First, I'd find a nice Impreza L. Hopefully one that's under $1k. Then I'd gut it. Then I'd find a WRX drivetrain; I'd think you could source it for under $2k. I don't know if you could source suspension within that $2k or not, but that'll come. Maybe some Eibachs and AGX's. Then I'd leave my WRX alone and beat on the L, mainly at trackdays & autox, of course.

 

Hey man,

Welcome to the site. I'm in Frederick, Maryland also! I have an Aqua-Metallic '94 Camaro (If you see a loud one that appears stock, it's probably me!) and a World Rally Blue '05 Subaru WRX STi with gold wheels.

Being as you're so close, what my suggestion would be is to hand that $3000 over to me, and then I'll show you how to spend it.

Alright, seriously, man, I would get a turbo-back exhaust, ECU tune (I like Cobb), short shifter, stronger clutch, brake upgrade, springs, shocks, sway bars, shock tower brace, lighter wheels, stickier tires, and some high performance driving lessons.

BTW, if you see me out somewhere, don't hesitate to shout out.

 

tires and track days. After several of those, you'll know what you want.

Congrats on the new car!

 

The best mod would be the "better driver" mod. How about a driving school on how to better drive the car? Not saying that you're a bad driver or anything, but I think learning how to drive the car would be far better than a few power/susp mods here and there.

 

Remember that you can go USED on a lot of parts and everything will be just as good as if you'd have purchased brand new...+lotsa saved money.

 

how many miles are on the car?

Most logical thing to do is Engine Management as your first power upgrade.
An AccessPORT will smooth out your power curve and even increase it safely... its a user-programmable unit, its very easy and user-friendly... there are a myriad of WRX owners who have the COBB AP and LOVE it, its reliable, its inexpensive, and the improvements are incredible. You can then add a silicon intercooler pipe kit for increased flow and more efficiency (also longer lasting than the stock Y-pipe)... another good suggestion is a crank pulley... lightened, but not underdriven... like a COBB or a Perrin, this mod is equivilent to shedding 100 pounds from your cars load. Free up those rev's man! Oh, and if you want more sound out of your BPV or intake, just do a silencer delete. Search for "Snorkelectomy" "Snorkus Delete" "silencer Delete" etc... There are plenty of sources with info on that... A clean solution to replacing your silencer is a GP Moto Intake Elbow... All the above mentioned mods fall under Stage 1.. you can also get a good uppipe like the HELIX unit... but if youre doing the upipe... you might as well....

...Step up to Stage 2... we're talking 0-60 in about 5 seconds flat, and mid 13 second times. What Stage 2 would require is a Turbo-back exhaust at this point... (Assuming youve already got your Uppipe)... You then Select "Stage 2" from your COBB AP unit...and Bliggety BLAYUMMM... POWER

Now comes suspension: Springs and Sways/Endlinks will generally be enough to give you a road hugging ride... Oh and hopefully that cars not on the stock tires... they are garbage... if you need new tires... get some suggestions in the wheel/tire forum... for cost/grip the Kumho ECSTA 712s have a good reputation floating around... Shocks are something you may want to consider as well... But I'd personally run the stock shocks until they die out...

Heres a little list to get you started... The following are just suggestions that may/may not arguable be the best for the cost... But in my eyes, they are one of the best, if not the best... Ive done a lot of research and the following are products that I'm confident 80% of this community would easily vouch for:

STAGE 1 Required:
Cobb AP for 03 WRX 600

STAGE 1 Recommended:
GP Moto Intake Elbow Delete 50
Perrin Silicon Intercooler Hose Kit 130
Perrin Lightened Crank Pulley 120
HELIX Flex Uppipe 175

STAGE 2 Required: (But recommended brands)
HELIX Catted Downpipe 380
Borla Hush Cat-Back Exhaust 500 (to run this CB/ also need 3-in flange adaptor)
-Reprogram your COBB to STAGE 2 FREE

POWER MODS TOTAL: 1955.00

SUSPENSION:
Perrin TunerSport Springs 200
Perrin 22mm adj front sway 140
Perrin 22mm adj rear sway 170
Perrin Front Endlinks 100
Perrin Rear Endlinks 100

SUSPENSION MODS TOTAL 710



Those are just suggestions and approximates... should fall just below your budget... leaves you a nice chuck of money toward great tires... or hell, get a short shifter+bushings for another 100 bucks...

All in all, the setup will provide a fast-enough ride... its pretty much how the WRX should have come from stock


again, just my .02