Hi folks. I'm new to the forum, joining from the Capital District in NY. I just picked up a "brand-used" '09 WRX in black last weekend, and I'm hopeful that the winter weather will hold out long enough for me to confirm she's a keeper.
Just a bit of background info: I'm a young professional Research Engineer and have a growing family, so I won't be the most active member this forum has ever seen--you know, priorities. I've been riding since I was a kid, but predominantly have owned sportbikes or sport-tourers as an adult. I decided that I'd like to add a better commuter/explorer/off pavement ride to the stable, basically something that can fill the gaps where my FZ1 is out of its wheelhouse. So, no need for big power (my FZ has 100+ on what I could ever hope for out of the 250), but rather going for simplicity, economy, versatility (suspension travel!), and commute/short-trip fun factor. It was between the WRR, WRX, and the DRZSM (I know I'm not the only one to have gone through that decision), and the WRX won out because I'm going to be at least 75% pavement and the WR seemed to be a bit less needy than the DRZ (I have enough carbs in the garage to deal with given the NY weather).
I found a decent deal on a mostly stock '09 in black (my favorite), and decided to pick it up and see how it works out. I just got it registered, so not much feedback yet, but for sure gearing and suspension (esp. rear--my FZ used to be a pogo as well) are the first in line for improvement. Other mods such as programmer and the usual farkles may find their way on in time...we'll see.