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Old 09-25-2008, 03:05 PM   #1
docsmitty
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Post Do you like your 08/09 WRX?

Edited 10-16-08

Hi everyone,

(previously)First post on NASIOC. Been lurking here and a few other Subaru forums while doing some car shopping. Narrowed things down to either a 2009 WRX, 2009 Legacy 2.5GT, or 2009 Honda Accord Coupe, V6 MT. I drive an 02 Accord Coupe V6 right now ( didn't make them with a manual back then, sigh..) so I'm pretty familiar with the ups and downs of the Honda, but I have never owned an Impreza so I'm looking for some impressions of the new models. I know they are very different cars, and I know the 2009 WRX is much improved over the 2008.

For those of you who own, or have a lot of experience with a 2008 or 2009 WRX:
How is the general fit and finish of the car? More specifically:
-Are there known defects with these model years?
-Are there common problems with "rattles" in the interior of the car?
-How is the factory paint? I have seen many complaints both on Honda and Subaru forums about poor quality factory paint - EDIT: Having read many threads on this, I know how big an issue the paint is.
-How are the seats? Support and/or fabric durability (the leather on my Honda got worn out fast, but damn they are comfy seats..)

More specific to 2009 due to redesigns...
How loud is the exhaust inside the car? Idle / City / Highway? (I had GReddy exhaust on my 02 but got rid of it because the exhaust volume made me either go very fast or very slow on the highway.. couldn't cruise comfy at 75. Have Magnaflow right now and still looking for something quieter..)
Is the exhaust sound different between the sedan and hatch?
How is the ride comfort? What about on rough pavement? Can it be comfortably used to haul around the family or is it too firm?

To all 08/09 WRX owners:
Would you buy this car again? (Ignoring the changes made from 08 to 09.. if it was kept the same, how happy would you be?)
What have you driven in the past, and how does the WRX compare?

Thanks for taking the time to help me make a decision!
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Last edited by docsmitty; 10-16-2008 at 01:36 PM.
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:36 PM   #2
docsmitty
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Bump now that more 09s are on the roads!
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:53 PM   #3
Littleguy
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- The fit and finish of the interior seems good to me, better than on previous WRX models. I have encountered no rattles or any interior problems since I have owned the car (Purchased 6/2/08 now 10.5K miles).
-I have been happy with the factory paint, no chips or anything. But then again, I am by no means any kind of paint expert.
-Seats: The support seems good to me, and the fabric seems very durable. I carry my 100lbs Doberman in the back seat and his paws have done no damage at all to the fabric, which for me is a good test of quality.

Overall I would definitely buy the car again. I wouldn't normally have looked at a car like this, but the redesign and the softening of the car really sold me on it. It is very quiet and comfortable to drive around town every day, yet it can be fun when I need it to be. Some people don't like the subdued looks, but I for one, am happy that I can drive around town completely unnoticed.
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Old 10-16-2008, 01:56 PM   #4
Snow Drift
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Old: 05 08 11 WRX, 18 STI

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Quote:
Originally Posted by docsmitty View Post
For those of you who own, or have a lot of experience with a 2008 or 2009 WRX:
How is the general fit and finish of the car? More specifically:
-Are there known defects with these model years?
-Are there common problems with "rattles" in the interior of the car?
-How is the factory paint? I have seen many complaints both on Honda and Subaru forums about poor quality factory paint - EDIT: Having read many threads on this, I know how big an issue the paint is.
-How are the seats? Support and/or fabric durability (the leather on my Honda got worn out fast, but damn they are comfy seats..)
1. The only actual defect is a recall for the turbo oil supply line.
1a. Between my two 08's I have had the rear emissions canister purge valve break, the rear hatch panel pop out, the rear sedan C pillar pop off, front passenger fender well plastic fall down, the master cylinder replaced, clutch replaced, transmission replaced (all under warranty)

2. The interior has a number of rattles on bumps. The hatch trunk cover rattles a lot.

3. The paint is bad like all Subarus. DGM seems to be the worst.

4. The seats are good, I like them.
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Old 10-16-2008, 02:02 PM   #5
docsmitty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snow Drift View Post
1. The only actual defect is a recall for the turbo oil supply line.
1a. Between my two 08's I have had the rear emissions canister purge valve break, the rear hatch panel pop out, the rear sedan C pillar pop off, front passenger fender well plastic fall down, the master cylinder replaced, clutch replaced, transmission replaced (all under warranty)

2. The interior has a number of rattles on bumps. The hatch trunk cover rattles a lot.

3. The paint is bad like all Subarus. DGM seems to be the worst.

4. The seats are good, I like them.
Snow Drift, you seem to be in a fairly unique position of having one sedan and one 5door. If you had to buy just one, which would it be? Or are they so similar that it just comes down to utility / looks?
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Old 10-16-2008, 02:04 PM   #6
Snow Drift
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Old: 05 08 11 WRX, 18 STI

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Quote:
Originally Posted by docsmitty View Post
Snow Drift, you seem to be in a fairly unique position of having one sedan and one 5door. If you had to buy just one, which would it be? Or are they so similar that it just comes down to utility / looks?
It is 100% based on looks/utility.

Personally, if I could only have one it would be the Sedan. It looks better, I somehow get better MPG (dunno how) and it has a HUGE trunk.

The Hatch is almost no trunk space unless you put down the seats in which it has tons. But the sedans seats fold too, you just don't get the height.
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Old 10-16-2008, 04:07 PM   #7
chanke4252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docsmitty View Post
Edited 10-16-08

Hi everyone,

(previously)First post on NASIOC. Been lurking here and a few other Subaru forums while doing some car shopping. Narrowed things down to either a 2009 WRX, 2009 Legacy 2.5GT, or 2009 Honda Accord Coupe, V6 MT. I drive an 02 Accord Coupe V6 right now ( didn't make them with a manual back then, sigh..) so I'm pretty familiar with the ups and downs of the Honda, but I have never owned an Impreza so I'm looking for some impressions of the new models. I know they are very different cars, and I know the 2009 WRX is much improved over the 2008.

For those of you who own, or have a lot of experience with a 2008 or 2009 WRX:
How is the general fit and finish of the car? More specifically:
-Are there known defects with these model years?
-Are there common problems with "rattles" in the interior of the car?
-How is the factory paint? I have seen many complaints both on Honda and Subaru forums about poor quality factory paint - EDIT: Having read many threads on this, I know how big an issue the paint is.
-How are the seats? Support and/or fabric durability (the leather on my Honda got worn out fast, but damn they are comfy seats..)

More specific to 2009 due to redesigns...
How loud is the exhaust inside the car? Idle / City / Highway? (I had GReddy exhaust on my 02 but got rid of it because the exhaust volume made me either go very fast or very slow on the highway.. couldn't cruise comfy at 75. Have Magnaflow right now and still looking for something quieter..)
Is the exhaust sound different between the sedan and hatch?
How is the ride comfort? What about on rough pavement? Can it be comfortably used to haul around the family or is it too firm?

To all 08/09 WRX owners:
Would you buy this car again? (Ignoring the changes made from 08 to 09.. if it was kept the same, how happy would you be?)
What have you driven in the past, and how does the WRX compare?

Thanks for taking the time to help me make a decision!
Fit and finish is good. Paint is not as bad as some people insist that it is. It is certainly better than the paint on my 06 Accord. The primary cause of the paint issues is the design of the car and the way it directs debris onto the side panels. Do yourself a favor and get some actual mud flaps (the subaru mud guards don't have coverage enough to prevent it). There are a few rattles, but not a lot or any more than any other car in the price-range. My 08 had, and my 09 has fewer rattles than any late MY honda I've been in, but don't expect a lexus here. Seat durability is really good imo. You can tell immediately that the fabric will hold up for a long time. The seats on both cars are more for comfort than performance though and could use a bit more bolstering.

As for the 09's, the exhaust makes about the same noise as it does in the 09's. You can hardly hear it in either sedan or hatch. The car sounds more like an angry sewing machine than anything and any engine/exhaust noise in the car stock is drowned out by the transmission whine in 1st and second gear (a little annoying, but not a big deal). The 09 suspension is significantly stiffer, but is definitely still comfortable enough for families and other passengers. It is only very slightly stiffer than a 2000 A4 1.8t if you've ever driven one, however ride quality suffers a bit more over the 08 in the 09 on straight roads where the car is rolling a lot due to the road surface (gutters and small drainage ditches running diagonal across the road) due to the increased roll resistance.

I would buy this car again. Before I got my 08 I had an 06 Accord 6mt. The 08 had a softer ride, less power, and weaker breaks, though the build quality was MUCH better. The WRX is definitely a better car overall imo as honda sucks these days (post 2001-2002). The 09 is the same as the 08, the only real meaningful differences are the larger turbo and stiffer suspension. Don't discount the 08 before you drive one, they are really great cars even compared to the 09's. The primary reason I got rid of my 08 was because it had some build problems (not malfunctions, drivetrain vibration due to poorly balanced components is my guess) that subaru wouldn't really address, otherwise I would be happy to still own it.

The hatch definitely has more utility than the sedan. I got the sedan because I prefer the looks, though I cannot haul around NEARLY as much as the hatch guys can. I'm satisfied with my decision though as folding rear seats are all I need to keep me happy with hauling ability.

However, if I had it my way, I would buy a Legacy GT instead (I love the legacy).

Last edited by chanke4252; 10-16-2008 at 04:21 PM.
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:02 PM   #8
docsmitty
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Chanke, thanks for your take.. I've test driven an 08 and will be test driving an 09 tomorrow. If I don't notice a difference, I will be pushing for a real good deal on the 08.

You mentioned the Legacy GT, which I am also interested in.. unfortunately, no one around me has the 5MT in stock, it's all 5AT or spec.b, which is out of my price range. What makes you want one of those over the WRX? For me it would be the creature comforts such as leather, which I know I will miss...
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:12 PM   #9
NM_Mogman
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I had an '08 WRX Wagon and the only problem that I had with it was that the passenger side airbag would turn off for no reason with my wife in the seat and no change in condition. It took a while and a second and much more user-friendly (Garcia Subaru in Albuquerque, NM) dealer to get it straightened out. If you have not heard, the '09 WRX is going to be WAY better than the '08 in terms of HP/TQ so you should look into that as well when considering. I was so upset in the jump in power that I traded mine in for an '09 STi!
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Old 10-16-2008, 10:16 PM   #10
SubaruCHICO
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Haha, funny. I just got rid of my 05 Accord coupe and have to say, it was the best decision I've made. Overall, every person I've showed my Subaru to, keeps telling me I did good with going Subaru. Subarus are more reliable than Honda, this comes from all my car enthusiast buddies. How many Subarus do you see on the side of the road?
I say leave Honda and go with a Subaru.
BTW, I got a 2009 Subaru Impreza.
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Old 10-16-2008, 11:16 PM   #11
docsmitty
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaruCHICO View Post
Haha, funny. I just got rid of my 05 Accord coupe and have to say, it was the best decision I've made. Overall, every person I've showed my Subaru to, keeps telling me I did good with going Subaru. Subarus are more reliable than Honda, this comes from all my car enthusiast buddies. How many Subarus do you see on the side of the road?
I say leave Honda and go with a Subaru.
BTW, I got a 2009 Subaru Impreza.
Ahhhh its like you know what I want to hear. Wait.. do you work for the Subaru Dealer I'm visiting tomorrow???
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Old 10-16-2008, 11:56 PM   #12
chanke4252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docsmitty View Post
Chanke, thanks for your take.. I've test driven an 08 and will be test driving an 09 tomorrow. If I don't notice a difference, I will be pushing for a real good deal on the 08.

You mentioned the Legacy GT, which I am also interested in.. unfortunately, no one around me has the 5MT in stock, it's all 5AT or spec.b, which is out of my price range. What makes you want one of those over the WRX? For me it would be the creature comforts such as leather, which I know I will miss...
I like the legacy mainly because it's interior is MUCH more solid and is a much more comfortable and more grown up looking car with just as much performance potential (though it does weigh considerably more). It is about as fast as the 08, but with a better powerband higher up in the rpms. I also really like the understated and sleak exterior styling a lot more. The lack of attention from racerboy idiots on the road is a major plus as well. The 08+ WRX has a lot more headroom (I don't know why they have so much, but they do), but the legacy might be better if you are hauling around a family. I've never ridden in the back seat of a legacy though so don't take my word for it.

Still, finding one in a 5mt would be a must for me.
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Old 10-17-2008, 01:46 AM   #13
SubaruCHICO
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docsmitty View Post
Ahhhh its like you know what I want to hear. Wait.. do you work for the Subaru Dealer I'm visiting tomorrow???
Haha, no, I don't work at a dealer. I just read it and I happen to have been in your position this monday and I have to say, get a Subaru, preferrably a Impreza Hatch, I didn't have much choice and got a sedan.
Im in Texas, tho I do know the Owner of the 2 Subaru dealers in Dallas, TX.
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Old 10-17-2008, 07:27 PM   #14
docsmitty
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Well, I just test drove two 2009 WRXs and 2008 Legacy GT. The first WRX, which I took on the most substantial test drive, was a premium sedan with the SPT exhaust - that is sooo out for me. It was SO loud, even at idle... much much louder than the GReddy SP2 I had on my Accord V6. It stayed loud pretty much through the entire test drive, at any RPM. If this is what people call a "quiet" exhaust, I think I'll be sticking to the non-spt stock

The second wrx, also a premium sedan with stock exhaust, just to hear it. I totally get what people mean by "angry sewing machine" lol... engine noise and a high pitched transmission whine, but much more enjoyable than the overwhelming spt exhaust. Considerable amount of road / wind noise on both, but as several folks have told me forget about finding something quiet short of a luxury car... it wasn't any worse than the Accord or Altima coupes I've drive.

The Legacy GT was disappointing. It had the AT... the only MT Legacy they had was the Spec.b and that is out of my price range. For those of you with a Legacy GT, how big a difference does the MT make? If you've driven both, does the MT give the car that aggressive acceleration the wrx has? Even when I floored it, the transmission felt sluggish. Oh, and this was in Sport# mode. It just felt... soft... compared to the wrx. It felt soft compared to the 08 wrx I drove a while ago too... in fact, I had a hard time telling a difference between the 08 and 09 wrx. I think I would have to drive them back to back, and drive them HARD, to notice. So maybe it's time to start grinding them down on the 08 price...
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