I am about ready to buy a WRX. Problem is, I keep reading that the 2004 is coming to the USA in April and the headlights will be improved (assuming you are not a big fan of the bugeye).

The only other thing I have heard that I put stock in is that the 04 will have some additional options. That isn't a big deal since all the options seem to be dealer installable anyway so I could always get them later on the 03 (probably).

Has anyone heard (with some reliability) anything else about the 04s? I know the STI is supposed to come out but that is too expensive. I am only interested in the standard WRX (i.e. <$25000).

It would be nice if 17" rims came standard. That seems to be the hot item anyway. I can't help but think Suaru will have to do something to better distance themselves from the Mazdaspeed which costs about $4000 less.

What say you guys?

P.S. Please spare me the reasons why the WRX is cooler than the MazdaSpeed. I know and agree but the MSP has some really nice features for the price and it is just an example. I could also point to the new Neon as a pesky lower priced competitor as well. Point is, I am assuming Subaru cannot stand still while the lesser competition progresses.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would suggest to you getting a slightly used WRX. Buying a new car is such a waste of money! It depreciates immediately! You can pick up a nice used WRX in your choice of color and trim for under $20K!

I bought my 2002 WRX sedan last christmas with 13K miles on it for $19K! That was when WRX were still pretty hot and rare. I bought it from a guy who could not afford monthly payments. He babied the car, plus it still had plenty of warranty left on it.

It has now been a year, and I put over 10K miles on it since, without any problems! In addition, I saved at least $7,000 off the sticker price. For that $7,000 you can do a lot in the hop-ups departament. You could get 17' wheels, performance tires, STI suspension, turbo-back exhaust and a Vishnu stage "0", all installed. You will have a $25,000 car that will outhandle and outperform cars costing twice as much, and it will be pretty much on par with STI WRX and the Lancer EVO.

So, my advice to you is buy a used WRX for about $19K and use the money you save for performance mods! You will get the best deal this way!

Maniac.

 

I suggest you wait at least until we find out the details from the detroit auto show (early next week)

 

Yeah, I read it. It sounds great. Only problem is there is no telling if it is ever coming to the USA.

Another issue, if it is coming here, will it be an optional upgrade and more expensive?

 

I agree with Rexman. Wait until both models are on the lots. That way you have a choice and the dealerships will probably be offering the bugeyes below invoice, if you choose that route. Of course Maniac also has a point. I would not hesitate to purchase a used WRX. My rex was the first car I ever purchased new and I probably won't do that again. The beauty of Subaru is that it as traditionally appealed to the middle-aged or older crowd (with the exception of the 2.5RS and the WRX). So, there are quite a WRX's with older owners. I saw a black WRX wagon with a "For Sale" sign on it being driven by an older woman with gray/blue hair. Kinda akin to purchasing he GTO from the little old lady from Pasadena.

The only problem with purchasing a used car is if you have to finance. Then you'll probably have to pay a higher rate but the difference in what will pay will probably make up the difference many times over (unfortunately, I purchased mine a year ago when subie wasn't offering the lower rate and I ended up with 5.25%). Of course, you don't get that same feeling as you do when you pick up your NEW car that hasn't been driven by anybody else (other than the manufacturer/dealerhship having to move car during delivery).

 

Well, I guess I have to admit that I haven't listened to the Beach Boys in a while.

Who knows what will happen to the resale value of the current WRX when the new look comes out? Either way, it will drop over time. That's the problem with buying new cars. Typically when the new model comes out, the old one drops.

Just hope Subie doesn't do to the WRX what Ford did to the Mustang. When they offered 0% financing on the new models, the value of the GT's dropped through the floor. My bro-in-law tried to sell his year and a half old GT convertible and ended up only getting $16k out of it after spending over $26k for it. That's close to a 40% drop in one year. Talk about taking it in the shorts. You'd be better off crashing and burning the car and collecting the insurance!

 

Does anyone know if there going to be raising the price at all on the New 04's or are they going to keep them around the same as current 03's are now?

 

the new 04' is said to have a twin scroll turbo like the evo and the at is the only different thin sept for the bug eyes going, and know looking like the new saturn -imo-

 

What is a Twin Scroll Turbo and what does that mean to me?

Thanks,