Hi everyone!

Time to change my 53000 mile 03 WRX PPP.

Went to KT Greens in Leeds to test drive the new WRX (no PPP) was expecting it to be a bit down on my power but because of the bigger engine was expecting it to be smoother and more torque'y at the bottom end....

Looks:

Oh my god, in the silver it looked dire, those side skirts are awefull too, the new interior is fine but nothing to exite me from my 03 (nothing new, just moved), for some reason they cheapened the sun visors (girlfriend noticed that important issue )

Engine:

As i drove off slowly to warm the engine, it felt as good as mine from the bottom end of the revs, warmed it up for a 1 mile or so (was already warm) then booted it a few time, not good, a good pickup to about 3.2k then a massive power 'hole' to about 4.5k then its ok to top rpm, big disapointment i was hopeing the std car would be like mine but with less power (mine 'goes' exactly where the 06 doesnt)

Suspension/road holding etc.

The noise from those bridgestone tyres is unbeleavable, been running eagle f1's on mine so used to MUCH less noise, also the car seems to have a lot more 'dive' than mine, the road was 'mildly moist' and was getting good 'bite' into the corners but those bridgstones just cant run in the wet, just terrible understeer, just hope that that is just the tyres and not the car itself.


Im now seriously considering a 05 STI for the same money or looking at other cars, not what i was expecting to do!

Simon

 

Go and try a jap spec sti it'll convince you that, in standard form at least, the UK car isn't what it ought to be. You name it and i've tested it over the last 2 months. Jap spec for me!

 

Nice to hear some views from people who have driven the MY06 WRX. Need to arrange a test drive myself.

This is bad news has I hoped it would be an improvement over previous models - well they have had enough "goes" at it to get it right.

Any mods on you current ride?

Any others in Scoobyland had a road test of the MY06 WRX?
(Not the STI cos I need a wagon)

 

Hi,

I took the WRX06 out a month ago when i was contemplating trading in my WRX03 (no PPP) for one. In my honest opinion I'd stick with the 2L unit unless the PPP version drastically transforms the car. Just like you said the 2.5L is quick off the mark but it was gutless top end. I think its a bit heavier so that probably doesn't help. I was pleased when I got back into my WRX to find out it tear it to shreads

I always laugh the way the Salesmen rave about it saying the power delivery is so much better... they speak so much bull poo.

 

What does the torque feel like at very low revs up to around 3000?

Ted.

 

from my test drives i guess the extra half litre is there to hide some of the low down lag. I didn't like it so i bought the jap spec.

 

Does it hide it then Charlie?

 

has no one else done any comparison test drives?

As simon mentioned the tyres are a bit of a suprise, and are similar on the jap models too. mine seems particularly lively although the car certainly pitches less than my old 03 wrx

colin

 

sorry ted

yes it hides it but becomes lumpy further up the rev range

colin

 

Sounds like Golf Mk III syndrome - attempting a subtle shift upmarket...

 

to catch them who don't like to keep the engine buzzin i would have thought.
although that would seem to make the 6 speed box even more pointless!

colin

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replys, atleast im not imagining things (Thats what the dealers normally say, just before something falls off)

The query about the pickup to 3K revs, it does feel more like a PPP'ed 2L WRX so it is propably more drivable in town etc, Salesman gave me the 'its a lot smoother isnt it' but didnt seem please with my reply one thing it seemed to do in that dead spot was if you lifted slightly there you got a big 'off' jurk but if you put your foot down you dont get much 'on' so no more slight throttle feathing there (which you will need in the wet on those bridgestone ice dancing tyres)

Im just hoping that before i make my final decision that prodrive have got the pack out and maybe a spring kit to help the diving, and ofcourse some mug buys it and revews it for us

Simon