Next WRX caught testing in US

[Reverend_]

Originally Posted by fredzy

The WRX will inevitably be more expensive with worse fuel economy. I'd get a dedicated winter tire set for either car so the AWD isn't a boon over the FWD ST.

I wouldn't bank on the worse fuel economy just yet. If they're working with the BRZ's 2.0i (which I think they are), and if the WRX is going to be smaller and possibly 2 door, I don't think it'll be that bad. It's generally safe to say that the FWD is going to get better gas mileage than AWD, but that's not gonna matter when you're getting towed out of a ditch or snow by a Subie.

Fun* > numbers

*In anything Mother Nature can throw at you.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[GMU-BRZ]

Originally Posted by Reverend_

I wouldn't bank on the worse fuel economy just yet. If they're working with the BRZ's 2.0i (which I think they are), and if the WRX is going to be smaller and possibly 2 door, I don't think it'll be that bad. It's generally safe to say that the FWD is going to get better gas mileage than AWD, but that's not gonna matter when you're getting towed out of a ditch or snow by a Subie.

Fun* > numbers

*In anything Mother Nature can throw at you.

BRZ also suffers in it's MT form because they made the gear ratio really steep to overcome a bit of a lack of power. The WRX won't have the power issue, so they might be able use a similar gear ratio to the BRZ AT (34 hwy). AWD will eat some of that, so I'd expect fuel economy number close to the BRZ MT (30 hwy, I get 33 routinely) if they follow this script.

[rs2.5-3.0]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Everyone is soo certain that the next WRX/STI will be released(launched) next year. Subaru is launching the 2014 Forester and then the 2015(I assume) Hybrid at the end of the year. I am saying that they have never had a year where they launched 3 vehicles, so I do NOT believe we will see the next WRX/STI next year. Been saying that many times.

Supposedly WRX next fall, and STI well before spring. The WRX IS due next yr, as a 2014MY. Look for it between Sept. and Nov.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by 53x12

AWD with winter tires >>>> FWD with winter tires????

Have you driven a MS3? If so, how does the ST compare to it?

FWD with all-season tires is adequate for me. Snow tires and/or AWD would just be bonus. I think the MS3 will be the next thing I take a look at, though the fuel economy is rough (as well as the ride so I hear) it's pretty cheap once loaded.

Originally Posted by Reverend_

...if the WRX is going to be smaller and possibly 2 door,

..then I can not buy it The current WRX 5-door is smaller than I can stomach. So is the Focus ST, but there are simply zero options for me that I don't already own. A performance wagon with a manual in the US is a pipe dream and I'm just going to have to give up the ~20 cu.ft.

[IWantASuby]

Next fall would work for me, I'll be in the market for a new DD by then. If the '14 Forester is any indication, I think I'm going to like what I see when the '14 WRX is revealed.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by rs2.5-3.0

Supposedly WRX next fall, and STI well before spring. The WRX IS due next yr, as a 2014MY. Look for it between Sept. and Nov.

Here in the states? What is your source?

[cannedtuna]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Here in the states? What is your source?

If he is speaking truthfully then I doubt that he'll be able to reveal a source on that....LOL

[SpotTheDogg]

If you think AWD is just a snow advantage you are missing something

[uspopo]

WRX or Forester XT DIT 2.0 would be a double win...

[Snowphun]

Originally Posted by fredzy

FWD with all-season tires is adequate for me. Snow tires and/or AWD would just be bonus. I think the MS3 will be the next thing I take a look at, though the fuel economy is rough (as well as the ride so I hear) it's pretty cheap once loaded.

..then I can not buy it The current WRX 5-door is smaller than I can stomach. So is the Focus ST, but there are simply zero options for me that I don't already own. A performance wagon with a manual in the US is a pipe dream and I'm just going to have to give up the ~20 cu.ft.

I agree that almost any modern car (rwd or fwd) with good snow tires and all the electronic aids is going to be fine in the snow. I find fwd frustrating and am reminded of it often in my wifes MCS.

IMO the current WRX is too big, it is a very large car compared to the GC and GD and it feels big when driven aggressively. Smaller with decent gas milage would be great for me, however I'd probably buy a BRZ instead if they do something with more power.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by cannedtuna

If he is speaking truthfully then I doubt that he'll be able to reveal a source on that....LOL

True true. I ask because we just had a guy here last week that was telling us about the "exciting" products we'll be getting about every 6 months, and he said WRX was a year from January; and I am not going to name names. He blurted it out like it was nothing to a group of us, but just in case.

[HipToBeSquare]

Originally Posted by uspopo

WRX or Forester XT DIT 2.0 would be a double win...

Likely for next generation.

The question will be, CVT only, or a manual transmission choice.

The other possibility might be FA16DIT (1.6 liter Direct Injected Turbocharged) for the WRX, and saving the 2.0 with a ~300hp tune for the WRX STI.

Forester is unlikely to get the 300hp tune in the USDM, based on SOA's track record. Probably more like the EU tune (~240hp) that was introduced already this year.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by SpotTheDogg

If you think AWD is just a snow advantage you are missing something

No doubt, but there are trade-offs. The performance benefits aren't worth as much to me anymore sadly

AWD is worth the most to me for when I go rallying. Well, rally spectating I should say I've gotten into hot water looking for spectator spots frequently enough, and AWD could help fix that.

[Lminette]

Originally Posted by fredzy

I almost bought a Focus ST yesterday. I figure it will compare very closely to whatever the next gen WRX will be. The WRX will inevitably be more expensive with worse fuel economy. I'd get a dedicated winter tire set for either car so the AWD isn't a boon over the FWD ST.

I will try to wait and see what Subaru has in store for us, but if the WRX hatch/wagon (if there is one) with nav is over $30k, under 30mpg and in the same 45 cubic foot rear cargo range as the ST and the new Impreza hatch I'd just have the Focus ST instead. However marginally faster the WRX might be won't matter to me. I kept hearing about how fun the ST is to drive... well I can confirm it beats almost everything else AWD/FWD I've driven to date in that department. Fun > numbers.

Really? I've driven the Focus ST in anger and would still prefer the current WRX to the ST. The ST overall felt softer than the WRX and the shifter was pretty vague. That being said I was only a couple tenths off the top time of day that they had posted on the board at the event I attended.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by Lminette

Really? I've driven the Focus ST in anger and would still prefer the current WRX to the ST. The ST overall felt softer than the WRX and the shifter was pretty vague. That being said I was only a couple tenths off the top time of day that they had posted on the board at the event I attended.

I probably talked it up too much.. I think a big part of it was that I was completely infatuated with the shifter. It's dumb, but a satisfying gear change is a big thing for me. Even a slightly meh shifter can taint the ownership experience for me when you add up how often you do it, regardless of how you're driving. VW's buttery manual tranny is a contributing factor to me having one now.

Fingers crossed that the next WRX gets the best 6 gears Subaru ever cut. If it feels like a BRZ or STI tranny (maybe even softened slightly) I'll be thumbs-up.

[Rootus]

Originally Posted by fredzy

Fingers crossed that the next WRX gets the best 6 gears Subaru ever cut. If it feels like a BRZ or STI tranny (maybe even softened slightly) I'll be thumbs-up.

You actually like the STI tranny? I found it acceptable but not anywhere close to the best I've owned, closer to the bottom really. Notchy as hell and the near refusal to go into 1st gear at anything other than a dead stop was irritating. So far I've been pleasantly surprised with my WRX, it shifts pretty nice all considered.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by Rootus

You actually like the STI tranny? I found it acceptable but not anywhere close to the best I've owned, closer to the bottom really. Notchy as hell and the near refusal to go into 1st gear at anything other than a dead stop was irritating. So far I've been pleasantly surprised with my WRX, it shifts pretty nice all considered.

I haven't driven a recent STI but I'm guessing every STI to come to the states has had the same shifter and gearbox? I recall it feeling more impressive than the Scion I owned at the time haha.

New ones do feel a touch notchy sitting still, but I've heard they're not bad. I think that was from some people on this forum in a thread where I asked people what their regular WRX 5-speed was like to live with. I got the impression that the STI 6-speed was a big upgrade over the 5 in the WRX.

[bani111]

Originally Posted by fredzy

I got the impression that the STI 6-speed was a big upgrade over the 5 in the WRX.

it is, but that still isn't saying much.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by bani111

it is, but that still isn't saying much.

I'm hoping you're meaning that the 5 speed is such a piece of crap that a gerbil wheel is an upgrade, and not that the sti 6 speed isn't that great...

[EtoS]

In factory form it's very sloppy. With KB bushings and shifter all the sloppy goes away though with the shifter it takes a little more effort to shift(leverage reduction). I think people are comparing it to really smooth easy shifts in cars like an s2k where there's no effort and is very precise right from the factory. All that said, I like how my STi shifts after the bushings and while it's not as easy and smooth as the s2k it doesn't bother me one bit. It's not like I'm a 70 pound soaking wet asian school girl and can't shift. If anything I kinda like my STi shifts over the s2k.

Also to anyone complaining about 1st gear being hard to shift into while moving- you're doing it wrong. 2nd gear is perfectly fine when at a crawl and 1st should be used exclusively for dead stops or steep hills. If I really need to use 1st while moving I just double clutch and it goes in fine.

[cannedtuna]

I really can't complain, my 06 was slightly notchy but it was very acceptable. Can Subaru make something better...sure; but thus far its the best gearbox from Subaru that I've had a chance to shift.

[bani111]

Originally Posted by samagon

I'm hoping you're meaning that the 5 speed is such a piece of crap that a gerbil wheel is an upgrade, and not that the sti 6 speed isn't that great...

an excellent analogy indeed. but sadly the sti 6 speed shifter is a vague piece of doggie doo. the wrx 5 speed is a torrent of runny cow****.

maybe stiffer bushings are in order.

[csullivan]

Originally Posted by bani111

an excellent analogy indeed. but sadly the sti 6 speed shifter is a vague piece of doggie doo. the wrx 5 speed is a torrent of runny cow****.

that's not the transmission. That's your connection to it. Your assessment of what is required to fix it is correct.

[SCRAPPYDO]

You guys, really need to work on your exaggeration skills. They are blatantly off base. The STI 6 speed in my 2006 STI was just a thing of beauty to use every day. My brothers 2011 STI 6 speed is just joyful to move through all the gears. Vague, compared to what?

I understand the 6 speed is not the end all best gearbox ever, but it is not vague by any means. Is it as butter as an S2000 or a RX8? Nope. Not even close. But keeping in mind it is an AWD transmission, and it can hold a mountain of power, the STI 6 speed is very good.

The WRX is not as communicative as the STI 6 speed, but it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Bushings do a whole lot to improve feel.

What this conversation needs is a dose of perspective. This goes into the same category as:

WRX 'glass' transmissions
STI is a car that has 'terminal' understeer
STI motor will 'grenade' from idling

Internet bitch sessions often take the smallest gripe and put them into absurd extremes to either make the writer feel superior to his/her audience because they 'know' something somebody else does not know, or to get the point across that a small issue exists and the only way to get attention to claim it is Armageddon.

Every automotive journalist I have read says the STI shifter is brilliant. My personal experience says it is wonderfully communicative.

Saying it is horrible is only useful if you put that term in perspective. Horrible compared to what.

[samagon]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

You guys, really need to work on your exaggeration skills. They are blatantly off base. The STI 6 speed in my 2006 STI was just a thing of beauty to use every day. My brothers 2011 STI 6 speed is just joyful to move through all the gears. Vague, compared to what?

I understand the 6 speed is not the end all best gearbox ever, but it is not vague by any means. Is it as butter as an S2000 or a RX8? Nope. Not even close. But keeping in mind it is an AWD transmission, and it can hold a mountain of power, the STI 6 speed is very good.

The WRX is not as communicative as the STI 6 speed, but it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Bushings do a whole lot to improve feel.

What this conversation needs is a dose of perspective. This goes into the same category as:

WRX 'glass' transmissions
STI is a car that has 'terminal' understeer
STI motor will 'grenade' from idling

Internet bitch sessions often take the smallest gripe and put them into absurd extremes to either make the writer feel superior to his/her audience because they 'know' something somebody else knows, or to get the point across that a small exists and the only way to get attention to claim it is Armageddon.

Every automotive journalist I have read says the STI shifter is brilliant. My personal experience says it is wonderfully communicative.

Saying it is horrible is only useful if you put that term in perspective. Horrible compared to what.

this.

it does what it's supposed to do. it does this so well it doesn't distract me from doing what's important, and that's driving.