I've been kicking around the idea of driving an Impreza WRX for some time now, so today I finally did it. I drove a five speed sedan. It's impressive enough...seems about as fast as my SVT although the numbers indicate the WRX is faster. It's not the speed I'm so terribly concerned about though. Yes, it has to be at least in the same ball park as the SVT, but my main concern is reliability. My other car is 23 years old! The reliable car in the family has to have the four doors due to kids. I prefer the MTX too. Right now my SVT has 92,500 miles on it. Will it last? Best I can figure is maybe. I take care of this car every way I can...I read all of the posts here almost obsessively. I am a fairly decent mechanic, although I don't believe I should be working on a car this new other than routine maintenance. The usual problems have arisen...water pump at 69,500 (the day I bought it!) and new cats at 74,000. Now it needs rear brakes and probably a clutch soon. Who knows what else I'll find when I tear into it. I'm looking at this WRX with like 7 miles on it or whatever and wondering if I should trade the SVT in while I'm ahead. I could get the payments about the same and I think the insurance would be close to the same...haven't checked on that yet though. I would have the bumper to bumper warranty...and I wouldn't worry so much about things like plastic impellers, sagging bumpers or burnt underhood wiring. Don't get me wrong, I love my Contour as much as most of you. I love it when someone asks me what it is (Is that the new SHO?) or the look on people's faces when we pull up to the NEXT light. Geez, I even joined the SVTOA! I just have to make a decision, whether a new car would be better for me or just stick with what I've got. Sorry this post is so long, but I really need to hear some of your opinions here!
Mike
