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Old 01-10-2001, 07:20 AM   #1
JayP
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2001 Mustang Bullitt
Black

Post I'm excited about the WRX, but I cannot buy a "first year" car again.

Years ago a pal said he wanted a New Beetle but was going to wait. I thought that was stupid. I bought a '97 A4 turbo and understood.

The car had several failures. Poor head casting caused a crack, the timing tensioner failed, several hose failures, etc. All replaced with updated hardware from '98, '99' and 2000 models. Later the A4 was offered with xenon headlamps, real sports suspensions, side airbags and a refined interior.

The 2002 WRX is killer and I want one NOW, but I've learned my lesson.

Or maybe I'm trying to bury my regret for buying an RS last month.
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Old 01-10-2001, 07:36 AM   #2
R Diamond
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98 2.5RS Turbo (sold)

Thumbs down

Hey, I have a MY98 2.5 RS, the "first year" of the RS.

Other than having the warranty fix for the axle boot grease, nothing has broken. Well, the battery went bad, but that's hardly the car's fault.

Some MY98s seem to have head gasket problems... no sign of that for me so far. So what I'm saying is: don't worry.
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Old 01-10-2001, 07:42 AM   #3
JayP
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Post

Still I'm a gun shy... take a look and you'll understand. Old News section. http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/pastex...ive/index.html

I prefer the newer model front end and interior to the '98. That's superficial, not mechanical but it continues my point.

Forget it- I'm calling the dealer for availability of the 2.5 wagon.
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Old 01-10-2001, 08:39 AM   #4
tmat3
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BRP

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Usually, the "first" year car has a few bugs with it. That's why I always aim for the "second" or later year cars. I aimed for '98 Civic as opposed to '96 Civic. I aimed for '89 Accord as opposed to '86 Accord. And I aimed for '01 RS.
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:25 AM   #5
Mel 22B
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2002 WRX
Silver with Black Tires

Post

Remember the WRX is not entirely brand new. The engine, drivetrain, and suspension have been used quite extensively in the rest of the world for some time (yes, there have been minor changes). If Subaru doesn't have their 2.0L Turbo engine figured out by now, they never will.

Throwing 2 cents 'down' as much as I can

-Mel
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:30 AM   #6
VaporTrail
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Have a Nice Day?

Ah dammit. Just when I had decided on a WRX (assuming financing would go through, could find one,etc), you gotta go monkey it up. After buying a first year Honda, hallmarked for reliability, I won't do it again. My S2000 had problems with the rear end failing, transmission grinding, and check engine lights on occassion. The dealer refused to fix half the problems, until I threatened legal action upon them. The 01 models of the same car do not seem to have the same problems, plus they brought the car out in yellow (bastards), with a hard top, clock, windscreen and floor mats as standard equipment. All for a measely 450 more (except for the hardtop).

Thanks for helping me rethink my decision.
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:33 AM   #7
JayP
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Post

Same with the 1.8T in the Audi- it US intro was in '96 and the 1.8T was available in Europe. Still- teething problems.

The one concern is the tech support and availabilty of parts. If a turbo engine lets go- is there a replacement? Would the tech know how to install it?

Can you see where I'm going with this? I want a WRX in my garage right now--- I'm trying to talk myself down and keep away from the dealer! It wouldn't take much talking for me to order one.
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:42 AM   #8
Travis R
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Cool

I'm with Mel on this one. The 2.0L turbo motor has been around for years. The design has been tweaked a little every year since the early Legacy turbos. The same goes for all of the drive line (tranny, diffs, etc.). the only thing that is substantially new is the body. So what's the worst that could happen, the hood scoop gets sucked off at 100 mph?
[peer pressure] Just buy one dude, it's gonna be awesome. Come on, everyone is doing it. You can afford the deposit no problem. [/peer pressure]

[This message has been edited by Travis R (edited January 10, 2001).]
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:45 AM   #9
eugenekid
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Dont regret getting your RS. I dont. I also love having the only year a Black Sedan was available.
 
Old 01-10-2001, 09:52 AM   #10
JayP
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Cool

I don't regret the RS. I wanted off the turbos for a while and the 2.5 was the ticket. Its fun as hell and rare.

Peer pressure made me buy that A4! But then again- Subie reliability is a little better than Audi. Or a lot better.

I tried convincing my wife the wagon is a family hauler and can hold 2 baby seats. She didn't buy it.
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Old 01-10-2001, 09:55 AM   #11
The1one4ever
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Talking

I think waiting for the next year model and thinking it be better is funnie. Really, several things gets fix but others gets broken. Can't be perfect right?

Take the new WRX for example. Hey, turbo, more balanced, turbo , etc. but on the downside ugly headlights, no spoiler, and things left out from the US version; rather tone down.

So don't wait, get it and drive happy. Being happy is more rewarding than waiting and having all the quilt inside of you

The[1]one
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Old 01-10-2001, 10:03 AM   #12
Adrian128
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Funny you should say that about the bonnet scoop Travis. I was sent a letter by Subaru here in OZ about some incidents in Europe of the scoops flying off at high speeds. I had to take mine back to have the clips replaced. hehehe
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Old 01-10-2001, 10:44 AM   #13
josh
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its been said here a few times, but i will re-iterate.

the drivetrain, and motor have been around for a while. i feel the same way about new models, but in this case i can handle the body or interior stuff falling apart under warrenty. There are sooooo many aftermarket parts for the motor that will more likelky bolt right on. in the new "impreza mag #8" they have a little window that shows what BOZZ speed parts will bolt on and what will not. Almost all the motor parts work no problem(headers[drool], exhaust, down pipe, IC's, turbo & ECU upgrades) I will re-read it and post up the parts that do fit. anyway, i dont think we should be too concerned wit the drivetrain or motor, which in my head is 90% of the concern with a new model. just my .02$.

(OT)my question is, will my sti seats fit in the new car? anyone in the UK seen how the new seats bolt in? same pattern? i just want to be able to take parts off mine (tec ii, sti seats, a few other things) and put in on the new one.

i guess i will foind out in march....

josh
 
Old 01-10-2001, 10:46 AM   #14
Brahmzy
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I personally am gonna wait at least a year. Look at the RS, they have made a MAJOR change to the car every year so far. New bumper, interior, SOHC, etc. I too had the first '98 RS, and I was MAD when they improved it. So, what do I do? I go and lease a first-year 2000 Legacy GT sedan. ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS!!!! I could easilyjump into a new WRX, but NO WAY!!! I've learned my lesson. I can see them doing some MAJOR changes for 2003 on the car-THEY ALWAYS DO! I can deal with my new Legacy 'til then. Maybe too, by that time I can afford a real car. Like the new 333HP BMW M3!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 01-10-2001, 10:57 AM   #15
johnfelstead
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Talking

well, after test driving the new WRX yesterday, i can honestly say its so close to the outgoing Turbo i wouldnt worry one bit.

It actually hadles better, has amazing front end grip in particular, engine feels the same, gearbox feels the same, suspension is slightly better as are the brakes.

Its a great car in the sweeping corners in particular, a little less capable in the really tight stuff, but i am picking hairs. I think its gonna suit your roads very well.

But overall, getting over the obvious cosmetic changes, under the skin, its just a Subaru Impreza Turbo, don't be a chicken enjoy yourself.
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Old 01-10-2001, 11:53 AM   #16
wagonman
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Post

I have the first year impreza, the 93's. they are great cars, never had any trouble with them. plus doesn't the WRX use the same motor used in Japan for years now??

Jeff
93' sport wagon
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Old 01-11-2001, 12:02 AM   #17
VaporTrail
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It's not the motor I'm worried about. Typically, that's a non issue in today's market. It's everything else that can break during hard driving, especially the drivetrain. Gearboxes, transfer cases, differentials, axles, all can break if not put together well. My rear end broke on my S2000 on it's 5th drag launch. Any car that can't make it down the track more than 50 times bone stock doesn't deserved to be called a sports car. Anyway, Im off track. My point is, if these parts should break, and the car is modified, how will Subaru react? Likely, the parts were faulty before, but Subaru won't take that for an answer.
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Old 01-11-2001, 12:10 AM   #18
Kostamojen
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Post

Funny... We have a 2000 Legacy, and the only problem we had was a wheel alignment problem (just a little rattle feedback) which was fixed under warrenty... Other than that, the cars been a killer!

After reading the grassroots review, where they mention that the WRX after going constant driving in rally conditions with hundreds of media people everything from newbies to die-hard rally folk, they only popped 2 tires!

Its gonna be a VERY solid and rugged car... MUCH more solid than the current Imprezas!
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Old 01-11-2001, 12:24 AM   #19
WRX Pilot
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Lets all remember that not only has this drive train already been proven, but the whole car has already been around for a year, just not in the US.
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Old 01-11-2001, 12:32 AM   #20
glenstiles
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Silver, baby, silver

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I'm waiting at least a year. We have a 93 Impreza wagon, first year of the imprezas, and that car is amazing- no problems, just had to do the regular maintenance. Also have a 92 SVX- first model year of that car, and in following years a lot of revisions were made to the trannys to keep them from self-destructing. So, take your chances, but I figure that the 2003-04 WRX will have some improvements, even if only cosmetic, and the hype will die down a bit, so the car can be had for closer to invoice than MSRP.

Glen
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Old 01-11-2001, 12:56 AM   #21
Albert
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Like stated the drivetrain is pretty much sorted, not a total new redesign.
I too had an early run '98 and the soft clutch and axle grease problems were the only thing I would attribute to first year quirks.

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Old 01-11-2001, 08:16 PM   #22
Andy_T
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As was pointed out above, the A4 turbo had been around for almost two years by the time it arrived in the US. So any problems encountered by US owners weren't teething troubles, just bad design .

I really doubt that there will be any major mechanical problems that arise from first-year manufacture; there may be some trim problems (think BMW E36) and other cosmetic, rather than mechanical, issues.

Andy T
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Old 01-11-2001, 08:34 PM   #23
Danno
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Mithril

Question

Does anybody know where the US spec WRXes are going to be built? When I told my Dad about the WRX and that I was considering trading up to one, he said the thing to watch out for was a brand-new assembly line. So I'd guess that if US WRXes are coming off the same line (in Japan?) that has been turning out Euro WRXes for n years, there's probably little to worry about...but if they're starting up a new line in the US (in Indiana, for example), we might expect glitches. Does anybody know the answer to this?
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Old 01-11-2001, 08:58 PM   #24
kelley nelson
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They'll come off the same assembly line in Gunma, Japan.

I agree that the design isn't much changed, and that most of the first year kinks will have been dealt with by the time our US-spec cars are built.

In terms of the SOHC engine, it just happened that the design became ready in time for '99 RS production. The DOHC 2.5 had been in production for some time and was being phased out.

They aren't going to change the engine around for 2003, and not the headlights either, I expect.

[This message has been edited by kelley nelson (edited January 11, 2001).]
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Old 01-11-2001, 10:07 PM   #25
AlphaDog
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Lightbulb

"Things going wrong with a new car"

Read - Warranty. If it breaks, make'em fix it. Over and over, as often as necessary.

Nowadays, by the time a car like this has made it here, its been proven.

Buy and drive.

-Dog
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