Well, I am not sure what all the hype is about…but let me preface my impressions by saying that the particular example I drove was the wagon, and had all the goodies (short shift kit, boost gauges etc) --- so I guess it is probably heavier than the standard 4 door, but it is what it is…

Impressions: What is all the hype about? This car sucks! I am not saying this because I am some crazy Honda guy either. As a matter of fact, I prefer GERMAN cars. But I must admit my 95 gsr has been one trusty steed over the past 7 years…
The good: The car handles pretty well, and that is about it.
The bad: Ok, the turbo spools quickly (if you are used to waiting for vtec) but then runs out of steam towards redline. The car is obviously tuned to provide great mid-range torque, but then when you wind it out there’s really nothing there (reminded me of a American v6 sedan) – the shifter is not very precise – the passenger seat is not height adjustable and is too high – the momo steering wheel is too big – the interior looks cheap (they should take some lessons from VW) – and the doors are very light (my similar style 4dr gsr doors close with more authority). Have I left anything out??

But seriously, what is all of the press and hype about? OK, maybe after about $2,000 in mods this car is a serious terror, but stock vs. stock I’d take my GSR. The WRX only gets fast times if you launch at high rpm and then the AWD tears it out of the hole.

Anyway, I know tons of people have posted their reviews on this car, but I figured I had better do the same. Sorry so long lol.

p.s. – the gsr is a damn good car. I can’t find anything I would even consider to replace it. Anything that I would think about costs WAY more $.

 

so I am guessing you are not a member or "i-club"

I would say something but everyone is intitled to their own opinion...but i am sorry you didn't like it...i have a friend that has one he seems to like it and he was strictly honda before he got one...I like it to but you are right it cost a sh*t-load, to buy and upgrade...but once again sorry you didn't like it

 

WRX is definitely a car you have to learn to drive to get it to go fast. My co-worker brought his in and in the 15 minutes I drove it, I couldnt get it to feel as fast as he did. With the AWD there is NO slipping the clutch- the launch was a bitch the first few times.


Also, after driving a honda that gets more power up tp redline, it was hard not to rev the WRX. The upper part of the RPM band didn't contribute a whole lot the the acceleration, and I had to try real hard not to push it up past 6K.


[Modified by mkarch96TEG, 4:37 PM 3/25/2002]

 

Our tri-state champion drives a WRX. According to him, it was the hardest car he's ever had to learn how to drive. Let me emphasize LEARN. Cause once he LEARNED how to drive it, he kicked serious booty. His daughter too. Yes, he says it's a dog without boost (under about 3k), so staying in boost is key, which is kinda hard on an auto-x course. Compared to the 2.5 rs, it doesn't have much grunt. It doesn't have the finesse of a GSR/Type R either. Still, there's not much that can touch it when in the hands of a capable driver.

PS - I test drove the sedan a while back. I nearly got whiplash when the power came on. It's very, very fast!

 

I concur on that as well. As far as fit and finish its nothing fantastic. Nice but not acura level. I havnt driven the wagon so i cant comment on that but after driving a fairly base model sedan, no gauges, no sport shifter, none of that stuff....oh yeah, did have the titanium shift **** which i found alittle too hot to the touch to drive right away. Other then looks the handle wasnt doing anything for me. I thought handling wise it was good but the good handling wasnt a result of great suspension but rather the AWD over compensating for driver error. I think this car could make a bad driver feel safe in an at-the-limit situation. Suspension is fine, just not fantastic, would greatly benifit from some coils. cornering is definatly differnt, fun as well. IT has already been shown that the engine is really corked up and that when allowed to breathe better performs better and has stronger top end. As with alot of cars once they are given the I/H/E treatment. No car is perfect out of the box guys, so dont get down cause the top end falls off. Everyone knows thats typcal in most cars other than hondas.

If i hand the money today to buy a car would i get that one......yeah. Nothing NEW today in that price range has the same "grin factor" as that car...but probably just my 2 cents.

 

These are some great posts guys. Thanks.

I guess i was just disappointed because the way the car is written about in the BS mags and the times it gets are a little deceiving...I agree with everything that was said above, l but I suppose I was just expecting more after hearing the whole "WRX" this and that campaign over the last few months...maybe I'll have to give it another try in a slightly modded sedan...

cheers,

 

I have a WRX wagon and a supercharged GSR I think I have a bit of a biased opinion, but I love the WRX.

Without forced induction, the GSR is a typical no torque FWD commuter car with a high redline. It wasn't until I added the jrsc that it became fun to drive. The WRX however, was a blast to drive out of the box. Given a few weeks with the car, I learned the intricacies of the AWD driveline. It became more fun to drive as the time went on especially after I added the drop coils and some other little mods.

I will say that I dislike the tranny and clutch on the WRX. Also, the ABS and tires are terrible. No one can deny that with nothing more than a unichip, and basic boltons the WRX can be deep into the 13's.

It took almost $10g to get my GSR into the 13's.

 

I haven't actually driven the WRX but from what I hear it's pretty damn fun. If we're comparing a stock WRX wagon vs stock gs-r i'm pretty sure i'd pick the non-wagon since I don't have any kids to lug around. Also you have to look at both cars in a daily driven maintance point of view which the GSR would most likely involve less maintance.

You really should be a comparing a WRX wagon to a Type R because both of them are in the same MSRP (24,000, I looked it up on the http://www.edmunds.com). Now comparing a WRX vs Type R, i'm pretty sure some of you might change your minds. (could be wrong)

Now when you say, "it took almost $10g to get my GSR into the 13's" isn't really fair to say because you went probably the most expensive route to get HP. (other then NA). 75 shot of N20/NOS/Nitrous/Nitrous Oxide/ZEX/etc would get you in the 13's for 500, a custom $2000 turbo setup would do the same also. But in a nutshell I get what your saying. You're probably would be the best person to comment on this since you have both cars.

 

yeah, my friend has a WRX and it is damn fast......stock he ran a 13.9 and now he's running a 13.2(street tires, no weight reduction, turbo back exhaust and BC)....but i did drive it a couple a weeks ago and i must say it does not feel as fun to drive as my GSR....i guess i'm too used to my engine screaming to redline.......i guess i need to learn how not to redline it, shifting to the next gear did throw my head way the f*&K back........if guess the WRX is too big and definately very quiet, (even with full 3 in exhaust) to feel how fast it really is.......but it has managed to grow on me........but i think my GSR looks 100% better.

sorry but i disagree with you about the interior.....i think it looks great and the thick steering wheel is awesome......seats are very cool too, just like the ITR....and whats wrong with light doors?......that would be a plus unless you like heavy doors to slam when you get pissed