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09-11-2009, 02:27 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 54099
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle area
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Anyone with an 08+ WRX Hatch in the Seattle area?
So, I'm in the market for an '08+ ('08, '09, or '10) WRX Hatch. Preferably silver or black. At first I wanted to buy a used '08, but several people have recommended I at least look at the 09's, since they beefed them up something fierce, and have also improved the fit & finish quite a bit. For that reason, I really want to try driving both an '08 and an '09 or '10. I want to be able to compare the two to see if the added HP is really worth buying new. My buddy SubaruTex recommended I make this thread... so here goes!
Now, this is a bit of a long-shot, but I'm hoping there's someone out here kind and trusting enough to give me a shot, and maybe earn a free lunch or 6-pack of beer (plus a new friend) out of the deal! Is there anyone in the Seattle area (I live in Kirkland but can travel) willing to take me for a ride in their 08+ WRX -- hatch or sedan, I figure they feel mostly the same from a driver's point of view -- and maybe, just maybe, trust me enough to let me take it around the block a few times? I'm willing to leave you my car keys or my wallet or my insurance info or whatever you want as assurance (heh, as if my '98 Outback were a fair trade!), but I really want to get behind the wheel of one of these cars before I commit to buying one. This is just a WRX, I don't think I want to plunk down the serious cash for an STi, as sexy as they are. Alternately, if any of you guys know of a really good salesman at any of the dealerships in the area, I'd love to hear about it as well. See, I just had a bad experience at Eastside Subaru... I'd heard bad things about this dealership, but never been there myself. I wanted to give them a shot (plus their site said they had this used '08 WRX I wanted to see). So I went to the used car lot to check out the car, and they told me it was really at a Tacoma dealership, and they advertise the same cars at several different places. Ok, fair enough, I should've called ahead... I'll just pop over to the new-car lot and see about trying out an '09 (they had several sedans on the lot and one nice looking '09 Hatch). The first words out of the salesman's mouth (other than 'can I help you') were "We don't just allow test drives like that!". I did my best to assure him that yes, I was serious about buying a WRX (probably not that night, as I rushed over after work to see the cars before they closed), yes I had done my research, and no, I wasn't just some punk looking for a joyride. He had valid points (they wanted to keep the mileage low, and the engines were still in break-in stages), but I felt I was being very polite and reasonable about asking to drive a car. I was more than happy to obey the break-in rules and take it easy. But, I'm not going to buy a car without driving it, period. I'm not even going to 'talk numbers' about a car without driving it (he offered to let me drive it after we'd spoken about the price). He told me to my face I wasn't serious about buying a car from him, and that I wasn't going to get to drive that car. Overall, the salesman was almost aggressively rude, and was not helpful for me at all (didn't even open the car up for me to take a look inside). So long story short, I had a terrible experience at Eastside Subaru and they definitely lost a potential customer. I turn to the good citizens of NWIC for either help or recommendations from other dealerships.
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09-11-2009, 02:42 AM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 155930
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Reno, NV
Vehicle:2008 WRX Josh Tuned VF39+JoshTune=330hp/350tq |
I have done most of my business with Bruce Titus Subaru in Tacoma on South Tacoma Way. The only problem I had with them was a plastic hood scoop trim for MY08 sedan that fell off and melted to the turbo they didn't warranty. But Puyallup Subaru Did. So I would check out those two. just my .02
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09-11-2009, 02:47 AM | #3 |
moon moon
Moderator Member#: 86213
Join Date: May 2005
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Wild wild Northwest
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I have had good luck buying from Carter Subaru up in Shoreline. If you head there talk to Rob Wheeler and tell him I sent you, he is a good guy.
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09-11-2009, 02:50 AM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 155930
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Reno, NV
Vehicle:2008 WRX Josh Tuned VF39+JoshTune=330hp/350tq |
holy low member numbers you two.^^^^^
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09-11-2009, 03:16 AM | #5 |
moon moon
Moderator Member#: 86213
Join Date: May 2005
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Wild wild Northwest
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09-11-2009, 03:33 AM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 155930
Join Date: Aug 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Reno, NV
Vehicle:2008 WRX Josh Tuned VF39+JoshTune=330hp/350tq |
yeah I get points for paying attention to the elders with low numbers lol.
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09-11-2009, 03:36 AM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 65058
Join Date: Jun 2004
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Frederickson, WA
Vehicle:02 Eagle Summit TSi |
I know it's a bit of a drive, but they have let me drive cars without hastle at Hansen's Subaru in Olympia.
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09-11-2009, 03:57 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 200027
Join Date: Jan 2009
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Oregon
Vehicle:2012 F150 |
anybody think the clutch pedal feels funny in the new wrx/sti
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09-11-2009, 11:44 AM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 161333
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: snoco wa
Vehicle:135i vert fast leaf |
honestly, I think it all depends on what you pull into the dealership in.
In my old accord, I would sit around for quite a while waiting for a salesman, and when they did come around, they didn't want to give me a test drive. I pulled into the dealership in an 08 cooper s and I didn't even get out of the car and i saw the salesman walk out the door towards me. That being said, I had an okay time down at renton subaru. get the 09. i test drove the 08 right before I got my cooper S and wasn't impressed, so I went with the cooper. That's not the case with the 09. Kinda glad with the way it worked out. I had a fun little cooper s to drive around in for a year, and now I'm driving an 09 wrx hatch. I would be pissed if i got an 08 wrx. |
09-11-2009, 12:11 PM | #10 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 93398
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Kenmore, WA
Vehicle:2008 STI & FXT Aspen White |
I bought my wrx from eastside from Zach that was before they changed owners. I think Zach is now at Chaplins good guy and will do you right. I have also had trouble getting test drives both when looking for an Evo and the STi. I just think its all about what salesperson you get. Good luck
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09-11-2009, 12:16 PM | #11 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 15341
Join Date: Feb 2002
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Sea-Town, WA
Vehicle:2012 Borderline Pro Photographer of the Year |
Joe Spitz at Carter Subaru is who I've dealt with for my 08 STI and in the past with marketing and magazine stuff. He's a very straight-to-the-point guy who doesn't beat around the bush. I know this type of attitude can throw some people off, but in the end he's great to deal with and he doesn't try to BS you at all
If I were in the market for an 08+ WRX, I would definitely skip on the 08. Subaru just kinda did a one finger salute to the 08 WRX model when they came out with the 09. It's got more power, better suspension, and supposedly a beefed up transmission (the jury's still out, but I haven't seen one come into the shop yet for a tranny rebuild or replacement). It's just a much better starting point overall. However, if you know for sure you're going to be doing a lot of modifications to the power and suspension, the 08 might be a better choice just for the simple fact that it's most likely going to be cheaper than an 09+. |
09-11-2009, 12:21 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 161333
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: snoco wa
Vehicle:135i vert fast leaf |
i like the 09's for the fact that they're actually fast right out of the box. the 08's would require a bit of power mods to make them equal, and at that point you're starting to void your warranty.
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09-11-2009, 12:31 PM | #13 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178854
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Seattle
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I have an '08 but it is heavily modified at this point so it wouldn't be a fair comparison. I'll give you a ride, but if you want to compare stock to stock it will be a worthless comparison. As far as the fit and finish of the interior between the '09 and '08 it's really just the stitching on the seats and wheel that changed, they also changed the color of the hazards signal from gray in '08 to bright red in '09 which looks horrid IMHO.
Also, when i bought my car (new) I went to Chaplin's in Bellevue, the guy gave me the keys and said come back in an hour or so, with a brand new car that had 10 miles on it. So it's really a matter of what dealer you go to. Slimeball used car lots tend to be way more of a PITA to deal with. All that said, if you are going to leave the car stock. Get the '09/'10 it's a much better car out of the box. I personally knew I would be changing the turbo, intercooler, fueling, intake, exhaust, braking, suspension, software, wheels, tires and possibly transmission when I purchased the car so I made my decision on the cars potential, not its starting point. |
09-11-2009, 01:15 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 119397
Join Date: Jul 2006
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Snohomish
Vehicle:06 STI & 13XT WRB |
I bought my STI from Dpheonix (Zach) When he worked at Eastside Subaru. I still get my maintenance done by them but don't know anyone there. I had a great experience with Eastside.
I also bought my 07wrx from Chaplins. That was stressful but only because it was my first new car purchase I really like them alot. The biggest thing to do if you want to test drive is go in there and present yourself well. Don't tell a salesman you're not buying then and there...they won't waste time helping you out. Give them the sense you want to buy, let them think that they are baiting you into buying, kick around numbers for a bit, then ask for a ride before you commit to sitting down and finalizing all the paper work. After the drive tell him it wasn't what you were expecting at all, ask him for his card, and tell him you need to think it over but tell him you liked his service. If you were insterested in an STI I'd let you check mine out...but they apples to oranges against the wrx. |
09-11-2009, 01:22 PM | #15 | |||||
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 54099
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle area
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USED 2008 WRX Hatch with 20k miles - $25,200 NEW 2010 WRX Hatch - $26,190 Two years old and 20,000 miles and the car has only depreciated less than a grand! Maybe that used one is optioned out the ass, but I think those margins are really narrow... narrow enough that getting an '08 is pointless. (Doesn't mean I don't still want to try driving one though ) |
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09-11-2009, 01:29 PM | #16 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 54099
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle area
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Quote:
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09-11-2009, 01:37 PM | #17 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 161333
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: snoco wa
Vehicle:135i vert fast leaf |
Quote:
There are some issues with the R56's that I would like to make you aware of though. They suffer from a "cold start rattle" which is caused by the chain tensioner loosing pressure and allowing slack. The chain rattles against the block and creates a horrible sound. BMW has a fix for it, and it only happens in the cold weather if you park on a hill with the nose down. The sunroof doesn't like to work on it's own in the warm weather, you have to help it out, or else the "pinch protection" causes it to not open. Apparenlty there's a fix, but I never bothered. The dealer is pretty good about doing warranty work, just get it all fixed before it's up. I'm partial to the R56's vs the R53's (supercharged), because of the capabilities. RMW is tuning them, and with equilivent of a stage 2 kit, they're puttin down about 250 tq and 220 hp. You'll fly in a car that light. The manual transmissions are rock solid too. I've never been in a car with a nicer feeling gearbox. Being able to put the car in reverse while still moving was nice... There's more out there for the R53's just because they've been out longer, but turbo swaps have started and look to be putting out near 300 hp on a stock block. All that being said, I'm driving a WRX. The mini does have a good bit of usable rear space when you fold down the back seats, but it still wasn't big enough for my life style. I couldn't fit my surfboards or snowboards inside of the car, which I prefer. I also couldn't fit all of my car-camping gear in the back with my dog taking up one of the back seats. I drive to the mts every weekend too, so the awd will be nice. |
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09-11-2009, 01:50 PM | #18 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 161333
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: snoco wa
Vehicle:135i vert fast leaf |
but the handling of the mini was incredible. you won't be able to hold your own in straight line against a wrx, but I'd pit it up in autox against any other car.
here is my old car... sad to see it up for sale. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/1367938260.html |
09-11-2009, 02:14 PM | #19 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178854
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Seattle
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Quote:
They are asking for the moon and stars on that price for the '08. I paid 26,200 new for my car in Nov '07 before the crap hit the fan with the economy. NADA puts the car at worth about 20k clean private party. You should drive the Mini and the Mazdaspeed as well, if you are willing to consider FWD. Last edited by Amnizu; 09-11-2009 at 02:15 PM. Reason: fixed |
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09-11-2009, 02:42 PM | #20 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 173690
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: The Sticks, Warshington
Vehicle:2005 Ferd F-TeenThousand |
Quote:
That's funny, it's like blood in the water whenever I pull up to any dealer in my car. |
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09-11-2009, 03:15 PM | #21 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 54099
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle area
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Quote:
Also, the Mazdaspeed 3 is another car I was considering. |
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09-11-2009, 03:26 PM | #22 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 161333
Join Date: Oct 2007
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: snoco wa
Vehicle:135i vert fast leaf |
go test drive my cooper in renton, you'll fall in love.
then test drive an 09/10 rex. the ms3 is fast but fwd was the turnoff for me. i was willing to accept it in the mini because of the insane handling, but it was too big of a trade off for me in the ms3. |
09-11-2009, 03:52 PM | #23 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178854
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Seattle
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If I could get 25k for my car stock I would part it out, sell it and the mods then go get a BMW 135. If you get a '08 be sure you are paying no more than 20k for the car, you might consider expanding your area of search....
Another car to consider is the Hyundai Genesis, I have never sat in or driven one but they sure look good on paper.. |
09-11-2009, 03:59 PM | #24 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 54099
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle area
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With all the negative (or more accurately, 'meh') reactions to the '08, I'm more and more considering an '09 or even brand new '10 WRX.
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09-11-2009, 05:08 PM | #25 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178854
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Seattle
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The biggest knock I can put on the '08 stock was the suspension. Everything else was better than the previous year WRX IMO, so 07 vs 08 it came down to looks (either you like the 3g or you hate it) and handling. Then the '09 came along, fixed the handling and added power. Don't get me wrong, I really like my car, but then again, i have fixed the suspension and upgraded the power.
Me personally, I really don't like the red stitching and red hazard button. I also don't care for the '09 front grill. So there are SOME things better in the '08s . |
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