Xr6t Vs Wrx

[bcl]

People,

Below are my brief views and opinions on a comparison on my new XR6T and WRX, both 2 months old.

I posted the report below on WRX forums yesterday. I've tried to be impartial and honest in the review, and certainly no offence is intended.

WRX MY03 vs Ford XR6T

BASE COMPARE

Given the conjecture from quite a few people regarding how these 2 cars compare, I thought I’d add a few comments. I think I’m in a position to be unbiased, as I have 3 WRX’s and have owned 8 Fords (6’s & V8’s), and I currently own both a MY03 and XR6T…. both with no mods, and both manuals with leather and sunroof. I drive the XR6T most days; the MY03 (Evo6) belongs to my wife.

Details:

Price: Expect to pay up to $4-5k more for the XR6T for a similar spec car. Almost no bargaining at all for the XR6T, and up to 5 months wait on a new order (true).

Insurance: XR6T up to $1k cheaper per year (Sydney prices) …. WRX people are still being ripped off ….. I’m far more likely to crash the XR6T than the WRX

Fuel consumption: Depends how you drive… I find that the XR6T uses around 20-25% more fuel

Handling: The WRX is easily better because of the all-wheel drive, but the XR6T is surprising good. I feel far more secure going around corners in the WRX…. The XR6T is a BIG car, but it does handle far better than all previous Fords.

If it’s raining : No contest WRX is far superior…. If you do drive the XR6T don’t turn the traction control off…. You can’t beat all wheel drive.

Performance:

From Traffic lights : No contest; WRX has an initial surge of acceleration that the XR6T could only dream about. The XR6T needs 3000 rpm and traction control turned off for best launches (in the dry only)

From low speeds: both cars close; XRT6 marginally quicker

From higher speeds: XR6T feels faster and probably is

Say from 70-80kph in 4th gear: XR6T feels much stronger, with good torque

Clutch : WRX lighter: XR6T not too heavy

Gearbox: no contest; the XR6T gearbox is shocking, and well below an acceptable standard, and should be ditched by Ford asap. It is notchy, and 3rd gear is a disaster, especially downchanging from 5th. This gearbox is on its limit of torque handling capability already. I really prefer manuals, so I went that way, but if you’re not intending to mod the XR6T then I’d recommend the auto. For anyone who may think that the gearbox in the WRX is the weak link, then it far worse in the XR6T.

ECU : The XR6T feels like it is being held back, as it runs only 6lb of boost, and the ecu tries to maintain a flat torque from 2500 revs upwards….. no doubt to protect the gearbox, and keep power under V8 figures. So it doesn’t feel like a turbo!

Seats: The XR6T seats are very soft and comfortable, but standard WRX seats wrap you and hold you far better (Evo6 seats are OK but don’t wrap as well, since they incorporate side air-bags).

Suspension: WRX is far firmer than XR6T (I think MY03 is firmer than previous WRX models). XR6T suspension feels soft by comparison, but I like it very much, as it is an excellent comfort/handling combination.

Ease of driving: The XR6T I prefer as a daily drive, due to extra comfort, and general extra ease of driving because of the flexibility & torque of the 4 litres (in spite of the gearbox)… plus I’m getting older and lazier. If I wanted to get somewhere a bit quicker I’d take the WRX, as it handles and brakes better, is more nimble and requires less effort, and is more reassuring.

However: my wife doesn’t like driving the XR6T…. it is too big and requires too much effort compared to the WRX for suburban driving (I say she is too spoilt; in the past she has driven V8’s without power steering!)

Accomodation/space: No contest …. XR6T …. Heaps of space

Boot space : XR6T much larger, but it should be deeper (I.e higher) to be more practical

Towing : No contest …. XR6T… most WRXs don’t have towbars awyway.

Steering wheel : The XR6T sports wheel is excellent (it’s an option); far better than the WRX thin momo.

Brakes: Both OK for normal driving. The WRX should be far better around a track. The fact that Ford offer a $3k brake upgrade option indicates that under more spirited driving the standard brakes are not satisfactory. Guys that have taken XR6Ts around the track with stock brakes have reported major brake fade problems. I’ve no reports on the impact of pad upgrades.

Motor: Both run relatively high compression for a turbo motor ….. XR6T 8.7:1 WRX 9:1. Given the bore/stroke ratio the XR6T should develop better torque, and that it is double the capacity in litres so much more so. The WRX motor revs out far better than the XR6T. Rev limit (cutout) on the XR6T is 6K, and it’s not marked, but I’d rarely hit 5k revs anyway. The new MY03 motor feels like it is far better factory tuned than the XR6T.

On a long trip: Take the XR6T, as it’s more comfortable

Winding/twisting roads : Take the WRX … far more fun

Car Security: WRX clear winner with keypad/alarm and anti-hijack.

Upgrade capability:

WRX is certainly easier to upgrade at this stage, as there are known paths to follow, and component durability (or lack of) is known…. Chiefly from gearbox abuse

XR6T upgrades are in early stages of review, but there is plenty of action.

APS, AVO,CAPA, Nizpro and others are bringing out upgrades.

The XR6T injectors allegedly run close to 90% duty cycle in stock form, so they will have to be ditched quickly, as well as upgrading the fuel pump. IC upgrades are available

The gearbox is a major problem. Even APS have stated that even their stage 1 minor upgrade has taken the weakness of the gearbox into account, and gearbox replacement will be an expensive proposition.

ECU upgrades are mandatory, and like the MY03 you just can’t up the boost, as the ecu will retard power. Most aftermarket places are going the piggy-back route e.g Unichip (that quite a few of us have already used with WRXs), Nizpro about to soon piggyback a M800 Motec that will also allow electronic control over individual cams.

300kw at the wheels is already being achieved, but the capacity of the drivetrain and conrods to cope over time is unkown.

My current assessment is that it will be comparatively expensive to upgrade the XR6T to 280-350kw (at wheels), if both the gearbox and brakes need upgrading/replacement…. Possibly $20-30k (we’ll see). … then make the suspension cope.

However, minor upgrades may give a good increase in power for less than $5k, which will probably suit most people.

I am on Ford forums daily. Most of the people seem very wary of mods, and the impact on (I.e loss of) warranty. Very little has happened so far, based on a small amount of feedback from a few trailblazers.

How a modified WRX will compare with a modified XR6T I can’t say yet. My bet is that it will respond well to mods.

If the modified XR6T gets even close to my modified Sti V6 I’ll be very happy.

Summary:

Overall both cars are very good, with very similar levels of performance. As an overall package I’d rate the WRX a better car, but it is marginal. They are both very good in different ways, and it depends what you want from a car. However the XR6T manual gearbox is a major disappointment. The XR6T will only get better with subsequent new models.

Note that the MY03 is a much better car than earlier WRX’s and quicker also. The variable valve timing has made a huge difference to the car.

These are my opinions, based on street use, not track use, as I’ve not taken either car around the track.

Both are very good cars, and very good value for what you pay.

Regards,

Brian

[Cobra]

I detect a slight bias ... but well written

have to agree with you, however it is important to remember that comparing these two cars is like comparing a Mini Cooper S to a GT Falcon (the original ones) the pint sized mini beat the GT !!!

... the rex has always been a giant killer and the XRT is a giant .... they are completely different cars

[rjs]

Wow BCL. It's good to hear comparisons on our cars espcially when it's open and unbiased. One thing for sure you are one lucky bugger for having best of both worlds (Rex & XRT). I agree with you on your judgments these are cars that are Bang for Your Bucks. Either people go with an MY03 or XR6T, they won't be dissappointed. To be really honest, if I had the extra cash, my second car would be an MY03.

Rjs

[KEN 24T]

Thanks BCL,

Good review of both cars, as you say though, it depends what you want out of a car ... I want the T and like most motoring fundamentalists, I'm prepared to put up with whatever little issues (gearbox, brakes, etc.,) come along.

[bcl]

A few other comments.

There are other people who have a budget of $45-55k to spend and want a turbo, and basically there are only 2 options that I’d consider.

You need to keep things in perspective.

The XR6T is version 1, the WRX is close to version 10.

The current WRX (MY03) is far superior to the MY97 that I have …. Chasis stability, motor improvements, dynamics, gearbox strength etc……… so the XR6T will no doubt improve, and Ford will upgrade the brakes and gearbox…. Hopefully in version 2.

There are a number of WRX people who have talked about changing over to a XR6T, typically a bit older who require a bit more space or towing capacity. Will they be disappointed? Based on my experience the answer is “definitely not”.

Brian

[GDH]

Seems a fair write-up to me bcl...as a track car the WRX is the logical choice. I considered a WRX when my wait time on the T kept blowing out...test drive was a lot of fun too.

Didn't change though, because I felt the Ford was the better touring car (matches my driving need) and insurance (WRX was $1400pa dearer...ouch).

The none-too-subtle bodykit wasn't a winner with the boss either, but she picks her cars, I pick mine, so that wasn't a factor.

It's come in for a lot of bad press, but I'm not convinced the manual box is a problem...it's certainly not the best I've ever used, but it's freed up a fair bit in the 4000ks I've driven, and I don't notice it any more. Maybe I should be more choosey!

GDH

[1axr]

good writeup bcl

[Falchoon]

Great review. No real surprises there. I wondered how a Rex would compare to a XR6T and now I know. It looks like they are aimed (marketed) at different demographics. Rex is for the younger 20 somethings while the XR6T is for older 30+ crowd. The Rex is probably better for the single guy (or girl!) while the XR6T is more a family type car (larger - more room for passengers and with torquey 6 cyl motor more suited to towing trailers and caravans). Thanks for the review bcl.

[Guest Mac_Dude]

Nice review.

Nothing I could disagree with - I seriously looked at a WRX as well but went for the XR6T in the end.

Additional notes from my comparison :

* WRX will have better resale value than XR6T

* WRX interior is looking 'tired' to me, the XR6T has a more modern looking interior - I prefer it, however,

* The finish/materials used in the WRX seem to be of a higher quality

Bottom line for me was space - the WRX is a small car

[bcl]

My 21 yo son is more interested in 180sx and wrx’s. He can have a drive of the XR6T when he gets his licence back. The physical size of the XR6T does not generally attract the younger person, or meet their needs, and most seem to be interested in “hot-4s”. Of course there are exceptions. Also, younger (<25) people can afford the used WRX where they pay say less than $25k, whereas they are less likely to buy a new $50k XR6T. That should help to keep the XR6T insurance premiums down.

I’d argue the XRT6 is directed at the more ‘mature’ driver, or someone with a family mans needs, rather than the ‘boy racer’ image of the WRX.

My wife would not agree, as she is more comfortable driving a physically smaller car with AWD and with easier driving and parking, rather than for “boy-racer” reasons…. Oh… and ‘her’ WRX just happens to go very well. I’m happy for her not to use the XR6T on a daily basis, as I’m paranoid about dents. (I hate dents).

I still have a highly modded Sti, and that suits my “boy racer” requirements just nicely. As you can see I’m a bit schitzo.

In my case I needed a large car for towing, the extra space for some of the weekends away, and having previously owned a Calais turbo aware of the awesome performance potential of a large capacity turbo, plus Ford have finally produced a hi-tech motor and good handling package, plus I am comfortable driving Fords.

Re-interior…. It’s personal taste… the XR6T definitely looks more modern, but it’s really of secondary importance to me.

As for resale values, historically Subaru have been good and Ford pretty awful. But based on recent experience you never seem to get the trade-in you want.

Brian