And a New Contender Appears

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
04/23/2016 at 12:07 • Filed to: None

I kind of want to go test drive one of these. I’ve wanted another Subaru since we got rid of our BRAT. And recently I’ve discovered that my driving style and hobbies make either the FiST or a WRX a better choice, over the Camaro. The Camaro is still the frontrunner, but I miss having a Subie in my life.

DISCUSSION (44)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:11

The WRX is stupid fast.

At least coming from a 4Runner it is.

WRXasaurus > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:14

Do it, I love my 06. I can't imagine how good the new generation is.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
04/23/2016 at 12:15

0-60 in under 5, and Engineering Explained got one to average 35 mpg. It’s the quickest of my choices, and holds the middle ground in fuel economy. It’s also the roomiest, safest, and has the best visibility.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
04/23/2016 at 12:16

Also, dirt road hoonage.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:19

My friend doesn’t drive conservatively in his and he averages around 32 MPG.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:25

Hahahahaha!!! Lol. Hahaha!!

TEST DRIVE A WRX?!?!?

Hate to break it to you, but Subaru doesn’t allow test drives on the new WRX until after they've run a credit check and you've negotiated a price.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 12:28

Really? That sucks. I probably could have test drove any car on the lot at a Ford dealer a few weeks ago, and I was openly not even looking at any of their cars. Is that all dealers, or just your dealer? Because my local dealer was having a get paid to test drive promotion, WRX included.

boxrocket > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:29

FiST. Makes the daily commute more fun, you can see out of it (not so in the Camaro), can carry a reasonable amount of stuff, and it’s small enough to park almost anywhere.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > boxrocket
04/23/2016 at 12:32

Lol, having test driven both, that’s not true for the most part. The FiST is only slightly better to see out of, and has SLIGHTLY more room inside than a Toyobaru. It’s cramped in there. Plus, I can get the Camaro for not much more, and it has more power, is RWD, looks better, feels better, and has a much better interior.

WRXforScience > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:53

You can test drive a WRX without issues, I’ve test driven a couple at multiple dealerships. If you look like a teenager or otherwise undesirable, you might have more trouble.

The STi is a little tougher to get a test drive, but that’s primarily due to the manual only option (many dealers don’t trust that people actually know how to drive stick, since many just don’t).

Baskingshark > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 12:54

There is a new STI parked next door, I would take the keys in a heartbeat

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WRXforScience
04/23/2016 at 13:15

I’m 21, but look 30-ish with a beard. I think I’ll try to drive my Mom’s car to the dealer though lol.

boxrocket > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 13:20

....So..... Mustang GT then?

I’ve driven all of them and while the new Camaro is a big improvement over the prior generation, it doesn’t rev my engine. I’d take the aging Genesis Coupe or 370Z/G37S/Q60 over a new Camaro SS, but that would mean I've already passed on a Mustang, Toyobaru twins, Cayman, and others.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > boxrocket
04/23/2016 at 13:40

No. That’s too much, and I don’t want used. I like the Camaro more than the Mustang. And if was going V8, I would go full muscle car and get a Scat Pack.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 14:42

In my experience, it’s the same case with PA, NJ, NY, and CT Subaru dealers, but that’s not to say there aren’t exceptions out there. But it’s always a safe bet to assume that a test drive is off limits before you go to a Subi dealer (VW does the same thing with the Golf R).

And Ford was the complete opposite. They let me test drive a FiST, FoST, and Boostang back-to-back-to-back without even asking for my license. If I didn’t need AWD I would absolutely have bought a Blue Oval.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 14:45

You got rid of your WRX for Corvette, didn’t you?

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 14:59

Yep. Moved to NYC so I don’t need a DD anymore. Plus the WRX’s turbo always overboosted on the race track after a few laps, so the fuel cutoff would engage for 10-15 seconds. It was fine for autocross since it requires several minutes of high speed, high RPM pulls before it overboosts.

I only use the Vette for the track/autox and occasional weekend trips.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 15:10

Between the 3, what would you choose to daily drive, provided snow isn’t an issue: 2016 Camaro Turbo, 2016 Fiesta ST, or 2016 WRX?

TheOnelectronic > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 15:48

Depends on the Dealer. I’ve test driven several WRXes and STIs while making it clear to the salesperson that I was just trying to narrow down my options.

TheOnelectronic > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 15:49

My ease of test driving was in central PA.

TheOnelectronic > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 15:50

Don’t get too discouraged before you actually go and ask. There is no blanket rule- it’s up to each dealer, and the ones I’ve been to have been very free with test drives. (early 20's)

TheOnelectronic > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 15:53

The biggest advantage the WRX has over the FoST (FiST really is a different class of car, being smaller and slower by a good margin) is the fuel tank. The Focus has a laughably small range. I usually got about 250 miles on a tank if I was being nice to it. The WRX is reputed to be able to do 350+ easily.

Other than that, they’re surprisingly similar cars. Don’t let the ST’s FWD fool you- it’s a very tail-happy car. The ST definitely has the higher quality interior and sound system as well.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 16:17

Haven’t driven a new Camaro, but the Boostang felt wrong with a 4-cylinder. It also felt REALLY big.

The FiST was the most fun car I test drove. It’s way more fun of a DD than the WRX. If it weren’t for snow and autocross, I’d have bought a FiST.

marshknute > TheOnelectronic
04/23/2016 at 16:20

Out of curiosity, how old are you? I was 23 when I bought mine, but I look so young that I still sometimes get carded for R-rated movies!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 17:19

I just want something that can handle unpaved roads well, while being good in the corners, and I feel that the WRX should be the clear winner here.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 17:26

Oh, well if we’re including unpaved roads, than WRX no question. The Camaro would make for some RWD slideyness, but I suspect it’ll mostly feel like a big car with a boring engine.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 17:30

It’s actually lighter than the WRX, with more power. The Boostang is over 3500 pounds, while the Turbomaro is only over 3300.

marshknute > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 17:40

No, I meant big as in wide/long. The WRX/FiST have awesome visibility since they’re based on economy cars, so they feel smaller to drive. It was difficult to sense where the Mustang’s extremities were thanks to the long hood and fastback.

Vicente Esteve > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/23/2016 at 17:49

I’d take the FieSTa.

TheOnelectronic > marshknute
04/23/2016 at 20:31

25.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 12:20

You will love having a Subie in your life. the dirt road hoonage is so good, kick the clutch and the rear end will slide right out, its so much fun on gravel roads (also snow and ice).

You shouldn’t have a terrible amount of trouble getting a test drive. I had contacted a dealer and negotiated a price on a car they had on the water when I came in to put a deposit down they gave me a test drive without even asking or checking my license, I don’t think they’d done a credit check yet either (I was 24 at the time)! The sales guy had a good route and seriously encourage hooning (told me to turn off traction control), I was going to buy one before the test drive, but after I was completely sold!

Regarding mileage, I live in the Chicago suburbs so with mostly city type driving I see something like 22mpg on average ( I don’t drive gently) which is kind of mediocre considering the premium (93 if at all possible) requirement. It’ll do 28 on interstate cruises, I have no idea how anyone does 35, must be some serious grandma like driving @55mph.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 15:27

I’ve kind of written it off already. It’s at the top end of my budget, and that is for the Base, and that’s too base for my liking.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 15:51

Unfortunately unlike fist’s and turbo-maros MSRP is as good as it gets on a WRX, they do however hold their resale values accordingly.

eh, premium doesn’t add much over base that’s worthwhile. Seat heaters aren’t really necessary on cloth seats, sunroofs are useless, heated side mirrors are not usually necessary, and I think the 18's are ugly, the wiper heater is kind nice though.

Do get the autodiming mirror (port added accessory) that thing is worth it’s weight in gold.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 16:13

I like most of these things. Plus, the other two have much better interiors.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 16:26

Have you actually been in one of this generation? I don’t know about the new camaro, but the Fist is really not any better.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 16:31

Nope, but it looks significantly cheaper.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 16:41

Don’t drink the internet koolaide, it isn’t great but it’s not noticeably bad, all of the surfaces you normally touch are pretty decent, a lot of soft touch stuff was added, the steering wheel is really nice to hold, so is the shifter and the seats are comfortable and supportive. Admittedly the “B” surfaces are still shiny hard plastic and some people hate the fake carbon accents, I think it’s fine and it is easy to remove to wrap if you want to get ricey.

Don’t kill yourself with payments though, the fist is nice and quite a bit cheaper especially if you find deals and get the 0% financing Ford seems to constantly offer

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 16:53

Yeah, the WRX is even more than the Camaro, and honestly I’d rather have the Camaro.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 17:03

Biggest issue with the camaro is the laughably sized trunk. I live alone and I’m pretty sure grocery trips would be a problem, never mind going shooting with anything larger than a pistol...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 17:07

A. I have an SUV that will be staying.

B. The trunk isn’t that small, it’s the opening that is small. As long as it fits through the opening, you’ll be fine.

C. It’s a Camaro, a gun rack comes standard.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/25/2016 at 17:14

haha, as if the rear visibility wasn’t bad enough already! (had to go there)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/25/2016 at 18:25

Back up cam is standard, and it’s better than a long bed truck, and I drive those every day for work.

uofime-2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/26/2016 at 10:19

a long bed has good rear visibility, its just a little hard to tell where the truck ends. the problem with the camaro and a lot of other cars is you are looking through a narrow opening and don’t get much perirphrial vision, so if you have to turn while backing up its something of an act of faith. backup cameras help, also they’re legally required to be on everything in the next model year iirc

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > uofime-2
04/26/2016 at 13:39

Our long beds have a 40 gallon drum blocking the entire right back window. The other b pillar is a blind spot. It’s visibility is poor.