2002 WRX Motor Swap vs. 04-05 STI HELP!!!

[jdkeller87]

Hey, I just signed up because I am a future subie owner. I was debating on what route i should go. I either want like an 02 wrx for cheap and swap out the motor for like 05 sti motor......or buy an 04 or 05 sti straight up. No matter what I buy I want to do some wrenching and mods. But I dont know what to do. I think if i go the 02 wrx route and swap the motor it will be cheaper than the sti right!? But is it a big cost savings? Please give any and all opinions. This is a big decision for me. Thanks!

[wrxtreme06]

if you can afford it, go for the sti right off the bat.


sure you can throw an sti engine into a bugeye, but i dont think you can ever compensate for the sti tranny+handling capabilities, without a decent amount of extra work.

[ElBartoRex]

its definitely cheaper to buy an 04-05 STi straight out rather than buy a bugeye and swap it, unless you get a REAL junker.

A swap is much more complicated than just unbolting the motor, you need to get the STi ECU and rewire the whole car as well, and while your at it you might as well do the transmission, rear diff, axles, hubs, and brembos.

Once you add all that cost, time and labor in, there is no way its going to be cheaper than finding a nice $18-$20k 04 STi.

If you found some very 'lived in' parts and did all the work yourself you might break even.

[jdkeller87]

Ya dont get me wrong I want an sti real bad over the other. The other day though there was an 02 wrx. Perfect condition except for it had 120,000 miles. And it was only $3,200. Thats what had got me thinking.

[tmann05]

STI all the way. You wont regret it! Just be patient and find one that hasn't been abused with low miles. I mean look at my avatar....sexyness

[psychobooe]

Personally, I would find a nice, low mileage '05 STI. Swapping a Bugeye would be a lot of work, and it would never be quite as good as the STI.