a GTI owner review of the new WRX

[WhiteRabbit]

So, after getting called twice a week, every week, since the new more powerful WRX hit the dealers to come to test drive it, I gave up and yesterday afternoon went form my first drive of a WRX model

I had high expectations, this is a 195KW car, with 4wd and has been more refined to beat the GTI. I was excited.

As I got into the dealership, there was a Black, WRX Sedan, with all options installed.

First of all was my dissapointment with the black leather sport seats, no Recaros to be found here, and the leather was very vinyl like with red WRX on it. the seating position as close to the floor as possible. the seating adjustments were all manual with a near copy of the Golf system but with cheaper plastic.

the boot was large enough, the baby seat anchors are in a nice setup behind the rear head rests (I walked away from the hatch WRX test due to the anchors setup on that, seriously), the rear seats are a bit crammed and soft in GTI standard, and very low to floor level leaving you kissing your knees.

There is a cheap plastic feel inside, GPS system inside was impressive though. the aircon controls feel like a plastic toy from the dollar shop, and that goes the same for the steering wheel controls.

I was dissapointed with the boot design of the sedan in pictures, and it doesn't get any better in real life.

So then how does it drive. Well after 8,500 kms with a DSG, I didn't think I'd forgotten driving a manual, but I found the clutch "depressing", very long reach in it, and there is a sudden engagement half way through. Coming of the line was nice with the 4wd, but once you got going I really missed my GTI.

I just don't get the turbo only coming in at 4000rpm, there is this massive lack of torque up to this moment, and once you get a taste of it you are ready for a gear change. there is no throttle response. I have no doubt it was fast, telling by the silly watch face size speedometer. But there was just no feel of accelerating response to the throttle. So we got out of traffic to some hill roads with tight hairpins. Didn't get any better, I tried keeping the rev up on the corner, but the traction control would kick in and cause the torque to vanish into under steer, turn that off, and only gets a bit better. there is just a fine line of useable revs, and a whole lot of nothing up to that, and a gear change after that. and what happened to the boxer engine exhaust note???

in conclusion, I was dissapointed, and even the dealer was understanding, and had no arguments, as she worked for VW and used to sell GTIs.

Getting back in my baby, was heaven all over again, gear to S, foot down, and instant explosion of G's.

[The_Hawk]

Nice write up, although I have one question...

I know it might be an obvious question, but is your GTI modified?

[nismo23]

Good write up first of all...Poor rex
I used to think the model before the this was unattractive because of the Daiwoo grill but since the new model came out I like it now compared to this thing and yeah the sedan looks even worse to me.SIGH...
Worst of all is the loss of the trademark burble the boxer used to have now vanquished due to the variable timing the engine now has.

Anyway, have a look at this link just to get in the mood again....some pretty skillful driving I think.

http://video.kenblockracing.com/flash/small_player/preloader.swf?vendor_id=204&media_id=9183&bgcolor=FFFFFF&autoplay=0

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice write up, although I have one question...

I know it might be an obvious question, but is your GTI modified?

Hi Aaron, You've seen my GTI on the Kiama cruise, not modified at all. Super Stock.

[WhiteRabbit]

The Dealer called me this afternoon to invite me for an STI drive and apologiesed for the WRX, she reckons the STI will be different all over. and she wants me to try the Liberty GTB STI.

We'll see how that goes, but that's alot more money now.

[WhiteRabbit]

Good write up first of all...Poor rex
I used to think the model before the this was unattractive because of the Daiwoo grill but since the new model came out I like it now compared to this thing and yeah the sedan looks even worse to me.SIGH...
Worst of all is the loss of the trademark burble the boxer used to have now vanquished due to the variable timing the engine now has.

Anyway, have a look at this link just to get in the mood again....some pretty skillful driving I think.

http://video.kenblockracing.com/flas...FFF&autoplay=0

WOW, that's amazing driving, Can't do that with FWD.

and Yah mate, the rear of the new rex is sooo Korean, completely reminds me of Daiwoo.

But WHY, I used to love the MY99 WRX, what a cult car that was.

A mate had a Liberty GT '94, that was nice, Twin inline turbo, smaller turbo would come in @ 2200 rpm, larger @4500rpm. had lot's of problems with auto box though, and second turbo wouldn't always come in. but when it all worked, was great.

[LiFers]

Can't do that with FWD.

You'd be surprised.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=kKxCT1UK_sE

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=P8g0fgzsvVE

[Transporter]

So, after getting called twice a week, every week, since the new more powerful WRX hit the dealers to come to test drive it, I gave up and yesterday afternoon went form my first drive of a WRX model

I had high expectations, this is a 195KW car, with 4wd and has been more refined to beat the GTI. I was excited.

As I got into the dealership, there was a Black, WRX Sedan, with all options installed.

First of all was my dissapointment with the black leather sport seats, no Recaros to be found here, and the leather was very vinyl like with red WRX on it. the seating position as close to the floor as possible. the seating adjustments were all manual with a near copy of the Golf system but with cheaper plastic.

the boot was large enough, the baby seat anchors are in a nice setup behind the rear head rests (I walked away from the hatch WRX test due to the anchors setup on that, seriously), the rear seats are a bit crammed and soft in GTI standard, and very low to floor level leaving you kissing your knees.

There is a cheap plastic feel inside, GPS system inside was impressive though. the aircon controls feel like a plastic toy from the dollar shop, and that goes the same for the steering wheel controls.

I was dissapointed with the boot design of the sedan in pictures, and it doesn't get any better in real life.

So then how does it drive. Well after 8,500 kms with a DSG, I didn't think I'd forgotten driving a manual, but I found the clutch "depressing", very long reach in it, and there is a sudden engagement half way through. Coming of the line was nice with the 4wd, but once you got going I really missed my GTI.

I just don't get the turbo only coming in at 4000rpm, there is this massive lack of torque up to this moment, and once you get a taste of it you are ready for a gear change. there is no throttle response. I have no doubt it was fast, telling by the silly watch face size speedometer. But there was just no feel of accelerating response to the throttle. So we got out of traffic to some hill roads with tight hairpins. Didn't get any better, I tried keeping the rev up on the corner, but the traction control would kick in and cause the torque to vanish into under steer, turn that off, and only gets a bit better. there is just a fine line of useable revs, and a whole lot of nothing up to that, and a gear change after that. and what happened to the boxer engine exhaust note???

in conclusion, I was dissapointed, and even the dealer was understanding, and had no arguments, as she worked for VW and used to sell GTIs.

Getting back in my baby, was heaven all over again, gear to S, foot down, and instant explosion of G's.

That WRX has 0-100km/h in 5.3s
Are you sure you're not a biased?
I know that the interior in Subaru's could be the off puting.
In the performance department you should find it much faster than your GTI.

[WhiteRabbit]

That WRX has 0-100km/h in 5.3s
Are you sure you're not a biased?
I know that the interior in Subaru's could be the off puting.
In the performance department you should find it much faster than your GTI.

I would be biased, "I bought" a GTI

But Really, I have no doubt that it's quicker (not top speed wise, as the WRX has a 209km/hr top speed)

It was quicker, I looked at the dial and I was clocking 140 in amazing time (the dealer didn't seem to mind) but it just didn't feel it.

The fact is there were to much wait for the power, there is just so much of the rev range that nothing happens.

Mine is not a question of numbers, but a question of feelings. the GTI just feels more exciting to drive. well done on concentrating on punchy small turbo, rather than a laggy big one.

[faisan]

Subaru's are nice but I feel they are really over-rated in terms of quality. Heaps of people say that Subarus are great quality but I find their interiors to feel cheap when compared to VW, BMW, and even Honda.

I have no doubt the WRX is a fast car and its a performance bargin but the GTI has always been the best all rounder. It does everything well.

[Transporter]

They mean the reliability,
since the quality mechanical gear is reliable one too.
Top speed is limited at 209km/h I have no doubts that speed limiter could be removed.

[WhiteRabbit]

They mean the reliability,
since the quality mechanical gear is reliable one too.
Top speed is limited at 209km/h I have no doubts that speed limiter could be removed.

Is the speed electronically limitied, or is it the limitation of the gearing setup with the 5 speed manual?

[Greg Roles]

I would be biased, "I bought" a GTI

But Really, I have no doubt that it's quicker (not top speed wise, as the WRX has a 209km/hr top speed)

It was quicker, I looked at the dial and I was clocking 140 in amazing time (the dealer didn't seem to mind) but it just didn't feel it.

The fact is there were to much wait for the power, there is just so much of the rev range that nothing happens.

Mine is not a question of numbers, but a question of feelings. the GTI just feels more exciting to drive. well done on concentrating on punchy small turbo, rather than a laggy big one.

It all comes down to the torque. The VW range, the GTI especially has a heap of down low grunt, where you spend 95% of the time on public roads, and that makes for a whole lot of fun. It's why a V8 with the same kw output as a 2.0 turbo is a lot more practical and fun to drive in traffic, the torque of the thing. Seems like the WRX is going for a KW marketing style advantage, and we all know the detriment of a big turbo, nothing down low.

Torque is what makes a car fun to drive, whereas KW wins at the dyno's, 400m and the counter racing at the pub.

VW are on the money!

[Mr Messy]

Yeah, spot on. The 2.0T is a very sweet engine, to me it responds almost as if it's naturally aspirated.

It's funny, when I swap from my '01 GTI 1.8T to the old man's '06 Jetta 2.0T it's as if the Jetta isn't turbocharged at all, the power delivery is so linear and smooth. The Mk4 on the other hand is a more traditional turbo job, it comes on later and harder (but is ultimately much slower lol).

I also agree about the soobie power delivery being a bit off. I haven't driven the '09 WRX but I have had a go in a 2.5L STI and must say they are a bit laggy (but awesome when on the boost).

The whole WRX vs GTI argument is a bit overdone isn't it? We know the WRX is quicker when driven at 10-10ths but an inferior car the rest of the time. Plus the Subaru added extras (cops, insurance, theft etc etc) are something that none of us want.

[Guest212]

Just about every other hot hatch on the road is quicker than the Golf GTI.


But I wouldn't have changed my choice at the end of the day. The Golf is the best all rounder by a long margin.

(except for the buying a 6spd MANUAL and not a DSG thing)