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CD_Editor
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« on: October 27, 2008, 10:51:01 pm » |
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 First Drive:   The 2009 WRX265 is a "more powerful; better handling and better looking WRX for only $1,000 more than the 2008 WRX," reports CarTalkCanada Editor, James Bergeron. It's available in both hatchback and sedan bodystyles. More:Read the article | View the photos | All the First Drives
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The Mighty Duck
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« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2008, 11:08:21 pm » |
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I'd be really interested in seeing a comparison review of the WRX265 and the STI, because on paper I can no really compelling reason to move up to the STI. If you invested the money saved by buying the 265 into the right performance parts, I think the WRX would probably be faster and handle as well or better than the STI... Subaru's got the market covered really well with this model, it looks like. Though imo they should kill the "base" WRX and rename is the Impreza XT, and have the 265 as the only "WRX" model. I think the only reason they didn't go this route is that it would surely  off those owners of 2008 WRXs... :/ I know I wouldn't be happy if I had bought one last year... |
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Demosthenes [noun], dem-aws-thene-s
1) (384 BC – 322 BC) the greatest of the Ancient Greek orators
2) pseudonym used by Valentine Wiggin in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game to alter the events of world history
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Honda Owner
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« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2008, 12:31:22 am » |
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giving you that extra hour of sleep on a Monday Wouldn't you get that extra hour of sleep on Sunday? |
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HeliDriver
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« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2008, 12:58:54 am » |
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I'd be really interested in seeing a comparison review of the WRX265 and the STI, because on paper I can no really compelling reason to move up to the STI. If you invested the money saved by buying the 265 into the right performance parts, I think the WRX would probably be faster and handle as well or better than the STI... From what I've read, the only compelling difference (to me, anyway) is the gearbox. Apparently the six-speed in the STI is a smooth-shifting delight, while the five-speed in the WRX265 is still somewhat notchy and rubbery. Subaru's got the market covered really well with this model, it looks like. Though imo they should kill the "base" WRX and rename is the Impreza XT, and have the 265 as the only "WRX" model. I think the only reason they didn't go this route is that it would surely off those owners of 2008 WRXs... :/ I know I wouldn't be happy if I had bought one last year... I don't know why Subaru Canada went its own way, but that's pretty much what they did in the U.S.: last year's WRX becomes the 2.5GT, and the new 265 is simply the WRX. |
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HeliDriver
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« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2008, 01:06:21 am » |
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From the article: "For 2009 Subaru is not offering an automatic transmission on any WRX model."
That's true in the States (where the only WRX is what we call the WRX265), but here in Canada the base WRX is in fact available with an automatic. |
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2hondas1BMW
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« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2008, 02:03:58 am » |
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From the article: "For 2009 Subaru is not offering an automatic transmission on any WRX model."
That's true in the States (where the only WRX is what we call the WRX265), but here in Canada the base WRX is in fact available with an automatic.
Nope. No Auto at all in Canada. US has a Impreza GT model (like WRX)...which has the auto. |
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Mine: 2004 Acura TSX
Family: 2005 Honda Odyssey EX, 2006 BMW 330i
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HeliDriver
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« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2008, 02:37:31 am » |
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From the article: "For 2009 Subaru is not offering an automatic transmission on any WRX model."
That's true in the States (where the only WRX is what we call the WRX265), but here in Canada the base WRX is in fact available with an automatic.
Nope. No Auto at all in Canada. US has a Impreza GT model (like WRX)...which has the auto. Oops, looks like you guys are right. I saw an automatic WRX on the Subaru.ca website, but I guess I was looking at the 2008 models instead. |
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Mitlov
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« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2008, 04:32:04 am » |
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What the 2008 WRX should have been all along. In my opinion, the biggest change is the suspension, which by all reports was too soft and mass-market in the 2008 model for a sport compact. |
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"Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us." -- John F. Kennedy, addressing Canadian Parliament.
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quadzilla
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« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2008, 06:43:44 am » |
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giving you that extra hour of sleep on a Monday Wouldn't you get that extra hour of sleep on Sunday? You don't get any extra sleep. If you sleep for 6 yours every night how will you get any extra?  From the article: "For 2009 Subaru is not offering an automatic transmission on any WRX model."
That's true in the States (where the only WRX is what we call the WRX265), but here in Canada the base WRX is in fact available with an automatic.
Nope. No Auto at all in Canada. US has a Impreza GT model (like WRX)...which has the auto. Oops, looks like you guys are right. I saw an automatic WRX on the Subaru.ca website, but I guess I was looking at the 2008 models instead. That is weird as I also remember seeing an auto version of the WRX available in Canada. Still, if I was in the market for a second car, the hatch would be right at the top of my list. |
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How is it possible that after electricity has traveled through hundreds of miles of power line then hundreds of feet (or yards) of romex in our home, that changing the last three feet of wire with something exotic, expensive (cool looking, and packaged in a pricey box) is going to make a difference?
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wing
Big Wig
Administrator
 OfflineVehicle: '01 S2000 & '05 Titan SE
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If you ain't first ... you're last!
 
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« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2008, 07:54:48 am » |
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Yeah I guess it would be Sunday that "extra" sleep... whatever.
I drove the STi the same day -- the STi is faster and feels like it handles better and the body is more rigid giving it a more solid feel. They aren't the same body structure even if they look identical. The wrx265 though is close -- but remember, there is the 6-speed and the differential to consider as well. |
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Snowman
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« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2008, 08:34:21 am » |
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2010 Can’t come fast enough. Now that I have crawled over both the sedan and hatch I have a hard time understanding why a person would buy the sedan. Too bad thay did not send you a hatch to review JB. |
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wing
Big Wig
Administrator
OfflineVehicle: '01 S2000 & '05 Titan SE
Gender:
Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
Posts: 17629
If you ain't first ... you're last!
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« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2008, 08:35:52 am » |
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I had the chance for both the hatch and sedan, no difference really. |
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Snowman
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« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2008, 08:54:21 am » |
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I had the chance for both the hatch and sedan, no difference really.
I was speaking form a practical perspective, not performance. |
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wing
Big Wig
Administrator
OfflineVehicle: '01 S2000 & '05 Titan SE
Gender:
Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
Posts: 17629
If you ain't first ... you're last!
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« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2008, 08:55:07 am » |
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They didn't "send me" any car. I went to MoSport and ripped around the cars as I pleased. |
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evil_twin
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« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2008, 09:42:40 am » |
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James,
Sounds like you had as positive an experience in the 265 as most reviews I've read.
What were your impressions of the Dunlop tires? Pretty good?
If i got one, I'd really consider swapping the stock summer tires onto a set of 17" OZ Ultraleggeras and then buy 17" winters for the stock rims.
I'd love to do 18s, but then I'd be looking at lots of $$$$ and I actually kinda like the 17" wheel on a rex.
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wing
Big Wig
Administrator
OfflineVehicle: '01 S2000 & '05 Titan SE
Gender:
Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
Posts: 17629
If you ain't first ... you're last!
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« Reply #15 on: October 28, 2008, 09:48:56 am » |
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Unfortunately we didn't get to push the WRX, but if it is the same tire as the STi, they were really good on the track. |
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The Mighty Duck
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« Reply #16 on: October 28, 2008, 11:39:49 am » |
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Yeah I guess it would be Sunday that "extra" sleep... whatever.
I drove the STi the same day -- the STi is faster and feels like it handles better and the body is more rigid giving it a more solid feel. They aren't the same body structure even if they look identical. The wrx265 though is close -- but remember, there is the 6-speed and the differential to consider as well.
If it were your money, would you opt for the STI or the WRX265? On paper, it looks like the 265 would be close enough for most drivers to happily pocket the price (and probably insurance!) difference, but paper and reality are often at odds. |
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Demosthenes [noun], dem-aws-thene-s
1) (384 BC – 322 BC) the greatest of the Ancient Greek orators
2) pseudonym used by Valentine Wiggin in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game to alter the events of world history
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safristi
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« Reply #17 on: October 28, 2008, 12:35:44 pm » |
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..so they SPRING forward onna Susp....and FALL BACK....onna crappy gearshifter...................tha LORD giveth and he taketh AWAY............Hatchback all the way....  .........it's a "Sleeper" all right..............Bedtime KIDDIES & 8pm tonite..no playing wif yer Wii Wii's................  |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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Iso Octane
Auto Obsessed
OfflineVehicle: G35, Miata
Gender:
Location: Toronto
Posts: 674
to the beat of the different drum
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« Reply #18 on: October 28, 2008, 04:12:41 pm » |
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Though imo they should kill the "base" WRX and rename is the Impreza XT, and have the 265 as the only "WRX" model. I think the only reason they didn't go this route is that it would surely off those owners of 2008 WRXs... :/ I know I wouldn't be happy if I had bought one last year... They can name it whatever they like and it wouldn't make me any less pissed for buying at 2008!!! I had no idea the "265" was coming, and if I were a buyer I would definitely, definitely, definitely wait for it. Was there any word of the "265's" arrival back then? |
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initial_D
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« Reply #19 on: October 28, 2008, 04:15:26 pm » |
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No, and I read a lot reviews. Could be just the media pressure, and the competitions, so Subie step up and added more horses. |
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