Anyone drive a Subaru WRX?

Originally posted by Presguy
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.
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:eek: Wow! Good to hear you both walked away. Got any pictures of the accident? Got any pictures of your new Baja? :D

I have to agree about the under-performing RE92s. During a hard stop on dry clean pavement, I got the ABS to activate. Upgraded my wheels and tires as soon as breakin was over.

Have to agree about the gas mileage too. I like to push the gas pedal a lot and my gas mileage is horrible. :o
 
Anyone have a quick comparison of the WRX vs. STI models, price and general specs? When will the STI be available?

Are the Evolution VIII's available in North America yet? When will they hit and what are the general specs?

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
Anyone have a quick comparison of the WRX vs. STI models, price and general specs? When will the STI be available?

Are the Evolution VIII's available in North America yet? When will they hit and what are the general specs?

Thanks!
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There is no specific USDM STi information available yet, as Subaru has not announced any official information about it coming here. They are due to announce their MY04 lineup on Monday at 5pm, so visit impreza.subaru.com on Monday.

I could state for you the STi version 7 specifications for the UK model (ie, 263 hp) and for the JDM model (ie, 276 hp), but neither of these would necessarily be indicative of what would be available in the USA. Plus, we may get the STi version 8, which has more power and torque than the STi 7.

You may wish to visit these web sites to compare for yourself:
www.imprezawrx.com
www.subaru.co.jp
www.subaru.co.uk
www.apexjapan.com

For the Evo 8, go here:
http://mitsubishicars.com/MMSA/jsp/evo/index.jsp
 
I've driven my friends blue WRX. It's crazy fast and handles like it's on rails. Can't beat it for the money.

Downsides...

~A bit more body roll then I expected. My Girlfriends Protege 5 feels safer (and more fun) through the twistys because of its lesser body roll.

~Glass transmission. I have been hearing about transmission problems from owners on WRX message boards and I know someone who has had there’s in the shop once for this problem.

~I bit cheapesh. The interior is plasticy but that's not what this car is about.

Upsides...

~Everything else.:D


Look for the newly redesigned WRX and STI this year.
 
impreza.subaru.com

Subaru just announced the 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
2.5 liter turbo flat four, 300 hp, 300 ft-lbs torque, Brembo brakes, 6 speed MT, front and rear LSD, active center differential, etc... the WORKS.

WOW!!!!!!! This will be a giant killer. :eek:
 
Impreza's are extremly cool. Unfortunately for me they have a quite small habitacle. I'm not THAT big and fat (6' and 210lbs) but it is too small for me.
 
Originally posted by flava
Impreza's are extremly cool. Unfortunately for me they have a quite small habitacle. I'm not THAT big and fat (6' and 210lbs) but it is too small for me.
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Really? There are a lot of larger drivers who have said they are very comfy in the WRX. I've read about a few guys who are 6'7" and comfortable at www.nasioc.com.

Did you try lowering the seat height?
 
I've had my WRX for about a year...SO far so good. It's a 4-door, 5spd, etc etc...These cars w/the 5spd have transmission problems. My car is going in to the dealer in a few weeks because of a bad 1st gear, and grinding 2nd and 3rd gears. All three major car rags have mentioned tranny problems in their Long tewrm Tests.

As for the STi, I've just heard the specs, and the sticker will be about $30000...Ouch...

--dan
 
I sure hope they did a bit of work on that tranny if they plan on putting 300 ft/lbs. through it.
 
Some people have had problems with the 5MT. I haven't though (cross my fingers). For MY03, Subaru has strengthened parts of the 5MT. Dano should hopefully get an improved transmission when he takes his car in.

The 5MT is actually an externally made transmission purchased by Subaru. On the other hand, the 6MT is the first Subaru engineered transmission in over 20 years. Prodrive, the UK Racing Engineering company that runs the Subaru World Rally Team recently took apart the Subaru 6MT. They said it's the most well engineered transmission they've ever seen in a production car. It is extremely strong, and no one has ever even hinted at any problems whatsoever with the 6MT.

Many enthusiasts who have modified their WRXs for 300 wheel hp or more have swapped for the 6MT.

See this link for comparison between the 5MT and 6MT. The size of the 6MT (85 lbs heavier!) compared to the 5MT speaks for itself.
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4487

6mt_front.jpg

6mt_rear.jpg
 
Originally posted by Skyline
Really? There are a lot of larger drivers who have said they are very comfy in the WRX. I've read about a few guys who are 6'7" and comfortable at www.nasioc.com.

Did you try lowering the seat height?
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I tried it just once at the auto show and no, I did not lower the seat. I remember that the space was limited (not very wide) and did not feel comfy. Other relatively small cars (like the Volvo V40) were much more comfortable. Maybe the european version of the Impreza is smaller, I doubt it though. :confused:
 
Originally posted by flava
I tried it just once at the auto show and no, I did not lower the seat. I remember that the space was limited (not very wide) and did not feel comfy. Other relatively small cars (like the Volvo V40) were much more comfortable. Maybe the european version of the Impreza is smaller, I doubt it though. :confused:
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Ah yes, that makes a difference. In Europe, the Impreza comes with two different types of seat. One is the 'racing' seat with thigh, hip, and shoulder bolsters, no side impact air bags. The other is the standard sport seat with thigh and hip bolsters, sideimpact air bags. This is the only one available in the USA.

Do you recall which seat it was? The 'racing' style seat is quite a snug fit to hold the driver in place in cornering. The standard sport seat is also snug, but not as much so.
 
I have a WRX wagon and love it! You really have to fight the urge to speed. Plus you want to take corners hard to get the rear end to swing out. My mileage hasn't been great especially since I drive mostly surface roads. The awd has been great with all the snow we have gotten lately. Went by a BMW convertible that was stuck spinning his wheels up a snowy incline this Sunday.

The wagon has been amazingly useful for me. I was able to fit a 5 foot step ladder in it with the hatch down. Last week I bought a set of four rugs. I put down one side of the split seat and put the rolled 8 foot rug down the center of the car and shut the hatch. I also had my wife up front and my son in the back seat and the rest of the rugs in the trunk.

The 5 spd tranny isn't as smooth as my last car (89 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo) but I haven't had any problems with it. I also haven't experienced the torque steer mentioned earlier. My Mirage had plenty of that.

On the ClubWRX forum, there were pictures of a WRX that crashed going 140 mph. The driver walked away from it. I've heard the reason the WRX doesn't have a sunroof is because of the roll cage body design.

Axel
 
UH, I'm a VW fan (just bought a 200 hp GTI with the supremely refined VR6 motor) and think the WRX's styling is juvenile and gimmicky looking. However, I do believe they're excellent road machines although I've never driven one. You might want to wait till VW brings the R-32 to America. However, the R-32 will be a little expensive, pushing the $30,000 mark. All wheel drive, 240 plus hp and that wonderful VW feel.
Lenny
 
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
After teasing us for years, Mitsubishi is finally bringing an official version of its world-beating Lancer Evolution to the U.S market, giving it a credible rival to Subaru's successful WRX. Although slightly de-tuned from home market version, U.S. enthusiasts have little to complain about, especially given Mitsubishi's aggressive plans to price the Lancer Evolution at $28,987. The first Lancer Evolution will mate full-time all-wheel-drive to a 271-horsepower turbocharged engine along will rally-inspired Brembo brakes. Backing up the launch of the Lancer Evolution will be additional factory tuner models on the Eclipse platform from Ralliart, Mitsubishi's in-house performance arm.
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2004 Subaru WRX STi
With the Camaro vs. Mustang era fast becoming a faded memory, the WRX begins a rivalry for a new generation of car enthusiasts with the Lancer Evolution. Subaru brings its rally car to the battle packing a 2.5-liter/300-horsepower DOHC turbocharged, intercooled boxer four. Its all-wheel-drive system features Driver Control Center Differential (DCCD) with a manual mode to allow the driver to adjust the power distribution front to rear. In addition, front and rear differentials further aid traction. Brembo disc brakes are at each corner, with the front boasting four-piston calipers. Well-featured for a car of its high-performance pedigree, this WRX does have several concessions to weight savings, such as aluminum hood, special rear glass, and no standard sound system. Welcome to the new muscle car era.
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2004 Volkswagen R32 Golf
Volkswagen elevates the Golf's sport compact status with the sizzling R32, offering more performance and prestige than any GTI. At the core of this special model is a 3.2-liter/241-horse V-6, routing its power through a six-speed manual, and ultimately putting it to the ground through an 4Motion all-wheel drive system. The German automaker claims a 0-60 mph time for this tautly sprung model of under 6.6 seconds with a 153 mph top speed. Beyond gusto, the two-door R32 touts an extensive array of standard equipment, including automatic climate control system, premium sound system, rain sensor, heated seats, and Xenon headlamps. Ample leather and aluminum trim complete the upscale interior treatment.
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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Edmunds.com

What Is It?
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

What's Special About It?
Finally, the WRX we've all been waiting for — and it's so good we hardly know where to start. First off, its 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. It's connected to a six-speed manual transmission that sends the power through an all-wheel-drive system fortified with DCCD (Driver Control Center Differential). The DCCD system allows the driver to manually select the front-to-rear torque bias or merely set it in automatic mode and let the computer do the work. Further on down the line, the STi is upgraded with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential in front and a mechanically actuated limited slip in the rear. The car sits almost half an inch lower than the standard WRX and features aluminum control arms, inverted struts and a quicker steering ratio. The wheels are 17-by-7.5-inch BBS aluminum alloys wrapped in supersticky Z-rated 225/45R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070 directional tires. The brake system was upgraded with four piston Brembo calipers in front and two piston versions in back along with an Electronic Brakeforce Distribution system and a Super Sport Antilock system that controls lock up on individual wheels according to lateral G-forces.

The interior of the STi gets a laundry list of changes as well. The seats are upgraded with heavier side-bolstering integrated headrests and unique blue Ecsaine fabric. Since weight is the enemy of speed, the STi banished the stereo system to the options sheet and swapped in lightweight rear window glass. The STi specific instrument cluster includes a 9,000-rpm tachometer, 160-mph speedometer and DCCD display to go along with the standard temp and fuel gauges. There's also a driver-selectable shift light so you'll never get so caught up in the power to forget to grab the next gear.

Why should you care?

Three hundred horsepower, a driver-adjustable differential, a Super Sport ABS system — are you kidding me? When the STi finally goes on sale this summer it will be one of the most highly anticipated performance sedans ever to hit the States. About the only enthusiasts not overwhelmingly excited to see the new STi are the ones who already have their deposit down on a Lancer Evolution.
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Skyline,

Have they announced the MSRP on the STI yet? Also, will it be sold as a wagon as well as sedan?

Axel
 
No, Subaru has not announced pricing yet. General consensus is about $32K, but nothing certain.

Also, STi Wagons are no longer made. The 2.5TS, Outback Sport, and WRX are the only wagons for the Impreza platform.
 
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