It's not a sportscar. It isn't a racecar. The STI wasn't even those things.

The GT3 on the other hand...

 

Its considered a sports car, as is the elantra N, the GTI, and the civic Si. It's just one of those things.

The GT3 is a consumer race car.

 

Its considered a sports car, as is the elantra N, the GTI, and the civic Si. It's just one of those things.

How's that categorized marketing tactic working out for you?

 

The Elantra N is in a whole other class of performance, competing with the CTR, GR Corolla and such. It would have been an STI competitor more than the WRX.

A good set of brake pads, DOT4 fluid and an alignment will do wonders for your car.

 

Im not worried about getting the car to handle or stop in time. I've already ordered SS brake lines, and EBC pads.

Naturally, I can't find the temperature ranges of the stock rotors so I'll probably have to play it safe and order a new set of high temp sports blanks.

I'll also be trying to get the most out of the stock shocks for a few years since it's a daily driver.

I appreciate the suggestions, btw 🙏

 

Hello fellow 1st WRX owner! My 2023 WRX handles, accelerates, and brakes WAY better than my 2013 Jeep Wrangler it replaced. It's all relative.

 

I coukd understand that, you carry a very good point. I appreciate that, a lot, honestly.

 

On paper its considered a "sports car" but it is not that. Subaru is good at their PR on the wrx and it having "World Rally Cross" roots. The difference between a actual rally car and the current wrx is not even close. Its a car that can get you from A to B in any type of weather with the right tires with some fun cornering and noises in there. Its not gonna put down good track times (without heavy modification). Its an all around good car.

 

I want to reiterate...

Proper alignment.

Subaru's factory alignment is so conservative it's gross, even on their performance models. From the factory, my STI came with -0.42 degrees of front camber, and almost a tenth cross-camber. We simultaneously aligned my friend's Focus ST which had nearly -2 degrees of front camber from the factory. Granted, you can't compare the numbers directly here, but it's no wonder the STI had a reputation for understeer while the ST had a reputation for neutral cornering from the factory despite similar weight distribution.

Get that alignment done stat. It's a huge difference at such little investment. If the VB is anything like the VA, you should be able to get about -1.1-1.2 degrees of camber out of the OEM front camber bolts and plates.

 

I certainly wouldn’t consider this a sports car, too underpowered. In its stock for its only good as a daily driver. That’s exactly what I do with mine, drive it back and forth to work. I’m not overly impressed with it that’s for sure.

 

I certainly wouldn’t consider this a sports car, too underpowered. In its stock for its only good as a daily driver. That’s exactly what I do with mine, drive it back and forth to work. I’m not overly impressed with it that’s for sure.

My sentiments exactly. It literally is the most numb car I've had since my 2009 Civic Si. Although my Civic Si didn't obnoxiously rattle from about 5 different locations like my WRX. (not an exaggeration)

I basically just plan to beat the shit out of it, stay within the oil change limits, and rely on my warranty for the next 47k miles. I have little respect for this car. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

Just some curiosity. Have you considered upgrading your brake pads to a higher metal content pad? If you had built your 370 to be track ready, I would expect you would already be used to the squeal like a stuck hog normal use noises. I think going to a more track ready brake fluid might have some value, too (Motul 600 or Castrol full synthetic). One point to a track alignment is that you will likely experience a bit more tire wear during daily use.

That engine wail from that flat 6 of the GT3 (GT3 RS?) is glorious. I've been fortunate enough to get to slice and dice with an RS in a proper environment.

 

I'd be curious your review of the mk8 Golf R.

I think people are starting to recognize fast and fun are not the same thing. There are plenty of cars that are every combination of those two things.

 

Fast is often tied to your bank account. A GT3 RS is kinda fast. However, costs starting at >$150K plus ~$50K markups are out of most folk's range. JBravo likely has the very best performance bargain on the planet. I applaud his choice but considering that he lives north of the North Pole gives me a bit of a pause. When I grow-up, I hope to have a fast car. However, the odds of that happening are frighteningly long at this juncture.

 

I do love the car even if its a garage car 6 months out of the year. Pulled it out yesterday but still too many rocks on the road so its Wrx til they sweep them up. I feel like most of my life I've had to upgrade to a faster car but I think i'm content now with my setups. Enough speed to scare me if I need it and daily driving ability. Yeah I agree fast is most often tied to your bank account and theres always someone with a bigger one. With inflation being as bad as it is I can see less and less people springing for 75k+ cars. its harder and harder to just live comfortable lol.

 

My opinion is it isnt a sports car at all.

My wife wanted a manual tyranny and all wheel drive so WRX was the choice.
It's a fun little car for a daily driver but definitely not a sports car.

 

I'd recommend a full brake upgrade or trade it in and ad $20,000-40,000 in cash for a better car and be done with it.