Except that the 4B11 isn't better, it's just a different motor. Is it good? Sure but that doesn't automatically make the EJ255/7 bad.

 

Since when do the WRX's have STI blocks? I thought the STI block was semi-closed and the WRX's was open. Now i know they now have the same turbo, but blocks too? Have their even been any STI's with rod problems like the WRX?

 

Alright, I took about 4 hours this afternoon and did 3 test drives. RA (RG by the way), 08 WRX and 09 WRX back to back to back with about 30 minutes between stops, started with the RA. There is a big difference in the 3.

The RA is fun. I still think it is noisy. The engine is noisy and the road noise is very present and worse on the highway. I just do not think it is comfortable at all. The suspension is smooth. The seats suck. I sat in the EVO seats also while I was there. No way I would ride in those for a DD unless I was 18-25. So count out the Recaro package on the RA as not worth it (for me). It shifts fast and smooth. I looked at the computer and after a 20 mile test drive 50/50 city/hwy I was at 11 MPG. OUCH. The smell was horrible. I know it is new (2 miles) and things burn off but it smelled seriously nauseating. One good thing, the dealer offers a 20 year 200k warranty with any Mitsu...Evo included!!! The engine is nice and revs well and from about 3000-5000 it pulls good. Below that and before it spools up it is big dog, in 6 on the highway....very little pull at all. I went down to 5 and it was OK but nothing special. Good car, not very refined. Interior is OK but the seats are just not good. This car revs like hell and it does give you a race car type feel with the SST. I really ran the gears today and it is a great thing for fun and convenience. To me for a DD the suspension is great and it is very tight (solid) with really crisp steering. There is body roll and it can seem like it is getting away from you if you hang a long turn fast (on ramp). The looks are great and the high revving gives more of a feel of performance than a punch but it is sporty and more than fast enough for a DD. Auto start would be good to add as an option. To me you need to pay attention at stops in auto mode as when the car makes that last downshift to first, it really can surge the car forward, or at least seemed to. I read that some say that MITSU uses thicker metal, but when I closed the door, I did not get that impression.

08 WRX. Slow. Felt like an SI. Even at boost it was so-so. Bad looks without the ground effects also. Bad wheel color. Unless you just want a bargain...I would not buy one. Extremely quiet, almost boring. Very unstable while cornering. Dives and bounces all over the place.

09 WRX. Seats are great. They just fit me better and give better overall back support. (backs are my business so this is important to me) I am 5'10 about 190, so it was not about being some large fat guy in the Recaros. Interior to my eye is nicer materials than the RA with a better atmosphere (lively maybe or less stark). Steering wheel is thicker than the RA which I like better but the RA wheel is very nice with a smaller circumference. The shifter is a little spongy and 4-5 is way out there and vague. The car is very quiet. I know I have mentioned this before and everyone quoted me dB levels but to my ears there is a HUGE difference and the one I drove had SPT exhaust (and was still more quiet) and the road noise is substantially less. Engine power is more available at all RPM and is more linear and predictable. The RA really spools then surges (lag). The WRX has less of that. The handing is better than the RA but by no means great. The RA seems to be a taller car or feels top heavy to me, the WRX not as much so. Brakes to me were about the same. The heavier RA needs a little more time but not much. I did not get on this car as much as I would have liked as we were discussing the below 4k break in. The car is very quick and just feels lighter to me. It is less surge oriented than the RA. Negatives were the summer only tires. Engine reliability. Looks are average. I do not think the sedan looks bad, it just does not look aggessive like the RA. Fuel economy is the real draw here.



If you are just looking for some easy fun the RA is a great buy. I still think it is about 3k too much but if you like the trans it is worth it. I am scared of the WRX motor issues but the dealer I was at only had one go bad. The quote I received was "we stand by our product and our customer". I asked about mods at the Subie dealer, he quoted me the same thing. I took that to mean that as long as it is not highly abused or raced they were OK with some mods. I have no idea how many they have sold but it may only be two as the hatch I drove was the same one I drove 1-2 months ago. The RA with that monster warranty needs serious consideration, but they had the GSR with 0% for 60 and the same warranty. Those seats would kill, and a change would be needed. I could get new seats for the RA also. But again, the car is already more pricey.

Not that any of my opinions matter much to anyone reading this far, but they are both good cars. It just depends which one suits you better.

 

I don't see how just because an engine doesn't have an extreme hp/L ratio that is means it's low tech. I find it impressive that GM is able to achieve great results utilizing a pushrod design. And it's not like the vette is merely finishing Le Mans, it repeatedly scored first and second place in it's class - that is significant, and it says alot.

While I respect, and even love driving a turbo-4, I enjoy driving a meaty V8 just as much, but for different reasons. There are lots of great V8s out there, and the small block chevy is one of them.

 

Haha oh it does kick some, believe me. Sometimes i really feel like this car just wants you to change gears. And yeah the doors aren't heavy by any means, at least to me they arent. They seem lighter then my old 07' Civic.

 

It is fun to run all 6 gears up the ramp. I think the downshifts are better though. Probably not as good on the trans or the engine though.

 

You could always opt out of the Recaro package, and save $3k..

 

Even without that, you are still at about 27k. They seemed to act like the RA was rare and were not very willing to move much. Typical dealer talk and I was not pushing since I was not buying.

 

i kinda knew the Subi guys are just as crazy, like we are. But i hope you are not like this:
edited

 

I don't know about the SUbie but the bottom of the page really got my attention!!

 

haha...X2

 

guys come on...

 

 

Uh, 2400 rare...that's it for 2009. Rarer than an Evo.

 

With current market conditions, i'd expect at least *something*