MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

Parted out my turbo Miata and I'm looking for something fun. My price range is about 25k and so far I've only been looking at '11+ WRX hatchbacks. I guess frs/brz twins are an option but I'm not looking for a downgrade in power.

Does anyone here have a newer WRX hatch/what kind of cars come to mind around this price range?

I'm not looking for a project car, but otherwise open to any ideas.

tl;dr 25k car halp

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

That generation WRX feels like everything is connected by rubberbands.

Steering, throttle, brake, shifter, engine... it's just bad.

Then it has massive lag with only a couple thousand RPM of unimpressive power than quickly falls off, combined with a horrible shifter.

If you drive it in a fun fashion, expect to get 18 MPG on premium.

If you drive it less fun, expect closer to 20 MPG.

30k on a car, it's at 19.5 MPG average with the owner not being very aggressive.

I could not recommend that car.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

having tuned dozens of these and driven them periodically for the past couple years I can say that just about everything above is incorrect, or just plain exaggerated

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I'm seriously trying to figure out where you got all of that "info" and what your "better" alternative suggestion is?

I may be the token subaru geek on this board, and I may be biased, but I just don't see it.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

Driving about five thousand miles in a 2012 WRX.

There are plenty of fine Subarus. The new WRX is not one of them, stock. Bushings, shifter, tune might get it to acceptable to me.

I much prefer the GC 2.5 RS. Definitely the best feeling of the Imprezas I've driven.

The bugeye WRX had a lot more character, but really still needs a lot of bushing replacement, exhaust, up/downpipe, tune to get nice. Spent like twelve hours doing the headers, uppipe and full exhaust/dp on that. Like twenty pounds of heat shields.

The most fun to thrash was the early STI, definitely. Crank the DCCD to 40/60 and throw it into corners like a hooligan, and it's completely in it's element.

But the latest WRX is just soft, big, heavy. IIRC, it's as big and heavy as the old Legacy GT, but with a crappy interior, ride and sound deadening by comparison.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Ok, fair enough. I guess we're coming at it from different angles. Sure if you expect it to handle like a miata, and have the interior of an audi, you'll probably be disappointed with the softness, lack of precision, loftier curb weight, etc.

I still want to know your list of 25k cars that will beat the subaru all around as a fun daily driver.

Cause I'm kinda sorta going to be in this situation soon (except keeping the miata also) and trying real hard to top the new wrx for an all arounder all things considered.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Oh and bushing upgrades are fairly cheap and real easy to install.

couple mods to the engine
couple mods to the suspension
couple bushings replaced

and you have yourself a really sweet and quick and fun car

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

Not expecting Miata handling or an Audi interior.

But if I want a bigger soft car, I expect it to not ride like crap and be noisy inside.

So, Legacy GT.

But if I want a car that riding like crap and being noisy is acceptable, I don't want to feel like I'm shifting in a box of rocks and can feel the drivetrain pitching sideways in the corners seperate from the car.

So, GC or STi.

If I were to get a Subaru, probably the 2005 STi. It misses out on a lot of the STi upgrades, but I like that face the best. If I was going to leave the car stock, 2006-07 STi.

And I can't suggest a fun daily driver without knowing the parameters. Different cars for one person compared to a family of four, etc.

How new he wants it, how much power matters, how nice the ride/how quiet he wants it... so on.

I could recommend an old base first gen Cayman in one breath and a new Mustang in the other, it all depends what's important. Trunk size, hatch, wagon... there are too many variables.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

Yes, you do. Uppipe, downpipe, accessport, exhaust and bushings, and they're nice cars.

But if you mean 'no project cars' you mean 'no mods,' then not so much.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

06+ wrx's don't need up pipe since they come with a higher flowing catless one

yes downpipe is a good upgrade, and super easy to install
exhaust not mandatory
accessport not needed either, simply a tactrix cable and a good e-tune (to get started at least)

and just with those 2 mods you gain like 40-50hp and 50-60 torque. pretty awesome IMO

Then comes the bushings. shifter bushing kit from tic or kartboy are under 100

then comes suspension - much more selection here, but a set of good springs will get the job done on a daily fairly well.

and then.....

...you're done.

I'd say thats pretty simple and easy..


What I like about them vs the older STi's is that they're way quieter, significantly better quality interior and sound deadening, just as quick, and just as reliable.

..oh and more practical since its a hatchback

Full_Tilt_Boogie

iTrader: (1)

Id say BRZ or 11+ Mustang GT.

Focus ST would be cool but it would have to be striped of options at that price, and they seem to be difficult to find striped of options.

Nagase

iTrader: (6)

The Focus ST has an amazing interior. Haven't driven one though.

Mustang is absolutely horrid interior, but definitely has a charm to it.

The BRZ/FRS is decent, but bad shifter, bad weight distribution and bad steering make it iffy to me.

As far as subarus, didn't know 06+ was catless uppipe, that's good to know.

Notice my points weren't how fast the car was. The new WRX might be as fast as the old STi, but it's just not involving to drive.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I like the focus ST. Everything about it was nice. Until I floored it in 1st and 2nd and it wanted to torque steer into a wall.

Fail wheel drive is fail wheel drive. Do not want.

Not sure about the mustang 5.0, but I hear they are pretty sweet, and look silly quick on paper for what they are.

brz/frs is excellent imo, but so under powered basically feels like a n/a miata.

Yeah I hear you, but again I'm struggling to find a 25k car that will do everything better and not have a major compromise.

Full_Tilt_Boogie

iTrader: (1)

Cant complain about the mustang except for the steering and shifter feeling a bit numb, although Im probably spoiled by Miatas when it comes to those kind of things.

nitrodann

The FA20 is hitting 500whp on stock drivetrain (save for clutch).

Dann

18psi

iTrader: (76)

True, but I'm sure you've heard of all the issues they have. rough idle, failed hpfp, and other reliability concerns.

local dealer actually bought back 2 due to numerous failures.

That's the biggest thing keeping me away from them actually.

I really really really like them.

But will wait for the supposedly 250hp 2.5L one rumored to come out. Or if they turbo it

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

**** it. I'm gonna go to Subaru tomorrow and test drive a new WRX hatch and see how it compares to my 04 WRX. I love my 04 WRX and I'm pretty happy with its handling considering its stock. It could use better swaybars, but so could most cars.

I really disagree with all the "lack of steering/character/etc" comments, coming from a Miata to my 04 WRX, yes it was different, but I still love how the WRX handles.

I really really reallyyyyy love the toyobaru twins but I test drive them at work and the lack of power would really just kill it for me. And I've always had a soft spot for the looks on the '11+ WRX's.

And yea, we replace HPFP's on a pretty regular basis.

I'm scared that I'm going to want to walk out of the Subaru dealership with keys to a '13 WRX.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

lol

if you love your 04 you'll definitely walk out with a '13. they are better at.....well everything

cyotani

iTrader: (8)

speaking from absolutely no personal experience... Focus ST looks like a fun yet civil daily.