New Car?

madmax

I've noticed everytime I see a Suby its in front of me and going slow. Then, at takeoff I notice there doesn't seem to be very fast pickup. It seems pretty typical. Are they all just slow or does the feel of the car just make people feel comfortable driving that way? Its usually a forester.
madmax

Frank840

you dont want a sti. if you wanted something sporty and 4 door just get a SRT4. you can thank me later. ... i see to many people with sti's that have problems. argh boxer engines :eek:

bobman1235

Yes Dodges are so much more reliable than Subarus. :rolleyes: SERIOUSLY, Dodge?!


Foresters are huge soccer mom cars, so I'm guessing that's why they're always going slow.

madmax

bobman1235 wrote: »

Foresters are huge soccer mom cars, so I'm guessing that's why they're always going slow.

That would certainly explain it. Just something I noticed.
madmax

bikerboy

Hi,
We bought our 04 wrx wagon in july 03 for about $21k. They sold all out of the 03 models and released the 04 early. It has <70,000 miles and hasnt needed any work. I just installed a stiffer rear sway bar and alum end links a couple of months ago. The wagon has a smaller bar than the sedan. The sti is a difference animal. More power, but in 04 no wagon available and about $35k. We get 21-26 mpg depending on turbo boost pressure, how many bikes on the top, on how much camping gear is loaded. It has been a great, fast, fun car to drive car. One of the best power to weight to dollars ratios available. The 3 power amps, 2 electronic xovers, and vifa drivers make it sound very nice inside. I wouldnt take a mits or dodge if someone gave it to me.

PhantomOG

Frank840 wrote: »

you dont want a sti. if you wanted something sporty and 4 door just get a SRT4. you can thank me later. ... i see to many people with sti's that have problems. argh boxer engines :eek:

that's hilarious.

zingo

Well I took a test drive of a local STi yesterday...

..and it was SWEET. The car is fast as all get out, and sales guy told me to "drive however I want" on the test drive. That car can take corners like a champ, and that turbo spinning at 7k RPM will stick you in your seat. It was a thrill to drive to say the least.

Madmax, on your comment, I found the STi very easy to drive around town just cruising the speed limit (on a little below ). It was just a comfortable car to drive.

PhantomOG

madmax wrote: »

Then, at takeoff I notice there doesn't seem to be very fast pickup.

Take a ride in a WRX or STI with someone who knows how to do a decent launch from stopped. It takes off like a rocket.

Zingo, did you get a good feel for the AWD? After driving the WRX for the past 7 years its going to be hard for me to consider a car without it.

bobman1235

PhantomOG wrote: »

Zingo, did you get a good feel for the AWD? After driving the WRX for the past 7 years its going to be hard for me to consider a car without it.

And you live in Texas, imagine living somewhere where it snows.

PhantomOG

I know. I went to college in upstate NY and saw Subaru's everywhere. They are starting to get more popular down here but not even close to the numbers up north where it snows alot. I only wish I had my car when I was in college and could enjoy it in the snow.

zingo

I did get a good feel for the AWD and it is great. I can imagine that after a month in that car, I would never want to go back to a single drive axle. Plus, the STi has the adjustable front-to-back power ratio (DCCD) which could be fun to play with. One thing that amazes me about that car is how hard it can launch with the stiff clutch and the AWD; talk about plant you in your seat with a 0-60 of 4.8s.

Jstas

I'd rather use 4 wheel drive in the snow. My buddy's 94 Bronco with a 3 inch lift was a beast in any kind of snow! It never got stuck anywhere. AWD is nice but it doesn't handle deep stuff real well at all.

Then again, I live in the northeast. Most of my time is spent in Jersey but I've been in Vermont, Massachusetts and New York is some nasty snow weather and a Subaru, while capable, was rendered ineffective in stuff deeper than about 14-16 inches. That is a "dusting" in most places up there.

bobman1235

Oh absolutely, you're not getting out of a snowbank (or even over one) with a car that's only 8 inches off the ground anyway. But on slippery, standard snowy roads it's great to have the AWD. You gotta make sacrifices, I think the Scooby's do a good job of getting you a mix of performance and stability and economy.

Jstas

zingo wrote: »

One thing that amazes me about that car is how hard it can launch with the stiff clutch and the AWD.

That's why it launches so hard though. The stiff clutch is stiff because the spring rate is high to put enough pressure on the friction plates so that the engine's power doesn't over power the friction material of the clutch. The AWD takes more power to move the driveline but unlike FWD or RWD, you have twice as much tire footprint as the others so the power is put to the ground better. They also have a pretty low 1st and 2nd gear so they scoot off the line pretty well but can run out of breath in the higher RPMs.

Jstas

bobman1235 wrote: »

Oh absolutely, you're not getting out of a snowbank (or even over one) with a car that's only 8 inches off the ground anyway. But on slippery, standard snowy roads it's great to have the AWD. You gotta make sacrifices, I think the Scooby's do a good job of getting you a mix of performance and stability and economy.

No bout adoubt it!

I like Subarus. Always have, even when they were pretty crappy but they still ran forever. If I had the money, I'd buy one.

zingo

With off-road and deep snow capabilities, a Subaru has no comparison to a large 4x4 truck. However, I have only needed that a handful of times in my life. Most of the time in Seattle I just have slipping tires because of the rain or a few inches of snow, and AWD is perfect for that. (As well as a few laps around Pacific Raceways over here... )