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Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon - READ ONLY

5922 messages,  Last post on Nov 07, 2006 at 12:44 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Wagon

Messages Page 118 of 593

#1168 of 5922 Hank, et al by subaru_team

Mar 06, 2002 (3:03 pm)

I do have the facts. Sorry I was not clear on this earlier. From what I have found, the Impreza Owner's Manual does list a towing capacity but it does not exclude WRX. In checking with our technical group and our product planning group, they did not make an accessory hitch available because they did not feel that there would be a major market for it. We have provided information about the actual "wants" and it may change for 2003. We'll see.
 
In the interim, I can only tell you what I know as a representative of Subaru. We do not offer the accessory, so we can't recommend towing with the vehicle. I was not told of any potential mechanical concerns, etc. When I inquired about the car's ability to "handle it", the response I received was that they didn't know because they didn't test it.
 
Long and short - it's your car, and if you choose to buy an aftermarket that's fine. We just can't take responsibility if that aftermarket part causes a problem.
 
Sorry to cause a fuss, but. . .. .don't shoot the messenger, please???
 
Patti

#1169 of 5922 Hank by paisan

Mar 06, 2002 (3:19 pm)

It will fit and since the owners manual does not "not recommend towing" your warranty will be intact. Only problem is the wiring harness. Also you might have to trim the rear bumper although I'm not even sure you'd need to do that.
 
-mike

#1170 of 5922 Hitch-fit.... by ltcolumbo

Mar 06, 2002 (5:47 pm)

Thanks for the feedback. So, DOES the Imprezza hitch FIT, but it is not recommended, or is some MINOR cutting of the bumper needed? IF Subaru decides to "allow" a hitch will they make a new hitch or just tell you to cut your bumper and use the Imprezza hitch, or modify the hitch to fit BOTH? Of course adding an aftermarket hitch (bolt on) in itself should NOT "cause a problem." Thanks again for your help!!

#1171 of 5922 I would not by ponm

Mar 06, 2002 (6:15 pm)

tow anything with the wrx, considering towing puts large amounts of strain on an engine creating a high engine temperature. In addition, the turbo already increases the temperature inside the engine.

#1172 of 5922 I wouldn't tow either by paisan

Mar 06, 2002 (6:19 pm)

But I wouldn't worry if I absolutely needed to tow something. Since you are covered on the warranty either way.
 
-mike

#1173 of 5922 Bike racks and trailer hitches by cinosweive

Mar 06, 2002 (7:33 pm)

I attached a Yakima fork-mount roof rack to my wagon to check the fit. The tray for the rear wheel extended just a bit past the tailgate so that the spoiler would end up hitting the tray when the tailgate was opened. Maybe, depending upon the bike's wheelbase, you can cut the rack's tray a bit and everything will work, I don't know. I have heard of people mounting their bikes and the rack backwards, but my bike shop doesn't recommend that as the rack apparently isn't designed to hold 80mph wind loads in that direction.
 
Patti - it seems most people here only want a trailer hitch for a bike rack anyway. Could you find out if the Impreza hitch will fit without any modifications to the car (like cutting the bumper)?

#1174 of 5922 More Hitch Info . . . by onebeandeep

Mar 06, 2002 (8:48 pm)

Here's a url that shows the installation for the factory hitch. As you can see the only snag is the wiring harness. Like many others, I only want the hitch for a bike rack. I hope this is helpfull.

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=86c3d4a3f2402eb2c71cd305114bb92f&threadid=192

#1175 of 5922 Here's the pics of bike rack mounted on wagon... by barresa62

Mar 06, 2002 (9:24 pm)

After looking at the pics, I realized the guy has the Yakima round bars w/lockable towers like I have and not the OEM crossbars (flat by Yakima). The round bars allow you to place the bikes wider than the tailgate is when opened, hence no rubbing.

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103002&highlight=bike+rack+pics

Stephen

#1176 of 5922 roof rack... by rsholland

Mar 07, 2002 (7:50 am)

Interesting to note that some roof rack accessories can cause problems in terms of opening the rear hatch.
 
Bob

#1177 of 5922 Roof racks for bikes by cinosweive

Mar 07, 2002 (9:19 am)

I was told that if you mount the bike rack on the outside of the side rails, then you can't lock the rack to the bars.

Messages Page 118 of 593

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