Might be a WRX (purchase instead of an STi)
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
From: Bowling Green
Car Info: 1994 Eagle Talon
Might be a WRX (purchase instead of an STi)
Well I am finally starting to realize that owning an STi, for me, would not work to well. I am going to have school payments, and I figured if I wanted to get a house in the next 6-8 years, I shouldn't get a STi. So that leaves me with a wonderful choice no matter what, WRX.
I have decided I will buy used, and try to keep the miles below 20,000. I have found fairly good prices, from a 03 Black sedan, 12,000 miles, $18,000.
My question for this is what should I look out for when searching for a WRX. Is there any clues I can find to detect if it was beat or not.
Also another idea to ponder.. I will sell my Talon, and could get hopefully $3,000 for it. I am going to take that money and use it for mods. I have a list I made and it is as follows:
1. Coilovers- JIC Magic (found for $1,023on web)
2. Wheels- 17or 18 haven't decided brand or size.
3. Strut Bars-front rear.
4. Catback exhaust ( not sure which one)
5. AEM short Ram intake
6. Greddy blow off valve
7. Iridium spark plugs.
With that set-up I should be looking and pushing decent numbers. I am not looking to mod the engine to much( maybe reflash the ECU for performance) What do you guys think about that path....
Sorry it was so long, just venting!!!
I have decided I will buy used, and try to keep the miles below 20,000. I have found fairly good prices, from a 03 Black sedan, 12,000 miles, $18,000.
My question for this is what should I look out for when searching for a WRX. Is there any clues I can find to detect if it was beat or not.
Also another idea to ponder.. I will sell my Talon, and could get hopefully $3,000 for it. I am going to take that money and use it for mods. I have a list I made and it is as follows:
1. Coilovers- JIC Magic (found for $1,023on web)
2. Wheels- 17or 18 haven't decided brand or size.
3. Strut Bars-front rear.
4. Catback exhaust ( not sure which one)
5. AEM short Ram intake
6. Greddy blow off valve
7. Iridium spark plugs.
With that set-up I should be looking and pushing decent numbers. I am not looking to mod the engine to much( maybe reflash the ECU for performance) What do you guys think about that path....
Sorry it was so long, just venting!!!
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I'm a student myself and I work part time to pay off my STi... it's not easy by any means. I love the car, but I think about it and sometimes I have thoughts that I shouldn't have bought a car like this so early in my life. Don't get me wrong, I love my car and I love driving it, but it's not the wisest decision I've made.
As for what I would do if I had mod money and just wanted some ECU performance, I'd look into an access port. I think they're 700 bucks and you can choose different maps. I'm waiting for the Access Port for the STi... so I can get the economy mode map, lol, that and Valet Maps... those are two big selling points for me.
As for what to look for to see if the car was beat up: If you're buying from a private seller, have him or her take you for a ride. Then see if you can take it for a spin. Look under the car, make sure that it's been driving about 20 minutes when you check out the engine and the under side of the car. Try squeezing hoses and poking at under body panels. I know in older cars, if the under panels rust through, slight pressure from a finger can put a hole through the panels. Check for rust, etc.
I think there's a guide somewhere about buying used cars, I'm sure you can find one easily via google.
Hope that helped out, good luck with getting your car.
Signed,
Charlie
As for what I would do if I had mod money and just wanted some ECU performance, I'd look into an access port. I think they're 700 bucks and you can choose different maps. I'm waiting for the Access Port for the STi... so I can get the economy mode map, lol, that and Valet Maps... those are two big selling points for me.
As for what to look for to see if the car was beat up: If you're buying from a private seller, have him or her take you for a ride. Then see if you can take it for a spin. Look under the car, make sure that it's been driving about 20 minutes when you check out the engine and the under side of the car. Try squeezing hoses and poking at under body panels. I know in older cars, if the under panels rust through, slight pressure from a finger can put a hole through the panels. Check for rust, etc.
I think there's a guide somewhere about buying used cars, I'm sure you can find one easily via google.
Hope that helped out, good luck with getting your car.
Signed,
Charlie
I would buy coilovers,wheels and tires, an up pipe and a Cobb Accessport then save up for a TBE so you can go stage 2. Short ram intakes and BOV's will not give you any power and they may cause problems. Accessport is $600 and here is the link http://cobbtuning.com/wrx/accessport.html. If you buy the Accessport be prepared to wait a long time to get it. You may want to buy it from one of Cobbs vendors because they may be able to get it to you faster than Cobb. You may want to do some research on the car before you start modding it. I didnt and bought a short ram intake just to take it off after reading a lot of negative things about it. Another thing you may want to look into is a Subaru Chase Platinum Mastercard, You earn 3% on purchases. I used my Subaru bucks to get SPT springs, a STI pannel filter and now Im going to get a STI uppipe for free.
Last edited by MO REX; Jun 15, 2004 at 02:59 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,256
From: Blue-faced in a red state
Car Info: 04 Silver WRX Wagon
i might be unpopular for saying this, but i would not buy a used wrx that has been modded.
granted, most people who buy these cars will drive them in a spirited fashion. however, you know that if they modded it then chances are it has been pushed that much harder.
granted, most people who buy these cars will drive them in a spirited fashion. however, you know that if they modded it then chances are it has been pushed that much harder.
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Originally Posted by redlin'r
Well I am finally starting to realize that owning an STi, for me, would not work to well. I am going to have school payments, and I figured if I wanted to get a house in the next 6-8 years, I shouldn't get a STi. So that leaves me with a wonderful choice no matter what, WRX.
I have decided I will buy used, and try to keep the miles below 20,000. I have found fairly good prices, from a 03 Black sedan, 12,000 miles, $18,000.
My question for this is what should I look out for when searching for a WRX. Is there any clues I can find to detect if it was beat or not.
I have decided I will buy used, and try to keep the miles below 20,000. I have found fairly good prices, from a 03 Black sedan, 12,000 miles, $18,000.
My question for this is what should I look out for when searching for a WRX. Is there any clues I can find to detect if it was beat or not.
Just another way to look at it.. your young, this may be the only chance u have to purchase an sti. u can afford a lot more when your a single guy, rather than when your married with kids on the way, etc. figure out how much u would be saviing a month on payments. then decide if your willing to pay the difference, who knows, the differnce may be only 100 a month or something like that... just a different way to look at it....
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
From: Bowling Green
Car Info: 1994 Eagle Talon
Originally Posted by goningsxr
Just another way to look at it.. your young, this may be the only chance u have to purchase an sti. u can afford a lot more when your a single guy, rather than when your married with kids on the way, etc. figure out how much u would be saviing a month on payments. then decide if your willing to pay the difference, who knows, the differnce may be only 100 a month or something like that... just a different way to look at it....
I just want to make sure I know as much as I can before I go and purchase.
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iTrader: (7)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,029
From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
Origami posted by redlin'r
How come BOV (doesn't increase performance) on this car? Its supposed to help with boost.....why do they even make them for the WRX then...?
How come BOV (doesn't increase performance) on this car? Its supposed to help with boost.....why do they even make them for the WRX then...?
Most of these engine and suspension questions are covered in the Performance forums. A search will save you time once you get your WRX or STi.
If you're even thinking about getting a house in the near future, concentrate your resources on that instead of a car payment. Neither of these cars appreciate in value but the house is an investment.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Originally Posted by redlin'r
How come BOV don't react so good on this car? Its supposed to help with boost.....why do they even make them for the WRX then...???
It will kill performance on a stock setup, though.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
From: Bowling Green
Car Info: 1994 Eagle Talon
[QUOTE=Wingless Wonder]
If you're even thinking about getting a house in the near future, concentrate your resources on that instead of a car payment. Neither of these cars appreciate in value but the house is an investment.
[QUOTE]
Thats what I am thinking. I guess it will all depend on my situation when I go to buy a new car i nthe next few months. But I want the payments to be decently low so I can get a house. I think the WRX would give me a $297 payment. Thats $19000 at 4%. How do those numbers look( 6year loan). The STi was looking towards $497 ~30,000 @ 4% for 6 years. Keep in mind this is with no money down etc....
If you're even thinking about getting a house in the near future, concentrate your resources on that instead of a car payment. Neither of these cars appreciate in value but the house is an investment.
[QUOTE]
Thats what I am thinking. I guess it will all depend on my situation when I go to buy a new car i nthe next few months. But I want the payments to be decently low so I can get a house. I think the WRX would give me a $297 payment. Thats $19000 at 4%. How do those numbers look( 6year loan). The STi was looking towards $497 ~30,000 @ 4% for 6 years. Keep in mind this is with no money down etc....
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 570
From: Nor Cal
Car Info: 2010 370z Roadster, 2008 Frontier CrewCab
Originally Posted by Wingless Wonder
If you're even thinking about getting a house in the near future, concentrate your resources on that instead of a car payment. Neither of these cars appreciate in value but the house is an investment.
But, if you have an unlimited amount of money, I'd say go for the STi. Keep the economy rolling for the rest of us!
Originally Posted by redlin'r
Thats what I am thinking. I guess it will all depend on my situation when I go to buy a new car i nthe next few months. But I want the payments to be decently low so I can get a house. I think the WRX would give me a $297 payment. Thats $19000 at 4%. How do those numbers look( 6year loan). The STi was looking towards $497 ~30,000 @ 4% for 6 years. Keep in mind this is with no money down etc....
A 6 year loan isnt the best Idea. A couple years down the road when you want to trade or sell it your car will not be worth what you owe on it. I have never heard of a new WRX going for 19k.
Last edited by MO REX; Jun 16, 2004 at 02:04 PM.
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Buying an expensive car, before you buy a house is one of the stupidest things young people do. I wanted a WRX, but went the smart route and bought a 2 BR/2BA Townhouse last year for $89,500. Closing costs were like $2k. My mortgage payment (with 20% down) is $650/m including taxes and insurance. I rent out the other room in my place for $500/m. That means Im paying $150/m to live in my place, a place that the money Im spending each month is building EQUITY in my APPRECIATING asset.
Instead of a WRX, I got a 2000 Jetta VR6 for $11k which costs me $250/m and insurance $150/m.
You have no idea how many payments youre going to have when you get out. Im making a little over $30k and its tough, when mom and dad stop paying the bills.
My smart decision has paid off though. My Townhouse is about to sell for $125k, so instead of renting ($500/m) and spending $6k out the window and buying a WRX $23K -$6K Dep, I made $35k in one year of home ownership!!
So be smart. Its tough out there and you can end up car poor real quick. I dont know what your situation is, School loans, credit cards bad credit, whatever, you might not care because mommy and daddy might give you whatever you want. That doesnt sound like the case though, and your situatin sounds a lot like mine. Being 24 with an extra $35 grand in my pocket for not being stupid with my money feels real good right now though. I suggest you do the same.
Instead of a WRX, I got a 2000 Jetta VR6 for $11k which costs me $250/m and insurance $150/m.
You have no idea how many payments youre going to have when you get out. Im making a little over $30k and its tough, when mom and dad stop paying the bills.
My smart decision has paid off though. My Townhouse is about to sell for $125k, so instead of renting ($500/m) and spending $6k out the window and buying a WRX $23K -$6K Dep, I made $35k in one year of home ownership!!
So be smart. Its tough out there and you can end up car poor real quick. I dont know what your situation is, School loans, credit cards bad credit, whatever, you might not care because mommy and daddy might give you whatever you want. That doesnt sound like the case though, and your situatin sounds a lot like mine. Being 24 with an extra $35 grand in my pocket for not being stupid with my money feels real good right now though. I suggest you do the same.