wrxtunerd's Review of the 2008 WRX 5 Door Hatchback with PICTURES!
08-17-2007, 06:26 PM
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Car Info: 2017 CWP WRX & 2007 SWP WRX
wrxtunerd's Review of the 2008 WRX 5 Door Hatchback with PICTURES!
Alright guys, just got back from a few dealerships in the Bay Area and am ready to post my review of the 2008 WRX Hatch!
The car:
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 5 Door Hatchback
Color: Dark Grey Metallic
Transmission: 5MT
Options: Sport Grille
First Impressions:
-It looked impressive in person in comparison to the photos, which don't really do it justice.
-The Sports Grille options SAVES the front end for sure.
-WTF Subaru?! BACK TO 2/1 POT BRAKES!?!?
-More cabin room and definitely built with comfort and function in mind (i.e. the extendable armrest and rear cup holders in the doors).
The Drive:
*We got to test drive it out on a windy back road, so its a legitimate handling review*
-Definately quick to boost in comparison to my 07 WRX.
-VERY smooth, especially for the double wishbone suspension!
-It tucks in the turns and has little to no recoil from the rear, the body roll present in the GD's does not seem present in the 08 and understeer didn't seem to be an inherent problem... we were actually sensing a hint of oversteer...
-Taking off the traction control will get you squealing lol, but when it's on you can't really tell the difference between the LSD.
The Conclusion:
*The Goods*
-DGM is my new favorite Subaru OEM Color.
-Faster to full torque and horsepower comes quick.
-The double wishbone suspension HANDLES... and VERY smoothly.
-The Sport Grille option FTW!
-The Nav is off the HOOK! (It was in another WRX we sat in, not this hatch)
-The rear diffuser is sick.
-The gauge cluster and open ceremony are the best part about the interior.
-ALL BLACK interior, no 06-07 two tone.
-Plastic Intake manifold.
-Side skirts and rear spats are tight.
*The Neutral*
-Heated windshield wiper rests on the window. (look weird and the wipers are above the hood)
-Big *** mirrors... WRC boxy looking mirrors?!
-Heated Seats
-Smog Emissions pump is even bigger than the 06-07's.
-Relocated MAF.
*The Bads*
-WTF Subaru.... 2pots??1pots?? That was 02-05... should have been 4/2s like the 06-07.
-The turbo and intercooler are not looking mod friendly, people are going to need front mounts if they upgrade their turbo, otherwise they can only increase the thickness of the intercooler, this is because their is little to no room by the stock intercooler.
-Crowded SUV looking steering wheel.
-Shifter Bushings felt soft.
Pictures:
The car:
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 5 Door Hatchback
Color: Dark Grey Metallic
Transmission: 5MT
Options: Sport Grille
First Impressions:
-It looked impressive in person in comparison to the photos, which don't really do it justice.
-The Sports Grille options SAVES the front end for sure.
-WTF Subaru?! BACK TO 2/1 POT BRAKES!?!?
-More cabin room and definitely built with comfort and function in mind (i.e. the extendable armrest and rear cup holders in the doors).
The Drive:
*We got to test drive it out on a windy back road, so its a legitimate handling review*
-Definately quick to boost in comparison to my 07 WRX.
-VERY smooth, especially for the double wishbone suspension!
-It tucks in the turns and has little to no recoil from the rear, the body roll present in the GD's does not seem present in the 08 and understeer didn't seem to be an inherent problem... we were actually sensing a hint of oversteer...
-Taking off the traction control will get you squealing lol, but when it's on you can't really tell the difference between the LSD.
The Conclusion:
*The Goods*
-DGM is my new favorite Subaru OEM Color.
-Faster to full torque and horsepower comes quick.
-The double wishbone suspension HANDLES... and VERY smoothly.
-The Sport Grille option FTW!
-The Nav is off the HOOK! (It was in another WRX we sat in, not this hatch)
-The rear diffuser is sick.
-The gauge cluster and open ceremony are the best part about the interior.
-ALL BLACK interior, no 06-07 two tone.
-Plastic Intake manifold.
-Side skirts and rear spats are tight.
*The Neutral*
-Heated windshield wiper rests on the window. (look weird and the wipers are above the hood)
-Big *** mirrors... WRC boxy looking mirrors?!
-Heated Seats
-Smog Emissions pump is even bigger than the 06-07's.
-Relocated MAF.
*The Bads*
-WTF Subaru.... 2pots??1pots?? That was 02-05... should have been 4/2s like the 06-07.
-The turbo and intercooler are not looking mod friendly, people are going to need front mounts if they upgrade their turbo, otherwise they can only increase the thickness of the intercooler, this is because their is little to no room by the stock intercooler.
-Crowded SUV looking steering wheel.
-Shifter Bushings felt soft.
Pictures:
08-19-2007, 09:26 PM
#4
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: tucson,az
Posts: 130
Car Info: 07 subaru wrx
Nice,well thought out review,thank you much, well done. My only comment is that no one seems to have noticed (in the same vein as the brakes) that they have also downgraded the tires.If the spec sheets are correct the tires are now 205/50/17's. Worse yet they still list them as RE92's. This means anybody who cares is going to have to spend $400 to $1000 bucks on new tires.I only made 1900 miles on my 07 wrx before switching to Michelin pilot sport PS2's. They made a huge difference but were $900 + installed.
08-23-2007, 10:57 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Cali
Posts: 81
Car Info: 2007 WRX
Which dealership did you go to? i saw you, wrxtunerd, are from the bay...i got my car from livermore and im going back sometime soon for a few things, but i wanna wait til they have the 08's so i can see and test drive...
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