If you already know you going to upgrade turbo, injectors, ecu, fuel pump, bigger intercooler, exhaust systems, suspensions, bigger brakes, wheels, etc.. and pass smog. Go get the STi but if you're not going too extreme (parts listed) just want the bolt on stuff like; exhaust, lower springs, wheels then WRX ( like me). All the upgrade parts adds up, STi is like $10 more than WRX.
STi parts cost around:
turbo:$800
injector:$400
intercooler:$700
suspensions: $2000+ with sti control arms, sway bars, etc..
brembo brakes: $4000
wheels: $2000
There are a lot more parts that the STi have thats better then WRX.
If you want a fast car buy a fast car.

 

well say

 

And after all that, your souped up WRX won't be as reliable as a STI.

They don't pay all those engineers for nothing.

Perhaps you should look for a used STI.

 

i know you guys say this but there are some of us who are almost paid of on a WRX or are insistant on bugeyes. im not one who is happy about the STI's electronic stranglehold on everything either. you may have to spend a bit(a BIG bit) but to some its worth it. plus if it is done right you can have a reliable car out of it also.

 

Well said! I believe a lot of us fell in love with the bugeye design. I actually hated it at first but it really grows on you.
It really depends b/c if you've got a cheap used (but solid) Wrx then why not upgrade it to surpass an STI? On the other hand if you just have a new '05 model it seems like a waste of money when the slightly used '04 is not that much more, and an '03 EVO would be the same amount (even less) than an '05 wrx and still have warranty for a while.

But you can pick up '02 wrxs for like 13 or 14 grand in good shape. And don't buy all the components new: it is buyer beware so do your research so you can have confidence in buying used components. For instance, all the performance parts are components that usually last a long time. Cars go for 100k miles on the same fuel injectors, pump, IC, pipes. Even high performance turbos last >50k miles.

used vf30 - <400
don't need TMIC to match STI performance
modded injectors - free, O-rings - 50 cents
home gutting, and welding straightpipe - free
used fuel pump - 50
Gaskets - 20 (at least from gruppe-s)
dyno tune - 160-200 depending on tuner
used STI suspension - 500
Falken azenis - 360
used STI strut and sway bars - 400

plus brakes, of course. And the transmission would be super expensive. But for a guy who maybe works an hourly job at the mall, or Best Buy or something, he can totally afford this and be getting as much enjoyment as a an STI for a lot less.



But even when all is said and done, the fact remains: Unless you have a project planned out in mind, always buy the more expensive car first. Saves money in the long run! Obviously it will be really cool getting my car into the 400hp range, but at some point you have to draw the line.

Not drawing the line is why there are people today who spent like 50,000 dollars on a show civic since the early 90's when they were teens, and now they are 30 years old, without an education and a crappy job. Don't fall into the trap, especially if you are young right now.

 

yes

 

HELL YEAH MAN. i work at OfficeMax now since i did my 4 years service to the Corps, and i cant afford a $30,000 car or the insurance to go with it. you can cruise on a budget if your slick and have some patience. look how many people are parting there scoobies in the classifieds. the tranny is the main concern though. an STI RA set from gurppe-s is the most cost effective way to go but that will only hold like 350hp before it becomes an issue. plus look how many morons bought STI's (i think that article in Hot Rod backfired). were gonna see piles of these in scrapyards soon. Dont lose faith man, us less than 30g a year guys can do it to we just have to be patient about it.

 

check this out man https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...026#post941026

 

im pretty sure just about any well tuned equiv to a TXS stage 4 setup will beat a stock STi.
My old setup was exactly that:
PE1820, Sti pink injectors, txs tbe exhaust, catless uppipe.
the debateble handicaps at the time were my "unichip" and my stock tmic , on 93 pump it dynoed at 283whp on a 95 degree day.

As long as you can make over 250-260whp you should be able to walk a stock STi
I gave a surprise to several new STi owners that a 02 bugeye can beat thier brand new 04 STi's back then.