Questions About WRX's

sleepydsm · 11-15-2009

A lot of you guys here have WRXs or know a thing or two about them. I am thinking of possibly getting a WRX Wagon to replace my daily driver Civic hatchback. I do not plan on modding this, I just want 4 doors, AWD, and room to haul shit around like an air compressor or an engine once and awhile. And because it's a WRX I won't feel like a tree hugging lesbian.

What are some issues I should look for with WRX's?

I have heard the manual trannys, when abused, are about as crappy as a DSMs.

How corrosion resistant are they? I haven't ever seen a rusty one lol.

Is there any better or worse model years?

Thanks for your time.

**Kracka** · 11-15-2009

3rd gear is the weak-point in the MT's but unless you're heavily modded or drive like an assclown you won't have an issue. They are a pain to work on compared to DSM's but since you're leaving it stock that won't be much of a concern.

**goodhart** · 11-15-2009

Can't really think of much off hand, but mine has been super reliable, and also the Auto's are a bit more stout than the 5MT's.

C3L1CA · 11-15-2009

I wouldn't mind having one for a daily either. People always bitch about working on them, but honestly once you tear a couple apart they aren't THAT bad.

**goodhart** · 11-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3L1CA

I wouldn't mind having one for a daily either. People always bitch about working on them, but honestly once you tear a couple apart they aren't THAT bad.

x2 there is more room under the hoods than you would think. Spark plugs are a time consuming job though, sure not like a 4g63 where it takes 30 seconds.

niterydr · 11-15-2009

Spark plugs are nothing on a wrx compared to a few cars out there, and thankfully shouldn't need to be changed that much unless you are mucking with it.

If I ever got one, I'd put in a walbro, modify the injectors, and play with the Open ECU. I would pick up solid hp over stock and leave it right there, maybe put on a few sti bits if I can get them cheap enough. Great cars, love the exhaust note, and are pretty reliable as long as you keep them "tame" (like most cars).

mike55112 · 11-15-2009

I liked mine when I had one. Working on them isnt to bad. I heard something about the 02-03's having some trans problems but that was when they were modded.

adidasdudegst · 11-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

3rd gear is the weak-point in the MT's but unless you're heavily modded or drive like an assclown you won't have an issue.

hahaha true. had a buddy that had one, and he fd up his 3rd gear up trying to be mr cool, and didnt clutch in, and ground up a bit of 3rd gear, while trying to drift in snow. I've heard they are pretty solid as far as a stock/somewhat stock dd goes.

At-Least-It's-An-Evo · 11-15-2009

My sister had one, and obviously didn't mod it. The tranny still went to shit. It was an 02... I wouldn't buy one unless you can handle a shitty tranny, or buy an auto.

**scheides** · 11-16-2009

I think the older hatchbacks are total lesbian magnets (no offense ylime!) but other than that, if you planned on keeping it super simple there's no reason why it wouldn't be a good car for ya.

Ultimately, you gotta be honest with yourself. You know you will mod it in some way or another. Exhaust, intake, tune, maybe up pipe, and a tune and you're golden...until you get an STi TMIC and STi turbo... :P

**Goat Blower** · 11-16-2009

I've had a few and they're a great car for little dough. I currently have an STi and it's a little bumpy for as long of drive as I have everyday, but the WRX's are a little tamer, and you're probably a lot younger than me.

CarPsyco84 · 11-16-2009

1st and 2nd shift like trash in the cold, the spin the tranny in neutral then try again trick doesn't work either cause of the way the trans is designed, but once warm and moving it shifts pretty good. The back 2 cylinders are prone to rings going bad, I sold the one I had with 98k on it, and the plugs were already starting to show signs of oil on the back 2... A hard 1-2 shift brings the infamous "clunk in the trunk." If you break anything that can't be bought at the parts store (which seems like everything, like a VW) you will cry at the price tag. They are fun to drive, but the motor is no 4G63, power wise, oh and my 02' ran like crap(lean) at partial throttle and I never could find out why.

CarPsyco84 · 11-16-2009

Oh, and don't miss the 1-2 shift, they like to jam the hub and syncro and gear all together, and wreck em, and its about $800 for new parts...

blageo23 · 11-16-2009

I don't have a wrx but I love my Subaru! Best $900 I've ever spent. Ive heard cylinder 3 goes out on them. I think you should go for it.

sleepydsm · 11-18-2009

Thanks for all the info. I may be steering away as I have eyes on a '96 CX Hatch.

TkrPerformance · 11-18-2009

park the honda inside with all the hondas getting stolen.

Also I tryed to talk my buddy out of getting a sti and getting a evo. but he got the sti and has had it for a year or so and hates the car now and wished he would have bought the evo 9.