I am currently thinking about getting a 2008 WRX. Originally I wanted a Mazdaspeed 3, which I got so close to getting, but it did not work out. I was just wondering if you guys could just give me advise on how the new 2008 WRX is compared to the 2006 and 2007 models. If I do get one what performance modifications can I do with out loosing the factory warrenty. Any advise would help, I am looking to get one within the next few months.
I have heard that before, but I have also read that if the problem you are having has nothing to do with your performance part then it is ok.
yeah, subaru has gotten stricter on their warranties. if you mod it, you can kiss the warranty goodbye. and even if you try to turn it back to stock, they aren't stupid and can tell if something's been changed. but, i still think you would be happier with the WRX than the mazdaspeed 3. if its ANYTHING related to powertrain (transmission, engine, driveshaft, axles, etc.) and you have any type of "performance" modifcation, even a blow-off valve, chances are NOW you will not get your warranty
As you may already know, the chassis on the 2008 is completely different from previous models, a little lighter too IIRC. The rear suspension in 2008 has been upgraded to double wishbone, but the front is the same as before. All the articles I've read say that the turbo spools faster. As far as warranty goes, there is a pretty big gray area. There are really two warranties (that I know of): 1. normal 3yr/36k and 2. driventrain 5yr (?) warranty If you put on a new part that affects the drivetrain, like turbo, ecu tuning, etc, a dealer can say that it voids your drivetrain warranty. For example, if you have a bigger turbo and then get a transmission problem, no matter what the cause the dealer will say it was caused by the added power to the drivetrain. Suspension mods are much easier to deal with, you can add springs sway bars etc, without too much of a problem. Technically the rule is, if you have a warranty claim, the DEALER has to prove that your modifications caused the problem in order to deny warranty. However there is a bit of flex on this issue, some dealers are more "mod-friendly" than others. Just remember, a dealership is a business and warranty work just doesn't pay that well, so they will try to avoid excessive warranty work.
I have already test drove the Mazdaspeed 3 but I still have not test drove the WRX. Does anyone know of a dealership around here that is leniant on the warrenty. Some one told me Subaru of Gwinnett.
I drive a 2008 wrx, and it completely rules if you ask me. What you hear about the turbo spooling faster is somewhat true. It spools earlier, but there's still that delicious turbo lag. In any case, the car makes peak torque before 3000rpm, so the power is completely usable. It kind of falls on it's face after about 6000, but that's hardly a huge fault for a street car, and could be easily fixed with a tune if you wanted to. True that it's less hardcore than the older cars (more sound insulation, smoother ride, much less NVH), but it handles, stops, and goes just as wonderfully if not better than every previous wrx. It's an absolute blast to drive, and it looks awesome in WR Blue. As for warranties and dealerships, Subaru Of Gwinnett is completely FTW. They're somewhat of a performance oriented dealership, and all 'round awesome people. It really comes down to your relationship with the dealership. I asked one of the service guys up there how an aftermarket downpipe will affect my warranty, and he said "It shouldn't as long as you bring it here," simply because they know me. Also make sure things are installed properly. Good luck! It'd be awesome to have another 08 on the boards!
I have an '08 but only the 2.5i wagon. It's great though with much better gas mileage than my old '07 Explorer. I've tinted the windows and installed a hitch for hauling my BMX bikes. Once the basic Rally Armor mudflaps become available I'll add a set.
UGADogs - I hope you are able to test drive the 08 wrx and realize how much better of a car it is than the mazda.... There is just a certain pride and joy about owning a Subaru.. I do hope you go with what you want by no means... Please let us know what you think after you do the test drive. Purchased my legacy from Subaru of Gwinnett and have been happy with their service...except for the fact Will is no longer there but I'm slowly getting over the hurt and pain from that! Again good luck and keep us updated!
Get the 07 WRX. It will not disappoint. The 06 is just as good...but i prefer to have the MP3 6CD changer of the 07. However, the TR trim package has different seats and a singe CD player in both the 06 and 07 and manual HVAC controls.
I am not going to get the 06' or 07', I was just wandering if there was a differnence between them and the 2008.
If you like turbo FWD torque steer. Also, previous mazdaspeed cars used the SAME engine internals on their turbo and NA cars. My friend has a protege (same car as a 3, just an older name) and he can only run about 8lbs of boost. The WRX will be able to make more power even with stock parts, because it is actually designed to hold boost. But then again, MOST of us will say go for the Subaru, I mean this is a Subaru enthusiast site, and 99% of us LOVE our cars.
This is entirely accurate. Alex and I found about 15 just installing a boost gauge today. However, a lot of these things make it a better car, like the tilt AND telescoping steering wheel. However, the fun factor remains constant.
Yeah if I did get the 2008, I would have to get the premium package becaue it looks like just an Impreza with out it. I think that they still might be a little to much.
Wow, do you have ANYTHING positive to say about Subaru's anymore? Are you thinking of selling yours? Let's be honest here. If a corvette was even an option, I don't think the OP would even ask about mazda vs subaru, he would probably be asking about porches and corvettes, but he isn't. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had the money to just get whatever car we wanted, a car with absolutely no drawback whatsoever, it only takes money! But no, if you want a car for under 30K, there will be some compromises.
ugadogs, all of us (minus one) will recommend the Subaru. We drive Subarus because they have a combination of characteristics that you just can't find in other cars. While the WRX is not a perfect car, it does a damn good job for its sub 30k price tag. Don't worry about things like "plow" "understeer" or any racing terms that get thrown out there. Neither of the cars you mentioned buying are really designed for AutoX style racing. There are tons of us here who never race our cars and still enjoy them. However, if you DO want a car for racing, ask about that specifically. You should look for an older very lightweight car. In other words, the worse if would do in a crash situation the better it will be for autocross. Subarus are heavy but they are some of the SAFEST cars on the road today. The Impreza (including WRX) was the ONLY small car to get a recommended rating from the IIHS crash test. So if safety is a concern, then Subaru is the best option, hands down.
How much are used C5s going fore these days? Not much. I'm thinking about it right now, it will really come down to how well the car and I do at nationals this year. While I do like my STi it has it's pros and cons just like any other car. Subarus are great cars but the aren't *the car* IMHO, actually does *the car* even exist? Most likely not. As for an autox car it just can be very frustrating to get all the AWD push out of the car and my patience is becoming thin. Edit: Noobi you were the one that started talking about torque steer in the first place.... therefore it's not informative to bring up AWD understeer? Also I just was merely stating my opinon that the Mazda was a better value, now I hate subaru apparently.
Understeer can be fixed, torque steer is an inherent problem with design. Anyway this is a topic for another forum, maybe the competition and motorsports forum. And yes, you have been hating on Subaru's. I'm sorry you don't like your car as much as the rest of us. If getting a corvette makes you a happy wrxatlanta member again, then I'm all for it. I'm tired of seeing you express your sour attitude towards Subaru's on a Subaru enthusiast site, take it somewhere else
^Eh, I saw where he was coming from on the accusation. You've been quite down on the Subies in a few different threads recently. I don't care at all, it's a valid opinion, just like how I think a majority, not all, of Corvette owners are pricks (doesn't mean I still wouldn't get one one day). But yeah, don't act all innocent on the matter Edit: Subi ninja posted me. And he has 555 posts, yay!
OK Mr Moderator! I guess that mean I can't express my opinon anymore! Thanks for the advice on fixing my set up problem... wait you acutally didn't tell me how to fix my understeer problem! Geeze if two different national trophy winning drivers can't tell me how to get the plow out of my car I bet you can! I mearly stated a) subarus understeer alot and b) the are getting pricier. If I say S2ks have no torque am I hating on them too now? Even though they are my favorite RWD car to drive? If I say EVO have weak clutches I guess I hate EVOs now? Wait I'm gonna say that elises are uncomfortable... now I hate elises too! Either way the choice is up to the poster, and I simply stated that mazda is a better value.
I swear, the bickering here makes me want to leave this forum sometimes. Has it been this way for the past couple of weeks?? I just got back today from taking a break over the holidays and it almost appears to be worse then it was before the holidays... Back On Topic: I say that you need to drive the new WRX and figure it out for yourself. Our opinions are just our opinions, but yours is the one you need to live with. Personally, I've had great experience with my subaru, so I am sticking with them for my next purchase - no question there.
Whoa hold on here buddy. First off, this is a public forum, and everyone's opinion is respected. That is why we have people who don't even own Subaru's but are still valued members of the community. One great thing about this site is how most of the time, everyone who has different backgrounds with different experiences and opinions can say what they believe. This helps the community by putting more information out there than just one person's opinion. Secondly, Meredith has been a longtime, very active, member of this forum, and she said nothing about not liking Subarus, you just inferred that by her saying the Mazda was a good choice. Thirdly, the Mazda is a great choice. It is a great deal, getting a very nice car for about $20k, with a turbocharged engine, mazdaspeed suspension, and a nice interior. Back on topic: OP drive them both, and see which you prefer. Both are very nice cars, but when it all comes down to it, it is your choice to make, we can only supply some information for you!
Well, the difference between FWD understeer and the AWD kind, is that the AWD kind is, at least to me, a little bit easier to tame with the stock suspension setup. I know my car, when driven appropriately, rotates better than my Dad's 911, as do most WRXs. Just thought the OP would like to hear that. And yes, you can turn a WRX into a trailing throttle oversteering sone-of-a-bitch for probably around 200 bucks (Rear sway bar.) Oh, and SubiNoobi, I would like to point out that at this time your post count is 555. :bigthumb:
Once you take off your stock tires and put on a sticky summer performance tire or r-comp your car will most likely not rotate anymore. I've driven in FWD civics that handled and rotated worlds better than my 04 wrx. A no this isn't my negative opinon it's my personal experience.
C5 over STi on track any day. SUBARUs are NOT race cars. The base C5 in stock form is closer to race car than an STi. SUBARUs have a unique package to them. Its what differentiates SUBARU from the other guys. However, in the motorsports setting, SUBARU does not have a place anymore. They have lost their place in rally. They've never been in drag, road racing or anything else. Look elsewhere if you want a race car. If you want a reliable AWD car for a decent price to daily drive...look at SUBARU.
no reason to argue here Personally, if you want to keep your warranty, and keep the car mostly stock, I would pick a mazdaspeed 3 over a WRX, but if you can find a way to make it happen, get an STi
^^^ be carefull though... I said I wasn't gonna void the warrenty on my STI when I got it... and proceeded to void the crap out of it in the first 6 months...
Edit: This is what I am talking about, I thought we were supposed to be helpful here: http://www.wrxatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?p=225815#post225815 If this is the kind of community you want, fine, but we already have nasioc, and at least on nasioc I can expect this kind of thing.
I believe that Meredith is expressing her personal opinion based on her time invested with each car that she's relentlessly put the edge at auto-x's. The bottom line here is you have one member asking for advice on a car. The point of this thread isnt for two people to bicker about why they think their choice is better. You're forgetting the bottom line here -- help the OP out. If you must continue take it to PM's, otherwise you'll be sitting tomorrow out
Assume you can't do anything to them without voiding the warranty. Things change fast. With that said, I don't know anyone that needed a powertrain warranty on a Subaru... other than the '02 WRX 5 speed they're solid cars. So don't worry about it. I'd advise you to look at '05 STi's too. They are in that range, hold their value better than a newer car, and some (like mine) are in the 20K mileage range. The '08 is totally different. It's not the famous WRX everyone loves. May be better, may be something different. We'll see. I can't comment on it other than looks and those are opinionated. The '06 WRX with the 2.5 engine is very similar to an STi! A GREAT option if you can't swing the '05 STi. Very good choice. The '05 STi has a more aggressive F/R power ratio and is harder to drive, but more rewarding than the newer versions. I don't like computers driving for me, but computers are better at it and an '06 is faster. '04 STi's are not a combo of WRX and '05 STi. Most people that get one wish they had spent the extra for the '05, especially if they drive it hard. I looked at Mazdas a while back and decided that I'd either get an '03 WRX (as I did and I'm glad) or the MP3 and learn how to drive a low powered car. I spent so much money upgrading the WRX I could have bought an STi. So I sold it, lost a ton of money, and bought an STi. If you want to go fast, I'm sure you'd be looking at a Mustang... if you want reliable, i'm sure you'd be looking at a Accord... I'm guessing you want a reliable 4door that moves quicker than most others???
Just about every article you read about the Mazdaspeed3 and new WRX put them neck and neck, with the 3 sometimes even being better all around or whatever. Like somebody said though, the tires on ALL WRX's (stock) are complete bullshit. Subaru should kick itself in the ass for using those tires for so long. However if you add an equal set of tires the WRX is going to own the silly little Mazdaspeed3. What everyone has failed to mention so far is that (at least as far as I know) the new WRX has the same damn engine as the 06 and 07 internally anyway, and it's just tuned to boost a lot earlier for more torque in the low range. Take my car, for example, which is tuned to allow the turbo to hit max boost targets (of 18 PSI) before 4800 RPM's so it definitely makes way more torque down low than it would stock or than the new WRX does stock. Basically the point is the tunability is probably about the same except that now there is that SI drive or whatever it's called to tune around but once that's all sorted out you'll be able to make reasonably big torque numbers (for a 2.5 liter 4) with just a few bolt-ons with the new WRX, just like you can with the two earlier MY's. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to say that for the Mazdaspeed3 any time soon. That's a problem for the guys who crack ECU's though.
Thanks you guys, You have been a really big help. I have a few months before I need to decide. I am pretty sure that my mind will change a million times. I just want to thank you for your imput. Sorry for the unfortunate argument.