified to the same extent. As a result, it will not perform at the same level.

paisan

The Legacy Wagon is a great car, but is bigger and heavier than the Impreza, and cannot be modified to the same extent. As a result, it will not perform at the same level.

Any particular basis for this line of reasoning??? I believe there is no need for an STi Wagon because of the new Legacy Wagon would be far more useful and can be modified to equal or better than a stock STi standards.

Essentially if you are street driving an STi wagon or a Legacy Wagon, you will out-drive the roads before running out of car, if you are racing on the track, you wouldn't use a wagon due to the extra weight of the hatch/glass/rigidity issues.

-mike

kevin111

kevin111

With the Legacy Wagon, I was under the impression that it was maybe 200 lbs. more than an Impressa wagon? If that? Not too bad.

Also, thought the 2.5T can be modified a great deal since it is basically a detuned STi engine.

Car and Driver just had an article on the Saabaru, and it was very favorable. It basically called it a more civilized WRX without loosing the fun factor. Also made a comment that the Saab might have another first in this new Millenium - winning some comparison tests.

- besides putting in more sound deadening material and many exterior body-pannel modifications, also put in stiffer springs and softer shocks. Put about 1.8 degrees of toe-in (I think that is what it said), and did another adjustment to the links and bushings. Was able to get a skid-pad rating of 0.86 gs with 215-45s and Potenza RE011 tires vs. 0.79-0.80 gs with the WRX wagon (this from Road and Track). Personally, think it has more to do with the wheel and tire set-up though.

yogi29035

Saw my first 92X in person- they arrived at a local dealer's lot in the Boston area on Saturday, so if you want to check one out in person- they're there.

Having seen it in person, I wouldn't trade my 04 WRX, tho...no way. Standing there on the lot, and looking at the 92X, then you look around at the other cars on the lot, and being SAAB (you all know this...) they all look THE SAME. SAAB after SAAB, row after row.... they're like a little clone army. Nice looking clones, I admit, but clones nonetheless. If you want a car that has some individuality,some personality, you're way better off with the WRX.

SAAB should change its slogan from "The State of Independence" to "The State of Same-ness". Yuk.

rsholland

FitzMall in Frederick, MD has two.

Bob

ateixeira

Saab gets 17" rims standard, so they're lower profile tires, plus stickier summer treads, right?

Subaru sells BBS rims, but dealers usually stock other types of rims (cheaper, not forged).

-juice

rsholland

17" rims are optional on the 9-2x.

Bob

cptplt

I believe on the Aero they are standard, the Linear gets 16in.

rsholland

They're optional on both models. I picked up a 9-2x brochure the other day. BTW, C&D has a road test on the new 9-2x 5-speed, and it stickered over $31K!!!

Can you say L E G A C Y G T ?

Bob

cptplt

Are a niche market to end all niche markets except for exotics!

They need to take a page from their aircraft namesakes. Just send all the jobs over to the customer nation and someone outside Sweden may even want to buy your plane.And then make sure support comes from a big name. Thats what Saab AB have had to do to sell their Gripen fighter. First link up with big name, here, British Aerospace. Then promise 100% + industrial offsets to the customer. Only competition they have not won by this marketing approach is the Polish Air Force one, and thats because the US taxpayer is ultimately going to end up paying for all those F16s! Why do you think they are in Iraq?

Come to think of it, FHI has probably made more planes since WW2 than Saab.Though albeit mostly foreign designs under licence. Add up WW2 production from FHI predecessors and there are few companies still around who made as many as they did except for the real big names in aerospace.

ateixeira

0-60 could not match the WRX sedan, in fact it was way off.

-juice

kevin111

0-60 for the Saabaru was 6.1 secs.

by comparison:

WRX Sedan, C&D 5.4 (comparison) and 5.9 (long-term)
5.7 secs by MT and R&T.

WRX Wagon (R&T) - 5.8 secs manual, 6.7 secs auto.

Grip -
CD
17"
Saabaru - 0.86 gs. 17" 215 RE011
WRX Sedan - 0.83 gs., 17" 235 Kumos Esctas (or whatever they are called)

16"
WRX Sedan - 0.82 gs (Comparison)
WRX Sedan - 0.81 gs (long-term)

R&T - 17", 215 (Tire unknown, think it was a Bridgstone), BBS wheels
WRX Sedan - 0.87 gs.

ateixeira

I guess we'd need more data points but 0-60 was their slowest ever for a manual tranny, if you looks at it that way.

Summer tires make the 2nd part no surprise.

-juice

yogi29035

Got the WRX wagon a couple of weeks ago- loving it, but has anyone else felt that it was a bit sticky shifting into 1st and reverse gears? Is it just MY WRX or is it just ME? (I'm late to the 04 WRX, so if this has been discussed before, I'll go dig it out-Thanks)

locke2c

it won't go into first gear when you are rolling very easily, or sometimes at all, unless you double-clutch.

difficulty engaging the reverse idler is something that many manual transmissions have. the solution for all of them is to put it in first and creep forwardly just slightly, then engage reverse. sometimes you don't even have to move, just clutch 1st-> keep clutch down -> reverse

have fun with your new WRX!
~c

volkov

Common complaint. Mine is only an issue when she's cold. On first start up in the morning, it's even sticky getting OUT of 1st. I always double clutch going to 1st or reverse and that makes a big difference in how smooth it is.

Nicholas

p0926

I've had several cars that were occasionally balky going into reverse. The only thing I ever had to do was let out the clutch and put it back in and then it would go into reverse.

-Frank

kevin111

When it is cold it is a little rougher. Over time the transition to first and reverse, and shifting in general gets smoother. Mine has.

yogi29035

Got it.. Many thanks, guys!

frog

the only nice ting about the saabaru is what was allready there in the first place. I would be pissed if I were Subaru and Saab came over to borrow my styling little wagon.. who cares if they share the same parents.. this is like first cousins getting it on> get a life Saab....... your premium is a joke and your face has become cliche in my books... peace out... F.

paisan

Grip -
CD
17"
Saabaru - 0.86 gs. 17" 215 RE011
WRX Sedan - 0.83 gs., 17" 235 Kumos Esctas (or whatever they are called)

16"
WRX Sedan - 0.82 gs (Comparison)
WRX Sedan - 0.81 gs (long-term)

R&T - 17", 215 (Tire unknown, think it was a Bridgstone), BBS wheels
WRX Sedan - 0.87 gs.



Wow I think that the SVX in '92 pulled in like .92 or.95 on stock all season 16" tires.... Imagine what it could pull in on some grippy tires????

-mike

paisan

Nothing wrong with them, if anything it will just mean more stuff will be available in the aftermarket for the Impreza line.

-mike

locke2c

wow, I think you're mistaken about the SVX. it was .85G

~c

ateixeira

It would depend on the magazine that tested it and the road surface.

It's hard to compare these meaningfully unless you do it back-to-back.

-juice

p0926

It's hard to compare these meaningfully unless you do it back-to-back

Ain't that the truth. Unless vehicles are tested at the same time, acceleration and road holding figures can't be definitively compared.

-Frank

kevin111

C&D

350Z - Track - 0.88gs
Corvette - 0.92gs
S2000 - 0.88gs (latest), 0.90-0.92gs ('00-'03)
Ferrari 360 - 0.92gs (est.)

Too bad the SVX was not more widely popular. Was and still is a great car.

hypov

They test going clockwise or counter clockwise, or both ways?

Just wondering if there's a difference in gs.

-Dave

ateixeira

Prolly depends on the magazine, but I believe C&D for instance reverses directions and averages them.

-juice

andmoon

I think a legacy GT would be better for the money.
I wouldn't mind the more subtle hoodscoop for my wrx though. I looked and looked and there doesn't seem to be an easy conversion
Don

yogi29035

On a 04 WRX wagon, where are the side airbags? Are they separate units or do the front ones just kind of "wrap around" ? I know its a dumb question. I should have re-registered as someone else to ask it! Oh well.

ateixeira

On the outboard sides of your seat. Look for the little SRS logo.

-juice

yogi29035

thanks for your response.

I ran out to my car, and you're absolutley right! there is a little SRS label on the side of the seat. I've actually noticed those before, so I guess what I'm wondering how they deploy... they rip open the side of the seat, and just blow through all that seat stitching and whatever.... ?

p0926

they rip open the side of the seat, and just blow through all that seat stitching and whatever.... ?

Yep, that pretty much about sums it up :-)

-Frank

ateixeira

Well, if you get hit that hard from the side, I think the seat fabric wouldn't be the first concern I had. :-)

IIHS just started testing side impacts and cars with those air bags did so much better that I think the market will begin demanding more of these. Safety still does sell.

-juice

yogi29035

Well, if the air bags are going to come busting through the seat sides, then they gotta have an awful lot of power. If I see an SUV coming for my side door, I'll keep in mind not to stick my head down there. ) Thanks, guys.

p0926

they gotta have an awful lot of power

Enough to stop a full-grown man going 60 mph ;-)

-Frank

paisan

On all-season pretty crappy tires

-mike

nixomose

I got a nail on the corner sidewall of my front right tire and the nice man at the tire shop said he couldn't fix the tire, it had to be replaced. And I had to replace the front pair because of the awd, and I had to replace them with the same tires that are on the back which are the stock potenzas which in my opinion <insert something negative here>.
So I have to replace all four tires because I got a small nail in the corner edge wall of one. Oh well.
1) is this true? I can understand front pair, but all four tires have to match? It seems to me that the fronts still wear our quicker than the rears so the diameter of the front wheels is generall going to be smaller than the rears (until you rotate tires) so the tranny must be able to deal with constant slip (or whatever it does) to compensate for different sized tires.
So what gives? Or is this nice man just telling me a story because this is the first awd I've ever bought?
And for future reference, and suggestions for tires? I like really really sticky. I've been happy with my dunlop sp 8000's which this guy said were so bad they should be recalled, and I was happy with my yokohama atz something or others which he also thought sucked badly.
I couldn't humor this man at all.
Any thoughts?
thanks.

bluesubie

The Michelin Pilot Sport II is now the top Max Performance tire according to Tire Rack.

From my.subaru.com:

"On All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles, it is extremely important that the rolling or outer circumferences of the tires be within 1/4 inch of each other. This means that you must physically measure the size of the tire. This is best done with the weight of the vehicle off the tire and at the tread centerline. Also be certain that the tires are properly inflated since this can affect your readings.

If you need to replace just one tire, the same holds true. The measured difference in circumference between the replacement tire and the other tires on the vehicle cannot exceed 1/4 inch.

Depending on the vehicle mileage, it might be better to replace all four tires.

If the vehicle mileage is low and the tires have been rotated and driven at the proper inflation pressures, then you may be within the allowable 1/4-inch difference in circumference.

If the difference between the new/replacement tire and the current tires is within this 1/4-nch maximum, then the tire should be compatible. If it is not, then other tires will need to be replaced to conform to the 1/4-inch rule.

Exceeding this 1/4-inch difference in tire circumference can place unnecessary wear on drivetrain components, possibly causing them to wear out prematurely."

-Dennis

locke2c

the RE92 is a pretty lame tire. if you're replacing all four, you can do better in the dry & wet with a whole lot of summer-only tires. if you want some performance all-seasons I would recommend the Dunlop SP5000.

~c

andmoon

If the remaining 3 tires have good tread remaining, an option is to shave down the new tire. On my wagon, the rears wear faster than the fronts and I have directional tires so I can't rotate them right to left...on/off ramps have worn the lefts more than the rights and I measure my tires at each tire rotation. A 1/4 inch in diameter may seem like a lot but 1/4" in circumference doesn't take much. I am thinking about running the lefts at 1 or 2 psi higher to compensate.
Don

kevin111

Hey Don, was just curious if you have had any ill-effects with the upgrades you have done to your WRX. Just for curiosity's sake.

andmoon

Kevin111,
Only ill-effects would be the rattles and buzzes I keep tracking down but I don't know if it would have been the same with 16".
Don

kevin111

Thanks!!

andmoon

Kevin111,
Cobb stage 1 is the best bang for the buck. Stage 2 gets more involved with actual hardware changes. Problem is that you can only get the advertised power with extra noise. I am trying to find a quiet exhaust but they all seem to be loud.
I have a feeling you are worried about what the reflash will do to the car. I think stage 1 is safe. I actually get 1mpg better with the reflash.

Don

kevin111

I am looking to keep the car well over a 100K miles. Of course testdrives can change my mind, but for the time being, that is what I want to do.

I know that in general, engine/internal mods generally reduce the longevity of the car, and that is what I want to avoid. The reflash, if it does not do this, and the tranny can handle it, I might consider as a power upgrade when I get the itch.

Thanks again!