Hello everyone, i am in the process of selling my integra gsr, and I have been researching the wrx platform, it looks like an excellent car for its price range and I am definiately intrested in purchasing one. I have a spending limit of around 23k, also, insurance cost is a problem since I am 17. ( most likely be under my moms name) although I have a clean record. I am mainly getting into the car change because I want something with more potential, and a new car would seem to be more reliable as well. My question is, what would seem realistic? Buy the wrx, and have lower insurance, and mod it (upgraded turbo etc.) or put the extra money that im going to be saving towards a used sti ( which has higher insurance rates) and keep it stock.
- basically buy a brand new wrx, and spend a couple g`s modding it.
- or get a used sti, stock, and higher insurance rates.
Thanks for your help, and someone please enlighten me with different angles and benefits of owning each one. I am having a hard time because for the extra money the sti seems to be in a whole new ball park.
(also please refrain from comments such as " your to young to own this type of car etc". ) I have had my integra for four years, in this time period i have grown to love and mod the car, and respect it. and i hope to do the same for the subaru.

 

I guess its "higher" by like 200 dollars a year but thats pretty much nothing really a month.

All in all the sti is the best deal you will spend alot more making the wrx draintrain handle the power a STI already has.

So if you plan to race it (you already said mods) then i would sugguest the STI. I've heard of too many people breaking gears from the power the motor makes in the WRX with substantial modification.

Another question to ask is how fast do you want to go? You want sub 12's on the 1/4 with a fully mod'ed out sti or mid 12's with a fully modded out wrx They both have potential if your willing to put the money and effort into it.

 

you've been driving your integra for 4 years? and your 17..... I'm confused.

The sti is definitely the faster way to go.... obviously. But, the wrx is fast enough. I've heard of so many young drivers getting into serious damage with the sti and you are bound to be pulled over far more often. You should go out to the dealers and see what you can get. A used sti is hard to come by. I don't buy new cars myself... it's just not economical in my eyes.
You should also call your insurance company... they'll tell you roughly how much you'd pay for each.
If you don't think you'll kill yourself, I would go with the STI, a trunk swap and a debadge. Oh... and get white!

 

Moved to suby shopping.


Guys, please keep this conversation sane and don't start flaming this guy too much or this thread will go into the dumpster as so many others that have started like this have. He didn't come off too cocky, so theres no reason to start now.

On topic of your question though, I personally belive you should should go for the WRX. I know you dont want the "your too young to have this car" comment, but truthfully you are. And I'm not just some "old fogey" saying this because i'm jelous that i didnt get a 23k car when i was 17. I'm saying this because i'm not much older than you and know from experiance that it is much better to learn on a lower power car. Not that the WRX is low power, but it is not quite as crazy powered as the STi. Plus, with the few grand you save in insurance and cost to buy, you could buy yourself a nice exhaust, some suspension and braking parts, along with a nice wheel and tire package. You do that, and I truthfully belive you will be much happier with that than you would be with a stock STi.

 

I couldn't agree anymore with Imprezastifan88. Jumping right into an STI could get a little out of control. You've likely really taken control of the great handling in the gsr, but i've found AWD to be a whole different story.
I think the WRX will really be the safer and better experience. there's really something to be said about taking a WRX and making it your own buy putting on Mods as you go. You'll have a lot of fun with a tire package, adding power as you go... .... etc. You really don't need to spend so much of your money on a car at a young age. You should use that extra cash for partying. (I bought my '02 WRX for $17k from a dealer). And if, for some reason, your life suits an AT, then you also have that option.

Good luck... and welcome.

 

My jealousy about having been 17 once, and have a worn out '40 Studebaker as an early (second, actually) car makes me want to say, "DO IT!" It took me many years, wife and x3 kids, a career and then semi-retirement before my WRX was possible. ps: I still have my original edition wife, and plan to keep her, as is!

Just don't buy white! That's the last color an STI ought to be. I like the Red or Electric Blue, or whatever the names are that Subie uses. Make statement! Bug the fuzz! Pay the tickets! Pay the insurance!

Live!

 

get something that within range of your budget (wrx).

 

It looks like the young man has a budget big enough for the STI: maybe a BMW, too? So what, only his (mom's) pocketbook will know, for sure. Yea, I know, a native California would say "purse" but I've been in NY for a long time, and the vernacular has rubbed off onto my psyche.

 

well if you get a wrx by the time your done modding it your gonna have put more money itno it then you would have paid for an STi.Even though the insurance will be more it won't be a lot and i think the Sti is way more fun.You can't really mod it as much as you could a wrx but you don't really need to.

 

hmm i stated that i have owned the car for four years? whats so hard to understand.

 

Wow, you sir, are an idiot. You & everyone else on this site do not know my financial situation, and can assume anything you want, but in fact at the end of the week i still put in 40 hrs. regardless of your assumptions.

 

The difference in insurance will be a fair enough amount. I think for me it went up $700/yr or so and I'm 23 no points.

Honestly, I'd stick with the WRX if I were you. The monthly cost and insurance payments are a long term, monthly requirement. Saving money month to month means the money is there till you mod it, so if something happens, you're ok. Plus, remember that you'll have these payments for probably 5 years or so, and a monthly payment could mean the difference between getting your own place and living at home. Trust me, moving out > having a cool car. Go with the cheaper car.

 

thanks for the response, at this point in looking towards the 05 wrx

 

Well, this "idiot" WAS all in favor of your getting the Subie of your choice. I really don't give a s------ about your finances, and it was all in jest, really. Relax! Live! A little flame never hurt anyone. Come to NY this winter and try your luck on your "roads" if you REALLY want some fun!

 

and i really dont give a **** about your roads in ny. any way this post is over thanks for everyones responses, just what i was expecting.