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Old 07-09-2007, 10:40 PM   #1
ProvenPSI
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Default Suby high speed ride?

Hey guys. It looks like i might get a 2.0t wagon, not sure if i want a bugeye or an 04/05. either way.. I have had a wide range of tuner cars, mostly imports, mostly european where most of my heart will stay. However, with that said, i love the wrx. But its been a while since i have driven one.

Since i wont be able to test drive one at high speeds. Im wondering how a wrx wagon would compair as a ride level to a european car (like my current bmw) that really sits down at high speeds. Some of my past asian imports were loud and shook a bit the faster they went. You really seemed to have to fight it to move. My bmw and my past audis squat on themselfs and are just an amazing ride at 80 or 90 mph.

Please let me know your views on this matter. Thanks.
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Old 07-09-2007, 10:55 PM   #2
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I dunno if the wrx will ever compare to a BMW. But I could be wrong on this. My wagon feels great at 75 MPH, but at times its fairly harsh, especially on my bad back. Expansion joints and cracks be damned. I've heard that BMW and other Euro cars have the mix between performance and comfort nailed.
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Old 07-09-2007, 11:01 PM   #3
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Stock, no. They're very different cars. Subies aren't really made for stability at high speeds. They're made to be tossed around twisty mountain roads (by skilled drivers) and dirt hairpins, not so much racing down highways at 150 miles per hour. I drive my friend's m3 every now and then, and it feels very very stable on the highway compared to my wrx, but I would never trade him.

I like to think of it like this: Think about jets. On one hand, you have an SR-71 Blackbird, and the other, an F-16. Although the SR-71 is much faster (and much more stable at high speeds) than the F-16, the F-16 is much more capable of well, tricks
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Old 07-09-2007, 11:09 PM   #4
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^^ Good analogy. I took the WRX up the mountain dirt road last weekend and I was outrunning everyone on the dirt switch backs (jeeps, bugs, trucks, tube buggies, etc.) No BMW will do that.

Bad news is now something rattles under the car. I need to check it out before it falls off.
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Old 07-10-2007, 01:38 PM   #5
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I have the sedan, not the wagon, but it's like buttah up to 150+. I've had people that own fast cars ride with me, and said it's amazingly well-behaved at high speed.
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Old 07-10-2007, 02:04 PM   #6
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Not really. The car isn't insulated from road noise very well, and the hood shakes like crazy. It feels a bit too light.
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Old 07-10-2007, 02:11 PM   #7
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Any WRX is more than capable of excessive speed on public roads. If you have any mind for safety, you'll scare yourself before the car scares you. However, if high speed stability is your only concern as a "downgrade" in overall ride quality, you've got a few things to learn.
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Old 07-10-2007, 02:23 PM   #8
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Stability at speed is not great stock, and easy to change with some minor suspension bolt-ons... the hood flops around a lot though especially 90+. WRX isn't made to go extremely fast though, it's a lot more fun from 0-70.
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Old 07-10-2007, 03:18 PM   #9
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What's going on with everyone's hood....mine is like a rock. I've had no such experiences even at over 120mph....the only annoying thing I've come across is that high pitch whistling from the window seal. The car is more than capable at high speeds and mine is bone stock besides some much better rubber. I've had a 2003 miata and that hopped around more at high speed and that thing sat on the ground. Let's keep in mind the WRX was not intended for drag use.
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Old 07-10-2007, 03:30 PM   #10
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My car handles well at high speeds. Cruises at 80, feels like 60. 100 mph is so easy to attain you don't even realize your going that fast. 115 up the grade, no problem. Smoothe runnin', Solid!
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Old 07-10-2007, 03:40 PM   #11
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surpasses bmw in ease of speeding.
(a.k.a. the way it should be driven)
Will never be as quiet or as comfortable as a bmw.
but then again, who gives a **** when you are passing some snob in his m3 on a windy road.
Cheers.
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Old 07-10-2007, 04:08 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kahres05 View Post
What's going on with everyone's hood....mine is like a rock. I've had no such experiences even at over 120mph....the only annoying thing I've come across is that high pitch whistling from the window seal. The car is more than capable at high speeds and mine is bone stock besides some much better rubber. I've had a 2003 miata and that hopped around more at high speed and that thing sat on the ground. Let's keep in mind the WRX was not intended for drag use.
It likes to dance for me above 130, actually settles down I think toward 150. When I play my favorite game, called "Draft the Truck" it gets giddy like a schoolgirl when I jump out
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Old 07-10-2007, 04:14 PM   #13
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It likes to dance for me above 130, actually settles down I think toward 150. When I play my favorite game, called "Draft the Truck" it gets giddy like a schoolgirl when I jump out
Ha Ha....thats funny...I've only been above 130 in the car once. I didnt notice it...most likely because of the level of concentration it takes to drive at +110mph....what is the max speed of a stock WRX?..I think I read 142 in the past...is that right?
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Old 07-10-2007, 05:19 PM   #14
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Like I said before, the wrx isn't a high speed car. No offense, but I think those of you who say your wrx is great at high speeds (even though we drive the same car lol) probably haven't experienced a car that is truly great at high speeds. Compared to a Cavalier, yes, the wrx is astounding at high speeds. As good as an m3 or 944 (old) no.

I will say that even with just lowering springs on my wrx, it was much improved on the highway. Now I'm back to stock and loving it.
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Old 07-10-2007, 05:20 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Kahres05 View Post
Ha Ha....thats funny...I've only been above 130 in the car once. I didnt notice it...most likely because of the level of concentration it takes to drive at +110mph....what is the max speed of a stock WRX?..I think I read 142 in the past...is that right?
I've heard 143 from others on here. I'm not sure what the deal is with that, mine will do 150 (it's got 800 RPM to go before redline, so it should do close to 160ish but I don't like to run that high for that long). I have a picture of 145+, but it's a little blurry (damn camera phone)
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Old 07-10-2007, 05:25 PM   #16
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Like I said before, the wrx isn't a high speed car. No offense, but I think those of you who say your wrx is great at high speeds (even though we drive the same car lol) probably haven't experienced a car that is truly great at high speeds. Compared to a Cavalier, yes, the wrx is astounding at high speeds. As good as an m3 or 944 (old) no.

I will say that even with just lowering springs on my wrx, it was much improved on the highway. Now I'm back to stock and loving it.

You're definitely right, but that's just it. For a car NOT built for top-end speed, it does exceptionally well. Of course there are cars out there that do it better, but for a not-exceptionally-aerodynamic AWD sedan with a backwards spoiler on the hood, I'd say not too shab . I have to say +1 on the suspension assistance, just Prodrive springs alone made quite a difference for me.
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Old 07-10-2007, 05:29 PM   #17
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In January of 2003, my wife (then fianc***233;e) and I took a ride in Leonardo's modded WRX sedan (which he sold long ago). This was in Puerto Rico.

I have no idea exactly where we were when this happened, but we were on some main road and an E46 M3 convertible pulled up. The driver was solo, and there were four of us in the WRX. None of us pencil-thin teeny-boppers, either.

We smoked him, I mean it wasn't even close. Leo's car wasn't even THAT extensively modified, at the time. Now, this says two things to me:

1. WRXs can hold their own, very well
2. The BMW driver was probably a dolt.

Which takes nothing away from Leo's driving skills. Just stating that, even modded, the M3 should've done better - convertible or no. (Just getting that out there, since I know someone would bring it up.) I've no idea if that car was modified, which is another factor for consideration.

Now, I do consider the Impreza and the 3-series as of different classes. (And of course, they are.) This doesn't mean they can't compete--any car can compete against another--but they're not intended rivals. I'd buy a BMW for a solid transmission and smooth-accelerating engine, plus luxury goodies and a better dealership experience. But I'd still own a Subie.

My current favorite is the new 3-series AWD wagon:

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Old 07-10-2007, 06:02 PM   #18
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Funny thing you should have said this.

My mom bought an 2001 BMW 330i about a month ago and I happened to get a 04 WRX last thursday. Anyways, she drove it before I had it and loved it. With that being said, she is a BMW person, and hasnt driven anything other than that for over 8 years or so.

For some reason though, she always asks me if she can take my car. I usually say tough luck and laugh at her Car is too low for her anyways
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Old 07-10-2007, 06:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aLargeVibratingEgg View Post
Any WRX is more than capable of excessive speed on public roads. If you have any mind for safety, you'll scare yourself before the car scares you. However, if high speed stability is your only concern as a "downgrade" in overall ride quality, you've got a few things to learn.
Comments like these make me hate car fourms.

Thanks for the other answers guys.
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Old 07-10-2007, 07:30 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Audiosavvy View Post
You're definitely right, but that's just it. For a car NOT built for top-end speed, it does exceptionally well. Of course there are cars out there that do it better, but for a not-exceptionally-aerodynamic AWD sedan with a backwards spoiler on the hood, I'd say not too shab . I have to say +1 on the suspension assistance, just Prodrive springs alone made quite a difference for me.
Definitely.. I had Progress springs off of an STI and it made a world of difference (and blew my struts in the mean time, but it was fun). Anyway, I like it stock because it's a little easier to trailing throttle oversteer around more "cornery" corners.
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Old 07-10-2007, 08:00 PM   #21
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I bought my 2006 Wagon knowing it would never compare to the cush high speed cruiser that my Audi was. So many friends wondered why I would do such a thing, but the WRX is so much more fun around town, and that's where the majority of my driving is done anyways. Plus, I was sick of the Audi being in the shop.

When I first picked up the car, it was pretty unstable (in comparison) when doing 100 or higher. It was also loud in the cabin. I recently replaced the crap All Season tires with some Goodyear F1's and it made all the difference in the world. Prodrive springs will be next and I'm sure this will make it even better.

It will never be a Euro-cruiser, but I have no regrets. This car is way more fun.
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Old 07-10-2007, 08:14 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aLargeVibratingEgg View Post
Any WRX is more than capable of excessive speed on public roads. If you have any mind for safety, you'll scare yourself before the car scares you. However, if high speed stability is your only concern as a "downgrade" in overall ride quality, you've got a few things to learn.
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Old 07-10-2007, 08:46 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by ProvenPSI View Post
Comments like these make me hate car fourms.

Thanks for the other answers guys.
Don't get butthurt so easily. An Impreza is capable at high speeds just like a BMW. Is it pleasant though? Absolutely not. I don't commute on highways though, and I consider back road/around town driving a priority. You have to make sacrifices somewhere with a performance car of this caliber in this price range. With a BMW, the amount of $$$ you pay equates to less noticeable sacrifices, and ones that are remedied by an enthusiast. The only complaint ANY Subaru owner could have is 1) weight, unnecessary luxury 2) reliability and 3) RWD (though I'm not against it). If you're building a track car, all three of these are non-issues or easily dealt with

I get tired quick driving my car over 70 mph mainly because:
1. High wind noise
2. Short gears/dwindling top end power
3. Little sound deadening
4. Drivetrain loses due to AWD

I'm pretty familiar with BMW's too, in fact I'm restoring a 72' 2002tii right now, and I ride a 78' R100. My last car was a Jetta GLI 1.8T, and I'm still at many meets for the local VAG crowd. I hope this post helped you a little more than the last.
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Old 07-10-2007, 08:49 PM   #24
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Nothing compares to my Porsche at speeds in excess of 150mph

..$h!t was siick peeps.....like it was planted on rails....
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Old 07-10-2007, 08:56 PM   #25
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^^ I love the 2002tii! I'm jealous.
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