Just got a call from my Subaru dealer about my WRX Wagon on order. They are telling me I can't get the Subwoofer and amplifier in the premium sound package because they added more structural support to the bottom... Has anyone else heard of this? I was wondering where people are putting aftermarket sub's in the wagons?? I must have a sub! I was very happy with the upgraded stereo and I am now disappointed I will have to go through other means.. Let me know guys! BTW, I'm not getting my REX (Blk 5spd Wagon) untill mid-December so I have awhile to plan on this... -Sean

Here's one DIY wagon subwoofer made of MDF and polyester resin...

http://empeg.comms.net/files/37231-2001-WRXWoofer.JPG

I roughly followed some DIY fiberglass instructions I found by searching on the net. I shaped MDF top+bottom pieces first then molded glass matt/resin against the side of the car (well masked with plastic bags and aluminum foil, of course). I then pulled the cured shell out of the car and finished it.

The box contains a single 8" (square) Kicker solobaric.

Interesting about no more subwoofer option. What kind of reinforcement, I wonder?

Jim

:confused: :confused: :confused:

The sub just sits there under the passenger seat. Did they reinforce the seat rails?

My big problem is I can't really lose any space in the cargo area... I am a mobile DJ, and my equipment will just fit in a REX with the seat down.. (i have a full soundsystem + lightshow)... Maybe I could mount one in the passenger side kick panel.. I don't really need anything too big (8" would suffice) because I am looking for a smooth sound and not just raw power. (I have respect for the people who are outside my car :) Maybe I could get a 12" and amp underneath the rear seat? Could work... -Sean

My subwoofer sits under the front passenger's seat. Unless they dramatically changed the seats or car, I don't understand how it wouldn't be possible to install the sub. Maybe your dealer is unable to order the package? :confused:

Something doesn't seem right. Ask him again for more detail. Maybe they have your wagon coming in, but without the upgraded stereo? Perhaps they screwed up your order and are trying to cover the mistake up with a lame story...

Zoomzoom, that is a good point.. Does anyone know who I can call at Subaru corporate for more info? I would really like to believe my dealer on this one, but this is the first car I have bought from them, so I don't know if I can trust them just yet. Has this thing happened to anyone else who has recently ordered a Subaru? I really hope that I'm not getting duped!! I would be very upset!! (maybe even mad enough to go buy a Toyota! - j/k!) -Sean

Get a 8" bazooka

Opusguru, here are instructions for installing the subwoofer:
http://subaruparts.com/install/2002isub.pdf
Check them out and you'll see why the claim that "reinforcement=no sub" seems really, really strange.

Originally posted by mitch808
Get a 8" bazooka

Yeah those things sound pretty good.

You could always get one after you get the car from Mike @ Exeter or Sugar or Subaruparts.com.

Coati, after looking at the installation instructions, I cannot imagine what kind of support they could have added? The subwoofer assembly is very small, I cannot see it getting in the way of anything!! This is very fishy....

Mount it on the ceiling..

seriously!

You know the ceiling isn't too bad of an idea.. Maybe I could take the Volvo approach and mount it in middle of the dash..

-Sean

volvos' have a center channel in there, not a sub :)

(sorry if you already knew this :p )

a sub in the dash of the WRX ... mm im thinking : rattle central!
:D

I know almost all the early WRXes are ordered either with stock sound system, or with the upgraded speakers/subwoofer package. But now it seems the subwoofer units are missing. My guess is that they simply run out of the subwoofers, maybe? That happened with the spoiler early on.

-Ray

Yes, when they told me I couldn't have the Subwoofer, I told them I didn't want the Upgraded speaker package too.. But they called me back and said that I had to pick it up (because the order had already been sent through and they started the build on my car and if they reconfigured it, that it would have to go back to square one), so I got stuck with just the Speakers.. I talked them down to $110 for the speakers. Now, are the upgraded speakers different then the ones on a standard WRX? -Sean

I think you get the same tweeters but higher quality cones (propylene vs paper?) in the other speakers with the upgrade.

So, look under your passenger seat. What's under there?

It's only a temporary issue. This came from a friend at SoA...

"..The structural support is actually for the side impact area, but it is causing an issue with the mounting bracket.
We should have a different bracket VERY soon. It is not available yet, so they are not installing the accessory at the port. Once the bracket is available, it will be an easy dealer install..."

Dennis

So Subaru is making a safety-related, mid-year running change that is so important that they are installing it even though, to make it compatible with factory equipment, the improved part will have to be replaced later with a different part ... but there is no recall for earlier cars?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Coati
So Subaru is making a safety-related, mid-year running change that is so important that they are installing it even though, to make it compatible with factory equipment, the improved part will have to be replaced later with a different part ... but there is no recall for earlier cars?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

my thoughts exactly.

It doesn't read to me like they will be replacing the NEW structural support 'VERY SOON', but rather the old style subwoofer mounting bracket that will be replaced to make the sub compatible with the new support.

But that doesn't resolve the question of what they are improving and can we get it if it is a safety related issue addressed in the middle of a model year. Is there a side-impact issue that we don't know about? Should we start a new thread about this support since most readers will skip over a thread on a sub?

Sounds like a good idea to me. Should we leave it in General so everyone reads it? Or doom it to Warranty limbo?

Coati, I've posted a new thread specifically about the side-impact safety question in the General catagory at:

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103735

Sean -

Certainly you don't carry all that gear with you at all times? Why not just put a sub back there and remove it when you need to load up the back? Heck, if you didn't want to lose it just run long enought cable and you could stick it on the passenger seat or floor while going to a job :)

I would have to remove it every weekend and I run on a very tight schedule.. Time is not a luxury that I have.. I always have a passenger in the car too, so I couldn't put it in that area.. So far it sounds like I will be able to buy the stock Subaru Subwoofer and throw it in myself. -Sean

http://www.beaterz.com/one_liners/1000/100009_boomin_system.htm

:D

ROOF OF BOOM!