2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

ateixeira

You still see that - look at the Challenger, or the GT-R.

It is less common because the overall car market is way down, plus there are many more vehicles in the MDX' class now.

Forester, too. In 1998 it was Forester, RAV4, CR-V, that's about it. Everything else was a truck.

paisan

VIP pricing is (amongst others), for people who belong to some organizations that Subaru supports (very wide variety, mostly related to tree hugging and other "progressive" causes - cars101.com page has full list, but IMBA is probably most "politically neutral").

You also get it if you participate in the 48hrs of Tri-state Rally. http://48hrs.info

-mike

nerd1

If anyone is in the So Cal area, Irvine Subaru, Long Beach Subaru, Thousand Oaks Subaru, and others have the new 2009 WRX's in.

I felt a big difference in power in the 09 WRX. The car kept pulling up to 6000 rpm's. The moon roof and red stitching looks sweet!!! Not a big fan of the rims.

volkov

How did it feel in the low end. The bigger turbo is giving you that upper end rush, but has to be slower to spool. Did you notice it compared to the 224hp 2.5, was it like the 2.0L WRX with that rubber band feel again?

paisan

Doubtful. I was putting 213hp/243lbs torque to the wheels with the cobb stage 1 on a stock 05 LGT of a customer's car. Lower lows and higher highs, and better milage.

-mike

nerd1

The turbo really didn't kick in until around 3000 rpm's, but once it does it's a big difference. So in the low end it gives a little bit more power than the 08's.

volkov

There is no seperate discussion on the 09 WRX beyond the "First drive" from the Summer. Although changes are quite significant, the GT really is an 08 auto and the underpinnings of the vehicle have remained. Would it be an idea to alter the title of this board to 08/09 WRX or would it be better to start an 09 topic?? I would favour the former.

PF_Flyer

It's Thursday and that means time again for the longest running chat here in CarSpace, the Subaru Crew! The chat opens at 8:45 pm ET and runs until 10 pm ET. I hope you're able to join us tonight for another enjoyable evening with members of the Crew!
See you there!

volkov

2009 WRX265 in WRB just got unloaded at my local dealer. I have dibs on it pending a test drive. I would probably prefer a dark grey metallic, but there don't look to be any available for a couple of months here in Western Canada. My excitement has unfortunately been calmed a bit by the fact that they have to prep on a bunch of newly delivered vehicles which are already sold. That means I can't do a test drive until Saturday. Yep, gonna be real easy to concentrate on work the rest of this week....NOT.

volkov

I had expected that the power would have overwhelmed me but it only felt a little faster than the 04. It did bog less at low rpms for sure and although the power didn't overwhelm at 2500, it gets up through the lower rev range much quicker. I was a good boy and kept it below 4k, but that was just as the fun was beginning. I was really impressed with the handling. The ride was smoother and quieter, but quick lane changes had less body roll for certain. I especially noted that the 17's didn't make the ride rougher. Braking was also much better than the 04. It was easier to downshift into 1st on a roll, but there seems to be a slight delay with the drive by wire throttle because my usual upshift timing had the engine over-revving when I put in the clutch. I also didn't like the hesitation off the line without gas which I suspect means that the Hill-holder is set a little too strong. Big question remains as to whether it can take a trailer hitch. The dealer has installed hitches from a 3 party on many of the new Imprezas, just never a WRX. The only issue seems to be whether the sway bar might interfere.

ateixeira

Forester is better suited for that, I think it's even pre-wired (I should check mine).

volkov

Juice....D'uh!!! ;-)
C'mon, I know the Forester is the towing vehicle. The new Imprezas don't even get a tow rating, and I won't be doing any towing - just for a bike carrier. On the plus side though, the 3rd party hitch the dealer has been installing is much less expensive and less complex to install than the Forester one.

ateixeira

Yeah, I think I'd have to cut the bumper.

I'd probably put a hitch on my Sienna instead. 266hp > 175hp for pulling.

rsholland

Okay, I took a nice somewhat leisurely 400-mile trip today. It was through western Maryland, into southwest Pa, then down to Morgantown WV, and then back to central Howard Co. MD. On the way out, I drove 95% back country roads, only going on the interstate where I had to. On the return trip it was all interstate with the cruise control set at 72 mph. Anyone familiar with the area knows that it is quite mountainous, and a great drive for a car like the WRX.

Gas mileage? My on-board computer read 29.1 mpg average for the 400-mile trip when I got home. I think that's pretty impressive for a WRX. Granted I didn't get on it much, mainly because of fear of holiday cops, and frankly I just wasn't in a carving-up-the-roads mood.

Bob

volkov

Sounds wonderful. I'm always trying to come up with reasons for WRX drives. Next couple of days I'm thinking of doing a drive out to check a forest service campsite we've never camped at. Some people we know really like, but we want to check it out first, then probably spend the weekend there. It's 45 miles over winding backroads and some gravel roads to get there. Should be lots of fun, but I tend to find that as the fun meter goes up, the FE numbers go down especially on the very windy gravel roads. Don't worry, I'll be safe - never drive faster than I can see.