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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

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  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    locke2c Nov 17, 2004 3:21pm

    Driving light :D

    The saturation of lumination isn't as concentrated as the beam cast ahead but enough to notice what's there.

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ouch, that ain't cheap, but this is the 2nd car it's been installed on. If you figure out the price over time it's not bad.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    ateixeira Nov 17, 2004 4:16pm

    Still cheaper than the OEM units that's ~$1,600
    and PIAA which wants $1,200 for theirs.

    It's the second car, but not the same unit. The first is now on paisan's SVX. I had thought of going with the Comet on my next car [the WRX] so I sold it to paisan. As it turns out, the Comet won't fit beneath the bumper. Could mount it on top of the bumper, but I didn't want the Rally look... so it's back to the DE Xenon. Had I known, ya, it's cheaper.

    -Dave
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    If the pictures you wish to insert are fairly large/wide, please try to use links instead of "img src" tags. Oversize images distort the pages and also slow down load times (especially for those on dial-up). Thanks!

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  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    locke2c Nov 17, 2004 3:21pm
    hypov Nov 17, 2004 4:14pm

    OK, I take back the four lanes wide beam cast.
    Forgot that I'm driving with the OEM headlamps on too, which provided my eyeball the illusion :p

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, Dave, IIRC C&D damaged their long-term IS300 and the HIDs cost over a grand to fix - and that's just one side!

    -juice
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Just curious. Thought I had seen those wheels on pictures of the Euro-spec WRXs.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Yes, they're the UK 17s... our USDM WRX should have been fitted with them in the first place instead of the out-of-place looking 16s we got.

    -Dave
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    OEM headlights
    image

    DE Xenon [OEM headlights off]
    image

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Holy cow it's like daylight for about 2 blocks in front of you!

    The OE lights seem to light up only about a block, though they are aimed wider and lower.

    For me that's overkill. Of course I rarely go more than 75 or so.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'll try to get pics of my headlight pattern tonight or this weekend.

    ~c
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    wow, I didn't expect those mini hella's to put out that kind of light! I bet they'd be to distracting if you put those in, say, the oem fog location on the MPV...

    -Brian
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I bet they'd be to distracting if you put those in, say, the oem fog location on the MPV...

    if you point them outwards and up they'll be ;-)

    I think they can be converted to fogs by switching the lense.

    -Dave
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    Agreed but they do make nice winter mags! 16 55's are a much nicer winter choice. Volkov is planning on new 17's come spring. ;-)
  • nixomosenixomose Member Posts: 95
    erm, maybe I misread. But I know that discs rust. Pads wear on the bare metal so when it gets wet, it oxidizes. When you drive, and apply the brakes, the pads scrape the rust off.
    Except on my right rear wheel.
    Didn't know that about the drum brake, although I lifted the car up and applied the emergency brake and was able to turn the wheel. curious, will require more playing. Anyway, bringing it to the dealer monday, they say if the caliper or floater is frozen, it'll be warantee.
    I'll let you know since I'm sure you're all rivoted by my brake problems. :-)
  • km24km24 Member Posts: 36
    How good is the auto-dimming rearview mirror or is it wa waste of money? does the mirror get so dar that i makes it hard to see behind you?
    Thanks
    Khyle
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    I've got the auto dimming mirror on my WRX and love it more than I ever thought I would. At first, it sounded like a needless frill, but having lived with it for the past 25k miles, I'm hooked. When I drive our 04 Accord at night, the first thing I notice is the lack of the auto dimming mirror. I do wish it was quicker to react, but I'm really satisfied with it. Donneley (?) is the manufacturer of this mirror for Subaru, and they also offer the same mirror aftermarket with an integrated outside-temp reading...THAT's a feature I really miss in the WRX!

    bk
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Forester and Outback Sport get that. I think canadian WRXs might also.

    Saab 9-2x gets it.

    WRX should have it, it's right off the shelf!

    -juice
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    I didn't realize the WRX didn't have one until I was driving it home from the dealer. My 01 Outback had it, the OB Sport I test drove had it, a friend's Forester has it...I just assumed that it was there! Ditto the Weatherband radio...that's something that I used all the time on my Outback since much of my driving is in the mountains in the winter. It's such a unique "Subaru thing" and I really enjoyed having it in the car. Maybe the 06 WRX's will pick up some of these features in the redesign? :)

    Brian
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They've been phasing out weather band, not sure why.

    -juice
  • km24km24 Member Posts: 36
    WILL THE SUBARU IMPREZA WRX BE REDESIGNED IN 2006?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A freshening is likely. It may get the new corporate face, but nothing is confirmed yet.

    -juice
  • km24km24 Member Posts: 36
    Hi
    What is a good price for an extended warranty gold plus plan on a wrx for 7yrs and 100,00 miles with a zero deductable. Also i live in north New Jersey.
    Thanks
    Khyle
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    I paid about $1400 for it on my previous outback in 2001, but I didn't shop around at all and probably could have found it cheaper. Turbos do carry an extra surcharge of $250 if I recall, so the WRX will be slightly more than a comparable 7/100 plan on the regular 2.5l subies. The 7/100, 0 deductible plan is the most comprehensive (and expensive) offered by Subaru, so make sure you're comparing apples-to-apples. They also have shorter plans, higher deductibles, etc. Keep in mind you can add the Gold Warranty to your car at any time during the standard 3/36 b2b warranty period, so there's no hurry to buy right away.

    Brian
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    I just got back from CT over the Thanksgiving weekend and got to drive my buddy's 2003 Evo w/ a reflashed ECU and an after market turbo back exhaust. And now that I'm back in CA driving my stock 2004 WRX, I realize the significant difference in power delivery and rush that my friend's Evo delivers.

    Anyway, because of this I'm starting to consider either Vishnu's Stage Sub-Zero or Stage Zero. The Sub-Zero basically consists of only a remapped ECU, while the Stage Zero adds a Main Power Pulley and 321 Up-Pipe kit. So the reason for my post is to ask if any of you out there has had any experience w/ either of these two stages. Basically I want a reasonable gain in power and torque without unreasonably compromising reliability. I know that any time you do these things there's always a risk on the reliability to some degree, but wanted to know if it's still a fairly safe gamble. Any input would be truly appreciated.

    Thanks!

    JB
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    I would suggest holding off an ECU remap, your '04 is still relatively young, and go with handling upgrades instead... starting with tires,
    suspension and brakes thereafter.

    Vishnu's outfit is pretty reputable over @ Nabisco and I'm sure you can harvest more info there. You should definitely also check with SPD <www.spdusa.com>.

    -Dave

    p/s: most of the packaged remaps seem to gain on hp and torque in the upper 5k rpms which I personally don't live up there to justify the $$$. There are tuners that could do a remap according to what you look for, and I believe SPD is equipped and capable of such task.
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    Dave, thanks for the advise/input. I was thinking of the power upgrade down the road, but wanted to do research early on. As far as handling upgrades I already changed wheels to 17 x 7.5 Rotas paired w/ Toyo Proxes-4. My next one on the list is a rear sway bar upgrade (probably Perrin). I'm trying to limit myself to 1 upgrade only per year. :)

    JB
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Honestly, you won't gain a whole lot with just a stage zero. To get remotely near Evo performance you're going to need heavy modifications... and as someone who has built and owned hotrods from a '65 Chevelle to a '99 Impreza RS with cams and ported heads-- I would highly advise you NOT to do that.

    Save your pennies, don't put a cent more into your WRX, and upgrade to an STi in a few years. Problem solved.

    ~Colin
    drives an Evo with only carfi gear done to it...
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    Colin,

    I'm not trying to get my WRX to be as fast as an EVO. I was just interested in getting more performance out of the car, but at the same time not compromise the reliability that much. I don't think I'll be upgrading to an STi anytime soon. I held on to my last Subaru for 10 years. :)

    JB
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I see you are in California. Maybe you could find a local with a stage zero WRX?

    I just don't see it making a large difference. If they got a little bit of benefit along with better gas mileage then maybe that would be a good deal. --yes better gas mileage, stock turbo cars are usually tuned crazy rich.

    ~Colin
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    JB-
    check with Mike @ SPD, since most of his tunings are "California". Maybe he can direct you to someone with a stage Zero equiv.

    -Dave
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    um, why not just ask Vishnu?

    but I was more referring to finding someone through, ah, the web.

    ~c
  • barriostkdbarriostkd Member Posts: 71
    Thanks for all the input guys.

    Colin, I wanted to get people's opinions first who might have experience w/ this rather than asking Vishnu directly. Of course Vishnu will be biased in saying you'll gain a lot and reliability will not be compromised at all since they are selling the product.

    Anyway, I'll try to find someone locally who have done the reflash and see what they think.

    JB
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    no I'd ask Vishnu if you can drive (or at least ride in) a car that has a stage zero. it would probably be a customer car, yeah.

    ~c
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    ya, forgot, they're in CA too.

    -Dave
  • nixomosenixomose Member Posts: 95
    More with the saga of my wrx's brakes.

    I brought it to the local dealer (yay rushneck honda) pointing out that the RR caliper didn't seem to be scraping the rust off the disc.

    I come back at the end of the day, and they tell me the pads were pitted and rotors warped and scored.

    And they replaced pads and rotors on both rears. For free. Warantee.

    I certainly was happy, I wasn't expecting that at all and apparently the calipers are fine, once again showing how bad I am at diagnosing problems. I'm just a bolt on guy.

     

    The good news is that I've got new rear brakes, although had Iknown they were apt to replace brakes and rotors underwarantee, I would have brough the car in when the fronts went bad.

     

    Although I'm glad I did the fronts myself, because now I've got the same crap parts on the rear, just new ones, so in another 20K I'll have to replace them again, whereas the stuff Ibought for the front, I'm promised is much better than stock.

    THe saga ends here for a nother two years anyway.

    I checked, and the resale on my 2002 wrx wagon is all of 14-16. IT's just too painful a loss to sell, but oh how I'd love a bmw 325i (that I just got to go for a long drive in california with last week)
  • l8apx3l8apx3 Member Posts: 5
    My bulb on the drivers side headlight of my WRX wagon burned out. I've bought a replacement and tried to follow the directions in the owners manual to install it. I can't get the orange connector off the back of the bulb assembly. Has anybody found an easy way to fix this?
  • ladnekladnek Member Posts: 8
    As you were speaking about ECU flashes and reliability, I'd also look at the Cobb Access Port stage 1. It's about $550 for the flasher thing, but that allows you to reflash at your whim with whatever map you'd like. I've had mine about 6 months and 10,000 miles and it's fantastic. The gain in mid-level power is excellent. It's how the car should have been mapped from the factory. Another thing I like is that I can put it back stock at any time and I didn't need to modify anything else. Check it out prior to making your decision, I highly recommend it.

     

    Ladnek
  • zander35zander35 Member Posts: 3
    I'm trying to figure out the suspension differences between the sedan (non-sti) and wagon wrx's.

     

    Does anyone know the source of the narrower track on the wagon? It is about an inch narrower than the sedan front and rear. Is it simply a difference in wheel offset, or is there some other suspension component that is different between the sedan and the wagon.

     

    Are there any other suspension differences between the sedan and wagon? I think that the wagon has a narrower (less stiff) rear sway bar.

     

    Thanks.
  • zottozotto Member Posts: 10
    This response is a little late, but as a point of reference I bought my 2005 wrx wagon in October and was able to get the 5-year/60k zero deductible Gold Plus for $689 incl. tax at time of purchase from dealer. It certainly costs more if you wait and get it direct from Subaru.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have the perfect mod for yah...

     

    It's 100% transferrable between cars instantly.

     

    It's a little mod called driver training. Get out to an HPDE and learn to drive your car faster. You'll be able to out drive people with lots of "mods" to their cars.

     

    If you must... Tires, suspension, brakes, then power.

     

    -mike

     

    PS: I own a mod-shop and even I think driver training is more important.
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    WAs there a factory option (offered by Subaru, not just a local dealer) to the 16" std. wheel?

     

    The std. wheel is 16x6.5, right?

     

    Happy New Year!

    JW
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    There was only a dealer-installed optional 17" BBS wheels that cost about $3500 for the rims w/o tires. And they didn't usually give you anything for the OEM wheels.

     

    The Std wheel is 16x6.5, pre-WRX the Rs had 16x7 wheels that actually fit over the OEM 4-piston Calipers. We've actually found a set of 4-pot calipers that fit under the OEM wheels and use the subaru 4-pot pads.

     

    -mike
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Thanks, Mike.

     

    Are the BBS wheels 8" wide (like the current upgrade option)," do you know?

     

    I'm wanting to stay SCCA autoX stock but use the widest wheel I can.

     

    OT, I guess: where is your store? Anywhere near New England?

     

    Thanks, JW
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    8" wide BBS wheels are an '05 STi option, and have a different bolt pattern than '04 STis and all WRXs. The '04 STi had a 7.5" wide BBS wheel, and bolt pattern that matched the WRX I believe.

     

    As to WRX (not STi) wheels, there is the 7" wide BBS wheel that Mike referred to. There is also a much less expensive non-BBS 17x7 wheel also available. The advantage of the BBS wheels is that they are forged. The disadvantage is that they are very expensive.

     

    Bob
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    jwilson, hate to generalize but if I can be excused to do so for just a moment...

     

    seeing as how you have a 911, I suspect you can probably afford the BBS optional wheels. I wouldn't buy them, they are a poor value. If you want a forged 17" rim for a regular WRX, there are many better aftermarket options that cost considerably less and give up nothing in strength or weight. in my opinion the only thing the factory-option BBS wheels had going for them was style, and that's totally subjective of course. :)

     

    just my 2 cents-

    ~Colin
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Mike has a shop is in NJ and Long Island, NY.

     

    -Dennis
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    A magazine reporter would love to find some folks who've pimped their own rides. He is particularly interested in people who've done this for the first time and were driven to do it, at least in part, from watching a tv show like Pimp My Ride, Overhaulin' or something similar. He is looking for average drivers who are just discovering that they can personalize their rides, and is not as interested in the traditional tuner crowd who've been doing this for years.

     

    If you have a story to share, please send your name, daytime contact info and a line or two about your vehicle to jfallon@edmunds.com by Wednesday, January 5, 2005.

    Thanks!

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The BBS wheels nor any 17" wheels were factory options on the WRX. You cannot you a wheel larger than the OEM 16x6.5" wheels that came stock and stay in the stock WRX class for SCCA unfortunately.

     

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    didn't see that SCCA stock class;

     

    get nice wheels and use the OE ones for autocross. put on a huge front swaybar, exhaust and call it a day.

     

    ~c
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