Topic: WRX comparo

[johngenx]

A friend of mine is looking at WRX wagons.  He like the extra power and looks of the 2009- models, but while at the dealership, he seemed convinced the 2007 model has way more cargo space.  I looked up the rated volumes, and I admit to being surprised that the 07 model is quite a bit bigger behind the rear seats.  Geez, you learn something everyday!

So, he's considering the 2007 as he really likes the extra utility.  But, was wondering if the 2009- are really improved in terms of reliability/mechanical specs.

I know the 08- models lost the rear LSD, but otherwise, they seem at least as sweet as the 07 model.  265hp is a strong reason to go newer.

Lots of WRX owners around here, opinions appreciated that I could pass on.  (I personally like the looks of both, and I'd have a tough time choosing...)

[Snowman]

The 2007 will have less front and rear passenger room if that is an issue. My 2006 wagon had much more cargo space than my 2010 hatch. I would get the 2007 and use the cash saved on a stage 2 and problem solved  my 2006 Stage 2 wagon would eat my 2010 STi to 160 kph easily.

[johngenx]

...I would get the 2007 and use the cash saved on a stage 2 and problem solved

Interesting idea.  Forwarded and thanks...

[The Mighty Duck]

Sound advice. I really like the looks of the 2007, and the extra space is nice. I believe the engine is the same or very similar, so it's not like getting some extra power out of the older car is hard, either...

[kenm]

The 2007 will have less front and rear passenger room if that is an issue. My 2006 wagon had much more cargo space than my 2010 hatch. I would get the 2007 and use the cash saved on a stage 2 and problem solved  my 2006 Stage 2 wagon would eat my 2010 STi to 160 kph easily.

I remember looking at an '07 and observing that the rear passenger room was fairly tight.

[Flinter]

I'd agree with others that the 07 model has more cargo space, but front/rear passenger space will be less than the 08+.

The following article from C&D gives a good overview of the changes between 07 and the 08 model.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/07q3/2008_subaru_impreza_wrx-road_test/performance_page_2

Quotes of Note from article above:

The wheelbase is expanded from 99.4 to 103.1 inches, and the car is 1.4 inches taller, at 58.1 inches. Width (68.5 inches) is unchanged, but hip and shoulder room have improved, and there are now 95 cubic feet of interior space, compared with 88.

The old WRX used a strut-type suspension all-around, which is retained at the front. At the back, there is now a control-arm setup that Subaru says has liberated some trunk room. Although the luggage space has increased officially by 0.3 cubic feet (to 11.3), it is considerably more usable.

The 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine remains essentially the same, except that a new intercooler, intake manifold, and turbocharger result in the power and torque being delivered at lower revs. Maximum power remains at 224 horsepower, now available at 5200 rpm (previously 5600 rpm), and the 226 pound-feet of torque are produced at 2800 rpm instead of 3600.

The increased thrust at lower revs means that top-gear passing performance is sharper, with the 30-to-50-mph increment now taking 10.7 seconds (down from 11.0) and the 50-to-70-mph mark improving from 9.0 seconds to 7.3.

Other than the greatly increased interior space, the first thing that strikes one about the new WRX is how civilized it has become. Wind, engine, and tire noise are more muted, and the ride is a huge improvement, almost cushy on broken pavement.

Although the WRX is much more usable in everyday driving, it has lost the raw edge it used to have while tearing up back roads. Sure, the steering is accurate and nicely weighted, and the handling is faithful, with mild understeer under power and controllable lift-throttle oversteer when readjusting in the middle of a turn. But the mud-and-snow-rated Bridgestones squirm around like a presidential candidate under hard questioning, and the car has more cornering roll than we'd like.

This article, also from C&D gives a good overview of the changes between 08 and the 09 model.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/08q4/2009_subaru_impreza_wrx-short_take_road_test

I had the 08 model myself. Outside of $$ I can't see anyone picking it over the 09 model. The suspension changes starting in 09 make it a much better car to drive as the 08 model was much too soft. Of course the engine/turbo changes in 09 were also a bonus. However, I think that the increase in top end HP may have come at the expense of slightly reduced grunt in the low/midrange rpm.   

If your friend is open to modding than I would follow Snowman's advise and pick up an 07 model. Stay away from the 08 model unless the price is killer. If he wants a more refined car that's excellent right out of the box, go with the 09+ models.

[Cord]

Just keep in mind that they sold the WRX and the WRX265 in '09.

[johngenx]

Yeah, he'd scratched the 08 and 09 non-265 models off his list, and was intent on on 09 or 10 five door until he saw that the cargo space in the 08- is about 2/3 of the space of the 06/07.

A clean 07 can be had for quite a lot less than on 09/10 265, and could be taken easily to Cobb Stage 2 and still have a ton of money left over.  Older car, of course, so there is that.

[johngenx]

So he's found a MINT MINT MINT 2007 WRX.  70K, original owner, looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.  Big money for an 07, $21K asking, but as such a cherry example, I don't think he'll have to come down too much to sell it.

If my buddy doesn't buy it, I'm seriously tempted.  Can't imagine finding a cleaner 2007.

[The Mighty Duck]

So he's found a MINT MINT MINT 2007 WRX.  70K, original owner, looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.  Big money for an 07, $21K asking, but as such a cherry example, I don't think he'll have to come down too much to sell it.

If my buddy doesn't buy it, I'm seriously tempted.  Can't imagine finding a cleaner 2007.

What's the average asking price for an 07? I remember in 2006 the asking price of a 2002 was about $22k (on a lot, to be fair), so that doesn't strike me as to far out of line. Sounds like a great example of a fantastic car...

[johngenx]

Good and bad news:

Good: My friend just bought a superb 2007 WRX

Bad: I didn't buy it.

[rrocket]

Good and bad news:

Good: My friend just bought a superb 2007 WRX

Bad: I didn't buy it.

You snooze you lose, eh?

[johngenx]

Yup.  To be fair, my friend found the car, but after seeing it, no doubt I would have bought it had he not.  Not a rock chip (in Edmonton?), full service history with 5K Mobil 1 changes, and on and on.

The PO is 74 and has some knee problems so clutch was getting too much, bought an AT-equipped Outback.

[The Mighty Duck]

Good and bad news:

Good: My friend just bought a superb 2007 WRX

Bad: I didn't buy it.

Maybe as a thank you for your help, your friend will let you drive it. Preferably once its snowed, in a large, open space.