Toyota vs VW: The Battle of Reliability
When it comes to car reliability, Toyota and VW owners both claim to have the most dependable vehicles. But are these claims based on facts or just emotional bias? Making a decision solely based on biased opinions may not be the best approach. This is a complex topic that we won’t delve into here.
In the world of tuning, there are two types of engines that often get a bad rap: Mazda’s rotary and Subaru’s boxer engines. However, poor performance and reliability are not always due to design flaws or manufacturer errors. It can be a result of neglectful maintenance and careless owners. Upgrading your engine can also lead to a shorter lifespan, especially if you opt for cheaper parts. This becomes evident when you witness a drag race featuring 2,000-hp Subarus. What starts with four cars quickly dwindles to only half of the field still running.
Among the Subarus, the GC8 is a favorite among enthusiasts, representing the golden era of JDM cars. The showcased model boasts a 2.1-liter stroked engine with an impressive output of 560 horsepower and 660 Nm of torque. While I once dreamt of owning a second-gen Blobeye, I ultimately decided against it. This particular vehicle is built for Time Attack racing and is slightly heavier than its older counterpart. It also runs on less impressive Accelera tires.
Although all four cars have similar horsepower levels, the newer models have a significant advantage in torque due to their 2.5-liter engines. However, they also have to contend with increased weight figures. Subaru’s continuous upgrades over the years should count for something, right? There’s a common saying among car enthusiasts: “Don’t launch your car, or you’ll risk breaking your diff, axle, clutch, or something else.”
But let’s not forget that we paid good money for these cars, so why not enjoy driving them? Remember the GT-R scandal from the past? To prevent any early eliminations, the rolling race is the first challenge. The modern WRX STI emerges victorious in both runs, while the GC8 lags behind. While this format is entertaining, we’re all eager to see how they perform in the standing 1/4-mile race. Unfortunately, two out of the four cars require a tow truck by the end of the day. It’s now up to the Time Attack STI and the modern WRX STI to put on a thrilling show for the audience. We won’t spoil the outcome, so sit back and enjoy the rest of the race.
