I am getting an 02-05 wrx wagon, so that is out of the way.

But what I need to know is there any differences in the newer ones that should sway me away from the 02 I have my eyes on?

I like the bug eye look better, but if there is some big improvement on the 04-05 then it might sway me.

Thanks!

looking forward to my new rex!

 

yeah the bug eye wagons look great... only real issue is being the first 2 years it was out... they had a myriad of little things go wrong, or that could go potentially wrong... lots of updates seen in 05, 04s still better than the 02-03...

The transmission gears are wider in the 04-05, I believe they are RA gears... the clutch shudder problem was tackled... um I believe updated synchro's etc... lots of transmission updates...

So mechanically the 04-05s are slightly better... but engine/turbo/etc all went unchanged...

But a word of advice: The trannies on the 02-03s are extremely known for damage... 04-05s are improved, although its still not a "strong tranny"


oh... ohh almost forgot, updated interior... different steering wheel, more sleek radio control area... fabrics are different, and the seats are more "race inspired" with integrated headrests in the 04-05s... and sideskirts come painted on the 05s... im sure there are more differences, i just cant recall at the moment

 

If you had the opportunity to get an '05 that's the one I'd get.

Supposedly has the strongest transmission of the 2.0L models.
Black carpeting in hatch area as opposed to grey in previous model years.
Updated interior - nicer wheel (IMO) and look. Auto climate control, which is awesome.
Painted sideskirts stock.
(I've been told) solid steering rack bushings on the '05.

Past that, the years are mostly the same. I would stay away from the '02 models as they are said to have the "weakest" transmissions. '04 is the first year with a centered tach and the accents are red instead of yellow like in the previous models.

It really comes down to what you want to spend and exactly what you want from the car. Having had an '03 sedan and now an '05 wagon, the '05 is much better, IMO.

 

Well, 05's are slim and none around here (for now at least). There are a few 04's, but the prices are all over the place (+/-9000cdn!) for the same car, and none local I want.

I really like the bug eye look, "unique and cool" as opposed to "pontiac" (IMO of course, no offence meant). So I was looking for BIG reasons to stay away. I have an 02 I am considering that wasn't beat on at all, only has 30k on it for 20 grand (16-17US$) so if the tranny can take normal use I don't mind it being "weaker". At most I will put on an exhaust and rims, just looking for a car that is fun STOCK(ish ) so my wife will pay for half...

Don't care about the interior stuff, although those new cupholders are sweet, dammit.

any numbers on the newer tranny? specs? do they fail on stock cars? or just modded/raced ones?

can I swap in a newer one? (or an sti 6 sp? riiight)

thanks guys, this forum is sweet!

and wagons are teh rox0rzzzzz

 

The '02 transmissions, as far as I know, didn't typically fail on a stock car but it is still possible if the owner is dropping the clutch and being real hard on the car. You could swap in a new transmission but it's expensive, one thing a lot of guys do is have a set of "RA" gears put in, which is something like $2k I think (I've never really priced it so I'm not too sure on that cost).

And the cupholders in the '05 suck. If you have anything in them it vibrates all to hell. It's frickin annoying. I preferred the cupholders in the '03

 

well the trannys have failed many times on stock cars... truth is... any mistake can lead to a 2nd gear failure... just run a search... Unless you are willing to upgrade to RA gearsets, i would personally stay away from the 02-03 tranny... but yeah, as above mentioned clutch dumps are the largest factory, but so are hard shifts, not full clutch, etc, etc if you run a search on tranny problems ull find a lot of horror stories from stock 02-03 owners..

 

None of the WRXs had bad transmissions. The problems aren't the transmissions. The problems are the drivers. Everyone I know that drives the car like a normal human being has never had a problem, and some of these people have over 70,000 miles on their 02s, etc.

Hard-launch ANY AWD car and you're going to have problems. A strong AWD launch will put extreme shock through the drivetrain.

 

In my opinion the bugeyes are a lot more unique as opposed to the 04-05 WRX's. The 04-05 looks a less bit aggressive in the styling department, the combination of the headlights and wimpy little fog lights don't give the car as much flare as the 02,03s or the older 2.5 RS. The cloth used on the seats and door panels seem a little cheap to me, the steering wheel is just like any other one, the Momo steering wheel used in the 02 and 03's compliment the interior of the car and give it a more performance vibe while the 05 wheel looks like it belongs in a Outback, not a WRX. As far as tranny issues go, my 02 has just broke 50k miles and I have had not one problem with it, the original clutch still feels good and firm with no chattering problems or anything like that and the tranny is just as responsive and crisp as the day I bought it. Since then I have put a signifgant amount of money into the performance of my car and still haven't excperienced any issues regarding the tranny. If you want a more refined sleeker looking 04/05 WRX then that's your pick. If you want a car with more charecter, rugedness with bold styling than the 02/03 is the one for you. Either way neither car will disappoint you, they are both truly great cars.

 

You probably haven't had transmission problems because you drive responsibly and don't beat the hell of the transmission.

 

I do try to drive my car responsibly.

 

My '02 has 180,500 on the stock tranny BTW....

 

Can't say I'm surprised if you take care of your car....

 

Oh, and let me tell you about how I "take care " of my car;

Twice its run the Alcan 5000 Rally, summer of 02 and winter 04.
Two years used for surveying Rim of the World Rally roads, one year Rim of the World course opening car.
Two years Ramada Express course opening car, fastsweep on Gorman Ridge Rally.
2 years course survey, route check and course opening Golden West rally, twice running Thunderbird Rally in BC and once running Coast to Coast Rally on Vancouver Island.

Not to mention a few ski trips to Colorado, Utah, and Montana...