They go for about the same price are there any big differances in these cars or is it just body style???

 

and also how much faster is a wrx than a 2.5 RS

 

i would get 98-01 impreza and later on when you have the money get a wrx or an sti engine out in it.

 

not a 2.5rs??? im not really into doign a full engine swap as that is work and im lazy. im thinking aobut this 02 2.5rs on autotrader

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=80

 

I would agree with "flipmode" and say 98-01 RS. More pretty IMO, more fun to drive, more options, better long-term resale value, and just a more interesting car.
-Jeff

 

but what are some of these differances, why would the 98-01 be more fun to drive than a 02? wouldnt the 02 be a better car just becuz of technology

 

There's not a huge difference in the handling of the 2 generations, but almost everybody will tell you to try to find a nice '98-'01 (especially the last 2 years) . For one, they're almost universally considered better looking (backed up by the 8 year run of the GC/GM exterior, compared to 2 for the first GD) and they will depreciate less as they continue to age. In fact I bet you could get an '02 cheaper than a 2000 or 2001 at this point if the cars are similar on paper. There were no technical advances made with the bugeye, or even really any upgrades. Under the skin it's almost identical.

But it's mostly because they're better looking. Also, I'm biased.

 

yea i was looking at an 02 for 11,900 and an 01 for 12,900 if i nd up not getting a wrx i think ill go wit 98 -01 2.5

 

I have a 2000 2.5 rs coupe with the following mods;
borla header
stromung catless midpipe
wrx exhaust with mufflers and sound deadiners removed with glass packs
intake, heads, and t/b port matched
cold air intake
light weight pully (whoopdee doo)
short throw shifter (again whoopdee doo)
I ran a friend with his wrx, the only mod on his is a catless down pipe.
He crept away from me, very slowly Id estamate a 5 hp diffrence.
I personally like the gc/gm body style simply because it feels tighter than the wrx, stock suspension, shifter, and brakes all feel stiffer on the older body style.

some thing you need to consider before you by.
first you are going to have a hard time finding a low milage gc/gm. Typical milage on the 2000's are about 75k. I bought mine with 85, 000miles on it for 11,000.
second if you want to be as fast as a wrx or an sti the easiest way is going turbo. If you decide to go with a pre-made kit your looking at $3,500 at the least for a good kit. If your looking to piece one together your self (AKA rs-t) It will run you about $2,000 to do it... most of that is engine manigment wich you will need.

eather way you will only be able to run 8psi max on the stock inturnals.
thus why most people will say a wrx engine swap is easiest and most reliable.
for $3k you can usualy buy a wrecked wrx that you can grab the engine, trans and rear axle out of (rs transmissions are weaker than the wrx ones).

so basically if you want the style go for the gc/gm.
If you want to be as fast as a wrx reliably with that low of miles, pick your self up a wrx.

 

im going to choose the GC bodies
i own a 01 RS and love it, but i need something faster...its too much $$$ to build the STi in the GC body that i want and to make it reliable...so im just going to buy an STi...im sure later on ill regret it, but right now i couldnt afford to do a proper swap the way i want it (basically a GC body with a STi motor/tranny/axles/diff/etc

 

it doesnt need to be as fast as a wrx but i am just trying to play with my options and c what i can possibly do pretty much i have like 15,000 but really dont want to spend more than like 13,500

 

ah hell then, buy my car for 13,500 and we'll call it a day

 

well where do live im in california

 

im in the bay area
01 RS with 80,7xx miles 5spd new clutch and soon to put a new slave cylinder in it

 

pics? and where in bay area, hopefully not oakland