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Old 04-23-2003, 09:02 AM   #1
Orson
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2003 WRX wagon

Thumbs up The "my tranny and AWD kick major buttocks" thread

I pointed out to a new member, once, that you should be careful judging the WRX tranny based on all the negative comments. After all, you only see the negative posts and you never see a post saying "everything is still OK with my tranny, I'll update you again tomorrow if everything is OK".

Well, I would like to start a thread for just that because of all the negative comments I have been reading here lately. I also percieve many non-productive comments and ill-conceived "experiments" with the Subaru AWD.

I have only 9000 miles, but my manual tranny is as smooth as day one. I never slam into gears and I am basically stock except for an axle-back muffler and short shifter.

My AWD system is awesome. I have test driven all sorts of AWD systems in the course of my work, including pump based (Haldex, Gerotor take-off), Torsen, viscous, ABS-based traction systems including with and without engine control, and plain clutch based. The Subaru doesn't get my ranking as best AWD system, but it works well.

I have tried putting my rear wheels on slick ice and launching my car. My car took off like there was no ice at all. In fact, on a second try, I immediately stalled my car when I released the clutch too quickly. I know the ice was slick because I did an ABS stop on the patch before backing up to it and because I got out and felt the ice - it was slick and wet. In case you don't know, wet ice is the slickest surface you can hope for.

I have also put my right wheels on thick wet snow. Again, I know it was slick because I did an ABS stop on this split-mu surface. I then accelerated away. There was some expected pulling towards the right, but I took off very quickly.

For the record, too, I have experience with AWD that has no locking differentials. That is, the Mercedes ML320 uses all-open differentials and relies on the ABS module to apply the brakes to control wheel slip. I have had many opportunities to drive this vehicle with the ABS module deactivated, resulting in a true all-open AWD system. This is a truly useless set-up that isn't even worth anything on uniform snow. I mention it because my experience with that set-up tells me that the Subaru AWD system works very well.
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Old 04-23-2003, 09:48 AM   #2
Opie
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Talking

All jump on the "I love my Subaru tranny & AWD" wagon!

As of this morning; 69,889 miles, tranny still shifts smoothly and feels great. No internal problems ever, case has never been opened. Hundreds of autocrosses, couple of rallycrosses and a daily flogging on city streets my car has not lead a "creampuff" life and still drives like new. Never had a traction issue either, rain or mud (sorry no snow in FL ).
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Old 04-23-2003, 10:19 AM   #3
fengshui-fu
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17500 miles and after a very brief warm-up in the morning (< 1 minute) it carefully shifts easily into 1st gear and each shift is knotchy but easy. It really depends on the weather and temperature I have found. Baby your tranny and it'll last a long time. Learn to rev-match and your drivetrain will love you LONG time.

chris
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Old 04-23-2003, 10:54 AM   #4
Zola
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I'm quickly approaching 15,000 miles and my transmission seems to work just as well as it did the day I took possession of the car. I was in all kinds of ice and snow conditions in the long Minnesota winter and never once had a problem getting going from a stop. Have never had a problem shifting into any gear, I baby my clutch, and totally agree with Chris about rev-matching (and/or double-clutching)...if you disassembled the whole thing, my synchros would probably look almost new.
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Old 04-23-2003, 12:43 PM   #5
dwx
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I had 52k miles on my 5MT when I replaced it with a 6MT and never had a single problem with it or the clutch or anything. That was with a ton of abuse doing autox, rallyx, ice racing, track use, drag passes, etc. I replaced it with the 6MT due to the better ratios and front LSD and the fact I was going to be pushing more power.
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Old 04-23-2003, 12:52 PM   #6
DucatiBoy
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'02 Black WRX Wagon 5MT 31K mi.

Just over 31Kmi I changed the oil in my gearbox, with Castrol 80W-90, and it shifts smoothly. In fact my gearbox shifts just as good as when it was new. No clutch shudder or slipping. Both VC's function properly and my AWD system got me home in an early Spring snowstorm using summer time Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position tires!!
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Old 04-23-2003, 02:30 PM   #7
Steve '02 WRX
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About 25K on mine and it shifts better than when it was new. It is a little stiff when it is way below feezing out until it warms up, but that is to be expected. I haven't had any of the problems you see people complain about (paint chips, clutch shudder, gears, interior rattles). I think a lot of people that have problems were expecting to get a Subaru rally car for $25K. My WRX rocks! I think it is better in the snow than my 4WD truck. It has been everything I hoped for and more. I would buy it again in a second.
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Old 04-23-2003, 03:08 PM   #8
Kha0S
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Default Re: The "my tranny and AWD kick major buttocks" thread

Quote:
Originally posted by Orson

My AWD system is awesome. I have test driven all sorts of AWD systems in the course of my work, including pump based (Haldex, Gerotor take-off), Torsen, viscous, ABS-based traction systems including with and without engine control, and plain clutch based. The Subaru doesn't get my ranking as best AWD system, but it works well.
...

I have also put my right wheels on thick wet snow. Again, I know it was slick because I did an ABS stop on this split-mu surface. I then accelerated away. There was some expected pulling towards the right, but I took off very quickly.
I'd like to reiterate why your experience with the Subaru AWD system is a positive one --

You know how AWD works, the requirements for a differential, and you understand the concept of split-mu surfaces.

The people who start these threads elsewhere simply don't understand how/why these systems work, and their expectations are seriously flawed.

/Andrew
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Old 04-23-2003, 05:13 PM   #9
tEkkGOD
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52k miles

original clutch/flywheel finally going out

a little hard getting into 4th when spirited driving occurs


normal driving = good
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Old 04-23-2003, 08:41 PM   #10
fengshui-fu
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Dont you remember what your driving instructor used to always say?

"...when spirited driving occurs, crack smile, and press gas IN!"

chris
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Old 04-23-2003, 09:10 PM   #11
gjhsu
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9805 miles and still going strong (knock on wood). Absolutely nothing to complain about the drivetrain or the transmission (wouldn't that be considered part of said drivetrain?)
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Old 04-23-2003, 09:21 PM   #12
bluespeed
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I have 9500 miles and everything is great. I would like to thank orson for starting this thread. its just what I needed. I have been getting a little discouraged latly myself reading all the blown tranny post so this thread has been great to read
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Old 04-23-2003, 10:03 PM   #13
sajohnson
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Thumbs up The 5MT in My WRX is Great!

My WRX has about 42,000 miles on it now. I haven't had any of the transmission problems that others have reported. Mine will downshift into 1rst gear at any reasonable speed. The only time I have some trouble getting into 1rst is starting out when the tranny is cold, which is typical for many manual trannys. It shifts very easily, and I have been very happy with it.

It is true, as Orson pointed out, that people love to complain. For every person who posts about a particular problem, there are many more who are satisfied.

That said, I don't automatically assume that everyone with transmission problems has abused their car and/or does not know how to drive. IIRC, even some serious Subie fans have expressed concerns about the strength of the 5MT in the WRX.

I have had some trouble with clutch shudder. The tech said he felt it but it was not bad enough to warrant replacement. Interestingly, the paperwork said, "could not duplicate".

Although the AWD isn't everything I expected, it works well in most situations.

In today's market, the WRX is a lot of performance car for the money.
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Old 04-24-2003, 01:38 AM   #14
RebelINS
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69,000 miles on my car, I have a 4EAT MY00 RS. The trans still works perfect, and the AWD has gotten me through a few winters.

-Wes
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Old 04-24-2003, 03:59 PM   #15
omahasubaru
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<--- This is my 3rd 5speed equipped subaru ('03 WRX 4k miles & modded) & by far has the best transmission of either of my previous subaru's ('97 OBS 119k modded, miles & '99 RS 45k miles modded). Yet all have been good once you learn how to drive them properlly.. they aren't your run of the mill 5 speed drivetrain that is for sure.

No complaints & I don't see that changing.
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Old 04-25-2003, 01:43 AM   #16
drees
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I love my WRX

Just a bit of notchiness especially when cold and sometimes a bit tough to get into reverse after being parked, but nothing I haven't experienced with other cars. 10.7k miles so far, hope to keep it for another 90k at least!

Shifting has definately gotten smoother after the first 5-7.5k miles or so.
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Old 04-25-2003, 04:44 AM   #17
PAWRX
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All's well here. 28,600 miles and going!
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Old 04-25-2003, 11:56 AM   #18
STR8OUT
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Your all gonna be jinxed I tell ya....all of you.

I'd praise my tranny but I know it will break tonight if I do!!

Just 2 weeks ago there was a post about big wings and getting pulled over because of them. I told them that I had the V.7 wing and cops never pull me over. Well guess what? I got pulled over that night for doing 60 in a 55!!! Stupid cop was just after a shiney car with a kid driving it and prolly also cause it had a big wing......

Sorry...had to rant
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Old 04-26-2003, 12:16 AM   #19
sajohnson
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Strange -- I just got an email notification that "kturner" had posted here but I can't find his post.

Gremlins?
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Old 04-27-2003, 10:57 PM   #20
romoranger
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AWD is awesome, tranny is good
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Old 04-28-2003, 03:51 PM   #21
kturner
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sajohnson - Not gremlins, I was trying to be cute about the jinx thing but the font didn't come out right so I deleted. Thanks for noticing. Anyway, I haven't done any testing but am very happy with my Legacy's AWD in all sorts of "normal" use. My tranny is also OK at 18,000 miles. Still young.
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Old 04-28-2003, 06:44 PM   #22
LyveWRX
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Default 25000 or so....

Tranny --- Great (not german thou)
Engine --- Wow and nothing sounds like it
Chassis --- Well I got hit last fall and put her in a ditch this spring. (ditch at 25-30) Drives Straight

Tires --- *cough cough*

seat -- great!

AC -- not so great

Suspension -- It works well on the Detroit Pot holes.... ( and on twisty dirt roads)

nick
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