I've had my '04 WRX for less than a week and everything seems almost perfect. However, I have two concerns. First, it seems my clutch is fully engaging a bit high. By the time it engages, the clutch pedal is basically all the way up. Is this normal, especially with regard to the '04's? If not, is there a way for the dealer to adjust the clutch? I used to adjust my previous car's clutch myself, but I am not touching the WRX since it is under warranty. I test drove an '02 WRX a year or so ago, and I know the clutch engaged much lower. The '04's I tested prior to buying mine seemed to engage slightly lower as well. Second, and much less important, the parking brake doesn't engage unless it is all the way up and can't go any further. This really isn't a problem, but I'm wondering if this is normal also. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide. It is much appreciated.

 

Thanks for the reply, Zoso. Most of the interior is changed in the '04's, including the seats as you said (not sure if they are similar to the '03 seats). I love the new seats. They are extremely supportive and look awesome. I can't comment on a comparison between the '02 and '04 seats because I only test drove an '02 once. I can't honestly remember how the seats were. With regard to the parking brake, mine goes up extremely easy as well. It only engages once the lever reaches the very top. That worries me. All in all, my advice is to go with the '04. You'll love it.

 

Thanks for the reply, Dan. Mine engages higher than that; more like 3/4 of the way up from the floor. By the time it grabs completely and I'm fully moving in first gear, the clutch pedal is at the very top. I guess this is normal though. I'll get used to it.

 

I did both these things already, per the service manual. Clutch freeplay (if I am understanding correctly) should be about 1/2 an inch. The freeplay seems to be about right. I still wish the clutch engaged somewhat lower though. If what I've read is correct, you are unable to adjust a hydraulic clutch, so I guess there is nothing that can be done. My parking break engages after five clicks, so I am not concerned about that anymore. Thanks for the reply.

 

It's a pretty tight clutch. If you think the rex clutch has a short engagement, try driving an integra. The thing has about 2 inchees of actual engagement. Most performance orientated cars are like this. My friend who drives a jetta can hardly get my car rolling he stalls it so often. Whenever I drive his car I always burn his clutch up since it engages so slowly. Slow engagement = good for trucking around town, quick engagement = can be modulated more quickly and power applied more quickly while shifting gears.

 

Man, dont complain, drive my old 95 Impreza with a Cable clutch, its got about 3x the amount of movement of the WRX clutch and engages about 3/4's of the way up... Takes your whole leg to operate

As for the e-brake, yes you have to yank the crap out of that biatch to get it engaged. Dont feel bad about pulling it as hard as you can to engage it.

 

I drove a '93 SE-R for over four years. I am no stranger to cable driven clutches.