2009 Subaru WRX 265

April 11, 2009

6 Month Review – WRX 265 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 10:31 am

Where does the time go, it has been 6 month since I got my WRX 265, and I thought it will be fun to do a review. I was thinking, I will give this car a grade, you know how fancy car magazines say this car is an A or a B or a D. And so here is the grade a B+

The ride: A+

This car is fast, do not buy this car if you are in the market for a slow Sunday stroll, this car wants to go, and will go. I am shocked that I dont have more speeding tickets. The ride is tight, Subaru did an amazing job with this car. The seats are comfy, the handling is perfect, the AWD is also awesome. BUT again, the speed, man o man

Subaru: A -

Even though i had some issues, the dealership i deal with where great, I have to say that they treated me fairly and well. Except for that horrible survey they sent out, and there not so great road side assistance program. So far my dealing with Subaru has not been painful, and that is more that i can ask from any dealership

Interior: B-

Dont get me wrong, the car is nice, and they did and excellent job with the dash. But the car can use a few fixes. For example:

The sound system is sub par

The Mechanics: D+

That is expected, what can i say, a blown engine. I mean I wont give them such a bad mark if I was the only one, but i am not, there are a lot of people out there with bad engines, so something is off, and Subaru needs to fix it

Overall the car is great, a lot of fun, and real fast. Do I love it, YES. Would I buy it again, YES.

WRX owners, do you agree, was I fair in my assessment?

January 5, 2009

I got my car back – New Engine Installed

Filed under: Issues — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 7:33 pm

Here is the latest update.

First I have to say, that I received excellent service so far from Subaru. They gave me a car right away. And took care of things as much as they can. They where very help full at the dealership. So full marks for that.

Subaru called on Friday and said car is done. I asked for the cause, the person said that the engine was changed and that full analysis from Subaru Canada is not back. I asked him if I needed to do anything when I drove the car. No was the answer. I asked again, do I drive it any special way? No again was the answer. But He did ask me to bring it back at 1000 KM to check to make sure there are no leaks.

I went to the dealership, picked up the keys, chatted with a sales guy. Yea that is weird that this happened, I agreed, asked him if I should drive it any special way, Nope. Then I started chatting with the receptionist dude. Do i need to drive the car any special way? Oh Yes Yes, you have to break in the engine. OH…. How do I do that? well drive it at variable speed. for the first 1000 KM. That is it, yup that is it. Ok thanks. Back to the sales guy. Hey, the receptionist dude says I need to break in the car is that true? Oh yes you have to break in the engine. How do I do that? Well drive it at variable speed for 1000 KM.

It was like pulling teeth. Anyway, at least everyone seems to think the engine needs a break in for the first 1000 KM, which is not what is the manual. Manual says 1600 KM. But what does the manual know, I am going to do what they told me and go from there. Back in 1000 KM, gonna do a long trip this weekend, so that should get the 1000 KM in quick.

BTW, here is what was done on the car.

2009 WRX engine replacement work

2009 WRX engine replacement work

December 30, 2008

No News Yet.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 9:24 pm

I have not heard back from Subaru yet, Which is ok I guess given its the holidays. Board of driving the station wagon they gave me. Dont get me wrong its a nice car, but not exactly a WRX.

In any case, my story does not seem to be isolated, good feedback on youtube and where i posted the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cjXSNxfJfI and by email.

I also got several news groups linking to the blog and chatting about the problem and mentioning my story. Hope Subaru sorts this engine problem out soon.

Here are some of the other discussion online around this issue, lots others as well, wont list all

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680384

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1648372&page=12

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=246033&perpage=20&pagenumber=2

http://forums.evolutionm.net/2009-lancer-ralliart-general/389234-edmunds-ralliart-wrx-27.html

Will keep you posted

November 24, 2008

Recently Acquired a Silver WRX265 Sedan

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 6:06 pm

I got this email from Don Harold, and with his permission posting it on the blog, thanks Don for sending it in, great email.

Hi. I recently acquired a silver wrx265 sedan. I previously owned a ’04 wrx wagon and a ’05 legacy gt (5sp turbo), so I am familiar with Subarus. I did not have much to go on, other than a couple of early tests which I read online. I moved up from the wrx to the legacy to take advantage of the superior interior and engine (2.5 l vs 2.0 on the wrx). I was very happy with the legacy, but ultimately wanted a smaller, better handling vehicle, hence the wrx265. I don’t think the interior of the 265 is better than the legacy… in fact it is a bit of a step down with respect to the controls. The 265′s seats are much better suited to a high performance vehicle, but the first long trip will tell the tale.

I place more value into the mechanical and performance areas, and in this sense the new 265 is a much better vehicle. The engine pulls right through to redline, and pulls very strongly I must say. The handling is on par with the engine, based on a limited amount of driving. I think the feel of the shifter is also much improved.

The look of the sedan is ok with me, despite the slagging it’s gotten in the press. I like the sedan’s look better than the hatch, which has been born out in a number of positive remarks I have received. The gun metal wheels are a nice compliment to the silver color of my car. I do appreciate the toned down hood scoop and spoiler as well.

Many people do not really get what a Subaru is all about. One must have a certain appreciation for AWD and turbo power delivery to even consider this kind of vehicle. In a way I am happy to be one of a small group that seems to appreciate it, and enjoy it’s unique character. I hope I will be talking this way 2-3 years from now…

November 10, 2008

Coffee Anyone?

Filed under: General,review,WRX — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 12:36 pm

Yesterday, I went for a ride in the WRX, I still cant drive it of course, which is pissing me off because the price of gas is just dirt cheap and I should be driving it everywhere. Patience, patience, I guess.

It just happened that we had other people with us, so my wife drove and I sat in the back, first time for me to sit there for an extended period. It was around 3:00 PM, and we where strolling along and I was kinda tired, so I thought you know what, a coffee would really hit the spot. We get through the drive through experience and I get handed my coffee, SCORTCHING hot. OUTCH. So I tell my wife to hold on to it for a sec while I find a place to put it. I reached to the middle consol cause I remembered in the brochure that it had 2 cup holders built in. NOPE, not in my car, apparently that brochure was not accurate or my memory is failing me. So then I thought, as my wife now is getting pissed off because the coffee is starting to really burn her, that maybe what I saw in the brochure was the cup holders are built into the arm rest that drops from the middle seat. A good place to put cup holders for sure, our other car has them built in there. I quickly reach over, drop it down, and nothing. What I got, is a thin arm rest, that honestly I would be scared to put my arm on for fear of breaking. By this point my wife is telling to take coffee or risk having it fly out of the window. So I do, I take it, and place it on arm rest, and hang on to it. I looked everywhere, nothing, no cup holders in the back. I mean, I am sorry but Subaru, how much does it cost to put a bloody cup holder in the back? 50 cents? Come on, it cant be that complicated.

I know, I know, I should not complain about petty things, but this is just plain cheap, I so am gonna find that brochure to see if they had pics of cup holders in the back.

It just aint right

If you find cup holders in the back for you WRX please let me know where they are…

October 26, 2008

Surver Results: Do you top up your gas tank

Filed under: General — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 12:48 pm

Two weeks ago i worte a blog post warning about toping up the gas tank on the 2009 WRX 265 as it instantly over flowed with gas and spilled. While i was as writing it, i thought to myself surly i am not the only one who does this and decided to ask. I used ask500 (great service, and if you are on twitter integrates nicley @ask500) So I asked the world the following

When you fill up the gas tank, do you try to top off to an even dollar amount?

http://www.ask500people.com/questions/when-you-fill-up-the-gas-tank-do-you-try-to-top-off-to-an-even-dollar-amount#votes

Here are the results

40% said they stop pumping when the pump clicks off

27% said they keep pumping until they get a nice even dollar amount (That is me)

12% said they pump until they get a nice amount (does not have to be an even dollar)

22% said they pump on a set budget x$ per pump

Great results, and very fascinating if one take a look at them by gender,age, etc… really cool stuff

40% 158 Votes No, I stop pumping as soon as the pump clicks and its full
27% 107 Votes I try to keep pumping until I get a nice even dollar amount
12% 49 Votes I try to keep pumping until I get a nice number
22% 86 Votes I pump on a budget, when I hit the amount I stop

October 14, 2008

WRX 265, One week review

Filed under: Drive,Enhancements,General,review,WRX — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Samer Forzley @ 1:17 am

Its been almost a week since I got the WRX, and still love it, I find myself finding excuses to get in the car and go for a ride. Yes I managed to put a few miles and a speeding ticket (HORROR) in just one week. I have a feeling this speeding ticket wont be the last.

So after a week with the car, one starts to realize things about the car that you won’t just find in your quick test drive back at the dealership. So here is my list of things that are well, not great and should be improved. Subaru are you listening?

On the down side


Compartments: Honestly the car has no compartments; I mean where do you put your change or parking garage badge or anything. There is only one giant, yet awkward compartment where you would put CD’s but that is it. The shallow compartment next to the cup holders (Subaru’s idea of a change holder) is not good because when you go fast around the corner, the change goes for a ride as well. So Subaru, Please some compartments next time.

Sunroof: It cute, but not sure the point of this thing, when you open it, it barley opens up. So Subaru, either make it bigger or get rid of it, no need to have a tiny sunroof.

The sound system: Not too great, actually I think it’s the most disappointing thing about this car so far. When you drive it, especially on the high way, you can barley hear the sound and have to crank it up real high to hear. But when you crank it up, the sound quality is not good at all. The sound is even more muffled when you plug in an iPod. Maybe its my car that has this problem. Curious what others experience, let me know.

On the Upside.

The drive: just pure fun, no need to say anything else, the car rocks. I need to take it to a track and let it loose. The drive, from speed, to handling, everything is just great.

Gas Efficiency: I was worried when I got it to be honest, because 265 horses can drink a lot. And yes, if you are just driving it in town and pedal to the metal all the time (as I did the first 3 days) it will burn up a lot of gas. I went through half the tank in just 150 KM or so, so no not efficient (but a lot of fun).

HOWEVER, this weekend I drove it like I would drive any car, and went out of town, I drove it about 450K on a HWY and that only consumed ¾ of the tank. So in my mind, that is very fuel efficient and a pleasant surprise.

One week in, no regrets, awesome ride, and a few things that can be improved

October 11, 2008

What is this blog about

Filed under: General,WRX — Tags: , , , — Samer Forzley @ 5:54 pm

I wanted to start a blog about my 2009 Subaru WRX 265 experience, I just bought bought the car, I think I was the 3rd person in my city to get one, certainly the first one to get the sedan.

This blog is about that experience and the journey in the WRX for the next few years

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