Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

1…5253555758…115

Comments

  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    I went through this very debate for the Firestone SZ50EP vs Toyo T1-S vs Bridgestone S-03's. With the amount of time thinking about it and researching it, I could have formulated a new theory on quantum mechanics. Don't sweat the decision too much, I'm sure they are both fine tires.
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    The only reason I picked the KDWS over the SP5000 was for the stiffer sidewall and better steering response. It only snows in my NM town a few days per year unless you hit the mountains. The KDWS were great on my recent NM-NYC road trip. Superior comfort and handling in the rain and curves. Plus they traversed the Brooklyn potholes without a hitch. Either tire will be a revolutionary upgrade from the RE92 "trainers".
  • himilerhimiler Member Posts: 1,209
    I narrowed my search down to the same two tires when I replaced the OE rubber on my 2.5RS. Ultimately, I chose the SP5000 over the KDWS for two reasons:

    -I ran two sets of the Dunlops on my GS-R and got 50K miles from each set, and was never at a loss for grip in wet, slush or dry. They wore evenly, and were very quiet and comfy (some comfort coming at the expense of sidewall flex, but there was alway plenty of ultimate grip).

    -Although the KDWS has a stiffer sidewall, the SP5000 is actually the stronger tire. The maximun inflation pressure for the KDWS is 44psi, while the SP5000 (with its reinforced design) carries a max pressure rating of 51psi. Stronger is always better in a tire, as far as I'm concerned.

    Needless to say, the Dunlops have made my RS significantly more entertaining to drive. If they hadn't been available, I would have snagged the KDWS, so you really can't go wrong either way.
  • rexaroorexaroo Member Posts: 174
    heads it's the KDWS's, tails the Dunlops. . . It's tails. Looks like the SP5000s.

    Thanks, you guys. Suddenly, I feel much better :).
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    ...I'm going through the tire selection process all over again after my two month summer tire selection process.

    Choosing a tire is NOT easy! There is conflicting information everywhere you go. I was all set to get the Nokian Hakka Q's but the recent consumer reports article threw a wrench in that. Decisions decisions.
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    I am agonizing over tire choices myself at the moment, so I looked in the sports section of the newspaper where there are usually numerous tire ads. Not one! The economy must be REALLY bad.

    Then I saw an ad in the local shopper paper. A gas station was advertising 4 brand new tires at $100 for a set -- no brand specified. And you know, I'll bet there were several people who saw that ad and ran right down there and bought some.

    Oh well, back to my research. I wonder if I can do a doctoral dissertation on tires?
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    I'm not big on wasting money, but I feel very uncomfortable when I see these $100 for 4 tires ads. Are these the tires you want on the car behind you when you are in a panic stop in the rain? There are some very nice medium performance all season tires available around $60 per tire. that is $140 well spent, in my opinion. It's like putting regular unleaded in a car that requires premium...it saves money, but is this the best place to do it?
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    My opinion; DON'T skim on spending for a set of tires. Everything rides on them.

    -Dave
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    the idea of getting cheap tires scares the beejeesus out of me. I'd rather drive an Echo with good tires than drive my WRX with bad tires.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That is generally $100/4 tires in like 175-85-13 the tires that fit on a Hyundai Excel. If you went and got real sized tires it would jump to around $150+ for 4 tires.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I never skimp on either.

    -mike
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    60*4=240 -100=140...I was saying the delta between the 100 and the 240 was well worth it, sorry. since most cars have brakes that are well capable of locking up the tires, tires often end up being the limiting factor in braking also.
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    That was my point. The $100 specials are obviously trash. In fact, they are probably 12" tires -- I
    saw a Ford Fiesta still on the road the other day.

    What scares me is that these may be on the car behind me whose driver is tailgating in a construction zone and I have to stop sudddenly when the dump truck backs into the road. Oh yes, the tailgater probably never checked his inflation pressures since he installed tham last summer, and the temperature is now 40 degrees lower, meaning they are grossly underinflated.

    Yes, I agree, tires are vitally important and do require careful consideration.
  • hunter001hunter001 Member Posts: 851
    I never skimp on Lights, Brakes and tires.

    Later...AH
  • allythomallythom Member Posts: 11
    Were they ever sold in the US ? Seriously off topic I know. My only serious car crash (I wasn't driving) was in a '79 Fiesta back in the UK. My friend wrapped it round a lamp post -we were 17 (and lucky to walk away).

    Tyres (desparate attempt to get back on topic) are like everything else, you pays your money and takes your choice.

    Question is though, would you prefer the guy with 4 bald tyres and no money to go buy the set of 4 cheap 'n' nasty tyres today, or continue driving on baldies for another few weeks/months until he can afford some decent rubber ?

    Just thought I'd throw it out there.

    Al
  • lippoldslippolds Member Posts: 39
    Hi,

    A local dealer (West of Boston) offered me a 2003 WRX at Invoice. Is this a typical price?

    Thanks
  • lippoldslippolds Member Posts: 39
    I am considering the WRX Wagon and am unsure of the color and wanted to see other's experiences. I am considering the Black or Silver. I have not seen the red in person but I know the Blue and Yellow are too bright for my taste.

    Thanks
  • robmarchrobmarch Member Posts: 482
    fiesta - festiva here.

    and, bald is never acceptable, in my opinion. Cheap tires with tread are better than any tire that's bald, especially in rain or snow.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    An '03 at invoice is a steal. Is it a demo? Did you see how many miles it has?
    Blue and silver are the most popular in my area. I have the black and love it when it's clean. :-)

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They had a Fiesta here in the early 80s, it was a true Ford. The Festiva came later and was a different model, based on a Mazda platform and built in Japan but sold by Ford. That in turn was replaced with the Aspire.

    Invoice for a WRX sounds like a good deal to me.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, if you put it that way, yeah, it did replace the Fiesta in their lineup.

    They still sell Fiestas in Brazil, in fact I think they even build some of them there.

    -juice
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    The darkest colors generally show typical road dirt the most. I have had several white cars and that is not too bad. I am thinking about silver for the WRX I plan to buy. I don't like dark colors because they are hard to see at night and hotter during hot weather. Also, certain shades of red (at least in some cars) seem to fade. But, dark colors do look nicer when well waxed.
  • lippoldslippolds Member Posts: 39
    It is not a demo but a new 2003. Another dealer offered $500 under. I guess there is just a lot of extra supply in New England
  • hgutsteinhgutstein Member Posts: 65
    looks very nice on the wagon, as does white. Both do more for me than blue or silver.

    However, blue is the best!
  • jmgregory5jmgregory5 Member Posts: 48
    Just got my 03 silver wagon. What a blast!
    All those people complaining about the cheap interior are way off base. The only thing I can see that reminds me this car's lineage includes sub 20k models are the vinyl sun visors.

    John
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The kia Rio is built off a LWB version of the Aspire....

    -mike
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    We look forward to hearing all about your 03 Impreza WRX wagon experience.... Happy motoring!


    Revka

    Host

    Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Congrats, John.

    -juice
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    Congratulations indeed! Keep us posted on how much fun you have.


    lippolds - it seems silver and blue are the most popular. I like the silver, but red is growing on me. Check out this one:


    http://community.webshots.com/photo/24940519/39182219sOMXsH


    Even looks good dirty!


    Hoping to have to change my username soon!


    -Ian

  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I know the STi is only supposed to be available for the sedan, has anyone heard this option might also be available in the wagon? The demand for the wagon has been so high, I'm surpirsed that they won't make this available.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I kind of doubt it, but I hope I'm wrong.

    The Audi RS6 comes only as a wagon, I think.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    No rumors yet. I believe the STi wagon isn't available anywhere out of Japan (non gray market). Is this correct?

    Maybe we'll be the first. :-) IMHO, they would definitely sell.

    -Dennis
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    if we'll get the wagon, even though they sell one in Japan. Europe is not getting the wagon.

    Bob
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    At only 1500 per year it does not sound promising for the wagon. We can only hope that history repeats itself. After all there were only supposed to be 10000 WRXs sold in the 2002 model year and yet 34000 made it off show room floors. Also keep in mind that the orignal 20% number for the wagon was increased as the demand increased. Funny the local dealer here has never had a wagon in his regular alotment. They have all been special ordered because they figured locally that nobody would want one. I am one of at least 3 I know of locally who own one. (one owner is drag racing his a nearby strip) My salesman was just as excited about my special order as me because he had never seen one. Hats off to Subaru on that one too: my special order in the summer of 2002 took only a little over 3 weeks and it came from the factory exactly as I had ordered it.

    TWRX
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    I want my next WRX Sportwagon to be an STi. Perhaps if we start a petition very soon, Subaru will have enough time to tool up for it. The only way I can trade up to an STi is if it's a wagon. I'm sure I'm not alone. I'm sure there is a significant date that we can choose to collectively beg Subaru for our dream, a Subaru Impreza WRX Sportwagon STi!
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    I'll sign that petition!

    According to the articles I've read the Audi RS6 is coming only as a sedan.

    -Ian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    in an automatic.

    -mike
  • corkfishcorkfish Member Posts: 537
    I'm not sure a petition will work, but I do think I'll write the company and tell them that I have $30K earmarked for a new car. My short list is the EVO VII, WRX Wagon and G35. An STI Wagon under $30K would pretty much cinch it for me. Sometimes I can't figure out auto manuafacturers. They seem to misunderstand demand for different vehicles. I'm 42 and I wouldn't be comfortable driving the STI sedan because it's a little too boy racer for me. I can get away with the wagon however so I'm hoping they have the sense to build what would be the greatest sleeper on the road.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Was is the S6? One of the fancy Audis came as a wagon only.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Europe also does not get an automatic WRX (at least not the UK). Not that it means anything. :-)

    -Dennis
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    My next car would be a sti wagon if they were to build one. I'm so glad that I opted for the wrx wagon over the sedan. Last weekened I went up to chicago and bought a china cabinet that was able to fit in the back of my wagon. What wrx sedan owner can say that.
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    I think the RS4 (the 380-390 hp monster) came only in the Avant (wagon) style. And of course was only available in Europe. However, about a year ago I saw someone advertising them for sale on Autotrader.com (I think) for around 80k.

    Honestly I don't know that I'd be able to handle something like that. I don't know that I trust myself in a WRX even. All I've ever driven are Honda Civics (a 1980 wagon, and a 1997 coupe). I do plan to take a performance driving school of some sort so I can learn how to do more than simply operate an automobile. Not that I'm totally hopeless as I grew up alpine ski racing so I know what a fast line through corners looks like. I want to learn to make a car dance! ;)

    -Ian
  • sportmacsportmac Member Posts: 5
    Are the 17" wheels required to add 17" tires or will they work with the 16" wheels?

    Also, is road noise worse in the station wagon without an enclosed trunk as in the sedan?

    What performance differences can you expect if you opt for the automatic?

    How bad is the turbo lag?
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    17 inch wheels need either 225/45R17 tires or 215/45R17 tires. so yes, 17 inch tires go with 17 wheels.

    Wagon road noise is comparable to the sedan.

    Automatic loses a second 0-60 and around half-second in quarter mile.

    Turbo lag is there but not too bad if you have the manual transmission
  • sportmacsportmac Member Posts: 5
    I asked the tire question incorrectly. Can you fit 17" or 18" tires on the 16" wheels?
  • WarpDriveWarpDrive Member Posts: 506
    The wheel must have the same diameter as the tire.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, they don't really measure tires that way. The total diameter of a tire may indeed be 17" or 18", and yeah, in theory those could fit on a 16" rim.

    But the tire industry uses numbers that mean:

    section width in mm/aspect ratioRrim size

    So 215/45R17 means 215mm section width (not the same as tread width, this is the width at the widest point of the tire). The 45 is the aspect ratio, i.e. 45% of 215mm gives you the side wall height, in this case 97mm. Finally, the 17" means it fits on a 17" rim.

    That tire end up having a total diameter of 24.6". An 18" diameter tire on a 16" rim would be way, way too small for a WRX.

    Stock tire diameter is actually 24.9", and you want to stay close to that to keep the speedo and odometer accurate, plus so you don't lose ground clearance and have other issues with fit and rubbing.

    Bottom line - no matter what rim size you choose, the total tire diameter should stay close to 25". So pick your rims, then pick a tire that fits on the rim and keeps the total diameter close to 25".

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My guess is you're thinking in terms of off-road tires sizes. You can get 31" to 35" tires for a jeep, for instance. Those usually mount to a 15" rim.

    But performance tires are not measured by diameter, that's the mix up.

    -juice
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    They can supposedly take either a 17" tire or an 18" tire. Is he just blowing smoke, or does an animal really exist? Also, do these type of rims seem like a logical step, or they give up in performance what they make up in versatility?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it does exist, I'd stay far, far away from it. I can't imagine that would bead up to the rim properly, and it would probably leak air, slip, or both.

    -juice
This discussion has been closed.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.