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Subaru Impreza WRX
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Comments
Just to get an idea on pricing, I got "internet quotes" from a couple of local dealers. The dealer I was going to use quoted invoice, one across the street $300 below invoice.
I go to ABC dealers because I know a guy there ("Ill take care of you...etc, etc.)and we play the game....he starts of with MSRP and comes to a price that is ridiculous....I tell him about the internet pricing and he says, of course, that noone is selling the WRX for invoice....
In the end, I got it for $1k below invoice. Moral of the story: it pays to do your internet homework.
Coupled with 0% promo going on, you can't go wrong.
-Dave
http://www.subdriven.com/artman/publish/article_20.shtml
PPP Stage 1: +20 HP ($1150)
PPP Stage 2: +40 HP ($1270)
PPP Stage 3: +68 HP ($2500).
CARB compliance is uncertain, and SOA warranty support is not provided.
More info:
http://www.spimotorsports.com
http://www.prodrive-usa.com./exhaust.html
http://shopatmastro.com/prodrive_performance_packs.html
Naturally there are also several posts on this topic at nasioc.com.
Is this one of those random things? Has anyone heard of this happening before, in any car?
As for stick shift smoothness, I'd have to say, IMO for the ones I've driven, that the Hondas are the best although the Toyotas, Mazdas, and BMWs are a close second. However I had problems with shifting into reverse with all cars--had to do the shift-into-first-gear first--until the WRX. The short throw is relatively smooth but the stock wasn't bad either. Kinda difficult to compare.
--sonya4
-Dave
1) improved clutch plate; the old design had springs that would rattle at certain rpms and make a lot of noise (it was an annoyance, not a durability/reliability issue). Apparently, the Honda S2000 had the same problem.
2) clutch release valve (or something like that) which protects the gears from taking abuse when doing a high rpm clutch drop launch. Previously, the clutch would engage and all the stress would be passed onto the gears. Now, the clutch will slip to prevent gear damage.
I believe those two changes address the problems you are likely reading about. And as Paul (vocus) mentioned, some people abuse their WRXs, which leads to problems like #2 above. To me, doing a high rpm clutch drop in an AWD car is pretty much unthinkable. I don't feel sorry for people who trashed their trannies that way!
Craig
If you enjoy driving and not going broke, this is your car. Good luck.
I'm getting points from bill payments debited to the m/c.
-Dave
Craig
I think we all have botched up a shift, but that's gentle compared to what some people do on purpose!
Craig
Craig
I don't really pay attention to Toyota sports cars, so I can't comment on that, but my neighbor's son went through a clutch on his Celica in about 8000 miles. He whales on that poor car, unfortunately.
Craig
Craig
Prodrive packages but no factory warranty? Why? Those guys have worked with Subaru for ages.
The 2003 got a revised clutch, one with a force limiting valve. The blown trannies were basically on modified cars with 250+hp, and mostly 2002s as well. In fact in one thread on NASIOC about blown trannies, ALL of them were 2002s. These guys were speed-shifting 2nd gear and shredding the gears. Duh.
Don't blame Subaru - when you do mods, you have to keep the car balanced. 250hp or more and you should have already budgeted a new clutch. Much more than that and you may as well start with an STi.
-juice
Even then, you might not require those visits. And you also might get the know the dealer better if you buy a post Carlos "le cost cutter" Ghosn Nissan, they're not what they used to be IMO.
-juice
They did not change out the clutch, because according to the modifying company - "The clutch can take the extra power with no problem!"
Their modification was $13,000 added onto a WRX, so if the clutch needed to be replaced, with that type of pricing, you would think they would.
My previous car was an AWD Eagle Talon turbo, and I never had to replace the clutch (sold it at 120,000 miles). While I never raced it, I did a lot of stop light-to-stop light sprints and my driving was very spirited (often took it up to the redline).
Since I drive my WRX the same way, I have no fears that my clutch will enjoy a long life. I do have the minor complaints about it being tough to get into reverse and that it doesn’t like to drop to 1st unless I’m almost stopped (both of which I didn’t experience in my Talon). However, these are minor gripes and the tranny is worlds better than the Talon’s (shorter throws, better engagement, etc.).
Take care,
Paul
-mike
I wish we could edit at anytime like vBulletin.
-Dennis
Nobody but himself to blame.
Even a new clutch might not be a solution - that only puts more stress on the tranny. Getting hardened gears for the tranny puts extra stress on the diffys and on the drive- and half-shafts.
You gotta build it from ground up with a power target in mind. Or, like I said, just wait for an STi!
-juice
JW
Subaru would be smart to offer that kind of power for under $40k. S4 and M3 have moved well up to near $50k prices so there is room below, but the Subaru does have to come in at a significant advantage else risk being a tiny volume niche car.
-juice
But, WRX IS a BARGAIN, esp if they will be able to infuse more reliability into it.
-mike
Last weekend in the rain, my SVX was all over M3s, Vettes, Camaros, TAs, you name it if it was a FWD or RWD car I was kicking it's butt down at VIR on the track in the rain. My car doesn't have as much power as those, but they couldn't keep up. The only thing that passed it was a 911-4.
Even in the dry your handling is superior in an AWD vehicle. Imagine a vette or mustang being able to get all that power down to the street no matter what?
-mike
I agree that yes, driver matters, but given 2 spec cars, an AWD one will handle better, better weight distribution, etc.
What is the basis for it NOT handling better?
-mike
My WRX has 227HP, and is balanced off the line. No fuss, it just goes, and I don't have to feel like a magician to keep it going in a straight line. Big difference to me, and it's all because of AWD.
RWD, AWD, FWD all have tradeoffs, but AWD is the best option in my opinion.
Craig
I remember in emergency maneuvers with a FWD car I used to own, the car occasionally fishtailed and subsequently the rear swung around if I tried too dramatic a maneuver. Not the case with the Suby. The car seems bulletproof in this respect.
- The BMW was better going around sweeping turns (such as in a canyon or curvy backroads. The WRX was far superior in nimbleness, such as lane-changes and quick maneuvers. The WRX also had a better highway ride (328i w/ sports suspension). Since I do a great deal of my driving on the highway, I bought the WRX. Have not regretted it one bit. Great car to drive, and the rush of the Turbo is exhillerating!