ME73 Comparison:2002 WRX and 2014 WRX
Discussion
I had the opportunity to drive a couple of cars this past week that I can compare with some older models. I thought I’d share.
I spend a few hours with a 2014 WRX that I will compare to my 2002 Wagon. The ’14 is completely stock with 35,000 miles, the ’02 “bugeye” has 120,000 miles with a new (stock) turbo and relatively new set of swift springs, KYB shocks and Hotchkiss front and adjustable rear sway bars. The only engine modification is the replacement of the uppipe catalytic converter with a straight pipe. I installed these modifications so I experienced the car before them.
The driving experience between these two cars, separated by 12 years is surprisingly similar. Both have a relatively stiff ride that can be somewhat unpleasant on broken pavement for an extended time. The stiffened suspension in the ’02 only increased the stiffness over stock so it’s a bit more harsh than the ‘14. The steering is a touch more responsive in the ’14, the newer car has a faster rack and lower profile tires, so this can be expected. In handling balance, the front end of the new car follows the intended line impressively accurately for having so much weight over the front tires. The ’02 appears to have softer rear springing in stock form that leads to a strong tendency towards understeer. Strong acceleration while turning frustratingly pushes the ’02 in a straight line easily. Even with the added 30+ hp of the newer engine pulling at the tires, the oversteer tendency is much reduced to the point that I couldn’t induce it. To alter the terminal understeer in the ’02, the replacement sway bars that have been installed in the ’02 dramatically alter the chassis’ willingness to rotate. With that, the communication of the chassis is exposed. It’s easy to feel the older car’s limits coming simply though the communication from the chassis. Tires on both cars are all-season, but it’s clear through corners that the mechanical grip is higher in the ’14. Corners and speeds where it’s important to take care in the older car to watch traction levels are simply met with more grip in the newer model. I am impressed that the steering of the new car is as communicative as the ’02 as far as I can tell. Road texture very subtly comes though the steering of the new car to a degree equal to the ’02 which is enhanced by the stiffened springs. Feedback of tire scrub in the front is stronger in the ’02, but still present in the newer car.
The increased size of the ’14 is noticeable compared to the ’02 and it does feel larger on a twisty road. Sight lines aren’t as clear and placement takes more concentration, but it’s not bad by any means.
The two cars both have 2.0 liter engines, but the character of the engines are quite different. The ’02 doesn’t like operating at low speed. It bucks a bit and generally feels unsatisfied. Boost comes in at about 3500 RPM and the engine pulls strong to redline with a consistent level of torque. The ’14 with its higher compression ratio predictably has none of the off boost unpleasantness of the earlier car. There is still not much power, but at least it doesn’t feel unhappy. Boost arrives about 800RPM sooner in the newer car and is MUCH stronger than the older 2.0. The power of the new car is impressive by comparison. Still, under full power, the car continues to go in the intended direction as I mentioned above.
The 5 speed in the ’02 has short shifts and the gates are clearly defined, but they always feel a little gritty. The 6-speed in the new car is much more precise and feel more like a well oiled machine even with a bit more notchiness than the 5 speed.
I’m happier with the size of the ’02 as compared to the ’14. The new car is nearly 11 inches longer, the belt line is higher as well. Standing next to it, it just feels like a much bigger car. Inside, the feeling is reinforced with more room between the driver and passenger and more general occupant space. The back seats have at least 2 inches more leg room. It makes the newer car just that much more to handle on a spirited drive. The interior materials, while a bit nicer looking in the ’14 are essentially all the same materials. I do appreciate that the 4th gen Impreza went back to soft touch in some areas that were hard plastic in the 3rd generation car but soft touch in the second gen ‘02. The customizable center screen in the new car is cool. It can be made to report fuel efficiency, boost level, power distribution, or a number of gauges otherwise missing in the car. The ’02 has just a minimal set of gauges. The seats in the ’02 are some of my all-time favorite sports oriented seats. They are made of a grippy material and have heavy bolstering. I like to think that the car is giving me a hug when I sit down. The ’14 seats are nice and do a good job of holding the front seat occupants, but not to the degree of the older car.
Overall, I’m impressed with the new WRX. I tend to value feel and tossibilty over stability and power so the “updates” that come with every successive model generation generally turn me off of a car. While Subaru has made some refinements in NVH and increased the size of the car, the basic things that make the WRX such a fun car are still clearly intact. While I still prefer the older car, I would not feel bad about going to the newer one as a replacement.
I spend a few hours with a 2014 WRX that I will compare to my 2002 Wagon. The ’14 is completely stock with 35,000 miles, the ’02 “bugeye” has 120,000 miles with a new (stock) turbo and relatively new set of swift springs, KYB shocks and Hotchkiss front and adjustable rear sway bars. The only engine modification is the replacement of the uppipe catalytic converter with a straight pipe. I installed these modifications so I experienced the car before them.
The driving experience between these two cars, separated by 12 years is surprisingly similar. Both have a relatively stiff ride that can be somewhat unpleasant on broken pavement for an extended time. The stiffened suspension in the ’02 only increased the stiffness over stock so it’s a bit more harsh than the ‘14. The steering is a touch more responsive in the ’14, the newer car has a faster rack and lower profile tires, so this can be expected. In handling balance, the front end of the new car follows the intended line impressively accurately for having so much weight over the front tires. The ’02 appears to have softer rear springing in stock form that leads to a strong tendency towards understeer. Strong acceleration while turning frustratingly pushes the ’02 in a straight line easily. Even with the added 30+ hp of the newer engine pulling at the tires, the oversteer tendency is much reduced to the point that I couldn’t induce it. To alter the terminal understeer in the ’02, the replacement sway bars that have been installed in the ’02 dramatically alter the chassis’ willingness to rotate. With that, the communication of the chassis is exposed. It’s easy to feel the older car’s limits coming simply though the communication from the chassis. Tires on both cars are all-season, but it’s clear through corners that the mechanical grip is higher in the ’14. Corners and speeds where it’s important to take care in the older car to watch traction levels are simply met with more grip in the newer model. I am impressed that the steering of the new car is as communicative as the ’02 as far as I can tell. Road texture very subtly comes though the steering of the new car to a degree equal to the ’02 which is enhanced by the stiffened springs. Feedback of tire scrub in the front is stronger in the ’02, but still present in the newer car.
The increased size of the ’14 is noticeable compared to the ’02 and it does feel larger on a twisty road. Sight lines aren’t as clear and placement takes more concentration, but it’s not bad by any means.
The two cars both have 2.0 liter engines, but the character of the engines are quite different. The ’02 doesn’t like operating at low speed. It bucks a bit and generally feels unsatisfied. Boost comes in at about 3500 RPM and the engine pulls strong to redline with a consistent level of torque. The ’14 with its higher compression ratio predictably has none of the off boost unpleasantness of the earlier car. There is still not much power, but at least it doesn’t feel unhappy. Boost arrives about 800RPM sooner in the newer car and is MUCH stronger than the older 2.0. The power of the new car is impressive by comparison. Still, under full power, the car continues to go in the intended direction as I mentioned above.
The 5 speed in the ’02 has short shifts and the gates are clearly defined, but they always feel a little gritty. The 6-speed in the new car is much more precise and feel more like a well oiled machine even with a bit more notchiness than the 5 speed.
I’m happier with the size of the ’02 as compared to the ’14. The new car is nearly 11 inches longer, the belt line is higher as well. Standing next to it, it just feels like a much bigger car. Inside, the feeling is reinforced with more room between the driver and passenger and more general occupant space. The back seats have at least 2 inches more leg room. It makes the newer car just that much more to handle on a spirited drive. The interior materials, while a bit nicer looking in the ’14 are essentially all the same materials. I do appreciate that the 4th gen Impreza went back to soft touch in some areas that were hard plastic in the 3rd generation car but soft touch in the second gen ‘02. The customizable center screen in the new car is cool. It can be made to report fuel efficiency, boost level, power distribution, or a number of gauges otherwise missing in the car. The ’02 has just a minimal set of gauges. The seats in the ’02 are some of my all-time favorite sports oriented seats. They are made of a grippy material and have heavy bolstering. I like to think that the car is giving me a hug when I sit down. The ’14 seats are nice and do a good job of holding the front seat occupants, but not to the degree of the older car.
Overall, I’m impressed with the new WRX. I tend to value feel and tossibilty over stability and power so the “updates” that come with every successive model generation generally turn me off of a car. While Subaru has made some refinements in NVH and increased the size of the car, the basic things that make the WRX such a fun car are still clearly intact. While I still prefer the older car, I would not feel bad about going to the newer one as a replacement.
Edited by me73 on Saturday 24th December 03:41
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