WRX or S2K
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 722
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From: Portland
I've said it before, I'll say it again...
the cars really are too different to compare...
However, I did get a chance to drive a modded WRX... only a cat-back exhaust in the power added category, but it had 1600 dollar DMS coil-overs (bump/rebound/height adjustable) and 17 inch wheels with Toyo T1S tires.
Totally a different feeling car than my STOCK WRX. The balance was different, and the car felt more tossable... Not quite as tossable as the S2000, but pretty close. The big difference was the little extra feeling of security with the AWD as you were tossing it around... a well behaved car. I know in the S, you could feel the back end working around. I didn't quite push this guy's WRX that hard, since it wasn't mine...
I did pull some sweeping corners as S2000 speeds, and came back feeling that a WRX is a fun car for what it is stock. However, a modded WRX with a few dollars thrown into it can really transform the car into something that literally does it all...
Sure, it may not (stock) chase down the S2000 on a road course, but with some suspension work, its more than capable of holding (pun!) its own on a track...
But again, the WRX wasn't designed to lap road courses any more than S2000 was designed to carry luggage...
different cars, different missions, different price ranges, but they both share one thing... both are fun as heck...
the cars really are too different to compare...
However, I did get a chance to drive a modded WRX... only a cat-back exhaust in the power added category, but it had 1600 dollar DMS coil-overs (bump/rebound/height adjustable) and 17 inch wheels with Toyo T1S tires.
Totally a different feeling car than my STOCK WRX. The balance was different, and the car felt more tossable... Not quite as tossable as the S2000, but pretty close. The big difference was the little extra feeling of security with the AWD as you were tossing it around... a well behaved car. I know in the S, you could feel the back end working around. I didn't quite push this guy's WRX that hard, since it wasn't mine...
I did pull some sweeping corners as S2000 speeds, and came back feeling that a WRX is a fun car for what it is stock. However, a modded WRX with a few dollars thrown into it can really transform the car into something that literally does it all...
Sure, it may not (stock) chase down the S2000 on a road course, but with some suspension work, its more than capable of holding (pun!) its own on a track...
But again, the WRX wasn't designed to lap road courses any more than S2000 was designed to carry luggage...
different cars, different missions, different price ranges, but they both share one thing... both are fun as heck...
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 865
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From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
Contemplating buying a winter car, I went and test drove the US Spec WRX the other day. Granted it was a new car...........but it felt slow as all heck! How does the magazine get the 1/4 in 14.3 and 0-60 in 5.8? Did Subaru supply the press with a car with upped boost like they did for the magazine test car in Australia?
There is absolutely NO way the WRX was anywhere near as fast as the S2000. The US Spec felt even slower than the Australian version I drove in '98 with the full HKS bits. No flames honestly intended, but I just don't get it. I revved it to 6500 and it did nothing for me except run out of breath.
Did I do something wrong?
If not, I'm DEFINITELY keeping my S2000! I just can't get over how well the S2000 corners and brakes. Plus the 9000 redline is awesome. You can accellerate into corners and brake at the last minute like no other car. The S2000 just keeps impressing me even more every day! I love the thing.
There is absolutely NO way the WRX was anywhere near as fast as the S2000. The US Spec felt even slower than the Australian version I drove in '98 with the full HKS bits. No flames honestly intended, but I just don't get it. I revved it to 6500 and it did nothing for me except run out of breath.
Did I do something wrong?
If not, I'm DEFINITELY keeping my S2000! I just can't get over how well the S2000 corners and brakes. Plus the 9000 redline is awesome. You can accellerate into corners and brake at the last minute like no other car. The S2000 just keeps impressing me even more every day! I love the thing.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 722
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From: Portland
Having sold my S2000 in August, I will be the first to admit the WRX isn't as fast as the S2000... Its MPH is much lower, and the ET is a bit slower...
Thats not to say that simple mods can't even the score as far a quarter mile performance is concerned...
I'm not a drag racer though, so for me the important thing is trap speed and the WRX isn't winning any trophies in that arena...
I'll be happy if I can get my WRX to match a S2000 (stock) in the traps...
I don't have the fortune to own multiple cars, so for me as a student finishing college, the WRX proves the be the ideal fit...
fairly low profile (the S2000 was NOT!)
relatively cheap to insure
decent gas mileage
AWD (I drove the S2000 on a rare icy day here and it was scary!).
Pretty much a go anywhere do it all kind of thing... I'll admit its not as fast in the performance as the S2000 is, but overall I think C&D summed it up best...
something to the tune of "If you can find a better 25,000 dollar car, buy it" Or something to that effect...
Sime, you gotta stop copying me...
I had a 99 Vette, you had a 2000
I had a 00 S2000, you have a 2001
stop!
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sime
[B]Contemplating buying a winter car, I went and test drove the US Spec WRX the other day. Granted it was a new car...........but it felt slow as all heck! How does the magazine get the 1/4 in 14.3 and 0-60 in 5.8? Did Subaru supply the press with a car with upped boost like they did for the magazine test car in Australia?
Thats not to say that simple mods can't even the score as far a quarter mile performance is concerned...
I'm not a drag racer though, so for me the important thing is trap speed and the WRX isn't winning any trophies in that arena...
I'll be happy if I can get my WRX to match a S2000 (stock) in the traps...
I don't have the fortune to own multiple cars, so for me as a student finishing college, the WRX proves the be the ideal fit...
fairly low profile (the S2000 was NOT!)
relatively cheap to insure
decent gas mileage
AWD (I drove the S2000 on a rare icy day here and it was scary!).
Pretty much a go anywhere do it all kind of thing... I'll admit its not as fast in the performance as the S2000 is, but overall I think C&D summed it up best...
something to the tune of "If you can find a better 25,000 dollar car, buy it" Or something to that effect...
Sime, you gotta stop copying me...
I had a 99 Vette, you had a 2000
I had a 00 S2000, you have a 2001
stop!
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sime
[B]Contemplating buying a winter car, I went and test drove the US Spec WRX the other day. Granted it was a new car...........but it felt slow as all heck! How does the magazine get the 1/4 in 14.3 and 0-60 in 5.8? Did Subaru supply the press with a car with upped boost like they did for the magazine test car in Australia?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 865
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From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
heh heh, Mike......I'm sorry.
I DID contemplate the WRX before I bought my S2000, and I did contemplate the S2000 before I bought my 'vette!
I agree that the WRX is an excellent car for the money. A recent copy of SCC proved that they can be made to fly. My best friend in Australia has a 2000 STi, and that car is awesome. Makes me do this:
So, I'm thinking that the best option is to keep my S2000 until the STi and/or Evo 7 come out here.......then I'll decide.
I DID contemplate the WRX before I bought my S2000, and I did contemplate the S2000 before I bought my 'vette!
I agree that the WRX is an excellent car for the money. A recent copy of SCC proved that they can be made to fly. My best friend in Australia has a 2000 STi, and that car is awesome. Makes me do this:
So, I'm thinking that the best option is to keep my S2000 until the STi and/or Evo 7 come out here.......then I'll decide.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 970
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From: Dillsburg, PA
The WRX isn't as quick as the S2000, if you ask me. Yes it can keep up nicely, but if you ask me--car for car--it should lose. STOCK, anyway.
The aftermarket for Subarus is small, and expensive sometimes, but that smallness often leads to fantastic aftermarket companies producing really nice parts. With Honda, VW, or some other car company with a huge aftermarket, that just leads to a larger share of crap parts to sort through.
The WRX however, and I'm glad you bought it , is very upgradeable. The suspension is hardly soft compared to most sedans, but it can also be upgraded very nicely. Anything from STi Version 5 or 6 struts (I guess you should go with 6 on a WRX) with some nice springs (STi Ver.5 springs aren't made any more, not sure about 6s' availability) to adjustable coilovers like those made by DMS. Which have some ridiculously high spring rates on their hardest suspension, something in the 700s. A friend of mine on i-Club has a page devoted to spring rates....
http://www.ravensblade-impreza.com/modific...ing/spring.html
I think that pretty much sums up all of the springs available for the Impreza. I really don't know if the STi 6 stuff is available yet as a separate item...
The turbos can, and have been, upgraded by boost controllers.
So there's an engine mod option. Get rid of the stock tires QUICKLY. They're garbage. I think I said that already.
www.teaguesauto.com
www.cobbtuning.com
www.subaruwrxparts.com
www.subaruparts.com
www.trituning.com
www.kartboy.com
There's a few good sites to go to for stuff.... Teagues and TRI sell a wide array of stuff... SubaruParts is a site run by Tacoma Nissan-Subaru in WA state. They sell mostly OEM parts and some STi stuff, but the prices are way lower than most dealers charge.
SubaruWRXParts is a dealer in Exeter, NH (not far from me), and they have some great stuff on there. Mike is the guy to contact from them... they're a great dealership. Cobb Tuning is in Texas, and they produce some goodies for the car, mostly N/A upgrades.... but I think they sell stuff that'll help with the turbos. (Their air intake is one of the best out there, highly praised. I'm getting one next year.) Kartboy's biggest product is their short shifter, a BEAUTIFUL piece that most of we i-Clubbers hold in very high regard. Easily one of the best-machined short shifters anyone's ever seen. They also sell shifter bushings, swaybar droplink inserts, AFC mounts for the interior, and a couple other things.
-S2-
The aftermarket for Subarus is small, and expensive sometimes, but that smallness often leads to fantastic aftermarket companies producing really nice parts. With Honda, VW, or some other car company with a huge aftermarket, that just leads to a larger share of crap parts to sort through.
The WRX however, and I'm glad you bought it
, is very upgradeable. The suspension is hardly soft compared to most sedans, but it can also be upgraded very nicely. Anything from STi Version 5 or 6 struts (I guess you should go with 6 on a WRX) with some nice springs (STi Ver.5 springs aren't made any more, not sure about 6s' availability) to adjustable coilovers like those made by DMS. Which have some ridiculously high spring rates on their hardest suspension, something in the 700s. A friend of mine on i-Club has a page devoted to spring rates....http://www.ravensblade-impreza.com/modific...ing/spring.html
I think that pretty much sums up all of the springs available for the Impreza. I really don't know if the STi 6 stuff is available yet as a separate item...
The turbos can, and have been, upgraded by boost controllers.
So there's an engine mod option. Get rid of the stock tires QUICKLY. They're garbage. I think I said that already.
www.teaguesauto.com
www.cobbtuning.com
www.subaruwrxparts.com
www.subaruparts.com
www.trituning.com
www.kartboy.com
There's a few good sites to go to for stuff.... Teagues and TRI sell a wide array of stuff... SubaruParts is a site run by Tacoma Nissan-Subaru in WA state. They sell mostly OEM parts and some STi stuff, but the prices are way lower than most dealers charge.
SubaruWRXParts is a dealer in Exeter, NH (not far from me), and they have some great stuff on there. Mike is the guy to contact from them... they're a great dealership. Cobb Tuning is in Texas, and they produce some goodies for the car, mostly N/A upgrades.... but I think they sell stuff that'll help with the turbos. (Their air intake is one of the best out there, highly praised. I'm getting one next year.) Kartboy's biggest product is their short shifter, a BEAUTIFUL piece that most of we i-Clubbers hold in very high regard. Easily one of the best-machined short shifters anyone's ever seen. They also sell shifter bushings, swaybar droplink inserts, AFC mounts for the interior, and a couple other things.
-S2-
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 146
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From: Abu Dhabi
Ask yourself, what would rather wake up in the morning and look forward to driving? Which one puts a smile on your face, when you think about it at work? Which one would not get bored washing every weekend? Which one would your wife/girlfriend like more, then go for the opposite (after all its your car!). Some Zen like thoughts.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 722
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From: Portland
If/when the STi/Evo come here, its gonna be something...
That would certainly be a hot performer...
I suppose you could certainly use your R1 to replace some of the thrill of the S2000, eh?
R1 + STi
I think you'd really have it all then... hehe
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sime
[B]heh heh, Mike......I'm sorry.
I DID contemplate the WRX before I bought my S2000, and I did contemplate the S2000 before I bought my 'vette!
That would certainly be a hot performer...
I suppose you could certainly use your R1 to replace some of the thrill of the S2000, eh?
R1 + STi
I think you'd really have it all then... hehe
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sime
[B]heh heh, Mike......I'm sorry.
I DID contemplate the WRX before I bought my S2000, and I did contemplate the S2000 before I bought my 'vette!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 865
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From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
Yeah...the R1 is an awesome machine. Makes me do this...!
I love my S2000 and have decided to keep it, unless I find a buyer for it at $30K. So, if anyone's interested.......2001 Spa Yellow, 8200 miles, non-smoker, always garaged, no accidents.....call me on 248-961-2300.
Cheers!
!I love my S2000 and have decided to keep it, unless I find a buyer for it at $30K. So, if anyone's interested.......2001 Spa Yellow, 8200 miles, non-smoker, always garaged, no accidents.....call me on 248-961-2300.
Cheers!
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 1
From: North Richland Hills, TX
Hey Sime,
Have you seen the '02 R1...I've been drooling ever since I saw the pics. I love my new SV, but I'm already trying to fight back the temptation of trading it for a new R1 or RC51 in the spring!
Too bad there's not a single sportbike that stands out so clearly over it's competition like the S2000 does...it would make my life a lot easier (I've bought 8 1/3 bikes in less than 3 years).
Have you seen the '02 R1...I've been drooling ever since I saw the pics. I love my new SV, but I'm already trying to fight back the temptation of trading it for a new R1 or RC51 in the spring!
Too bad there's not a single sportbike that stands out so clearly over it's competition like the S2000 does...it would make my life a lot easier (I've bought 8 1/3 bikes in less than 3 years).
