2002.5 MP5 versus 2004 WRX wagon

[registering]

Hi all,
I have a 2002.5 MP5 but love driving my dad's 2002 2.5 RS Impreza. So I decided to test drive a 2004 WRX wagon. This is what I found:

The acceleration of the WRX wagon is amazing although the difference in torque before and after the turbo spools-up can take some getting used to. I generally floored it until the turbo spooled up, then hit redline before I knew it and had to take care not to drive into the back of the car in front of me.

The steering seemed a little tighter on the P5 than the WRX, which surprised me. The P5's handling is awesome, and the WRX steering wheel is pretty beefy looking. Of course the 2 limited diffs on the WRX made it great around corners, as did its lower center of gravity. The WRX's backend didn't come out as much as my P5's.

If the P5 has the WRX beat anywhere it's the brakes. I was really surprised how little feedback I got from the WRX's brake pedal. My P5's brakes are great (stock), and give me lots of feedback, whereas the WRX's brakes gave really no feedback at all. I don't know how the two compare though distance-wise. The numbers would favor the WRX (2 pistons, etc..), but numbers aren't everything.

-- does anyone know what the 60-0 stopping distance of a stock MP5 is? I've been trying to find comparable numbers to compare the two, to see if my impression of less feedback has any relation on actual stopping distance, but I can't find any one source that compares both cars using the same test method. Unfortunately I can't test them both head to head.

The console layout of the two cars is very similar.
MP5: nice white gauges, better cruise control controls...
WRX: center-mounted tach is sweet

The P5 definitely has more interior room, especially in the back seat, which is pretty obvious just by looking at the two cars. The WRX's seats are really nice, very heavily bolstered.

MP5: sunroof option

Anyways, it was fun. Just thought I'd share my experience.

If anyone knows about any brake comparison resources for these two cars I'd appreciate it.

 

[Bass Addict]

Hmm...had no clue that the WRX Wagon had boost. What kind of turbo do they have in them? What is the base price on them?

 

[zmepro]

Hmm...had no clue that the WRX Wagon had boost. What kind of turbo do they have in them? What is the base price on them?

are you serious?


the wrx wagon is the same as the sedan exept for the obvious fact its a wagon


the reason i chose a p5 over a wrx was partially because of money, partially because everybody and there mother has a riced out wrx (at least where i am from) and because i didn't think the wrx felt as good a the p5, for example, it felt more brutish then the p5 which is nimble and fun to drive

also, im 6'1 so space is importent and the wrx didn't provide enough interior room, but w/ the p5 i have plenty of room and my passengers have loads of room too, the p5 is especially nice w/ the leather (which i also have )

 

[neoP5]

any and every car that has wrx means theres boost inside =)

 

[Flipper]

I used this article for more ammo to buy my P5. P5 is compared against several others. Brakes are a definite strong point. 60-0 in 123 ft vs. 131 for an Impreza Sport (WRX perhaps better?). The P5 was the best in the group. You could search for other articles at Edmunds for the WRX. You would think they use the same test method even if the WRX is reviewed seperately.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/92555/page015.html


This next link is the portion of the review that describes the P5. You'll like how they talk about a P5 outhandling a WRX. Of course, you never know if the guy in the WRX was actually trying to keep up (or was nearly as skilled as the P5 tester). But who cares - we know the P5 has great handling. Nothing like losing an SUV (or un-skilled BMW driver) on your tail when get into some curves.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/92555/page007.html

 

[Douggie]

any and every car that has wrx means theres boost inside =)

Not unless the sticker is stuck on by themselves to add more HP

Too bad they don't have a mazdaspeed P5. Mazda would sell SO MANY of those!!! But if you can live without a wagon, get the Mazdaspeed Protege. It has all the plus that you mentioned in our P5 (actually, even better handling and brakes!) and has boost as well.

 

[sidpro5]

i actually read that AFTER i bought my p5. imagine my thrill when i found out that it out-handled the WRX wagon in the slalom and has more torque than the matrix that was tested. plus, it's the best looking one in the group! "good choice, me!" (cheers)

 

[registering]

Thanks for the links, those're great! I chose the P5 over the WRX a couple years ago mostly because of money also, plus the P5 is a SULEV, which I'm proud of (whereas the WRX at the time wasn't even LEV!). Plus the P5 definitely has more interior room, especially in the back seat.

I love my P5, but my dad's 2.5 impreza can cut corners much better, mostly because of the limited slip and lower center of gravity, I figure. I definitely use the space in the wagon, although not so much for passengers as for mundane things like gardening supplies or tvs or extra transmissions (well, I just had 1 extra tranny to sell).

Plus, I have a cottage in upstate NY that's in the woods, and I'm too nervous to take my FWD P5 all the way back there, especially in the winter, but proceed with reckless abandon with my dad's Subaru. Whether this is because the AWD really makes a difference or just psychologically I THINK it would make a difference, I dunno.

zmepro> it's funny, down here it's just the opposite. There are P5s EVERYWHERE and only a couple WRX's I've seen in the past couple years.

 

[AlaskaP5]

I picked the p5 for a couple of reasons,,,, first was the price,,,second is the fact that subarus and WRXs are everywhere here in AK... we have the largest subaru dealer in the states and it is just amazing how many subarus you see hear... I see at least 4 WRXs every day.

 

[registering]

Flipper> thank for the links. The Outback Sport tested in the first link isn't a WRX, but a non-turbo Impreza, much like a 2.5 RS. Also, I found this:

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/subaru/impreza/100273633/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=100385

which lists the WRX wagon 60-0 in 121 feet, so there's at least one brake comparison between the two.

Don't worry, still love my P5.