Advice on what wrx to buy
09 July 2016, 08:26 AM
#94
I don't come on here much these days as the site has been taken over by idiots and their hangers on unfortunately.
My 2p worth is, you won't find a better daily than a WRX PPP, the PPP stands for Prodrive Performance Pack, it was expensive compared to a remap when the cars were new but now it represents the best value performance upgrade available, it's also very good for engine longevity, my WRX PPP has 125k on the clock and has been ridiculously reliable over the last 5yrs, problem with remaps (even ecutek) is you're very much at the mercy of the individual mapper (see bloke down the road with laptop and a few downloaded maps) whereas PPP as the name suggests was developed by Prodrive, who need no introduction.
I'm an older driver and much like yourself don't like the STI styling, I also didn't like the crashy ride or the gear ratios when I drove both versions back to back and had the money to purchase either.
The PPP turns the WRX into a very capable car that despite the naysayers and headline figures has plenty of off the mark get up and go and a nice midrange that is very well suited to it's long gear ratios, if you can drive a bit then a few simple cheap handling mods is where your money will be best spent, granted the brakes aren't the best but they are capable with the right disc and pad combo, if you're not going to go mental stomping the crap out of them as though you're on a tarmac rally stage.
If you do a little research on the WRX PPP you'll find out what it consists of and my PPP map is on here in the mapping section available to download for free, then if you ask nicely I'm sure there will be someone that will flash it onto your car for a few beer tokens.
I would also add don't be fooled into going down the STI turbo route, it's the wrong turbo for a WRX and it's not particularly good on an STI either, which is why so many STI owners change it sure you'll get more top end but who travels everywhere above 6k rpm at 120mph 
if you must change the turbo look at TD04 hybrids.
Just remember there are many ways to skin a cat, some of the more vocal ones on here tend to only see numbers and have no comprehension of use ability, drive ability or driver ability, ie my car has bigger numbers and I've thrown a load of poor quality / cheap parts at it so it must be better and faster than yours.
My 2p worth is, you won't find a better daily than a WRX PPP, the PPP stands for Prodrive Performance Pack, it was expensive compared to a remap when the cars were new but now it represents the best value performance upgrade available, it's also very good for engine longevity, my WRX PPP has 125k on the clock and has been ridiculously reliable over the last 5yrs, problem with remaps (even ecutek) is you're very much at the mercy of the individual mapper (see bloke down the road with laptop and a few downloaded maps) whereas PPP as the name suggests was developed by Prodrive, who need no introduction.
I'm an older driver and much like yourself don't like the STI styling, I also didn't like the crashy ride or the gear ratios when I drove both versions back to back and had the money to purchase either.
The PPP turns the WRX into a very capable car that despite the naysayers and headline figures has plenty of off the mark get up and go and a nice midrange that is very well suited to it's long gear ratios, if you can drive a bit then a few simple cheap handling mods is where your money will be best spent, granted the brakes aren't the best but they are capable with the right disc and pad combo, if you're not going to go mental stomping the crap out of them as though you're on a tarmac rally stage.
If you do a little research on the WRX PPP you'll find out what it consists of and my PPP map is on here in the mapping section available to download for free, then if you ask nicely I'm sure there will be someone that will flash it onto your car for a few beer tokens.
I would also add don't be fooled into going down the STI turbo route, it's the wrong turbo for a WRX and it's not particularly good on an STI either, which is why so many STI owners change it
sure you'll get more top end but who travels everywhere above 6k rpm at 120mph if you must change the turbo look at TD04 hybrids.Just remember there are many ways to skin a cat, some of the more vocal ones on here tend to only see numbers and have no comprehension of use ability, drive ability or driver ability, ie my car has bigger numbers and I've thrown a load of poor quality / cheap parts at it so it must be better and faster than yours.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 09 July 2016 at 08:50 AM.
09 July 2016, 10:52 AM
#97
Scooby Regular
A bug STI will be 15 years old! probably 5+ owners
He doesn't want high mileage or an STI, so why suggest a high mileage blob STI???
The hawk wrx gearbox is one of the stronger 5 speed boxes, can handle 380+ bhp
The hawk wrx is more reliable than the hawk sti
The sti is heavier, harder ride, worse mpg
FFS HE DOESN'T WANT AN STI!!!
He doesn't want high mileage or an STI, so why suggest a high mileage blob STI???
The hawk wrx gearbox is one of the stronger 5 speed boxes, can handle 380+ bhp
The hawk wrx is more reliable than the hawk sti
The sti is heavier, harder ride, worse mpg
FFS HE DOESN'T WANT AN STI!!!
And I'm not talking about Hawkeyes, the 2.5 is **** all round, WRX or not.
I like how you mentioned in another comment about your friend swapping his gearbox to a 2.5hawk gearbox. Why did he have to swap it? Did his old 5speed give up? And 380ftlbs on a standard 2.0 blob engine? Or has the engine been rebuild / replaced too?
The op can go for what he likes, if it's a WRX so be it. I'm just saying you could still find yourself a nice STI for that money, you're probably going to want to buy all the goodies at some stage anyway.
Over and out.
09 July 2016, 10:53 AM
#98
Scooby Regular
Do you not prefer the 6speed for daily driving / cruising though? Having owned both WRX and STI I'd probably sway the other way.
09 July 2016, 01:21 PM
#100
And what if it is 14/15years old, it still has a nicer interior than most WRX's lol. STI will still be more reliable. And regards to the 260bhp, standard STI's are 260, so no reason it wouldn't suit (maybe hard finding a standard STI though haha).
And I'm not talking about Hawkeyes, the 2.5 is **** all round, WRX or not.
I like how you mentioned in another comment about your friend swapping his gearbox to a 2.5hawk gearbox. Why did he have to swap it? Did his old 5speed give up? And 380ftlbs on a standard 2.0 blob engine? Or has the engine been rebuild / replaced too?
The op can go for what he likes, if it's a WRX so be it. I'm just saying you could still find yourself a nice STI for that money, you're probably going to want to buy all the goodies at some stage anyway.
Over and out.
And I'm not talking about Hawkeyes, the 2.5 is **** all round, WRX or not.
I like how you mentioned in another comment about your friend swapping his gearbox to a 2.5hawk gearbox. Why did he have to swap it? Did his old 5speed give up? And 380ftlbs on a standard 2.0 blob engine? Or has the engine been rebuild / replaced too?
The op can go for what he likes, if it's a WRX so be it. I'm just saying you could still find yourself a nice STI for that money, you're probably going to want to buy all the goodies at some stage anyway.
Over and out.
His standard engine developed a crank rattle, so he went for a 2.5 block, his old gearbox was fine, but he was offered a hawk box for a good price and sold his blob box for similar money.
09 July 2016, 02:08 PM
#101
I have a 05 Blob WRX PPP and make a great daily car(if not too many miles) done 8000 miles in 1 year totally reliable(only 57k on clock) and a lot better then my 3 classics ive had as a daily driver.....
09 July 2016, 06:05 PM
#103
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dorset
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys. I called it a spec d thinking that was right term. I know rink the correct term is sl. Basically not the big spoiler or stickers or anything like the sti.
I've almost given up why I don't want an sti, please get it, I don't want an st! 6 speed box or not. Quicker or not. I just don't want one.
I've almost given up why I don't want an sti, please get it, I don't want an st! 6 speed box or not. Quicker or not. I just don't want one.
09 July 2016, 09:59 PM
#104
he doesn't want hard ride, poor mpg and big spoiler.
people are trying to convince him to buy the car they want/have, instead of trying to help him find the wrx that he wants
I was only saying it wasn't a spec d to stop the haters/trolls having a go about it
Good luck with your search
10 July 2016, 04:58 AM
#105
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dorset
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Dave, I do like to get things right lol.
Anyway, I off to look at one today. I'm up at stupid o'clock like a kid a Christmas lol
Are there any things that I should be looking at when checking the car out?
Anyway, I off to look at one today. I'm up at stupid o'clock like a kid a Christmas lol
Are there any things that I should be looking at when checking the car out?
10 July 2016, 08:37 AM
#107
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Berks
Posts: 4,224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and that is EXACTLY what the op wants!
he doesn't want hard ride, poor mpg and big spoiler.
people are trying to convince him to buy the car they want/have, instead of trying to help him find the wrx that he wants
I was only saying it wasn't a spec d to stop the haters/trolls having a go about it
Good luck with your search
he doesn't want hard ride, poor mpg and big spoiler.
people are trying to convince him to buy the car they want/have, instead of trying to help him find the wrx that he wants
I was only saying it wasn't a spec d to stop the haters/trolls having a go about it
Good luck with your search
10 July 2016, 11:00 AM
#108
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Chewing the fat
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The man has said about half a dozen times that he wants a WRX, not an STi, so we've given him advice about WRXs.
Which part of 'WRXs are fun, fast, reliable, and good value-for-money' did you find so amusing, Jay?
10 July 2016, 11:21 AM
#109
"WRX fan boys" LOL. I sold my WRX about a year ago!!!
The man has said about half a dozen times that he wants a WRX, not an STi, so we've given him advice about WRXs.
Which part of 'WRXs are fun, fast, reliable, and good value-for-money' did you find so amusing, Jay?
The man has said about half a dozen times that he wants a WRX, not an STi, so we've given him advice about WRXs.
Which part of 'WRXs are fun, fast, reliable, and good value-for-money' did you find so amusing, Jay?
10 July 2016, 12:32 PM
#110
Scooby Regular
WRX's are relatively cheap to fix so decent body work would seal the deal for me. Recent cambelt and auxiliarie change would be a huge bonus as it's quite expensive. Don't let shabby interior put you off, I sold immaculate WRX seats for £26!!!! Check brakes and tyre wear etc to get a reduction.
10 July 2016, 01:34 PM
#111
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Chewing the fat
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still best friends then?
10 July 2016, 04:26 PM
#112
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dorset
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Usual stuff, make sure it holds boost, a slight flat spot is normal around 4500-5500k on many tuned Imprezas, gear changes are smooth, 3rd gear can be temperamental on 5 speeds so try a few changes if you fluff the first. no smoke or unusual engine/tranny noises. Once warmed up noticeable car judder could mean one of the cylinders is shot. (or engine mount) Scoobs don't overheat. Tappety noises can be normal, coming from the injectors or alternator.
WRX's are relatively cheap to fix so decent body work would seal the deal for me. Recent cambelt and auxiliarie change would be a huge bonus as it's quite expensive. Don't let shabby interior put you off, I sold immaculate WRX seats for £26!!!! Check brakes and tyre wear etc to get a reduction.
WRX's are relatively cheap to fix so decent body work would seal the deal for me. Recent cambelt and auxiliarie change would be a huge bonus as it's quite expensive. Don't let shabby interior put you off, I sold immaculate WRX seats for £26!!!! Check brakes and tyre wear etc to get a reduction.
Thanks all things checked out, car was immaculate, drives very smooth, picks up fast. Great car. Had to buy it.
I'm now a very happy and proud owner of a 2005 wrx.
10 July 2016, 09:56 PM
#116
The op wanted a WRX, I was sticking up for him
If he had said he wanted an STI, I would have still helped him if I could
The sti and wrx are different cars with different good/bad points.
So, it's ok for the haters to hate, but not ok for defenders to defend?????
Who help him out most? the wrx haters with irrelevent info or you should buy an sti! or the few people that actually read his posts and listened to what HE wanted?
Anyway gayallen, what model Subaru is your OAPmobile Honda?
