STiLust
07-06-2001, 03:06 PM
Well, I wasn't even going to bore everybody with my gushing praise, but after reading that other thread, I figure I might as well. I've been reading about the WRX for some time now, and have a standing order at my dealer for STi #1, but this is my first time out in one.
I snagged a silver 5-speed WRX wagon at the dealer and took it out for a little unsupervised fun. It only had 40 miles or so on it, and I know it's not broken in yet, but I still wound the engine out on several occasions. I didn't do any full-throttle clutch-drops or anything like that, but I did do a couple 0-85mph runs without letting up. The acceleration was great, and the engine made some great noises. I wasn't able to bang off any really fast, smooth 1-2 shifts though. I attribute this to the newness of the car. I could tell the whole thing would get better with a couple thousand miles on it.
This is by far the stiffest Subie I've ever been in. Just getting in and closing the door tells you that. Some past Subies have felt like tin cans, this feels like a bank vault, much like and Audi or the like. Fortunately, the cars doesn't feel as ponderous nor handle as poorly as a vault. I know the WRXs are pretty heavy, but once set in motion it was barely noticable (unlike the aforementioned Audis, wich often feel heavy all the time.)
Cornering was incredible, even with the crummy RE71s (and now I know what all you guys have been comlaining about.) I can't imagine what the cornering limits would be like with a set of super hi-po street tires or racing slicks would be! On a very good condition, 270 degree decreasing radius freeway entry ramp I got the rear end to get a little loose (felt like the tires were squirming) but it was easy to balance with the throttle and produced a very nice four-wheel drift exit. Very little body roll, very controlled chassis all-around. Certainly a car that will reward a skilled driver when driven at it's limits.
Of course the interior was very nice, especially the seats and seating position. They are both perfect for spirited driving. The Momo wheel seemed a little large, but only when I was looking at it, not when I was concentrating on driving. I didn't try out the stereo nor climate control, I was too busy manipulating the wheel and pedals and watching the tach :).
I had no idea this car would be this much fun or this fast. I'm very very happy that enjoyed my test drive so much. I can now continue my vigil for the STi without reservations (although I have to resist getting the regular WRX in the meantime.) It will take a while to wipe the grin off my face when I think about the WRX. Now I know why so many people (a bunch of you included) have bought these cars.
Just a little aside about my driving experience, so you know what I'm comparing this car to. I've driven in my not-so-long lifetime FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD vehicles. I've driven 4cyl, 6cyl, 8cyl, 12cyl cars with displacements from 1.3L to 7.4L with as much as 475HP. Probably my favorite car in the world is the Porsche 911, in all it's many flavors. The WRX is a close second now, for all the same reasons the 911s are great. I must admit, I'm a fan of high-revving engines more so than torque monsters, and would rather have a car that handles than a drag strip beast. Some cars do one thing well, the WRXs seem to be capable of doing just about everything well.
Still grinning :D,
-J
I snagged a silver 5-speed WRX wagon at the dealer and took it out for a little unsupervised fun. It only had 40 miles or so on it, and I know it's not broken in yet, but I still wound the engine out on several occasions. I didn't do any full-throttle clutch-drops or anything like that, but I did do a couple 0-85mph runs without letting up. The acceleration was great, and the engine made some great noises. I wasn't able to bang off any really fast, smooth 1-2 shifts though. I attribute this to the newness of the car. I could tell the whole thing would get better with a couple thousand miles on it.
This is by far the stiffest Subie I've ever been in. Just getting in and closing the door tells you that. Some past Subies have felt like tin cans, this feels like a bank vault, much like and Audi or the like. Fortunately, the cars doesn't feel as ponderous nor handle as poorly as a vault. I know the WRXs are pretty heavy, but once set in motion it was barely noticable (unlike the aforementioned Audis, wich often feel heavy all the time.)
Cornering was incredible, even with the crummy RE71s (and now I know what all you guys have been comlaining about.) I can't imagine what the cornering limits would be like with a set of super hi-po street tires or racing slicks would be! On a very good condition, 270 degree decreasing radius freeway entry ramp I got the rear end to get a little loose (felt like the tires were squirming) but it was easy to balance with the throttle and produced a very nice four-wheel drift exit. Very little body roll, very controlled chassis all-around. Certainly a car that will reward a skilled driver when driven at it's limits.
Of course the interior was very nice, especially the seats and seating position. They are both perfect for spirited driving. The Momo wheel seemed a little large, but only when I was looking at it, not when I was concentrating on driving. I didn't try out the stereo nor climate control, I was too busy manipulating the wheel and pedals and watching the tach :).
I had no idea this car would be this much fun or this fast. I'm very very happy that enjoyed my test drive so much. I can now continue my vigil for the STi without reservations (although I have to resist getting the regular WRX in the meantime.) It will take a while to wipe the grin off my face when I think about the WRX. Now I know why so many people (a bunch of you included) have bought these cars.
Just a little aside about my driving experience, so you know what I'm comparing this car to. I've driven in my not-so-long lifetime FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD vehicles. I've driven 4cyl, 6cyl, 8cyl, 12cyl cars with displacements from 1.3L to 7.4L with as much as 475HP. Probably my favorite car in the world is the Porsche 911, in all it's many flavors. The WRX is a close second now, for all the same reasons the 911s are great. I must admit, I'm a fan of high-revving engines more so than torque monsters, and would rather have a car that handles than a drag strip beast. Some cars do one thing well, the WRXs seem to be capable of doing just about everything well.
Still grinning :D,
-J