Ok so im still in the process of my 79 Pontiac Firebird project but in the near future, within the coming months, i want to buy a WXR but need some helpful advice. I like to research everything and know what im getting myself into beforehand. So this is where you all come in
Iv read that the best year for subaru WXR Sedan was in 2006 because of the 4 and 2 piston breaks the 2.5L EJ25 engine and the forged aluminum front lower control arms.
But is that really enough to go searching only for a 2006? or is still decent to go with another year. I was thinking 2001 to maybe 2007 depending on the price. Second i could get one for 8-10k decently priced and many with minor upgrades and reasonable sounding miles. What kind of miles can you generally expect from a WXR?
OR i could get a slighly higher mile car for 4-6K which would leave me approx 6-8k to add upgrades, new engine if need be, exhaust, turbo, , body kit etc. what do you all think? spend less on car and dump more cash into it or spend a bit more and get a nicer car with upgrades already pre-installed? probably a no brainer for most but thats why im here. What have you experienced from personal Experience?
Also i plan on tuning for drifting and racing like usual.
Max willing to spend off bat is 12k MAX! more later on down the road.
The WRX, all years, is plagued by a very serious fault that has caused countless failures: the owners.
I'd find a 2,5L car that is completely stock and has a full service history. There is no such thing as an "upgrade" because the very best Subarus are built by the most experienced builder with the most resources: Subaru. Prefer a stock car.
If you find a stock car with a full service history, and you maintain it precisely according to the owner's manual using authentic Subaru parts, you should be absolutely outraged if a major failure occurs before 200,000 miles. This is an arbitrary number and I've chosen it because it's nice and round, resembling in some ways rather delicate parts of my anatomy. If it were in km I'd not say 320,000 but I'd probably say 350,000 or something that just flows better. The point is, this is a 21st century Japanese car. If it fails when properly maintained and is so "young" then we're buying the wrong cars.
My car has 190k miles on the 2,0L motor. If it were to fail, despite being practically "new," and despite being maintained correctly, I'll be honest: I'd be absolutey livid.
You should be angry too in those circumstances. So, find a stock car, keep it that way, and drive it until the doors melt.
If you can help it don't buy a pre modified vehicle unless the owner has a full service history, including information about the shop that did the mods and tunes. It can still be very sketchy, even if you plan to modify the car yourself unmodified is always ideal to start.
WRX's and STi's are not drift cars. Why would you even consider trying to make an AWD car a "drift car" is beyond me, you'd need a RWD platform to do any good there.
I would go for a stock car myself. People that modify their cars for more power, use that power. Some more than others. Not all of them are so keen on changing oil, topping off\flushing fluids ect.
As far as buying a newer car with less miles for more money rather than an older car with more miles for less....it depends what condition its in. Typically I would buy newer if the price was reasonable. My advice is shop around, go look at cars in person. An ad can only tell you so much. Do Carfax check so you don't get a salvage title.
These cars do not make the best drifters. Not saying it can not be done....rwd is better for that.
Coming from another Japanese "tuner" car brand I can safely say it is wise to not take on someone's else's project. During my search for the perfect WRX I wanted it to be stock, have as few previous owner's as possible, and very well taken care of. Now I did pay a premium but I ended up with a premium non-issue car.
As for your drifting and racing needs, these are not the best cars for that. I haven't been around this community long enough but I imagine "upgrading" is not cheap, also keep in mind "fast, cheap, reliable, you can only pick 2." I would look at other platforms if you are wanting drifting and racing
With enough power its possible to drift AWD but i get it takes a lot of power and a certain level of skill but its possible. I already have a read wheel drive car. my 79 Firebird so im covered in that area already. This will be for winters also if need be if i dont decide to drive my gas hog jeep.Even if im no Ken Block id still like to be able to put some pep in its step speed wise and ill be getting a manual transmission on top of it all. i appreciate all the criticism. i do, but this is why i came to this board and not another.
Ok so its settled ill look for a more expensive, lower mileage car to boot. Thats a check.
Depending on price i could have 2-6k for any extra smaller parts but i make enough money to where i can afford to buy some decent parts here and there between my current job and side jobs.
If you drift a WRX on dry pavement, you will destroy your differential. Seriously, it's just a matter of time. The STI can pull it off, but not the WRX.
Thank you for that Zax. These are the things i need to know. So drifting is out the door. Im ok with this. I can still make it sound nice, look nice and perform how i like.
i havent been able to find a decent priced sti sadly tho
Just because they are more expensive doesn't mean they are not priced nice. They do tend to carry little higher rice tax than the wrx but if you are looking for any track time it's the way I would go.
You'll spend more money trying to make the wrx match the sti performance than the price of the sti out the door. The dccd control and diffs alone make up a huge portion of that, then you add performance and the far better transmission
Sounds like you have done a decent amount of research .
just picked up a 08 wrx with 133,000 on it and I'm happy with it. Paid 8500.
It may need struts but I'm not sure yet..but prolly..though end links helped already and I have some new bushings coming..all for the front sway bar...rear seems tight.
It's stock except for the n-1 fart can on it..but it does sound good.
I think it maybe sage advice to find one as near as stock as can be ..but that's not to say they were not beat either.
If the miles are close to 100k ask if the head gaskets have been done.
Mine were done then along with timing belts and pulleys and tensioner...new turbo also..water pump...clutch.
This thing runs sweet!
I can play around with it and still get 24 mpg!
BTW..seen 29mpg on a 120 mile easy run.
No leaks underneath..be sure to check for leaks btw.
First thing I did was pull that cover off underneath the motor and throw it away.
I have done that with all 5 of the subies we have had over a bunch of years.
Does anybody else put them under their cars ..wth.
Yes there is a reason for the underbody tray. Not only does it protect the motor from the elements, but it reduces road noise and improves economy by smoothing airflow underneath the car.
Well.. Subaru has a wind tunnel, and I'm sure they've determined it flows better with the tray
The tray takes me about 5 minutes to take off since I've done it so many times. Paired with a fumoto oil drain valve, it takes me about 20 minutes to change my oil on ramps if I'm in a hurry. I definitely don't think you're "hurting" anything taking it off, though, you have to do what makes you happy with the car.
I would honestly go for a full stock car if it was me with all the past history records of the vehicle and then build it on your own from there . Its definitely not a drift car but it can be done but if you do you would destroy your differential . Good luck !!