Anyone know why every single Subaru dealership in NC shows 0 of these in stock? Preferably want to look at a 2010 model but hell, even used ones - I can't find much if at all.

The Chapel hill Subaru (can't recall name) has a WRX STI in their inventory but that's more than what I'm interested in.

Any suggestions on what to do if I want to test drive one?

2/1/2010 7:31:29 PM

Go sti or go home

2/1/2010 8:39:54 PM

Thats odd...last i checked they had Impreza's in stock. My gf's brother just bought a new one last weekend from Southern States in downtown Raleigh.

2/1/2010 9:13:36 PM

Yeah they have standard ones but no WRX's to be found.

Hey baonest, loan me 8-10K and STI I will go.

2/1/2010 10:33:39 PM

^He got the WRX hatch...I wasn't aware there was a non-standard and a standard WRX other than the STI?

2/1/2010 10:55:26 PM

All the wannabe winter rally drivers gobbled 'em up along with milk and bread.

2/1/2010 11:03:47 PM

No I mean all the show online in stock are just plain imprezas.....http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/impreza/index.html

2/1/2010 11:30:52 PM

No point in getting an STi. A lot of magazines are getting equal performance out of the updated WRX (versus the STi).

2/2/2010 12:10:55 AM

i wouldn't mind driving one

265hp sounds like a bunch of fun (compared to my gti's 200)

where they be?

durham has one: http://www.performance.subaru.com/new/Subaru/2008-Subaru-Impreza+WRX-16a1d00a4046381e00426e05f6a9b8d8.htm...uggggh, it has an automatic though, not worth the trip

for more check here: http://www.subaru.com/tools/maps/dealer/find/27615

2/2/2010 12:20:49 AM

Quote :

"No point in getting an STi."

Not true. If I'm not mistaken, STi has 3 locking differentials which an electronically controleld center diff. It also has a 6 speed manual, although I'm not sure if the 6th gear in the STi provides any advantages... (I don't know if Subaru just stuck in another gear to make each shift shorter while maintaining the same ratio as a WRX 5th and FDR, or if the 6th in the STi provides higher top speed and/or lower highway cruising RPM...) The WRX has a 5 speed manual with a viscous locking center differential and the axle differentials are still open. Differentials make a huge difference man, especially in the snow/dirt/mud.

Not to mention the drivetrain on the STi is much stronger, thus able to take more abuse/punishment/torture/S&M... okay, I went to far with that last one...


[Edited on February 2, 2010 at 9:25 AM. Reason : .]

2/2/2010 9:22:21 AM

Well all that differential stuff is a bit too nuts and bolts for me honestly. I just want a car that has a little bit of balls, in an AWD , a sedan or hatch, for around or under 27K.

2/2/2010 9:44:10 AM

audi s4 avant

2/2/2010 9:51:38 AM

^much prettier, but I like the sound of v8 and flat 4s

2/2/2010 10:51:35 AM

every time I drive by the Subaru dealership on Wake Forest road there is a ton of them on the lot, don't trust that website.

2/2/2010 10:53:24 AM

Quote :

"^much prettier, but I like the sound of v8 and flat 4s "

b6 s4 (that car) is a 4.2 v8

[Edited on February 2, 2010 at 11:27 AM. Reason : ]

2/2/2010 11:25:42 AM

In acceleration the WRX matches the STI. And in C/D's latest VIR article the WRX was faster than the STI that ran last year. Doesn't make much sense to me, not sure where the horsepower's going.

In mud/snow/ice/gravel I have no doubt the STI's superior given its fancy AWD doodads

2/2/2010 12:23:18 PM

the new WRX got like a 40 hp bump, IIRC

i say build one, it's almost too easy

2/2/2010 12:48:07 PM

Well look at this - the internet manager - emailed me back from Southern States in Raleigh this today. Wtf? How can they not have any with no idea when they'll be getting any in? How very helpful

"Subaru inventory is down everywhere. I am not sure when I will be getting one in"

2/2/2010 1:18:05 PM

try a VA dealership

2/2/2010 1:45:49 PM

wow I didn't know WRXs were that endangered. Among the older models I see them around at about 2:1::2.5RS:WRX

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1580086855.html

2/2/2010 2:41:23 PM

Yep... they're all gone. It's a hot item. Saw some early in 2009 and been wanting to test drive one, but haven't seen one locally for past 6 months. Keep checking every month, but no inventory...

[Edited on February 2, 2010 at 10:33 PM. Reason : ]

2/2/2010 10:30:08 PM

In 2006 Subaru switched from the EJ205 motor in the WRX (which is a 2 liter with a smaller TD04-13T turbo) to the 2.5 liter EJ255 motor, same motor used in 05+ Legacy GT and not too different from the STi EJ257. In 2009 Subaru started using the IHI VF52 turbo in the WRX, which is higher flowing, and now there is variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust cams. I have tuned an 05 Legacy, the motors respond well to exhaust and increased boost. They can do 300wtq and are very responsive cars.

On the newest models, the real difference between the WRX and the STi motor wise is that the WRX uses a different turbo and an intercooler that bolts directly to the compressor outlet. But the biggest reason to get a regular WRX is the fact that it is not an embarrassingly heinous and dignity-stripping hatchback.

2/2/2010 11:28:42 PM

the biggest difference motor wise is the turbo ? wut

2/3/2010 12:05:23 AM

^^i think the hatches are hot!

2/3/2010 10:18:19 AM

i agree dubs

2/3/2010 10:26:36 AM

I, too, think the hatches are hot!

2/3/2010 12:13:51 PM

I think the latest style Impreza is ugly as sin.




That being said the hatchback is the better choice.

2/3/2010 1:17:16 PM

^you also think the latest gen. BMW's are ugly as sin so your opinion is invalid

2/3/2010 2:37:15 PM

What can I say, there are a lot of ugly new cars.

2/3/2010 4:55:48 PM

thats why you drive cars designed 10+ years ago

2/4/2010 6:43:15 AM

more or less

2/4/2010 11:28:22 AM

I'm in the exact same boat

2/4/2010 12:20:05 PM

I'd get a Legacy GT Spec. B before I'd get the new STi.

2/4/2010 12:45:55 PM

^^I thought your S2000 was fairly new?

I guess you meant design is 10 years+ not the actual model

[Edited on February 4, 2010 at 2:07 PM. Reason : /]

2/4/2010 2:07:11 PM

yeah that is what i was getting at.

you sign up for the rally? I'm still flip flopping on it

2/4/2010 4:29:55 PM

do eeet.

2/4/2010 4:30:44 PM

all my shit was designed 25 yrs ago

2/4/2010 4:31:25 PM

^^^I think i'm just going to sign up now and check it out on Saturday. If its 'DailyDriver safe' i'll go for it on Sunday.

2/4/2010 4:54:28 PM

the best part of saturday is that you can learn what to avoid. but its like everything else, easier said than done. haha

btw, why are you settled on a 2010 wrx? if you like the hatchback style why not get an '08-10?

2/4/2010 6:28:11 PM

I'm considering a 2009....but the 08 had a bunch of shortfalls I'm going to avoid....both in engine power, suspension, and styling.

The hatch vs. sedan doesn't matter much to me...and hell, I test drove an STI today and good god I would never use all that horsepower. The only other thing the dealer had was an impreza 2.5i premium and i thought that was the shit....but I know you performance guys prolly might not like that.

So my choice is...straight impreza 2010 2.5i loaded premium for 21K or get a dealer from VA to deliver me (free charge) a 2010 WRX sedan base model for 25K.

CHOICES

2/4/2010 8:57:23 PM

Ummmm, if you think the 2.5i is "the shit" then don't bother with a WRX. If you don't care about performance then why subject yourself to needing premium fuel, higher insurance costs, higher purchase price, and reduced fuel mileage.

2/4/2010 9:04:53 PM

well not 'the shit' but compared to my sluggish 1999 100hp little Civic I've been driving for the past 6 years it was a vast improvement. For some reason the brakes on the 2.5i felt much smoother than the STI. Why the hell would that be?

Also, on the STI I thought the shifting was kinda wonky....not very smooth pulls....but that was likely because I needed to adjust.

Are you saying with a WRX you need to get premium fuel and synthetic oil pretty much consistently?

2/4/2010 9:21:20 PM

i can't think of any performance minded turbo cars that don't require premium. synthetic oil is generally also the way to go.

2/4/2010 9:27:30 PM

Quote :

"well not 'the shit' but compared to my sluggish 1999 100hp little Civic I've been driving for the past 6 years it was a vast improvement. For some reason the brakes on the 2.5i felt much smoother than the STI. Why the hell would that be?"

because the STI's brakes are far more aggressive AND are meant to stop you on a dime. The ride will probably feel a lot less smooth too.

2/4/2010 9:28:17 PM

ill tell you right now that a subaru isn't gonna drive as smooth as a honda

not happenin

2/4/2010 9:29:49 PM

that's fair....well be honest here with me, do the 2.5i imprezas still offer the mechanical trappings (transmission, suspension, tuning) to handle snow/weather conditions still admirably? Like, is it basically just a Diet WRX?

2/4/2010 9:30:13 PM

^^^what he said.

Also, I run synthetic oil in all my cars. You can go longer between oil changes that way. So if it was me I'd run synthetic oil regardless of whether its the 2.5i or WRX. Of course, with the WRX having a turbo I'd probably change the oil slightly more often (though if you don't drive the car hard its probably a nonissue).

Kainen, the car has AWD but the tires aren't designed for snow. Sure you won't get stuck (well probably won't) but it won't help you stop on snow or ice.

[Edited on February 4, 2010 at 9:32 PM. Reason : ^^]

2/4/2010 9:31:23 PM

regardless of the car you buy it won't help you THAT much in bad snow or ice conditions. You need better tires for that. AWD only does so much if you have no traction

2/4/2010 9:33:57 PM

Yeah I get that, I meant given you had a good set of all seasons on it

2/4/2010 9:34:05 PM

I think the real difference will be between the (2.5I/WRX) vs. the STI

2/4/2010 9:46:26 PM