2009 Subaru WRX 265

The views below do not reflect those of the owner’s blog, but from another user and deals with the 2010 WRX Limited Edition, available in Canada

The 3rd generation WRX, the most hated and loved WRX to date.

When the 2008 model was released people were bashing the performance, looks, and engineering of the vehicle.

2008 Impreza WRX 5 door

It had the same power as the years before and adopted a Toyota look to it, remebiscent of a new Corolla. The drive didn’t feel like a WRX because it distanced the driver from the vehicle with increased sound dampening, softer spring rate, and a new look not everyone liked (especially the Chevrolet style grille)

When the MY09 was released Subaru tried to shush it’s haters by adding and extra 41 hp to the car, updated grille, lighter clutch, and 43% stiffer suspension. Although it looked great on paper, a few hundred owners came back complaining after the engine spun a bearing during/after the break in period. This repair required a new engine block and turbo equaling $7000 in loses for each car that required this service.

Post September 08 build date engine failures became rare, and the 09 started selling like hotcakes.

I myself had been waiting for a WRX 265 since May and the dealership couldn’t even find me one.

So I picked up a 2010 WRX Limited Sedan in World Rally Blue and had to wait a month for it.

First of all the main difference is the leather interior (which surprised my friends at the Mercedes dealership) is only available in Canada. The seats are extremely comfortable and soft. You could definately drive this car for hours without getting sore. The leather is smooth and compliments the rest of the car with red stitching as seen on the wheel.

The sound system has been upgraded from the base model to include an in dash 6cd changer, Sirius satellite radio, better component speakers than the 09, Usb, iPod and iPhone connectivity/charging with auxillary input as well. The factory equalizer setting leaves little to be desired but after some fine tuning the car actually sounds decent and just needs a sub to fill out the lows. It also has steering wheel controls allowing you to change songs and satellite/fm stations, or muting the system completely. My only gripe and I’m not sure if it’s the iPhone Os 3.0 update or the car, but when someone calls you can’t hear them with the car speakers, while my old Pioneer deck allowed that.

Along with this it includes a slightly updated sideskirts and a sunroof

From reading opinions online about the 09 it sure looks like Subaru has listened to its haters, and put out a car that has the enthusiast in mind.

When you step into the car, the first thing you’ll notice is the glowing gauges, a sign the car is ready, almost as if it has a soul and waits for your command.

The clutch is softer than most sports cars I’ve driven which has it’s adantaves and disadvantages. The catching point is very feint but the soft clutch allows easier and smoother shifts for daily use.

The power is amazing. First gear shoots you into the seat after 3000rpm with minimal lag and no surging, shifting into 2nd gets you that sigh of relief to breathe and once you hit the throttle again it takes your breath away. Car and Driver rates this car at 4.7 seconds for 0-60mph with a 13.5 sec 1/4 mile; similar performance as an STI in a straight line.

After owning this car for just over a week I noticed very few issues. One of them being that there was dry coolant near the rad cap, while it could have been spillage from filling it, I think it was from me showing my fiancé how to drive the car and getting out of first gear for an hour which could have been very stressfull of the car since it wasn’t getting any airflow to cool it down. Always monitor the coolant temp, the gauges are a good way but if you start to see heatwaves coming from your engine bay (evaporating coolant) while you are at a stop light shut it off and let the car cool down before driving it again.

I haven’t been able to reproduce this issue so it looks like the car is working normally again and the fiancé is able to drive better than I can now.

Winter is coming soon so we will see how the care fares with Manitoba winters (6 months of ice and snow with sub -40C). I’m picking up snow tires and steel wheels tomorrow because we will have snow by October.

-Eric Orbeta II