I thought you were getting something to replace the 5-speed WRX. I recall you saying something about trying the auto WRX instead. Did you simply decide you couldn't live without the 5-speed?
I'm considering the purchase of a WRX wagon. Has anyone had any experience taking their car off-road? I've seen the ads touting Subaru's Rally expertise. Is it true? I'd love to buy a vehicle that I can have fun with on my commute but can also take me to my favorite fishing holes.
I haven't posted here since December 2001. But back then I did vow to outdo Paisan at an autocross (post # 3973). With the resutls up, I can say I've finally done it! By .207 seconds!
And all it took was about 100 more horsepower than Mike, Ultra-High Performance tires on 17" rims, upgraded brakes and new swaybars.
Yes, a very small victory, I know.
Frankly, in its own stock class, we WRXs get pretty consistently owned by Integra Type-Rs. And even GC8 RSs with good drivers (like Billy and Zeph). Unless a WRX has new coilovers and R-compounds.
Anyway, props to Mike for encouraging me to start. I'm pretty hooked. Thanks, Paisan!
Be careful. It is still a sports sedan. When I went to the dealer to get a couple of adjustments done on the car (driver door adjusted, and a couple of other minor things adjusted), he was telling me of a guy that though he was getting an actual Rally Car. He ended up trying to jump the car, using rail-road tracks as the take-off means (with 18" rims none-the-less)! Car had to be hauled back to the dealer, where all four of his shocks need to be replaced (as well as his rims)! Aparently all four tires were bent up! Anotherwords, it is still a car that can be driven off roads a little. Not a car do play Evil-Kineval with!!!
Glad to see you are havin fun! I was having a poor day yesterday overall. Lost to the '99 Legacy GT by almost a second. Glad to see more subie people getting into the sport! Too bad you couldn't hang for the BBQ.
so have we come to a general consensus as to when is the best time to start using synthetic oil? ASAP, 3k or 6K?? After burning my fingers on the hood prop rod I figure this engine does get HOT and dino may not be the best thing if I want to keep this car a long time! Interestingly called 3 dealers to see what they charge, one doesn't carry synthetics in stock (!!) but will charge me the usual oil change price if I bring my own (Its $18 for 5 qts Mobil 1 at Walmart right now or 4.50 for quart bottles). Another charges $50 which seems like regular oil change plus half decent cost of the oil, third was $67, major markup! Since I got a 2yr Subaru service contract thrown into my purchase I think I will go to the first dealer and bring my Walmart Mobil 1. I should check out Costco first though. Actually if anyone knows of any retail chains which sell Redline or Amsoil I'd appreciate it because every car place I have checked in my area don't or they never heard of it!
Same here. Yes, we did meet. I met your wife as well. I had to leave early before the BBQ and bummed a menthol cigarette. I'll see you at the next event next Sunday!
Oops... I mean bedabi - sorry 'bout flipping the 'b' ah yes, now I got the face to the name I'll see you there too. I'm registered, but I've got to wait and see if my jammed index finger (all swelled up) will bend by then. Otherwise, I'll just be spectating.
In a recent chat here at Edmunds, some SoA (or Prodrive(?) techs said it's better to switch as early as possible. You might be able to find the info in the Crew chat transcripts.
My dealer installed Amsoil Series 2000 in the rear diff for me since I couldn't remove the plug. You have to get Redline and Amsoil from a performance shop or online. Check their websites or do a search on i-club.com.
There is no question that synthetics are much better for your engine than regular dino. Especially if you have a high output turbo like the Rex. People are always asking if using synthetic oil will harm their engine, when what they should be asking is whether continuing to use conventional oil will harm it (extra wear and less protection than synthetic). Putting it in after the 1000 mi. break-in is probably optimal, IMO, judging from my own past experience and talking with others.
I agree with Rexaroo, and with the Service manager of my Subie dealer. I put synthetics in the engine and transmission of my VDC OB and WRX at the first oil change. Never looked back.
I swear that everything runs better but it could be just my imagination. Regardless, it makes me feel good that I am giving my cars the best chance for a long life.
We have synthetics in our Forester too and at 27k mi., it purrs like a kitten. When we first bought the car, it suffered from a rough idle and excess engine noise, but after switching over, noticed an immediate improvement in both areas. When you figure a car will go 2-3 times longer before needing an engine rebuild, you actually get back all the extra money spent on synthetics over dino in the long run.
I am hearing on iClub that 2003 Legacy GT's are on the lots on California. Different car, I realize, but a 2003 nonetheless. And the 2003 Forresters are out. All in all, it seems a little different this year.
Has there been any announcement re. what changes (if any) will be made to the 03 rex'? My dealer has a demo (57 miles) for sale.. exactly what I want (blue wagon).. except.. its an automatic (sigh). But for $22,700 its still tempting. Fortunately my 01 Forester does not need replacing... just itching for that turbo!
There is a discussion over at Caranddriver.com on the automatic for the WRX. Everyone there is doing a pretty good job bashing the auto tranny. It is the current "feature" discussion.
That's my guess. Given how few AT WRXes exist, and how much bashing it's received, the dealer may be having a hard time moving it.
I have to wonder if they will continue to offer it in the US at all. I've only heard two people give it good marks. One of them, an owner, is very vocal here; the other posts on occasion but has told me offline that it's better than its reputation.
As the vast majority of vehicles sold in the US have ATs, either those who post online are disproportionately MT owners or many are closet AT owners.
What is that ?? Why should someone be a "closet owner" of something ?
Most of the "bashers" that I have seen (both here and elsewhere) have a very rudimentary understanding of what they get with the Automatic equipped WRX (unlike all other Automatic equipped Subarus) and thus indulge in bashing, without much factual basis to back up their arguments.
There was a fellow on i-club who was bashing the WRX-Automatic as a FWD, "since it drives with 90% of the power on the front-wheels" !!! The ignoramus had to be corrected that unlike the other Subaru-Automatic-equipped vehicles, the WRX gets something special. It drives with 55%of its power on the rear wheels, unless more power is needed, front or rear. It transfers 85% of the power to the rear wheels while accelerating, and does the reverse while braking, something that that ignoramus and most other MT posters in that forum was completely un-aware of. It also has a Torque-sensing Center differential working along with 6-plate heavy-duty electro-mechanical transfer clutches (a lighter duty version of the Rally hardware which no other Subaru - including the Manual-WRX gets) - again something another ignoramus was un-aware of, since he had only heard of "other Auto-Subaru" systems, which can be converted into a FWD vehicle by disconnecting a fuse, unlike the Automatic-equipped WRX that is always and permanently in AWD.
So, basically, take all this "bashing" with a few bags of salt. It may be out of ignorance.
I agree that a lot of the bashing is due to ignorance. IMO, a lot of the auto guys keep quiet because of it. Ed, I think it was you that said you were surprised at the number of autos at the RalliSpec meet (100 total Scooby's!). At the last Woodbridge meet I attended, two out of 20 or so WRX's were autos. One guy auto-x's his and another is a tech at a Subaru dealer. He told me he got the auto because he has seen too many repairs on the manuals.
AH - I'm still waiting for a source for the 85% rear power on the VTD. ;-) Someone recently posted (Crew-Future Models IIRC) an Australian newspaper article about the Liberty with VTD (our Legacy). It said the torque split can go up to 50/50, which is the same thing that Patti posted a while ago. http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_/showall_/id_SUB/doc_sub0207011/article.html
AH: Yes I was thinking of you, as you are no doubt the biggest proponent of the automatic WRX on the board.
Dennis: you not only agree with me, but you also remember my observations. Very astute! ;-)
I may go out on a limb a little and jump to the conclusion that an automatic WRX isn't a bad choice for many people. It's very apparent that the car isn't meant to be a stoplight or quarter-mile drag racer, but an all-weather road car designed to do more than go in a straight line. However, for those times that you're forced to go in a straight line - very slowly - the econobox nature of the car may actually be to your benefit.
The majority of people can't afford to have a stable of cars at their disposal. I feel very lucky to own two even though one is 40 years old and really more of a hobby than a reliable daily driver (though I've been tempted to put it into service that way). A WRX - manual or auto - may not be all things to all people but IMO it can come pretty close. That's why so many people of all ages have begun to flock to it.
Don't forget how many ATs were built. It may not be a case of people not buying but buying what is available.
The AT isn't that bad, but it is especially rough on a non-modified WRX who wants fast launches. After having driven both on the auto-x the AT was difficult to get into a groove with for that type of racing.
Cause I tried doing some hard brake-stand launches with the AT WRX @ auto-x and no matter how hard you mash the pedal the engine won't go into boost during brake stands
Does anyone know anything about the new Penzoil Synthetic???
How does it compare to Mobil 1?
I getting ready to switch over to synthetic and am wondering which way to go. I've used Penzoil for years with no complaints, just want to be sure to use the best I can get.
Hi, Do any of u guys hear a sound out of the front suspension? Sound more like that of a rusty suspension. I have suddenly started hearing this sound from my 2 month old wrx. It basically happens whenever the suspension comes into play. I can hear it when it's quiet outside and i am driving at a low speed. Like in the evening when i get into my apmt complex compound. I got the car checked by the service guys. After driving a couple of new wrx's from the lot, the servicing guys concluded it was a normal sport suspension sound. I personally never heard it bfore in my car. Comments??
Hi, Do any of u guys hear a sound out of the front suspension? Sound more like that of a rusty suspension. I have suddenly started hearing this sound from my 2 month old wrx. It basically happens whenever the suspension comes into play. I can hear it when it's quiet outside and i am driving at a low speed. Like in the evening when i get into my apmt complex compound. I got the car checked by the service guys. After driving a couple of new wrx's from the lot, the servicing guys concluded it was a normal sport suspension sound. I personally never heard it bfore in my car. Comments??
I believe PadreWRX has the TC mod among other things.
Be careful with those brake stands folks. One auto i-clubber blew his tranny doing one of those. IIRC, he had made a few runs on the drag strip and did brake stands in the 8 second range. The service manual says it shouldn't be done for over 5 or 6 seconds.
Just wondering (based on an observation of one of my friends)....
Do some WRX owners have that invincibility mentality some accuse SUV owners (having AWD)?
THe reason I ask is, because my friend has always been an aggressive driver. Since getting the WRX, he's even more aggressive.
One rainy day, he was coming around a curve and lost control and slammed into a telephone pole. He blames the tires (Potenza RE92), but not his driving habits.
There are plenty of people ready to blame the tires when they crash pushing their car to the limit. The limts of the RE92's are lower than other tires, no question. But, if they were unsafe on the car at reasonable speeds, no company would put them on as original equipment.
I'm not sticking up for the RE92's, but I believe these accidents would happen the same way with better tires, just at higher speeds.
I don't own a WRX (yet!) but on the test drives I have taken, I have definitely noticed that I drive more aggressively since the car feels much more solid than my honduh. The ease in handling and the AWD definitely make it feel more "safe" especially in the rain, and did lead me to do things that I wouldnt chance in my everyday driving. Just my .02 Rachel
After reading all your comments on the short-throw shifter, I went and test-drove one at my dealer while getting an oil change on my Rex. (My dealer didn't have a WRX demo with short-throw available when I bought my car, so I couldn't try it then.)
I liked the feel of the gears although that titanium knob was too small. Plus, I noticed that because the car I test-drove had been sitting in the sun, the knob got way too hot! So I decided to get the short-throw but have the dealer put the old knob back on (got everything installed yesterday).
However, the new short-throw feels really stiff when shifting. I know it requires more effort but the one I test-drove (and that car had only 28 miles on it) was not as stiff. Is this something that will ease up as time goes on? For those of you with short-throws, have you noticed this?
I completely agree. I think this is the case with all Subaru's, but more so with the WRX.
Before you push a car, know and learn the limits of the car, the tires and yourself. Do you know if your friend stayed on the accelerator? That usually helps keep the car under control in a slide.
Sonya - I believe a few people have said that the short-shifter requires slightly more effort.
due to AWD is a well known trait. ABS brakes also does not reduce accidents due to this overconfidence factor. Wrap a sporty car around AWD and you can feel untouchable.
Comments
Ken
There are 100s and 100s of pics of subies off-road with the big boys down in the pine barrens of NJ.
-mike
And all it took was about 100 more horsepower than Mike, Ultra-High Performance tires on 17" rims, upgraded brakes and new swaybars.
Yes, a very small victory, I know.
Frankly, in its own stock class, we WRXs get pretty consistently owned by Integra Type-Rs. And even GC8 RSs with good drivers (like Billy and Zeph). Unless a WRX has new coilovers and R-compounds.
Anyway, props to Mike for encouraging me to start. I'm pretty hooked. Thanks, Paisan!
-mike
After burning my fingers on the hood prop rod I figure this engine does get HOT and dino may not be the best thing if I want to keep this car a long time!
Interestingly called 3 dealers to see what they charge, one doesn't carry synthetics in stock (!!) but will charge me the usual oil change price if I bring my own (Its $18 for 5 qts Mobil 1 at Walmart right now or 4.50 for quart bottles). Another charges $50 which seems like regular oil change plus half decent cost of the oil, third was $67, major markup!
Since I got a 2yr Subaru service contract thrown into my purchase I think I will go to the first dealer and bring my Walmart Mobil 1. I should check out Costco first though. Actually if anyone knows of any retail chains which sell Redline or Amsoil I'd appreciate it because every car place I have checked in my area don't or they never heard of it!
Nice to have met you :-)
... I know I met you at the AutoX
Sadly, now I can't put the name to the face :-( [Getting old].
You going this Sunday?
-Dave
ah yes, now I got the face to the name
I'll see you there too. I'm registered, but I've got to wait and see if my jammed index finger (all swelled up) will bend by then. Otherwise, I'll just be spectating.
-Dave
Bringing in Series2000 oil may cause some red tape (warranty if there's a problem) to appear, as it is not API certified whatsoever.
That's a question for Patti and company, even though the answer is pretty obvious.
My dealer installed Amsoil Series 2000 in the rear diff for me since I couldn't remove the plug.
You have to get Redline and Amsoil from a performance shop or online. Check their websites or do a search on i-club.com.
-Dennis
At 80mph I'm running about 3000+ rpms and the car seems to be asking to be shifted one more time.
Are there any aftermarket or JDM kits available to get a six speeder?
Have a good 4th all!
Sean
IIRC, I've seen some recent posts about 6-speeds
-Dennis
I swear that everything runs better but it could be just my imagination. Regardless, it makes me feel good that I am giving my cars the best chance for a long life.
Mike
Jim
-Dennis
As for automatic....for me, no matter how sweet the deal, I wouldn't be tempted. Manual all the way!
Jim
I have to wonder if they will continue to offer it in the US at all. I've only heard two people give it good marks. One of them, an owner, is very vocal here; the other posts on occasion but has told me offline that it's better than its reputation.
As the vast majority of vehicles sold in the US have ATs, either those who post online are disproportionately MT owners or many are closet AT owners.
Ed
Most of the "bashers" that I have seen (both here and elsewhere) have a very rudimentary understanding of what they get with the Automatic equipped WRX (unlike all other Automatic equipped Subarus) and thus indulge in bashing, without much factual basis to back up their arguments.
There was a fellow on i-club who was bashing the WRX-Automatic as a FWD, "since it drives with 90% of the power on the front-wheels" !!! The ignoramus had to be corrected that unlike the other Subaru-Automatic-equipped vehicles, the WRX gets something special. It drives with 55%of its power on the rear wheels, unless more power is needed, front or rear. It transfers 85% of the power to the rear wheels while accelerating, and does the reverse while braking, something that that ignoramus and most other MT posters in that forum was completely un-aware of. It also has a Torque-sensing Center differential working along with 6-plate heavy-duty electro-mechanical transfer clutches (a lighter duty version of the Rally hardware which no other Subaru - including the Manual-WRX gets) - again something another ignoramus was un-aware of, since he had only heard of "other Auto-Subaru" systems, which can be converted into a FWD vehicle by disconnecting a fuse, unlike the Automatic-equipped WRX that is always and permanently in AWD.
So, basically, take all this "bashing" with a few bags of salt. It may be out of ignorance.
Later...AH
Ed, I think it was you that said you were surprised at the number of autos at the RalliSpec meet (100 total Scooby's!).
At the last Woodbridge meet I attended, two out of 20 or so WRX's were autos. One guy auto-x's his and another is a tech at a Subaru dealer. He told me he got the auto because he has seen too many repairs on the manuals.
AH - I'm still waiting for a source for the 85% rear power on the VTD. ;-)
Someone recently posted (Crew-Future Models IIRC) an Australian newspaper article about the Liberty with VTD (our Legacy). It said the torque split can go up to 50/50, which is the same thing that Patti posted a while ago. http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_/showall_/id_SUB/doc_sub0207011/article.html
-Dennis
Dennis: you not only agree with me, but you also remember my observations. Very astute! ;-)
I may go out on a limb a little and jump to the conclusion that an automatic WRX isn't a bad choice for many people. It's very apparent that the car isn't meant to be a stoplight or quarter-mile drag racer, but an all-weather road car designed to do more than go in a straight line. However, for those times that you're forced to go in a straight line - very slowly - the econobox nature of the car may actually be to your benefit.
The majority of people can't afford to have a stable of cars at their disposal. I feel very lucky to own two even though one is 40 years old and really more of a hobby than a reliable daily driver (though I've been tempted to put it into service that way). A WRX - manual or auto - may not be all things to all people but IMO it can come pretty close. That's why so many people of all ages have begun to flock to it.
Ed
The AT isn't that bad, but it is especially rough on a non-modified WRX who wants fast launches. After having driven both on the auto-x the AT was difficult to get into a groove with for that type of racing.
-mike
-mike
How does it compare to Mobil 1?
I getting ready to switch over to synthetic and am wondering which way to go.
I've used Penzoil for years with no complaints, just want to be sure to use the best I can get.
Thanks in advance!
Ken
Do any of u guys hear a sound out of the front suspension? Sound more like that of a rusty suspension. I have suddenly started hearing this sound from my 2 month old wrx. It basically happens whenever the suspension comes into play. I can hear it when it's quiet outside and i am driving at a low speed. Like in the evening when i get into my apmt complex compound.
I got the car checked by the service guys. After driving a couple of new wrx's from the lot, the servicing guys concluded it was a normal sport suspension sound. I personally never heard it bfore in my car. Comments??
-mike
-juice
Do any of u guys hear a sound out of the front suspension? Sound more like that of a rusty suspension. I have suddenly started hearing this sound from my 2 month old wrx. It basically happens whenever the suspension comes into play. I can hear it when it's quiet outside and i am driving at a low speed. Like in the evening when i get into my apmt complex compound.
I got the car checked by the service guys. After driving a couple of new wrx's from the lot, the servicing guys concluded it was a normal sport suspension sound. I personally never heard it bfore in my car. Comments??
PadreWRX's is modified. He has a torque-stall converter if I remember correctly.
Stephen
Be careful with those brake stands folks. One auto i-clubber blew his tranny doing one of those. IIRC, he had made a few runs on the drag strip and did brake stands in the 8 second range. The service manual says it shouldn't be done for over 5 or 6 seconds.
-Dennis
Do some WRX owners have that invincibility mentality some accuse SUV owners (having AWD)?
THe reason I ask is, because my friend has always been an aggressive driver. Since getting the WRX, he's even more aggressive.
One rainy day, he was coming around a curve and lost control and slammed into a telephone pole. He blames the tires (Potenza RE92), but not his driving habits.
I'm not sticking up for the RE92's, but I believe these accidents would happen the same way with better tires, just at higher speeds.
Hope everything is ok with your friend.
Just my .02
Rachel
I liked the feel of the gears although that titanium knob was too small. Plus, I noticed that because the car I test-drove had been sitting in the sun, the knob got way too hot! So I decided to get the short-throw but have the dealer put the old knob back on (got everything installed yesterday).
However, the new short-throw feels really stiff when shifting. I know it requires more effort but the one I test-drove (and that car had only 28 miles on it) was not as stiff. Is this something that will ease up as time goes on? For those of you with short-throws, have you noticed this?
--Sonya4
Before you push a car, know and learn the limits of the car, the tires and yourself.
Do you know if your friend stayed on the accelerator? That usually helps keep the car under control in a slide.
Sonya - I believe a few people have said that the short-shifter requires slightly more effort.
-Dennis