at least we didn't get shafted like subaru owners

[Ghost Rider]

For the price the MS3 is just a great budget sports compact right out of the box. I don't think editors look at moding potential when they're rating these cars. I don't think the Subaru is bad but it is sort of pathetic that it's equipped with AWD and still can't out handle or out accelerate the FWD MS3. Yeah you could put more power into the WRX but that's also going to bring with it more money which is also taking into consideration when rating cars in this segment.

MS3 > The competition

 

[dkswim]

the problem isnt the tranny is week its the tranny wasnt made to do repeated 6,000 rpm clutch drops and as far as the wrx lools bad we have basicly the same look as them small things here and there. and the subbie has had a soft suspension for a reason. they are rally inspired. softer suspension lack of antiroll bars are advantages in off road applications beacuse it can keep all 4 wheels on the surface and the awd can sort everything out. subbie would get some better # if they came to the track w better shoes on the car unfortunantly they went w a harder less grippy tire w good wear life. beacuse this time around they were trying to sell there car on a broder base.

 

[dkswim]

also i dont think # tell the whole story. im sure on a gravle road dirt road snowy mountin pass the subbie would hand us our ass and then some.

 

[wisniaPl]

I would get evo X comes with build engine

 

[happy and angry]

I don't think the Subaru is bad but it is sort of pathetic that it's equipped with AWD and still can't out handle or out accelerate the FWD MS3.

It can out handle and out accelerate us in certain situations, namely on corner exits where it can get into the throttle sooner, and from a standstill where its traction advantage matters.

Yeah you could put more power into the WRX but that's also going to bring with it more money which is also taking into consideration when rating cars in this segment.

This refresh is not going to cost more. Subaru is doing this specifically to address its competition in the WRX price and performance segment. These are not modifications that are going to cost much money coming from factory, probably just borrowing some STI suspension components and aero kits, plus a slight engine retune to improve power output. The '08 WRX can't hang with the MS3, the Cobalt SS/TC, the Lancer EVO X Ralliart, or even the damn Cobalt, and this is in the same performance compact segment it set the standard for back around 2002 when it first hit North American markets. It's just going to replace the current WRX model, and there won't be more than a very small price increase (if there is one at all).

 

[Ghost Rider]

It can out handle and out accelerate us in certain situations, namely on corner exits where it can get into the throttle sooner, and from a standstill where its traction advantage matters.This refresh is not going to cost more. Subaru is doing this specifically to address its competition in the WRX price and performance segment. These are not modifications that are going to cost much money coming from factory, probably just borrowing some STI suspension components and aero kits, plus a slight engine retune to improve power output. The '08 WRX can't hang with the MS3, the Cobalt SS/TC, the Lancer EVO X Ralliart, or even the damn Cobalt, and this is in the same performance compact segment it set the standard for back around 2002 when it first hit North American markets. It's just going to replace the current WRX model, and there won't be more than a very small price increase (if there is one at all).

As it sits the 08wrx is quite weak when compared to the ms3, I mean its seriously getting its ass kicked in all performance parameters (0-60, 1/4mile, skid pad, slalom, lap times, etc) Sure in certain environments it would excel but most of us will never be running though a rally course on our way to work. Also, you got to be kidding yourself if you dont think that adding more power, suspension upgrades, etc arent going to have any bearing on the price of a vehicle. When its all said and done and Subaru actually goes through with a 265hp wrx with various upgrades (tires, suspension, etc, etc.) its going to cost significantly more than a 23k ms3.

 

[zilch321]

New models come out every year, thats how automakers encourage new sales. I don't see why Subaru owners should feel shafted.

 

[happy and angry]

Also, you got to be kidding yourself if you don’t think that adding more power, suspension upgrades, etc aren’t going to have any bearing on the price of a vehicle. When it’s all said and done and Subaru actually goes through with a 265hp wrx with various upgrades (tires, suspension, etc, etc.) it’s going to cost significantly more than a 23k ms3.

It's not going to cost more than the WRX costs now, because that would defeat the purpose of the refresh. How much do you think it's going to cost Subaru to re-tune the motor and swap in suspension parts it already has in production for the STi? Not much.

As it sits the 08’wrx is quite weak when compared to the ms3, I mean it’s seriously getting its ass kicked in all performance parameters (0-60, 1/4mile, skid pad, slalom, lap times, etc) Sure in certain environments it would excel but most of us will never be running though a rally course on our way to work.

Thanks for reminding me about the '08 WRX being slow compared to its competition, though. I wasn't sure I had mentioned anything about that directly, good thing you were there to remind me. The entire point of this refresh is to get back in line with the performance numbers being put up by its direct competition, and it's still going to be a $25,000 vehicle give or take a couple hundred bucks. Any more and it's going to be too close to the price point of an STi or and Evo X GSR. It won't happen. Subaru is trying to get back to being competitive in the same market segment it helped define. I for one am impressed that Subaru is responding so quickly to the criticism the '08 WRX has received - often automotive companies have a bit of inertia to their decision making process and quick change doesn't always happen.

 

[PureDrive]

I hope they keep the price the same as the 08's, but the feeling on the Subaru board is that the "new" upgraded WRX will be priced at where the 08 Premium package models were, around $27,000-$28,000...we shall see. If they don't increase the price, they are going to sell a ton of them...

 

[Ghost Rider]

It's not going to cost more than the WRX costs now, because that would defeat the purpose of the refresh. How much do you think it's going to cost Subaru to re-tune the motor and swap in suspension parts it already has in production for the STi? Not much.


Thanks for reminding me about the '08 WRX being slow compared to its competition, though. I wasn't sure I had mentioned anything about that directly, good thing you were there to remind me. The entire point of this refresh is to get back in line with the performance numbers being put up by its direct competition, and it's still going to be a $25,000 vehicle give or take a couple hundred bucks. Any more and it's going to be too close to the price point of an STi or and Evo X GSR. It won't happen. Subaru is trying to get back to being competitive in the same market segment it helped define. I for one am impressed that Subaru is responding so quickly to the criticism the '08 WRX has received - often automotive companies have a bit of inertia to their decision making process and quick change doesn't always happen.

It's going to be more than 25k if they make it with 265hp + other upgrades it'll be closer to 27k (4-5k more than a MS3) You're just delusional if you think otherwise. I'll save the 4-5k and put some of it in the MS3 and stomp the wrx all day long while getting better fuel economy. This is just how I see it.

 

[happy and angry]

The WRX price hasn't changed much in three generations of the car. It's not going to change much now. It'll be priced to compete with the MS3, the Ralliart, the Cobalt SS, the SRT-4, etc etc etc. The memo isn't talking about a new WRX trim for sale along side the currently crappy '08 WRX, it's talking about replacing it.

 

[PureDrive]

^The 08 WRX trim will become the "Impreza GT" and only have the auto tranny, as the blurb reports...If Subaru brings out the 09 WRX without any real price increase, I will give them a ton of credit...I still might not buy one and get an MS3 instead, but I will be impressed...

 

[Ghost Rider]

Don't get me wrong I would be happy to see the wrx make a come back but I just don't see it happening so drastically anytime soon. I see the MS3 being on top for at least another 1-2yrs, Chevy and Mistu came pretty close just not close enough to knock the MS3 of the top spot as a total package (Price + performance + quality + refinement +versatility + value + excitement). Just face it Mazda did a phenomenal job with this little wagon and to see it on top for longer isn't going to be too surprising to me. Besides who really cares, it's just a car and there's always ways to improve things with any of them.

 

[Hyun]

competition is great. Look what it did to WRX and RalliART. I love the fact that Mazda, Mitsu and Subaru are finally competing strongly against each other in this segment. It is win win situation for us consumers.

For me, well screw rex and ralliart. I rather pay bit more and get EVO GSR.

 

[Ghost Rider]

competition is great. Look what it did to WRX and RalliART. I love the fact that Mazda, Mitsu and Subaru are finally competing strongly against each other in this segment. It is win win situation for us consumers.

For me, well screw rex and ralliart. I rather pay bit more and get EVO GSR.

Yeah, I'd just get the EVO GSR for 33-35k and be done with it.

 

[robin2660]

This refresh is not going to cost more. Subaru is doing this specifically to address its competition in the WRX price and performance segment. These are not modifications that are going to cost much money coming from factory, probably just borrowing some STI suspension components and aero kits, plus a slight engine retune to improve power output. ... It's just going to replace the current WRX model, and there won't be more than a very small price increase (if there is one at all).

I don't believe that. If it is going to compete with Ralliart, I bet it's going to cost more, closer to the price of the Ralliart.

 

[Ghost Rider]

So all it's going to take is a "slight" engine retune for the wrx to make an extra 40+hp?

 

[tiagotiago]

This is the sort of things that plague so called "early adopters". In software, there's a bit of a half joke/half truth running that says: "You never should buy version 1.0.0 (V.1.0.0) of any product, because it probably still has a few bugs in it". I try and apply this bit for as many things as I can, and this is another example of this piece of advice being true. I for one would feel a bit dissapointed with my purchase if I knew I that by waiting a bit I could have gotten more car for my money.

 

[dkswim]

screw it all im going straight for the GTR35....
as soon as i win that lottory

 

[LaCroix08]

I hope some of you guys saying it would suck to have bought an 08 WRX now that the 09's WRX have more power are going to create the same thread in a few years when the next MS3 will have more power then the existing MS3.

There's no way one car can be the king of the hill for more then a few years.... the competition will do whatever it takes to be the new King of the Hill. True story.

They're finished with the ms3's as of this year bud, you fail.