Shooting for the WRX

3222 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by rexxx0486, Feb 7, 2017

WRXLex

Discussion Starter · Feb 1, 2017

Hey guys, been a while since I've posted here. Let me fill you in. Wanted the WRX but ended up buying the Civic Si. I'm happy with my Si and was playing on putting a turbo on it which will allow it to rule the street lmao, BUT I was debating on going only with bolt-ons for the Civic and maybe possibly buying a car meant for racing or track days. My two cars of choice if I don't turbo the Civic is the WRX (maybe STi) and the 350z/370z.

Thoughts?

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XJman

· #2 · Feb 1, 2017

You'd be hard pressed to boost a 11.1 to one compression engine without knock issues.

Outside of that it depends on what you want out of a track car. Miata is always a popular option, but out of the two you listed i would lean towards the STI as I'm not a big Nissan fan

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WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 1, 2017

XJman said:
You'd be hard pressed to boost a 11.1 to one compression engine without knock issues.

Outside of that it depends on what you want out of a track car. Miata is always a popular option, but out of the two you listed i would lean towards the STI as I'm not a big Nissan fan

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Well the 350z I want is the HR engine which is pretty badass stock for stock with the WRX..
Stock engine on my Si can handle up to 500hp which is why I'm debating on boosting it. But if I keep it FBO it'll be quick but not so fast that it'll break the trans if I choose not to build the trans fully.
A WRX is already fun and fast as the 350z is, whereas the WRX takes to bolt-one better than the Z does but the Z n/a is still quick cause it's a V6..
How much does replacing things on a Subaru cost? Cause on a Honda I assume it's not too bad. I know Nissan can be pretty damn expensive..so lots of things to think about

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XJman

· #4 · Feb 1, 2017

You are still fighting high compression and boost. Each alone creates knock problems, together can create bigger ones. I know nobody admits it but people blow up civics on a daily basis.

It's expensive on any car. Cheap, fast, reliable. Pick two.

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WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 1, 2017

XJman said:
You are still fighting high compression and boost. Each alone creates knock problems, together can create bigger ones. I know nobody admits it but people blow up civics on a daily basis.

It's expensive on any car. Cheap, fast, reliable. Pick two.

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Damn..now I'm really trying to figure what I want atleast which of the 3 options is best..
I want either one used, but..which to choose. Cause I can get the Z I want for under 13k
But all the WRX I like which is 2010 and up is about 19k+
Hmm

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EJ257

· #6 · Feb 1, 2017

You're not going to rule the street with a FWD/AWD car. Real street monsters are RWD.

If you have a car that is a fun daily, you are wasting your time looking at something like a Subaru or Nissan as a "race or track day" car. You want to be looking at something like a Miata, S2000, Lotus Elise, etc.

XJman

· #7 · Feb 1, 2017

WRXLex said:
Damn..now I'm really trying to figure what I want atleast which of the 3 options is best..
I want either one used, but..which to choose. Cause I can get the Z I want for under 13k
But all the WRX I like which is 2010 and up is about 19k+
Hmm

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I wouldn't spend 19k on a non essential vehicle. I would buy something dirt cheap and work on it. Built engines can be expensive and can easily run to the 15k+ range.

Personally set a total budget for the project and stick to it or you'll find yourself with huge amounts invested for little return.

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WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 1, 2017

EJ257 said:
You're not going to rule the street with a FWD/AWD car. Real street monsters are RWD.

If you have a car that is a fun daily, you are wasting your time looking at something like a Subaru or Nissan as a "race or track day" car. You want to be looking at something like a Miata, S2000, Lotus Elise, etc.

Well it's for when I go to the local drag strip or when people wanna get sly and catch me on the streets for a quick 40 pull..I know the WRX doesn't pull from a roll the best but the Z is pretty beastly. The Si is beast from the videos I've watched. PRL Stage 2 on an Si is crazy, yes wheel spin in the first 2 gears is bad but once you get enough grip it goes

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ProZach626

· #9 · Feb 1, 2017

500 HP in your civic will RUIN IT. My 09 Civic Si was a really well built car and it was fun to drive, but it didn't have enough grunt for me.

I sold it and shortly after that I bought a 350z. My 350z (hr motor) was numb, felt heavy, and was terrible for a DD. The motor and straight line pull was what sold me, but I quickly found out how much of a one trick pony it was, and the trick wasn't even that great.

I got no enjoyment out of that car and I sold it within 11 months of ownership, in order to buy my 13 WRX. My 13 WRX was great for a daily driver, but it would have been too soft to be a track car. I thought I wanted something with more power and more speed.

I traded my 13 WRX for my for my 15 STI. My 15 STI would make a nice track car, but it's incredibly uncomfortable, not smooth to drive, and really hard to live with on a daily basis.

Unless you're serious about the track, just stick with what you have. Run a LOW boost supercharger setup and keep it as a fun daily driver. Anything over 300 whp in that car is just dumb. Mid 250's would seem to be the sweet spot with some minor suspension mods. Chances are that car is easier to drive, more reliable, and better built than anything else you're looking for.

Don't mistake horse power and speed with fun. They don't necessarily go hand in hand. My STI is the fastest car I've owned of the lot, but had I known what I know now I would have never purchased it as a daily driver. In hindsight, I would have kept the 13 WRX, or even the 09 Si. Both were fun cars and decent to drive on a daily basis. However, the Si had far superior build quality, especially the stereo.

So there's my insight on some of the cars you talked about.

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WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 1, 2017

ProZach626 said:
500 HP in your civic will RUIN IT. My 09 Civic Si was a really well built car and it was fun to drive, but it didn't have enough grunt for me.

I sold it and shortly after that I bought a 350z. My 350z (hr motor) was numb, felt heavy, and was terrible for a DD. The motor and straight line pull was what sold me, but I quickly found out how much of a one trick pony it was, and the trick wasn't even that great.

I got no enjoyment out of that car and I sold it within 11 months of ownership, in order to buy my 13 WRX. My 13 WRX was great for a daily driver, but it would have been too soft to be a track car. I thought I wanted something with more power and more speed.

I traded my 13 WRX for my for my 15 STI. My 15 STI would make a nice track car, but it's incredibly uncomfortable, not smooth to drive, and really hard to live with on a daily basis.

Unless you're serious about the track, just stick with what you have. Run a LOW boost supercharger setup and keep it as a fun daily driver. Anything over 300 whp in that car is just dumb. Mid 250's would seem to be the sweet spot with some minor suspension mods. Chances are that car is easier to drive, more reliable, and better built than anything else you're looking for.

Don't mistake horse power and speed with fun. They don't necessarily go hand in hand. My STI is the fastest car I've owned of the lot, but had I known what I know now I would have never purchased it as a daily driver. In hindsight, I would have kept the 13 WRX, or even the 09 Si. Both were fun cars and decent to drive on a daily basis. However, the Si had far superior build quality, especially the stereo.

So there's my insight on some of the cars you talked about.

Sweet input thank you! I'm not sure where I stand in preference to SC or Turbo. But you've motivated me to keep my Si as my fun car and DD

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JaguarXF

· #11 · Feb 2, 2017

I am curious as to what your total budget is? $15K for a used WRX or 350Z? $5-10K in engine upgrade and testing? I would assume you would need at least $10k in reserve for fixing things that break. Now what class and what are you running? SCCA events will need a $300 - $400 helmet. At some classes you will need a firesuit. Those used to run about $500-$800 including the silk underwear. Now comes tires, fluids, brakes, shocks, etc.

I am guessing that a $35k-$45K budget would be in order for a full year at SCCA licensed events (providing you have your regional license).

We can step up to trailers and tow vehicles or leave it in the run what you brung. I raced in this manner for several years. It was a less costly way to race. It was never cheap.

flg2010

· #12 · Feb 3, 2017

Mustang GT 5.0... no need to mod anything. "out of the box" it will win against anything your racing.

I bet you can find some 4 or 5 year old 5.0s for cheap...

WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 4, 2017

My budget is about that..I'm about to inherit the only OEM auto shop in my area so i kinda have money to play with. But the mustang doesn't really suit me but it may be a choice..I'm really feeling getting a 350z
Also probably gonna low boost my Civic Si also

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RayfieldsWRX

· #14 · Feb 4, 2017

I'm with ProZach with respect to the Nissan experience, though it was with a G35 Coupe, rather than the 350Z. It was an excellent all-around car, but I found the driving experience to be dull and numb, after being used to more raw, turbocharged vehicles. On paper, they look great..just not enough "smiles per mile" for me.

WRXLex

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 4, 2017

RayfieldsWRX said:
I'm with ProZach with respect to the Nissan experience, though it was with a G35 Coupe, rather than the 350Z. It was an excellent all-around car, but I found the driving experience to be dull and numb, after being used to more raw, turbocharged vehicles. On paper, they look great..just not enough "smiles per mile" for me.

What's your recommendation?

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Doctor Jeff

· #16 · Feb 4, 2017

ProZach626 said:
I traded my 13 WRX for my for my 15 STI. My 15 STI would make a nice track car, but it's incredibly uncomfortable, not smooth to drive, and really hard to live with on a daily basis.

I'm just curious why you say that. I've read a lot of opinions from people who find the current STI to be acceptable as a daily. Even though I only have about 9K miles on my WRX, I have contemplated (fantasized) about trading it in for a new 2018 STI when they come out. Is the ride that much worse than the WRX?

BTW, I find the 2017 WRX to be significantly more refined, comfortable and smoother to drive than the 2012 I had, though not a quantum level above. Maybe 15% better.

I agree with the observation that the stock WRX/STI stereo is not good, but that's the most economical mod you can find to increase driving enjoyment. There are so many aftermarket options at a reasonable price that it shouldn't be a deal-breaker IMO.

RayfieldsWRX

· #17 · Feb 5, 2017

WRXLex said:
What's your recommendation?

I can only "recommend" on the basis of my own preferences...between the 3 vehicles mentioned in your original post, the WRX would by far be my preference.
You should test drive all of the vehicles under consideration, and figure out which one puts the biggest smile on your face. No one can decide that for you!

JaguarXF

· #18 · Feb 6, 2017

I'll just offer up another option. If you want the best bang for the buck, look into the 2017 Camaro SS1LE. This is a ~$45K car. It is a Porsche 911, BMW M4, Audi Sanything slayer. It is simply that good.

A few of the features include, dynamic rev matching on downshifts (makes everyone Jackie Stewart) and no lift shifting on up-shifts (makes everyone Ronnie Sox). Another piece is that the factory warranty remains valid while racing.

ChristopherWRX

· #19 · Feb 6, 2017

JaguarXF said:
I'll just offer up another option. If you want the best bang for the buck, look into the 2017 Camaro SS1LE. This is a ~$45K car. It is a Porsche 911, BMW M4, Audi Sanything slayer. It is simply that good...

+1,000,000

Before you dismiss a Mustang GT or Camaro SS, test drive one. The only way I'd buy a WRX (and the main reason I did) is because of living in the mountains and/or contending with a winter climate.

And, if you're even remotely consider the 350Z, which is rear-wheel drive, do yourself a favor and test drive a GT or an SS! You can thank me later!

RayfieldsWRX

· #20 · Feb 7, 2017

Based on specs and reviews by trusted friends (one of the admins here owns one, btw), the SS1LE is supposed to be excellent; a true shift by Chevrolet towards making the Camaro a true sports car. If I was in the market right now, it would be on my short list.

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