Test drove '09 WRX today

[jabrabu]

I test drove an '09 WRX 5-door today. I liked it a lot, but didn't totally love it.

FWIW, my current daily driver is a 2004 BMW 330i with the ZHP performance package and 6-speed manual.

The interior is nice. Seats are comfortable. The headrests are not adjustable, but are in a comfortable position for me. However, with a helmet on I think they would push my head too far forward.

Acceleration was pretty quick, but not as quick as I expected based on the sub-5 second 0-60 times some magazine reviews have shown. It did't feel any quicker than my 330i, which is about 6 seconds 0-60. I did a quick acceleration through 1st and 2nd and into 3rd. It felt pretty quick, but not particularly exciting, but I looked at the speedo and I was doing 80, so perhaps it is a lot quicker than it felt.

Throttle response was slower than the 330, seemed to have some lag, but not too bad. It also didn't have as much low end torque as I expected.

The car felt very solid. Suspension felt firm, but the ride was still quite good. Very similar feel to the BMW actually. Had more body roll in the corners than the BMW, though. Also had a bit more wind noise than the BMW, but was still quieter than I expected. Very little engine noise, road noise, or wind noise.

I was not familiar with the roads and there was traffic, so I didn't get to push handling too much, but it felt pretty good. Steering response was good, felt similar to the BMW, but with somewhat less feedback. Brakes didn't have the bite or feel of the BMW, but that's no surprise.

I hated the shifter feel in the WRX. It felt vague and rubbery and imprecise, and I felt uncomfortable doing very quick shifts. The STi short shifter would probably be a worthwhile option.

Overall, it seems like a very nice, fun little car. I'm not sure I want to give up the BMW for it, though. I realize that I'm comparing a $25K car to a $40K car, but I paid $23K for the used BMW so for me the comparison is valid. The WRX has the practicality of a hatchback and AWD, but the BMW has a pretty big trunk and the back seat folds down, so it's fairly practical as well.

After the test drive I drove my wife's Subaru Outback wagon (base 2.5i). Boy did it feel slow after driving the WRX.

[be1ieve1111]

Hope you don't buy that particular one after testing its acceleration lol. Was it a new one too or was it a broken in 1000+ one?

[njkayaker]

my 08 got stronger and quicker after the break in so i wonder if testing a new 09 off the lot with little miles on it will give you the true feel of what the car will be capable of.

[TheJ]

Good review but NOT a good comparison. A 2004 WRX in good condition would run you at least 20% less then a 2004 330i... Would an 2004 Z06 be a good comparison to a new 09 335i since the corvette costs less used then the bmw new? ...No because used versus new pricing aside, these are two very different vehicle types/classes. The WRX (new refinement upgrades not withstanding) is and always has been based on an econobox model with a good awd system and tuned up engine. I believe I can appreciate where you are coming from in wanting to see what the WRX is about the compared to your 330i. However, I suspect once accustomed to the BMW, the WRX would feel like a step backwards for many people.

As far as acceleration... The WRX is a four cylinder not a 6 like the BMW. Practically speaking it does not matter what the peak HP of the WRX is or how it is tuned from the factory... The low end in the 4 cylinder WRX will never feel like a V6 BMW. The power band is quite different. Additionally, If you have not driven a WRX much previously, you likely wouldn't know that those sub-5 second 0-60 times, are only achieved with a proper launch. Given the very different torque curves, if you simply try to accelerate very quickly as you may in a RWD vehicle, the WRX will just feel like a peppy four cylinder. The difference between simply accelerating quickly and launching is very dramatic, to say the least. When properly launched, full advantage is taken of it's AWD system, lag is somewhat diminished and it's a much more rocket-like experience. It's also not for everybody though. Coming from a different auto experience, having to "launch" to realize the amazing acceleration is something the may likely not appeal to you. Additionally, done to excess launching will often result in shortened transmission life. Generally speaking, people should not buy a WRX for 0-60 times but for some combination of what it offers. Otherwise they will end up disappointed.

The shifter... Again, the WRX is still a tuned up economy car with a good AWD system. The five speed in the WRX is a very poor comparison to an upgraded BMW six speed. You will NEVER find a shifter that will feel as good as the 6 speed you are accustomed to in your BMW, without stepping up to more car. An STi 6 speed would likely be a better comparison but even then you would have to consider that the STi and 330i are still two completely different vehicles.

I think for you to be happy with a WRX you would have to really wrap your mind around the fact that it is a completely different car from what you are used to. Obviously, I don't see that happening based on your post.

I wish you well though and hope you stick around the club to have fun with us!

[jabrabu]

Originally Posted by TheJ

Good review but NOT a good comparison. A 2004 WRX in good condition would run you at least 20% less then a 2004 330i...

The shifter... Again, the WRX is still a tuned up economy car with a good AWD system. The five speed in the WRX is a very poor comparison to an upgraded BMW six speed. You will NEVER find a shifter that will feel as good as the 6 speed you are accustomed to in your BMW, without stepping up to more car.
I

I agree with most of what you wrote, and I said earlier that I realize that comparing a $40K car to a $25K car may not be valid. However, I previously went from a '97 M3 to a Miata, and while I missed the BMW's torque and refinement, I had just as much fun driving and autoxing the Miata. I like small cars, and I don't like too much refinement. On long trips refinement is nice, but on my short commute I don't need it. The 330i provides an awesome combination of luxury and performance, but I do miss some of the raw feel of the M3.

As far as shifters, the ones in my Miatas were the best ever, and those were cheap cars, so vehicle price is not the issue there. I never liked the shifter much in the '97 M3 either, but the ZHP 330i 6-speed has a good one, almost as good as the Miata's.

I think I could be very happy with the '09 WRX. I also think it will be a better autox car than my 330i. Would I want to get rid of my 330i to buy a new WRX? I don't know.

[martin909]

Originally Posted by jabrabu

As far as shifters, the ones in my Miatas were the best ever, and those were cheap cars, so vehicle price is not the issue there.

+1 on that... I had a '91 miata and just sold my '06 MX-5. Nothing like going through the gears with the flick of the wrist. I'm hoping installing a short-shift kit and bushings in the WRX will firm up and shorten the throws. It definitely felt rubbery and vague, more family-car than sports car. But, that aside, I loved just about everything else about it. That's why I bought one! (delivery later this week, anxiously awaiting...)

[BOOOSTIN]

Originally Posted by thej

good review but not a good comparison. A 2004 wrx in good condition would run you at least 20% less then a 2004 330i... Would an 2004 z06 be a good comparison to a new 09 335i since the corvette costs less used then the bmw new? ...no because used versus new pricing aside, these are two very different vehicle types/classes. The wrx (new refinement upgrades not withstanding) is and always has been based on an econobox model with a good awd system and tuned up engine. I believe i can appreciate where you are coming from in wanting to see what the wrx is about the compared to your 330i. However, i suspect once accustomed to the bmw, the wrx would feel like a step backwards for many people.

As far as acceleration... The wrx is a four cylinder not a 6 like the bmw. Practically speaking it does not matter what the peak hp of the wrx is or how it is tuned from the factory... The low end in the 4 cylinder wrx will never feel like a v6 bmw. The power band is quite different. Additionally, if you have not driven a wrx much previously, you likely wouldn't know that those sub-5 second 0-60 times, are only achieved with a proper launch. Given the very different torque curves, if you simply try to accelerate very quickly as you may in a rwd vehicle, the wrx will just feel like a peppy four cylinder. The difference between simply accelerating quickly and launching is very dramatic, to say the least. When properly launched, full advantage is taken of it's awd system, lag is somewhat diminished and it's a much more rocket-like experience. It's also not for everybody though. Coming from a different auto experience, having to "launch" to realize the amazing acceleration is something the may likely not appeal to you. Additionally, done to excess launching will often result in shortened transmission life. Generally speaking, people should not buy a wrx for 0-60 times but for some combination of what it offers. Otherwise they will end up disappointed.

The shifter... Again, the wrx is still a tuned up economy car with a good awd system. The five speed in the wrx is a very poor comparison to an upgraded bmw six speed. You will never find a shifter that will feel as good as the 6 speed you are accustomed to in your bmw, without stepping up to more car. An sti 6 speed would likely be a better comparison but even then you would have to consider that the sti and 330i are still two completely different vehicles.

I think for you to be happy with a wrx you would have to really wrap your mind around the fact that it is a completely different car from what you are used to. Obviously, i don't see that happening based on your post.

I wish you well though and hope you stick around the club to have fun with us!

amen!

[Big Sky WRX]

in regards to the shifter- the oe shifter is looooooong, the difference between it and the STi shifter is night and day

the WRX is (and always has been) the jack knife of cars. if you want (need) a car that can do everything, then it's a car worth looking into. while there will always be cars that out perform it at certain tasks, no car will do so admirably at all the tasks

<-- grocery getter
daily driver
(insert- ski, snow board, surf board, kayak, other) -bum car
canyon/mtn carver
autox car
track day car
for many- not me- rally-x car too

[Jeffp25]

Originally Posted by TheJ

Generally speaking, people should not buy a WRX for 0-60 times but for some combination of what it offers.

After 10 months, I still hate the clutch on the 2008 WRX. But, when I pull on to a nice curvey on-ramp and accelerate up through the gears, it is a lot of fun. And it is also fun that I can have the same level of performance when the ground is a little wet (with a little care that I don't slide off the road, or aqua-plane when trying to stop). While I only got to play with it in the snow once last Winter, it was a lot of fun sliding it around in an empty parking lot (one that I know didn't have concrete blocks hidden under the snow) and I look forward to snowy days coming up.

But I wouldn't say no to a BMW 330 xi if one was offered.

[wildbill]

Subaru says the usual demographic analysis doesn't fit the WRX. Instead they're looking at psychographics, which means that if you want a car like this, you want this car, regardless of your age, gender or income level: If you have to ask why, you won't understand the answer. The STi will trump that in spades. We see the WRX appealing to enthusiasts who aren't necessarily eager to impress the neighbors but do enjoy driving a very capable automobile. Certainly there's nothing like it on the market today.

Not sure where I got this from but saved it nevertheless. Seems applicable here.

[snowcat]

Lol... just saw this on a car dealership site when searching for '09 info:

Base 1988 GL:

Options / Features

COMFORT:
Tilt Steering Wheel
Tinted Glass

CONVENIENCE:
Center Console
Clock
Power Door Locks
Power Exterior Mirrors
Power Windows
Tachometer

DRIVETRAIN / SUSPENSION:
Power Brakes
Power Steering

ENTERTAINMENT / TELEMATICS:
AM/FM Audio System

RIMS / TIRES:
13 Inch Wheels

I think Subarus have come a long way.

[Jeffp25]

Originally Posted by snowcat

I think Subarus have come a long way.

And don't forget traction control and stability control (that fortunately come with an "off" switch).

My biggest convenience complaint is lack of one-touch up on the drivers window. You can use one-touch down to lower it, but when you're trying to close the window, steer, and change gear as you leave a toll booth, having to hold the switch up (or pull away with the window open) is a pain.

[wildbill]

knee steer dude, knee steer!

[Jeffp25]

Originally Posted by wildbill

knee steer dude, knee steer!

I know that the WRX doesn't have a torque steer problem, but flooring the gas in first while steering with my knees doesn't sound like a good idea to me.