Have a UK 03 WRX and wondered if anyone with a similar car thinks that the handling is sometimes very poor with regards to the damper and / or spring settings.

The problem that I find is that at certain speeds and on certain road surfaces the car bounces and handles exceptionally badly, it also feels like it’s lurching forward and backwards slightly. On smooth roads everything seems pretty fine and it isn’t noticeable when accelerating or at a much higher speed.

This is most noticeable on the M25 between the M3 and M23 on the concrete surface. I’ve owned quite a few cars and driven loads but never any which are quite as bad in this respect as the Subaru. It’s so bad I’ve pulled over on more than one occasion as I thought I had a flat tyre.

The local dealer said he felt the car drives superbly and there’s nothing wrong with the shocks / springs.

Does anyone else with standard suspension have a similar problem and how did you rectify it? Not interested in buying new components as I expect a £20k car to have a reasonable ride quality and wonder if anything’s been done under warranty.

Thanks

 

yep all 03/04 WRX's seem to be softer than soft, bouncy bouncy understeering ****'s.

Prodrive springs is what you need I'm afraid.

It's well worth it though and makes the car look much better

You'll also need to get the geommetry set up after getting the springs done.

Springs'll cost £200 + fitting and the geommetry about £70 tops.

 

Prodrive springs are made by Eibach i think also try bump stops and a anti-roll bar whitline, have one my self on my01, go for the prodrve setting on the 4wheel laser geom set up will be better& a less under steering car than before.Try scoobyclinic handling package they sort all this for you no prob's http://www.scoobyclinic.com/

 

Just gone from a MY00 2000turbo to a MY03 WRX and it defo feels not as sharp as the 2000 turbo

 

Just gone from a Sti7 to a 04 WRX........ can't believe its actually an impreza, feels more like a vauxhall vectra. Prodrive springs here we come.

Ian.

 

Just a thought, you're not on the original Bridgestones are you?

 

My new 04 WRX reminds me of a Citroen ZX I used to have, did not feel particularly taut at low speeds but when you really tramp on it comes into its own and handles superbly. I am more than happy with the ride quality / handling of mine, good compromise I think.

 

ZX16v ? The lesser known Pug GTi-6 and Astra GSi beater ?
I had one, loved the thing......

 

RecordProduction - Yep still on the B'stones. Could this be the problem? Reckon I'll be needing new tyres in the Autumn, what would you recommend?

 

Yep the very same, I wonder what it would feel like to drive now, still pretty good I think !

 

I have the same problem with my WREXY 03, have not had a scooby before but have driven a classic wrx (jap version) and it waz much sharper at turn-in. My 03 car feels floaty and I want to cure that so I am contemplating going for the prodrive springs. I am not based in UK, however, so I will need some geometry settings with the springs. People are talking about Prodrive settings, Powerstation settings etc.
What are they?
Are they differemt?
Does Prodrive provide the settings with the springs?

 

Well put! I have an 03 WRX wagon with PPP and Prodrive springs & 18" wheels. The mods help but the car still rolls a lot in low speed direction changes. Fine on fast A roads etc.

Not a B road blaster - god knows why the motoring press still think it is as its all over the shop if you push it too much in tight corners. Best to go in slow and come out fast! I like the car but would'nt buy another unless they sort out the handling.

 

Still alot of fun I reckon !

Used to love fast in and out of roundabouts with it....

Stranglely this morning I received a reminder of the MOT from the Citroen garage I bought it from.
I sold the car 6 years ago