Just went out and test drove thw WRX (again) Aucura RSX-S and looked at the Volks GTI 337 special edition turbo. Love the Wrxs power and all wheel drive, but was wondering if alot of people are having trouble with their clutchs and at what milage it happen to them and did SOA help them out, also is it true that the trannys are made of glass or is the breakdown due to excess abuse? DO alot of people have trouble with clutchs??? If not state your milage of trouble free operation. I need to get a grip on this question.

Thanks alot...Joe

Well, I'll tell ya my experiences so far. I have 9k on the car and am having clutch issues.

Around 6k I started to get, from what I gather, a common clutch shudder problem (do a search to find out more).

At 9k, after a long trip first and second suddently refused to engage and hasn't felt right since.

Don't get me wrong though, I love the car. If you want attention, WRX's are the way to go. :lol:

The RSX is a good car too, but not as agressive looking as the WRX (If I could have both I would). The GTI is alright but in my opinion has a dated body style.

Check my Vegas trip thread for more info on my problem. I'll be posting an update on what the dealer says on Tuesday when I take my car in.

BTW, be sure to do your research on each of the cars. Check mag's to see what they say too. Also ask the dealer about it or maybe it would be better to ask the service department.

Allow me to chime in a countervote to mr. suby2002
I've had my wrx for roughly twice as many miles and have got no complaints about the clutch or tranny so far. I've got the kartboy SS & bushings as well.

However I'm probably more careful than most in that I've never done a high RPM clutch drop (i.e. launch the car), and I try to slip the clutch as little as possible. Almost always double clutch or rev match too, but this probably is better for synchro wear. Knock on wood!!!!! Seems there's quite a few WRX owners out there relying on the powertrain warranty to fix these crappy clutches/trannies!
I think I'm one powershift away from getting dicked over by the dealer on it!

This sucks, since even though I have had no problems I'm still worried about the tranny getting phocked.

I have a love / hate relationship with my WRX. When things are good, timing's advanced, and traffic's good, I loooove my WRX. When traffic's bad, the clutch shudders when cold, the car always lurches, engine response isn't very linear, blah blah blah.

I guess you should really know yourself before you choose a car.

If you're anal retentive (be honest), then definitely avoid the WRX. The RSX and perhaps the GTI both have way nicer interior trim and a much more solid, robust feel. WRX interior feels flimsy and tacky by comparison. The RSX tranny is SWEET. Power delivery is much more linear, despite much lower torque and the ease of spinning front wheels at launch. Gas mileage is way better in the RSX; I'd venture to say you'll get almost double the economy when driving enthusiastically.

If you're looking for pure performance AT THE UPPER LIMITS and don't give a crap about styling or gridlock traffic commuting, then the WRX will smoke either the RSX Type S or the GTI. You can't be nit-picky about little quirks or you'll be annoyed by the WRX.

I'm a little bi-polar right now so I'm never completely satisfied with my purchase. I really like the car, but I'm not sure I'd buy another one unless certain things were fundamentally re-engineered.

Dave.

Three things to watch out.

1.) The service sucks big time. Just like the service at Chanise restuarent or worst

2.) I have always had clutch chattering problem from day 1. Very hard to get into first with double clutching if you go about 3 mph or high. The reverse is also hard to engage but only one time per driving. The sum things up subaru should have built a better tranny.

3.) Very hard to find replacement parts when the car get older due to the numbers of Subarus sold compare to ACURAS

With all of these problems I still love this car for the ratio of performance to price.

I also had an opportunity to choose between an Acura RSX-S and a WRX. I selected the WRX because of its AWD performance abilities on the autox course (I previously owned a MY00 2.5RS) and because it was factory turbo-charged. I was well aware of the "soft" Subaru clutches by then but was willing to take a chance on it. I have had clutch shudder since 3k miles and will replace it with an aftermarket clutch when the clutch becomes too bad to drive. I have had hilarious fun at the local autox races and have placed pretty high in the overall standings a few times. Although the RSX-S can be a formidable autox racer, I don't think I would have done as well in one. If you enjoy the pure thrill of driving get a WRX...if you are worried about repairs, get the RSX-S.:D

I have about 18k miles on the wrx and no clutch pr****ms what so ever, actually there aren't any pr****ms with anything else either. I keep thinking I got lucky or something, cause I read about all these pr****ms in posts but I don't seem to... I'm just gonna stop here because I know I'm gonna jinx myself (which is why I starred out the p-word, if you can't figure it out, then god help you, haha). Only performance mods I have right now are the sti SS and a K&N panel filter.

You have to be mindful of who's posting. You have a few people that have had problems, some of which are down to abuse. They make a big deal, tell everyone that Subies suck, etc. Most people don't have problems. Unfortunately, it's just not news worthy to say "hey, just made 30k miles and no problems!!! Subies RULE!!". It'll be awhile before you see people saying "just hit 250k miles, no probs".

To be fair, I do drive the car properly. Not carefully necessarily, just properly. No speed shifting, no clutch drops, double-clutched, rev-matched downshifts, etc. etc. The large torque numbers and the traction of AWD put quite a bit of stress on the tranny. You just have to keep that in mind.

25k and no probs,

Chris

I have no serious problems with my clutch, but it is *not* the best driving clutch around. In fact, it's the hardest clutch to drive smooth that I've ever tried. I've driven old jeeps that have a smoother engaging clutch.

I still love my WRX though!

I agree with Dave 99. After 6 mos and 9800 miles of WRX ownership, there's not a day goes by that I don't think i've got the only car i'd want under $40k.

That being said, I'm fortunate enough to be able to drive daily on a toll road or freeway where I can stick in the 80-100 mph range. In traffic, it's a pain in the ass, and I'm not that comfortable on city streets unless I can keep the revs up in 3rd above 3500 rpm. My non-VTEC '96 Integra was easier to drive in traffic and in the City.

Lot's of good posts in this thread.

I would add that while I have noticed some clutch 'shudder', it only happens when the car is cold. Usually when I take it out of the garage on a humid day. Even then it usually does it only once. It is not a big deal as far as I'm concerned.

I certainly would buy the WRX again. I have had some other minor problems (CE lights for code 1443, hesitation/stumble during acceleration) but nothing serious.

Keep in mind that human nature is such that people are much more likely to complain than they are to compliment.

Thanks everyone for their posts. This last Sunday we went out and bought a Silver WRX Wagon. Tinted all rear windows and got gold 17" Super leggra's for it and some S-03's for sneakers. Ordered a Scooby sport cat back exhaust and will save my pennies for Leda suspension mods down the road. As for the clutch (250 miles) no problems yet. LOL !!!! But have to say its the must difficult release or I may be hyper senative . I think I have pshyco clutch brain disease. Am already getting people honking at me to take off from lstop lights. Still breaking the car in but in the future the mis- use (is this a mis use) Rev matching down shifts, are they a problem??
Christ this is a drivers car is it not?
Anyway all wheel drive is where its at.
Thanks for all the help.
:cool:

Congrats!

Yeah, the clutch is a bit difficult and takes some getting used to. Maybe the people with probs just never master it?

Originally posted by 9balljoe
Rev matching down shifts, are they a problem??


Whaddayamean?

someone stated in another thread that rev matching downshifts was harmful. Seems to me its makes life easier for the clutch!!

most people that have problems with clutches either cant drive stick, and drive in heavy traffic, jerkin everywhere....or they abuse it by doin dumps every other take off...or they put on some mods, usually engine mods...when you mod engine you need a more powerful clutch...when you get new tires and rims, which usually are heavier, it puts more strain on the clutch and the transmission...look at jeep owners like me, i have stock tires which is recommended, and mine runs god....other jeep owners have big ass swampers, and that just puts too much strain with that added weight and they are constantly having new clutches put in and always in the shop...do what the manual says on everything and u should have a nice 100k mile car

and cause this car is based on the WRC version, people like to take it offroading everywhere, and may i remind people that most rally and racing cars get new engines, trannies, and clutches after each race, or when needed on rally cars (which says unless you want to do repairs constantly keep it on the road more than you keep it off the road).... those rocks being slung up can be bitches ya know...no tellin what they will knock off the engine
a car would not be on sell for $25k if it was gonna break down in a week or month, they got tests to pass you know...if you treat your car right it will treat you right and last a long time (10 years avg life span of most cars i think)

Personally, I think the clutch is fine--not much different from most other late model cars.

Any difficulty people may be having is probably due to the nature of the engine--it's a dog below about 3K rpm, especially with the A/C running. I've found that just to take of 'normally' requires reving to at least 2,500 rpm and feathering the gas and clutch to hold at least that engine speed while pulling away from a stop.

I think the clutch is pretty damn good. The first thing I noticed when I test drove the wrx was how easy it was to drive smoothly. My friends who have driven my car have commented on this as well.

Although I get a bit of shudder sometimes in the mornings, I've adjusted my method so it doesn't bother me much anymore. After it's warmed up, the shudder goes away. No big deal.

I also spend a lot of time in DC traffic. Haven't had a problem yet. The key to smoothly driving in traffic is putting it into 2nd as soon as possible. 2nd is much less jerky than 1st.

I removed my GND mod recently, but I can guarantee you that the car is a lot easier to start rolling with the GND mod. The low RPM smoothness makes it a lot easier to engage the clutch without the need to slip because you can modulate the throttle so much more effectively. Without the GND mod, the throttle is either on or off below 2000 RPM. It's pathetic.

Too bad my car feels so sluggish with that GND mod or I'd leave it on.

Dave.

No, rev-matching is a good thing. Less stress on the tranny and clutch. If you can do it, do it.

Lot's of discussion on this - it seems to start with the 1st gear "problem", then people say that you should rev-match, then the people who can't say you shouldn't have to, then the whole thing blows up and people are slinging crazy ideas around that make no sense. Subaru MTs are no different than any others in basic operation and technique.

26k, never dumped the clutch. i think the clutch is poor, though i like the feel of it. i've had shudder for a long time now and i deal with it. just rev it a little higher when you slip it and you won't feel it. i also have synchro whine on the 1st-2nd shift, which started about 17k and hasn't really gotten worse sounding. i can double clutch this upshift and i don't hear it, so that's what i do now. i guess you'd say i have some minor issues.
still, i see an mrt dog-box and clutch upgrade in my future. the wrx is a fun car and is as good as your willing to spend to upgrade it. with this car you have to pay if you want to play.

My Rex currently has 32,000 problem free miles on the clock, it has seen 20 passes at the drag strip 4 auto crosses and 2 sets of tires, despite all of this the origional clutch is still going strong.

My Rex like many others has the occasional clutch shudder when cold, but it only happens once or twice a week when I first drive the car for the day.

When this clutch is toast I will most certantly replace it with another stock clutch

I don't baby the car in the least bit nor do I abuse it. I just drive it the way it should be driven.

Oh I almost forgot the car has been running an APS Club Spec for the past 24,000 miles.

Ok first off I don't baby the car I have once done a 3k slip and everything else has been normal takeoffs..At 2200 miles I had to get a new clutch due to the throwout bearing rattling on shifts/decelleration. When they took the clutch out it was half gone. At 2200 miles....I do not do 4k drops only rev the car after the clutch is engaged and I do not race the car at a dragstrip. Do I love the car?? Yes Would I buy another??? No. I was not expecting to have to drop a trany in it in order to drive spiritedly and sooner than that a clutch.After I got it back there is something rubbing on the inner wheel well when I take turns hard.. I bought this car to be a performance car, however with all these probs it is gonna end up being my grocery getter that I have to baby while turboing my 2001 Celica which I have had no probs in. Let me also say I have been driving a stick my whole life and never had a prob with clutches before my WRX. Oh yeah there is gonna be an aftermarket 6 puck clutch going in there.

Well...

I keep telling myself that my many years of experience with stick will make my WRX experience a good one. Now I'm skeptical and I wonder if I should go out and buy the car. I don't want to own a car that's constantly in the shop, especially AFTER the warranty period. Clutches should last over 60k for sure...