I just got a new WRX and I'm fackin stoked

[SIIHP]

Wow. You are really butthurt over this ain't ya?

Nice edit, but it still don't change the fact a WRX is slow.

[jayfrizzo]

Ben, is that you?

[PNWbrit]

WRX is slow

Have you ever driven one? It sure doesn't sound like it. On real roads? with bends? Not your precious quarter miles. Rain? Snow? Dirt roads?

I "babysat" a friends WRX wagon for the winter two seasons ago while they were out of the country for work. In the real world the thing is certainly faster than any car under 30K probably even 50K (excepting other WRC homologation models like the EVO). It is also extremely forgiving of driving mistakes, which a Camaro or Mustang are certainly not.

If I had one fulltime I'd have to go back to keep keeping my U.K. licence in my wallet.

[SIIHP]

Have you ever driven one? It sure doesn't sound like it. On real roads? with bends? Not your precious quarter miles. Rain? Snow? Dirt roads?

I "babysat" a friends WRX wagon for the winter two seasons ago while they were out of the country for work. In the real world the thing is certainly faster than any car under 30K probably even 50K (excepting other WRC homologation models like the EVO). It is also extremely forgiving of driving mistakes, which a Camaro or Mustang are certainly not.

If I had one fulltime I'd have to go back to keep keeping my U.K. licence in my wallet.

Co-worker has one. He thinks like you do, he thinks he can whoop anything on the road. But, really, it ain't faster than any car on the road under 30k. And to say so tells me one thing. Its the fastest car you have ever been in, therefore you think you can whoop anything. I actually can't believe how many people think a car just over 200 HP is fast. Go from your 227 HP car to something in the 140 HP range, thats the kind of difference you will feel going from a Mustang, F-body (Camaro, Firebird), 350Z or such to a WRX. You are WAY short on HP and torque compared to those cars. If you want to bring handling into it, if you look at SCCA events (yes, racing with turns) F-bodies dominate their class... which by the way they run with M3's, Porsches and such.

[Fall Line]

http://www.vishnutuning.com/lancer_stage_zero_2.htm

[1080Rider]

Isn't mitsubishi the co. that's jumping on people for ANY mods or racing. I had heard they were sending people to SCCA races in so. cal. and taking plates of people who raced. Next time you go in for warranty work they tell you they won't work on it. That's pretty fucked up if it's true.

I like the wrx's but it is easy to beat one in the 1/4 mile. That said, the awd will make a huge difference in the winter and cornering. I used to have a modded mustang, it wasn't much fun in the winter once I moved over here to spokane where we get snow.

[climb2ski]

Wow!! Let me know when you go over 100mph....

[AntiSoCalSkier]

Ooooooo 1/4 mile times.

I haven't heard numbers from anyone who's actually taken their's to the track, so I'll post mine. Since I'm a pussy who didn't want to blow up their tranny (unlike Alkasquawlik, who seems to have a thing for blowing up trannys), I was running in the mid-16s. That's right, the mid-16s. (Note that I had zero drag racing experience and was unwilling to do a 5K RPM clutch drop), so yes, a V6 Altima could have taken me, and the Civics were destroying me, hell I even lost to a Tacoma (I did however beat an Integra "Type-R").

So yeah, if you want to go fast in a straight line, a WRX probably isn't the best choice. An SRT-4 is way fastAr. But, when it comes to driving on real roads with potholes, loose gravel and turns, a WRX is a lot faster than most things out there in its price range. When you add in the fact that it can seat 4 adults in moderate comfort, and carry a reasonable amount of gear, AND has AWD so the chain-nazis don't mess with you, there's nothing that comes close to the WRX. The next comparable vehicle is an A4 Avant, but they're slow. Really, it should be copmpared with the S4 Avant, which is a little faster and has a much nicer interior, but is a LOT more expensive.

Oh, and whoever was asking for tire upgrades, I put on the BF Goodrich KDWS tires. I haven't tried them on snow yet (they have a rep of being not so great in snow, despite being M+S rated), but on the dry roads of SoCal, they rock!

[1080Rider]

Ued to have the KDW's on our contour svt. Went w/ kuhmo's this time and they suck compared to the KDW's. They're a great tire. Anti- they will suck in any sort of snow. Be ready.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

Ued to have the KDW's on our contour svt. Went w/ kuhmo's this time and they suck compared to the KDW's. They're a great tire. Anti- they will suck in any sort of snow. Be ready.

Thanks for the warning. It's supposed to be a mild El Nino out here this year. This usually means that everyone gets really excited and then it never snows, so I shouldn't have to worry

[SIIHP]

Isn't mitsubishi the co. that's jumping on people for ANY mods or racing. I had heard they were sending people to SCCA races in so. cal. and taking plates of people who raced. Next time you go in for warranty work they tell you they won't work on it. That's pretty fucked up if it's true.

I like the wrx's but it is easy to beat one in the 1/4 mile. That said, the awd will make a huge difference in the winter and cornering. I used to have a modded mustang, it wasn't much fun in the winter once I moved over here to spokane where we get snow.

There were actually a couple dealerships doing this. Mitsu. was the only company that was verfied to do it, but individual dealerships were doing it as well. Then there are other things the companies are doing to save money off warranty stuff. GM tries to void the warranty if there is rubber (from burnouts) in the wheel wells. Heard of 2 cases of dealerships trying to void the warranty for tranny work and even a window motor because the air filter was a K&N. One of the few good stories recently was Toyota. They were having major issues with engines losing oil and blowing. They insisted it was the owners or mechanics error, but still replaced said engines for free.

Anyways, to all those who seem to be really defensive about what I have said, sorry, its true. Mid 14's if you wanna risk your tranny, .84 g's skidpad (F-bodies with their old straight axle pull .87 which is a huge difference) and such. The only real advantage it has is in snow or gravel because of AWD, but how often do you drive really gravelly roads and icy roads at speed? Most of the time you are on dry pavement where AWD helps with launching only (AWD kills top end pull). Thats not to say it sucks (hell, I drive a 98 Maxima, so mine is a bit slower than a WRX), just that from a performance standpoint it falls short of "fast".

[slippy]

The only real advantage it has is in snow or gravel because of AWD, but how often do you drive really gravelly roads and icy roads at speed?

Very frequently.

[SIIHP]

Very frequently.

You frequently are driving your car hard on gravel and ice? I doubt it. That puts you and anyone else on the road in danger. AWD is nice in those conditions, but any car will go in those conditions, and if you are driving like its a high performance car in those conditions (and you don't rally your car in organized events) then please:

A. stay away from me
B. put me in your will.

lol

[slippy]

You frequently are driving your car hard on gravel and ice? I doubt it. That puts you and anyone else on the road in danger. AWD is nice in those conditions, but any car will go in those conditions, and if you are driving like its a high performance car in those conditions (and you don't rally your car in organized events) then please:

A. stay away from me
B. put me in your will.

lol

Why wouldn't you believe me, have I lied to you before? And what kind of car do you want me to drive, I don't understand your point. There's nothing you're saying that I'm disagreeing with.

[PaSucks]

Shit my GSR will hang with a WRX and I'm giving up 57 bhp. You'll beat me in a standing 1/4 but from a roll I got you scraped. And AWD be damned on dry pavement I will smoke your wrx in the twisties. (Well I would smoke you in the twisties if my front tires wern't bald and my rear shocks wern't blown) Yeah, when the snow is falling I will be wishing I had AWD, but until then I am going to love the better gas milage and and lower curb weight of my car.

[Bum Z]

I own a WRX as well. Congrats on getting one, they are very fun to drive. They aren't fast off the line. However, I don't really care about off the line. Yes, the low end torque sucks. It's all about the turbo, which doesn't kick in until at least 3000 RPM.

My recommendation - get some Blizzak LM-22's for winter driving. The Blizzaks kick ass, and the LM-22 is higher speed rated. I have no problems pushing 60 to 70 up LCC in a few inches of snow.

As for the debate on performance overall, I think they are a good value. There isn't a lot that really kicks their ass for the same price.


EDIT - I forgot - tell your wife to shove it. You will get speeding tickets.

[Lynx]

i will definately highly recomend the Valentine 1. i've never used the passport but the V1 has been tits (ive had this one for about 6 or 7 years). i cant say i have stopped getting tickets since i've owned it, but it has definately saved my ass a TON (im sure i would have lost my license a while ago with out it) you have to understand in the case of any radar detector you cant really hide from laser or instant on...i swear, the laser detector is really just in there to laugh at you and let you know "ha ha your sorry ass JUST GOT A TICKET." I have mine tucked up above my mirror and it's hardwired so there is no chord hanging straight down the windshield or anything and i can still use my lighter to charge my phone or whatever. What i dont have, but would reccomend if you want to spend the money is the concealed display unit. you can tuck that in somewhere more discrete and then no one sees the flashy lights inside your car.

i feel so weird driving without it now. whenever i pass a cop in a friends car i find myself wanting to know if his radar was on and what type he was using and if there are anymore signals and what direction they are coming from. the directional arrows are so key, too, so you know whether or not to pay more attention to any speeding cars in your rear view or look for the popo up front. or, if you don't see anyone, you can at least see if you pass the signal or if the signal passes you. yes, i love my v1. they should pay me for this shit.

also, when i got my last car....i almost went for the wrx but stuck with the OBS for the cheaper gas (and cause they finally upgraded the rear brakes, engine, and wheels) and cause i'm pretty sure it would be a bad idea for me to own anything with a turbo. pretty bad. im sure of it.