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Comments
while the WRX might not torque steer you most certainly can light up the inside front due while cornering due to the lack of a limited-slip differential. a factory helical (torsen/quaife) front LSD would be really great.
-Colin
Having been brought up in a Honda family and been burned big time by Acura -admittedly it was their first year of existence but its only a Honda with a different name tag!). I can say after just buying my 4th Subaru. You won't be sorry getting a Subaru. At least statistically!
Anyone have any opinions on this?
Straightline speed is decent, but not the same. There's no turbo lag, but the Altima doesn't have a limited-slip differential so it is handicapped in its ability to use that 240HP.
Handling isn't the same either in my opinion, having driven both-- although the Altima only once and the WRX a few times.
-Colin
Haven't driven an Altima, but I haven't been impressed with the quality of materials used on it.
Ken
"while the WRX might not torque steer you most certainly can light up the inside front due while cornering due to the lack of a limited-slip differential"
I'm not sure what you mean by "light up". I haven't noticed any problems - but I guess w/out a front lsd they steering may have a tendency to straighten during hard cornering?
anyway, i've heard that the subies have "thin" paint and are susceptible to chipping more easily.
my quesion is, does subaru (or any other aftermarket company) make a hood deflector or anything like that? i don't want to get a bra because they tend to scuff up the hood.
any information would be great!
you haven't driven it hard enough yet. when exiting a corner if you stomp the gas, the WRX has enough power anywhere above 3k rpm to spin the inside front tire. (doesn't matter which way you're turning.) this will make the car understeer and you'll probably feel some knockback in the steering wheel.
when driving very hard-- usually at an autocross-- I can spin the inside front with my lowly 2.5L.
-Colin
You'll probably find more folks in CT there to ask about sales experiences.
-Dennis
Stephen
Altima cons: not as fast, major torque steer, clunky shift action, overboosted steering.
WRX pros: actually rides better IMO, boost feels wonderful, better steering, AWD with no torque steer, smooth shifter.
WRX cons: smaller, and...umm, I'm thinking...
-juice
I bought my 2002 wrx wagon 3 weeks ago, for $22,500, and I have carbuyingtips.com to thank for it. I highly recommend giving that whole site a good sit down and read.
The wagon is as mentioned before $500 cheaper, I can't imagine why, but driving both felt nearly the same from what I could tell from the test drives.
But the wagon is space wise infinetly more fillable.
I bought mine in yorktown NY, but I went to the stamford CT dealer and he let me take a wrx sedan for a test drive with my friend (no salesman along on the trip.) The car had 140miles on it and he TOLD ME to keep the RPMS above 3000 to feel the turbo. Hey, I just did what the man said. And he gave me lots of info and didn't pressure me one bit. (but no I didn' buy the car from him)
-juice
Later...AH
Stephen
and obviously, you make the clutch pedal a paperweight. ;-)
-Colin
(guess I will definitely head over to the stamford dealer for a test drive too, tho ;-)
-mike
Stephen
IIRC, cobbtuning.com has STi pedals for the auto. They're pink though. :-)
-Dennis
Stephen
Keith.
The process involves taking the seats out, taking them to an outside location, and sewing on new leather. I believe this is totally custom because I was given a ring of maybe 40 color samples to choose from- there is no way that they could have so much stock for a low volume car. The process took about four days, while I was away on a business trip. I paid $1200, which is probably overpaying, but the hassle factor was zero. I figure that I probably could have gotten them for $800-$900, but it would have been difficult to deal with.
Now all I need is a good set of aftermarket speakers...
Josh
Second, though I drive like a bat out of h**l, I can't get the mileage to dip below 20 mpg. I feel somehow unworthy of sharing the road with the Excursions and Suburbans that are so popular around here. What can I do to lower the gas mileage?
Finally, the stereo doesn't sound anything like I'm inside a finely tuned concert hall. I actually have several thousand dollars worth of stereo gear in my living room, but I prefer to listen in the car. Listening to music on the couch is too relaxing, and I fall asleep.
Somebody help me out! I'm beginning to wonder if I made a huge mistake. The other car I was considering was the Lincoln Navigator. Maybe I should have gone with that.
On your first problem, attach a heavy metal chain to your leg that will drag on the ground. This will solve the static charge problem. The extra weight will also help your second problem.
On your second and third problems, I would suggest a trailer with a couple of high end speakers (~500 lbs ea). Use the back storage space for the electronics. The extra weight and drag should make it feel like a Navigator with similar mileage. the stereo should be AWESOME; you would probably have to crank it up to hear it.
Hope this helps. Send a picture.
Mike
I have heard that the Valentine 1 is the best detector out there, but some people might argue that the new Escort is just as good in detecting the newer bands police are using, and is a little cheaper, has anyone out there have any experiences they might like to share, any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.
-mike
She didn't tell me what her 0 to 60 time was but she had a big smile on her face. I don't think I want to know.
She was doing me a favor getting the WRX's oil changed, its first, on a dealer freebee. Guess it got boring.
And she said the WRC blue was too young for me!
Tim
I have a Valentine 1, and it is very good. I like the fact that it gives you an indication as to whether the radar is in front of you, or behind you. However, a lot of police use the "instant-on" technique, so having a radar detector is by no means a guarantee you won't get stopped. I know from experience, as I was once a victim of the instant-on technique. My detector caught it, but it was too late to slow down, and I got nabbed.
Bob
-mike
Bob
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml
LOL
-juice
Love the trailer idea - I think I'll let some air out too, maybe run around 10 lbs. or so per tire. Ride, handling, mileage, should all be much more Navigator-like!
Sorry if I've confused some of you with my "issues" - I'm actually much better now than before, thanks to the medication!
OK, I'll stop now...sorry.
Bill, you crack me up - especially the fact that so many people thought you were serious!
BTW, looks like my blue wagon is on hold for now. There wasn't a single one in the state when I went shopping. I ended up spending my down payment on an Alfa Spider - tons of fun in its own way, and no car payment. I may regret it this fall as I start commuting up to the U, but hey, it's spring!
-Jason (back to lurking...)
She wants a bigger car. Not me.
-juice
If I have a regret about my WRX its that I didn't have the nerve to get the blue one. At the time I thought it was just too loud, but now, having seen a few on the road, I like its unique "Subaru-ness". The silver paint will probably hold up better though.
Have fun with that Alfa - my other favorite car I've had was an Alfa 1750 GTV. And, it was really quite reliable, despite its reputation.
-Jason
the door sill works well for this.
-Colin
-Dave
The car's electical systems are grounded in reference to the battery.
Ken
Kinda odd... ground to discharge static, but ground with a live wire get you the buzz
Sofar, I haven't experience static discharge with my OB. Probably Fabric vs Leather.
-Dave
Ken