Some months ago I suggested that it takes some concentration (perhaps too much) to get a smooth shift (up or down) with the six-speed manual transmission in our long-term 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. But now I want to retract that statement, at least partly.
Familiarity makes a big difference in this car, more so than in perhaps any other car I've ever driven. The upshot is that I now I find it nearly impossible not to get a smooth shift in the STI. As such, I now find the car incredibly endearing and even just driving it to the car wash is cause for joy.
My road trip to the Sierras was a factor at the car wash. Although the salt from the snow plow doesn't seem to have caused any lasting damage, the temperature extremes cemented thousands of bug corpses to the STI's mug.
After two washes, it still looked dirty. I frowned at it, and scrubbed at it a bit side-by-side with a car wash employee. Finally, he hit it again the pressure washer hose. That took care of about 85-90 percent of the corpses. Black is so not a forgiving color. (By the way, the little STI badge in the photo lights up in red at night. It's cool.)
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 11,987 miles
sbcooke says:
04:15 PM, 10/20/08
I have a factory installed short throw shifter. With 2500 miles on mine, I have been able to learn the clutch and shifter pretty well and can rocket through gears. I don't have to think about shifting too often. When accelerating fast, I find using the speedometer to see shift points is easier since my hand/arm is over the tach, the beep I have set at 6000 rpms is not quite loud enough to hear.
I find the hill assist can grab a little to much on take off, especially if I come on and off the clutch once before traffic really moves.
I have the car wash blues though. Only 2 trips to the automagic car wash and both times I got scrapes on the edges of the rims. I think I either need to go to a wash it yourself place or just wash it myself at home.
6 hours yesterday down long winding country roads, with only 1 stop at starbucks was a lot of fun...I got a pass to go drive my new car alone. The car is extremely comfortable (ride, seats, driving, etc), I found doing a long ride was quite enjoyable.
rsholland says:
06:48 AM, 10/21/08
Erin, as you know I'm in the market for a replacement for my totaled '06 WRX. I've recently driven two new '09 WRXs, one having the for certain jail-bait SPT cat-back exhaust. Both cars were a blast, and a big improvement over the '08 model.
I would love to see Inside Line cross-compare the new-and-definitely-improved '09 WRX with your STI as a daily driver. My guess that the WRX might well come out the winner—especially when you compare the MSRP of both models.
No doubt the STI will come out ahead when it comes to track duty, but I bet as vehicle to live with day-in and day-out the WRX just might be the better choice—and still be a hoot to drive.
joefrompa says:
06:57 AM, 10/21/08
Gonna have to test drive me one of these one of these days....
Joe
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:35 AM, 10/21/08
If you're gonna drive in buggy teritory, do what C&D did and REJEX your STI. The bugs won't stick as much.
Also, rsholland's remarks and other reviews suggest you folks will like '09 WRX better than STI because of former's track-tuned suspension.
Still, I wonder if '09 STI will also get a suspension retune?
joefrompa says:
11:07 AM, 10/21/08
Or you could buy some Klasse All-in-One and Klasse Sealant Glaze and do it yourself...
Joe
desmolicious says:
01:29 PM, 10/21/08
The way to get rid of really dried on bugs is to place a cloth (or paper towels) on the offended area and soak them. Wait about 5 minutes and the bugs will come off extremely easily.
I use this method to get bugs off my helmets bikes. Never had an issue with the cars.