Today my GF and I continued with one of our favorite past times, test driving cars. A buddy of mine said he was looking at a WRX wagon at a local car lot, so I decided to take it for a spin myself. Now, my gf was especially interested in this car because what she drives is a Subie Outback Sport. This is the wagon that has the 2.2l 4-cyl, the fake hood scoop, etc. Basically, it looks identical to the WRX wagon, same doors, same dimensions; just slightly different ergonomics and external details differentiate the two.

We drive off the lot, I take over, and the first thing I notice is that this thing has a HEAVY clutch pedal. Much heavier than my M3, though I wonder if the clutch delay valve was the culprit. That stupid CDV was driving me nuts. I heard that Subaru put it in there to help prevent ricers from doing burnouts, and it accomplishes its task in that it punishes agressive driving. When doing a quick upshift, there was that annoying delay as it took its time engaging and this made it so that there had a be a slight hesitation in getting back on the power or it would jerk the car around. That would be the first thing I would take off the car if I bought it.

As I blasted around in the car, the engine proved to be quite nice. However, I found the engine to be sort of unrewarding in that it didn't seem to have a real powerband, more like a powerpoint. It would pull hardest around 5500k, but was really wheezing from 6k to redline. Below that there wasn't much either. I guess I'm just really spoiled by our german inline sixes, but it didn't have the low grunt or the top end bloom like I want. But the bottom line is that this is still a quick car, definitely faster than most out there.

Braking was average. Nothing bad to report, nothing great to report either.

The shifter is very short throw, even shorter than the RX-8 I drove (though not close to S2000 short). However, it feels very numb. You don't feel the synchros engage or notchiness, it just goes into gear. I mean that in the numb distant sense, I would have liked more feedback from the gearbox on where the gates are, etc.

The suspension on this car was the biggest disappointment to me. Having driven to the lot in my GF's outback, I went from one Subie wagon to driving another one. Suprisingly, the WRX had a LOT more body roll. My girlfriend noticed it right away as well. I actually wonder if this car is set up wrong, or it is on a set of rock hard 80k mile tires (I should have checked the tire type, but it didn't cross my mind) because this thing had a very lethargic chassis. It felt HEAVY. Much heavier than the Outback Sport. When doing slalom type maneuvers the WRX just wanted me to stop and let it go back to wallowing down the road. This really destroyed the fun to drive quotient obviously.

Overall, I was very disappointed by this car. Having read so many raves about this car; it's lack of sporting feel really suprised me. Basically, it has a semi stout engine, and that's about it. Didn't like the heavy feel, the wallowing suspension (again I wonder if some cheap non performance tires were on the vehicle and affecting this.) This car is no where near a BMW or even the RX-8 in terms of feel and fun to drive factor.

I would really like a chance to drive a different WRX, because I have to wonder if the suspension was setup to ride nice and not to perform for I don't see why a '97 Outback sport would have a much better chassis than a 2002 WRX wagon. If this car was indeed what they feel like, I can say right now I will never own a base WRX unless its real cheap or I need a practical winter AWD car.

I now need to get my hands on an STI or an Evo to do a comparison to my experience here . . .

My car (Saab 92x) is the same thing as a WRX wagon. I would disagree with most of what you experienced. The engine is a dog under 3K but after that mine rips right up to redline. The brakes are great on and stop the car on a dime. My shifter is terrible and much worse than my BMW. That wagon must have had a short shift kit because the RX-8 blows away my shifter. There is body roll but the handling is excellent in my opinion. I had a lowered 325 that wouldn't roll much. My wagon will out corner the 325 but has more body roll while doing it.

Ryan

I test drove a WRX wagon this weekend. The sales guy took us on an hour long test drive through twisty roads and some freeway. He also took us out to a parking lot and proved the amazing braking ability of the car. Overall, I was pretty impressed. The power WAS lacking below 3500RPM though and the turbo kick wasn't as impressive as I had hoped. I know with a few mods it's a different story though. I thought the handling was excellent and the body roll was minimal...huh. The car had the short shifter option which was nice but I will admit it was numb and notchy. It also shook around a lot when the car was in gear.

Personally, I liked the car and we are thinking about replacing the Mazda3 with one.

Personally, I liked the car and we are thinking about replacing the Mazda3 with one.

Well, if those are your choices.

I was suprised to hear your guys comments on the WRX. I have to admit that the powerband is lacking below 3K but after that the car screams. I would have tried driving the wrx sedan. It is lighter than the wagon. When i drove my friends WRX, he had an upgraded turbo,exhaust, the werks and full coilover setup, and the car was a dream to drive. He then traded the wrx for an sti, and that car is amazing, it doesnt feel as agile through the curves as an EVO, but it has a lot of power which makes it fun. I especially love the dccd (driver controlled center differential). But, anyways try driving the wrx sedan, it might help out in your opinions about the car.

The WRX wagon is 80 lbs heavier than the sedan and is also 20 mm narrower. However, it is basically the same car and it is cheaper. I bought mine for $22,300 new. The car is okay stock but it really was made to be modified (and needs to be). By simply adding an adjustable rear sway bar and springs and then set it up with the proper alignment, the car will totally wake up. My power output has increased from 227 bhp and 217 tq to 291 bhp and 295 tq after spending around $1,300 on exhaust components and a custom ecu tune. I posted a 13.6 sec quarter mile using the stock turbo and intercooler.

As things now stand, my wrx is faster than my coupe. It will not be able to out brake it though. However, the 2006 wrx now comes with the old jdm/euro STI calipers and it is a bargain from the start and with a few proper mods it will give you some major grins. Unfortunately, the mod bug really bites and won't let go = a nagging wife.

i test drove an 02 sedan with 60k on it, and the brakes were smelling after just 15min, but then i test drove an 02 wrx, with full pe1820 turbo upgrade and all of the other bells and whistles, and didnt ahve that problem, after 4k, that car was a monster, :evil2

...... the 2.2l 4-cyl, the fake hood scoop, etc. Basically, it looks identical to the WRX wagon, same doors, same dimensions; just slightly different ergonomics and external details differentiate the two.

..... a base WRX unless its real cheap or I need a practical winter AWD car.



WRXs have either a 2.0L or 2.5L, never came with a 2.2L. There is no 'base' WRX with a 2.2L motor, you drove a base Impreza wagon.

WRXs have either a 2.0L or 2.5L, never came with a 2.2L. There is no 'base' WRX with a 2.2L motor, you drove a base Impreza wagon.

Read my fricking post. My girlfriend owned a 2.2L Impreza Outback Sport at the time, and we were test driving a WRX. Reading comprehension >> you. :D

i also diasgree with most of what you had to report, but maybe i've been driving a modified one for too long. take out the 3 cats and these thigns are beasts.

Read my fricking post. My girlfriend owned a 2.2L Impreza Outback Sport at the time, and we were test driving a WRX. Reading comprehension >> you. :D
FYI, your girlfriend's 2.2L Outback Sport has a completely different chassis from a US WRX wagon.

What year was the WRX you drove?

I am looking to get my first car pretty soon, and i was looking at acouple of used wrx's...Does anyone think that this would be a gooo first car? If not, what would you recommend that is under 15k?
Thanks!

Why do all WRX's sound like they are missing on one cylinder?

I am looking to get my first car pretty soon, and i was looking at acouple of used wrx's...Does anyone think that this would be a gooo first car? If not, what would you recommend that is under 15k?
Thanks!

No, it wouldn't be a good first car. You need to be comfortable with driving a manual. The all-wheel drive is very forgiving though.

No, it wouldn't be a good first car. You need to be comfortable with driving a manual. The all-wheel drive is very forgiving though.

Whatever you do, keep your foot on the gas! Don't let off no matter what!

well i can say i have a modded WRX wagon 2002 full coilovers, swaybars, link, turbo, EM, IC, BBK and some other stuff i cant remembr and E36 M3 dudes have to be real drivers to keep up! in the solo's
especialli when i can full throttle out the turns :D

Here's some notes about the comments in this thread. This is coming from the former owner of a stage 4+ WRX with all the goodies and a 1/4 time in the high 12's.

The OP's observation in regard to the car running out of air in the high RPM's is pretty accurate. This is largely due to the TD04 turbo that just runs out of oomph up there. A bigger turbo will help with that. Of course, when you really push it with a bigger turbo the shortcomings in the heads become apparent. For that you need the STi V7 heads (things of beauty they are).

The suspension on the WRX is better than that of the Outback sport. I promoise. The problem is the stock tires. The stock tires SUCK!!!! Replace the wheels with some 17's and throw some good rubber on there and you'll be surprised at the difference. Stiffer swaybars and endlinks will make a world of difference as well.

I can't say I've experienced the clutch delay you were talking about. Never had a problem with my clutch.

The brakes on the older WRX's were definitely a weak point. I've heard that this problem was addressed with the newer WRX's that come stock with opposing piston design instead of sliders.

A couple grand in mods on that WRX will make it a pretty formidable machine. New wheels/tires, new sways and endlinks, TXS software, and an up-pipe will make all the difference in the world. It will never be a very refined car, but it will be fun to drive.

Interesting observations. I am actually new here, fresh from the turbo subaru camp. I have owned an 04 WRX Wagon, an 05 Legacy GT, and an 06 STI,

First, they do tend to run out of steam about 500rpm before redline. Even the STI. But the pull from 3500-6500 is pretty insane, so that makes up for it in my mind. Low end in the 2.5 turbos isn't horrible; not as good as my 330 but not bad. The old 2.0l WRX was a different story though, especially with the A/C on.

The body roll... especially compared to an OBS? There must have been a problem because even with stock tires it should be stiffer than an OBS. I had a 99 OBS for my very first car, so I have experience with them.

I agree about the brakes. While the Brembos on my STI are obviously great, I actually prefer the feel on my 330. Firmer pedal, better feel IMHO.

As far as the shifter, I prefer the subaru tranny to my BMW transmission. It is much smoother, and dare I say less sloppy. The manual tranny on the BMW takes some getting used to, as it somehow feel vague and notchy at the same time. I've become used to it though, and it reminds me a little of the unit on my old GSR.

What I'm suprised NOT to hear are gripes about the WRX interior. VERRRRY chintzy. That car could have used a bit of influence from the newer Legacy as far as the interior goes.

-Sean

Here's some notes about the comments in this thread. This is coming from the former owner of a stage 4+ WRX with all the goodies and a 1/4 time in the high 12's.

Sarcasmo from ClubWRX? Limehat Sarcasmo? Is that you?!?

As far as the shifter, I prefer the subaru tranny to my BMW transmission. It is much smoother, and dare I say less sloppy. The manual tranny on the BMW takes some getting used to, as it somehow feel vague and notchy at the same time. I've become used to it though, and it reminds me a little of the unit on my old GSR.

Really? I feel that the transmission on the '03 WRX is inferior to the one in my '92 325i. It just feels so cheap and clunky in comparison. The sound the WRX transmission makes is also very annoying. When I picked up the BMW, I was very impressed by the transmission compared to what I was used to. My dad pointed out the same thing to me too.

Sarcasmo from ClubWRX? Limehat Sarcasmo? Is that you?!?

Indeed, it is me. Small world no?

When I had my WRX, I had a Cobb double-adjustable short-shifter, that I cut down the threaded rods on so I could further shrink the throw and height - and it didn't come CLOSE to being as short as my stock RX8 shifter. ????