I have a bone stock ’02 WRX sedan. I’m looking to get a much more responsive and fun handling car. Though I would like to try auto-x someday, this is my daily driver, and I don’t want to sacrifice tire wear! What do you all recommend for $1k or less?

I’m thinking somewhere along these lines:
Rear Adj. Sway Bar
Rear Sway Bar Mounts
Rear Sway Bar End Links
Front Sway Bar
Front Sway Bar End Links
Anti-Lift Kit
Lowering Springs: 1” rear, 1 ½” front
Adj. Rear Camber Bolts

Anything here unnecessary, anything missing?

PDM-RACING.com has all these parts (Whiteline handling kit) for just under a grand…. Good deal? Should I be considering another manufacturer (Cusco, Perrin, etc...)?

Thanks!!
~SKY

 

What brand are you looking at for all of those parts? You can certainly look to Cusco and Perrin, but I think the Cusco stuff will be a bit more pricey than the Whiteline stuff and the Whiteline is good equipment. What springs are you looking at? Depending on how stiff a spring you purchase you may want to plan your budget to buy some new struts in the near future as well.

 

I was thinking of going Whilteline EVERYTHING? Good idea? Also, why would I need new struts w/ the new springs? Thanks!

 

Yeah all the whiteline stuff is really good. All should be fine. I'm not sure about the whiteline springs (as far as how stiff they are). You may need new struts because when you run a lower spring that is too stiff (like > 225lb) you'll start accelerating the wear on your stock struts and/or the ride may be really bouncy.

 

IIRC your '02 sedan already has solid endlinks up front, so you dont need to replace those. Also, you may want to pick up some steering rack bushings. They are pretty cheap and tighten up the feeling in the steering wheel.

The whiteline stuff is pretty good, I have their steering rack bushings, and front and rear steel endlinks on my wagon. The steel links are cheaper and flex a little bit compared to the heavy duty ones. Both are stiffer than stock (dont get the steel ones if you use a bar bigger than 20mm, they have broken before)

 

http://www.spdusa.com/wrx.htm This guy is very good. Saved me a bunch of money by telling me what not to do.