I wish our 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI could do that! In any case, awesome win by Travis Pastrana in his #199 Subie rally car. Gave me goosebumps.
Unfortunately my ride in our long-term Subie didn't go as smoothly this weekend. I rarely get to spend time behind its wheel so I wasn't used to driving it. And this was apparent in my struggle to shift it smoothly. 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd were always problematic for me. Stop signs weren't my friend and I just got embarrassed having someone else in the car with me, fearing they'd wonder why I suck at driving stick. And maybe I do.
In any case, I started using the Sport Sharp mode which quickens throttle response and I guess that helped a bit. But found it annoying that it had to be clicked on every time I started the car. It would be really great if this was a default feature. Or just a normal mode for the Subaru.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 7,331 miles
carguy622 says:
11:47 AM, 08/ 4/08
Maybe you were just having an off weekend. Sometimes I forget how to drive my TSX smoothly too, and it's embarrassing. I'm sure if it was your daily driver you would get the hang of it.
Although some are just easier to drive than others.
joefrompa says:
12:02 PM, 08/ 4/08
Hi Caroline,
Since I own a very similar car (08 Legacy GT) that has a very similar bottom end and drivetrain setup, I feel I can comment on this.
First off, drive it barefoot. Yes. Just do it. It'll make you worlds better.
Second, adjust the seat. Go close in and jack it up a bit if possible. You want your knee still plenty bent even when the clutch is all the way depressed.
Third, always give it more gas than you think it needs. Just a bit more. It'll allow you the slip the clutch out quickly, not bog down, and launch smoothly as opposed to that momentary "bounce" as the engine surges, lags, and then surges again.
I had a difficult time getting my 08 LGT to drive smoothly (albeit, 5 speed manual instead of the STI 6-speed). I used to use Sport Sharp's throttle sensitivity as a crutch that would help me out....then I learned the above 3 steps and it taught me the car's sensitivities.
You'll do fine. Try again :)
Joe
Caroline Pardilla says:
12:08 PM, 08/ 4/08
Thanks, guys. Hopefully I can give it another shot.
7driver says:
12:21 PM, 08/ 4/08
I don't know about the rest of you, but joe's comment just totally turned me off to Subarus.
Bob Holland says:
02:30 PM, 08/ 4/08
Why? Ya got stinky feet? ;)
joefrompa says:
08:33 PM, 08/ 4/08
7driver -
Number 2 applies to just about every car I've ever driven....seating closely and a little higher than usual helps me get a much better feel for where the clutch pedal engages.
My SI is the same as #3 as well, although a much lighter touch on the pedal is needed to help keep the shifting smooth.
And Number one is only temporary.
But, saying all that, I do think Subarus have some of the harder transmissions to learn to drive smoothly. Their agricultural-like refinement, balky AWD engagement, and absent low-end power makes it something to learn. But 5500 miles on my LGT, and not only can I drive it smoothly but I can launch smoothly on an everyday basis with a great deal of speed without excessively slipping the clutch (not easy in an AWD car without any bottom end).
FYI - I installed a short throw shifter in my LGT. I'm also swapping in some really good synthetic fluid in the trans and diff that is supposed to dramatically benefit the shifting feel. But it still won't come close to my Civic SI shifter.
Joe
Bob Holland says:
05:47 AM, 08/ 5/08
Joe, I have no problems whatsoever shifting my '06 2.5 WRX smoothly. Maybe I'm just used to it, but that's never been an issue with me.
Now road and tire noise... THAT'S an issue with me—but thankfully the new generation model is much better in that regard.
misterscoopman says:
11:46 AM, 08/28/08
you guys have got to get the new ECU flash just released by Subaru done to your STI (you should have gotten a letter from SOA by now to have this done). This is not just to solve a problem with a few engines that blew after hooliganism above redline -- it improves the smoothness of the power curve. Very impressed with increases in smoothness on shifting esp in S#.
subytrojan says:
10:16 PM, 08/28/08
misterscoopman, the testing team is already well aware of the ECM reflash thanks to this NASIOC thread. I mentioned it to them back on August 15th.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1577471