It's not that ugly and it more than makes up for it with its performance.

 

agreed.
The 09 WRX revision was the answer to the R/A. It was already competition before they added the hp. But the extra hp per dollar was to counter the R/A's TC-SST system. That is what they are using to steal 's customers.
All in all, the 09 WRX is a great buy. The performance and power is there. I just don't like the look of this years design. I sat in it test drove 2x but i just didn't like the hatchback look.
IMO the car has the porportions of a Ford Focus HB. And the sedan does look like a Corolla.
But other then the looks, it does excel the R/A in performance.
The R/A looks much better the WRX.
In the end, the looks are subjective.

 

Even most Subaru fans on NASIOC hate the looks. Most Subie guys are still into the 2007 and below models. Adding HP to an ugly car is still a temporary fix. My guess is many on the fence like youself will choose the Ralliart based on looks alone since it has better looks, seats (Recaros), more equipment (2 more diffs, fastkey, better stereo) and the MR transmission.

 

Actually a lot of people like the look, it's slowly growing on people both here and on NASIOC. People hated every new model, they hated the 04-05 look for a while, they hated the 06-07 look for a while (I remember comparisons to pigs and Saabs) and they hate the 08+ look.

 

I never liked the Lancers before the new design came out.
When I saw the new design.
I was like, yes, that is much better.
The Evo Community was the same when the X came out. But it wasn't that slow for the EVO community to like the X vs the Subaru Community to like the HB version.
I saw alot of IX and VIII owners talking crap about the X but when they saw the Japan convention on all the different X models that were being done.
They jumped on the wagon fast.
Now look at them. Alot of VIII and IX owners switched and some of those owners are even considering the R/A.

 

Subaru to me never seems to get their designs right. The earlier WRX's were ok (02-05) but the rest were just eh. To each their own i guess.

 

Ive never had a problem with the style of the wrx's except the bug eye model and the current 08+ models..

 

I disagree. I've only seen a scattered few that have admitted the styling is growing on them. Most still don't like it.

 

i like the look of the subaru HB. And most of all my gf loves it. Every guy wants a hot girl to like their cars

 

Based on NASIOC, everything sucks. Most of the people I know have grown to like or at least not hate the new styling.

 

And why is it that Subaru owners hate everything? Follow-up question: if I find myself starting to hate everything, should I go buy a Subaru?

 

Glad to see the love-hate thing is resolved. The WRX sedan looks OK. Very subdued but not ugly. Just not aggressive like the Lancer. The hatch is terrible in my opinion and I do not have any idea why they went that route.

Believe me, the Lancer interior is a few pegs down from the WRX. The Recaros are better but for the money you can get aftermarket for the WRX also. The GTS seats are worse than the CObalt and the WRX. The brakes on the WRX seem to be weak. I did not get to use the RA breaks under a heavy load. I want a good DD not a race car, so handling on the edge and hard braking into a hairpin turn do not interest me. I just want the best car for the money that I can justify a new car purchase.

If a car in the mid 20k price range could do everything (maybe the Cobalt SS can) we would not need EVO and STI models. Since most people drive a new car daily, the track performance is not as great of a concern as acceleration and comfort with fun. I just do not want to be bored anymore on the drive to work. The RA was nice but the SST would make me sea sick in town if you are pushing it at all.

I cross shopped the Cobalt SS, RA and the WRX. They are all good cars and fit the bill for my criteria. I live in Northern Ohio so AWD is something I want. Just my personal observation was that the Cobalt was cheap, the RA was a little better and the WRX was a lot better. It is more quiet and much smoother and refined. It also sounded better. Young guys probably do not care about stuff like refinement. I really did not want to go back to a manual trans but to get the fun and performance I want that looks like it is going to have to be the way it is.

I have a few months before I need to buy. I will be going to Detroit in January for the IAS and will make my final decision then. I hope in the meantime some rags do some head to head on the RA and WRX.

 

Well, I am in my 30's and look at my line up.
I don't have any spawns, either.
lol

 

i love the new subie's looks! Esp the hatchback

 

The same exact thing happened on here as well in regards to the VIII, IX and X. People hated the VIII because of the triangle front grill, people hated the IX because it lacked the triangle front grill and people hated the X because it looked nothing like the VII, VIII or IX. People inherently hate change. It's not like Subaru owners are spiteful trolls who live under bridges and eat children.