Anyone drive a Subaru WRX?

S

Scott Free

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Sep 15, 1999
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Anyone drive a Subaru WRX?

I'm going to be looking soon. I'm leaning toward the wagon. Any thoughts?

Scott
 
The guys at work rave about them. The wagon should provide good everyday versatility and the AWD and turbo should address the weight issues the non-WRX guys complain about. Plus, its significantly cheaper then the Evo 7 :)
 
WRXs are very popular at the college I attend and I have driven a few.

They give you exactly what they promise; a small car that has the power and handling to have lots of speedy fun in while still being a practical daily driver.

If that is what you are looking for then there is really no competition worth mentioning anywhere near the WRX price range.

The only gripes I had about the ones I drove was the small size ( and resultant small interior) and what seemed like an awful lot of torque steer under hard acceleration. Others have told me that they didn't think the torque steer was excessive, perhaps I'm just used to my RWD Crown Vic which has none at all.

If you want a good everyday pocket rocket I'd say go for it. The wagon version is a bit odd looking (to me) but should be quite practical.
 
I drive a MY02 WRX Sedan and I love it! If you prefer more utility, the WRX wagon is a great choice. Please go check out the North American Subaru Impreza Owner's Club. The forums there are extremely informative.

As for torque steer, I've never experienced it, and I haven't heard any other WRX owner complain of it. Since the car is AWD with a rear limited slip differential, torque steer should not exist.

Mitsubishi just introduced their Lancer Evolution 8 for $28,987, which you may also consider. Also, Subaru will announce their MY04 lineup on Monday at 5pm, including the redesigned Impreza. I'm not sure if they will announce the WRX STi there. Check out the Subaru Impreza Launch Site.

Personally speaking, I'm biased towards Subaru's boxer engine and proven reliability. In a recent reliability survey, Subaru and Toyota tied for first, with Honda and Nissan tied for second.

My car here:

mel_wrx_03b.jpg

mel_wrx_04b.jpg

mel_wrx_05b.jpg

mel_wrx_06b.jpg
 
I needed a smaller car so I test drove a WRX. Quite a rush for an old guy. Very powerful, sticks to the road, and all that other stuff, just like the commercials, but was just a bit too small.

Ended up buying the H6 Outback. It also had some spunk. But the best thing is this: Some idiot ran right into the driver's door and I survived...the side airbag did its job along with the overall construction of the vehicle. One of the EMTs commented that when cars look like mine, the driver is usually toast. I feel very lucky.

Well, that car was totaled, but I'm back on my feet and I plan to buy another Subaru. Maybe with a WRX I can get out of the way quicker.
 
Yikes! Glad to hear that you made it through the accident ok!

At www.nasioc.com, there are the occasional reports of people who have gotten into accidents, and pictures are often posted. Some of WRXs have gotten into really spectacular crashes, but the number of injuries has been shockingly low. Subaru has really utilized its experience in World Rally to build very strong chassis.

At www.highwaysafety.org, all Subaru models are top rated in crash safety.
 
Originally posted by Skyline


As for torque steer, I've never experienced it, and I haven't heard any other WRX owner complain of it. Since the car is AWD with a rear limited slip differential, torque steer should not exist.
Click to expand...

Like I said, it may just be a result of me being used to a rather large RWD car.

It is my understanding that torque steer is related more to the driven front wheels (and associated half shafts and steering harware)than the rear differential.

Regardless, the WRX is quite a nice little ride. I would imagine that due to the good reliability and uniqueness the resale value will be good if you ever wish to sell it.

How are they on insurance cost?
 
My brother has an S4. The 2000 model, before they decided to sell it with an automatic tranny in 2001 for the posers. :D It will take an WRX any day. I know a guy that has the WRX wagon. They can run too...just not in the S4's league. If you get one, get a radar detector. You'll need one!
 
S4? thems fightin words. Rather battle of the bank accounts. Rex is cheaper. :D

Hey Skyline,

What kind of seat covers do you have? Wet Okole?
 
Originally posted by fishbulb
Like I said, it may just be a result of me being used to a rather large RWD car.

It is my understanding that torque steer is related more to the driven front wheels (and associated half shafts and steering harware)than the rear differential.

Regardless, the WRX is quite a nice little ride. I would imagine that due to the good reliability and uniqueness the resale value will be good if you ever wish to sell it.

How are they on insurance cost?
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean by torque steer. I've driven the Acura RSX Type-S, 200hp FWD, and I felt it. LOL. But I've just never felt my car want to go left or right on it's own. I dunno?

As for insurance, I am paying a small "Power" premium on it, about $90 extra/6 months. Otherwise, I don't think it's extraordinarily high compared to other vehicles. It's certainly not a Porsche. LOL.
 
Skyline,
any plans for mods?:D :cool:
 
Originally posted by Sundsvall
S4? thems fightin words. Rather battle of the bank accounts. Rex is cheaper. :D

Hey Skyline,

What kind of seat covers do you have? Wet Okole?
Click to expand...

Yup, agree with you. At $16,000+ more than the WRX, the S4 had better be "better". The WRX is 0.1 second faster 0-60, so I wouldn't exactly put the S4 in a "different league" performance wise. I'll take the WRX as a driver's car any day. Oh wait, I did! :D Also, the STi will mug an S4 easily.

C&D did an interesting comparo of S4 vs 330xi vs WRX: http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Cara...october/200110_comparisontest_unfairfight.xml

Yes, those are Wet Okole covers. I really love them!
 
Originally posted by rycen
Skyline,
any plans for mods?:D :cool:
Click to expand...

You can see a list of my mods here.

No performance mods yet though. I'm considering the Prodrive Performance Pack when that is released in the USA. Rumor is +30 hp, +50 ft-lbs. :cool:
 
Originally posted by Skyline
I understand what you mean by torque steer. I've driven the Acura RSX Type-S, 200hp FWD, and I felt it. LOL. But I've just never felt my car want to go left or right on it's own. I dunno?
Click to expand...

That's a bad alignment. As I understand it, torque steer is when the car wants to keep going straight when you're turning, due to the front wheel drive (wrong-wheel drive :D).

Ash
 
Originally posted by Asha'man
That's a bad alignment. As I understand it, torque steer is when the car wants to keep going straight when you're turning, due to the front wheel drive (wrong-wheel drive :D).

Ash
Click to expand...

I'm sorry. I think you're confusing understeer and torque steer. See http://autorepair.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-763a.htm:

TORQUE STEER
Definition: The annoying tendency of some front-wheel drive vehicles to pull to one side when engine torque is applied. In other words, you step on the gas and the car wants to steer right or left. By redesigning the power train to use equal length half shafts between the transaxle and wheels, the tendency towards torque steer can be greatly reduced. The other cure is to keep off the gas.
Click to expand...

As for the RSX Type-S, I experienced it on a test drive of a car with 78 miles on the odometer. The alignment was fine. :)

Btw, the WRX has equal length half shafts (an advantage of the symmetrical flat engine layout). I can't explain why fishbulb experienced torque steer... :confused:
 
Originally posted by Skyline

Btw, the WRX has equal length half shafts (an advantage of the symmetrical flat engine layout). I can't explain why fishbulb experienced torque steer... :confused:
Click to expand...

Yes, this is one of the reasons I was surprised by it.

The length of the half shafts has a lot to do with it, but the spider gears in the differential or transaxle assembly are big contributors as well.

Now you got me curious about all this.

Do you know of anywhere on the internet that I might find a cutaway drawing of the WRX drive system? I'd like to learn more about how it is designed.
 
Originally posted by fishbulb
Yes, this is one of the reasons I was surprised by it.

The length of the half shafts has a lot to do with it, but the spider gears in the differential or transaxle assembly are big contributors as well.

Now you got me curious about all this.

Do you know of anywhere on the internet that I might find a cutaway drawing of the WRX drive system? I'd like to learn more about how it is designed.
Click to expand...

I know how it can happen. I did a little research. :) Since the front is an open differential, if one of the front wheels loses some grip, power transfer may get thrown to that side causing some torque steer. Since less than 50% of torque is at the front, it should not happen under normal situations. It's more likely to happen on uneven surfaces, low grip situations (rain, leaves), etc. Installing a front LSD would minimize this.

Although I've never experienced it, it's very good to know it's a possibility so I don't freak out. :D It happened really easily in the RSX though. :(

I haven't been able to find any detailed diagrams though.
 
Just thought I'd add my two cents on the issue..

Prior to getting the Subaru Baja I'm driving , I had a 2000 Impreza 2.5RS. Back when I got the Impreza, the RS was the 'performance model' and had many of the goodies the WRX has now.. tighter suspension, 4 wheel discs w/ ABS, sport seats, etc. Put 60,000 miles on it over about two years, including about 3500 miles towing a 2200lb watercraft trailer, without a single mechanical problem.

Loved the power, handling, braking. Could live without the gas mileage, and the stock tires, Bridgestone RE92s, which they are putting on the WRX, are worthless.

As a matter of fact, I would still be driving it, had it not done an admirable job taking care of a friend and myself through a severe accident. As I describe this, bear in mind that I'm an EMT, working on my Paramedic, same as the passenger in the car at the time. We both thought we were involved in one of the worst car accidents we'd seen.

Driving through Northern Arizona a few months ago (September), I hit some debris sunken in a puddle. I did my best to keep the car on the road, but when one of the rear tires hit the soft shoulder, it spun 90 degress. The back end hit a guardrail and about 70mph. The then rolled, SIX AND A HALF TIMES, before landing on the roof, and sliding into a ditch, where it collided head on with a 'rock formation' at the bottom.

My friend an I both walked away, with only a few minor lacerations from broken glass.

Get the WRX, you won't be disappointed.
 
So...can you sleep in the WRX wagon? I mean, if you fold down (or remove) the rear seat, and push the front seats (and seat backs) all the way forward, can you find enough room to sleep in the back?

It's not essential that I can sleep in the back but it sure would be a plus.

Scott
 
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