2009 WRX

[dotcom173]

i have a hunch, partly because ive read a little about it, that in order to separate wrx from sti, maybe they will bring the Spec-C STi to the U.S. for a little more money, or maybe a lotta more money. anyways, they could still keep the current STi for the people who are dead-set on an STi, but not the Spec-C, and theyll have the spec-c for those people who dont care about the money as much and just want the best model.

after hearing about the 09 wrx, i think i might have to swoop on one in the future, or at least consider it. i was about ready to rule out a wrx just because a mazdaspeed3 was so much faster for the money, but now that the wrx compares, yet still lacks about 40 lb-ft, i might have to bring it back in....even though by the time ill get a new car (near/after i gradaute), ill probably be wanting either an evo/STi, or a used M3 (favorite car). i guess it depends on my job and if its in the budgy.

 

[Auric]

Do not want. Fugly and generic -especially the lights. I much prefer the look of the previous generation.

 

[mc866]

meh, the 08 redesign just ruined it for me, I had a 99 impreza which I loved and did some light mods to, but I don't think I would get a new one. From the picks alone the sedan looks a bit better but I really don't like the hatch, I did really like the old wagon style though.

 

[statik213]

So, I'm thinking of getting a '08 2.5i... any reason to hold out for an '09? I don't think the wrx is an option for me.
Also, what other cars should i consider, other than a subaru? I checkout out a mazda 3 and wasn't overly impressed by the mazda. I liked how the subaru handled (yes yes it's been nerfed) but it's still a lot better than the 3.
Any other cars i should look at for this price range? How much difference will the AWD make?

 

[dotcom173]

Originally posted by: statik213
So, I'm thinking of getting a '08 2.5i... any reason to hold out for an '09? I don't think the wrx is an option for me.
Also, what other cars should i consider, other than a subaru? I checkout out a mazda 3 and wasn't overly impressed by the mazda. I liked how the subaru handled (yes yes it's been nerfed) but it's still a lot better than the 3.
Any other cars i should look at for this price range? How much difference will the AWD make?

the 09 2.5gt is getting the engine the current wrx's have. theyre gonna be intercooled turbo engines making 224hp i think. so if u want a 2.5, wait till next years model

EDIT: but theyre only avail in 4 speed automatic trannys....so if thats what u want, then wait for it.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: LS8
It's still ugly. Why the hell can't Subaru make a decent looking WRX?

They did. Years ago.

Best of both worlds

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: ayabe
Subaru manuals.....suck to put it mildly. I would rather have the 5speed from an Accord than what I have in my 06.

The STi 6 speed really isn't any better, you need to make slow deliberate shifts or your gonna get bucked or miss a gear.

I had to train myself to shift slower after moving over from my Integra GSR.

Anyways, I give the thumbs down to Mitsu for only offering a 5 speed in the GSR EVO. So what if it's stronger than the Evo IX 6 speed, there's a remedy for that, make the 6 speed stronger.

Buzzing at 4K RPM's at highway speed is just annoying and bad for gas mileage.

Hi, I would be happy to teach you how to shift a Subaru manual.

If you have the 5MT, you can shift as fast as you want as long as the revs are match and the clutch drops are gentle. I find high rpm shifts in my bugeye can be much faster than low rpm shifts. Blame Subaru's crappy synchros, the psychics makes perfect sense otherwise.

If you have the STI 6MT, dude, just match it and bang it. You can't hardly break it.

Buzzing at 4k rpm I don't follow you... a boxer shouldn't buzz.

I applaud Subaru for stepping up the WRX, but I'm surprised Toyota allowed it given everything else they've done to the brand since acquiring it.

 

[dotcom173]

quick question to those who drive 06 wrx's, but im sure the 04-07 years will work too. are your clutches reallly heavy? my civic has an extremely light clutch, just like my dad's s2000, but my friends rex has a heavy damn clutch. hes trying to tell me its "a performance clutch...for a performance car." but i dont think a clutch that heavy spells performance. how are your guys' clutches?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: dotcom173
quick question to those who drive 06 wrx's, but im sure the 04-07 years will work too. are your clutches reallly heavy? my civic has an extremely light clutch, just like my dad's s2000, but my friends rex has a heavy damn clutch. hes trying to tell me its "a performance clutch...for a performance car." but i dont think a clutch that heavy spells performance. how are your guys' clutches?

It's heavier than a Civic but not what I would call 'really' heavy. I have driven much heavier. More like Honda clutches are really light. It has a nice positive feel, with lots of feedback, which could be said about most everything else in a WRX, IMO. They are anything but numb cars.

 

[dotcom173]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: dotcom173
quick question to those who drive 06 wrx's, but im sure the 04-07 years will work too. are your clutches reallly heavy? my civic has an extremely light clutch, just like my dad's s2000, but my friends rex has a heavy damn clutch. hes trying to tell me its "a performance clutch...for a performance car." but i dont think a clutch that heavy spells performance. how are your guys' clutches?

It's heavier than a Civic but not what I would call 'really' heavy. I have driven much heavier. More like Honda clutches are really light. It has a nice positive feel, with lots of feedback, which could be said about most everything else in a WRX, IMO. They are anything but numb cars.

the thing is, i tried analyzing it when i drove it (haha, that sounds nerdy). i agree there are MUCH heavier clutches, especially on older cars, but the weight of this clutch not only felt heavyish, but because of the weight it felt like it would detract from the performance in terms of difficulty shifting quickly, and im not weak. also might have a lot to do with not being used to it, since ive only driven it a handful of times. otherwise, i really liked the engagement feel of it and the lack of jerkiness.

 

[Mide]

Well just my $.02. I owned an 06 Civic EX coupe and now I have an 08 Impreza 2.5i Wagon. In a one-liner I like the civic better. The Subie only having 4 gears really sucks. When I'm merging onto the freeway and I want to punch it, the damn car shifts into 2nd gear to get any power out of it. The car sounds like it is going to have a heart attack or something but it's only sitting at 5k RPM. The handling on the Impreza seems to suck more also, when I'm cornering I totally feel it. The Civic had much better seats even though it wasn't an Si or something. I got the Impreza because I am not living in a place that has snow and I wanted to be able to move things thus the AWD and the hatch. The stereo also sucks in comparison with the EX. I have the premium package too on the subie and that really doesn't make a difference. Overall the subie feels much heavier and the extra boost over the 140HP in the Honda really isn't noticeable at all.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: ayabe
Subaru manuals.....suck to put it mildly. I would rather have the 5speed from an Accord than what I have in my 06.

The STi 6 speed really isn't any better, you need to make slow deliberate shifts or your gonna get bucked or miss a gear.

I had to train myself to shift slower after moving over from my Integra GSR.

Anyways, I give the thumbs down to Mitsu for only offering a 5 speed in the GSR EVO. So what if it's stronger than the Evo IX 6 speed, there's a remedy for that, make the 6 speed stronger.

Buzzing at 4K RPM's at highway speed is just annoying and bad for gas mileage.

Hi, I would be happy to teach you how to shift a Subaru manual.

If you have the 5MT, you can shift as fast as you want as long as the revs are match and the clutch drops are gentle. I find high rpm shifts in my bugeye can be much faster than low rpm shifts. Blame Subaru's crappy synchros, the psychics makes perfect sense otherwise.

If you have the STI 6MT, dude, just match it and bang it. You can't hardly break it.

Buzzing at 4k rpm I don't follow you... a boxer shouldn't buzz.

I applaud Subaru for stepping up the WRX, but I'm surprised Toyota allowed it given everything else they've done to the brand since acquiring it.

Negative Vic, I have DBW throttle which holds revs in between shifts, this changes the game a bit.

On top of that I have a cobb shifter and bushings and the perrin subframe lockdown kit.

So the car is appreciably better than it was stock with regards to shifting, but I still cannot shift as quickly or as smoothly as I could with my GSR.

I appreciate the advice though, I'm pretty good with the ol' stick

 

[ayabe]

Well now I wonder what turbo they are going to slap on there. If it's the VF48 from the new STi then I really think they have to beef that car up.

They need to bring over the twin scroll turbo from Japan, up the STi's output a little, plus it would have better throttle response. Couple that with a hardened suspension setup AND most importantly, they can't raise the price.

I was checking Subaru's sales figures and apparently this year has been their best ever sales year for the Impreza. Couldn't find hard figures on WRX sales but I would have to think they are down. I know a lot of people who were waiting for this new model and have since postponed their purchase.

With these changes however, I think the WRX is back in the game. Especially with a bigger turbo, which means even more power from just a downpipe and a reflash.

 

[Demo24]

Originally posted by: dotcom173
quick question to those who drive 06 wrx's, but im sure the 04-07 years will work too. are your clutches reallly heavy? my civic has an extremely light clutch, just like my dad's s2000, but my friends rex has a heavy damn clutch. hes trying to tell me its "a performance clutch...for a performance car." but i dont think a clutch that heavy spells performance. how are your guys' clutches?

Compared to a Honda clutch, yes they are much heavier. However after awhile you do easily get use to it and never think about it. I just got back to my car after 5 weeks away and couldn't believe how heavy it was at first. However driving it around yesterday and I got use to it again and don't think about it.

The engagement point on the clutch is pretty high, so to shift you only need to push the clutch pedal until it's level with the brake pedal. That and I find it to be far more communicative than a Honda clutch.

 

[AMCRambler]

I can't say I like the looks of the new WRX. Kinda looks like a Toyota Corolla that somebody spent 200 bucks in the JC Whitney catalog on plastic scoops and pieces to jazz up. I'll have to see if I can find a pic of the rally car and see if it looks any better.

EDIT: Well it looks slightly better in rally gear...

linky

It looks like they've either got different front quarter panels on the rally car or they've got some plastic pieces glued on there to bump the front fender wells out a bit. Definitely enhances the look, but it could use the same thing on the rear fender wells.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: dotcom173
quick question to those who drive 06 wrx's, but im sure the 04-07 years will work too. are your clutches reallly heavy? my civic has an extremely light clutch, just like my dad's s2000, but my friends rex has a heavy damn clutch. hes trying to tell me its "a performance clutch...for a performance car." but i dont think a clutch that heavy spells performance. how are your guys' clutches?

It's not especially heavy, but heavier than a typical Honda.

But Civic's, Integra's, Accord's etc are/were built for women drivers, thus the pedals are pretty close together and the clutch is also pretty light.