| + Used Car Home + Used Cars for Sale + Car Reviews + Auto Repair |
| 2006 Subaru Impreza Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
|
Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
|
|||
| Road Test | |||
One constant dating back to 1993 is the WRX's standing as an undercover authority figure. Any street racer making assumptions about this unassuming little sedan got his reward in the form of a dropped jaw and a crushed ego as its driver rocketed out of sight. Driving a WRX has always been the nonverbal way to say "You boys better gather up your VTECs, turbo Eclipses, and 5.0 Mustangs and move your little league over to some other park. This is a man's game now."Turbocharging makes this possible. You may have seen turbos in your time, but how many of them crammed twice the pressure of the atmosphere into four little cylinders (via a Mitsubishi turbocharger, irony of ironies)? The mention of 227 horsepower doesn't blow minds like it did in 2002, but you don't think much about paper specs when you're out in the real world thrusting out of corners or past entire herds of cars, all while listening to that vivid roar exclusive to engines whose cylinders lie sideways. And admit it: 5.4 seconds to 60 is still fast. For 2006, the power rushes in sooner and stronger now that the other Subarus have chosen to share their 2.5-liter engine block with the formerly 2.0-liter WRX. While bore and stroke both rise in tandem (92mm to 99.5; 75mm to 79), the three extra horsies (now 230 in all) find themselves overshadowed by the 18 additional pounds-feet of torque. The healthy new supply of 235 cures the weak-kneed feeling from its low-speed operations. Putting all that power to the ground is never a problem when you channel them through all four wheels, which in this case also helps handling. Isn't handling this car's greater talent anyway? AWD exploits every last iota of grip from this year's bigger P215/45R17 tires (though their all-season tread limits potential), and a rear end that's easy to slide around guarantees you'll have a fun time trying. Steering that sends clear signals to your hands and has been sped up for quicker response this year are further points in the WRX's favor. All this news might hint at a hyperkinetic no-compromises race car. Not so. Despite the rising sport quotient, the WRX never had much interest in your suffering. Aside from the occasional sharp snap or harsh landing, the WRX's quartet of struts eats up bumps in a manner nearly as civil as a normal Impreza. At 70 MPH, the new big engine spins at a reasonable 2,600 RPM and road noise is never a big deal, possibly thanks to this year's noise reduction measures (underbody cover, more insulation in the carpet and headliner). Oddly, the one standout in the NVH department is wind noise that turns almost violent as 100 MPH draws near; blame the [functional] hood scoop and frameless doors for that one. The WRX's potential is pretty down-to-Earth, too. Smooth steering, brake, and accelerator inputs promote quick man-machine bonding, and this editor enjoyed slamming the new "short-throw" shifter (still seems tall) through its gates. Unlike Mitsubishi did with its Lancer Evo, Subaru didn't spoil the stickshift experience with a recalcitrant clutch; the WRX's left pedal is gradual and forgiving. Another difference: its turbocharger isn't heard from as often due to its circa-3,500 RPM activation point (and because of higher natural torque, it doesn't need to be), which would explain how our WRX's very decent 24 MPG (mostly freeway) beat our smaller-engined Evo. (The flipside: Mitsubishi's turbo is more fun to activate.) Finally, after failing to find Subaru's mushy brake feel (new front and rear rotors are bigger by 0.1" and 1.0"), I gave up looking for a serious flaw in the WRX driving experience. So it found me. There I am, cruise controlling my way down Interstate 5 at 80 MPH when my speed starts sagging and fluctuating between the 60s and 70s, shortly thereafter surging past the mid-80s. After a minute of this, I hit Cancel, take the helm, and all sanity is restored. But another minute passes and speed starts tapering off again, this time robbing me of all accelerative ability. I then perform two frantic lane changes to reach the shoulder, and on my unsteady descent to a stop I notice my check engine light present, my power steering absent. I think I recall some other dashboard lights, but my mind was focused on other matters. Like my mortality. The WRX is as fun in person as it is in pixels. Just remember that in real life, there is no reset button. |
|||
| UsedCar.us.com - Copywrite - All Rights Reserved |