i thought the wrx transmission issues were only through early 04 models, after which they all got the beefier first and second gearsets? but, if you beat on any of them, they're going to break.
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Aug. 31, 2010 4:28 p.m. Strizzo SuperDork
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Aug. 31, 2010 4:39 p.m. 1988RedT2 Reader
Clearly, the RX-8--a superbly balanced car that has garnered countless accolades from the automotive press--is the most reliable. The rotary engine's famous lack of torque will make the entire driveline last forever. Either of those other brutishly unsophisticated cars will destroy parts faster than you can buy new ones. The choice is obvious: RX-8
I rest my case.
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Aug. 31, 2010 7:07 p.m. dj06482 Reader
Strizzo wrote:
i thought the wrx transmission issues were only through early 04 models, after which they all got the beefier first and second gearsets? but, if you beat on any of them, they're going to break.
The WRX transmission is built to a price point, and has all it can handle with a mildly modded (downpipe, exhaust, tune) WRX, especially after they went to the 2.5L turbo motor. The STI transmission and drivetrain, on the other hand, is pretty bulletproof. If you're going to keep the WRX stock (or fairly stock) and don't beat on it with 7K clutch drops, etc. you should be fine. However, if your significant other is going to want a lot more power, then it might make sense to go with an STI out of the gate.
I like all of these cars, so I'll be make sure to reference this thread when I'm on the market again in a few years...
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Sept. 1, 2010 1:10 a.m. Salanis SuperDork
She's interested in learning to wrench on her own cars and maybe some minor tinkering. I doubt that slapping on power will be her primary goal, if at all. I think I've pretty well drilled into her head performance through handling. I can't really imagine her doing 7k clutch drops.
She had an amusing chat with a mechanic today about the RX-8. She's heard it's hard to find shops that will work on a rotary engine and it's had her second guessing her interest in them.
Apparently it started as an amusing conversation. She called the guy asking if he has worked on, and is willing to work on RX-8's. He asked, "Why would you want one of those?" kind of taken aback or something.
She responded, "Have you ever driven one?!?"
Apparently he chuckled and conceded that point.
He finally told her what she needed to hear, which is to have an unbiased and knowledgeable party tell her what she wanted/needed to hear, "You need to put your butt in the seat. When you sit in the right car, you'll know." Made her a lot more confident about her interest in the RX-8.
She's still planning to test drive the WRX (or STi) and GTO.
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Sept. 1, 2010 9:19 a.m. DaveEstey Reader
Guy I race with has AutoX'd his SM WRX for 3 years with no issues. He's in SM because he's putting out 340hp, no driveline issues at all, 90k miles on it so far.
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Sept. 1, 2010 9:37 a.m. 96DXCivic SuperDork
Why not just drive them all and pick the one she likes to drive the most? Let's face it most modern cars are fairly reliable and doubt it is really going to be that big a deal esp if she loves the car.
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Sept. 1, 2010 9:40 a.m. DaveEstey Reader
Hey now lets not let sense and facts get in the way of a good old fashioned fanboy debate.
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Sept. 1, 2010 5:36 p.m. Salanis SuperDork
96DXCivic wrote:
Why not just drive them all and pick the one she likes to drive the most? Let's face it most modern cars are fairly reliable and doubt it is really going to be that big a deal esp if she loves the car.
That's actually the plan. We just want to be sure we're not looking at costly maintenance queens. We looked at the RX-8 and Mustang last weekend. This weekend, we're going to check out the WRX and GTO. A local GM dealer just got a GTO in the other day that is being cleaned up now and should be ready to check out in a couple days.
She really like the RX-8. I don't think she's going to go for the WRX. The GTO might impress more though, but it's got it's work cut out. That RX-8 was the most fun I've ever seen her have in a car.
She's already purchased a book on rotary engine technology and maintenance. We've been laughing about how the RX-8 made us feel like we should slip on slim dark shades and flip a row of heavy metal toggle switches before starting it up.
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Sept. 1, 2010 6:42 p.m. akamcfly Reader
kb58 wrote:
But how does he reach the pedals?
Don't you have a car to finish?
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Sept. 1, 2010 8:47 p.m. fifty Reader
I have a 205 Saabaru (WRX clone) and my experience has been mixed. I've been through 3 A/C compressors in the past 5 years. The one track day I ran in it (the racecar was broken) I busted the rear diff (replacement was $140 on ebay) and the transfer case is now clicking and grinding. The car is bone stock, and was on 5 year old RA-1s at the time. The car did fine autocrossing on Hoosiers, but running it hard on teh track really hurt it.
It's being traded for a Ford Focus as we speak.
