ok, how are your WRX wagon/sedan?

vash · vash's Garage

we drove the outback turbo with five speed. and was just about to buy, but we hesitated and went back to the computer to do more research. i have yet to call steve carlton's fleet manager connection. but we will. i cannot believe the outback invoice $$$. i could get a duramax diesel for less. 4x4!!! so far we were going with COSTCO's car buyer program which is invoice + $300.

we think the WRX wagon may fit our lifestyle, (dogs, camping, AXing). what do you think the long term reliabilty of the smaller turbo motor is? damn, car shopping sucks.

cliff

Steve Carlton · 06-05-2005, 09:22 PM

You can get a good idea of bottomline ballpark pricing with www.carsdirect.com but those prices are beatable. Incentives play a role as well; there's often cash alternatives (dealer or consumer rebate) if one doesn't take a low APR or lease factor. Excellent finance rates are available at www.capitaloneautofinance.com if you don't have a good source already. On another thread here I saw someone mention SAAB 9-2Xs could be had for around $8K below invoice...

Sounds like you plan on keeping the car a long time, right Cliff?

BlueSkyJaunte · 06-05-2005, 09:22 PM

I've put 17k on my wagon (it's an '04) in 13 months. No problems other than an occasional ping.

Liked my '03 sedan much more.

MichiganMat · MichiganMat's Garage

The Scoobs will run forever and day, Im on my second one and its great (non-turbo though).

Im not sure about Carlsens reputation, but Subaru of Santa Cruz is _the_ place to buy and service Subarus in the bay area. Best rep around.

Also, check out http://www.nasioc.com for lots of good info.

skipdup · 06-06-2005, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
On another thread here I saw someone mention SAAB 9-2Xs could be had for around $8K below invoice...

I would definitely look at the Saab. Better warranty (& usually free loaner car while bing serviced), some STi suspension pieces, MUCH nicer interior, for less money.

Last month there were $8K in rebates, but I don't know what they are this month... I guess the same.

- Skip

911boost · 911boost's Garage

The 9-2X is a regular WRX Wagon with a different upscale interior and front end. I am almost positive that it does not share any of the underpinnings with the STI.

I have roughly 24,000 miles on my WRX Sedan, its an 04 that I have had for 15 months. I haven't had a single problem with it. The glove box did rattle a little bit when I bought it, but that was solved very easily. I also added the armrest extension, and a Cobb Tuning Shot throw shifter and shifter bushing.

I drive it about 52 miles each way to work and get on an average 27 mpg. If I drive carefully (stay out of the boost too much) I can and have gotten over 30 miles to the gallon. Now it does take the Premium unleaded.

I bought the sedan, since we have the Tahoe already, and we are thinking about getting a Volvo V70R when the lease is up on my wifes S60, so I didn't want to own a entire garage full of wagons.

As the WRX took my 911's space in the garage, I was looking for something that had some sort of fun factor, that I could wrench on if I felt the need (thankfully the 66 Mustang has required lots of attention lately, so the WRX has remained basically stock).

Now if they made the STI in a wagon, I think I would have gotten it in a heartbeat (therefore avoiding that huge a$$ dorky looking wing).

All and all, I have been very pleased with the Subaru. I have a couple friends that own them, both 2002's and both have over 60,000 miles on them without any problems.

Like all turbo motors, if you start adding manual boosts controllers, the motors do not remain happy for long.

There are also a lot of WRX forums out there, and where as the Pelican is overall a more mature group, some of the OT Discussions on the WRX Forums are just down right humorous.

Bill

RallyJon · 06-06-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

I am almost positive that it does not share any of the underpinnings with the STI.

Well, for one thing it has the quick ratio 15:1 solid mounted '05 STI steering rack. This is a huge upgrade vs any Subaru.

There's a good item by item comparison on NASIOC. There are a lot of differences vs the WRX wagon.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

hmm, I wonder why Car and Driver didn't mention them in its eval of the car when it first came out. I spposie I shoudl have looked at Nabisco prior to posting that. Thanks...

skipdup · 06-06-2005, 08:16 AM

Did a quick search... Looks like the 9-2x is built on the same line in the same plant as the WRX and has the exact same drivetrain (engine, tranny & AWD system).

But, with the Saab, you get quicker steering (STI rack, Subaru may have changed all '05 WRX's to this???), STi rear aluminum trailing arms, some STi bushings (not clear which ones), 17 inch wheels standard, more sound deadening insulation, no roof rails, Saab re-tuned suspension, 5yr/50,000 warranty, 2 years free maintenance and factory leather option (along with the obvious minor interior & exterior cosmetic changes). Plus, most (all?) Saab dealerships offer free loaner cars.

- Skip

RallyJon · 06-06-2005, 08:17 AM

Don't forget the HID headlights.

white87911 · white87911's Garage

I would not worry to much about turbo reliability. My 1995 Mitsu. Eclipse Turbo has 168,000 hard miles on it and the engine runs fine, the turbo is original, and I never even used synthetic oil.

Westy · 06-07-2005, 06:29 AM

Cliff, I have a 1984 Ford 3/4 ton. It's got a turbo and a shell, and only 84,000 miles. Save some money and have a paint job put on it. No one would even think about messin' with you at a DE. It's yours for $3,700. Um,,,,that's a cash deal!!

vash · vash's Garage

westy, i will buy your truck when i decide to move to HAZZARD county.

cbeers · 06-07-2005, 02:34 PM

Hey Brian,

Did you get that heat exchanger on yet? Any ticking?

It was good to have met you Sunday

Hopefully we can get together and ride the hills someday soon...

-Chris

Westy · 06-08-2005, 05:57 AM

Chris,

Nope, too busy working and getting ready for vacation. We're going to the Oregon dunes for a week of quad riding. I'll deal with that tick and the install of the new AC when I get back.

cbeers · 06-08-2005, 07:45 AM

NICE

I have a paddle for my CR, maybe one time I could check it out with you guys. I grew up in Oregon, so I remember the dunes there. I have only ridden at Pismo though. Good fun!

Have a great time!
(as if you wouldn't

)

-Chris

Westy · 06-08-2005, 07:58 AM

The dunes are heaven. It will be 100 down here and 72 up there. Sorry for the hijack Cliff. But then, you wont buy my truck so who cares!

vash · vash's Garage

ok, you hillbillys!

you know those dunes should be protected. animals depend on them for life. lizards, skinks, i am gonna bust out my sierra club membership card on you. think about the erosion!!!

just kidding, i am looking at getting this:

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I've got about 3500 miles on the RS wagon. No complaints. I'm not racking up miles on it though as I'm commuting on the bike these days. But if you're worried about $$$, drive the RS wagon. A big chunk less than the WRX, same interior, and enough grunt and handling for general use.

Westy · 06-08-2005, 08:27 AM

It needs 2 more wheels and tires.

Funny story. The first year we went to the dunes my buddy and I got lost. Next thing we knew we couldn't get out without riding over the vegetation. Our tires really tore this stuff up. I felt real bad because I am the minority of riders who really does care about our green vegetable friends. We finally got back and we were reading about the ecosystem up there. It seems this grass was brought over from Europe to stem the flow of sand that kept trying to take over the highway and surrounding homes. Well, it worked so good that it took over. Now they need us to ride there, just to keep the grass in check. This is truly a one-of-a-kind place.