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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
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Comments
mike k
Can anyone measure what maximum cube size would fit in the back of a 2002 with the seats folded? These cars look fun a heck but I need to be able to fit (2) 16"W x 32"L x 30"H boxes AND (2) 16"W x 16"L x 30"H boxes in it.
Trying to stay away from the Highlander(over-priced), the Forester (can't wait for the 2003 improvements), and the Passat (problems finding the bigger engine in the less expensive wagon model).
Thanks Bunches, Dave
Frankly, I have my doubts. While there, see if they fit in a Forester or Outback wagon too.
Bob
Dave: it may be a little harder to stay away from the Forester when the turbo arrives next year. Then you can have your cake (the boxes) and eat it (turbo power), too.
Tell you what, though. You MUST buy a Subaru, because your name is Dave, and most Subie owners are named Dave. It's a demographic certainty! ;-)
-juice
Stephen
Add multiple grounds from the negative battery terminal to several points around the engine bay - strut tower, manifold, firewall behind intercooler, etc. Use 8-10 gauge wire with THHN insulation. This inexpensive mod ($7-10) serves to improve the poor factory ground and improve the operation of the ECU. I was experiencing the same problem (inconsistent throttle response at lower RPMs) and this mod cured it while improving engine smoothness over the entire RPM range.
it's insane to tie in 5+ 8-10 gauge wires into your negative post. just use distribution and put ONE 4 gauge!
-Colin
I test drove a Silver Sedan today. The dealer let me gun it a few times which was really fun. I haven't drove a stick in years and noticed shifting at 3,000 rpms took some finesse to accomplish smoothly. Shifting at 4,000 rpms had a much better response. I probably need more than 15 minutes of practice to get used to the clutch feel.
Yes, I agree with some of the critics about the center console and some of the dash components looking "Cheapish". But check out the flimsy air vents, and paper thin leather on the new Toyota Highlander. Jeez, if it looked like a Mercedes inside it wouldn't be only 25K!
Bob-I'm bringing boxes to the dealer tomorrow to see if they fit in an Impreza Wagon. I took measurements and it looks close.
Juice-LOL on the Dave theory, is the Forester going turbo in '03 or '04?
Barresa62-Your ride looks HOT with the 17" rims. Is the outer diameter of the tires the same as the 16"s? If not, does it throw your speedometer reading off much? I think if you added dark tint to the silver car that would make it look awesome too.
I have a minor problem though, my wife seems kind off afraid of a manual tranny. Anyone ever drive an auto WRX?
Thx All! Dave ;^)
Stephen
I've test driven an auto several times and it wasn't that bad, IMHO. I recently took a co-worker from the UK on a test drive. He never drives autos and confessed the the auto WRX was a real blast. His last car was an Audi S3 chipped to ~240 h.p.
Actually, there's a review of the auto wagon here on Edmunds.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/spin/48462/article.html
-Dennis
-juice
Jim
Bob
Have a look at the other stickers that people mention later in the thread, very funny.
Jim
Ken
Stephen
"You take the high road, I'll take the low and twisted" It kind of has a double meaning, I mean for some....not me, of course! :-)
Stephen
Hope the info helps.
Stephen
I've been looking at a few cars this month...... Matrix, Protege5, Focus ZX5, Elantra GT, Lexus IS 300 SportsCross and today the WRX wagon. I must say that the subaru was the best performing and most fun to drive. The auto took a few seconds to pick up but once it did..... wow.
So performance is great but it falls in the middle regarding interior size. Back seat was a little tight and it was slightly hard for me to get out with the steering wheel a little low. I many times carry computer items like monitors and cables so I think the cargo space in the back would be fine. It also had a few less gadgets and features than some of the other cars like a sunroof, trip computer, 12 volt plug in the back, back cup holder. I didn't get a chance to drive it on the freeway so how high revving is it?
I'm in southern cal and the dealer had 1 auto silver wrx wagon. He says that they're really hard to find out here in an auto wagon. Is this true? Are these in high demand? I'm new to the subaru world I'll read some more to get a better picture.
Also, can a sunroof be added by a third party or is there not enough room for it? The space looked pretty small.
thanks
Despite what some folks insist, the auto WRX is not in high demand throughout the country. If you are interested in the automatic you should be able to strike up a good deal. Either way, the WRX is one fun, jack of all trade vehicles that you won't regret owing. Of course, I'm objective....just because I own a silver WRX wagon...means nothing. :-)
Stephen
If luxury and cup holders are what you are after, I'd pass on the WRX, it will probably disappoint you. As for the moonroof you can put in a custom 3-6" roof but any more than that and you'll be cutting right into the structural member that runs through the roof.
-mike
Dennis: The Prodrives are nice and strong wheels but there are a lot more choices out there. You just have to be diligent w/your searching. I suggest you start with www.i-club.com
The P7 17" Prodrives are 21 lbs. The 17" P1s are 19 lbs. Another good choice is the OZ Superleggras. I think they are closer to 16 lbs in the 17" size and look very similiar to the P1s. Check them out on www.tirerack.com
Stephen
How important is the offset, seems like a lot of the aftermarket wheels will "fit" but the offset is different - stock tires are 53mm. I have read that in terms of tracking etc, the closer to stock , the better in terms of handling. I have no clue how different something has to be to make a difference though.
Anyone have experience with sumitomo tires, the reviews in tirerack and the reps I spoke with are very gungho on them. Their prices seem incredibly good too, to the point, I worry that they seem too cheap for what people are saying or maybe they are a secret bargain
-mike
Revka
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Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
OZ Superleggera 17x7 48mm: 15.1 lbs
OZ Prodrive P1 17x7 53mm: 19.5 lbs
Subaru UK OEM 17x7 53mm: 17.5 lbs
Enkei Bortex RPM2 17x7 48mm: 16 lbs
BBS RK 17x7 48mm: 17 lbs
All of these wheels are under $300 USD except for the P1.
and for reference: stock 16x6.5 wheel: 16.5 lbs
As for offset, the lowest you should go for a 17x7 is 48mm. Somewhere in the 52mm range is ideal. For a 17x7.5, 48mm is pretty much ideal.
In practical terms, anything less than 5mm difference from stock is nitpicking and inconsequential. Too much of an offset difference and you might find poorer vehicle tracking and increased bearing wear to be issues.
I settled for the Superleggera and put mine on a scale. It was definitely in the low 15 lb range with my bathroom scale. The other benefit of the SuperL's, unlike a lot of other aftermarket wheels, is that they come in the correct bore so you don't have to use those easy-to-lose hub rings for a correct fit. P1's and Subaru wheels don't need rings either of course.
As for picking a wheel, it's definitely a nice thing to keep the wheel/tire combo close to stock as possible. If you go with a lightweight tire like the Toyo T1-S combined with a P1, you will only be a measely few pounds more than stock which won't be noticeable. If you choose a heavy tire like a Bridgestone S-03, when combined with a heavy wheel like the P1, then you might notice that the wheel tends to bounce more over bumps, which in the end has a detrimental effect on handling. It's just a matter of degree, but I'm choosing a Superleggera and T1-S tire, and my 17 inch wheel/tire combo will be almost 5 lbs lighter than stock.
As far as wheels go, I was actually thinking of Warpdrive when I was mentioning the Superleggras. As for my wheels, they are Volks Rays Gram Lites, 17"x7.5" in a 48mm offset and 16.2 lbs each. Here's a pic of the wheels taken last weekend in Seattle:
Stephen
When I bought mine, there were 2 Auto-WRX wagons that came in on that day and when I went to pick mine up the next day, the other Auto-wagon was sold, dealer prepped and gone.
Later...AH
-mike
-juice
While I still have yet to drive a WRX, I was a passenger in one - a silver wagon w/MT - this past weekend. Wow.
BTW, why do you guys persist in referring to WRXes w/automatics as "Auto-WRX"es, like they're a different car? Just curious - I know about the differences in drivetrain and acceleration.
Ed
Eric
Early on 5 speeds were hard to find around here. I'm sure it's regional and seasonal.
-juice
Stephen
Patti
Patti -- Actually, any company is going to base their decsion on what's actually selling. I guess it just comes down to the fact that US customers do like their ATs, even with sports cars. Do you know what the split is now between the two? How about in other parts of the world? It would be kind of an interesting tidbit of data to know.
Well, if we there are lots of ATs selling, does that mean Subaru will come out with a 5-speed version sooner than later? :-)
Ken
Don't go there Ken. :-) If sooner meant MY2004, it will mean MY2005 for me :-( unless the 5EAT shows up in the MY2003 (I'm forgoing MY2004).
-Dave
Any way we had a fun time and I think sometime in the future we will get some sort of Nissan truck.
TWRX
I have heard that many Subaru owners have touted longevity from their vehicles (200,000 to 300,000 miles). But those figures came from owners of regular non-turbo boxer engines.
What do you think the life expectancy of the WRX 2.0L turbo will be? All that added compression, the high rpms, the heat, the massive torque from fast starts...
What do you all think? I need a car that will last. $ 25,000 isn't cheap if if only lasts for 100,000 miles. I am seriously considering this car (my wife even gave me the ok for the manny tranny ;^) ) but I have concerns that this engine is just too high performance for long life.
Thanks Bunches, Dave ;^)
;~)
Ross (Dave) Mc