Subaru WRX Estate/Hatchback
Discussion
I'm thinking of replacing my Honda CR-V with a 5dr Subaru (non-STI). It will be used as a runabout, carrying stuff etc.) so rather stick to Jap stuff - but aside from the fuel economy (heard it's high 20s rather than low 30s I get from my 2.0 petrol CR-V) - are there any issues with the WRX model? I ask because they look great value and are reasonably brisk .. the CR-V can be testing at times when your previous cars were hot hatchbacks, turbos and [old] Porsches.
All comments (funny or otherwise) welcome!
All comments (funny or otherwise) welcome!
What age are you considering? I have a 2003 WRX wagon and have had it now for 9 years. Absolutely love it, and, other than usual servicing and a couple of upgrades, it has only had the rear dampers knocking to be sorted.
Mine is running 265bhp with a turbo back decat and remap. Exhaust has released the Subaru burble, but isn't loud when cruising on the motorway.
As I said, it's been great to own, but I've not been near the Subaru dealer network for over 7 years now so can't say what they are like these days. Been using a local specialist since then.
Mine is running 265bhp with a turbo back decat and remap. Exhaust has released the Subaru burble, but isn't loud when cruising on the motorway.
As I said, it's been great to own, but I've not been near the Subaru dealer network for over 7 years now so can't say what they are like these days. Been using a local specialist since then.
My standard car did about 270 miles from fill to light (about 50 litres) no matter how cautious I was - Remap with only the primary cat in place and I always hit 330 miles per tank. Not exactly amazing economy but I can live with it.
No show stoppers that I can think of, short of picking up a badly serviced one. Any lack of attention to oil or ignored det will end a Subaru engine rather rapidly.
People generally dislike the 2.5 on the later cars, although I think it was mostly the STI that suffered serious issues (worth checking that out, I'm not 100% sure there).
Front callipers on the WRX use mild pistons and are prone corrosion and sticking. Rebuild kit plus stainless pistons is about £100.
Rear shocks on the later cars are inverted type and can start knocking at around 25K onward. They are not (last year at any rate) available from KYB directly and cost a fortune from a dealer, however you can fit the older type straight back on for about £175 a pair plus a stupidly expensive set of bump stops.
All of mine have had a horrible habit of eating the inner shoulder of the front tyres. It's a bit irritating having to put new ones on when there's another 3mm of tread left everywhere else! Might just be me?
No show stoppers that I can think of, short of picking up a badly serviced one. Any lack of attention to oil or ignored det will end a Subaru engine rather rapidly.
People generally dislike the 2.5 on the later cars, although I think it was mostly the STI that suffered serious issues (worth checking that out, I'm not 100% sure there).
Front callipers on the WRX use mild pistons and are prone corrosion and sticking. Rebuild kit plus stainless pistons is about £100.
Rear shocks on the later cars are inverted type and can start knocking at around 25K onward. They are not (last year at any rate) available from KYB directly and cost a fortune from a dealer, however you can fit the older type straight back on for about £175 a pair plus a stupidly expensive set of bump stops.
All of mine have had a horrible habit of eating the inner shoulder of the front tyres. It's a bit irritating having to put new ones on when there's another 3mm of tread left everywhere else! Might just be me?
I'm looking around 10k - which should cover both the new shape 2.5 and older wagon 2.5.
Reliability is very important (so newer in that respects is better) and I don't want a car that will attract attention (from idiots).
Fuel economy - well I was thinking of getting a V8 4x4 - so obviously not a worry unless it's getting 20mpg .. but it would be nice to get >35 on a long run.
Driveability - gotten used to big lazy engines (VAG VR6) so the 2.5 will probably suit me better than a 2.0 - had a look at the diesel but it looks as slow as the CR-V.
Reliability is very important (so newer in that respects is better) and I don't want a car that will attract attention (from idiots).
Fuel economy - well I was thinking of getting a V8 4x4 - so obviously not a worry unless it's getting 20mpg .. but it would be nice to get >35 on a long run.
Driveability - gotten used to big lazy engines (VAG VR6) so the 2.5 will probably suit me better than a 2.0 - had a look at the diesel but it looks as slow as the CR-V.
Edited by fido on Sunday 1st March 09:41
I've got a 2010 hatch. I can get over 30 mpg on a run, but my long term average is low 20s. I really like it. My only gripes are that the boot floor is very high (so you can't fit as much stuff in as you think), FM reception on the radio is bad, it has a few rattles behind the dash (not that bad to be fair) and the brakes are spongy.
Contaminated said:
I've got a 2010 hatch. I can get over 30 mpg on a run, but my long term average is low 20s. I really like it. My only gripes are that the boot floor is very high (so you can't fit as much stuff in as you think), FM reception on the radio is bad, it has a few rattles behind the dash (not that bad to be fair) and the brakes are spongy.
The FM reception is down to the aerial being one of those 'stuck to the rear window' jobbies. I swapped out the OE head unit for a Blaupunkt with Aux and Bluetooth. The sound quality is a lot better but the FM reception has got worse. I've always found that the best radio reception is in cars that have proper sticky up in the air aerials.Mr Taxpayer said:
The FM reception is down to the aerial being one of those 'stuck to the rear window' jobbies. I swapped out the OE head unit for a Blaupunkt with Aux and Bluetooth. The sound quality is a lot better but the FM reception has got worse. I've always found that the best radio reception is in cars that have proper sticky up in the air aerials.
Mine has a proper aerial actually. I've heard that in the hatch the radio is just a bit rubbish. I'm planning on getting an appradio or doing a Nexus 7 conversion (if I can be bothered).Contaminated said:
Mr Taxpayer said:
The FM reception is down to the aerial being one of those 'stuck to the rear window' jobbies. I swapped out the OE head unit for a Blaupunkt with Aux and Bluetooth. The sound quality is a lot better but the FM reception has got worse. I've always found that the best radio reception is in cars that have proper sticky up in the air aerials.
Mine has a proper aerial actually. I've heard that in the hatch the radio is just a bit rubbish. I'm planning on getting an appradio or doing a Nexus 7 conversion (if I can be bothered).fido said:
Update. I went for a 5 speed '06 wagon - picking it up tomorrow. Quite excited - given that I'm not really into cars these days. I nearly bought one before but ended up with an Audi - so this should be interesting.
Hooe you enjoy the new car as much as sooo many of us have!Mr Taxpayer said:
it'll be interesting, all right! Enjoy :-)))
I have the car and it appears to be a minter (complete main dealer history, low mileage, full leather interior - latter makes up for the drab Subaru interior). So much car for 6 grand! I decided to cut through some A-roads instead of the usual M25 route. The engine is smooth and torquey - which suits the 5 speed box. Haven't done enough miles to work out how much petrol it drinks, but it's quite easy to drive around in a higher gear. Things I don't like so far - the boot is smaller than expected, and the remote fob has a single button which you need to press before starting the engine .. minor points considering the later 5dr (IMO) looks quite fugly compared to the wagon.fido said:
Mr Taxpayer said:
it'll be interesting, all right! Enjoy :-)))
I have the car and it appears to be a minter (complete main dealer history, low mileage, full leather interior - latter makes up for the drab Subaru interior). So much car for 6 grand! I decided to cut through some A-roads instead of the usual M25 route. The engine is smooth and torquey - which suits the 5 speed box. Haven't done enough miles to work out how much petrol it drinks, but it's quite easy to drive around in a higher gear. Things I don't like so far - the boot is smaller than expected, and the remote fob has a single button which you need to press before starting the engine .. minor points considering the later 5dr (IMO) looks quite fugly compared to the wagon.hora said:
Thats the only thing that annoys me about the Subaru. Its a race to turn on the ignition. So you can't lazily walk to the car from a distant and blip- its blip n run.. 
Its not that much of a hardship to press the button before you turn the key surely? I like it as a security feature as the car remains immobilised even if you forget to lock it.With the depressing backdrop of SW London.
Still haven't got used to the key button thing - though i'm pretty sure the embarrassment of setting off the alarm will assist my learning! Love the car - can see why the 270PS version is tempting (especially following a Porsche this morning) but it's fast enough for my needs.
Still haven't got used to the key button thing - though i'm pretty sure the embarrassment of setting off the alarm will assist my learning! Love the car - can see why the 270PS version is tempting (especially following a Porsche this morning) but it's fast enough for my needs.
Edited by fido on Saturday 21st March 16:09
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