chrism

funny the few skids of short blocks and trannies for various years of wrx parts is sitting on the floor to be delivered to multiple dealers for VOR's......did i mention I seen them first hand....ike test my first hand knowledge by pm

Rhythmic

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm sure you guys know that I'd much rather stay with a sexy RWD sports car like the 8, but my current situation is making it really tough to justify it (I'm lucky I've made it this far). Hell, in a perfect world I'd go ahead a slap a turbo on my 8 and be done with it, but it just ain't happenin'. I'll just hope that some years down the road I can again have another true driver's car like the 8, maybe when the 16x comes out!

With respect to the WRX wagon I'm considering, I don't plan to do any further performance mods, at least for quite a while. Maybe tint, a rear swaybar and some better tires if it's still on the stockers. With only 30k mi. I would like to keep it around for a number of years, even if I get another sports car, just to have a "beater" or utility vehicle. I've known several people that have owned subarus, and they have ALL gone way past 100k mi. with virtually no problems at all (two of which have gone past 200k mi.!) Should I expect something different with the WRX engine? From what I understand, the STi 6 speed bolts right up to earlier WRX models too, so that could be an option, a $6K-$7k option.

I looked up the Saab 9-2X. I found the 9-2X Linear. Is it essentially the same as the WRX wagon? Turbo? Honestly, I've been highly unimpressed with the Saabs I've driven in the past, but the price is pretty good on the ones I saw. Still hesitant to consider a Saab.

What do you all think would be a good price to offer for the car with its age and mileage? $15,500 seems too high, even if he's pricing the mods into it. KBB=$13,230, NADA=$12,500 both for excellent cond. I really need to go drive one to see if I even like the driving experience.

As far as the gains with Stage 2 check out this dyno from Cobb's website. Looks like more than 205whp. 54.5hp gain over stock!?!? If the RX8 and the WRX are about comparable in terms of acceleration in stock form, this is definitely influencing my thought process...(I don't even have to **** my wife off by getting into performance mods)

Ever Hernandez

The wrx is a good choice for what you want. I actually consider one before getting the 8 along with the Rsx. Definitely go with a later model, if you can find one for a good price.

SouthFL

Saab 9-2x Linear = Impreza 2.5 Wagon (non turbo)
Saab 9-2x Aero= Impreza WRX Wagon (turbo)

Saab 9-2x is not a Saab in any way except for badging. It is 99% Subaru.
It is literally a WRX Wagon with an STi Steering rack and a stiffer spring/ softer damper combo than a WRX.

Rhythmic

Oh, and just a reminder...a big part of my search criteria is to get something that is cheaper than what I have currently. I need utility AND lower monthly expenses if at all possible.

JRichter

How old are you? 13?

IcarusX8

Sorry to hear about your friends then. My 8s at 60k miles and runs strong

Honestly I really stopped reading. It was late anyway.

DaveCM203

RX8- Stiff suspension? She will HATE the STI then. As far a fuel economy, the STI is not realy much better than the 8. If any at all. Maybe you should give it up and buy a Camry.

Daemos

I was looking for a WRX before I purchased the RX8. if you get the 2.0 L you can make good power and get good fuel economy (advantages of a turboed smaller displacment engine).

The ride is WORSE than that of the RX8, the STi is even worse that of a WRX it's actually quite horrible.

Interior sucks, build quality sucks (interior, paint, not mechanical), it doesn't handle very well IMO, it just doesn't feel as agile or as responsive as the RX8 around corners, but they are quick in a straight line.

The 02 transmissions are weaker and I know a few who have destroyed them...the 6 speed from the STI is supposedly indestructable though.

The older boxer engines supposedly leak at higher milage, and the 2.5L blocks have problems with oil pumps. Other than that they are solid cars.

rev44

Base WRX and the STI are light years different. I was about an hour away from buying a 05 STI when I just happened to call my insurance agent. Basically it is a little less to insure than a ZO6. That did it for me.

snowflakes

iTrader: (4)

I really believe the WRX' is a real good car,and very practical car to drive too and its good in all weather conditions. You really cant go wrong with it unless you decide to think its a ''REAL RALLY CAR" which i doubt lol~

but did you have any other cars in mind.... if you were gna get a subaru wrx awd....might as well look into 2003 Audi S4... price range is similiar. or a bit more but deifnitley worth the price and the MPG is real decent too.

good luck man.

needan8

I owned a 2003 wrx with cobb stage 2 and it was a fun car. The problem with the tranny is that people who buy wrx's think that you can rev to 6,000 and dump the clutch everyday. Stay away from 02's they had some synchro problems, 03 got a slightly different synchro for 2nd. IF you drive one with 35,000 or so and there's no grinding you should be in the clear as long as you drive it with respect. The transmission of any AWD car that is producing good torque is always going to be the weak point. You'll have to drive it with that in mind, shift smooth with good clutch control and avoid any popping or dumping of the clutch. The only people who actually "break" a WRX transmission are abusing the car way beyond what is acceptable. I would launch from around 5,000 rpm every autocross and never had any problems. It just takes a little left foot control and some slippage. Again the only people i have seen break transmissions are those who repeatedly dump or pop the clutch on a daily basis. You have nothing to worry about. I've been a subaru geek for a long time and they're good cars, but the 8 is alot better.

My 03 had 35,000 on it when I bought it, it went through 2 seasons of hard autocrosses, a few track days, and 5 sets of tires. Needless to say I was not easy on it. I sold it with 58,000 miles and never had one problem out of it. The current owner now has 95,000 miles on it and it's still cobb stage 2'd and no problems. WIth cobb stage 2 installed you can expect 22ish mpg and 25ish on the highway.

The only thing wrong with the car is that it's not a true drivers car, its fast and it does the job but you wont have fun doing it. It plows, it rotates only when you don't want it to, and it never builds boost when you want it to. But it doesn't sound like you're buying it to track or autocross so go drive one, see how you like it. My other suggestions would be a Acura TL (surprisingly cheap now) or a toyota matrix XRS, they're actually fun and pull off great MPG. I"d go for the SAABaru the interior is just so much better than the wrx.

DaveCM203

I think you would be very disappointed in the Matrix XRS. It does have the bigger 2.4L from the Camry in it and a strong after market should be here soon. Not to mention that Toyota will probably offer a supercharger for it which will be covered under warranty. It does not handle well at all. I drove one at VIR. The others were drinking the cool-aid and loved it. But, I guess in the back of my mind I was comparing it to my 8. But with a TRD supercharger, TRD suspension and short throw shifter it might be fun and have a full warranty and zero problems. It is a good looking hatch also.

OK, I am through rambling now.

Ike

Great... what's your point? Your first post in this thread was nothing more than spouting the same kind of nonsense that people spread about the RX-8 on other forums. Yes, the early model had some tranny issues, but saying they're made of glass is just like saying the Renesis is made of glass.

Ike

How about spooning, do you want to spoon? Check out the size of my post count

Rhythmic

With the RB suspension upgrades (linear rate springs) the ride is pretty firm.

BTW, I'm not considering the STi. Too much $$.

Rhythmic

Great post, thank you.

I have always driven my manual transmission cars very smooth and easy, and NEVER dump the clutch. "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast"...I think that's how it goes?

I am fully aware that my next car will not have the driver feedback and engaging driving experience I have now with the 8. Sad, but true.

Since I got my 8 I've always wanted to get in on a track or at least autocross, and I never got around to it (big regret), so at this point I seriously doubt my next car will ever see a track.

Rhythmic

Do the back seats in the sedans not fold down? Not even 40/60? If not, I doubt the cargo area in the sedan model would be any better than the 8. Cymbal stands and whatnot could be an issue.

Believe it or not, I can just barely fit my entire drum kit into my 8. It's not fun, but its possible.

RMZ290

The wrx's just seem very over valued. everything about them just seems cheap/ semi poor quality. I've been looking into getting one for a rally beater to add to the collection, but it just does not seem worth it.

Rhythmic

So is it true that clean low mileage WRX's have a premium? This guy is only willing to go down to $15k with mods, or $14.5k without accessport and catback.

KBB is $13,230 and NADA is $12,500!!!WTF

Meanwhile, I just listed my 8 for just over $1000 below KBB and NADA with everything except my AFE SS and RP Supercat ($16,250)!

delhi

if you are interested with the 92x, head over to saab92x.com. Lots of resources there. IMHO it is the best Impreza (GD-series) version. Looks great.... none of the quirky bugeye, blobeye and Botox eye treatment. Just a classy Saab front-end.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

Friend has an 06 sedan* and IMO thats the best year. Clearly you can value different comments in this thread and know some are worth more than others...

Lovin' the rotty btw, is it yours?

SlayerRX8

If you're going to have a 4 cylinder, at least the Subarus sound good. I have no experience with the WRX, but I do think they have a pleasant burble to the exhaust.

Rhythmic

Yep, that's my boy Miles. One of the biggest reasons why I'm contemplating a change from my 8. He deserves to go hiking and swimming more than I'm able to do with just one dog-friendly car between me and my wife

dynamho

IcarusX8, what would be your definition of a durable engine? Can you name a few? Also, what would be your definition of a frail engine? Can you name a few apart from the Subaru boxer that you mentioned?

Hey, why didn't you tell your friends they were making a mistake buying all those WRXs of all generations? Are you a nice friend?