I got a chance today to drive a modded WRX. Its mods were mainly suspension/brake...

it had Brembo brakes in the front and it had 17s with T1S tires. Also, the suspension was something called DMS? (basically adjustable coil overs from what I understood).

Anyhow, I started off my first drive in this guy's car up a straight road that has a curve leading onto the highway. I could pull this at 55 in the S2000 and I pulled it at 55 in this WRX. The feel of the car was totally transformed from my stock WRX. Granted the bolt-ons aren't exactly cheap... This guy was still under the base price of an S2000 when you figure in his car, wheels, tires, suspension, brakes... but the bottom line... these cars are as different as night and day...

I've said it before... a stock S2000 is a blast on a twisty road and quite fast... a WRX (wagon) can bring home a 36 inch TV... different as can be...

however, each does represent an incredible bargain in terms of what you get for your $...

that said, I miss my S2000. Driving this guy's WRX made me miss the handling aspect of the S2000 a little less. Of course, you can't replace that wind in the hair feeling

 

i don't really understand how you didn't figure out what you want... just by reading your pros and con's i can tell you right away you want the s2k.
screw many of the pros and cons.... the main thing you listed was that the honda had good design... inside and out...
i don't know about you, but i much rather drive a car that i love looking at, than a car that has turbo and awd... yeah awd is safer but you aren't planning on rallying or racing in the snow are you?
besides, with money you can make your car much faster than that WRX...
but if a baby's on the way... than go with the wrx of couse.
good luck,
i'd go for the s2k AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE ONE
GOTTA TL IF YOU CARE S2K IS COMIN IN SEVERAL MONTHS

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2K_CLS
[B]I got a chance today to drive a modded WRX.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2K_CLS
[B]Also, the suspension was something called DMS?

 

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Most Scooby's are 50/50 which I think makes them feel more FWD. Get an STI Type-R or a 22B and they're 40/60 making them more RWD.
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WRX has 60/40 (front/back) torque split at most. That is the torque spit is viriable and most of the time there's something like 95% of power going to the front wheels. STI is similar but the ceiling is 50/50.

Either way, both cars behave very much like FWD cars, though STi does so less.

 

I think you're talking about the old WRX. In the UK the WRX is the new name for the 2.0 Turbo (215ps). The current WRX & old Turbo didn't AFAIK have a front back torque dynamic shift. Type-R's have mechanical diff which will but then they don't have ABS....

I may be wrong on this though (well not the ABS as I've seen 22B's lock up big time...)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DavidM
[B]----------------------------------------
Most Scooby's are 50/50 which I think makes them feel more FWD. Get an STI Type-R or a 22B and they're 40/60 making them more RWD.

 

Just an update guys. I did end up getting the WRX. Mainly it came down to economics. I wanted a fast car for little $ and the WRX fits the bill. I suppose I'll have to wait till I'm a bit more "Well off" to get an S2000. I don't regret it at all. I love the car. See ya on the road!

 

Hi Naishou,
My comments probably came across a bit more negative then intended. Personally I look for neautral handling characteristic but with a RWD 'on power' behaviour so I shy away from anything that feels like a FWD. Though, to answer your question, yes I drove my friends WRX, but only in town. I did not push it anywhere as hard as I would my own car but must of my comments come from seat time in the passenger seat. From there it feels like a FWD; also the driver comments on this behaviour. He can get the car 4-wheel-drifting though faster corners but that is not uncommon for front wheel drives. My main comment stems from the feeling of the car being pulled by the front wheels as well as the front wheels fighting for traction and cornering grip at the same time; the rear wheels feel like they are a 'passive' component of the car.

My friend is a 'crazy' (but very good) driver - he ends up driving it like a rally car 1/2 of the time .... he uses the handbrake a lot and quiete often drifts the car like you see in those drift-videos. A lot of fun :-)

ps. This WRX I'm talking about has worked suspension (lightly) and 17" wheels with 215 rubber all around.

pps. Though, I'd love to be taken for a 'proper' ride in a WRX on a something like a track ... preferably by someone who is capable of pushing the car. Maybe on the track someone can show me that the WRX does not have a FWD tendency.

 

You can do what my brother and I did! I have a 2000 S2000 Silver/Red and my brother has a 2002 WRX Red/ Carbon Just got it 9/15/01! That's what I call diversify!

Now I'm teaching him the ways of "taking care of your car" :
Zaino...ZAINO... ZZZAAAIINNNOOO! Pics of our adventures to come.

Get a WRX if you want a car for a daily driver. In Atlanta the traffic is hell on the S2K that's why I have my 6 year old Nissan Altima for work. The Clutch on the WRX is softer and more forgiving. In the S2K your left foot will have blisters. I love the four wheel drive on the WRX but I don't think it has a LSD.? Interior cabin noise is greatly reduced. The Supension is a little too plush for me, but I'm use to the S2K. With a WRX you can tinker with the turbo and it Cost $10,000 for a turbo on the S2k.

Sum It Up! BYE THE WRX! In the this economy you'll be glad you did! It's FUN and Different!