im looking for 02-03 wrx. are there any differences between the years and are there any recalls? also any things to inparticular to look for? thanks

 

I say get the 03 wrx or save up 8 more grand and get an STi. The Sti is the best bang for the buck in my opinion.

 

I can't really tell you the differences between the two, except I've heard the clutch in the '02 isn't designed to slip as much as the '03 (mario, confirm?).....I'm sure someone on here can confirm this....

One thing I can let you in on, is it pays to be an a*$hole with salesmen! When I started dealing for mine 4 months ago in Washington, the car had 18K miles, & was in very nice shape. The dealership initially wanted 24K for the car!! Knowing they had my number, I hung up on the salesman. I talked to him 7 more times, and those were all calls he made to ME within 3 hours. Took it out the door for 19,900 the next day!

Oh ya...I know there are a couple of good guys on here that sell cars, and do so honestly. This advice was in no way directed at them. I've just seen way too many people (in the Navy, mostly 18-20 yrs old), get excited about a car at a shady dealership, & get completely ripped off. One instance...26% interest on a 8K price tag for an Isuzu rodeo that wasn't worth $3K!!!!

Take your time, talk to guys out here that have bought cars out here, & I'm sure you'll find someone honest and willing to give you a fair deal.

 

one of my best friends just got one and i wanted to get one too since it will be easier for us to work on each others cars, and to go to track days and stuff. (its easier to go when you know at lease one other person there). any one on here selling there's?

 

FunkDrmr,

If i wasn't such a lazy bastid i do a search on the differences on the 02 from the 03 clutches. But since im one lax son of a gun i'll let this guy look for himself. Its not talked about that much though it'll take a good amount of time to find a thread on it. good luck Tru.

 

LOL...it's aight. I just remembered you sayin' something to me about it at the track, so I thought I'd bring it up. I guess I'm just as lazy for askin' you to confirm instead of providing a linky myself! I agree with mario...good luck on this one Tru!!

 

heres what i can contribute... from '02-03 the chasis(or unibody was made 25% stiffer. from '03-04 30% stiffer!!(i know the % might seem xtreme but its 2nd hand info!) according to keith(serv tech)(info he recieved from subie of japan) drive the 2 if u can and u will feel the diff. u might be able to find a used '04 if you're lucky. . . my advice-find the 03. . . the book is high but u can work the dealer down if they are in it right... if u visit me please don't be an a$$-puka!! i am a sweet guy... in a manly sort of way

** update- 04 has 3 new "spot-welds"(sp.??) in 3 key locations to stiffen frame- don't ask me though- call the service techs they know. (being that we still have 2 brand new '03 and 04's i feel a difference in the cars- although it might just be all in my head)

 

i've heard that RUMOR going about for a while. I really doubt its so because I went to go check the service manual and there is hardly any difference in part numbers for any of the frames that would make a difference in structual rigidity. its probably one of those sales tactics for someone to buy a more expensive 03 than 02.

 

I'm not sure about the structural rigidity improvements from year to year. Sounds like sales talk IMHO. I was still reading the forums voraciously when the 03's came out, and I don't recall reading anything about that.

There are differences in the clutch. The 03 is less prone to shudder, but is also harder to launch. I believe the key ring near the ignition of the 03 lights up, but the 02 doesn't.

 

I'll tell you one thing, the 03 clutch is one of the reasons why i still have a working transimission . Now that i really think about it since i do have some pretty good power mods planned for the future i should have went 4EAT. But i love to shift oh well

 

there are only minor differences between the two.
wtf is this chasis rigidy thing?? that's BS. The '02up Impreza's have increased rigidity over the previous years.

The 1st gear syncro is 'better' in the '03, along with the different clutch.
If I remember correctly, 1st gear is also stronger??

 

From what I understand our Subie techs Keith or otherwise never said any of that stuff nor would they ever nor do they know who you are.

The information you described is .... NOT!

Brah dis is not da right information.

There is virtually no differnce in vehicles noticable to new owners.

:banana:


Nino

 

my apologies for the premature info- i'm sure its obvious that 02 marked a new design for the impreza-

from www.driventodrive.com

"The WRX s a whole new body design and has 147 percent more torsional rigidity and 83 percent more flexural rigidity. As a point of interest, during the manufacturing stage, the body shell is heated and then cooled to remove the stresses that are inherently generated during the spot welding process."

thats for da 02

it appears that keith (of kaneohe subaru service dept.) doesn't have any resources for me to print. but he did say that '04 did improve upon '03 as far as the torsional rigidity is concerned.

until i get my proof-if any- my claim is just a rumor...until next time

 

i did some searchign in tranny forums and most problems are shuttering clutches and poping out of gear. any one is hawaii had these problems? a lot of poeple also said soa claims it to be driver abuse so it wont be covered under warrenty.

 

I think San said he has the clutch shudder pretty bad when his car is cold. Ask him