I am working with a 2000 Impreza Outback Wagon.
Most of the car is stock I have upgraded to a 20mm rear swaybar and a set of WRX 16" wheels/tires.
What should I do next to the suspension? I don't really want to lower the car as I have to move stuff, and see a lot of snow.
Was considering a rear lower brace, or mabe a front upper strut brace.
Opinions please

 

17" wheels and good summer tires would be the best bet. A rear strut brace will help out too. I also like the STi group N strut tops, but they do add a bit of harshness. You could also look at KYB AGX and some Ground Control sleeves to stiffen the caar up a little bit without lowering it.

 

If you are looking for a difference in performance that you can feel, I'd swap the stock springs/struts. You can probably find a set of springs that lowers it less than an inch (look for wagon-spec.); swapping the susp. in my 98 Outback Sport made a huge difference (accel, braking, cornering, etc.), and I haven't even gotten a larger RSB yet.

As long as you dont encounter deep snow, the ~1 inch drop won't make a huge difference in your severe weather capabilities.

 

personally, even for an OBS I wouldn't go lower- if anything I'd opt for an adjustable coil-over set-up so you can raise or lower as needed, but that's just me.

 

There is not much difference between the OBS and the regular impreza wagon. Beyond the hood scoops and two-tone paint (which can be changed easily), most people (including me) wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I've read there is a stock lift-kit on the OBS; however, I didn't notice anything unusual when I took off my susp.

Of course, I would prefer a coil-over setup, but a quality setup is out of my price range. Also, I do lots of curvy freeway driving, so I have noticed a huge improvement (reduced body roll, high-speed stability, etc.)

It all depends on what kind of driving you plan to do. My susp. is pretty stiff, but I can also still take bumpy gravel/dirt roads at moderate speeds. So far, the susp. swap has been my best bang for buck mod. yet, and I'd defitely say it's worth it if you do considerable highway/freeway driving.

 

I'm not sure, but isn't the OBS .5" higher than the "L" Wagon? I thought thats what the owners manual said, or implied or something. Mine says that only the OBS can be taken off road which I found kinda funny since I thought they were mostly the same

I've also been wondering about new suspension, and obviously would agree that coilovers r the best if u've got the money (I like the idea of being able to go low, but also retaining stock height for snow/offroad)... although, it sounds like some of them have lots of problems (clunking or something on teins?)

Good Luck