any thoughts/ideas?

[EllenK76]

I have a Sub 2003 WRX and have recently encountered this problem. Took it to the Sub dealership in CA, hey had no clue what I was talking about. Told me to replace all my tires which I have done. Still the problem exists.

I'll do my best in explaining... i duno how else to describe it...

but...

when i'm in first gear, and i start to accelerate, it just goes very sluggishly. it kinda sounds like the car isn't fully in gear, and it makes a noise like it's trying really hard. it's like the turbo doesn't kick in.

once i get to second gear, it's better, but still slow.

third, fourth, and fifth gear are fine... except...

at around 50 mph and 80 mph, the car is very shakey. like i'm going over a really bumpy road, but i'm not.

also, in first gear, when i do try to accelerate, the speedometer travels like the RPM dial. not at the exact same numbers, but it will jump up to 40 mph or something, and then when i release the clutch, it'll drop down to 20.

this probably doesn't make sense to you. i can't describe it any other way!

[freakray]

Sorry your thread was missed initially, you posted in a pretty dead area of the forums.

I don't see what the tires would have to do with your problems, but it sounds like the Subaru dealership you went to didn't have a clue.

Did you try another dealership?

[LjasonL]

Clutch starting to slip maybe?

[SabreKhan]

We are, of course, assuming that this is not just turbo lag...

Edit: Missed the part about the shaking. An out-of-balance tire or wheel would cause the shaking. Warped rotors can do it, too, but you have to be at a harmonic with the half-shafts (if it's only at 50 and 80, that might be the case, though).