I had my mind all made up to get the Subaru Outback. I can comfortably write a check for a nicely equipped model and forego the financing hassle. But then I saw the WRX on TV and on the road, and I was intrigued. It looks hot, sexy and fast. The bonus is that it’s a Subaru, which in my opinion is the best car available.
They keep their resale value forever.
I have no idea how much more the WRX’s price is, it’s not listed on carsdirect.com, but I wonder if any Dopers have experienced driving it yet. I could hold onto my 10 year old Legacy wagon with 107,000 miles on it and drive it around town/to work, then use the sporty WRX for road trips.
The WRX is essentially a rally car made suitable for the road. I.e. it will pass the emissions and crash tests. It’s NOT a comfortable car. Yes, it is fast, but it is also incredibly loud, and -to those not used to powerful cars- can be a bit dangerous. The boxer engine is a delight, it has gobs of power, and it gets all the envious stares.
It is, of course, ugly as a shitter. But that’s not an issue with a Scooby. But road trips… essentially, it’s not even a tarmac car. It’s at its best in the mud, or on wet, narrow Alpine roads.
The last fast Impreza didn’t make it to the US. Will this one make the cut, then?
They’re around $24K US. They’re fast and tossable but I’d double check those resale values. A lot of people think they’re ugly and that’s going to impact your resale value. I also hear they’re louder than most cars.
Hey - speak for yourselves. I think the WRX is cool lookin’. I dig the bug eye lamps and the fact that it looks like an innocent (if beefier) econobox until you hit the gas.
Zero to sixty in 5.6 seconds. That’s kick ass for a little sport wagon.
Just one complaint about those photos in the Edmunds link. They picked the automatic for the photo gallery?!? That’s just plain wrong. Anyone who would buy a WRX with an automatic is just…just…well, words fail me.
I have a good friend who just bought one, and he absolutely loves it. He is a tuner, so its great for him. The car is very sporty, yet practical. The 4 door design isn’t just for insurance purposes. It actually helps in function. Modifiying can be tricky, so if you want to do any of that, be very careful.
I’ve driven a friend’s WRX a few times. It went like a rocket and cornered like it was on rails.
WRXs are very popular here in Australia. In my city, it’s almost impossible to drive anywhere without seeing at least one or more on the road.
Because of the local demand, their resale value appears to be quite high. I’d never buy one though – the insurance rates for a young male driving one are notoriously bad.
Personally, I like the appearance of the late-90s model WRX. It didn’t have those bugeye lights.
It’s Rex, mate, or - the Rexy. You know, rhymes with… appealing.
Pre-2001 redesign models are beautiful. Go for the STi, you most certainly would not look back.
I have a mate whose mum bought one “cause she liked the look of it”. Nowadays he spends his time sitting around crying because she won’t let him drive it, ever. It would be funny if I owned one myself, or if I owned one the government permitted me to drive it. Such is not the case. Probably not an ideal first car though anyway.
