Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

1…8990929495…115

Comments

  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    The Subaru ski rack, made by Yakima IIRC, fits to the factory crossbars. :-)

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, you just need the right brackets. Way back when, Darlene had them for $7 IIRC.

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I was going through some Subaru paperwork the other day, and ran across a business card from Darlene. She definitely had the best oil filter buy on the web!

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    $4 delivered. Same price for touch-up paint.

    Sigh.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    I managed to buy a few items from her while they were in business.

    Great service and unbeatable prices. A pollen filter I bought from her came in smelling funny (don't ask why). I mentioned it to her and -poof- a new one was shipped to me at no charge. And those things aren't cheap either.

    Ken
  • redscoobyredscooby Member Posts: 55
    I'm not a technician so bear with me as I try to describe this. Two things I have noticed as the weather has turned colder.

    1) The first few shifts of the day are very stiff - requires a fair bit of pressure to get out of 1st and again to get into 2nd. Shifts are smooth after a couple of minutes of driving. This was not an issue during the summer and is more noticeable on the colder days. Is this normal for a stick? (haven't driven a stick in cold weather for 8+ years).

    2) When the engine is not fully warmed up and the rpms get to around 3500, I hear a harsh scraping/buzzing noise that sounds like it is coming from directly under the car - transmission? exhaust? I try to keep the rpms under 3000 until fully warmed up but sometimes it goes over, especially in 2nd. Anyway, it's the kind of noise that startles me into a hasty shift up. It's happening more often as the weather has turned colder. Any thoughts on what it could be?

    In both cases, should I be contacting the dealer asap? Only has 6000 miles on the clock.

    -Chris
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    how cold is it getting where you are?? if it were getting to zero deg F I could see the gear changes being stiff till the engine warmed up as that gear oil is very thick, my Audi and Acura gear boxes were like treacle at those temps when I lived in MN! Hasn't got cold enough in IL with my WRX to tell if it does that yet!
    Not sure about the noise.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    The best thing to do for hard shifts is to switch to synthetic gear oil. Opinions on which ones to use vary widely. I'm using Motul Gear 300 in the Rex, and before that I used Amsoil synthetic (not the Series 2000) in the OBS for 3 years.

    I liked the Amsoil better because it's just the right amount of friction not to cause grinding like some synthetics do.

    The noise could be a loose heat shield.

    -Dennis
  • redscoobyredscooby Member Posts: 55
    It's only been in the 20's and 30's overnight and 40's during the day, so not particularly cold.

    -Chris
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    For 75(or 80)W90 conventional gear oil. Just put some in a container and leave it outside overnight. ;-)

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That stuff is thick to begin with, so yeah, on a cold day like that, try pumping it up into the tranny with one of those hand pumps. It was like lifting weights!

    Did another car on a hot day and it flowed right up, hardly any effort.

    -juice
  • redscoobyredscooby Member Posts: 55
    I guess the 20's and 30's are not realistic (as far as oil temp goes) because the car is garaged overnight. Mid-40's is a better indicator as the car was parked outside at the office all day. Today was in the 50's and the first few shifts after work were just fine.

    So should I just get used to the first few shifts being stiff with conventional gear oil? Any harm being done? Or is it common practice to switch to synthetic gear oil?

    -Chris
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    When the weather is near freezing and below, you will likely continue to have hard shifts. As long as you're patient give the tranny a little time to warm up (don't force the shifter), you shouldn't be doing any harm.

    I'm not patient, so I switched to synthetic. When the weather is in the teens, I just get in the car and go. :-)
    I don't think it's "common practice". Since people have different results with the same oil (search on nasioc), most people don't bother with it. The synchros are very finicky.

    Here's some excellent info for shifting Subaru's:
    http://www.spdusa.com/shifting.htm

    -Dennis
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    We sometimes switch to 70W90 (when we can get it) here in Edmonton. But it's only needed when it gets down to -30 or lower. With 80W90, I used to place both feet firmly on the floor (one on clutch) and use both hands to move the shift lever on my Land Cruiser to neutral when the temps were below -30. Then I could start it ;-). The thicker oil and harder shifting in the first few shifts will not hurt anything (but your pride, if you have to shift fast).

    I am surprised you notice a difference at those temperatures. I wonder if you have some water in the transmission. Maybe it's time to change the oil.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    My 97 Outback Sport and 03 WRX felt the same way during the winter. I start to notice a difference in the low 40's F.

    -Dennis
  • searcherboysearcherboy Member Posts: 32
    I've had my eye on a new WRX wagon for some time. Looks like the car for me. Am now driving my faithful but somewhat tired '93 Civic SI, bought new (offers welcome, BTW).

    Any news or rumours floating around about upgrades to the WRX for the upcoming model year? The car has been around for a few years now and has had no changes other than the cosmetic upgrade to the front end for 2004.
  • prayerforprayerfor Member Posts: 161
    Dennis --

    Very interesting article you linked to on how to shift the Subaru tranny. I was very surprised there were no references to heel-and-toe technique, or even using the throttle to match revs at all. Instead the recommended approach was to stay off the throttle completely until the clutch is fully re-engaged.

    That struck me as odd, since I thought rev-matching using the throttle was pretty much universally recognized as integral to proper shifting technique.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    2004s also got the in-glass antennae and the wider seats with the built-in head rests.

    Do they still have cassette players? The Forester dropped that for 2003, so the Impreza might soon, also.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The motor isn't due for any upgrades for a while in the WRX. The EJ18t and EJ22 were around for about 8-10 years w/o much changes. The EJ25 similarly not many changes in 8 years or so. If anything you'll see the base motor change before the EJ20.

    -mike
  • ozman62ozman62 Member Posts: 229
    is required.. for downshifting. That's what heel and toe is all about, braking and blipping the throttle for a seamless downshift all at the same time. For a proper upshift, you should be able to leave your foot off the throttle until the the clutch is fully engaged. YMMV.
      Owen
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Dave - check the top of the page. :-)
    http://www.spdusa.com/heel&toe.htm

    -Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    One rumor has the STi getting double AVCS, i.e. intake and exhaust valves, and 330hp.

    If that happens, that opens the door for improvements to the WRX. The 2.0l could get AVCS, which would help the bottom end and peak HP. Just a thought, but they could give it 250hp or so.

    Then the regular 2.5l could get AVCS as well, maybe a bump up to 175hp or so for the RS and Outback Sport.

    Wouldn't that be cool?

    -juice
  • prayerforprayerfor Member Posts: 161
    Duh! Of course heel/toe and rev-matching only apply to downshifts... my bad. Thanks Owen and Dennis, I stand corrected.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I would love to see that on all Subarus! The WRX in Japan has AVCS; not sure if it's "double" or not, however.

    Bob
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    What is it? Active Valve Control System?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bingo. The basic system controls the exhaust valves, IIRC. The new double AVCS controls intake and exhaust valves.

    -juice
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    Thanks Juice. Now what is IIRC?
  • merrycynicmerrycynic Member Posts: 340
    Thanks again Juice. No, I didn't know that.
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Yeah, the JDM 2.0 puts out about 247 h.p. with AVCS.

    -Dennis
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    juice - I thought all USDM Subaru's were the same regarding their emissions. Are you sure California get's something special?

    -Ian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    California doesn't get anything special. We [rest of the country] just get the CADM Subaru which we call USDM. ;-)

    -Dave

    note: CA = California
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    Off topic, I know, but I'll add that I too just read in one of the mags that 04 2.5l/auto Outbacks in CA and the New England states will be PZEV rated...and that other states will continue with the same engine as before. The implication is that, yes, there is a difference between the PZEV models and the ones that the other states get.

    Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, guys, it's a new thing. 2004 models only, and CA cars only.

    I saw a list of cars published by the EPA, the Green score essentially. The new CA Outback gets a perfect 10.

    Most Subies get an 8.

    -juice
  • redscoobyredscooby Member Posts: 55
    Dennis & PathStar1 - Thanks for the info. Sounds like I am not experiencing anything too unusual, but I'll monitor it as the temperatures drop.

    Prodrive mudflaps and rear cupholder arrived today. Will be fitting the mudflaps tomorrow :)

    -Chris
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    rev-matching, you don't have to reve match on the upshift, but my uncle does it all the time, double clutches too IIRC.

    -mike
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    "Yeah, the JDM 2.0 puts out about 247 h.p. with AVCS."

    - There could also be an emissions thing with the U.S. version. Due to strict Emission laws in the U.S., the WRX had to be modified to support this, which took away some of the potential power (ex. 3 catalytic converters). So the 247 hp might be less in the U.S. model.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Also, we have so many different types of gas, they have to dumb it down to the least common denominator.

    -juice
  • searcherboysearcherboy Member Posts: 32
    Just in case no one has posted this yet, there is a photo of the upcoming Saab-bodied WRX on the Saab USA website ( http:www.saabusa.com ). It only shows a front view, but the car is clearly a 5-door wagon. Nice looking car - I wish it were on the market now, I'd love to take it out for a spin.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    hmmm I'll be interested in what goodies they'll have for the interior and swap them into my wagon :D

    -Dave
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Wonder how much they weigh? Also wonder about their price. Are they 17x7.0 or 17x7.5?
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    look like the OZ Superlaggers. Probably 17x7.5 ET 48mm :)

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, Dave, could you be any more specific? ;-)

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    about 15lbs ;-)

    -Dave
  • searcherboysearcherboy Member Posts: 32
    Those wheels caught my eye too. Nice.

    I'm looking forward to seeing the Saabaru in the flesh. My impression of Saabs is that they are a little quircky as far as cabin ergonomics go, but have excellent build quality. The interior of the WRX has always struck me as somewhat plasticky, so the 9-2x should be a step up.

    I'm curious how the 9-2x will be priced. The car is intended to fill a market niche below the current 9-3 sedan, which has a MSRP of $26,090 US. So the 9-2 should come in close to the MSRP for the WRX. Saab can't go much higher than this or they won't attract a lot of buyers. Unless, of course, they load in more features and sell it as more of a luxo wagon.

    There's no reason to price the car much higher than the WRX, as Subaru paid all the car's development costs and Saab is merely buying the chassis.

    I didn't know until I read the blurb next to the 9-2x photo that GM owned 20% of Fuji Heavy Industries (as well as Saab). I wonder if we'll eventually see Sube drivetrains in GM products? Interesting possibilities abound.
  • wrxsoon1wrxsoon1 Member Posts: 158
    Won't be all that different from the WRX. It's being built in Japan for Saab. I predict a bit better interior (meaning leather on the seats), those nice wheels and the redesigned front end will be the only differences.

    Not that those changes are bad. I'm just saying it will definitely be more Subaru than Saab (IMHO).

    -Ian
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Dave - thanks. Superleggas? Hmm, for some reason I thought the OZs looked a little different, possibly Superleggas2?

    "I'm curious how the 9-2x will be priced. The car is intended to fill a market niche below the current 9-3 sedan, which has a MSRP of $26,090 US. So the 9-2 should come in close to the MSRP for the WRX. Saab can't go much higher than this or they won't attract a lot of buyers. Unless, of course, they load in more features and sell it as more of a luxo wagon. "

    - Two points.
    1st. the 9-3 sedan with MSRP below $30K, has 170 hp engine. Fairly anemic compared to the 227 hp WRX engine.
    2nd, I do not believe that the 9-3 has a wagon, thus a niche where the 9-2x will fit in nicely. Due to the niceties, I predict $30K (yes it will compete with the STi in price). Its main competition will probably be the IS300 sportswagon, but who knows.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Stopped by a Subie dealer today to get my annual WRX wagon flu shot (aka: test drive). It's been a year since I last drove one, and the new one is as good as ever.

    Actually it's better than ever. Several folks have posted elsewhere that the new '04 WRX now has a cruise "set" light, and by golly it does indeed! You activate the master switch and a green "cruise" lights up on the dash; then you hit the "set" on the CC stalk, and voila, a green "set" lights up right next to the word cruise, so that it reads: "cruise set.". I hope Subaru is going to do this with all their models.

    Ain't progress great! :)

    Now if only we can get the sedan's premium package (w/moonroof), standard 17" wheels, ambient temperature gauge, standard center armrest extension, and an extra power outlet in that center armrest; I'd be one really happy camper.

    Bob
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    What happened to the 3500 lb. tow rating? Have you given up on that? ;)

    DaveM
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Different needs... ;)

    Now if we're talking about the 7-passenger cross-over, that's a different story.

    Bob
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    do you think it will be before WRX sees AVCS? 2006? 2007?
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.