Driven: 2006 WRX

[MuddyREX]

So, I was passing by a Subaru dealer today and thought to myself, why don't I go test a new WRX? I was very curious as to how the mechanical changes to the car changed the overall character. So, here's Muddy's review.

First off, I love the overall styling of the new car. The tail lights are disgusting, but overall, I like it. The new brakes feel great. Huge improvement in feel over the earlier models. I love the new steering wheel. The new seats are good too. Closer to the 02/03 seats than the 04/05 seats with the integrated headrest, which I didn't like as much.

The engine. Oh, the engine. How much of a difference does half of a liter of added displacement make? It's only rated 3 horsepower higher. Is it a noticable 3 horsepower?

Torque, yea. The car pulled from 2000 rpms in third gear up a hill. Anyone with a 2 liter wrx will understand what that means. My car would have stalled. I didn't have to downshift to pass anything. Fifth gear is actually usuable at moderate speeds. My car has wet dreams about being able to power out of a low speed corner like this car.

This engine completely changes this car. I love it. It's about time Subaru.

[2point4DSM]

Excellent! Thanks for the review. I enjoy reading about this sort of thing. Especially coming from another member. I think it means a lot more than reading it from a magazine. Especially when it's coming from a person that currently drives a car I use to have and can relate them together.

[Dave]

ive noticed the new scoobys have a single port muffler whereas the older 2.0 litre ones had a two port. my guess is thats why the bigger motor only makes 3hp over the older one.

i'd bet that if you put a low restriction exhaust on a new and an old that the power differential will widen

[TehWagon]

damnit, muddy, why u gotsta go writin a good review for the 06?!
you had me at 2000 rpms in 3rd gear up hill... ****.

[IemShamus]

I have a friend that works for SOA in Westampton. He pretty much drives whatever he wants from Subaru. Anyway, he had a brand new 06 when they first became available. He hasn't gone back yet. He said it's one of the most underrated Subaru's to date.

[capaGC8]

i suggest anyone in the market for a subaru buys a TR... a friend of mine just got a black one and not only does it look better, but it pulls just like my old STi. i'm guessing the new, beefier 5spd's ratios more than make up for the less horsepower, but the weight difference definitely plays a part too.

throw that in with 4/2 pots and some interior refinement and it's a must buy... f nj insurance

[sisforsurfing]

Good little writeup.

Torque, yea. The car pulled from 2000 rpms in third gear up a hill...
I didn't have to downshift to pass anything. Fifth gear is actually usuable at moderate speeds.

That makes me jealous! I'm gonna have to go out and test drive one soon... not that my wagon has any shot of getting traded in, but I WOULD like to know how it feels.

[2Mopars1Ford]

Cool, always liked the rs's and wrx's.
I almost bought an 04 till the dealer I was talking to went freakin nuts when I told him the other car I was considering (mustang)
He wrote me a half a page rant on how evil ford is and how they purposfully overproduce cars so they can give high incentives on them which floods the market and destroys there resale value.
So I went and bought a used one cheap:P

[xEJ20x]

Nice review. Still don't mean I will buy one.
I'd get a Evolution VIII before a 06 WRX.

[Buster]

I work at a subaru dealer as well, I personally wasnt that impressed. The model I drove was a TR, The seats and interior was cheap, the black and light grey made me feel like I was in a much cheaper car. The steering wheel isnt even a MOMO wheel, its an immitation with cheap leather. Plus they still have the chinsy knobs that the 02-04s have and the base models all have. The HP was noticable, not nearly as much as the TQ. The TQ also fades as you get to higher RPMS, which also stops at 6500. I dont really think that its going to be at all faster than previous WRXs. And the tiny little intercooler confuses me. The sticker price was also almost 27,000.

Comparing it to my 05....
I bought mine for 24,000. Came with A normal sized intercooler, Boost Gauge, STI interior trim, and the STI seats. No spoiler, and No Moon roof. Personally, I dont think that .5 liters and some nice brakes is worth that much to get so little. Anyone who has an 06 WRX and lives in the area, I would like to race just to see how improved it actually is.

[IemShamus]

Wow! I didn't think there was any argument on this...Are you just trying to justify your 05 purchase? Be honest now:p
2.5 clearly>2.0 unless someone wants to prove me wrong with some real numbers.
I do agree about the price though. The new ones are waaay overpriced. I walked out of the dealer with a brand new(7miles)WRX for 23,200.

[capaGC8]

how is a TR stickered for $27,000!?!?! that's highway robbery...

the TR is a stripped down WRX (just like a EVO RS, but with air/power).
you get a 2.5i interior, but everything's mechanically WRX.

[Buster]

I can have a sticker posted of it, thats where most of my dissapointment lies. As for justifying my 05... theres no need to. Im very happy with my purchase and just think the car is over priced and undertrimmed. for that amount of money you better be getting more car. ( the 06)

[cavingchick]

i like my 06...coming from a 2000 vw golf gls...it is a HUGE improvement

[licensedtothrill]

My brother picked up a 06sti about a month, month and a half ago, some of you might have seen him at Absolute steaks the one night. Parked in the back corner for some reason, I can vouch for the car; it’s definitely got some get up and go.

Still like the 06 front end more, its more aggressive looking than previous models..................I’m going to get burned for saying that huh................... lol

[licensedtothrill]

p.s. he still won't sign up for this forum.......

[Raven18940]

Torque, eh? They must have picked that one up from Saab. :lol: