Echo Online recommends three cars as post-graduation vehicles:
- Honda Civic Si
- Volkswagen GTI
- Subaru WRX
Here’s their take on the Subaru WRX 2006:
Subaru Impreza WRX TR: When you need all four wheels driven look no further than the Subaru Impreza WRX TR, TR stands for tuner ready.
New for 2006 the TR is an entry level WRX sedan that cuts out some little things that are not needed for the driving enjoyment, keeping only performance and technology features, according to Subaru.
Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is what allows equal amounts of power to reach all four wheels, unless there is wheel slippage and then power is diverted from the slipping wheel and sent to a tire with more grip.
All WRX models, except the STI, receive new engines for 2006. A 2.5-liter flat four that replaces the 2.0-liter that had previously powered the rally inspired car. This increase in engine size also translates to an increase in power and torque, 3 hp and 18 lb-ft of torque have been added to make a total of 230 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Subaru says that this increase in torque will help the WRX perform at lower to mid range engine speeds. 17 inch wheels are now standard for all WRXs, up from 16 inch.
Subaru made changes to the Impreza’s exterior this year as well. They adapted the “three-section mesh-type grill inspired by the company’s aircraft heritage” for the 2006 Impreza.
According to the EPA the WRX gets 20 miles to the gallon of gasoline in the city and 26 on the highway, if you go with a manual transmission.
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post-graduation vehicle?! Is this guy nuts?!? Does he just want to collect the paid up death benefits for his post-grad’s funeral?
I wouldn’t dream of putting my kid in one of these rockets until they have several years of real road under their seat. This makes about as much sense as getting them the latest 600cc sport bike when they have virtually no saddle time.
Lets let our kids earn their ride instead of puting them in the hottest wheels on the road and letting them kill themselves or others.