2006 Impreza WRX

I see Subaru have put the 2.5 in the WRX for 2006, what a refreshing change :grinyes:

They haven't made any significant power increase though, rating it at 230hp as opposed to the 227hp we were being given by the 2.0 engine.

Regardless, it just creates that much more potential for the WRX and improves the aftermarket for both the WRX, RS and STI simultaneously.

I'll be at the dealership test driving my 2006 wagon..... :evillol:

id say there is a downside too. even though it has more build potential im sure it gets worse mileage.

I'm sure it does get worse mileage than the 2.0 engine, but as long as it's getting better mileage than a gas-sucking V6 or V8 American cars require for the same power gains, who's crying?

That .5 litre is a 25% increase in litres. Since stock 2.5 (165 lb-torque) has more torque than a stock 2.0 non-turbo, then you need less PSI to get a 2.5 upto 235 lb torque. So what does that mean? More reliability, I believe. And maybe subaru also saved some money doing it since the 2.0 engine was mostly in the WRX non sti line and because they can install a cheaper turbo, I think.
06: Manual: 20/26 mpg
Automatic: 21/26 mpg (huh?)

05: 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 19 / 26 mpg
5-Speed Manual Overdrive 20 / 27 mpg

So it averages out the same.

Yes, the torque did go up 18 lb-ft to 235, but there have been some other minor changes to note:

1) Bling Bling RED calipers
2) 17-inch wheeels
3) shorter-throw shifter
4) quicker steering ratio

they're also offering heated leather seat option. I'm still not sure if I like the new "nose".

source: October issue Car and Driver

Actually, having seen one in person and seen it aside a 2005, I can't believe I'm saying it buy I prefer the 2006.

As for the fuel mileage, not too worried about that as long as it's better than the 19mpg I'm getting right now with my truck.

I own a 95 honda accord ex v6. The EPA was 19/25. But it is 10 years old w/ 110k miles and seems to guzzle gas.
I'm in my third year of college now. I put 25g i saved in one year CD in May.
I'm really interested in buying a new base Impreza someday when I find a job.
I have like two newbie question.
I never drove a manual but I know how it works from racing sims, and reading online.
I was wondering If I just bought a manual from a dealer, would I be able to drive it?
Another newbie question is even though EPA shows like 20/27 for manual, can you get much more than that if you shift at lwer rpm? Or did the EPA guy already do that?

I own a 95 honda accord ex v6. The EPA was 19/25. But it is 10 years old w/ 110k miles and seems to guzzle gas.
I'm in my third year of college now. I put 25g i saved in one year CD in May.
I'm really interested in buying a new base Impreza someday when I find a job.
I have like two newbie question.
I never drove a manual but I know how it works from racing sims, and reading online.
I was wondering If I just bought a manual from a dealer, would I be able to drive it?
Another newbie question is even though EPA shows like 20/27 for manual, can you get much more than that if you shift at lwer rpm? Or did the EPA guy already do that?

itd probably be better to learn manual on a beater car. If you got a new Subaru, itd be an easy car to learn how to drive stick on but you might mess the car up in the process.

That is a good idea, it's just damn stick lessons are so expensive here like 100$ for an hour. I just need to find someone I guess.

It's not that hard to learn to drive a stick. Just spend a few hours in an empty parking lot and learn how to start rolling without stalling--that's about the only really important thing. When you're up and running, shifting is not a problem. It would be preferrable to learn on a beater car, but if you can't, just go ahead and get a standard anyway. I can definitely say that you will regret getting an AUTO after about a week. Also, if you have 25G saved up, just go buy a WRX instead of a base impreza. You'll regret buying a base model, really. ----manual tx WRX------ that's the only way to go.

That is a good idea, it's just damn stick lessons are so expensive here like 100$ for an hour. I just need to find someone I guess.

yeah preferably a beater car. like i said.....the subaru would be easy to learn on but the WRX's transmission is like glass...and expensive to fix.

....but the WRX's transmission is like glass....

Really? Are you sure?

Or do you spend all your time spreading misinformation?

Really? Are you sure?

Or do you spend all your time spreading misinformation?

I think he means because people tried to rice burn their tires on an AWD car, they ruined their tranny not knowing all the torque goes on the tranny because you can't rice burn your tires on an AWD car.

Does anyone have tips on the ideal rev range to be driving a WRX to have a nice trade-off between performance and fuel?

I know anything below 2500rpm feels like i'm driving a truck, especially in higher gears. So currently I drive between 2500-3500rpm.

Does anyone have tips on the ideal rev range to be driving a WRX to have a nice trade-off between performance and fuel?

I know anything below 2500rpm feels like i'm driving a truck, especially in higher gears. So currently I drive between 2500-3500rpm.

You're already drving in the best range if you're running where you say, if you were looking to optimise the boost though, you'd want to be running 3500rpm up.

I think he means because people tried to rice burn their tires on an AWD car, they ruined their tranny not knowing all the torque goes on the tranny because you can't rice burn your tires on an AWD car.

In which case he would be better staying out of the Subaru forums and wasting staying in the street racing forum.

I think he means because people tried to rice burn their tires on an AWD car, they ruined their tranny not knowing all the torque goes on the tranny because you can't rice burn your tires on an AWD car.

wait hold on.....

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/358896PANCAKEBUNNY.jpg


oh yeah ray....about the tranny. i have a friend who has a stage 2 cobb wrx. For some reason the car needed well over $1000 of transmission work. It is an '02 WRB WRX w/ only 45K on the odometer. My buddy said that he hears many cases of the synchos going out after <50K. he tells me that the Subaru tranny doesnt hold up like a Honda's when being beat on.
His case isnt the first ive heard. All the people at the local auto-x i go to talk shit about the WRX's trans. I dont know why. I personally think that the smoothness and daily drivability of the WRX are unsurpassed by anything in its class.
I guess if the 'bru is stock there really shouldnt be problems. They are reliable cars and easy as hell to drive.

However, how can one explain numerous known cases in which transmissions failed or nearly failed on stock WRXs?

Based on my personal research, observations and first hand experience with a broken transmission, I concluded that 5MT transmissions fail due to case weakness-related flex.
See, when the weak case flexes for whatever reason (hard launch, extreme power, loose/stretching case bolts or simply manufacturing defect), the not-so-strong helical cut gears get out of their “alignment” with the mating gears, which causes premature excessive wear that leads to eventual or instant failure. Many popular gear upgrades address these issues by simply making the gears straight-cut, strong and big enough to be able to withstand that flex. In some cases, even the upgraded gears fail. Why? Because the case flex is still there. Not only that, but regardless of what the advocates say, they are not meant for the street. They make noise, they are hard to drive and they are expensive.

I've heard the case flex theory before, I wonder how one would go about fixing that? Weld supports around the outside?

Hmm...I did not know Hondas are AWD. Again, no room for that kind of funny business cause all the pressure goes on the tranny.
Hondas are not AWD, so I don't think you can compare them.
I don't think it's worth it for Subaru to put in an expensive tranny because some people want to mod their cars and rice burn their tires.
If you have enough money to spend on all those mods to street race, they can install a better tranny.

I think that it's ludicrous to compare transmission durability between FWD Hondas and AWD Subarus.

I would bet that Suby Transmission would have no problem if it were FWD or RWD. For the vast majority of us, it doesn't even cause problems in AWD. Problem is the Ricer behind the wheel .

I've heard the case flex theory before, I wonder how one would go about fixing that? Weld supports around the outside?

you fix it by having the mad $$$$$ it takes to buy the STi tranny. its proven itself worthy under stress.

Hey Nater, thought I warned you before about being non-contributing, now you've totally lead this thread off topic, you can stop!

sorry

sorry

oooh owned.

Heed to the scooby doo MOD! :iceslolan

yeah this thread is done.

Yay, free warnings all around.

Next thread I close because either of you two and there'll be free vacations too :smokin: