Ralliart Sportback: Ride quality & comfort

[tipoytm]

Originally Posted by krnkimchi702

the impreza wrx has 265hp... and its only 24k probably for a base on the subaru website..

WRX 265 only comes in manual transmission, no automatic option. I thought the only way you could get a WRX with the automatic tranny is the 2.5GT premium trim, but only has 225 hp. Can anyone confirm this? I looked this up last night on the Subie website.

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/impreza/25gt/build.html

[krnkimchi702]

even if it was 225 hp.. would your wife really notice the difference?? adding more hp would just equal to a lower fuel efficiency rating

[UT_Evo]

Originally Posted by krnkimchi702

even if it was 225 hp.. would your wife really notice the difference?? adding more hp would just equal to a lower fuel efficiency rating

His wife is coming from a Z4, she'll notice.

If you need a powerful automatic wagon for a decent price the RA is probably your best choice. I think the A3 may be out of your price range (and possibly too slow, though I hear a tune helps it a lot as well).

And yes, the 2.5GT is the only one with Auto now, but it is essentially the pre-2009 WRX. Worth going and giving it a test drive at least if you haven't already. It is still the 2.5 tubo'd engine. A little tune will help it out I'm sure.

[tipoytm]

^ true, she's not going to push the car to its limits anyway... it's just that the 2.5GT (or WRX automatic) isn't priced well compared to a WRX265 which is $2K less considering the 40hp difference. If they priced it under $25K, I'd be interested. Reviews are not that favorable too:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/rev...-impreza-25gt/

The 4-speed automatic tranny is very dated as what I've read form other reviews. Gah, I don't know...

[tipoytm]

Originally Posted by UT_Evo

His wife is coming from a Z4, she'll notice.

If you need a powerful automatic wagon for a decent price the RA is probably your best choice. I think the A3 may be out of your price range (and possibly too slow, though I hear a tune helps it a lot as well).

Aye, she will. The Z4si is a blast to drive... 0-60 I think is just a hair over 5 secs. The engine has a nice growl to it at WOT and I'm sure she's going to miss it if it gets traded in. If not for the fact that it only seats 2 people and stiff/harsh ride, she'd definitly keep it for sure.

[majinfajita]

Originally Posted by krnkimchi702

even if it was 225 hp.. would your wife really notice the difference?? adding more hp would just equal to a lower fuel efficiency rating

The low and midrange torque of the turbocharged engine would actually make the WRX *seem* faster than her Z4, despite the lower peak hp and lower peak torque, and actually may make it a more fun everyday driver.

In either case, if she's used to the ride of the Z4, the RA may let her down. BMW somehow manages to tune its suspensions with springs just soft enough to soak up all but gigantic bumps and stabilizer bars just stiff enough to kill body roll that really, nothing compares to it....don't get me wrong, my RA feels like it's actually softer sprung than my GTI was but seems almost...overdampened...

Has she ridden in an RA or WRX yet?


EDIT - WHOA...she thinks the Z4 has a harsh ride? The RA will feel like it rides on blocks by comparison...

[tipoytm]

^ Hehe, her Z4-si w/ sport-tuned suspension is no 3-series in terms of ride quality/harshness... IT IS HARSH (especially with the OEM run-flat tires) and STIFF, period. It corners and grips like it's on rails though, and almost no noticeable body roll. This is coming from a guy who drives an X and doesn't think the X is harsh at all.

edit: I just looked at the local subaru dealer's inventory, they have no 2.5GT in stock, so she can't test drive one. The closest Mitsu dealer is 40 miles away, and has no RA on stock (only GTS sportbacks). One VW dealer (we have two) has an 09 passat sportwagon, so maybe she might want to try that out.

[krnkimchi702]

i dont know about your wife but my fiance will never push a car to its limits.. she definitely won't notice a 20-40 hp difference..

[majinfajita]

Originally Posted by tipoytm

^ Hehe, her Z4-si w/ sport-tuned suspension is no 3-series in terms of ride quality/harshness... IT IS HARSH (especially with the OEM run-flat tires) and STIFF, period. It corners and grips like it's on rails though, and almost no noticeable body roll. This is coming from a guy who drives an X and doesn't think the X is harsh at all.

Ah, fair enough. I've never ridden in the Z4, only the 135i and pretty much all generations of the M3.

Me and the wife personally find the RA pretty cushy by our standards...we've both conditioned our kidneys and backsides with everything from my B5 Audi A4 with possibly the stiffest springs and dampers ever made to varying degrees of riced out civics...and the RA pretty much ranks even with the 08 GTI

[krnkimchi702]

what about a 2010 mazda speed 3?? base is 23k and has 263 hp and 280 lb-ft....and its a hatch! lol

edit: nvm its a manual only

[Methodical4u]

Originally Posted by nsk_tigz38

i recommend that she gets another car besides a lancer.
you already have the x, the car is basically the same besides whats under the hood
if you want a strong used car, try a tl or a g35

the car is NOT nearly the same actually.

[tipoytm]

^ LOL I already checked out the Mazda site cuz I think MS3s are cute cars that might attract women... but yep, like you said... no automatics. Impressive hp/tq numbers though, should be very fun to drive.

[Methodical4u]

on a side note... i'd get the sedan... the sportback is about the ugliest car out there.

[tipoytm]

^ LOL it's not for me... also the sportback is not that ugly if you see them in person (at least imo), and I've only seen the GTS sportwagons up close. It actually grew on me. But yeah, she really wants a hatch/wagon w/ decent cargo space.

[krnkimchi702]

you should just teach her how to drive stick.. might save you thousands lol