I ordered a 2009 WRX but it's not here yet. I've always had car payments, but I think I'm sick of car payments! I find myself thinking of reasons not to like the car I ordered, I think it's some non-committal cold feet or something. Concerns: I read on Nasioc that some of these 08-09 are getting rust after 1-2 years. My 02 has been a Minnesota car and has no rust on any body panel. I heard that 08-09 has no LSD. My experience with my 02 has been that if a front wheel breaks loose (when you strand yourself on a 4ft snowbank) that the other wheels won't spin. Is this whole "transfers power from the wheels that slip, to the wheels that grip" a complete marketing hoax? (a little jiggling and I did get it free) What is WRONG with people designing the Subaru stereo sound? Bad components? Bad placement? Seriously. Likes: I like warranties I don't think I can live without "da boost" I like the heated wiper idea, A LOT Looks kinda nice Help?
i got an 09' this past weekend and love it. Why would they make a car that rusts easier? go for the 09 you won't be sorry.
If your worried about rock chips turning to rust, do like I did. Clear bra, clear bra, clear bra. I did the hood, scoop, A pillars, Mirrors, and the first quarter of the roof.
They are cool cars no doubt. They would make cars that rust easier because the newer paints aren't as good (water based or so I am told) and to cut costs. Making cars is a competitive business, especially now. I read somewhere that some suspension parts are cast metal again instead of aluminum to cut costs. It happens! Why can I see chunks of styrofoam in the door jamb? For noise control? Will that trap moisture? I'm losing my mind here. Guys who have had the body style in MN salt and crud for a few years now, how is it holding up for you?
Seeing has how they've only been out a couple of years, it may be too soon to ask. Why would that matter?
Seriously, get the '09 -- it is leaps and bounds better than the '06-07 car (which is leaps and bounds better than the '02-05 cars).
Yep. Ive had mine for a whole whopping 8 months and its just a giant rust bucket. :laugh: But in all seriousness, the AWD is just as amazing as it has ever been. Ive ridden in bugeyes in the snow and they are fun, but driving my 09 in the snow is amazing. Traction control works well when you want to drive through anything, but you can turn the traction control off and have as much fun as you can shake a stick at! It also comes with a 5 year Rust/Corrosion warranty. I havent read into it very much, as i havent had to use it, but Im sure it warranties something. Rust or Corrosion Warranty: This warranty covers the vehicle's sheet metal, and protects you from rust and corrosion that are severe enough to cause a hole - surface rust is not covered. However, if you keep your car washed and waxed rust shouldn't be a problem. EDIT: I dont mind the Stereo. It could use a subwoofer, but for the front passengers it isnt bad, though I have had some complaints from the rear passengers about sound quality, but quite frankly I dont give a damn as long as I can hear it just fine :laugh:
Wow, do you believe everything you read and/or are told? Guess what... The entire automotive finishing industry is moving towards water soluable paint. Get over it. It's good enough that Uncle Luther is opening up an autobody shop that is only water based. Guess again! Several components of you suspension are are cast, instead of stamped, forged, machined, swedged, rolled, etc. That does not mean it is cheaper to make. Casting is a much much higher initial investement than stamping and welding, like a ton of Subaru suspension components are made, along with many other cars. Does that mean it is any worse? Absolutely not! Also, a piece of aluminum does not have to be fordged to be strong. Just like how wheels from Rays are not neccessarily stronger than my Kosei's. As far as the moisture from foam in your doorjam, get over it. There are hundreds of spots on your car that hold moisture, and much more. The E-coat on your car will hold up to a lot more than you think, and it was probably built in the last seven years. /rant, for now...
After ordering my car I was happier than hell, and anxious to receive it...I didn't even think about the motor issues that plagued the early build 09s or any other negative aspects of the car. Seems to me like you're getting cold feet or something, especially picking out something so small so be worried about. Stereos are easy to upgrade,and as long as you take care of your car rust shouldn't be an issue.
annnnnnd the sti is still the same car it was in 2004. and the buyers remorse thing is normal. Even I had it for about 3 seconds after spending a year looking for the exact car I wanted.
Hey! No, I only believe everything I read from wikipedia, because it is always 100% accurate "2006 Impreza WRX models gained significant chassis and braking system enhancements. Aluminum front suspension lower L-arms reduce unsprung weight to enhance steering response. (The rear suspension gained forward aluminum lateral links in the 2005 model year.)" "Rev. G (2007) Ikuo Mori takes the place of Kyoji Takenaka as President and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries. As a cost-cutting effort, the WRX has its aluminum suspension reverted to steel-cast pieces. The WRX and Limited trim levels receive an auxiliary audio port next to the cigarette lighter and MP3 CD playback." Sorry to quote unreliable sources, I know, I know... The point was only that not everything a car maker does is for "the best." Water based paint science is beyond me. I would guess an advantage being not having to work with as many chemicals. But is it a "better" finish than what we've had before? Again, I'm just going by the nasioc complaints: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1478116 Ninjaplease has me figured out, I'm just being reluctant to commit. Honestly, if I am so worried about this, I can either: a. count on the rust perf warranty if it's bad b. budget $3k for some body work and a decent paint job in a few years Any thoughts on the lack of limited slip? I also "read somewhere" that the diff changed due to the addition of VDC. I also "read somewhere" that the viscous center diff transfers power when the silicone shears and thickens. If VDC is slowing wheels down by ABS'ing them, is this a help or a hinderance? I also "read somewhere" that the power will go to a slipping wheel in normal function, so here the VDC would be a huge benefit. HONESTLY, the track times on the 09 WRX have been great in the tests I read. The 0-60 times are great. I would have to say the car does NOT have a problem with traction I guess I'm trying to discern the intent behind those changes, you know? The WRX is still the only cool car IMO, I will just be that much happier with it when my research is complete. OH, and I am a little nervous about buying so late in MY-09. I "read somewhere" (nasioc rumors) that 2010's could be 6speeds, but based on the same "split case" design. That specifically I'm not too worried about, but other changes?
I was going to mention that as well...if I were you (which I was almost exactly a year ago) I'd wait to see what the 10s offered. I nearly bought an 08, but decided to stick it out to see what rumors were true about the 09, and I'm glad I waited. Worst thing that could happen is that nothing changes, and you find a 09 sitting on a lot somewhere for cheaper than you're paying now, or you order a 10 and call it good. I've personally never understood what benefits a 6 speed will give you on a daily driven car, other than being able to say you have a 6 speed. The track is a different story. If it was a 6 spd with dccd, that'd be something worth waiting for imho, but I just don't see Subaru doing that, mostly because its one of the things an STi owner can say they have that we don't.
i believe having 6 speeds would offer higher MPGs in a daily driver, i know the 6spd TTs get 34-38mpg at 80ish and the 5spds do not.
I was going to wait for a 2010 but here is what changed my mind. Currently you can get a 2009 and pay 0% on the car. The interest alone will save you 3k - 7k depending on your credit and can cut down your payment by as much as 2 years. Would you really want to pay over 3K for different headlights or the chance that there is going to be a 6 speed? Just my $0.02
^+ 1000000000 I looked for the 2010 threads you've referenced as well, and all I can find is stuff stating that the 2010 would have 40 more horse, putting it at 260 instead of the 224 that the 08s had...a change that has already been made. I also noticed none of these threads are current, and they all date early to late 08.
The 2009 came with the more horsepower setup as stated. Also, Nasioc can be a good source of information, but there are also alot of dumb kids on there that like to spout nonsense. If you have questions about a car, why not ask the service techs on this site, like subytek or driftin240. They don't get commission from sales, and they see tons of these cars daily since it is their job. And I use Wikipedia as a starting point for researching, but I don't take anything said on Wikipedia as fact ever. They let anyone edit the pages, and I mean ANYONE. At any given time you could be reading a bunch of BS that hasn't been cleaned up yet by a moderator...and the moderators have their own personal bias, so sometimes they will leave BS info on there because it conforms to their beliefs or ideas about the subject. Wikipedia is an MMORPG, users create their character and then make edits to pages to level up and earn experience. You battle other users to have your information posted to a topic. Eventually, you level enough to become a moderator. Once you are a moderator, you can decide the outcomes of other user's battles or battle with other moderators. You never win though, you just keep levelling up till you get tired of it.
Currently all 09' models are 48 month @ 0% you can't choose a term... but you want to take this because otherwise your car costs a lot more money. money that could be spent on beer, fast food and ... oh your car!
Zero percent financing is a great deal, but be sure you make all your payments and get everything paid off in that 48 months. Most of those deals backcharge you for interest if you miss a payment or still owe principle after your 48 month term is up.
good point... 2nd wind (wells fargo financial) "misplaced" my last bill and it never came in the mail for the wife's elliptical machine. yeah we ended up paying a crap load of interest because of that. i called and said, "where's my bill"... they said it was due 5 days ago and you have a larger bill now! :eek3: Lesson Learned! Stay on top of all bills. oh.... they will take your car if you just stop paying all together! :biggrin: my old roommate's girlfriend tried to hide her car... they found her 3 months later! She was carless!
I hadn't seen the chipping paint before. I'll keep my eye on that to see how it turns out. As far as reverting back to cast or stamped steel parts, that's how Subaru plays it's games. New models get the base treatment, and they slowly add nice touches as the chassis ages. Like the brakes on the WRX, and a host of other things. It's something that we have to live with.
My paint is either fine, or Its not as noticeable because its white paint to begin with. I didnt notice anything when I was waxing it last weeknd though.
Glad to hear the paint is holding up! I am starting to get pretty excited about this car. ofspunk7 was very helpful, he posted a lot before, doing the same "should I get an 09" painstaking deliberation. The nasioc 6-speed rumor thread is this: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=755849&page=37&postcount=904 also post 917 about the "split case design." Again, rumors. The timing is better for me to have this car sooner than later. Yes, financing is good now too.
Hmm, this seems more reliable: SOA Blog Member#: 171797 Join Date: Feb 2008 all we can say is that 2010 MY is not a big change year for WRX and STI. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1453607&page=88&postcount=2195
