Bay Area Dirt Roads
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
Real "Off-roading" will make very short work of a WRX, but they are incredibly capable on surfaces other than pavement.
Most of the rest of the world has a lot of road surfaces that aren't yet paved, all kinds of cars and trucks drive "off pavement" all the time, but we have very few opportunities for that around here.
Most of the damaged WRX's I've seen have been due to drivers exceeding their skills on pavement, a few have been aggravated by a little loose gravel or dirt on the surface, but driving on real gravel, dirt, ice, or snow can give you a whole 'nother level of appreciation for "the beauty of all wheel drive", and since speeds are generally not as high, the consequenses of a minor mistake can be less greivous, but going "off" is going to hurt at least your wallet- in any case .
My stock WRX now has 112,700 miles, with probably 10% of that being off pavement
I've replaced both bumpers due to collisions involving other cars, one on pavement, one off, and the only significant other damage I've really done was going sideways into an ice berm on the MacKenzie River last month.
My other car is an (even more thrashed out) Audi 4000.
But if you really want to go OFF roading, I'd suggest getting a truck or a baja bug.
Most of the rest of the world has a lot of road surfaces that aren't yet paved, all kinds of cars and trucks drive "off pavement" all the time, but we have very few opportunities for that around here.
Most of the damaged WRX's I've seen have been due to drivers exceeding their skills on pavement, a few have been aggravated by a little loose gravel or dirt on the surface, but driving on real gravel, dirt, ice, or snow can give you a whole 'nother level of appreciation for "the beauty of all wheel drive", and since speeds are generally not as high, the consequenses of a minor mistake can be less greivous, but going "off" is going to hurt at least your wallet- in any case .
My stock WRX now has 112,700 miles, with probably 10% of that being off pavement
I've replaced both bumpers due to collisions involving other cars, one on pavement, one off, and the only significant other damage I've really done was going sideways into an ice berm on the MacKenzie River last month.
My other car is an (even more thrashed out) Audi 4000.
But if you really want to go OFF roading, I'd suggest getting a truck or a baja bug.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I've found my WRX is very fun on dirt, there's a whole nother side to these cars that pavement bound folks may never know.
The only damage I've suffered off-pavement is cutting tire sidewalls (done this in both our subies). Street tires (especially ol'RE92s) just don't have the stuff to fend off sharp rocks. The solution (for me) is rally tires. I got cheap ($40cdn) used gravel tires. They have awesome grip and are great for my needs. The catch is finding 15in wheels that fit over the stock brakes and that don't break your bank account.
psoper brings words of wisdom.
-Take the rally school course at Thunder Hill
-Partcipate in one of his rallies (I am planning on this)
The only damage I've suffered off-pavement is cutting tire sidewalls (done this in both our subies). Street tires (especially ol'RE92s) just don't have the stuff to fend off sharp rocks. The solution (for me) is rally tires. I got cheap ($40cdn) used gravel tires. They have awesome grip and are great for my needs. The catch is finding 15in wheels that fit over the stock brakes and that don't break your bank account.
psoper brings words of wisdom.
-Take the rally school course at Thunder Hill
-Partcipate in one of his rallies (I am planning on this)
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 114
From: SF Bay Area
I realize real "OFF roading" will kill my car, but I am thinking about going to Carnegie one of these days to play in the dirt - actually thinking of doing that and then going to that airport these people are talking about.
anyway, I just wanted some opinions regarding the abuse of offroading and the wear on my car before I do it.
I will check to see next time they do a rally event, I would love to come down and learn from some of you guys...
anyway, I just wanted some opinions regarding the abuse of offroading and the wear on my car before I do it.
I will check to see next time they do a rally event, I would love to come down and learn from some of you guys...
VIP Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,219
From: out on the twisties
Car Info: WRB WRX 2003 Subaru Sedan
I'll give you all one real fun one to play and learn on. It's a mid. travelled dirt / gravel road on the weekends and almost nothing during the week. It's called Mesa Rd in Bolinas (Marin Co. Cal) just but 5 miles north of Stinson Beach. It goes out to Sculptured Beach / Abalone Point. It's wide and smooth a good place to practise your first time. Look Bolinas up on Map Quest maybe it'll come up (zip code 94924.
It's not very challanging but it'll let you do some drifting around corners. Only about 4 miles in length tops then it's a dead end. Turn around and run it back.
-rich
It's not very challanging but it'll let you do some drifting around corners. Only about 4 miles in length tops then it's a dead end. Turn around and run it back.
-rich
Last edited by bushido; Mar 13, 2004 at 11:09 AM.
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