The 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX is too stiff to drive on a dirt road [EDIT]

"Burrito de EJ25" (alexcarrillo01)
02/02/2014 at 23:51 • Filed to: None

I went out with my family out to the desert to a relative's ranch. Part of the trip was on an unpaved road, and it was just brutal.

I don't know if it's the suspension setting, or if these Dunlop summer tires are just too harsh for off road duties. Either way, it felt as if the car was going to fall apart. I wasn't going fast, too.

Don't drive a Subaru WRX slow on a dirt road with 5 people in it and you'll have fun?

The Dunlops still suck, though.

DISCUSSION (24)

YSI-what can brown do for you > Burrito de EJ25
02/02/2014 at 23:53

I think it is a great platform for a rally car, but you are probably going to have to change a lot of suspension parts to make it that way.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Burrito de EJ25
02/02/2014 at 23:55

Either way, it felt as if the car was going to fall apart. I wasn't going fast, too.

If in doubt, flat out.

puddler > Burrito de EJ25
02/02/2014 at 23:57

you weren't going fast enough.

Dusty Ventures > Burrito de EJ25
02/02/2014 at 23:57

Fun fact: Rally cars are actually brutally stiff when driven off road at normal speeds. Like somewhere between uncomfortable and bone jarring. The suspension only absorbs bumps when they're hit at higher speeds.

Burrito de EJ25 > YSI-what can brown do for you
02/02/2014 at 23:57

I wasn't expecting a full blown rally car experience.

I was , however, not expecting to have my bones turned to dust driving 15 MPH on a dirt road in a car known for its rally heritage.

Burrito de EJ25 > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
02/02/2014 at 23:59

I did gun it on a smoother section of the road.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Burrito de EJ25
02/02/2014 at 23:59

Fair enough, although I have seen people do rallycross in these stock, so maybe you just had to go faster.

Burrito de EJ25 > Dusty Ventures
02/02/2014 at 23:59

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 00:01

This is one reason I really liked my stock 97 Integra GSR sedan. It was stiff enough to handle very well, but I could comfortably fly down dirt roads at 60.

Burrito de EJ25 > YSI-what can brown do for you
02/03/2014 at 00:03

That sounds like it might have been the case.

In fairness to the car, the road was like a damn washboard in certain sections.

Desu-San-Desu > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 00:06

I can assure you it was the tires. Those tires are known for sidewalls as stiff as a pornstar's wedding tackle.

ilostmypants > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 00:09

how many people in the car?
the Impreza is still a small car, dont forget that with 5 fat ass's in it its going to ride like a dog.

Burrito de EJ25 > Desu-San-Desu
02/03/2014 at 00:11

They're really loud, too. I can't wait to ditch 'em.

Burrito de EJ25 > ilostmypants
02/03/2014 at 00:11

There were 5 fat asses in the car.

Desu-San-Desu > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 00:32

If the road is that bumpy, drive faster .

Burrito de EJ25 > Desu-San-Desu
02/03/2014 at 00:44

Oppo is ignorance's worst enemy.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 01:01

Drive that shit like you stole it then! Should smooth the bumps out.

PowderHound > Dusty Ventures
02/03/2014 at 01:22

Lifelesson: go fast!

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 08:55

5 people = 800-1000 pounds of preload on the suspension = lots of travel already gone.

Stupidru > Dusty Ventures
02/03/2014 at 09:07

Not to mention that at higher speeds your suspension typically doesn't have to travel the full length either, so the frequency of rebounding and compressing is a lot less

WhiskeyGolf > Dusty Ventures
02/03/2014 at 10:22

When in doubt, go flat out!

DickyQ > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 11:44

With 5 people, your suspension in the rear was pretty close to bottomed out. I'm sure you were bouncing off the bump stops constantly.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Burrito de EJ25
02/03/2014 at 12:48

This is why I want an XV Crosstrek Turbo to be offered.

Kinja'd!!!

Rally cars are not supposed to be lowered and too stiff for all but a smooth track.

Maybe with magneto-rheological fluid dampers, or smaller versions of the Fox dampers on the Ford Raptor, and cockpit-disengage-able sway bars.

Cross-linked hydro-pneumatic suspension is probably too much to ask... no sway-bars needed, but it would be cool... Citroen DS and MP4-12C style.

JDIGGS > Burrito de EJ25
02/08/2014 at 03:50

Subaru struts are mediocre, there is much to be gained.

Also tire pressure is HUGEE in this type scenario, did you even check??