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Comments
Kevin, I've only got about 8,000 miles on mine. Don't get to drive it as much as I'd like.
(Sometimes we have to take the wifes car) :-(
But we're planning a road trip pretty soon here, if things pan out, we should put another 3-4k on the REX. Can't wait to see how it responds in the mountains.
Zoom, Zoom
Ken
-Dennis
You may not like Dundee but he saved Subaru. That marketing campaign will go down in history as one of the most successful ever. Seriously. They spent 1/10th the money as some bigger guys and had better name recognition.
Sales are up 80% since they started that campaign.
-juice
I stopped by the Subie dealer in Ownings Mills, MD last night, and they had two new yellow WRXs in stock. One was a yellow wagon, on the showroom floor. I like the new vibrant yellow. The color is now much like the yellows found on other small fun-oriented cars.
The wagon had the "performance package" option (titanium shift knob, short shifter, and boost gauge). The option package stickered for $801.00! What a rip off!
Bob
I thought the short throw and boost gauge by themselves invoiced for something aroud $500 - $550
Tons of fun for sure. Enjoy but be smart about it. The car begs for input.
These yellow WRXs were pretty loaded (as you would expect of a limited edition model). They had carbon fiber trim, and other useless goodies too, to jack up the price.
Bob
In 4th gear, I did not try to reach 100 mph but did get to around 85-90 easily when passing others on the rural highways.
And the car still attracts attention, in cities and in small towns! Maybe because there aren't many of them around there--saw only 2 others besides mine.
--sonya4
At first I thought was kinda cute. Still do.
Found it difficult to get used to. That passes with time.
I think it should be half again as big. Just not much there. A little too small.
Not a bad little shift knob when combined with the short throw package.
The worst thing is it gets HOT when the car sits in the sun.
I have grown to like it, but I proabably wouldn't buy it as an option. I don't think it's worth the extra cost. I do like the short throw shifter the most.
My car came with it already on it, so I left it that way.
Looking forward to tossing it around a bit on the Continental Divide.
I've been thinking about getting the armrest extension, has anybody got that with the short throw shifter? Is there any interference with shifting if using the cup holders? (I noticed some interference with the standard set up, especially with the larger cups) Is the storage compartment much bigger? Are there any cup holders on the back side of this unit?
(Currently there is nothing for rear seat passengers.)
Thanks,
Ken
Stephen
Now I'd like to see a Forester STi and a Blitzen join the WRX theme (driving down twisty asphalt roads at high revs).
-juice
And also, do catback exhausts generally void warranty? Thanks
A custom exhaust should not affect ground clearance much at all, at least a quality one.
-juice
Bob
Thanks,
Paul
- Heck, that is why I bought it, even though I do not autocross it. Autoweek abused theres, and it looked like it needed a great deal of work after 28K miles. On the other hand, with what you said, it should last a while. Consumer Reports gives the predicted reliability on Impressas as Better Than Average.
In terms of features -
- For performance, get the short-throw-shifter, unless you would like to install an aftermarket version of this yourself.
- I also bought the stereo upgrade. Helps the sound quality a great deal (I like bass!)
- Many people here recommend the extended-arm-rest for long drives. I did not get it, and have been fine with the one that comes with it, even if it is small.
- Turbo gauge?
- Finally spoiler - supposedly keeps the rear down better, but probably more for looks than anything else. If you get the wagon, ignore this
- Wheels, buy these aftermarket, like Tirerack.com $3000 is way to much to pay for rims!
The WRX turns the volume up to "8" with its engine and higher state of tune of suspension. It is a true driver's car in every sense of the word. And there is lots of stuff you can do to optimize it for autocrossing. Autocrossing will wear out parts faster (mostly tires) and you'll want to upgrade the suspension and tires for best results, but lots of people do it and the WRX is just as good as the next car for this purpose.
Have you found that insurance is higher for the WRX vs the more "normal" Impreza/Accord/Civic type car? If so, significantly?
When I was checking, I found the WRX to be slightly more than a V6 Altima, but significantly less than an RSX.
One guy on the i-club in NJ is paying something like 45 or 4900 per year.
I won't hit that in 4 years. And that's including full coverage on a 99 Outback!
-Dennis
-juice
Also, Accords and Civics are among the most frequently stolen cars because they are so popular, so that factor can increase insurance premiums as well.
What I usually do before buying a new car is have 2 or 3 choices in mind and then check on the premiums with my insurance agent. They're usually very accommodating about giving you quotes, since they already have your records (unless you're switching ins. companies). Takes only a few minutes.
--sonya4
-scott
Thx
Just do your homework.
So where did you get your ext. Stephen? I'd be interested. Thanks.
I second what Warpdrive mentioned about the WRX.
http://www.turboxs.com
-Dennis
"Anyone else installed this? I got one recently and put it in, and it really looks awesome (except I am half a moron and followed wrong instructions so messed up my shifter boot and now need to get a replacement.. oh well..) "
I do.
Sure looks nice with the MOMO shift knob.
Steve
(ps, if anyone does try to install it, be sure NOT to follow the instructions that tell you to just cut the boot off the stock plastic piece that it's glued to... :-P)
Hey paisan.
To which I responded "add this: if you build it, we WILL buy it."
DjB
Funny thing is I looked at the sticker on my SVX today, $29,XXX was the sticker on that!
It's sweet though. 3.3l H6 power!
-mike
Thanks,
Paul
As others who drive these cars on a regular basis have mentioned - it is a car you really have to drive - and pay attention to what you are doing. Of course when you do get it right - the results are incredible! I want one...bad.
John
-mike
Mine don't have much lag. Of course, I generally start off with about 2500 rpm's, just get it rolling, and give'r the gas. Shift at approx 4000-4500 rpm's after that. Then when driving in traffic, I generally keep it in low enough gear to keep the rev's about 2500, (for quicker response). Unless I really want to go fast. ;-) (Then I up those rev's a bit.)
Driving this way will get you about 20 mpg. or a little less. But it sure is fun!!
For a bit better fuel economy reduce the above rpm's by 1000. ;-)
I suppose it all depends on (WHY?) you bought the car in the first place.
I did not buy this car to putz around town, or for fuel economy. You won't find any cobb webs in my combustion chambers! Beside the fact that the car don't seem to like being driven slow.
If all you want is to putz around and get high gas mileage, buy something else.
Like has been said by just about everybody who owns one, this is a car that DEMANDS to be DRIVEN!!!!
If you DRIVE it, there is no LAG!
Happy DRIVING!
Ken