rdgdawg

Saw one this morning and gave it a good look through... I'm good....

mmarshall

Next planned reviews: BMW X5 35d, and (when available) Honda Insight, Chevrolet Camaro.

I8ABMR

The review was very well done and extensive. I personally like the WRX of this generation. Its a solid performer for a solid price

mmarshall

Thanks.



I basically agree the WRX is a solid performer, but the turbo lag and the torque curve need some reprogramming. And while the price is not outlandish, not long ago, a new WRX could be had in the mid-20's. Today, a loaded WRX can run well into the 30's. New STI's, believe it or not, can run 40K.

19psi

interesting review. i'm surprised you feel the turbo lags badly, even in the older models. i thought the turbo response in my 02 was almost instantaneous. i hated it! swapped it for a much larger laggier turbo and felt much better because it continued to pull hard up to redline opposed to the stock turbo which ran out of breath about 1500 rpm before redline. (yeah i'm a peaky engine enthusiast). i have yet to drive a new model so i can't compare it's lag to the original wrx.
lots of good info though in your review.

mmarshall

Thanks.



The 2002 and 2009, in a number of ways, are substantially different vehicles, despite a similiar viscous AWD system for MT models. The turbo system is one of those differences. I remember driving a 2002 myself...it had some lag, but, as you note, not as much. The power started coming on around 3000 instead of 3500-4000.

Lexwang07

Can I request you test drive 2009 BMW 750i sedan? Mike. Thanks.

mmarshall

I'll try. The new 7-series is already on my review list, but some BMW shops restrict test-driving on the 7-series.