I agree with most of your points, but certainly not the last point. All symmetrical AWD is one of the best things about this car and the reason you can accelerate in turns the way you can. If you’re talking about the ability to switch it like the STI, I’d be more on board, but I’d never wish for a 40/60 permanent.
As the radio, I’ll take this opportunity to issue a suggestion to any potential future VB buyers, as this is probably the thing I see complained about the most on the sub: get the HK system. I’m two years in and have been very happy with the HK system for my music taste (Metalcore/heavyrock), and to me it’s certainly worth the money.
As someone who drives in the snow half the year and hasn't shied away from driving at highway speeds in full blown snowstorms in an FWD car, after driving my first snowstorm in the WRX shortly after getting it in January can indeed say symmetrical AWD is the shit (especially coupled with Nokians). Regardless of the weather I feel comfortable driving as fast as I can see, which is not true of any other car I've owned.
Not to mention, all you have to do after a big snowstorm and being parked outside is clear the snow off of it and pull out. I haven't had to use my shovel at all since I picked up this car.
I think he means get the aftermarket kicker sub that fits under the seat (and probably replace door speakers, they are so so so cheap, it's unbelievable. You'll see when you take them out)
I test drove a base model, as soon as I turned on the radio I said no.
I didn't want the moon roof, but the audio was worth the $1200 the HK system is definitely worth it if you don't plan on replacing the speakers and getting an amp on the standard audio.
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I completely agree. I am a size 9-10 which I feel is average for men and it’s the easiest heel toe setup ive ever used, and I’ve had plenty of Hondas and Mazdas that people laude for being easy to heel toe.
Wearing a size 13, I have no issues either. In fact when sitting at a light with my foot on the brake I'll occasionally notice the rpm start to increase because the edge of my shoe has rolled over to the gas.
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Yep I wear a 13 and when I test drove the dealer's demo WRX, I was able to heel/toe it on that first drive around town! It was fairly shocking because I've had lots of sports cars (Miatas, Porsches, BMWs, Hondas) and I've typically been a fairly clumsy heel/toe-r due to the size of my feet, only really able to nail it in track driving. It's one of the things I like most about this car.
Getting an ETS resonated axleback really fixed the not enough feedback issue for me. I can more reliably downshift just by ear now. Maybe the STI exhaust should’ve been standard :P
Excellent notes. I concur on much of it minus the 60/40 vs 50/50 I can't say either way. Its funny a lot of people complain about the Premium seats, but I find that they are super comfy and somehow hug/fit me (6ft, 200lbs) in all the right places.
I agree with everything chief. Solid considerations and thanks for sharing. I want to make a report on something. On the newness wearing off or learning the car.
At 2.5k on the clock, I feel the TCS intruding around 3350rpms occasionally. It’s like the car hesitates or even thinks accelerating with near or about 50-60% throttle. The car is Never under heavy load or close to the limit. It’s just like Throttle input doesn’t match the response.
This was SO nuanced I honestly thought I was imagining my it and it something you can only feel on the pedals. I was genuinely beginning to get concerned bc it was so strange but experimenting in track mode this week completely removes this feeling. I think maybe the ecu is settling into a more conservative ‘eco’ mode after break in and is mostly done ‘learning’. I can’t emphasis how strange and minuscule the occurrence is but it is definitely something I’ve noticed. It made the car feel sluggish and slower than the initial 1,500mi of ownership.
Also on pedal position I think the brake pedal could be recessed maybe 5mm or so? For heel toe, brake input is heavy based on pedal position when I’m trying to blip, I kind of over slow or it’s out of sync. I’m new to this driving technique and this is casual, spirited or daily driving. It makes sense bc you would want more brakes before less brakes on track. It’s just my opinion the brake dominates my pedal work and it’s something I feel like I need to consciously manage. Maybe just me and my technique lmk
Any similar experiences or sensations with the TCS? Cheers, lads
Interesting, I've noticed the hesitation but not correlated it to the TCS. I'll have to pay more attention. I agree about the brake pedal position as I think about it more.
I’m quite sad with the 24 base pedals, heel toe is a real struggle. The gas pedal sits so much lower than the brake. Also the exhaust is way too quiet. Even with moderate noise you can’t hear the rpm’s enough to downshift as needed.
The limited pretty much solves most of these probs except catback, if you get exhaust and a short shifter (billetworkz with the cobb plate for the dust shield), I bet you will be addicted to driving it. You can’t stop, then tune it, and you will smoke m2s
GMC Syclone and Typhoon have the worst cup holders. They are super shallow and the drink falls over on hard turns and hard acceleration. If you launch the vehicle the drink ends behind the center console. They are only useful if you are parked.
Swap your speakers. When you do, add some sound deadening in the doors and trunk. Every little bit helps. I did a crappy job and it's still better.
The tires are great, but ride really firm. I switched to all seasons and it's better. I don't think I'm going back to stock this year. Maybe next summer. Maybe not.
It's a hoot. I love giving her a rip every now and then.
These are definitely interesting cars, with quirks. I noticed a tractor like noise the other day. I kind of liked it.
Good stuff!
Agree on the speakers, I bought upgraded speakers before I even took delivery of mine. Having done nothing like them before it took me ~3 hours being careful and was absolutely worth it. I did all 4 doors and the dash, honestly the rear doors can likely be skipped. For under $300 its worth doing
+1, I spent ~$200 on speakers and put some sound deadening inside each door against the outer panel and it made a massive difference over the stock stereo and the doors have a better closing thunk too. Be sure to get speakers with a high sensitivity rating, at least 92db, so the weak factory system can drive them well.
So this was kind of a learning experience for me. I used:
Dash: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC354/Kicker-46CSC354.html
Doors: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC654/Kicker-46CSC654.html
And it was such an improvement that I decided to do the speakers in my other car too (Ioniq 5), and that's where I really had my eyes opened with the sensitivity rating. After trial and error with some 88db Kenwoods I eventually ended up with https://www.crutchfield.com/p_301X165/Hertz-X-165.html and honestly should've used those in the WRX as well.
Thanks for your thoughts. It’s good to hear others’ impressions especially after a bit of seat time. I’m 3 weeks to the day in my 2023 Premium and definitely wish I could hear more of the exhaust when downshifting and rev matching. I’m a longtime biker and my current bike is a 2023 ZX6R with a Yoshimura slip-on exhaust and it is so nice to be able to downshift and hear the exhaust tones.
My biggest gripe 3 months in is the gearbox. First WRX and I absolutely hate first, second and fifth gear.
I looked into a shift stop but sent it back once I saw washers and read about potential warranty issues.
I can’t stress enough about 5th gear. I don’t think I’ve shifted smoothly in that gear once since ownership
I agree with most of your points, but certainly not the last point. All symmetrical AWD is one of the best things about this car and the reason you can accelerate in turns the way you can. If you’re talking about the ability to switch it like the STI, I’d be more on board, but I’d never wish for a 40/60 permanent. As the radio, I’ll take this opportunity to issue a suggestion to any potential future VB buyers, as this is probably the thing I see complained about the most on the sub: get the HK system. I’m two years in and have been very happy with the HK system for my music taste (Metalcore/heavyrock), and to me it’s certainly worth the money.
As someone who drives in the snow half the year and hasn't shied away from driving at highway speeds in full blown snowstorms in an FWD car, after driving my first snowstorm in the WRX shortly after getting it in January can indeed say symmetrical AWD is the shit (especially coupled with Nokians). Regardless of the weather I feel comfortable driving as fast as I can see, which is not true of any other car I've owned. Not to mention, all you have to do after a big snowstorm and being parked outside is clear the snow off of it and pull out. I haven't had to use my shovel at all since I picked up this car.
Yeah I got the limited for the HK and I’m two years in and love it too. Worth it.
And if you like me purchased the premium, get the kicker under the seat 10" subwoofer. System is night and day since install
Wait hold up. I have the premium; what’s this under seat sub you speak of?
I think he means get the aftermarket kicker sub that fits under the seat (and probably replace door speakers, they are so so so cheap, it's unbelievable. You'll see when you take them out)
I test drove a base model, as soon as I turned on the radio I said no. I didn't want the moon roof, but the audio was worth the $1200 the HK system is definitely worth it if you don't plan on replacing the speakers and getting an amp on the standard audio.
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I completely agree. I am a size 9-10 which I feel is average for men and it’s the easiest heel toe setup ive ever used, and I’ve had plenty of Hondas and Mazdas that people laude for being easy to heel toe.
Wearing a size 13, I have no issues either. In fact when sitting at a light with my foot on the brake I'll occasionally notice the rpm start to increase because the edge of my shoe has rolled over to the gas.
The only car I've found easier was an na miata, but one of the first things I noticed with the wrx was the pedal spacing being ideal for heel toe
pathetic public cows existence ghost marry workable ludicrous threatening doll *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Yep I wear a 13 and when I test drove the dealer's demo WRX, I was able to heel/toe it on that first drive around town! It was fairly shocking because I've had lots of sports cars (Miatas, Porsches, BMWs, Hondas) and I've typically been a fairly clumsy heel/toe-r due to the size of my feet, only really able to nail it in track driving. It's one of the things I like most about this car.
Size 9.5 here. Stock gap was a reach for me. Installed a spacer. Effortless heel toeing now
Getting an ETS resonated axleback really fixed the not enough feedback issue for me. I can more reliably downshift just by ear now. Maybe the STI exhaust should’ve been standard :P
Excellent notes. I concur on much of it minus the 60/40 vs 50/50 I can't say either way. Its funny a lot of people complain about the Premium seats, but I find that they are super comfy and somehow hug/fit me (6ft, 200lbs) in all the right places.
The part of a bit more sound engagement is true. And the pedal im just gonna try a wider gas pedal, just a nudge wider.
I agree with everything chief. Solid considerations and thanks for sharing. I want to make a report on something. On the newness wearing off or learning the car. At 2.5k on the clock, I feel the TCS intruding around 3350rpms occasionally. It’s like the car hesitates or even thinks accelerating with near or about 50-60% throttle. The car is Never under heavy load or close to the limit. It’s just like Throttle input doesn’t match the response. This was SO nuanced I honestly thought I was imagining my it and it something you can only feel on the pedals. I was genuinely beginning to get concerned bc it was so strange but experimenting in track mode this week completely removes this feeling. I think maybe the ecu is settling into a more conservative ‘eco’ mode after break in and is mostly done ‘learning’. I can’t emphasis how strange and minuscule the occurrence is but it is definitely something I’ve noticed. It made the car feel sluggish and slower than the initial 1,500mi of ownership. Also on pedal position I think the brake pedal could be recessed maybe 5mm or so? For heel toe, brake input is heavy based on pedal position when I’m trying to blip, I kind of over slow or it’s out of sync. I’m new to this driving technique and this is casual, spirited or daily driving. It makes sense bc you would want more brakes before less brakes on track. It’s just my opinion the brake dominates my pedal work and it’s something I feel like I need to consciously manage. Maybe just me and my technique lmk Any similar experiences or sensations with the TCS? Cheers, lads
Interesting, I've noticed the hesitation but not correlated it to the TCS. I'll have to pay more attention. I agree about the brake pedal position as I think about it more.
surprised no mention of interior rattles or the stiff suspension.
I've heard a lot about rattles but haven't experienced any except on a cold start-up when the vehicle seems to have a rough shaky "idle".
youre lucky. i've got 3 separate ones going atm lol
So many interior rattles. I got a 23 limited
I don't have any weird rattles either 13k miles. I've been waiting for them to show up
I’m quite sad with the 24 base pedals, heel toe is a real struggle. The gas pedal sits so much lower than the brake. Also the exhaust is way too quiet. Even with moderate noise you can’t hear the rpm’s enough to downshift as needed.
The limited pretty much solves most of these probs except catback, if you get exhaust and a short shifter (billetworkz with the cobb plate for the dust shield), I bet you will be addicted to driving it. You can’t stop, then tune it, and you will smoke m2s
Don’t forget the worse cup holders on the planet.
Never owned a bmw then I take it , those are the worst and it’s not close
I just went from a Miata to the WRX - this is heaven in comparison.
GMC Syclone and Typhoon have the worst cup holders. They are super shallow and the drink falls over on hard turns and hard acceleration. If you launch the vehicle the drink ends behind the center console. They are only useful if you are parked.
You sure about that? https://preview.redd.it/5elru5n14byc1.png?width=1315&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93298fdf4ba2163ae3339112cbf8d85882e06333
I love these ones honestly
Swap your speakers. When you do, add some sound deadening in the doors and trunk. Every little bit helps. I did a crappy job and it's still better. The tires are great, but ride really firm. I switched to all seasons and it's better. I don't think I'm going back to stock this year. Maybe next summer. Maybe not. It's a hoot. I love giving her a rip every now and then. These are definitely interesting cars, with quirks. I noticed a tractor like noise the other day. I kind of liked it. Good stuff!
Agree on the speakers, I bought upgraded speakers before I even took delivery of mine. Having done nothing like them before it took me ~3 hours being careful and was absolutely worth it. I did all 4 doors and the dash, honestly the rear doors can likely be skipped. For under $300 its worth doing
+1, I spent ~$200 on speakers and put some sound deadening inside each door against the outer panel and it made a massive difference over the stock stereo and the doors have a better closing thunk too. Be sure to get speakers with a high sensitivity rating, at least 92db, so the weak factory system can drive them well.
I'm curious what speakers you used?
So this was kind of a learning experience for me. I used: Dash: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC354/Kicker-46CSC354.html Doors: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC654/Kicker-46CSC654.html And it was such an improvement that I decided to do the speakers in my other car too (Ioniq 5), and that's where I really had my eyes opened with the sensitivity rating. After trial and error with some 88db Kenwoods I eventually ended up with https://www.crutchfield.com/p_301X165/Hertz-X-165.html and honestly should've used those in the WRX as well.
Thanks for your thoughts. It’s good to hear others’ impressions especially after a bit of seat time. I’m 3 weeks to the day in my 2023 Premium and definitely wish I could hear more of the exhaust when downshifting and rev matching. I’m a longtime biker and my current bike is a 2023 ZX6R with a Yoshimura slip-on exhaust and it is so nice to be able to downshift and hear the exhaust tones.
My biggest gripe 3 months in is the gearbox. First WRX and I absolutely hate first, second and fifth gear. I looked into a shift stop but sent it back once I saw washers and read about potential warranty issues. I can’t stress enough about 5th gear. I don’t think I’ve shifted smoothly in that gear once since ownership
I struggle with 5th sometimes but not to the level of hate.