Rhythmic

Ok, so I've been struggling with the idea of selling my 8 for a few months now . I really could use more cargo room and practicality for my hobbies, dogs, etc., and my wife has never really been happy with me owning the 8 because of it's size, stiff suspension, and lack of practicality (I refuse to drive it in less than ideal weather and road conditions, and refuse to put our dogs in it), and my MPG is finally starting to bother me. Plus we really want to try to reduce our monthly expenses to buy a house.

As much as I love my 8, it looks like the end could be near.

So, after browsing the local classifieds and autotrader, I think I've narrowed my search down to an 2002 or 2004 WRX. With its practicality, better MPG, and decent performance I think it could be a good fit for us. And, the wagon would be awesome for drums, amps, dogs, etc. Obviously, I'll lose A LOT in the styling department, and although I've never driven one, the driving experience is probably completely different.

The one I really like is a 2002 WRX wagon, stage 2. It has tanabe springs, Cobb Accessport , and full HKS turbo back exhaust. It only has 30k mi., and the owner considers it in "Mint" condition. He's asking $15,500, and I hope to get it down to $13-14k or so based on KBB and NADA.

A quick look at the Cobb website shows the REMARKABLE gains with this setup. The only problems I've found with this car through my research is the transmission. Some have torn it up, some have well over 150k mi. on it no problem. Kinda sounds like some of the "known issues" with the rx8.

Because this forum has never had a lack of opinionated and knowledgeable enthusiasts, I'd love to get some feedback from my rx8 brethren.

Thanks for the help.

swiftrx8

My opinion is the WRX is gay.

Not a sports car, I don't care how fast it is. But if you're looking for utility it has more to offer than the RX8 I guess.

You are right though the RX8 MPG is terrible for the little speed you get.

JRichter

I've got a friend that has one (2004 WRX) and it has never ever given him any problems mechanically and this is with numerous mods. My only complaints would probably be the cheap-like interior and the thin aluminum body panels that are easily dented/dinged but not a major issues for the overall kit you get.

The WRX wagon you mentioned has always appealed to me for some reason and back in 2001 or so when it first appeared in the US I thought it would make a good sleeper. I've always liked the funky looks of the Impreza's (even the bug-eyed models) and still think they look good today. Pity about the new one.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

I never liked the WRX its crap in my opinion. Take a look at the Civic Si sedan, or an Acura TSX. They have more room, get great gas milage, luxorious interior, but no where near the fun you have with the rx8

gothamite

lmao that there is no lack of!! but as far as the STi: its a good choice for what you need... i never really liked the wagon for that car. kinda wish they still made the IS200 wagon, i thought that one looked a lot nicer. and the 04 looks better IMO.

chrism

the trans is made of glass from what im told......

SouthFL

A Stage II WRX is a great car- I owned an '05 WRX Wagon (actually, a Saabaru, see below) with Stage II modifications and some suspension work. The mods are inexpensive and the Stage II map from Cobb, along with the downpipe (uppipe is worth it, though not necessary to run Stage II) and exhaust wake the car up incredibly to make it a real performer (figure 13's trapping a little over 100mph). The 2002 has a weaker tranny than newer years. I beat the crap out of my car and never had any tranny or clutch issues.

I only sold the car due to the smallish rotor size for its vehicle weight (brakes would fade at the track once I went Stage II) and anyone serious about track days really should go coilover with camber plates and with a big brake kit. Car is underdamped from the factory for any real spring setup.

Otherwise, a great car. It is a very competent car both in a straight line and on a road course.

nt5k

2002? Run away. It will make you hate driving. People are not kidding about that tranny. Shifting is garbage, period. Getting into reverse and first requires and act of faith. Clutch shudder is also great fun. Trying to drive smoothly in stop/go traffic? Not gonna happen. The on/off nature of the engine also gets old fast. It's not like being in the wrong gear in the 8, it really struggles then you get a surge of power. Great, thanks. I had one for 2 years and it just became a chore to drive.

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

I've driven both the WRX and the STI and I think they're both great cars, but it depends what you want. I would buy an 06-07 if I were to get one.

The WRX is a great car for the price and can be modified extensively for lots of gains. Which essentially means you can make it an STI :P Even if you don't want to modify it, it's a good compromise between family car and sporty tuner car.

The STI has a LOT more power, the 6spd tranny is nice and the interior is top notch. If you get the '06 or higher, you get fancy stuff like water spray to cool down your intercooler, manual leveling of HID lights, etc. And it's fast. Real fast.

Things you don't get: sunroof (except on ltd editions), leather, cruise control. 4wd is nice. These cars also tend to oversteer, so be careful on those corners until you get used to the car.

I was looking to buy an STI before I bought my RX8. Hindsight, probably would have liked the STI a lot, but wouldn't have been satisfied with the WRX. The RX8 is a good alternative because it gives me what the STI couldn't (sunroof, leather) and still lots of power/fun to drive, all at a lower price.

All comes down to what's important to you!

LionZoo

I've been very interested in a Saabaru. How much did you sell yours for?

SouthFL

I sold that wagon and got the RX8 over a year ago.

Check out this forum for some good cars and an idea as to how much they're going for. An '06 is even better due to the 2.5L engine (more torque), but the 2.0L '05s sell for much less and respond very well to mods. A little known fact- the 9-2x (Saabaru) Aero comes with the STi steering rack, and takes any Impreza/WRX aftermarket part.

http://saab92x.com/viewforum.php?id=13

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

the WRX wagon makes me want to puke every time i see them. ALL YEARS... if you're going to get a WRX get the STi Sedan... my $.02

playdoh43

a modded car like that and "mint" condition does not belong in the same sentence. he probably drove it hard.

NaarLeven

Bug eye? No thanks but a 04' WRX = cream

delhi

WRX wagons are fun. They make great sleeper cars. I would highly recommend getting a Saab 92x Aero as per SouthFL's car. It was massaged by Saab and has some STi bits inside. It responds well to mods just like any good WRX. My Saabaru just like on the picture above, is on Stage II Cobb AP for years. No problem whatsoever. Tranny is fine. Practical and fast.
Having said that, it's not as fun and engaging as the rx-8.

SouthFL

I have to agree with delhi on this statement. The RX8 is much more of a driver's car in response and feedback and is such a well balanced car. If MPG is a factor, the WRX isn't much more efficient than the RX8 either.

Cody Red

um, sports cars are *two doors*

the wrx is a great car for the OPs needs. mods won't be *felt* without a tune (accessport or cobb should be your answer, as you've stated).

who cares if the rx8s mpg is poor, as well as the speed. it's a fcking rotary for fck sakes. i totally understand about needing a more *efficient* mpg vehicle because the rx8 isn't that at all, and for wanting some umph and utility purposes the wrx is your choice.

Dudemcbob55

Why dont you get another car and keep the 8? Or it would be to expensive.

IcarusX8

Uhh.. its a boxer engine in case you forgot. Getting an '02 will have close to 100k miles. Those engines dont last long... I'd think about getting something else. WRXs are everywhere and no single one is special imo. And please don't get a wagon.

echoinsilence

well the 8 is a 4 door, would you consider it a sports car?

IcarusX8

"4 door coupe"

Ike

A lot of morons on this forum that really don't know what they're talking about when it comes to the WRX. While I don't miss my WRX much now that I have an Evo, I still loved that car. Yes, the '02's in particular had some tranny issues, but that's pretty common with an AWD car that has good horsepower. Glass tranny, not really, unless you want to call the Renesis a glass engine. Yes, there were a good amount of problems, but not enough to dismiss the car. I launched mine regularly and as long as you know how to drive an AWD car like the WRX you shouldn't have much to worry about.

The older WRX is unrefined, has a pretty good amount of interior noise, the shifter leaves a little something to be desired, has some understeer, and the brakes are simply "ok". That being said they're still a blast to drive and it's one of those cars that you feel like you can beat the snot out of and it'll just shrug it off and keep running. The statement that the boxers from Subaru "don't last long" is idiotic, especially when the poster passed over the fact that the one you're looking at has 30k. It's a very stout engine as long as you don't go crazy with mods without upgrading engine internals along the way.

A stage 2 WRX with a rear sway and better tires handles nicely and will put down around 205+ whp. They may not be highly regarded by all, but the WRX certainly has a lot to love and is one of those cars that you'll love despite some of its shortcomings. They also hold their resale quite well as you might have noticed. After 3+ years of ownership I sold traded in my car for over 70% of what I paid. Had I sold it privately I would have done even better.

For your needs to WRX wagon or 9.2X aero would be a great choice. If you can find an '06 WRX wagon at a good price I'd suggest that since they refined the car a bit and put the 2.5 in it while still keeping most of the fun of the earlier models. Still, the '03 model will always be my favorite since the tranny seems a bit stronger yet still has the rawness, better seats (more recent WRX seats are for fat Americans), and the bugeyes. After owning a WRX for over 3 years and now owning a car I like a lot more, I still wouldn't hesistate to suggest a Subaru as a great, rugged, reliable car to even my closest friends.

IcarusX8

I stopped reading after the 4th word. I have many friends who own WRXs of all generations. They've all said boxers dont last as well as some Surbaru dealers. So congrats to you if you've had success with yours but the "moron" was both uncalled for and unfitting since I base what I say on experience and fact.

LionZoo

My own anecdotal evidence suggests that while older boxer engines have had issues with head gaskets, the newer ones are fine are in stock form.

Ike

Ok Sparky, and I have friends that have owned rotary powered cars, they never lasted more than 50k miles. It's a fact and I have evidence!

P.S. I know you read it all and secretly want to make out with me.