Comments: 1-15, 16-20
Car is still being run in, so nothing significant to report here.
Just purchased this vehicle and am still running in. Can't really comment on reliability or service costs. So this could be a biased initial review. First impressions are that this is a very well built Subaru (with quality, refinement and security vastly improved over the old ones). The fact that I have upgraded from an Audi A4 (lots of expensive problems) should speak volumes. Even though I am taking care to run it in, acceleration on light throttle is still excellent. Have driven older model (MY2000) WRX's and I think this is as smooth and as rapid as ever! Had doubts about buying a performance car in an auto, but new Sport-shift gives a good compromise not available before. And you don't build up a sweat in traffic. But you do build up a sweat every time you park it!
I agree that the Sports Shift is an excellent buy. Why buy a manual when you can change gears around the twisties, but revert back to auto in every day traffic conditions. Unless you're a racing car driver or over-enthusiastic motorist journalist (who doesn't have to pay for a ruined clutch), the auto will drive faster too...
I can't drive yet, but I have to say that the Impreza is a wicked car, but the 2000 models and onwards are ugly, don't you think that?
I agree with the last comment that the post 2000 WRX's lost the plot with the bug eye lights. However, the most recent change to front and rear lights have made the new Rex far more aggressive and satisfying and make the older boxier models look somewhat dated (especially if you see a new one side by side with an old one in the metal). The interior of the post 2000 WRX's is far classier as well.
I have written the original review for this WRX and have now had the opportunity to do more than 3500km. It has been a positive experience.
Whilst the car has still barely been run in, I have taken the opportunity to exploit more of its power. Having driven many other performance cars (including older WRX's and many V8's), I have been absolutely impressed by the new models savage and effortless performance. Brakes are sensational too. Fuel economy is excellent considering its potential.
Although I don't believe in illegal street racing, it is quite satisfying to be able to exploit gaps in traffic that you would not dare to in a lesser car. A huge advantage in having an auto transmission is that you can exploit such gaps without worrying about the car bogging down. I recently drove a manual V8 Ford which not only seemed sluggish when driven correctly, but bogged down regularly.
The downside of course is the unwanted attention and "challenges" from other drivers. It has been fascinating to see other drivers in their beat up 6 and 8 cylinder cars absolutely flog their vehicles to overtake me while I am cruising (I let them in of course).
Verdict: if a manual Rex is 9/10 on the track, the more useable auto is an 11/10 on the road. Excellent.
I wouldn't worry a lot about running the car in. Clearly don't red line it yet, but driving normally for 1000 miles is plenty.
As the original reviewer (and noting the last comment) I thought I would update my review with a comment.
I have now travelled nearly 15,000km in this fantastic car.
Although I have run-in the car with great care and patience (with the car having been serviced twice since new), I was surprised at the need to top the oil up. The dealer reassures me this is normal.
Other than that, I cannot find a fault with the car (OK, the free carpet mats I got with the car are getting a bit worn out).
I have now had the opportunity to redline the car, and have to say that suddenly engaging on-boost at higher revs is as scary as it is addictive. Yet even in the wet, the AWD traction is nothing short of brilliant (I have to constantly remind myself of the inherent danger of driving too fast in the wet).
The biggest problem with this car is this: what do I do at trade-in time? I have never previously kept loyal to any car brand (the sti would be a great upgrade but the ride is too firm, theres no auto, and it costs too much to insure).
At the risk of sounding a little conceited, the only car that really excites me now is a tiptronic 911 turbo - but its more than six times the price (and a tad outside the reach of my budget)!
Guess I'll have to hang onto my car until a find a few more faults with it...
Its me again (the original reviewer). If you thought I sounded too cocky, you were right. Got my first speeding ticket too. Perhaps I'll trade it in on something a little slower...
Subaru cars, in my opinion, are well made, but need attention more than some of the larger selling Japanese makes. Especially (use syn oil for turbos every 3000 miles) in the oil department. My son's friend's WRX really impressed me...a real pocket rocket.. but now that I will never see age 40 again my wife and I now have an Audi (Tiptronic which I don't think much of) A6 turbo and a Volvo S60 2.3l T5 (turbo). Believe me these are pleasurable cars to drive with plenty of zoom. Yes they cost a lot more than the Outlander we had, but for East Coast urban/suburban roads they give the combo of looks/power/handling/comfort that is perfect. When you start geezing like me you may agree with me.
I find an automatic WRX a bit of a paradox as the it is clearly designed as a driver's car, but yet the auto takes a lot of the "hard edge" and control away from the driver.
There's always the new Legacy/Liberty GT if more room and refinement is required... and it will practically be just as fast as what you are driving now, if not even more user friendly at city driving.
I am getting a used 2003 WRX Sport Shift.
I have a question.
Does the gear changes up automatically once we redline under manual mode? In BMWs it does to avoid damage.
Please confirm for WRX.
No. The auto WRX does not change up in sport shift mode. Hence it is suited to sporty driving.
However it does shift down if revs are too low to avoid stalling.
Hi again, its me (the original reviewer).
The WRX is now 3 years old and it has basically not missed a beat.
Aside from the fantastic performance, this has probably been the most reliable car I have owned to date. Well done Subaru!
Of course a 4 cyl car will bog down when weaving in and out of traffic seeing as its max torque is only in a certain rpm range, and anyways, 4 cyls don't have much power to lug out of a higher gear.
I have to wonder if you really know how to drive a stick, you just don't make sense, you expect the engine to pull hard from every gear at any speed. That's just not possible.
I own a VW Jetta 5 speed, great fun. Upshifting at 5500 rpm, downshifting for that intoxicating rush as the engine screams. And c'mon, usin a clutch is cool{I may be biased seeing as I ride sport motorcycles though} I recently drove a hyndai sonata with a manual mode on the auto tranny. And it just doesn't compare to that raw feeling of man and machine with a stick, plus the gearbox reactions are hesitatant since it's an automatic. I will admit that rush hour isn't the funnest of affairs, like my old 88 F150 stick since it had a nasty clutch on it lol, but the car makes up for itself when you get into the twisties...
And with the proper driver, a stick will beat an automatic any day.
*end of biased stick shifter rant*
Hi.
Just wondering if there is a display on the dash to let you know what gear your in while in sports mode?? I wouldn't want to gear down in 2nd when I thought I was in 3rd!
I have a FTO at the moment which has an indicator on the dash to let you know what gear your in...
OK, (original reviewer again!), I'll address the last 2 comments:
1. Granted, driving the sport shift auto is not as involving as a manual car (and yes, I can drive stick). But the fantastic thing about the sportshift is that you can slot it into "D" and cruise around town - and when the roads suit - still have the ability to bang up and down the gears.
2. Disagree that a "4cyl" WRX lacks any power! Disagree there is a lack of torque! With around 300Nm of torque (and a relatively light weight body), this is more than sufficient. A light throttle definately sees off most average cars!
3. To the last comment, YES, the sportshift has a LCD display in the middle of the tacho which indicates what gear you are in.
I have now owned this car for over 3 years, and believe you me, it is now hard to find another suitable car to replace it with. Subaru do not make auto WRXs anymore in Australia. The Liberty GT is too soft for my liking. Probably the best alternatives are something like the new Golf GTi/Jetta, however they still don't have the "edge" of my Rex (though the DSG is to be commended).
The thing I absolutely have love about the WRX sportshift is how versatile it really is - it can cruise with style, but still has a true sports car feel when the mood arises (refer to my first point).
I'm definately hanging onto my car a while longer!