2003 Chevy Silverado SS
I have a confession to make: as unbiased as I am on new cars in matters of make or model, I'm a little anti-SUV/pick-up truck. I have nothing against owners of SUV's or trucks, I'm just more practical when it comes to buying cars. Even though my grandfathers and father have owned trucks as long as I can remember, I just don't have a need for a truck. And with hundreds of thousands of trucks being sold every year, I've got plenty of friends who own trucks, should I need to borrow one. Also, being single and living in an apartment, I don't have family to haul around nor do I need to haul lumber or seeding material. All things being equal, I can't see the need for a large vehicle costs more then some "entry level luxury" cars, gets worse gas mileage and can barely fit into most parking spaces at the mall.
I'm not saying that if someone gave me the keys to, let's say, a BMW X5, Acura MDX or the 2 door Land Rover Freelander, I wouldn't take it. However, like a good politician, I try to keep an open mind, and I think I found a truck I would buy: The Chevy Silverado 1500 SS Extended Cab.
When Chevy puts SS on anything, you know it's going to be special. This Silverado is the LT model, which is the top of the line, with some extras to make it SS (so I guess this would be the top of the top model?). It has a high output 6.0 liter V-8 that produces a great sounding 345 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque matted to a Heavy Duty Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission. Something very unique to this truck however, is that it is All Wheel Drive (AWD) and supporting 20-inch wheels to help with the grip. The inside comes fully loaded with features: heated 10-way leather power front seats with "SS" embroidered in the head restraints, white backlit gauges, premium Bose speaker system and dual-zone automatic temperature controls, just to name a few. It also has the "Z60" high performance suspension package, lowered ride height and tuned 3.5-inch side-exit exhaust. The steering wheel has mounted audio and Driver Information Center (DIC) controls and the DIC handles all the little options you wish you could control as well as saving the settings for different drivers. You can control how you set the alarm, like with headlights flashing, horn honking, or both, or none, to setting the mirrors to turn down when in reverse. There is a button on the steering wheel that will pull up the computer information to tell you gas mileage.Have I got your attention on this tricked-out truck yet?
Now for the bad part: no, not how it drove, but what was on the window sticker. The cost is just shy of $40,000. With the only real options anybody might request being XM Radio, tonneau covers, and trailering equipment it puts the price just over $40,000. One good part is that Kelly Blue Book online shows that they are selling closer to $37,000 with no options. It also looks like Chevy put about close to $5,000 for profit, so I'm betting the dealers would be willing to work with you. The dealerships in Lubbock have a few on their lots and I'm guess they are more then willing to deal.
As I said in the beginning, I was not looking for a truck. I was driving in the Chevy parking lot looking at other cars and this truck just grabbed me. Some people don't like the aggressive look of the front of the 2003 Chevy trucks, but I happen to like it (or it's just grown with me over the years). But when I saw the SS badge on the back and the 2 square cutouts toward the bottom of the front bumper, big 20 inch wheels and appearance of being lowered about 2-inches, the testosterone level when up a few notches. I took a bright red one around the block and it drove great. The seats are very supportive: there's electric lumbar support along with the extra back support in the driver's seat. With the AWD, there is virtually no wheel spin, so when you take off the line, you leave in a hurry. And I love the sound, even though I thought it could be louder, but it might sound good outside. I'm still not a fan of the all plastic control knobs that Chevy puts in every vehicle for AC control and radio controls. I often wonder why Chevy is using the same parts they used 10-12 years ago. Have they never heard of polished aluminum look? Wood trim? Flowing center console? Okay, enough about that, I just found that the SS is fun to drive not only on city streets but also on the Interstates.
Some of you might be asking, "Yea, big deal, what about the Ford Lighting?" Well, good question, lets compare. The Ford F-150 SVT Lighting has a 5.4 liter V-8 that is supercharged which produces a whopping 380hp with 450 lb-ft of torque (ask anyone, that's a lot of torque!!). The Lighting is a truck with a regular cab and a really hot engine. The Lighting doesn't quit come with all the amenities like the SS, but it's not badly equipment with 6-way power driver's seat, Premium stereo and white-faced gauges. If you're looking for a HOTROD pick-up truck, then I'd go with the Lighting. If you're looking for a hotrod pick-up TRUCK, then I'd go with the SS. It has better towing capability (7,600-lb v. 5,000 lb) and larger payload (1,787 v. 1,350) than the Lighting, plus it is also an extended cab so you put things with you instead of in the bed of the truck along with the weather.
Sometimes you just get lucky and find something you weren't expecting. The Chevy Silverado 1500 SS Extended Cab truck did that to me. I was expecting another truck on the road and what I got was a great ride with all the fancy toys I like in a luxury car, plus a little performance for my lead foot. Because this is a truck, it should fit almost everyone. The only exception would be really short people who might want to consider getting some sort of step rails.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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2003 Lincoln LS
The Lincoln LS is a sport sedan, designed to help counter the "old fogy" car
status that one might think of when it comes to Lincoln. At first look, the styling
of the LS seems to be on the simple side, but it can be more aggressive depending
on the model you are looking at. Optional wheels and a rear spoiler will also help
with the sporty look. With Lincoln being one of the top American luxury car
manufacturers, you would expect it to have all the options and quality of a
luxury car. However, for the price, and considering the number of sport sedans
in this market, I think there are a few things missing.
The Lincoln LS comes in five different models: LS V-6 Luxury starting
at $32,610, LS V-6 Appearance Package starting at $36,380, LS V-6 Premium
starting at $37,010, LS V-8 Sport starting at $40,210 and a LS V-8 Ultimate
starting at $43,610. Both V-6 models come with a 3.0-liter V-6 with 232
hp and 220 ft-lb torque mounted to a 5-sp automatic transmission. The
V-8 models come with a 3.9-liter V-8 that produces 280 hp and 286 ft-lb
torque, also mounted to a 5-sp automatic transmission. And yes, all models
are rear wheel drive. The V-6 Luxury base model comes with options you
would expect from any car in this price range like: 4-wheel anti-lock
brakes, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, leather-trimmed
8-way driver and 6-way front-passenger seats with manual lumbar, 16" 7-spoke
painted aluminum wheels, power tilt/telescopic, leather-wrapped steering
wheel with audio and speed controls, and a few other options. AdvanceTrac
Vehichle Stability System and Side Curtain Airbags and Extended Rear Park
Assist are the only options. Click
here for list of all equipment and options on all LS models. Click
here for list of standard equipment.
As you can see from the list, it comes with what appears to be a long list of options, but nothing really sticks out as a "because of that option, I need this car". With the cost of the car and options you would like to get on the car, it can get expensive real quick. The base model, LS V-6 Luxury, looks plain on the outside because of the 16" wheels and tall tires and the inside is just as disappointing. I will give Lincoln credit for making a really comfortable seat, plus the ride is what I would expect and the transmission is the smoothest I've even been in. Even when you get on it, it doesn't even feel like it's shifting. The dash has big analog gauges but nothing flashy, and I wish it would come with white-faced gauges. It seems to me that it's not until you get to the $43,000 V-8 models that it becomes a sport sedan. I'm not talking about the simple fact of V-8 power over V-6, it's the options that come standard, like 17" wheels, 180-watt stereo and power lumbar support, just to name a few. The cost of each option just keeps adding to the final price of the car.
If you're looking at buying an American luxury sport sedan, then the LS is as good as any other. The ride and comfort is what you would expect from Lincoln and fits the luxury bill. However, I feel that it falls short on the sport aspect unless you are willing to spend a lot of money. Plus I'm not sure if there are really any options that make me say "get this car". It doesn't come with any neat gadgets like a computer read-out that you might find in a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. It does come with a touch screen navigation system, but a similar system can be found in the Honda Accord. If you're looking for power, then maybe the Infiniti M45 with 340-hp and 333 ft-lb torque for about $43,000 would be more suited toward your needs. Or maybe the Volvo S80 T6 with 268-hp and 280 ft-lb torque close to $44,000 would suit you better. If you want sportiness and don't mind going just a little smaller, then the Lexus ES330 for $33,000 or Mercedes-Benz C320 for $36,000 would work great. I'm not saying don't buy this car, in fact Consumer Reports recommends the LS since predicted reliability has been improved over the last few years, I'm just saying there are other car models to consider if you're into more of a "sport" then "sedan" and at a lower price range.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Road-ster (rod'ster) n. An open top automobile having a single seat
in the front for two. This defines the car that I have always dreamed
of. The thought of owning an old MG, cruising down a tree-filled lane
(obviously not in Lubbock) or cruising down main street in a '32 Ford
open top listening the rumble of a V-8 just makes me, well, warm and fuzzy
all over. And believe it or not, driving the Mercedes-Benz SLK, made me
warm and fuzzy all over again. Not only is this an open top roadster,
but it is also a beautiful looking coupe. This is not your typical convertible,
the M-B SLK is a hard-top that folds up, clam shell style, into the trunk
with a safety pull bar that keeps the top from crushing your things. Surprisingly,
it really doesn't take up too much of the trunk space like in other convertibles,
and with the hardtop up, you have access to the whole trunk. In 25 seconds,
you can go from coupe to roadster, and I think it is not only very will
designed, but just plain cool.
The M-B SLK comes in three models; SLK230 Kompressor, SLK320 and the very
fast SLK32 AMG. All three models can come similarly equipped with 3-button
garage door control on the sun visor, electronic cruise control, 8-way
leather power seats, dual temperature controls, and Bose sounds system
with dual subwoofers. With M-B being known as the worldwide leader in
luxury car manufacturing, you should expect many options, and THERE ARE.
These cars have options from the "Desino Editions" where you can get "buttery-soft
Terra Cotta Nappa leather" and natural cinnamora wood trim to great looking
17" AMG designed wheels, and fancy electronic system aids like Antilock
Braking System (ABS), Automatic Slip Control (ASR) and Electronic Stability
Program (ESP). The main difference between the three models is "What's
under the bonnet?" as they would say across the pond in England. The SLK230
Kompressor comes equip with an intercooled supercharged DOHC inline-4
that produces 192 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The SLK320 comes equip with
a SOHC 18-valve V-6 that produces 215 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. The
SLK32 AMG is a beast with an AMG-built intercooled supercharged SOHC 18-vavle
V-6 that produces a whopping 349 hp and only 332 lb-ft of torque. (For
those not in the familiar with the AMG name, AMG is who builds and tunes
the racing cars for M-B, just like SVT tunes the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra.)
All three require 91 pump octane and comes in either a 6-speed manual
or 5-speed automatic with touch shift, except for the SLK 32 AMG, which
only comes in the 5-speed automatic with touch shift.
Now that I've got your attention with the tricked-out hard-top and a really
cool AMG build motor and wheels, I bet you're asking "What does it cost?".
Well, I went down to Mercedes-Benz and ask, took a test drive and ask
more questions and more questions (I really just didn't want to leave
the drivers seat). I test drove SLK230 Kompressor with an automatic and
a 6-disc CD changer in the trunk as the only option. For me, the inside
was small, but manageable. The power of the motor was nice and it was
great to be able to lower the top at the stoplight. The sales guy was
really kind, knowledgeable, and not overly eager to sell me the car (which
is a change of pace in Lubbock). The price on the sticker was $39,600
for the car, $400 for the CD changer, and $1,325 for the automatic. The
total cost was $42,045 including the $720 designation charge. To my amazement,
the base price was less then retail according to Kelly Blue Book online.
The base price for the SLK 320 is $45,083, while the starting price on
the SLK32 AMG is $56,170.
I do get asked "Is it worth all that money to own a car with a three-point
star?" I think it is, but it might not be for the reasons you think. M-B
has many great programs and options you just can't get anywhere else.
The 24-hour roadside assistance that doesn't expire, and basic maintenance
for the durations of the new vehicle limited warranty (48 months or 50,000
miles). Of course, all these programs come with fine print so make sure
you talk to your M-B dealer. I know at this price this car is not for
everyone. It does sit low and I would not recommend it for really large
or tall people and would not recommend the SLK32 AMG to someone in high
school. If you are in the market for a hardtop convertible roadster, I
would take a hard look at this. The only other hardtop convertible options
you have are the Lexus SC 430 that starts at $62,850 and the Audi TT Quattro
AWD with the base price at $39,645. And OK, I think the M-B has a really
cool folding hardtop convertible.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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2003 Mercury Marauder
For those of you tired of my writing about cars for the "Fast and the
Furious" crowd, to quote the beer commercial "This Mercury is for you".
The Mercury Marauder goes back to the glory days of muscle cars, large
cars with lots of horsepower. Back when GTO's, Thunderbolts and Impalas
ruled the straight line. The Mercury Marauder has a great history that
dates back to 1963 when Parnelli Jones took a 405 hp Marauder to victory
at Pikes Peak Hill Climb and set a new stock car record. In 1964, Mercury
introduced a 427-cu. in. V-8 featuring twin 4-barrel carbs for the "Super
Marauder" while in 1969 a Marauder X-100 had boosted the power to 429-cu.
in. with a top speed of 125 mph. Today's Marauder might not have that
large cubic inch motor, but with the help of today's technology, 18" alloy
wheels and All-Speed Traction Control I'm betting it will run just as
good as its ancestors.
The Marauder comes with an impressive list of standard equipment like,
18" 5-spoke polished alloy wheels, fog lamps, automatic temperature control,
leather buckets seats and an overhead console with digital compass and
HomeLink Universal Transceiver (for garage door openers, turn lights on
in the house, etc.). When the Marauder first came out you could get the
car in any color as long as you like black. But since it's introduction
they have added two more colors: Dark Toreador Red Metallic and Silver
Birch Metallic. There are only three options you can add to the car: a
truck-mounted 6-disc CD changer ($395), heated driver and front-passenger
seats ($295), and a trunk organizer ($200). But what will set this car
apart from any other large sedan is not the smoked colored taillight and
headlight covers that give it that aggressive look, but the 4.6-liter
V-8 with 302 hp and 318 lb-ft. torque mounted to a heavy-duty 4 speed
automatic overdrive. Just like the muscle cars of old, when you start
this car you know you're behind the wheel of something special. The rumble
of the V-8 sounds IN-CRED-I-BLE. Plus there is something here for my Dad,
not only does it come with your typical analog gauges like speedometer,
fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and tachometer, but right in the center
are two more gauges: an oil pressure and voltmeter gauges (they made it
for you Pop). These gauges are also satin-aluminum-faced.
I was lucky enough when I went to the Mercury dealership that they had a Marauder
because this vehicle is a low-volume, limited-production car. When I got
behind the wheel I was happy to see things that I would expect to see
in more luxury cars like the radio controls on the steering wheel, power-adjustable
pedal controls (for someone of a shorter nature), heated leather seats
and automatic temperature control. I also really like the looks of the
satin-aluminum-faced gauges, it gave it more of feeling you're driving
a sports car then a large four-door sedan. I have to mention this again
just incase you missed it the first time, when I first started it, it
sounded GREAT!!! With a tick over 300 hp and 318 lb-ft. of torque, getting
on the Loop was no problem. When I took the "turn around" at the university,
I was really surprised how well it handled for such a large vehicle. There
was a little body roll, but nothing that made me feel out of control.
Even though it's MSRP is $34,645 with no options, Kelly Blue Book shows
that they are selling closer to $32,961 and as I'm writing this close
to the end of the year, Mercury is offering $3,000 cash as a Customer
Incentive. Check with your dealer for all the fine print. Bottom line
is that at the end of year you can sometimes get great deals like the
possibility of buying the Mercury Marauder for just under $30,000 and
I've read online where someone bought one for $26,500 with all the rebates.
I really like this car. It's a nice size car to haul the family, it's
rear wheel drive (for all you old fashioned people out there) and it gets
about 17 mpg in town and 23 mpg on the highway. I also like the fact,
and this might sound strange, that there are very few options. It comes
equipped the way I would try to get car equipment, you have only one wheel
option plus you only have three colors to choose from, which I think looks
the best in black. And yes, I know all the stories here in West Texas
where I personally wouldn't own a car in black, but this car just looks
best in black. If I had to make a complaint about the car it would be
the seat. In keeping with the muscle car tradition, I didn't find the
seat very comfortable. Even though the brochure said it comes with an
8-way power driver seat with power lumbar, I never could get it to fit
me. I asked the salesman about the lumbar support and he didn't know where
it was. So maybe when you sit in it might fit you just right and you can
find the lumbar support.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
I got a rare opportunity to drive the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or
"Evo VIII" as it's known by everyone around the world (Why Mitsubishi
gave it a different name for the States I'll never understand). Before
I tell you all about the hot Lancer, let's start with the base models.
The Lancer comes in four different models: ES starting at $13,597 in manual
or automatic transmission, LS starting at $15,997 in automatic transmission
only, Lancer O-Z Rally in manual or automatic starting at $15,797, Lancer
Ralliart in manual or automatic starting at $17,997, plus two automatic
only wagon models: Sportback LS starting at $16,597 and a Sportback Ralliart
starting at $19,197. I'm betting you're counting your figures right now
and saying "Hey, the Lancer comes in five different models, you forgot
the Evo!" Truth be told, the Lancer Evo is such a completely different
car from its siblings that it is classified as a different car. The reasons
why will become apparent in the end.
The basic ES, LS, and O-Z Rally models come with a 2.0-liter inline-4
that produces 120 hp and 130 ft-lb. torque. The Ralliart has a larger
2.4-liter inline-4 that grunts out 162 hp and 162 ft-lb. torque. Both
Sportback models support the larger 2.4-liter inline-4. The Lancer model
line is a great new car for someone on a budget or for anyone interested
in getting good gas mileage, since the 2.0-liter will get 28 mpg in town
and 35 mpg on the highway while the larger 2.4-liter will get 23/29 mpg.
The main difference between all the models is simple upgrades and options
like power sun roofs, rear drum brakes to disc brakes, alloy wheels and
fog lights, just to name a few. All Mitsubishi cars come with a 3-year/36,000-mile
New Vehicle Limited Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited
Warranty, and a 7-year/100,000-mile Anti-Corrosion/Perforation Limited
Warranty and there is always the options of the "Diamond Care Protection
Plan" that gives you extended service coverage up to seven years or 100,000
miles after your purchase.
Now, let's talk about what a turbo on a 2.0 liter
inline-4 engine will do. The Lancer Evo is a Lancer model with a lot of
modifications. Let's start with the exterior. From the front you will
notice a different front fascia with a larger opening under the front
bumper for the extra cooling for the turbo. From the back you will also
notice a large "Rally" style wing. You can order a smaller wing, but why?
You will also notice the great looking 17" ENKEI lightweight alloy rims
with Yokohama ADVAN high-grip compound summer tires. (Warning: This car
comes with supper soft, summer tires only, so if you want to drive all
year around, you will need to change the tires.)
Now for the exciting part, what's under the hood. The Evo comes with
a tricked-out 2.0-liter, 16-valve inline-4, intercooled turbocharged engine
that produces an incredible 271 hp and 273 lb-ft. of torque. How is this
done with such a small engine? With tricked-out engine parts like hollow
camshafts, magnesium valve cover, aluminum crankshaft pulley hub and hollow
exhaust valve all to save weight to help improve horsepower. It even comes
with a twin-scroll turbo to improve low- to mid-range torque. The fun
toy is the intercooler with 2-nozzle with auto-intermittent water sprays
to keep the intercooler at optimal temperature, which has manual override
spray system if you feel like you want to run it cooler (drag racing tip?).
Mitsubishi gave it All-Wheel Drive with viscous coupled center differential
and limited-slip rear differential mounted to a 5-sp manual transmission
to help get all that power to the ground while it also comes with 4-wheel
ventilated Brembo disc brakes to help you stop. Inside it comes with a
6-speaker 140W CD audio system, a MOMO steering wheel, and Recaro racing
bucket seats. To help with extra support inside the car, Mitsubishi added
rear bracing where the pass-through would be in the regular Lancer model
line-up. (So, no there is no fold-down back seat option in the Evo.) The
price for all this fun starts at $28,987 with two options packages available:
Large Carbon-Fiber Rear Spoiler ($480) and a Power Sunroof ($750). Plus
there is a long line of options from 6-CD In-dash changer, to a colored
shift knob, to wheel locks.
The driving experience was accelerating, all pun intended. Per instruction
from the salesman, I didn't drive it too hard and do quick shifts like
I wanted to. But rules are rules and if that's the sacrifice I have to
do to be able to test drive the car, then let it be. This is what I can
tell you about the car in the short test drive I did: It felt great!!!
The power really comes on strong at about 3,000 RPM's and because of the
nature of a turbo, the sudden power will put you in the back seat. The
Recaro racing buckets felt good and seemed like it had a good lumbar support,
but I'm not sure if this is the seat I would want to spend 9 hours driving
home to see the folks in. However, around town or back and forth to work,
I think I could get used to the seat. Inside the car there really is nothing
special expect when you look in the rear view mirror to see the big wing
in the middle. Surprisingly it didn't really bother me like I thought
it might, when you look in the rear view mirror you still see the car
or truck behind you, you just can't tell who's driving because the wing
in blocking the view. The 5-sp manual transmission was very smooth and
even though I've heard of people wishing it had a 6-sp, I really don't
think it needs it. The power band of the car and with a lot of torque,
it seems well suited for the 5-sp and if it had the 6-sp you would just
shift gears more offend then you need to. The dealership had the base
price at $28,987 with the power sunroof ($750) and Carbon-Fiber spoiler
($480) options which gave it a total of $30,601. But wait, there's more,
the dealership also added $780 for AMV, for a grand total of $31,601.
I asked the salesman about the Adjust Market Value, and he told me not
to worry about, they are willing to deal. As I write this, it's getting
toward the end of the 2003 season and because of that they had it discounted
to $28,900. Which is quite amazing when Kelley Blue Book online shows
they are still selling at more than $2,300 over MSRP and Edmunds.com shows
they are selling at more than $1,900 over MSRP.
If you're looking for the "Fast and Furious" car, then I'd
say for the money you couldn't go wrong with car. Like I always say with
any fast car, this car is not for anyone in high school, but would be
a great car for getting around any college town. It has ton of power,
gets decent gas mileage at 18/26 mpg using Premium Unleaded, and the turbo
makes a really cool sound at about 5,000 RPM's. With the dealership giving
you almost $1,700 off the "true" MSRP, it's a great deal. My only concern
is how long this car will stay on the market here in the US. This car
is very popular in Japan and in Europe because of its competing in the
World Rally Championship (WRC) which is more popular there then in the
States. This is number VIII, the first time this rally inspired car has
been exported to the US; we have missed out on the other seven models.
Mitsubishi brought this car to the US because of the success of the Subaru
WRX and WRX STi model and because of the "Import scene". If I had to make
a complaint on the car, it would be three things: 1) Having to buy extra
set of tires for the winter, 2) it comes with no cruise control (according
to the dealership, a third party add-on can be added for $365 without
voiding the warranty) and 3) If you look a picture you will see the large
opening for the cooling for the turbo, which would be partially blocked
by the front license plate being mounted on the edge of the front bumper
and a great place to hit a bird and tear something up. I do hope they
keep exporting the Evo VIII long enough for me get my hands on one.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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2003 Subaru WRX
There are a few cars that you just can't go down to the dealership and
test drive. No, I'm not talking about Porsche or Ferrari; I'm talking
about cars right here in the Lubbock area. Besides the Chevy Corvette,
or the debunked Chrysler Prowler still in showrooms, there is the Volvo
S60R, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII (which can now finally be test driven)
and the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. Yes, I said Volvo. No longer the square
cars of your parents, they are now 300 hp AWD 6-speed manuals in limited
production. But that's another story. The one I'm going to talk about
is the Subaru Impreza WRX. I wish I could tell you how the 300 hp STi
model will handle the curves and out-accelerate everything on the road.
But instead I'm going to tell you about the plain old Impreza WRX with
227 hp and 217 lb.-ft. of torque from a 4-cylinder intercooled turbo boxer
engine. For those who are not familiar with a boxer engine, a boxer engine
has the pistons are horizontally opposed. V-8s have a 45 degree angle
to make the V, while the boxer engine would be flat, there is no angle,
they're just opposite of each other, horizontally. Unlike the Mazda's
RX-7/RX-8 rotary motor, a boxer engine typically has the same parts as
a V-8. Enough about engine history, let me tell you about the Subaru Impreza
WRX.
As most of you might know from the media blitz, all the Subaru lines are
All Wheel Drive (AWD). Which translates to great traction all the time
when you can get traction. Yes I've heard it before, why do you need an
AWD in Lubbock. Granted we don't get a large amount of snowfall, or have
mountains to climb, nor does it really rain a lot. But when it does rain,
the streets of Lubbock can become really slick. And when it does snow,
then thaw during the day just to have black ice to drive on in the morning,
you might like that AWD. Plus, for whatever reason, Lubbock likes to water
the pavement just as well as the grass, so pulling in to traffic with
water flowing down the street, well, maybe then you can see the need for
AWD. The rest of the time that it's dry, the AWD will just launch you
like a rocket from a stoplight. After taking one for a test drive down
the interstate, I was really surprised on how it launched from a stop.
No wheel spin, no out of control feeling, just nice smooth power. Even
when you dump the clutch, it really picks up and goes (don't tell the
dealer I did that). You have a choice between a 4-speed automatic and
a 5-speed manual. I do wish there was a 6-speed manual because at times
it seem like I was in the wrong gear driving around downtown. It might
be because the start of the peak torque is not until 4000 rpm's, which
is kind of high. However, with the help of the turbo, it does come quickly,
but you have put your foot into it. For those wondering why WRX, the car
is based off the World Rally Champion car. The Impreza WRX car only looks
like the WRC on the outside. Which is good, because the seat in the WRC
car doesn't look that conferrable for that 8-hour drive to see the folks,
let alone the noise because there is no insulation in the car.
This small sedan is more for the Fast and Furious crowd. Subaru does make
a RS version of the Impreza that has a non-turbo engine that produces
165 hp for the starting price of $19,395. But with no cool looking hood
scope, you have to get the WRX for that. The WRX with the turbo engine
starts at a price for $24,495. Which is not a bad price for an AWD, 5-speed
manual and 227 hp. There are a few options that I would highly recommend
to anyone, any age. One would be the Premium Pack ($1,500) which includes
a great looking rear spoiler, weather package and power moon roof. Or
if you're not interested in the package, then get the rear spoiler ($395).
Next, I would get the Armrest Extension, because I would fall over into
the passenger seat without an armrest, though you might find that it gets
in the way when sifting gears. Others include the Performance Gage Package($638)
and the Turbo Boost Gauge ($297). And if you want, there are upgraded
speakers ($195) and subwoofer/amplifier ($267) mounted under the driver's
seat. Forget about hearing it, you can feel the music.
Now if you are looking for the WRC car, that is where the 300-hp WRX STi
comes in. STi is the company that tunes all the WRC cars. The price tag
starts at $31,545 for a car that gets a larger opening on the hood scope
and large wicked looking rear wing.
All in all, you do get a lot of car for the money. Subaru has been around
for many years and has been both good and bad. Recently, it has been quite
good and I would recommend this car and any other Subaru to anyone. The
Impreza is a great looking car, and for $28,000 with all the extra's,
it's a car that is fun to drive and can even help you drive when the roads
get slick. Now with all that said, I have to admit one gripe: I really
hate the seats. For a guy with a sometimes bad back, the seat seemed to
hit me in all the wrong places. Some might not like the styling of the
car, but once you put the throttle to the floor and feel that turbo kick
in, you might forget what the outside looks like.
But that's just this man's opinion, prove me wrong.
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