WRX or S2K
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,414
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
[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.
[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.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
My 2c:
Another Australian here. We've had the WRX since 1994.
I owned a '98 model for 3 years before upgrading to the s2k in June 2000.
It was a fun car, but no style compared to the s2k. Few people commented 'Thats a nice car', where with the s2k, almost everyone I meet comments.
Things that pissed me off about the wrx (rex):
o The slackness in the transmission - take the foot off the gas, and there is a noticable jolt, whereas the s2k it very tight.
o The crap brakes. At 30k the rotors were almost shot. Also, decellerating from anything above 70mph was un-nerving. Even the '4 pot' brakes are substandard to the s2k '1 pot' setup. My s2k pulls up from 120mph with complete confidence - repeatedly on the track.
o The suspension, whilst OK on corners, it suffered from 'lurch', both under accelleration and deceleration.
o The interior was bad. rattled a lot. I believe this is better on the 2001 -2002 models.
o Subaru dont make a gearbox anywhere near the standard of Honda. Dont expect speedy gear changes.
o Bad quality paint job. It deteriorated very quickly and required a lot of maintenance to keep it lookign good.
o Drivers and passengers windows always got greasy marks from mechanism.
o Crappy pedals, crappy carpet, crappy optional mats
o Substandard cluch....everyone knows about that..I wont go into it.
Good Things:
o Nice seats..people often commented on their 'hugginess'
o Plenty of room to fit a huge sound system
o Cheap..only needs to be serviced every 12000 Km...and I never had any problems in 3 years.
o LOTS of headroom for tall people. Up to about 6'6" should be fine (fantastic for japanese car!)
o Decent boot space, and reasonable rear leg room.
o Good 'sleeper' (until everyone here got one). Was great for surprise tactics against most V8s etc.
o Unbeatable in the wet. Superb traction on the worst of surfaces. I seldom had to take it easy in the rain. Would be great in locations experiencing snow/ice.
Summing up, in my opinion the wrx is a good car for the money, but the s2k is truly remarkable by comparison. They are VERY different cars. I cant emphasize how different. If either of them appeals to you, buy it and dont look back, you will be very happy!
Another Australian here. We've had the WRX since 1994.
I owned a '98 model for 3 years before upgrading to the s2k in June 2000.
It was a fun car, but no style compared to the s2k. Few people commented 'Thats a nice car', where with the s2k, almost everyone I meet comments.
Things that pissed me off about the wrx (rex):
o The slackness in the transmission - take the foot off the gas, and there is a noticable jolt, whereas the s2k it very tight.
o The crap brakes. At 30k the rotors were almost shot. Also, decellerating from anything above 70mph was un-nerving. Even the '4 pot' brakes are substandard to the s2k '1 pot' setup. My s2k pulls up from 120mph with complete confidence - repeatedly on the track.
o The suspension, whilst OK on corners, it suffered from 'lurch', both under accelleration and deceleration.
o The interior was bad. rattled a lot. I believe this is better on the 2001 -2002 models.
o Subaru dont make a gearbox anywhere near the standard of Honda. Dont expect speedy gear changes.
o Bad quality paint job. It deteriorated very quickly and required a lot of maintenance to keep it lookign good.
o Drivers and passengers windows always got greasy marks from mechanism.
o Crappy pedals, crappy carpet, crappy optional mats
o Substandard cluch....everyone knows about that..I wont go into it.
Good Things:
o Nice seats..people often commented on their 'hugginess'
o Plenty of room to fit a huge sound system
o Cheap..only needs to be serviced every 12000 Km...and I never had any problems in 3 years.
o LOTS of headroom for tall people. Up to about 6'6" should be fine (fantastic for japanese car!)
o Decent boot space, and reasonable rear leg room.
o Good 'sleeper' (until everyone here got one). Was great for surprise tactics against most V8s etc.
o Unbeatable in the wet. Superb traction on the worst of surfaces. I seldom had to take it easy in the rain. Would be great in locations experiencing snow/ice.
Summing up, in my opinion the wrx is a good car for the money, but the s2k is truly remarkable by comparison. They are VERY different cars. I cant emphasize how different. If either of them appeals to you, buy it and dont look back, you will be very happy!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Spring,Tx
Congrats Gabedude, the WRX is an awesome car. I definitely think that you are on the right track by upgrading the suspension first. It seems like the tires are pretty average so you may want to look at them first. At any rate, please keep everyone posted. Enjoy!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
From: Dillsburg, PA
bmoyes,
Yep, most of the negatives you mentioned about the Impreza are true. The transmission is very ...hmm.... jumpy, I guess I'll say.
Not smooth like a Honda's. And the shift lever is cumbersome.
I will say this: There are short shifter/bushing sets out there that help with the shifter action, but the best of the crowd is one built by a private vendor, www.kartboy.com . $120 for shifter and solid bushings (far less than some others), and it's one of the best-built upgrade items we Subaru guys can buy. I'm pretty sure I mentioned them already, but it's worth two plugs. Trust me.
Seems to me that Subaru doesn't focus on solid interiors... that's not their goal. I think in the next few years, some of that could change, as the new reign of sporty sedans and wagons are becoming increasingly more tight and luxurious. But then again, when you focus all of your engineering where it counts, the cost stays low if you don't sweat the small stuff.
-S2-
Yep, most of the negatives you mentioned about the Impreza are true. The transmission is very ...hmm.... jumpy, I guess I'll say.
Not smooth like a Honda's. And the shift lever is cumbersome.
I will say this: There are short shifter/bushing sets out there that help with the shifter action, but the best of the crowd is one built by a private vendor, www.kartboy.com . $120 for shifter and solid bushings (far less than some others), and it's one of the best-built upgrade items we Subaru guys can buy. I'm pretty sure I mentioned them already, but it's worth two plugs. Trust me.
Seems to me that Subaru doesn't focus on solid interiors... that's not their goal. I think in the next few years, some of that could change, as the new reign of sporty sedans and wagons are becoming increasingly more tight and luxurious. But then again, when you focus all of your engineering where it counts, the cost stays low if you don't sweat the small stuff.
-S2-
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Ok now for my opinion 
I test drove a wrx and was impressed with the engine and handling...quiet stable and quick...brakes need work though....now the looks I hate with a passion. Interior just makes it worse.
I would buy and s2000 over it anyday but then again I love 2 seats and vtec (hence my del sol).
But I agree with some members stating the cost issue....if you can afford an s2000 i would buy it...if you will be strugglig for it get the wrx.....or just buy a used 300zx or nsx =]
I test drove a wrx and was impressed with the engine and handling...quiet stable and quick...brakes need work though....now the looks I hate with a passion. Interior just makes it worse.
I would buy and s2000 over it anyday but then again I love 2 seats and vtec (hence my del sol).
But I agree with some members stating the cost issue....if you can afford an s2000 i would buy it...if you will be strugglig for it get the wrx.....or just buy a used 300zx or nsx =]