Comments on: Review: 2009 Subaru WRX

By: dwells

dwells — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:45:00 +0000

That would be on bad Camry, cause 13.5 seconds in the quarter is .1 seconds slower than a 426hp Camaro SS. Oh and BTW Camry V6s only run 97mph trap speeds at 14.6.

By: god546

god546 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:31:36 +0000

Sure it isn’t the prettiest car and the interior is a little cheap, but for 25k its the best performance car you can get for the price. It handles very well, the awd makes it great for all conditions, and if you are into racing it will launch better than most other cars(mazdaspeed3). With a few tasteful mods this car can become a really good sports car for around 30k. Lastly for all the idiots who have commented complaining that this car is a one trick pony, has a crappy stereo, bad interior, would rather have an M3, etc( all from above comments), go and try to find a better car (new) for 25k.

By: gmckenziejr1983

gmckenziejr1983 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:51:04 +0000

actually with the access port you don’t necessarily have to reflash the ecu… it’s not so much of a piggy-back ECU modification. I’ve been told by tech’s that work for Subaru that as long as you don’t do the reflash option on it then it’s impossible to know. All that means to me is that if I leave it plugged in it will not permanently alter the ECU what-so-ever. The SPT exhaust is the bomb, I really like it…makes some noise when you’re driving hard but it’s not annoying. I have a buddy, no crap, has a new GT mustang and says the subi sounds more muscle than his stang. the cool thing about the new subi’s is that the up-pipe doesn’t need to be replaced anymore and what I understand of the intake manifold is that it’s fine for any application up to around 400whp. as soon as they come up with some new maps for the accessport I’ll be getting it and I’ll definitely post something up here then. as for the suspension…so much better now that I got rid of that off-roadish stock stuff.

By: hellcow

hellcow — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:23:44 +0000

But if the shop runs a check, they will see that the ECU was reflashed to a custom tune and then back. If you want to keep your warranty, it’s best not to reflash the ECU. Only install parts that can be easily taken back out (bolt-on intake, cat-back exhaust, etc) and keep all the OEM parts.

By: TriBlack987S

TriBlack987S — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:27:03 +0000

The SPT exhaust is 3″ in the mid section and does make power. The most bang for the buck performance upgrade and the starting point for all other go fast mods is the Cobb access port…can be gotten for $600. It can be reprogramed back to stock for warranty/dealer issues.

By: hellcow

hellcow — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:07:52 +0000

Kichy, you’re not going to be a tuner car because you don’t like the feeling of the shifter? Really?

Kartboy bushings are ~$30 and would tighten that up, or if you want you can get their short-throw shifter for about $200.

By: mizman

mizman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:23:42 +0000

Gary, You are AWESOME! Thanks for the recommendations. I am going to do them when I get to 3000 miles. I am going with the Synthetic Oil. Would you do the STP exhaust? I heard it only makes it sound better and no real gain in performance.

I don’t want to lower the car cuz, I like to go to ski country (you are in Texas so…not so much skiing down there).

Thanks again. Hey take it easy on the twisties you are scaring me. be well mizman

By: gmckenziejr1983

gmckenziejr1983 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:38:37 +0000

MIZMAN!!! If you have the money throw down for the short throw shifter…I promise you it’s worth it! (and if your gearbox feels a little rough and you’re still below a couple thousand miles on the odometer just give it time…it breaks in awesome!) at a minimum get the short throw and any one of the cold air intakes for this car! I would seriously recommend the K&N intake, search it up on eBay and it’ll be somewhere around 250 bucks. that lagging that you’re feeling is something to do with the stock intake…that thing is a joke! I promise you will be shocked at the difference. At about 1000 miles on my Rex I started getting service warning lights…the dealership must have reset them ten times for me and never really addressed them, just said it was nothing to worry about… I dropped that intake in and “BAAAMMMM!” the light is gone and the car just chugs that air and loves it! It took me all of about an hour to install the kit myself. Comes with directions fit for a toddler…I swear! If nothing else those two upgrades are a must. the intake will not (I REPEAT: WILL NOT!) void the manufacturers warranty. Check with your dealership to make certain but mine told me I was good to go.

okay… current modifications:

09 WRX four door sedan, base model with/
-SPT exhaust
-Short Throw Shifter from Subaru (definitely worth it!!!)
-K&N Intake (I’m telling you, you will not understand what you drive until you free up that stock freakin’ silly goofy garbage intake)
-Eibach pro-kit suspension drop… (NASTY!!!, you think the car handles good now? just try it 1.5 inches lower to the ground!)

Okay, literally just finished a ride down a nasty road here in the central texas area. the new suspension is SSSIIICCCKKKKKKK! my buddy is in a decently modified 350z…good rubber on it and about 320hp… he said it was insane how fast I took the road. all those “30mph curve ahead” signs on the way…? What signs??? I was too busy driving…he said at one point I was up around 95mph in one of those curves and theres a really short and crisp “S” curve… smoked it, used the whole road on the second trip and I’m telling you I don’t think a Vette or any other rear wheel drive monster car could have hung with me! This car is truly something to be a fanatic about!

Broke the Law Today!!!
…in a Subi ;)

By: mizman

mizman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:12:51 +0000

jmckenziemr: I love your post. Thank you. You have included some really great information in one spot. I just bought the 09 wrx. This is my first performance car. I am 53 and wanted a practical fun car. I live in RI and like to ski. I thought about a used bmw, but because I am a landlord, I was self conscious about seeing tenants in a “BMW”. The wrx appealed to me becsuse it is a sleeper. I will tell you that when I get in the car and drive, I am enjoying every minute. I like the clutch. The shifter is just ok. I do wish the turbo came in a little sooner, but as others pointed out, you are 60 in second gear. I like Gary’s performance suggestions. I am yet undecided whether to enjoy it stock or modify it. I am barely using what I have now. As many have pointed out, the premium radio is ok. The heat appears to be on when you go past 65. Lot of plastic. But…The practicality of a hatch with awd; the preditcted reliabity of a subaru and the FUN just going to do an errand is worth it. I test drove the mazda and it just did not kick my a– the way the subie did.

One question I have is when in second gear and you take you foot of the gas, below 3k rpm it feels like I am lugging it. Is this normal.

Another Happy 09 WRX owner

By: gmckenziejr1983

gmckenziejr1983 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:26:32 +0000

okay, I’ve owned a 2009 WRX for about six months now. Mandatory should be the SPT or equivalent CAT-Back exaust! I spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 26,000 but that includes the fog lights, dimming mirror and the 800 dollar exhaust system (which is installed free if you order it with the car). The other major downfall under the hood is the intake, scrap the goofy plastic rat trap of a stock intake and get a K&N or Perrin or one of the many others (check out JSCSpeed.com! and check ebay too! I got a $370 K&N Cyclone Intake for about 250 bucks on Ebay!) With the air going in and out of the engine more efficiently you’re looking at making about 25 more horsepower…realistically somewhere around 220 to 230 WHP or power to the ground (remember you lose at least 25% of the crank hp through the transmission) The car handles amazing, and the looks on the inside are supposed to be minimal, c’mon…are we driving or are we super rich egotistic men/women from Beverly Hills? I love it, I am absolutely amazed by this automobile. I turned down the steering wheel radio controls, the sun-roof and all kinds of goodies in the cockpit, the part of the car I am all about is what pulls it through those 30mph labeled turns on your favorite back roads and I can do 70 or 80mph and laugh when the mustang or the audi behind me has to slow down. The clutch, upgrade it if you want to pull 4.6 or 4.7 mph 0-60’s on a daily basis. I am no tuning expert but the few that I have consulted with (truly amazing mechanics and tuners here in the Austin, TX area) have informed me that for about $4500 in parts and about $1500 in labor the car could easily make 375 horsepower at the wheels. So, in perspective we’re talking about a 500 horsepower car…much like the famed Shelby GT500 and so far you’ve spent roughly 31000 dollars. still with me? Okay, at about 3400 pounds with the driver you’re going to be making somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 horsepower for every 6.8 pounds of car. I dare you to compare that with the numbers of the M3 or M5/M6 or the Porsche 911GT2 or whatever you can fathom in your stack of car magazines. The inside gives you what you need to survive, the engine gives you the ability to pick on that guy in the 60 thousand dollar car, the handling is insane…and upgradeable! A subaru isn’t just about what you get off the lot, and for 25 grand you can leave it the way you get it and have an incredible machine for the price… and if you’re a Subaru fan/fanatic/enthusiast like myself…then you’re starting with a vehicle that has nearly unlimited potential. Remember, for about 26000 you can have the car, an intake and an exhaust that will have you smoking the 09 STi all day.

Gary McKenzie
Very Happy 09 WRX owner!

By: 2009 wrx

2009 wrx — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:56:52 +0000

I paid $25000 for my 2009rex and its the fantastic car.I dont know why some drivers dont like the look of this car but to me it looks perfect.I think you need to get used to it like to everything new….well and I can smoke:M3,evoX,any civic,any and I mean any cobalt,lexus IS …and so on

By: kichy

kichy — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:45:14 +0000

The 09 WRX is an abomination. I couldn’t even enjoy the turbo lunge because of the totally crap shifter. I have never put my hand on anything so horrible in my life. That alone would veto a purchase. The suspension was still too soft and the stereo was the worst I’ve heard. Bang for the buck? Um no.

By: TriBlack987S

TriBlack987S — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:05:31 +0000

I have an ‘09 5 Door WRX. If you drove an ‘08, go drive the ‘09. It is a very different car. I like the styling…not as good as the Mazda 3, but just fine. I can not understnad the comparisons to the Mazda Spd3 with it horrendous torque steer and awful shifter. The Mazda has a better interior but that’s it. I have owned over 60 cars of all types….the majority performance. My WRX came with SPT exhaust and the short shifter. I’ve added the Cobb AP with the Perrin Performance MAP and Perrin front and rear sway bars. I am anxious to race my buddie’s ‘08 STI with the Cobb AP. My car is serously fast and just incredible bang for the buck. It is comfortable, can be taken skiing, holds a lot of stuff when necessary, and is clearly a step up from the previous edition, which I came close to buying several times but just could not as it was too boy racer for me…I’ve been driving for 45 years. I have no doubt on the C&D 0-60 times of 4.7 as I’ve owned cars that were quicker than that. Subaru listened to the ‘08 gripes and stepped up to the plate….give them some credit. Many people think this ‘09 is under rated on hp and I would not doubt it. There’s the marketing position vs the STI that they had to consider when upgrading and publishing their ratings.

By: Feathery

Feathery — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:30:38 +0000

Flying vaginas? I am seriously concerned about your relationship with vaginas if you think the front end looked like one.

By: johhnyboy

johhnyboy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:37:13 +0000

Johnny L.
subaru recently posted USA sales numbers from 07 to 08 and overall the new Rex has outsold the old one.
http://www.subaru.com/common/news/article_details.jsp?cat=current&fileName=news2008.xml&date=20090105

By: carve

carve — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 06:02:43 +0000

Believe it or not, I cross shopped a new WRX with a used 07 335i. Sure- the Subie can pull off some ridiculously fast 0-60 times, but you have to have no sense of mechanical sympathy to do it, and you’ll run up big repair bills quick. They get those numbers using the AWD side step launch. The hold the pedal to the floor with the engine bouncing off the rev limiter and side step the clutch- move their foot off it horizontally and let is spring up. Car & Driver tends to start seeing serious problems with their turbo suibe long-term testers really quickly because of this. There’s no other way to get a good 0-60 though because it seriously bogs like a three cylinder below 4000 rpm.

The 335i, on the other hand, makes it’s peak torque from 1600-5500 rpm. For a max performance launch, you brake torque to a mere 1800 rpm & let off the brake as you floor it (or let the clutch out at a similar rpm in a stick). Instant 0-60 just a couple tenths slower than the Subaru you can do all day without beating the car up. Above 4k, both cars feel similarly fast, but the 335i is much better for real-world driving in a car you’re actually paying for…even if you have to buy a used one.

Don’t get me wrong- I love the WRX. It’s just that the 0-60 numbers aren’t realistic and it is as responsive as a sloth if you don’t have it revved up all the time.

By: WRC555

WRC555 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:32:24 +0000

To clear noreserve’s befuddlement:
“I’ve always wondered what it was that drew those to the WRX as a performance vehicle.”

It’s WRC (World Rally Championship). All other motorsports seem like a walk in the park in comparison IMHO.
I guess Nascar is too entrenched here, else Ford will go toe-to-toe with Mitsu and Subaru with its own WRC-inspired AWD monster.

By: hamster

hamster — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:36:49 +0000

I’m surprised that no one mentioned this.

The main reason why 09 WRX does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds is because it’s geared to reach 60 in the second gear. Most cars require two shifts to hit 60. 09 WRX does that with one.

The idea that the M3 Sedan “can just keep up with the 2009 WRX” is laughable. M3 sedan has 30% more hp per pound of weight than the WRX. A better competitor for the WRX would be the old M3 coupe (E46). You could get a loaded ‘04 (maybe even ‘05) for the price of the ‘09 WRX. The WRX is cheaper to maintain and, because of AWD, has an advantage in rain and snow; the M3 has much more pleasing interior and exterior.

By: proscriptus

proscriptus — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:01:29 +0000

One note about the suspension squishiness: Drive one on dirt or gravel, and it will make a lot more sense. A LOT more.

By: saywhat

saywhat — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:03:57 +0000

Am I the only person on earth that likes the look of the new WRX Hatch? I never liked the old sedan based WRX. Maybe it has something to do with me currently driving a VW GTI and loving the hatchback. I see a hatchback and I think functionality!

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:00:54 +0000

WRX- Cheap plastic. Wings and spoilers everywhere. No thanks.

By: AllStingNoBling

AllStingNoBling — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:08:33 +0000

@Vorenus:

“I’ll take the WRX. If you GAVE me the M3, I’d sell it, get the WRX, and pocket the SUBSTANTIAL difference…”

Don’t be silly.

By: Vorenus

Vorenus — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:18:31 +0000

AllStingNoBling:

Sure the M3 Sedan can just keep up with the 2009 WRX, but it handles better AND looks better AND has better fit and finish AND has a (way) better interior AND better creature comforts AND the motor sounds better AND has a better sound system AND better quality paint AND AND AND…

…AND is WAY, freakin’ WAY, WAY more expensive?

I’ll take the WRX. If you GAVE me the M3, I’d sell it, get the WRX, and pocket the SUBSTANTIAL difference… and if you barred me from getting a WRX, I’d get an STI, and if you said “no Subarus,” I’d get an Evo.

Yes, AWD is a big deal.

If you told me that I couldn’t get a Subaru or an Evo, and I had to go with something as upscale as the M3, I’d get the new S4.

Yes, I know it’s not as fast as the M3. Whatever. In the real world, on public roads, where leaving rubber stripes on the asphalt is *not* acceptable, I’ll take a car with a good AWD system.

So will kurtamaxxguy, I think.

By: rtz

rtz — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:07:26 +0000

That’s got to be one of the ugliest hatches ill conceived. It looks like a Mazda wagon. Where’s the Croc Dundee guy pimping his Outback?

With all that said though, if this car was electric drive and $16,000; I’d buy one and tolerate it’s looks. I’ve got plenty of cheap fuel burners till then.

By: AllStingNoBling

AllStingNoBling — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:39:06 +0000

I am getting rid of my WRX come the end of winter for the very saving grace the 2009 WRX has. It’s fast, and that’s it. It is a one trick pony.

Fast cars are great (wonderful, special, and slap your grandma fun), but if that is the only thing they do, I have to say this: Looking over your shoulder, or around the next bend for Officer Smiley gets really old.

I will pay the money for a car that has more than one ace up its sleeve. If it was all about 0-60 the 2009 WRX would be considered near the zenith of automobiles. Wouldn’t that be some scary shit?

Sorry Johnny, I almost always agree with you, but 4/5 stars is a bit high this time around.