Subaru WRX Midsize | Compact

Subaru WRX Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The WRX Sedan and Sport Wagon are new high performance models boasting a 227 horsepower turbocharged engine. Unique WRX features include a Momo brand leather-wrapped steering wheel, larger brakes with twin piston calipers, and an aluminum-alloy hood. Full time all wheel drive is standard, and all models now feature four-wheel anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 191-200 of 268  
[Jun 02, 2001]
Adam

Strength:

-Turbo Engine
-Looks Grow on You
-Perfect Handling
-Great seats
-The Best Color Blue I have ever seen
-The Price
-Easily Upgradeable($6000 to HKS=Performance that will match a $50k vette)

Weakness:

Very weak stereo(even with the upgraded stereo system)
No Sunroof
No Leather seats
Waiting for the car to reach 1,000 miles to really enjoy it

I have had the car for over one month, and I have yet to be amazed. The more you push the car,the more the car responds,and the more confidence you have in the car. The stereo is weak(although it does have a 6-disc cd changer)but the strength could be fixed with an amp or two. The weak stereo might very well be for the best, because it allows the engine to be heard, and it is the most amazing sound. The bottom line is this, avoid the automatic(this car was made for the 5-spd)and BUY THIS CAR!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 (the WRX is just more of a good thing
Camaro Z-28 (Same acceleration zip, but Z-28 can't keep up in the twisties)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 05, 2001]
Herbert
Model Reviewed: Impreza WRX

Strength:

Power, AWD, handling

Weakness:

Needs standard 17" wheels and tires

This is my second Subaru and my experience with Subaru has been good. It is reliable. Now, the WRX is very powerful. I drive an automatics and it still goes very quickly. If the car starts in 1st gear, I feel no turbo lag. Of course, the car just zooms when it goes beyond 4000rpm! The handling is very good. It is easier to drive hard with the WRX than my BMW.

Of course, the interior is no BMW but it is functional and the build quality is excellent. The build quality is just as good as an Acura. This car is a lot cheaper than a BMW 330xi.

The AWD system is seamless and it really helps during the Canadian winter. I have never got stuck in a Subaru even in deep snow!

I recommend it to anyone who loves to drive and appreciates the power and handling. I don't recommend to anyone who just want a car with decent power. For those of you, get the Impreza 2.5RS or 2.5TS/Outback if you need a wagon.

Similar Products Used:

This car is way more powerful than my 99 Legacy 2.5GT.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 02, 2001]
Michael
Model Reviewed: WRK

Strength:

Overall power. Great Handling in any type of conditions.

Weakness:

Interior has a cheap feel to it. Options such as leather, heated seats not available.

Overall, this vehicle devliers on its promise as a fast, well handling rally car that is a blast to drive. Oh, and it can also go just about anywhere.

Similar Products Used:

Eagle Talon AWD

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 01, 2001]
Howard Snell
Model Reviewed: Wagon

Strength:

1. Turbo, 2. Handling, 3. Interior space, 4. Driver positioning/comfort, 5. Misleading apperance of the wagon.

Weakness:

1. Seat covers, 2. Fake spare tire.

I love it. We needed a reasonable car for two people and some cargo, but we wanted the ability to put four passengers in it occasionally. We wanted a performance car after 14 years of driving a Toyota 4 runner. The WRX wagon is absolutely the perfect blend. If you want you can drive conservatively and get 28 mpg. The car climbs like an F16!

Similar Products Used:

Only other real performance car was a red TR6 back in the 70's. The WRX is much more predictable ride and doesn't attract as mcuh law enforcement scrutiny.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 29, 2001]
Carl
Model Reviewed: WRX Sedan (Auto)

Strength:

Rigid chassis, suspension, amazing steering, good acceleration even with slushbox, great seats with plenty of side-bolstering

Weakness:

Styling takes awhile to grown on you (maybe never), flimsy body panels and questionable paint quality, plasticky interior, brakes could be stronger (although worlds better than on other Subarus), weak headlights, subwoofer offered in audio upgrade package boomy

The most bang for the buck you can get for around $25K. Just keep in mind that this is pretty much an economy car on some massive steriods and you'll never be disappointed. Coming off the leased A4 with it's granite materials and construction quality was like stepping back into my father's 1979 F150, but once you drive the thing you can forgive most of the tackiness. It is pretty well equipped, so if you can live without all the little bells and whistles you'll find it's a steal.

Invest in a radar detector - the chassis is so rigid, and ride is so quiet for a car it's size I find myself going about 10 mph faster than I normally go on roads I drive everyday without realizing it.

Similar Products Used:

Car history = Integra, Prelude, A4, WRX - handles like a perfect combination between my last two cars (Prelude & A4) - but fit & finish not even in same league as A4, not even as good as Honda.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 01, 2001]
Dee

Strength:

Acceleration, easy to drive.

Weakness:

Seats are flat, insufficient support if you have moderately long legs, seems to get blown around by wind a bit too easily.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy driving it around town, acceleration is great (after the turbo lag), it is a great value for the money, and is easy to drive--compared to my Mustang Cobra which has a heavy clutch and roars when you accelerate. But I wish I would have been able to take it on a long Interstate drive before buying it. The left foot rest seems too high, it is hard to stretch out the legs comfortably even with the seat all the way back. The seat bottom is too flat, should be more incline upward a bit more going forward. A good length of my thighs are always above the seat. If I raise the seat, that moves the seat forward too much. Sounds like a minor complaint, but it makes for uncomfortable long drives. And I'm not that tall, 5'10". I really wish they would have had heated leather seats--it has all the common gadgets, but a cheap plastic interior. Plastic plugs where the switches would have gone for heated seats, but no such option available.

I got the Pearl Blue color which I like, but I think that because of the color, I've lost the sleeper effect. It definitely attracts attention. The basic look of the thing is fairly generic econobox, so it would make a good sleeper if you went for silver, for example, and particularly if you skipped the rear spoiler. But I like the rear spoiler--makes it easier to parallel park (easier to judge where the back of it ends).

I also should have skipped the premium sound and gone to a car stereo aftermarket place. The Infinity systems in Chryslers sound better than the WRX Premium Sound, at least to me.

I also seem to get blown around in the wind at western Interstate speeds way more than I did with the old beater Neon. Which is a bit disconcerting considering what I paid for this car. When it is windy, it seems like I am constantly correcting, and I've never had that problem before except with a Geo Tracker I once owned, which was very unstable in the wind, but was quite a bit higher off the ground. I think the U.S. WRX has the same suspension as the RS model.

I'll definitely be looking into a seat upgrade and a suspension upgrade.

Just want to give you a couple of things to carefully consider if evaluating purchasing this vehicle.

Similar Products Used:

Old beater Neon. Neon didn't get blown around as easily. Equally cheap interior. Acceleration is completely different, but I had considered putting a Cirrus engine in the old Neon.

Also have a Mustang Cobra. Subaru WRX is less work to drive.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 01, 2001]
Scott

Strength:

I have a wagon. Show me another car within $10K that can go 0-60 in under 6 seconds, has AWD for snow, great handling while still retaining great ride quality, can carry a ton of stuff with the seats down, and gets 25mpg. Sorry, there isn't one in the US. This car is absolutely unique in its capabilities.

Weakness:

- Stock shifter is a little vague. I cured this with the dealer installed short throw kit. Much better.
- No boost gauge. Duh, Subaru.
- If the windows are down when you shut the doors, they rattle just like an old '70 Barracuda. I like doors with frames better.
- I have to fight the wife to get the car. She usually wins.

The car has exceeded every expectation. The power, handling, ride, seats,
driver controls (after I replaced the shifter), gauges (except for the lack of boost gauge) are all much better than you have a right to expect for this price. I like the way the wagon looks, too.

Similar Products Used:

1988 Mazda 323 GTX - The WRX is very similar. The WRX is faster, but the 323 is much smaller and lighter, thus a better cone-stormer.

1989 Dodge Colt AWD Wagon - Don't laugh. I owned one of these for seven years, and it was great. The WRX wagon is this car cubed.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 31, 2001]
Carolyn Duncan
Model Reviewed: WRX Sedan 5 speed

Strength:

Fast,nimble, great seats, great handling

Weakness:

none

Great speed for the price. Overall excellent value for the dollar.
Practical 4 door. A very fun package. People who get bored with their cars
easily and can't afford an expensive Porche should buy this car. Great for
Canadian winters.

Similar Products Used:

Saab 93 - Poor handling compared to the WRX and slow Turbo. Not great in
winter.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 31, 2001]
Sean

Strength:

TURBO! AWD!! Unlimited possibilities! sweet seats, nice, simple interior(doesn't look like all those 'american buble interiors',uugg:-P) Looks Definitely grow on you, ...I love it!

Weakness:

Probably the paint chipping easily, needs work on low end power, ...but who cares, this car wasn't created to stay stock!!

Only had it a short while and I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would! Compared to my Turbo'd Integra it needs a bit more Power, ... ... But what doesn't!! Great starting point for my super-car Killer! Able to make cars that cost much more look Weak!
AWD is great, ... Honda, ... helllooo Honda!
Very happy with my purchase, Well worth the money, and can't wait to spend more on it!

Similar Products Used:

'97 Integra GS-R w/ DRAG Gen III turbo kit along with every other thing I could beef it up with!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 31, 2001]
chris
Model Reviewed: WRX impreza

Strength:

power, the handling is great. looks, gets some great looks and people are all ways asking is that, that new subaru on TV. more questions than my old 2000 corvette got..

Weakness:

boost, not enough boost down low. needs more low end TQ....

rate it an 7 out of 10. a few little problems. interior quality could be better, and thats about it. love the car. sold my 2000 corvette to buy one. kids love it and when i get my performance parts on it, it should be a lot better. color is great, lots of light, wish my nissan gave off that kind of light. get v6 power with 4cyl gas milage..what else can be said...

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 191-200 of 268  

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