are the brakes that bad?
 

I have just drove a 2005 wrx with a view to buying it. The brakes were straight and true etc but just didn't seem very powerful. Is this normal?

Yea, good pads do help

depends what your comparing them to, i know when i get out off my sti and jump in my dads wrx-s i feel as though i have to put my foot through the floor!

As above, some good discs and pads make a huge difference. They are never going to be amazing but with a couple of changes they are plenty good enough for most drivers.

Also depends what your used to. My dads Kia brakes are super super sensitive and are nasty because of it. some cars brakes are over servo'ed

I got just the fluid changed on my Spec D and that helped. Not with pedal travel, but bite.

Chocolate brakes.

I'm comparing to a 2003 Mr2, an astra and pretty much any car I have ever driven.

If it can lock the wheels at a good speed i wouldn't worry to much.

I've just done discs, pads, braided lines and 5.1 fluid on my classic and it has transformed the braking. Feels really positive now, I have even been stopping short at junctions as the brakes are better than expected. (thankfully no body was behind me) :)

What discs and pads did you go for.I have a facelift classic which has 4 pots and find the brakes the weakest link.

I fitted MTech grooved discs (from eBay company called "mintbitz". had them on a few cars and have always been impressed), Brembo pads and Goodridge lines.

Still is the cars weakest point but much improved. Would have loved a set of Brembo calipers but couldn't afford them.