How capable are these cars off-road?

[Ikana]

From what I've heard, WRX stands for World Rally eXperimental. I met someone who has I think an '06 WRX with some mods that he actually takes rally racing. I'm not just asking about rally racing, though, how would this car do if taken through various unpaved roads? How does it compare to say, your average AWD truck?

Obviously the WRX or STI is not going to be a great rock crawler, but how do they fare respectively on lighter off-road drives such as on gravel, grass, dirt, mud and snow? What are some things that hold them back in stock form? How different are the WRX and STI in off-road capability? I'd imagine the added limited slip differentials help the STI quite a bit...

It seems like off-road prowess is on some level built into the name and reputation of the car. Is it really there, or are these cars really just great road cars unless they are highly modded?

[SD_GR]

These are road cars. Like any road car, summer rubber and low clearance are going to be issues.

Rally cars are essentially expendable; everything, including the chassis, literally wears out. Other than the general shape, there is little in common between a true rally car and a road car.

Unpaved roads will be fine, but then again I take my FWD road car on unpaved roads all the time too.

[DemonWRX]

In plain stock form they are good for level off road use.....and I don't mean level as in flat road, but as in the road surface not being full of large rocks and pot holes. In both snow and mud (up to a few inches) they fair well given the right tires for the job.

Best advice I could give on the topic would be to look around dirtyimpreza.com...they are a community like we are here, but focused more on the unpaved roadway side of things. They have lots of information on raising up, stiffening the chassis, and prepping for some dirty fun

[MainFrame]

not that I recommend doing something like that in your personal vehicle

[Rambo]

If you read the owner's manual, Subaru spells out exactly what the car's capabilities are. It's not meant for off-road use whatsoever. The AWD system is "mitigating inclement weather" or something like that.

That said, I've driven mine all over a rock quarry (very carefully, I might add), and it's driven through snow that got jeeps stuck. I will add though, that I drive a bugeye, which has a taller ride height than the current generation WRX.

I avoid driving off road when I can help it, but when I can't, it's never let me down.

[MainFrame]

If you read the owner's manual, Subaru spells out exactly what the car's capabilities are. It's not meant for off-road use whatsoever.

Then why do all my parts say "for off-road use only"? lol

[Sinister]

ruffles

[Calvinball]

Then why do all my parts say "for off-road use only"? lol

[rage-wrx]

Then why do all my parts say "for off-road use only"? lol

Rep to you sir.

[Ikana]

Then why do all my parts say "for off-road use only"? lol

[rage-wrx]

You don't have any mods,do you?

[Drews]

They will get stuck in small puddles.

[MainFrame]

They will get stuck in small puddles.

[Ikana]

You don't have any mods,do you?

No. My car is still under warranty. I haven't even looked into it yet.

[BigDaddyRex]

Just a consideration ... the paint on these cars is terrible. Take it off road and beware of severe paint damage from any branches or scrub, flying stones from your tires or any cars/trucks you are near. One afternoon could result is costly paint repair work.