2008 Subaru WRX STI: On the highway to Hell

Thanks for your comments CJ.
The Mojave goes on like that for a while.

Some of those vehicles are already gone, or were taken, or something...
Whatever -- I was supposed to take the R8, right?!!

Enjoy your South FL show.

Regards,
Snake Doc

Speaking of highway to hell and rally cars...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN2cSiD6wHo

Enjoy!!! :o)

More!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa4TWU1VMb8

I'm not sure if Captain Video used that one before. :shrug:

I don't quite get it - even with its high horsepower rating and running at 80-90 MPH, the average of 19.8 miles per gallon for the trip seems pretty low for a small four cylinder engine. I know the motor isn't tuned for economy, but -- it's a four! The 3 liter BMW inline 6 in the 3-series will get 30 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH.

Even the R8 does better than 20 MPG on the highway, doesn't it?

I agree, 19.8 is rubbish fuel economy. I wish Chevey made a 2+2 Corvette, as that is supposed to get great highway mileage. Actually, the Cobalt's turbo four is way better than that, too. I bet even the new Camaro will do better, despite higher drag coefficient. Too bad GM could go under - they produce excellent drivetrains. Just the coach work needs some attention, far as I can tell.

cwc and others, please remember the car has full-time all-wheel drive which equates to roughly 20-25 percent drivetrain loss.

Come on Snake Doc, tell us what we really want to know:

Did you dump the clutch?

-S.B. True

autobody,

What city is the auto show in? Because I've always wanted to go with one, but with most of the big ones, like Detriot and Los Angeles, during school days, I've never been to one.

autoboy* sorry 'bout that.

The reason your mileage sucked is the same reason you didn't have to downshift to pass; top gear is too short.

I don't quite get it - even with its high horsepower rating and running at 80-90 MPH, the average of 19.8 miles per gallon for the trip seems pretty low for a small four cylinder engine. I know the motor isn't tuned for economy, but -- it's a four! The 3 liter BMW inline 6 in the 3-series will get 30 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH.

Even the R8 does better than 20 MPG on the highway, doesn't it? "

I think you already asked this question once and somebody gave a good reply, compression ratios and all that. That being said, do the math here, which one will take more fuel? An engine driving two wheels or an engine driving four with more weight. You are also getting 295hp and 305 pound feet of torque from a displacement of 2.5 litres. How many cars do you know that have all these and get better mileage? If you really want better mileage, I'd suggest the WRX or the Impreza. Those motors are tuned for economy.

R8? Considering it has direct injection it should get more than 20mpg.

If you want a turbocharged wagon which gets MPG get a Speed 3 and call it a day. I know it is not the same HP and it doesnt have the AWD but it is one hell of a car

I don't recall "already asking that question", and certainly not in this update.

Okay, so considering the power output, and having to drive two axles, the motor is going to use more fuel.

But aren't you almost making my point in your last sentence? If the R8 can get better than 20 MPG under similar conditions, considering that it has a V8 engine with almost 70 percent more displacement and 125 more horsepower, that's much more fuel efficient for its size than the Subaru's four. I suspect the Subaru has shorter gearing which is also a factor.

"But aren't you almost making my point in your last sentence?"

You also seem to have missed my last sentence. Direct injection- it is one of the key factors these days to improve mileage and gain horsepower at the same time. Compression ratio is also a factor, a higher compression gives better mileage by using less fuel. The R8 also has a high(8500rpm) revving engine meaning the torque (420nm) is spread all over, pulling the car through in higher gears with less effort. I'am not sure but I also think the STi weighs more than the R8. Your shorter gearing suggestion could also be a factor.

But then, if anyone was concerned about the fuel economy, none would consider either of these cars. And trust me, a speed junkie who couldn't afford an R8 couldn't care less about shelling a few more bucks at the gas station for his STi.

ardaproes, I also agree the Speed3 is a hell of a car. They don't call it the king of compacts for nothing.

Yep, I know direct injection is a major efficiency improvement -- enough to make me wonder why it wasn't done many years ago, instead of the port injection that it's now replacing. The Subaru should have direct injection too.

That mileage seems on-par with the Evo, so at least its close to its main competition.

FWIW, first tank of gas in my new '09 WRX is currently showing 24 mpg average (via the dash-mounted gauge). Granted, it's still in the "break-in" period, and I'm keeping the revs under 4K.

My last WRX never recorded under 21 mpg, which I did check all the time at fill-ups. I expect this car to be in that area, if not slightly better once I get some miles on it.

Carfreak

Miami Beach @ The Miami Beach Convention Center
November 7-16

More Details Here

Sorry Hyperlink Didn't work...

http://www.sfliautoshow.com/