2008 Impreza wRX

[rogerdugans]

Just joined, first post to introduce myself.

Brief history-
long-time shadetree mechanic and enthusiast driver... of 4 wheeled vehicles that are not conventionally popular, usually.

About 6 years back I bought a used Miata, which has been a great car- but has no cargo room, etc. And is now getting "tired."
Been thinking about a new car (one with more room, for one thing!) for a few years now, and after getting stuck driving a Saturn FWD on snow and ice recently, because the Miata didn't have room for Christmas presents....
I went car shopping.

Only two cars on my list which was based on cars I actually LIKED:
Chrysler 300 (and vehicles based on it)
Mustang GT.

The Chrysler was out fast, as my minimum requirements are manual transmission, sunroof or convertible and NOT front wheel drive.
The 300 series cars do NOT come with standard transmissions.

Tested a Mustang GT, and it was great in a lot of ways: classic "muscle car" feel, plenty of power, comfortable to sit in and drive.
Since I refuse to spend that kind of money without doing some "shopping around" I tried to think of what else would meet my minimum requirements.

Subaru was it, unless I spent a bucketload more money.
Understand that I have never liked the "boy racer" looks of the top WRX models- I prefer to drive fast WITHOUT attracting any more attention than possible, for one thing...

But Subaru has a reputation for durability and longevity that is great, as well as having developed a rep. for great performers in recent years (yeah, I ain't a kid.)

So I looked at an Impreza WRX.
Didn't like the look, but test drove one anyway.

The drive was fairly mild, but nevertheless, all the right cues were there-
responsiveness, stable, quick, comfortable and so on.

On the strength of the test drive, and the reputation Subaru has- and the fact that the salesman dropped the price to 22K with a dealer-installed sunroof....(after trading the Mazda)-

Well, my new car should be ready monday.

Not planning to rally, or race the car at all, and no, NOT getting an STi, but the 2008 Impreza WRX does have a lot going for it.

But I might have to do a few tweaks here and there, just because...
Yeah, I kinda tweak everything I own a bit.

[tom'sti]

Welcome.

Good well thought out choice. Post some pics when you take delivery!

[AwdTurboWrx]

congrats, welcome.

[josnroh]

Welcome. I think you'll enjoy the WRX.

[Sasquatch]

Greetings and welcome to the club Roger!

Looks like you have done some good research. Congrats on the (soon to be) WRX. Be warned there are a lot of tweaks that can be made to a WRX - it can get additive.

[NJDOC2008wrx]

welcome aboard u'll love the car!

[Death To Ricers]

Edit: Meh, I was in a bad mood.

Welcome to the Club!

[TheJ]

Welcome to the club!

[RayfieldsWRX]

Welcome aboard!

Wow, kind of all over the place with what you were looking at, IMO. Chrysler 300 to a Mustang to a WRX... 3 very different cars. You're probably also the least enthusiastic "new guy" we've had here in a while; your thread title should be edited to include a "Meh".

Anyway, you've come to the right place if you like to tinker; this place is full of modaholics. I think you'll find that you can coax a fair amount of performance out of your new car with the right tweaks. Good luck.

[mjboudreaux77]

I had similiar issues when I bought my new 07 WRX.. The car isn't the best at any "1" thing - but to me, it was the best overall that I could have gotten and I love it. AWD and manual transmission were a must for me too.

[gfred024]

Welcome

[BillFromTR]

Welcome!

[TheJ]

... your thread title should be edited to include a "Meh"...

Resists urge...

[T0rque]

welcome n00b.

Good choice on the WRX. I previously owned a Magnum.. It was very MEH..

[rogerdugans]

Yeah, I know I am somewhat lukewarm in my enthusiasm...

But of course, all of you have also noticed that I liked the car well enough to spend the money on one.

Thank you all for the welcome, and I am sure I will be around somewhat:
I may not be likely to spend huge amounts of money on parts or accessories but I do like to know as much as possible about any vehicle I own.

And no place better to learn the in and outs of any subject than a forum full of enthusiasts.

Pics and impressions will be posted once I have taken delivery.