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Old 12-29-2000, 04:19 AM   #1
Lovejoy
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Lightbulb Feb C&D Write-up on US Spec. WRX

Got this off UselessNet :

There is a small write up on the new WRX (US spec.) in the latest Car and
Driver Magazine. [Feb. '01] The car appears to have 16" wheels, and I am sad to say,
looks somewhat less than flattering. According to C&D, the car will have
227HP, and start at $26,500 US. Subaru claims a 0-60 MPH time of 6.1 sec.,
which C&D wholeheartedly agrees with. They also say that it handles very
neutrally, with more than a hint a oversteer. They also note that the front
seats very supportive and comfortable. On the negative side, they say there
is noticeable turbo lag until above 3000 RPM. More so than turbo engines
from Saab and Volvo. They did say that the gearbox was very precise and
easy to use. Overall, they (Larry Webster) had a very positive response.
He also hinted that Subaru would offer more powerful versions of the WRX in
America in the future.
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Old 12-29-2000, 04:54 AM   #2
LUME
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Talking

Larry Webster is pretty cool. I ate lunch with him once (he is a fellow alum of Lehigh University), and we asked him what the coolest car he ever drove was. Guess what it was? Yup, the subaru WRC car!

--Roy
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Old 12-29-2000, 06:16 AM   #3
Travis R
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I remember that article. It was awesome, the car did 0-60 in about 4 seconds... in the wet!
Mmmmmm WRC
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Old 12-29-2000, 06:29 AM   #4
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In the next two weeks, expect this site to be inundated with news about the new WRX.

It going to be cool.
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Old 12-29-2000, 07:24 AM   #5
Greg555
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I have the WRX brochure from Germany and those wheels are 17 inch. At least they look the same as those on our pics.
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Old 12-29-2000, 07:47 AM   #6
Keith
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Nopers, we are getting 16" here with an option to get 17" bbs rims. I want the 17", powercoated Black! I wonder how that would look
Keith
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Old 12-29-2000, 07:47 AM   #7
orbit03
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I think their price guess is a bit too high.
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Old 12-29-2000, 08:03 AM   #8
FUBAR
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I hope there price guess is just that, a guess! I'll have a problem if that is the real price.
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Old 12-29-2000, 09:24 AM   #9
cvalle-sd
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6.1 seconds? it is fast, but considering that it comes down to a decision to keep my RS til it's paid off, or splash down now and re-finance. I'm waiting for the wild horses, if you follow me.

Whoa, I just read it again -START at $26,500?
I don't know about that. Jeez, what'd we be looking at for an STi version 7, then? 28? 29? I smell SVX - well hell, I'll still buy one...If i can.

[This message has been edited by cvalle-sd (edited December 29, 2000).]
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Old 12-29-2000, 09:35 AM   #10
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$26,500?!?!?!? I'd better cancel my order, there is no way I can afford that... That sucks if that the real price... I guess ill have to get a used Legacy turbo...
--Adam
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Old 12-29-2000, 10:23 AM   #11
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If that's the real price, Subaru's going to alienate the enthusiasts. US! Hopefully C&D is blowing smoke. Or rather, maybe they've been smoking something, which wouldn't surprise me considering some of their completely idiotic car reviews. I feel like I've seen an "SUV Shootout" or "Top Speed Test" every month for the past year. I think I'll wait until the official announcement before I count my proverbial chickens.

I think SOA should come up with a special rebate for I-club members. Anybody working on getting the I-club certified as the official Subaru Car Club of America? Or do they already have one?
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Old 12-29-2000, 10:47 AM   #12
jaybird
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Yeah $26.5K is way too high. Can't be right. Everybody else has been saying in the $22K-$25K range.
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Old 12-29-2000, 10:57 AM   #13
Jon Bogert
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Lightbulb

Regarding the pricing--just because everyone here thinks of the WRX as an econo-box pocket-rocket (terms I learned in the '80s), doesn't mean that's where SOA is going to position it.

Think Audi, not Honda. The prestige and profits are much better in the high $20s than the low $20s. Everything about the new WRX (higher weight, comfy ride, fit and finish, more power) points to a more upscale positioning. Really, cars like the ITR are built for the narrowest of niches. Subaru doesn't want an ITR beater, they want an A4 beater.

It will also be interesting to see what the options look like. I bet 17" wheels come as part of a "sport package" for an extra $1500 or so.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:15 AM   #14
Adrian128
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hmmmm $26,500 US? that sounds fair. I got mine here in Oz for AUD $46000. Prices here start from AUD $42000. Based on current exchange rates, US $26000 sounds close to the mark, but I got 17" wheels, semi climate control A/C, 6 disc CD player, etc.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:24 AM   #15
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Adrian -

Sure 26,500 all in is ok, but it says "starting" at that, which in US car dealer speak equates to about 30k when all is said and done.

26500 base
+ sport package $1500
+ tax, tags, title depending on state could be as high as $4500
+ possible dealer price gouging? $2-5k

= too much

All things being equal, I'd be perfectly pleased to get one for 26k out the door. It would have to be 23k sticker for that to happen though.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:37 AM   #16
AKGC8
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Yea, what does C&D know that guess is way to high for base price. They say it has bad turbo lag too. Every review I've ever read from Europe says there is no noticable lag.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:43 AM   #17
Jon Bogert
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Eby, the U.S. edition does not get the variable intake thingy that Jap and Euro cars get. The variable intake is why it is lag free in those markets. The U.S. version will be exactly as you'd expect a small engine turbo car to be: waiting, waiting, waiting, BAM!
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:48 AM   #18
Adrian128
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If you look at it that way, then yes..it is a bit expensive, but the Oz spec WRX had everything. The only extra I paid for was metallic paint. We don't have any upgrades (or option packs) available from Subaru. For US $26500 you guys should get everything too, I think.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:49 AM   #19
T-WRX
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One negative comment: turbo lag. Saab and Volvo have both light pressure and high pressure turbos. I wonder which they were comparing the WRX to?

A lot of positive comments there:
1. neutral handling
2. 0-60 in 6 seconds
3. great gearbox
4. more power to come

And one neutral comment: $26,500. The price seems very high compared to the current RS. And high compared to most of our earlier speculation. But the fact is, the car will still be a performance bargain. Those that want it will just have to pony up. Count me in.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:56 AM   #20
matt7184
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Only JDM gets the variable valve timing.

The price is way too high, if it is true. There is no way that the average non car enthusiast will buy the WRX over an A4, esp. if they want luxury. Bad move by SOA. If they are more conserned about making money then they should have made it cheaper to go to competition with the honduhs.
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:58 AM   #21
WRC666
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Thumbs up

I believe that this is the real pricerange.
Just look how much a LL Bean Outback is, the WRX has the "high performance" pricetag, 6.1 seconds 0-60 is quite fast.
And the RS is an older car souped up for younger buyers, but its an old Impreza. The WRX is completely new, so the pricetag is higher, too.
You guys throw a lot of money for aftermarket parts at the RS now, so the WRX payments are probably not too high...
Perhaps SOA is not aiming at youngsters at all, A4 2.8 quattro or 4motion VW buyers might be the target and then the WRX is a bargain.
Lets wait and see.
666
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Old 12-29-2000, 11:58 AM   #22
Jon Bogert
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T-WRX, the WRX's turbo "competition" (A4, S40, Saab, etc.) all have tiny turbos that give great torque curves, but run out of steam at 200 or so HP. Subaru made the choice of a higher performance turbo, but they won't get any slack for the driveability tradeoff.

Look at the Audi TT. The small turbo (180HP) version is slower in absolute terms than the big turbo (225HP) version, but all anyone talks about is how sluggish the 225 is at low RPM.

Also, what's this about a great gearbox? Doesn't the WRX have the same old gearbox?
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Old 12-29-2000, 01:01 PM   #23
trojan9x
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Have a Nice Day?

I can't believe you are all (almost all) complaining about the price. One person says they think it will be around 23-24k and everyone automatically thinks that's the final price. What do you expect? It is a different machine almost all together then the RS now. Think of it this way...

Take an MY01 RS fully loaded with all options.
+
refined suspension
+
refined looks inside and out
+
TURBO!!
=
a reasonably cheap powerhouse for 25k
Be happy you are getting an AWD turbo car for that price.
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Old 12-29-2000, 01:23 PM   #24
subaruwrx
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Its not just one person who is saying it will be 23-24... ALL the dealers i have talked to have said that it will come in march or april, and at an MSRP of 22500-25000... I have heard this from several different dealers in several different areas, and they all say that they heard it from the SOA rep... Whether or not this is true, that remains to be seen... We should know in 2 weeks... But my point is, is that 23-24K is teh most popular price, because most people have heard that from a "reliable source" that is different from other people's...
oh well, here's hoping...
--Adam
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Old 12-29-2000, 01:24 PM   #25
rao
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An interesting sidenote to the speculation here that is based on fact. You can get the H6 engined outback in either LL Bean or VDC editions for more than $2k UNDER sticker, without even trying hard. I expect the Subaru marketing group will be a quite confused bunch in a few more months once they see actual transaction prices.
http://www.vanbortelsubaru.com/

Another interesting question is what will the price of the RS be - will it be the same, or will it be lowered to pick up the small market that currently buys the Impreza L - inquiring minds want to know.

Bogert - what are you doing, new car, turbo, ??? e-mail me.

[This message has been edited by rao (edited December 29, 2000).]
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