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Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive

14 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2008 at 8:00 AM

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


First Drive: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX - First Impressions: More power and a stiffer suspension will make the WRX competitive again.(more)

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 14 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive [kyfdx] by rsholland

Aug 16, 2008 (8:21 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 16, 2008 7:55 am)
Yep. The fact that the 6-speed STI has to shift into 3rd before hitting 60, hurts its 0 – 60 times. Maybe they'll revise the gearing slightly for '09?
 
Bob

#8 of 14 by kpwrxsti

Aug 17, 2008 (12:44 pm)

All I have to say is, "Thank you Subaru!" I now have faith in my favorite car maker again. I hope this revised WRX stomps all over the new Ralliart. I wasn't sure which car I was going to get, the WRX or Ralliart. I wasn't thrilled with the Subaru's performance, but I didn't want to be forced to by an Automatic with the Mitsubishi. I am so glad I waited.

#9 of 14 Subaru came to its senses - well, almost by andie18

Aug 20, 2008 (9:02 am)

It's great news that the WRX has returned. Subaru seemed to have missed the mark on the 2008. From what I've read, seems like the car is back to it's almost "aggressive" self. I say almost aggressive because it desparately needs the STI fender flares. It still looks too generic. Getting Recaro seats as an option on both the WRX and STI would be nice as well. Why offer Recaros in the Ralliart and Evos and not the WRX and STI?
 
One comment on the article - what a dumb comment you made, "You know, girls" in reference to those who choose the more mild version of the WRX can get the automatic 2.5GT. That type of comment isn't necessary and doesn't add anything substantive in a car review. What, "boys" corner the market on wanting an aggressive, spirited fun car to drive? Shelve the testosterone and generalizations when writing your articles.

#10 of 14 Re: Subaru came to its senses - well, almost [andie18] by rsholland

Aug 20, 2008 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: andie18 (Aug 20, 2008 9:02 am)
Disagree about the fender flares. The reason the STI has fender flares is because the wide 245/40x18 tires demand them. Those tires won't fit under the regular Impreza fenders.
 
The WRX has narrower 225/45x17 tires, and would silly with those STI fender flares. It would like seeing a man with skinny legs wearing baggy shorts.
 
Besides, the fender flares set off the STI from lesser models visually.
 
Bob

#11 of 14 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX First Drive [ateixeira] by mugwomp

Aug 22, 2008 (9:11 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 15, 2008 9:50 am)
Could be safe to assume the STI turbocharger, higher exhaust flow, engine retuning, and resulting extra 40 HP maybe help a little, too...

#12 of 14 Summer tires? by tjbeck

Aug 25, 2008 (4:59 am)

I'm surprised Subaru went with summer tires. Some customers are going to be pretty surprised when their brand new AWD rally car slides right off the road this winter.
 
I'm not saying it's not a good idea overall. On my car I have PS2s and a second set of rims in the garage with Blizzaks.
 
But a lot of car buyers are, how should I put this delicately, MORONS, who have no clue that an AWD Subie with summer tires will be terrible on snow. I'm surprised this made it past the legal department, unless they are a factory option (similar to the Civic Si).
 
I have a couple of unrelated questions:
- Is there any difference in turbo lag with the larger turbo?
- If you added 45% stiffer springs, 40 more horsepower and summer tires to the old (2007) WRX, how much better would it be than this ugly piece of junk?

#13 of 14 Re: Summer tires? [tjbeck] by robm2

Aug 25, 2008 (6:50 am)

Replying to: tjbeck (Aug 25, 2008 4:59 am)
For those of us that have 4 seasons, 3 of which can have ice/snow, and only 1 of which has some certainty of no ice/snow, summer rubber doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
 
If I purchase an '09 WRX or STI, I will almost certainly be writing into the deal that the summer rubber is replaced with a high performance all-season, (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S) of identical tire size.
 
Price-wise, they are similar to the summer-rubber that they are normally delivered with, so it should be an equitable exchange. The Subaru dealership will always need some spare tires around for warranty exchange, anyway.
 
This works best for my needs, so I can put on all-seasons from April - October, and winter from November - March.

#14 of 14 Re: Summer tires? [robm2] by sbcooke

Aug 25, 2008 (8:00 am)

Replying to: robm2 (Aug 25, 2008 6:50 am)
I tried to work the tire swap deal at the time of purchase on my STI and found that I wasn't getting a great deal...not terrible...but paying full price.
 
I am going to buy new rims and all season tires to put on in November and go with 2 sets...either that or burn up the summer stock tires and then replace with all season.
 
I doubt I will burn them up...but if I do get motivated and to a track, I will probably will want a second set of track tires...that is the angle I am taking.
 
I have started shopping...what do people think are the best performance/all season tires?

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