As most of you know, I may need to replace my R after the theft/total. I went and test drove the WRX this afternoon.
Overall the car wasn't bad, but it wasn't Incredible either. The hood didn't want to close properly, and there were several light dings in the hood from people trying to close the hood wrong.
The interior was nice, seats were deeply bolstered and comfortable. Headroom was fine, although the rear seat felt very cheaply made on the edges (Easy to wear out/damage potentially). Also the cup holder located at the top of the dash was a bit odd.

Performance was nice, good low RPM torque, nice transition into boost, and excellent accelleration. One thing I didn't like was a light surge between gears at/near redline. Overall it would make a "allmost acceptable" replacement, but it ISN'T in the same league as the R in my opinion.

Overall, Type-R=
WRX=

 

Agreed, My buddy has a WRX and when we drove and compared them back to back, all differences aside, We both agreed that the R wins hands down. They are 2 completely different cars but the R was the choice we decided on.

It is a very nice car though, and yeah that Aluminum hood gets dings even easier than the Tegs hood.

A.

 

I took a WRX on a 45 minute test drive once... After beating the absolute crap out of it for about 30 of those minutes, I concluded that it was not for me... If you don't count the neck snapping 6k launches, it loses to the R in every category (yes, even accleration), especially braking and handling. It's a nice car, but lacks the raw energy and performance that I desire. It would be okay as a second car, but no way it could replace the R. Hopefully the Lancer EVO VII has more to offer than the WRX.

 

Good review, I was considering that as a possibility *if* my car is totaled. Did you think of any other possibilities?


[Modified by SoCal ITR, 3:39 PM 3/24/2002]

 

if i was in the market for a non-type R, i'd wait on the lancer. thats just me though.

 

Lancer EVO VII should be out in a few months and will likely outperform the WRX (unless it gets bastardized). Other than that, nothing in the $25k price range is even close to the R.

 

The Evo would be nice, IF its the same (or close) as the japan spec. ive heard rumors that its gonna be less hp, doesnt come with the ACD nor the AYC (Active Center Diff) (Active Yaw Control). If it ends up like the WRX, nah, it would suck. Rather pay some extra money and get the Japan spec one from some place (forgot where, but it waz up on one of the threads).

 

I think the WRX would be a more "mature" replacement for our wild-eyed [damn, I love it] ITRs. If you get married and/or have a kid the WRX is "socially responsible" whereas our cars simply state, "**** off!" to society. There's room for both for me. But, like many here, I'd much prefer what I have. The only other car that has the similar focus [to some extent] would be an M Coupe or perhaps the M3.

 

it was my understanding (i may be wrong though) that the US Evo would be competition for a STi type WRX, ie mo power, mo go fast goodies. hopefully at least

 

I was just thinking, what about the base model 350Z? Any opinions on that?

 

I drive my friends WRX all the time and i still like my R better..However, his car is a daily driven AWD car that does 12.8s with about $2,500 invested...That is where it kills the R...

 

I'm gonna test drive one in a couple of weeks! Only difference with me is I am already sold on it...more or less!

I like the fact that I will be able to have peace of mind.......unlike with the ITR!

 

The biggest problem with the WRX is that it weighs 500 friggin' pounds more than the R.

 

I wonder what a WRX with light seats, some CF here and there, light wheels, light etc etc would be like...

 

Check out Best Motoring 4/02 issue with the debut of WRX STI spec C. Its the club racer version dropping lots of weight but still can't keep up with Lancer EVO 7 RS.

 

Still 500 friggin' pounds heavier than an R with those same mods!!

 

ThePunk, have you considered an S2K?

 

isnt the EVO 7 more expensive?
i work at the subaru dealership here in iceland,and its fun to drive those wrx cars
but if i could choose between WRX or Impreza GT (the car that came before the WRX) i would take the GT cause its more fun to drive,but after all i own a ITR and its so much fun to drive,almost nothing beats the Recaro seats or the 8500 redline...

Simon
Red ITR 98
#4022 http://www.live2cruize.com

 

I considered a s2000, but I am not really into convertables for daily driving.
Also, I do move crap around in the car occasionally, and being able to hold 4 adults is somewhat important as well.
I like the idea of the WRX sti, and the Evo 7. (Although I really don't much like the look of the lancer somehow.)
However, if I don't get the R back, I'll be needing a car SOON!

Unfortunatly, a R is NOT going to be a option as I am sick of the crap that comes with owning one (or any other civic/prelude/integra/accord/celica/eclipse).
A family is in the near future for me, and I need to balance what my actual "needs" are in a vehicle rather than "wants".

 

The Evo and the WRX is in the same price range (atleast in japan).
But... dunno, I personally like the Evo6 a lot better than the Evo7 (the evo7 looks a lot more calm). I think the WRX wagon would be a very good family car, as well as a good car to race, track, whatever.

 

Most of the WRX weight comes from the design. Being a WRC car they added ~200lbs. to make it more rigid. This is the kind of weight you can't really get rid of, but you can reduce with the methods you stated.

 

Anybody read the preview/review in the new Road and Track of the RX-8. Fully loaded under 30k, holds 4 ppl well, and so on... looks like a great fun somewhat practical car...

 

WRX curb=3080
ITR curb=2639
Not a "Huge" difference, considering your comparing a "stripped" 2 door, to a AWD 4 door.

 

Punk,

I bought a WRX wagon about a month ago and I love it. I still have my R but it is pretty well a track only car now. Since the R is already modded I am going to leave the WRX stock for now and it is nice to have a quiet stock car. The other posts are pretty accurate about the car and if you wanted to mod it you can make sick power and the awd is awesome. Check out the Hyper Rev mags from Japan on the Subies and you will get excited. And the cool thing is no one even looks twice at it, even in Rally Blue!

Good Luck

Victor Penner

 

I just bought a WRX wagon yesterday (don't actually get it until tues)

I've never driven or even ridden in an R, so I can't really compare the two, but I've had a lightly-modded gsr for about a year. I think I like the wrx a lot better than my gsr. And that's based on ~30 minutes of driving one.