Test drove a 2006 Subaru Wrx Impreza today...not STI

[mikeee2]

Hello all,

I test drove the 2006 Subaru Wrx Impreza today (not STI). If anyone had read my past thread, I've been craving to hop back on a M/T since I bought my G35x. I love my G very much but at the same time I miss driving M/T more and more each day. Thought about trade-ins from time to time. Thought about swapping a rwd G or a 3 series but the depreciation of the G means I'll have to shell out alot for the trade in. That plus I really want awd+m/t.

So I started lowering the standards and decided to test drive something that's also fun to drive yet it might be more of a lateral trade in. Anyway I got the keys to a 2006 Subaru Wrx TR (strip down version of the wrx impreza but same engine). The sales guy was lazy and just handed the key to me and my wife. So I took it out for a spin and see what I can get from a subaru.

Outside - the new front/back styling of the 2006 looks better in person than I thought. Even have a standard chin front spoiler. The fender flares are the same but looks quite aggresive for a small car. Round halogen lights in the front.

Inside - the hood scoop was a bit high and actually blocks a little of my view when driving but it's alrite. Inside, obviously it's night and day compare to my G. It's no longer luxury and almost (not quite) brings me back to my 92 accord ex interior. The rear is really tight compare to the G. No fold down seats (not even an option).

Engine/Tranny - Ok...after driving a v6, this car definitely doesn't have the torque. Power kicks in at around 3,500 and really pulls at 4000 rpm+. The car I tested had short throw and it was pretty good. It ain't no honda/acura m/t smooth but it feels a little better than my friend's 350z that I drove. The clutch was pretty easy to get used to. As soon as I drove off the lot I was revving and releasing the clutch at ease. When I drove my friend's 350z it took me a while to get used to the clutch. Again it's no acura's but pretty good. Handling is pretty good. Smaller car, lesser weight but feels more tossable than my G35x (since I don't have the beefy tires w/sports).

Anyway, I sat down and talk to sales and see what's the deal. He gave me an appraisal of 23k for my 2005 g35x with 8,100 miles and quote me around 25.8k for a wrx impreza with short throw+moonroof. Meaning I would have to shell almost 2,000 bucks to downgrade my car (but upgrade the fun factor of a manual).

I mean there's only 1 postive thing about this trade, it would be I get some fun factor that I've been craving for over a year +. The negative are alot, lost the luxury, the bigger space, trunk, etc etc...and the list goes on.

So here's my dilemma. What do you guys think?

Is the wrx impreza faster or the g35 rwd m/t. From 0-60 and 1/4 miles it's about the same but of course the pick up of a v6 on the highway is faster than a 4 cylinder till the turbo kicks in.

[jawjaw]

23k for your almost brand new 05 sounds like a complete ripoff. You are probably going to take a big loss in general but still. If you are serious about trading, how about the Sub Legacy GT or the Mazda 6 awd with the turbo.

[truplay8]

def not worth it

[g356spd06]

if you're going to end up trading, at least go and see what you can get for the g35 6mt...i dont think it's worth it

[fern96]

Just wanted to chime in...I owned an 05 STi for a year before I traded it in for the G. It was the funnest car I have owned yet... (although my s2k is right up there).
Before the STi came out, I had contemplated the WRX, but I can assure you that its worlds of difference apart. The STi began to pull hard after 2500rpms. It felt very linear. I would suggest you keep your G or get a 6 spd. You will not be happy with the standard WRX. If you can afford the STi...GO FOR IT

[mikeee2]

Originally Posted by jawjaw

23k for your almost brand new 05 sounds like a complete ripoff. You are probably going to take a big loss in general but still. If you are serious about trading, how about the Sub Legacy GT or the Mazda 6 awd with the turbo.

Yes, ripoff for sure. From edmunds/kbb, it's more like 26k for trade in and I am sure the stealer will list it for 28k when they try selling it. I pretty much walked out when they quoted me 23k. I looked at the Legacy GT prior to getting the g35x and I wasn't too into it, that plus if I am going for Legacy GT then almost back to the g35 $$$ territory.

Originally Posted by truplay8

def not worth it

I think so too.

Originally Posted by g356spd06

if you're going to end up trading, at least go and see what you can get for the g35 6mt...i dont think it's worth it

I did went to Infiniti a few months ago and they quoted me 26k for trade in if I were going to lease a 05 IP M/T + moonroof but I think the trade in is fine but they jack up the lease #'s.

[mikeee2]

Originally Posted by fern96

Just wanted to chime in...I owned an 05 STi for a year before I traded it in for the G. It was the funnest car I have owned yet... (although my s2k is right up there).
Before the STi came out, I had contemplated the WRX, but I can assure you that its worlds of difference apart. The STi began to pull hard after 2500rpms. It felt very linear. I would suggest you keep your G or get a 6 spd. You will not be happy with the standard WRX. If you can afford the STi...GO FOR IT

STI is just too ricey for me and I don't think it will pass the "wife test" , although I am all for it.

The Wrx begins to pull at around 3500 - 4000 rpm. If I am going for G then I would wait for the next styling I guess but when the heck or will they ever come out with a M/T AWD G35??? I don't have the money for GTR.

[norcal_chan96]

CAr and Driver or Road and track (1 of them) said the 06 Subaru WRX TR runs a 14.4 and 0-60 is about 5.8.... ALMOST as fast as a G35....YEA RIghT...... My cousin who's 16 just bought that car... We raced and I killed him... I have an 05 G35coupe 6mt with intake, plenum, and high flow cats....So.... Don't downgrade....

[fern96]

Originally Posted by mikeee2

STI is just too ricey for me and I don't think it will pass the "wife test" , although I am all for it.

The Wrx begins to pull at around 3500 - 4000 rpm. If I am going for G then I would wait for the next styling I guess but when the heck or will they ever come out with a M/T AWD G35??? I don't have the money for GTR.

I hear you.
I think thats really why I got out of it. I ran into someone revving or peeling out next to me everyday. No joke. The girlfriend and I decided I got lucky not to get in trouble that whole year...I just turned 27...I guess it was time to mature a bit
The G is wonderful and very comfortable...I can't wait until the new body style is out

Good luck on any decision you make.
Fern

[lowboy72]

I came from a WRX and if you do not plan on modding (I did heavily) then you have to get a STI. The new 2.5l in the WRX has lots of potential. The right turbo kit would get you to 300whp pretty easy. I was doing 347whp with a swapped 2.5l block in my '04 and was doing 0-60 in well under 4 seconds. But a WRX to a certain degree is a younger man's car and since I sometimes use my car for work, I had to upgrade. Giving prospective customers whiplash while taking them to lunch was not a real hot idea.

[boones]

I test drove a WRX before buying my 6MT sedan. Since I bought the 6MT sedan, it isn't too hard to figure out how that went. The WRX was fun, as long as it was on boost and you had the road necessary to romp on it. Driving more sedately with traffic (most of the time here in Northern NJ) it felt like being in a pretty nice economy car. Back to back with a G35 there was no comparison for me, the G35 can deliver WRX or better acceleration when you want it, but also has gobs of low end torque for the daily grind as well as a much nicer interior, much quieter at cruising speed, etc. I don't know where you live, so maybe you have to deal with snow 99% of the time and dry roads 1% of the time so AWD is an absolute necessity, but if those proportions are reversed, you should seriously consider a 6MT G35 with a full set of aggressive snow shoes.

[prog35]

I'd say stick with the G35. I've driven the WRX on many occasions and every time I drive it I think to myself "what's all the hype about ?". The interior is purely "economy car" and to get the performance out of it you have to "drive it like you stole it".

If you are going to mod it, it can be "quite quick" but at my age (34) the sound of that wastgate "whooshing" after every shift gets quite tiresome.

I was in a 2001 Trans Am WS6 before my G35 and was "tired" of driving a manual in everyday traffic. So I drove the G35 and "loved it"

I live in Toronto, so we get quite a bit of snow here and with just all season tires and the wonderful VDC left on, I've never been stuck once.

I'd say if you really want to drive manual again, trade your G35x in on a six speed G35 and invest in some good winter rubber. You will then have the best of both worlds.

Good Luck with your decision!

[gtbigup01]

Originally Posted by jawjaw

23k for your almost brand new 05 sounds like a complete ripoff. You are probably going to take a big loss in general but still. If you are serious about trading, how about the Sub Legacy GT or the Mazda 6 awd with the turbo.

I agree with you on the Legacy GT part, they're pretty nice but cost more than the WRX. If he wanted to keep the luxure he could also opt for the GT LTd, well it's no G35 but it's close in the Lux dept.

[gtbigup01]

I feel your pain. I was in a similar situation, when I traded my 02 Maxima for a 04 Titan (first autoomatic ever owned). 7 months later I was missing rowing through the gears and decided to trade the Titan in on my new G35. So I know what you're going through. I took a 4grand hit my trade but I didn't care, stupid money wise? Yes. It all depends on what you really want, we do waste money when we do things like that but sometimes it's more than just the money. Good luck. Personally 'd opt for the Legacy GT. One more thing Ford Mustang RWD is about 24K if you can live with a domestic product. Good luck.

Originally Posted by mikeee2

Hello all,

I test drove the 2006 Subaru Wrx Impreza today (not STI). If anyone had read my past thread, I've been craving to hop back on a M/T since I bought my G35x. I love my G very much but at the same time I miss driving M/T more and more each day. Thought about trade-ins from time to time. Thought about swapping a rwd G or a 3 series but the depreciation of the G means I'll have to shell out alot for the trade in. That plus I really want awd+m/t.

So I started lowering the standards and decided to test drive something that's also fun to drive yet it might be more of a lateral trade in. Anyway I got the keys to a 2006 Subaru Wrx TR (strip down version of the wrx impreza but same engine). The sales guy was lazy and just handed the key to me and my wife. So I took it out for a spin and see what I can get from a subaru.

Outside - the new front/back styling of the 2006 looks better in person than I thought. Even have a standard chin front spoiler. The fender flares are the same but looks quite aggresive for a small car. Round halogen lights in the front.

Inside - the hood scoop was a bit high and actually blocks a little of my view when driving but it's alrite. Inside, obviously it's night and day compare to my G. It's no longer luxury and almost (not quite) brings me back to my 92 accord ex interior. The rear is really tight compare to the G. No fold down seats (not even an option).

Engine/Tranny - Ok...after driving a v6, this car definitely doesn't have the torque. Power kicks in at around 3,500 and really pulls at 4000 rpm+. The car I tested had short throw and it was pretty good. It ain't no honda/acura m/t smooth but it feels a little better than my friend's 350z that I drove. The clutch was pretty easy to get used to. As soon as I drove off the lot I was revving and releasing the clutch at ease. When I drove my friend's 350z it took me a while to get used to the clutch. Again it's no acura's but pretty good. Handling is pretty good. Smaller car, lesser weight but feels more tossable than my G35x (since I don't have the beefy tires w/sports).

Anyway, I sat down and talk to sales and see what's the deal. He gave me an appraisal of 23k for my 2005 g35x with 8,100 miles and quote me around 25.8k for a wrx impreza with short throw+moonroof. Meaning I would have to shell almost 2,000 bucks to downgrade my car (but upgrade the fun factor of a manual).

I mean there's only 1 postive thing about this trade, it would be I get some fun factor that I've been craving for over a year +. The negative are alot, lost the luxury, the bigger space, trunk, etc etc...and the list goes on.

So here's my dilemma. What do you guys think?

Is the wrx impreza faster or the g35 rwd m/t. From 0-60 and 1/4 miles it's about the same but of course the pick up of a v6 on the highway is faster than a 4 cylinder till the turbo kicks in.

[G35_TX]

He is low balled your trade in. You car is worth at least 26-28k used.

Originally Posted by mikeee2

Hello all,

I test drove the 2006 Subaru Wrx Impreza today (not STI). If anyone had read my past thread, I've been craving to hop back on a M/T since I bought my G35x. I love my G very much but at the same time I miss driving M/T more and more each day. Thought about trade-ins from time to time. Thought about swapping a rwd G or a 3 series but the depreciation of the G means I'll have to shell out alot for the trade in. That plus I really want awd+m/t.

So I started lowering the standards and decided to test drive something that's also fun to drive yet it might be more of a lateral trade in. Anyway I got the keys to a 2006 Subaru Wrx TR (strip down version of the wrx impreza but same engine). The sales guy was lazy and just handed the key to me and my wife. So I took it out for a spin and see what I can get from a subaru.

Outside - the new front/back styling of the 2006 looks better in person than I thought. Even have a standard chin front spoiler. The fender flares are the same but looks quite aggresive for a small car. Round halogen lights in the front.

Inside - the hood scoop was a bit high and actually blocks a little of my view when driving but it's alrite. Inside, obviously it's night and day compare to my G. It's no longer luxury and almost (not quite) brings me back to my 92 accord ex interior. The rear is really tight compare to the G. No fold down seats (not even an option).

Engine/Tranny - Ok...after driving a v6, this car definitely doesn't have the torque. Power kicks in at around 3,500 and really pulls at 4000 rpm+. The car I tested had short throw and it was pretty good. It ain't no honda/acura m/t smooth but it feels a little better than my friend's 350z that I drove. The clutch was pretty easy to get used to. As soon as I drove off the lot I was revving and releasing the clutch at ease. When I drove my friend's 350z it took me a while to get used to the clutch. Again it's no acura's but pretty good. Handling is pretty good. Smaller car, lesser weight but feels more tossable than my G35x (since I don't have the beefy tires w/sports).

Anyway, I sat down and talk to sales and see what's the deal. He gave me an appraisal of 23k for my 2005 g35x with 8,100 miles and quote me around 25.8k for a wrx impreza with short throw+moonroof. Meaning I would have to shell almost 2,000 bucks to downgrade my car (but upgrade the fun factor of a manual).

I mean there's only 1 postive thing about this trade, it would be I get some fun factor that I've been craving for over a year +. The negative are alot, lost the luxury, the bigger space, trunk, etc etc...and the list goes on.

So here's my dilemma. What do you guys think?

Is the wrx impreza faster or the g35 rwd m/t. From 0-60 and 1/4 miles it's about the same but of course the pick up of a v6 on the highway is faster than a 4 cylinder till the turbo kicks in.