VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 For those of you that have owned or driven a WRX, how does the stock suspension vary between the two? Although, the Spec B comes standard with a sport tuned suspension, the Spec B came in second to the Mazdaspeed 6 on a comparison performed by Edmunds.com. Incidentally, both cars were neck and neck, but the suspension proved to be the deciding factor. How's the stock suspension on the Spec B? Edmunds mentioned that there is considerable body roll. Is that accurate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkwon Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 stock spec B suspension is still very soft, floaty and has quite a bit of roll i lowered the car with springs and upgraded sways front and rear and improved the ride quite a bit. i think the spec B has the good foundation for a good suspension setup but it not good enough on its own. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 dont believe in magazines, you should just go out and test drive both cars and you can make your own comparison. I like both, they each have their own points. You can't just focus on the suspension aspect as the rest of the car also matters such as: Power output that allows the driver to make changes in the weight transfer of the traction Braking characteristics to allow weight transfer Difference in tires and tire sizes Weight of the overall of car Suspension Alignments including wheel base and track widths of the car Steering ratio All this comes into play, but at that point in time, it really depends on which you like better: an apple or an orange. Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 USDM Spec B Bilsteins while 10 times better then stock LGT KYBs are still on the comfort side. The dampers are identical to JDM GT Rev. C Bilsteins. JDM SpecB Bilsteins are more aggressively damped. In conjuction with springs (e.g. STI Pinks) and upgraded sways they transform the car dramatically for that "like on rails" handling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 I'm still undecided between an S-Line A4 or a Spec B. I'm going out to a couple of dealers this weekend to check them out and hopefully get a chance to test drive one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Spec B hands-down. You can upgrade suspension in it inexpensively and will run circles around S4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 Spec B hands-down. You can upgrade suspension in it inexpensively and will run circles around S4. Did you mean the A4 or the S4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Did you mean the A4 or the S4? Either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subawang Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Did you mean the A4 or the S4? S-Line A4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 Either. Interesting. I'm really leaning toward the Spec B as its a few thousand dollars cheaper and bit more on the performance side, than the A4. In addition, loads more reliable. However, everytime I mention to my gf that I am leaning towards the Spec B, her reply is, "Its not an Audi. :(" She seems to be hooked onto the name and status symbol of the Audi. I know I shouldn't care all that much as I am the one who's going to be driving it, but it would be nice if she agreed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Interesting. I'm really leaning toward the Spec B as its a few thousand dollars cheaper and bit more on the performance side, than the A4. In addition, loads more reliable. However, everytime I mention to my gf that I am leaning towards the Spec B, her reply is, "Its not an Audi. :(" She seems to be hooked onto the name and status symbol of the Audi. I know I shouldn't care all that much as I am the one who's going to be driving it, but it would be nice if she agreed.... You're the man of reason. And she, sorry, is silly, at best. If you buy Audi have her sign she will pick up repair costs out of warranty. You'll smoke most of the Audis with stock power, nearly all at Stage II levels. You will look at Audi image in your rearview mirror. Maybe I am from different camp, but I cringe when I read about guys here buying what their wives want, despite their stupid choices (SUVs, etc). But a gf? C'mon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 You're the man of reason. And she, sorry, is silly, at best. If you buy Audi have her sign she will pick up repair costs out of warranty. You'll smoke most of the Audis with stock power, nearly all at Stage II levels. You will look at Audi image in your rearview mirror. Maybe I am from different camp, but I cringe when I read about guys here buying what their wives want, despite their stupid choices (SUVs, etc). But a gf? C'mon. She's never going to make the decision for me. It's a shame that she holds Audi's in such a high regard when the Legacy is just as nice inside and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabydanimal Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 She's never going to make the decision for me. It's a shame that she holds Audi's in such a high regard when the Legacy is just as nice inside and out. I have an innie! No really, I wouldn't compare Audi's interior build quality to the LGTs. My LGT's fit and finish is 500% better than in my WRX but I wouldn't put it up against a german car. Mechanically I'm afraid, we've got them beat. This is OT but Nothing pisses me off more when non-quattro A4s try to race me in the pouring rain. Dumbasses. Don't be a snob, be a Subaru fan boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 I have an innie! No really, I wouldn't compare Audi's interior build quality to the LGTs. My LGT's fit and finish is 500% better than in my WRX but I wouldn't put it up against a german car. Mechanically I'm afraid, we've got them beat. This is OT but Nothing pisses me off more when non-quattro A4s try to race me in the pouring rain. Dumbasses. Don't be a snob, be a Subaru fan boy! The fit and finish may be better. But, what I'm trying to get at is that the Legacy comes standard with heated seats, climate control, navigation, 4 cup holders, mp3/aux in headunit, audio controls on steering wheel, and memory seats! All those goodies come as options on the Audi. And that drives the price of the Audi to nearly $40k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUBAR Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Nearly 40k w/the options you want plus think about how much time and money will be spent on repairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDYJ Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 I traded my '05 WRX (w/stock suspension) for an 06' Spec-B (w/stock suspension) so I think I have a good point of reference. The WRX and Spec-B suspensions feel pretty similar. Sporty but not too firm......snooth but not too floaty. I would say a stock Legacy GT suspension is on the soft side......a WRX and Spec-B is in the middle....and an STi is on the stiff side. It's difficult to explain in words since everyone has a different opinion on what is soft and firm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 2, 2006 Author Share Posted December 2, 2006 Just checked out a Spec B at my local Subaru dealer. A lot sharper and nicer in person. Dealer is asking for a little under invoice as its a 2006. My girlfriend even fell in love with it. I'll be placing a deposit soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirsimon Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 Congratulations! At a minimum, throw a bigger rear sway bar on the car, and the handling will be greatly improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimy101 Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 For everyday driving, the Spec.B suspension over the Mazda FTW. The Spec. ride quality is very refined on the freeway and still nimble for spirited agile handling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 3, 2006 Author Share Posted December 3, 2006 Glad to hear it. I would be careful of marrying a chick who puts so much emphasis on status items even if they are not the best to get. Or just tell her you could either save the money from buying the specB towards a ring, or get the A4. She'll come around quite nicely, trust me I don't blame her for her ignorance. She doesn't know much about cars. However, when she hears Audi, she does what most people do and say, "Ooooh." When she stepped inside the Spec B, she immediately said, we don't have to see an Audi, this is the car for you. All she needed was a little education and a show and tell session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Dagwood Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 The other day I was on I-90, and I came across an RS-4. Yes, that's the top-of-the-line $66k A4 with a 420 hp V8. I have to tell you .. it didn't really impress me that much. I mean, there was power in it (of course there was .. 420 hp!), but it just seemed a little .. underwhelming. I imagine if we'd been going 120 mph it would have seemed a little more .. something. But at normal speeds, it just didn't. Honestly, all it brought to mind was how much they overpayed for it. I'm glad you're getting the specB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanillaEps Posted December 4, 2006 Author Share Posted December 4, 2006 Considering the thread surrounds suspension, glad to hear that the Spec B can be upgraded very inexpensively. Can anyone shed some light on this sports suspension that the Spec B possesses?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkwon Posted December 4, 2006 Share Posted December 4, 2006 USDM spec B bilsteins = JDM regular GT revision C dampers JDM spec B bilsteins = much stiffer than the USDM spec B bilsteins. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vimy101 Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 Considering the thread surrounds suspension, glad to hear that the Spec B can be upgraded very inexpensively. Can anyone shed some light on this sports suspension that the Spec B possesses?? In addition to the upgraded struts some iron suspension parts have been replaced by lighter weight aluminum ones. The Spec.B suspension is pretty slick. My impression from my test drive is that it reacts more quickly than the LGT set up. Heavier sways if you want to autox it might be a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2006 Share Posted December 5, 2006 Considering the thread surrounds suspension, glad to hear that the Spec B can be upgraded very inexpensively. Can anyone shed some light on this sports suspension that the Spec B possesses?? Generally three options for new struts/shocks: 1. used JDM SpecB Bilstiens take-offs - more aggressive than USDM (USDM SpecB = JDM GT) 2. Ohlins (not yet really available and very $$$$) 3. variety of coilovers However the for USDM SpecB Bilsteins you should try springs (e.g. Pinks) and sway bars (Cusco, Swifts are best bet firment wise for both sway bars and OEM JDM rear rsb if upgrading the rear only). Most likely you will be very happy with the set up, unless you're looking for more sporty/aggressive ride for which stock Bilsteins may be underdamped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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