WRX in Bad Weather

[Dennis Maher]

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the WRX,
even with 4 Wheel Drive - handle in snow and ice. I would love to have the
power in the summer, but need it to handle in bad weather for long work
commutes. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ujduche]

I found the performance of my WRX in the snow is highly dependant on the
tires. First year I had it, we actually got a lot of snow (for Cincinnati),
the stock RE92 tires were great. Never got stuck, never had trouble
stopping, turned with ease. The AWD system in the WRX is quite adept at
handling snow, assuming the tires are in good shape.

Second year, after doing several track days, the stock tires were shot, and
snow handling degraded. The only real concern with a WRX as compared to an
Outback (or something similar) is ride height. So if it's 6"+ of soft snow,
you'll be plowing, but I doubt that it would stop you.

 

[Ned Pike]

In

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the
WRX, even with 4 Wheel Drive - handle in snow and ice. I would love
to have the power in the summer, but need it to handle in bad weather
for long work commutes. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm a Vermonter and have driven my '02 WRX through 3 winters now. Slap some
good snow tires on the car and you'll have more fun in the winter than you
ever thought possible. Power slides at will and the ability to get going
from a standstill unlike all those FWD cars. As for ground clearance
issues, I've yet to bury my WRX and I've driven through 18"-24" snow (fluffy
though, not our usual mashed potatos).

In short, have fun.

 

[J999w]

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the WRX,
even with 4 Wheel Drive - handle in snow and ice. I would love to have the
power in the summer, but need it to handle in bad weather for long work
commutes. Any advice would be appreciated.

Not recommended.

Notice that they don't run them in the Swedish WRC Rally which is all snow.

jw

 

[David Betts]

Not recommended.

Notice that they don't run them in the Swedish WRC Rally which is all snow.

Absolute nonsense. Where did you get that from? Rexs very successful
in snow rallies. Simply a matter of set-up.

For road use in proper snow, all you need is a decent set of snow
tyres.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Ragnar]

Not recommended.

Notice that they don't run them in the Swedish WRC Rally which is all

snow.

Bullshit. Stop talking out of your ass. Read this:

http://www.worldrallychampionship.net/2004/sweden/news/?id_display=1608

I guess thats not really a WRX that Solberg is driving.

 

[Patrick Fisher]

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the WRX,
even with 4 Wheel Drive - handle in snow and ice. I would love to have the
power in the summer, but need it to handle in bad weather for long work
commutes. Any advice would be appreciated.

The secret to driving in the winter is winter tires. Period. Any FWD or RWD
car with snow tires will outhandle an AWD car with summer or crappy
all-season tires and get you anywhere you need to go.

The only real variable is ground clearance - for really deep snow, you're
better off with a forester or outback type of vehicle, which has more ground
clearance but still a relatively low center of gravity (as opposed to a true
truck).

Otherwise, invest in some good snow tires and you'll be fine in any car,
particularly an AWD vehicle with two limited slips like the WRX.

 

[David Edgley]

Is the WRX limited slip both front and rear?

 

[Patrick Fisher]

Is the WRX limited slip both front and rear?

No, center and rear - making it essentially 3WD. One front and both back
tires must be tractionless to get stuck*. The WRX STi has center, front, and
rear limited slips, making it truly AWD.

* Although since the WRX's diffs are not locking, there is a limit to the
amount the limited slips can bias the torque toward the wheels with
traction, so this statement isn't *entirely* true.

 

[oatscale]

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the WRX,
even with 4 Wheel Drive - handle in snow and ice. I would love to have the
power in the summer, but need it to handle in bad weather for long work
commutes. Any advice would be appreciated.

FORGET the WRX. ---> The WRX is a sports car designed for
19-27 year olds. It is built for SPEED, and not Utility.

The Impreza lineup is for young people. (With the exception of
the non-turbo Imp Wagon model, which is good for little-old-ladies and
widows who go to the market once or twice a week, or go to
get their poodle dogs groomed at PetsMart.)

If you want a Subaru for rough weather driving and other
real-world use, then consider a standard full size Outback or Forrester
type model. I suggest a full sized Outback H6 Wagon for commuting
and real-world "honey-doos".

 

[Jim Stewart]

FORGET the WRX. ---> The WRX is a sports car designed for
19-27 year olds. It is built for SPEED, and not Utility.

I don't want to be in the same county when you tell
that to my wife. She's a 50+ year old, extremely
pleased owner of a 2004 WRX.

 

[Byron]

FORGET the WRX. ---> The WRX is a sports car designed for

19-27 year olds. It is built for SPEED, and not Utility.

The Impreza lineup is for young people. (With the exception of
the non-turbo Imp Wagon model, which is good for little-old-ladies and
widows who go to the market once or twice a week, or go to
get their poodle dogs groomed at PetsMart.)

If you want a Subaru for rough weather driving and other
real-world use, then consider a standard full size Outback or Forrester
type model. I suggest a full sized Outback H6 Wagon for commuting
and real-world "honey-doos".

I guess my WRX wasn't being very utilitarian when its 32 year old owner
filled the wagon with stuff, put a queen bed on the roof, and towed a
2000 pound trailer 3000 miles.

But I do like the acceleration, braking, cornering, reliability, and
comfort of it too. Makes it all the more fun to drive me and my friends
to ski areas and backwoods lakes.

 

[J999w]

I am looking at a WRX - but live in a snow belt in Ohio- how does the

WRX,
snow.

Bullshit. Stop talking out of your ass. Read this:

http://www.worldrallychampionship.net/2004/sweden/news/?id_display=1608

I guess thats not really a WRX that Solberg is driving.

Heh heh ... I knew that would get some response.

:^]

jw

 

[Ragnar]

Heh heh ... I knew that would get some response.

Nice try at covering up.

 

[CompUser]

@snip.allthenewsgroups.com>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

FORGET the WRX. ---> The WRX is a sports car designed for
19-27 year olds. It is built for SPEED, and not Utility.

The Impreza lineup is for young people. (With the exception of
the non-turbo Imp Wagon model, which is good for little-old-ladies and
widows who go to the market once or twice a week, or go to
get their poodle dogs groomed at PetsMart.)

If you want a Subaru for rough weather driving and other
real-world use, then consider a standard full size Outback or Forrester
type model. I suggest a full sized Outback H6 Wagon for commuting
and real-world "honey-doos".

Bwhah hahahah...guess this makes you some kinda
BITTER OLD man, eh!

Past-mid-forty-something "young person" here who
LOVES the performance & practicality of his WRX.

BTW, the WRX does GREAT in rain...it has no
apparent effect on vehicle operation, as long as
I do my part with keeping good tread on tires and
Rain X on windshield. ;-)

Hmmm...what's a 19 year old and a 27 year old
have in common, anyway? LMAO!!

Hope Ken Gilbert catches sight of this one...

Steve

 

[WRXtreme]

I drive highly modded WRX's year round in the snow/rain/etc. I recommend
upgrading the tires to winter tires as someone else in here suggested as
well for optimal performance in snow. It doesn't get much
colder/snowier/icier than ND in the winter, so take that for what its worth
I guess.

 

[Henry Paul]

But you could get the "honey-dos" done so much faster in a WRX.

I'll let my '69 year old father know the Impreza is only for 20-somethings.
I'm sure he'll take it as a compliment.

Not to mention the fact that the Forester is an Impreza frame, which also
has a turbo option.

So, is there a logical reason NOT to get an Impreza? If there is, I haven't
found it yet.

 

[Ken Gilbert]

Hope Ken Gilbert catches sight of this one...


i saw it, but being 30 years old i am too mature to respond directly!

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

FORGET the WRX. ---> The WRX is a sports car designed for
19-27 year olds. It is built for SPEED, and not Utility.

I'm 50 and it works really well for me. In the summer I can pass when
I need to, and in the winter I can handle the modest snows that I get
living in the Sierras (usually under a foot).

Like the other posters, though, I do recommend putting decent tires on
it. Good all-seasons work for me. My WRX didn't do very well in snow
until I replaced the RE92's with Conti Extremes. Then- what a
difference!

 

[Philip Procter]

To chime in with (most) everyone else:

Snow Tires!
Snow Tires!
Snow Tires!

I live near Buffalo, NY, We have WINTER, not that candy ass stuff most
everyone else has. It's nothing to have 3' of snow, 40mph winds and
20F below overnight and still be expected in the office on time.

Add to that a 1/4mi dirt driveway on the exposed side of a hill.

We drive 4WD and AWD exclusively. With all season tires they're as bad
as FWD. Add a good set of winter rubber and I can tow a plow out with
my Subbie.

I've also got a Geo Tracker, which is true 4WD and I've never needed
the low range on road. The AWD is just as good unless you're in a
ditch.

Just don't take away my snows (PS: I use Blizzaks)

Philip