I've read many an owners opinion that the'll keep their S2000's for ever. Me, I'm a car (and motorcycle) nut. I'm always looking for something new. Not always to replace, but often to add. I'm also a real Subaru fan for practical, low-cost, reliable winter cars and own/recommend strongly the Outback wagon.

For years, I've been reading hype about the non-US WRX, especially the STI and Prodrive variants. All-wheel-drive supercars at a reasonable price. When I heard that the US was going to FINALLY get a version of their own, I put it on my list for a possible "winter" sports car...

We'll today I drove my first WRX. I'll begin by fessing up the MAJOR caveat that it was an automatic. All that they had prepped and ready to test drive. For those who like to skip to the end, I was very underwhelmed.

Styling: The new Imprezza WRX has gotten alot of heat for it's new styling. I kept hoping it would look better in person. Well, yes and no. In both the wagon and 4-dr sedan, it looks not ugly as I had feared, but just plain boring. Almost no visual differentiation to the run-of-the-mill Imprezzas, and really just looks (to me) like a typical econo-box. But I could get past that if I loved the...

Interior: Nothing special. Other than the Momo-logo steering wheel and drilled pedals which you can hardly see, you could be behind the wheel of any low-to-moderate price "sporty" car. No boost gauge. No great interior details (ala TT). No sense of dedicated purpose (ala S2000). Of course, what you really want to know about is the...

Engine Performance: Oh my god. People complain about lack of low RPM torque in the S2000? Waiting for power in the WRX below 3,000 RPM is like waiting for paint to dry. To the point of feeling like a KIA! (sorry Sub fans... drive an auto for yourself, then tell me I'm wrong) I'm sure the auto tranny magnifies this effect, but I was unprepared for the lack of pre-turbo torque and the lag before the boost comes on. When the boost hits, it does have lots of kick, but (IMHO) nothing like the rush when you hit VTEC at 6,500. Doing brake-torque starts or high RPM clutch dumps might produce good 0-60 times, but it FEELS SLOW in normal off-the-line acceleration. I'm sure some chip tuning, etc. will greatly enhance the power, but out of the box, it's no neck-snapper. That would be O.K. if I loved the...

Handling and Suspension: Again, I think Subaru (probably correctly from an unit sales point of view) gave the WRX too soft of a suspension, too small tires, and not-so-wonderful handling dynamics. It got a little unsettled when pushed even moderately hard. Any serious track work is going to require much stiffer springs and bigger bars. But doesnt the WRX have really aggressive...

Pricing: Well, at $25,600 MSRP and most dealers pretty much sticking too it, it has funny competition. Nothing in All-wheel drive, with the base 325XI (which still has more features than the WRX) for about $4,000 more. Although probably slower 0-60, WAY more fun to drive and own on a daily basis. Or a A4 1.8T quattro sport for about $2,000 more.

Conclusion: It's off my list. I was expecting a low cost (albeit with cut corners) supercar. Instead, I found it to be a tarted up economy car. I really WANTED to like it, but the combination of it's bland exterior, totaly ordinary interior, mediocre handling and laggy power delivery offset the "on-paper" specifications of this car. I predict, however, that sales will be slow, and that you will be able to pick one up for a few hundred over invoice (like most other Subarus) in a few months. The downside is that Nissan and Mitsubishi will see the slow sales as an excuse to not bring to the US their super-4wd-World-Rally offerings...

Sorry if I have offended any WRX lovers. I'm sure others will have more favorable opinions.

Now maybe when the redesign the exterior and come out with a US STI version...

 

You have given a very fair and accurate run-down of the car. It seems that everyone expected more from this car. Everyone that had a chance to sit in it or drive it shares your opinions.

 

Ahem.

Not sure why you had expectations of being able to drive a $25,000 Ferrari... Since when does 227hp, 3000 lbs qualify as a supercar? Hate to tell you this, but 240hp/2600lbs ain't much to write home about either.

Anyway. To each his own. I received my WRX yesterday and I'm not the kind of person who cares about "purposeful" interiors, leather, or whatnot. Give me an inexpensive driver oriented car that can haul furniture and still hang with an S4, and I'm signed up!

As for the power and handling questions, personally the power delivery on the WRX and AWD balance feels very natural for my driving style. Ultimately it is all about the connection between car and driver. I'll be at Thunderhill Raceway in California this July and will hot lap against some S2000's and other fine machines, and will let you know the results.

 

It sure is interesting what comes out of the woodwork sometimes...

 

Well, I guess we can always expect more from Mistu EVO VII. Don't get me wrong, I like Subaru a lot. When I was in Taiwan, I drove the Subaru Impreza 22B, the REAL Subaru Rally car for the street. Now, that is a fun car.

Can anyone confirm Mistu EVO VII is really coming to USA or not? I would have to put deposit in my dealer.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stealthy_S2K
[B]Well, I guess we can always expect more from Mistu EVO VII.

 

there was an article recently (i believe someone posted a scanned page) that indicated that the Evo VII is, in fact, coming to the US next year.

now THAT is a car i could easily overlook econo-box styling for!!!

i'd like to see what impressions we get from the first drive someone does of a stick version of the scooby. i have to admit that i'm really looking forward to it. in fact, i've thought about buying one to add to the S2K (would be nice combination).

 

You drove an auto. Imagine how the S2000 would suffer with an auto tranny. The S4 tip is a full second slower to 60 than the manual.

Anyone try out the manual?

 

Hey, Mingster. I think there are at least 2 22B in Taiwan. And, Yes Subaru WRX and WRX wagon are every where on the street. of course, some have identify crisis, (OK, most).

 

I just watched an episode of Top Gear (UK car show) where they mentioned th new WRX. Their comment was "People are in two minds about it's appearance. They either hate it or despise it".

I love the way poms present stuff.