2021 WRX

[Hack]

My mistake - C/D tested the latest generation WRX at 0.95 lat-g with moderate understeer (a bit more than I prefer, FWIW).

Not too shabby for a car that can pass for a family sedan if your family is 4 or fewer.


Norm

I think I was being a little hard on the WRX. They aren't all bad and I like the styling. But I also don't think they are great/better than the Mustang unless the criteria is mostly around snow and ice driving.

However, I have to say I'm surprised at the 0.95 G figure. I read the C/D info. I didn't realize the WRX came with such a stiff suspension that "car guys"at C/D would complain about it. I'm also surprised the WRX would come with summer only tires required to reach 0.95 Gs.

I had the WRX pegged as a more practical daily driver kind of car, but I guess most Mustangs are actually more practical than the WRX. Most Mustangs have relatively soft suspension and all season tires.

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[Norm Peterson]

However, I have to say I'm surprised at the 0.95 G figure. I read the C/D info. I didn't realize the WRX came with such a stiff suspension that "car guys"at C/D would complain about it. I'm also surprised the WRX would come with summer only tires required to reach 0.95 Gs.

I've seen Subaru's spring rate numbers for the WRX and IIRC they're firmer than the BMR springs on my S197.

Subaru has installed summer-only tires on their more enthusiast-oriented models/trims before. I'm pretty sure that the LGT we had before came with summer-only tires as well.

I had the WRX pegged as a more practical daily driver kind of car, but I guess most Mustangs are actually more practical than the WRX. Most Mustangs have relatively soft suspension and all season tires.

Ride firmness aside, it does do a decent job of filling the DD function. Though it does help if you actively prefer a firm ride over a soft one (I got a bit lucky here as well - no objections or complaints from the wife in the 2.5 years we've had the WRX).


Norm

 

[shogun32]

I didn't realize the WRX came with such a stiff suspension that "car guys"at C/D would complain about it.

that's not stiff, that's just plain BAD suspension.

 

[Norm Peterson]

that's not stiff, that's just plain BAD suspension.

Magazine writers always have to find something to complain about even when they really like the car in question. Truth is, it's not as bad as they make it out to be, else I'm sure I'd have heard about it by now (custom-valved Bilsteins on another car was flat-out too jittery for her).


Norm

 

[vanquishvzla]

The ONLY complain i have about my wife's 2020 wrx is the power... yeah, 268 is not slow for a regular car like altimas, corollas, etc... but against a fbo sti or mustang, yeah, it feels slow af. My wife was all hyped up about the new wrx thinking it was gonna come with at least 300 hp

other than that, it's a great car! super safe car, great traction, handling, etc. Driving under heavy rain feels like driving on a sunny day...

now, if you move away from stock, something as simple as better filter and e85 tune, change the car drastically.

 

[Norm Peterson]

The ONLY complain i have about my wife's 2020 wrx is the power... yeah, 268 is not slow for a regular car like altimas, corollas, etc... but against a fbo sti or mustang, yeah, it feels slow af. My wife was all hyped up about the new wrx thinking it was gonna come with at least 300 hp

FWIW, the new FA20 engine comes into boost much sooner and smoother than it does in the EJ-series engine that's still in the STi. Dual-scroll and equal-length primary exhaust pipes matter, and the FA drives a lot nicer if you're not tied to having laggy boost that comes on suddenly or the oh-so-typical blatty Subaru rumble.


Norm

 

[GR8 V8]

But that “oh so typical blatty” rumble has such a distinct sound. Paired with the proper exhaust, it sounds awesome. I was kinda let down when I bought my 17 WRX and it didn’t have that rumble. Maybe the reason I bought a Mustang as it has one the best exhaust notes.

 

[Norm Peterson]

But that “oh so typical blatty” rumble has such a distinct sound. Paired with the proper exhaust, it sounds awesome. I was kinda let down when I bought my 17 WRX and it didn’t have that rumble. Maybe the reason I bought a Mustang as it has one the best exhaust notes.

I never cared for it, and it occasionally showed up in the 2010 LGT we owned previously.

Then again, I'm old enough to remember when aircooled Volkswagens had a similar character to its sound. More of a rattle than a rumble, but the overall character of the sound was pure H-4.

But if you want to get the rumble back, Tomei offers an unequal-length header for the FA. I can't speak for its emissions-legality, though.


Norm

 

[Norm Peterson]

In other WRX-related news, I'm putting together a brake upgrade package for out '19. Neither of us has been fully satisfied with "brake feel" during moderate to moderately hard braking events. Waiting on pads (Carbotech 1521) and fluid (ATE200) to go with the DBA 4000 rotors (only a few $ more than Stoptech rotors, and actually in stock).

I've already dealt with a few minor items - reflections off of the left-most dash vent and the lack of places to put things like the oversize fob and my reading glasses.


Norm

 

[Shadow277]

Drag racing is as much of a race as racing at a circuit/track. You can't just show up with a fast car and expect to do well your first time. Drag racing involves skill just like circuit racing. Your reaction time means everything. For most, that takes practice.

Honestly, it sounds like you are bitter about what you're hearing in this thread. When someone brought credible proof that the GT was much quicker in the 1/4 mile, all of a sudden you don't think drag racing is real racing. C'mon man... no one said the STI was a bad car. It is just slower than a GT. In the real world it doesn't mean much since they are in different classes.

There's a way cheaper way to test reaction times.

 

[Norm Peterson]

There's a way cheaper way to test reaction times.

Reaction times are only part of it. Other factors become more involved as power to weight / power to traction ratios go up.

Think of 'slip ratio' as being forward acceleration's version of cornering's slip angles.


Norm

 

[vanquishvzla]

FWIW, the new FA20 engine comes into boost much sooner and smoother than it does in the EJ-series engine that's still in the STi. Dual-scroll and equal-length primary exhaust pipes matter, and the FA drives a lot nicer if you're not tied to having laggy boost that comes on suddenly or the oh-so-typical blatty Subaru rumble.


Norm

totally... i know that if i do to the wrx, what i have on the sti (eagle eye), the wrx will walk me... even if you have a 2020 wrx vs 2020 sti, do the same mods on both... i'll put my money on the wrx

 

[GR11M]

$1m Impreza anyone ?

 

[Shadow277]

$1m Impreza anyone ?

Still slower than a Supra.

 

[GR11M]

Still slower than a Supra.

Probably but I reckon it would still be quicker round a rally stage than a GT500 or a Hellcat though

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