the answer is no.

they use traditional automatics.

the 0-60 on the WRX is a second different between the manual and automatic models.

but if she's willing to wait, the imprezas/WRXs are due for a makeover within a year (i think) and they may have paddle/tiptronic shifting.

I would recommend any subaru for a loved one, however, because of their safety ratings and AWD. especially the forester models.

i may get another subaru this fall.

 

Too bad the wrx looks like something out of hot wheels. BARF

 

That's weak.. Oh well, she's looking to buy used not new. We're putting a lot of money into our house, so new cars are definitely not in the budget, haha

 

Let me clear the air on the 2006 WRX as i know it extensivley. First off, a reflash will not cost 100 dollars. It will cost anywhere from 4-600 dollars through any othe compaines that offer them (Cobb, ECUTEK, UTEC etc...) secondly the WRX makes more than 200 whp.

The reasoning is simple actually why Subaru did this, even though they change the body style every 2 years slightly, they waited 4 years for an engine upgrade, the same holds true with the STI that came out 2 years after the WRX's debut.

2002- WRX debuts

2004- WRX STi debuts

2006- 2nd gen USDM WRX debuts

2008- 2nd gen USDM STI debuts to waffle stomp the Evo X lol (ok im biased)

Subaru will adjust the ratings when the 2008 STI debuts, if people knew the base WRX only makes a few whp less than an STI, most would not spring for the 06 STI, Subaru still NEEDS to sell the STI. a Stock base 06 WRX with an EXCELLENT driver will run a mid 13 to high straight out of the box. It would be a mid to low 13 second car with the STI's 6 speed (with the same driver the 06 is a legit 12.8 second car bone STOCK)

Want proof of the WRX's power? here are a few dyno charts from Cobb tunings site, on this same dyno an 1gen WRX put down 164 whp.

2006 WRX- http://cobbtuning.com/wrx/images/ae-...-dyno_2006.jpg

2006 Legact GT remember Subaru claims 250hp/250 lbft (just tested by Motortrend 0-60 in 5.3 and 13.7 second 1/4)- http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/images/ap-lgt-stage1.gif

2006 STI- http://cobbtuning.com/sti/images/ap-sti-stage1.gif

Note the 06 WRX makes more WHP and signifcantly more WTQ than the 250hp Legacy GT. In the hands of the right driver this is a serious threat for an SRT-4.

 

im sorry the 02-05 made 170 whp, not 164, but check out the TQ number, the 06 makes 234 WTQ at 3800 RPM, the EJ20 WRX makes 174 WTQ @ 3800 RPM thats a 60 LBFT GAIN! lol http://cobbtuning.com/wrx/images/ae-stage1-dyno.jpg

I have driven an 06 and can tell you compared to my 04 Cobb Stage II base WRX when i had it, the 06 felt just as torquey in 4th gear, but 1-3rd with the shorter shift, better gearing, i have to give it to the 2006 WRX, the thing is BAD.

Compared to my SRT4, from a stop light, i dont think i would be able to catch it in time by the end of the 1/4 in my SRT4, but from a 40 mph roll, im pretty sure my SRT4 would pull on it pretty good.

 

let me try to clear the air about dynos.

they can vary greatly. I've seen dyno figures ranging from 189 whp to the above mentioned 214 for the new WRX. there have been reports of even lower outputs on some forums. no surprise.

dyno outputs vary greatlt depending on model and testing variances. you can choose whatever dyno figure you would like to.

and if you choose to believe everything from Cobb Tuning then a conebasher WRX would smoke anything dodge, chevy, ford, honda, toyota or etc. has put out.

cobb claimed on its own homepage that their own WRX conebasher did the 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds consistently during time traps at autocrosses.

http://www.wrxforum.com/cgi-bin/ulti...c;f=2;t=000683

 

Not saying all dynos are equal here, but you cant dismiss the fact that it made 202 whp on Cobbs dyno, simply because someone else had a lower number. and saying that, the WRX made more whp than the Legacy GT. Its a fact that the LGT and the new WRX share the excat same engine, except the WRX has a catless up pipe.

And i have read the article, and it did have some noticable gains, they spent FAR too much money to get them but impressive nonetheless.

Now this stuff about the conebasher, is a different subject, I dont know why the people at Cobb would lie about their 0-60 times, too many skeptics in that room, I give Cobb the benefit of the doubt and I will believe them until you can find proof they didnt run 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds.

I stand behind Cobbtuning. They are amazing people and what they have done for the average consumer in modability of the Subaru line speaks volumes for the type of people the are. The Accessport alone is the most amazing mod for the average WRX owner to purchase.

 

well my 99 rs is claimed 165 and that thing is tourquy as hell. i love it. ive heard that awd cars have huge drivetrain loss but id say the civic at 160 aint much quicker. And that STi is a beast.

 

i've read that AWD cars normally lose about 18 - 20 percent hp to the wheels and two wheel drive vehicles lose about 10-12 hp.

but I recently read a GM test report on one of its own FWD vehicles at autoweek.com and they claimed a loss of 20 percent to the wheels.

so nothing is really consistent.