The problem with used WRXs is that very few that I know of have not been driven hard. I have a couple of friends who have bought them; transmission issues and clutch problems. If you can find a good deal... since the the trannies are particularly expensive. The engines seem to be bullet-proof.
And... how would you know that? On ice, it is still pretty easy to overdrive a car without driving like a complete asshole.
Aside from the issue of whether an inexperienced driver (and you don't mention how old or experienced your son is; for all we know he could be a 40 year old ice racing champ) who totals a 2.5RS should move up to a WRX (or STI), let me toss my two cents worth in on the topic since I have some relevant experience here. I had a 2.5RS, that replaced an Outback Sport that I felt was underpowered and too softly sprung. Turning out of a driveway onto a road covered with light snow (no traffic in sight, with relatively new, original all-season Bridgestones) I punched the throttle to see how the tail would react. The rear came out as I had anticipated, but wouldn't come back regardless of my steering correction and throttle control. The car eventually struck a high curb that and cracked a wheel. a 2" by 1/2" chunk of the bead wall came out, but the crack didn't spread; tire didn't even lose pressure and I made it home (still holds pressure and I keep it around as an emergency spare).
Now, many of the "performance" cars I've owned (WRX, Z-28, SE-R, Corvair) have had limited slip differentials which, regardless of the driven wheels (and you'll note that the 4 I mention are all different configurations) allow traction to be shifted away fom the driven wheel that's lost traction. This can enable the driver to apply throttle, coupled with steering correction, to use the remaining rear driven wheel to pull the car out of the "drift". I ultimately replaced my RS with a WRX and since have attempted to duplicate the "accident", at progressively higher speeds. With the LSD (no I wasn't tripping), the rear caught and was recoverable, in every instance. I love the WRX, but would have been happy with the RS if it had been available as a wagon (which it eventually was) and with a rear LSD (which has never been offered).
Is the limited-slip differential a cure-all? No. But it's an inexpensive mechanical solution to a common problem, and should be more widely available. I hate the idea of the high-tech alternative: traction control systems that apply braking force to a wheel losing traction. Defeats the pleasure of studying the limit of adhesion and learning how to power through that moment.
You can get the same effect with some left-foot braking.
Dude. Depending on what you hit, and how old the car is, 20MPH is more than enough to write it off. I believe he said it was a 2000; an 8-year old car. Think about it for a second.
I have slipped on ice years ago; from a nearly dead stop. Crappy feeling, but very little you can do. If you don't know much about the accident, I can't see why you can be so critical.
Hmmmm, Today we both test drove 2008 WRX amd Mazda Speed3 from our neighborhood dealership. To both of us Speed3 was more impressive. Tried Speed3 where the accident happened, Could not make it slide. WRX as is needs some upgrade. Speed3 as is was acceptable. Better feel for brake, pick up, suspension, even stereo, etc. Tried upto 100mph exercising all gears on freeway and tight parking lot. Now we have to decide.
They are nice cars. I have had Mazdas before. I don't like them in snow, but other than that, I can't say anything bad about Mazdas. Good cars.
I agree with JD: the Mazda3 I have now (2008) is terrible in snow and ice, and in those conditions, we drive the OBW. I plan to buy a set of snow tires on wheels for this car next fall. I'm happy with the gas mileage, though, and overall the car is nice.
Hi, Mazda had snow tires. WRX didn't and their OEM tires suck to begin with. I was excited in a long time test driving a new car. Mazda sure did a good job. Between two body styles on WRX, I liked 5 door version better.
So you drive 100mph and wonder why kid crashes car? Hmmmmm? Let us know where youre at so when your son drives like an a**hole again he wont hit any of us!!!.
Hi, Sounds like you are a complete asshole not like any one on this thread. We know what we're doing. Just be quiet if you don't have anything constructive to say. BTW, I hate top posters.
Well your son didnt know what he was doing and could have killed or crippled someone. There is a pattern of irresponsibility in your family. I could care less if you or your son THINK you're good drivers but youre likely to kill an innocent person.
How about minding your own business? How long have you been driving? I guess you never had accident. Son started driving at 14, he is 24 now. First accident just wrecking only his car. Me? I am 68, never had an accident. I drove company car all my working life. My family is I think more responsible and over all better than yours. How many engineers, doctors, in yours? How many cars/trucks do you have? What is your net worth? I am out of this thread now. Time to get out and deal for a new car! I hate top posters.
Odd the Mazda website says the Speed3 has:
"P215/45R18 93Y high performance summer radials"
I owned two Ford/Mazda Probe GT's and was very happy with both.
Blair
do not feed the troll :-). as far as Mazda3 goes I heard opinion that as at the beginning the car is fun and exiting after a while it gets boring. And Impreza is always fun.
Regards, A.
Right on Tony
Remember, this is a guy who thinks he is being ripped off because companies use timing belts instead of chains, put regular gas in an engine calling for premium, because he thinks the oil companies, in cahoots with the car companies, are ripping him off, and thinks decent tires are a rip-off.
So, I wouldn't get baited by the opinion. Fools will always drag you to their level and then beat you with experience.
Not surprised. They build a good solid car. We had a Protege for six years. I only got rid of it because my wife needs to drive in snowstorms and I wanted AWD and winter tires; the Protege, even with snows, was just not good in snow. But that car was as solid as the day we bought it; no squeaks and everything just worked. I like my Subarus, but I'd be happy with a Mazda too.
Put a set of Firestone Blizzack snow tires on a subaru you coulds almost climb a tree; don't compair one car to another with different tires on it. I just drove over a small mountain pass during a snowstorm yesterday with used blixxacks on my Camery, not a problem (about 3" fresh snow) the other cars I saw were 2 subes and a pick-up, who was the only one stuck. A week ago without the tires on the Camery, I got stuck in level ground, This was MY first time testing these tires personally, Next year More of my cars will have them.
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