Save up to 50% on HP Products
The upshot of all these sound options is very good audio quality. More speakers and a pumped-up subwoofer might have done the complex settings more justice. Music sounded good through this system, but not spectacular. If we had spent a few days tweaking the equalizer settings, we might have got it more to our liking, but as it was, we didn't hear highs or bass that really stood out.
Because not all the specifications on the 2008 Subaru WRX are out, we're not sure if Bluetooth cell phone integration will be offered. If it is, it will most likely be a dealer accessory.
Under the hood
Along with its international rally success, the WRX became popular as an affordable sports car. The 2008 WRX doesn't let the model down, but it isn't a great leap forward, either. The 2.5-liter intercooled and turbocharged four-cylinder engine is similar to the previous year's model, although peak 224 horsepower is reached sooner, at 2,800rpm. We were impressed by this engine's smooth power as the turbo wound up--we didn't feel a sudden turbo bump in the acceleration.
Handling is a big part of the WRX's repertoire, but we weren't all that impressed by the steering response. The wheel has some looseness about it, but the all-wheel-drive compensates well enough. In our hard cornering, we never felt the tires break free, although we did feel the car drift a little. We were disturbed a bit by the body roll we felt in the corners. The WRX could use a little more reinforcement in that area.
In sum
The base price for a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX with the satellite radio and navigation package is $28,450. A $645 destination charge brings that total up to $29,095. For less than 30 grand you're getting a sporty little car that works well as an everyday driver, except for its mediocre fuel economy. We are eager to see the STi version of this car, which might patch up some of the performance issues we found, such as body roll. Of course, we are also looking forward to seeing the next generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, which uses a double-clutch transmission, something that could put it way ahead of the WRX STi.
For a little more money, Subaru competes with itself with the Legacy Spec.B, an all-wheel-drive car that offers Subaru's SI drive system. For about half the money, you could also get the all-wheel-drive Suzuki SX4, although you should wait to see how well it does in World Rally Car competition.
User reviews
- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 10 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
