Fwd: non-Audi: 2002 WRX test drive

[Chris Dyer]

Interesting...that was on my new car short list if/when I sell my 5ktq.  
Maybe buying my buddy's '98 a41.8q is the right idea.


>From: Dan Simoes <dans at audifans.com>
>To: quattro at audifans.com
>Subject: non-Audi: 2002 WRX test drive
>Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 17:57:52 -0500
>
>A copy of something I posted to a WRX list, since I know several of you
>are interested in this car.
>--
>I cannot disclose the where or how, but I was able to spend some time
>driving a WRX sedan last Thursday.
>
>I'm tied up at work, so this will be a brief summary, and I will try to
>post more later.  Feel free to put this up on iclub's forums if you
>like.
>
>Previous biases... my last Subaru was a 1986 XT Turbo, and my latest car
>was a 1995 Audi S6 wagon with stage 1 chip upgrade (~280hp).  I have
>owned Audis and VWs almost exclusively since 1990.
>Some of you know that I run audifans.com, and have a strong interest in
>the WRX.
>
>I am posting this summary as objectively as I can.  This is not a troll,
>not an attempt to piss anyone off, and yes, I really did drive one.
>
>Let's begin...
>
>The WRX is better looking in person than in print.  With that said, I
>look at the curves in the hood and can't get the Hyundai Tiburon or
>Santa Fe out of my head.  When you drive one, you will understand.  The
>blue paint is stunning, and the headlights are actually kind of
>interesting.
>
>The build quality is pretty good, though I noticed gaps, such as between
>the hood scoop and the hood, that could have been tighter.  The seats
>were nicely bolstered, but were a bit on the soft side.  I can't see
>them holding up well past 100k miles.  Some things were really on the
>cheap side, such as the headliner (sunvisor flips up with a loud
>metallic THUNK) and the interior light works/looks a lot like the one in
>my father's old 1977 Corolla.
>The trunk lock is also those cheap chrome ones that sit outside the
>sheetmetal, and are so easily pried off the car in urban areas (look for
>a WRX with riveted plate over the lock very soon, I bet).
>
>The keyless remote system does not confirm arm/disarm with a beep or
>flash of the lights, just silence.  I hope this can be changed by the
>owner.  Also, the design of the remote is very odd, with one huge button
>to arm and a tiny one to disarm, I think.
>
>There was also a piece of plastic wirewrap (that accordian-like stuff)
>peeking out on either side of the center console.  My guess (and hope)
>is that the seats are prewired for the seat heaters that they get in
>Canada, and you just need to add the switches, or perhaps switches and
>heating elements?
>
>Sitting down, everything falls nicely to hand, though I had a hard time
>getting comfortable in the seat.  Things got better later on when I
>discovered the tilt wheel adjustment.
>The radio sounds fantastic (or is at least very loud - I was so excited
>to see the car, I just turned the radio off).
>
>Now, you are mostly interested in the driving experience.  Handling was
>very positive - the car feels and handles very aggressively, though not
>too stiff.  It was raining a bit and this was not my car, so I really
>didn't push it.  Brakes were just OK, but since the car had very few
>miles, they might not have been broken in yet.
>
>The engine... sigh.  I felt (again, compared to my Audi S6 with chip)
>that the car had way too much lag and I certainly did not feel 227hp.
>It's possible that after breakin the car will loosen up, but I was not
>wowed.  In my S6, I could step on the pedal in 5th gear and be pushed
>back in the seat immediately.  In the WRX, even when downshifting to
>4th, I did not feel a major surge of power.
>
>The tires are Bridgestone RE92, H rated, M&S, 205/55-16.  I think they
>are lame.
>
>The car is a real attention getter in blue, with several people trying
>to keep up and then slowing down to check the car out.  I think cops
>will be interested as well, so I would think carefully about color
>choice.
>
>To sum it up:
>
>Positives:
>Handling
>Seats nicely bolstered
>Sound system
>
>Negatives:
>Build quality/equipment, at least compared to VW/Audi
>Turbo lag
>
>I hate to say this, but I was disappointed.  I will definitely drive one
>again, especially a wagon, which I am more likely to buy, but I can't
>help wondering how a used A4 1.8tq with some mods would compare.  I
>know, it's used, not new, but there is a big difference in quality.
>
>I think the WRX will appeal most to someone who used to have an
>Eclipse/Talon GSX.  The experience will likely be familiar.  For me, the
>leap from German to Japanese may be too much to swallow, unless I find
>compelling reasons (ie, after breakin things improve dramatically).
>
>| Dan |

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