A lot of the reviews say it is not quite as fun as older models. l was wondering how you think the acceleration and handling compare to older models with the 2.0L and 2.5L engines.

l also think if l bought it l would go ahead and get the ECU re-mapping from Vishnu Tuning that claims to add 45-50 flywheel hp for $750. What do you think of doing that instead of shelling out the money for an STI? (It would be a daily driver, no racing or anything)

Any other general comments on the model would be appreciated as well.
l do not like the 08 Mustang, and do not want a 2 door. The Focus is too wimpy. Nice car though.
l do not want an Evo either.
l could buy 3 WRX is for the price of one GTR.

Seriously people, l do not care what OTHER cars you like, give me input about the WRX or move on.

Dont waste your money... Buy an 08 Mustang GT or an 08 Focus Coupe SES!

l am not sure about the comparison between newer and older variants of the WRX but l saw this article doing a similar comparison on the Mitsubishi Evo. The 2006 model looks like a very good buy!

l would buy a crappy car and then save up and wait for the nissan GTR in 2009, that thing is sick

the accelerating & the handling have both improved, the new wrx has a better suspension & has a liltle more hp & torque (at lower rpm's) than the older versions it also has more room, when l drove it l felt the stiffness of the suspension,(the wrx & sti r not known for their comfort when taking turns after all they r designed with a sports suspension when u go over bumps u ARE goin to feel them)
what l would do is buy a base impreza for $16999 have fun with it until the sti comes out(300 hp & torque AWD!!!!!!) take out the engine & the transmission form the impreza, sell it, buy a sti engine & transmission & put it in the impreza u would have a sleeper sti for less than the prize of the sti! sti costs $35000+ impreza $17000 you'd have $18000 to put in ur car! i'd seriously do it if l had money

l test drove an '08 WRX 2 weeks ago when shopping for a new car & l also test drove a 2002 WRX (2.0) when they were new. Here is what l found:

The new '08 is r definitely more refined & generally quieter in every way. Some people may like that better, but l actually liked the more visceral & ''raw'' feel of the '02. You could hear the boxer-4 much better in the '02 when u wound it up. The interior of the '02 was a joke though - it looked old & outdated when it was new. The '08 is interior is much better, but still nothing to brag about IMO.

The 2.0 WRX also had much more turbo lag than the 2.5. The 2.0 really did not make much power until 3000-3500rpm. The 2.5 l drove seemed to start making power around 2200-2500rpm or so.

Among some of the other cars l test drove was a Mazdaspeed3. While the Mazda was only front-wheel-drive, the 2.3 DIS l turbo 4cyl in that thing made the new 2.5 in the WRX feel underpowered & outdated. There was really no noticeable turbo lag in the Mazda at all & it ran like a scalded dog when u got on it. Unless u did a driveline destroying 5000rpm launch in the Subaru, the Mazda was easily the faster of the two. Unless ur heart is set on an AWD car, u might want to take a look at a Speed3 too.

l wouldnt buy an 08 l would wait at least till the 09 is come out they have been completely redesigned and its not really that good to get a completely redesigned car the first year it comes out but l heard it is good and fast

l had three of them 2 years ago

l bought an 08 WRX about six weeks ago & have done 5000 kms (3000 miles). l live in Australia - one of the toughest testing grounds on earth! I've owned a bug-eye MY02 & a MY03 that the insurance company gave me when the bug-eye had a tree fall on it!

The MY08 is superb. It is gutsier than any of the two litre versions. It has miles better handling, it is smoother & more refined but has more turbo-whine & a much throatier exhaust than the other two (in standard form). It feels good, superb, to drive & gets a good rex roar up at about 4000rpm.

It takes 65 kmh (40mph) bends at 165 (105mph) & does not blink. Is it as much fun? If u think the wheel shuddering in ur hand & the front diving into a corner is fun, buy a 1970 Mustang.

Style . well it does not quite do it for me as much as the 03 which l think is the best shape ever in the Rex . but it is growing on me. ( l think the earlier ones looked like 1960 is Corollas)

Oh & nowhere near the turbo lag of the previous models. The torque is such that u can overtake from 2500 rpm in fifth up a hill & you're doing 220 kmh before u look back down. Braking, well carry a spatula so u can peel ur eyeballs back off the windshield!

Issues - the hatch rattles & the windscreen creaks. I've been getting a slight miss/surge problem at 3000 revs but it is in for its first service & the guy reckons he knows exactly what that is.

Hatchback. well.
As u have stated u r not into racing, then it is the car for you. Subaru tried to make '08 more comfortable thus, the double wishbone suspension at the rear & managed to have more leg space in the process too. It does accelerate faster but we r talking here of +/-0.09 seconds alas fades in the quarter mile again we r talking here of negligible microseconds. If u have the money go for the STI. Not as comfortable though. And forget about the 2.0L it will not suit you.