big_xavier

Advice need please did own a 2001 bugeye wrx with pro drive, and I am thinking of getting a scooby again , what difference is therebetween the 2001 wrx and the new shape 2003 model
Basically is it worth paying the extra for a 2003 , or just get a cheaper 2001
I am talking performance , not looks.
regards

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Power wise 2003 has 225 bhp vs 218 so yes its worth the extra

Ben WRX Bug-Eye

Aside from cosmetics the main difference is a revised ECU, no cat in the up-pipe and a slightly revised manifold I believe. End result is about plus 10bhp over the 2001/2 and similar increase in torque. The 03 is easier to drive fast as it has a better spread of torque lower down the rev range – but on the boil there isn't much between them at all. The 03 also has different front dampers. Car does weigh 10kg more than the 2001-2 models though!

Personally I don't think the 03 is worth the extra. Get a 2001/2 and give it the exhaust plus EcuTek remap treatment with the money saved - 260 bhp easy. Also, and I know you said not looks, but many argue a 2001/2 with morettes is better looking than the 03.

big_xavier

thanks guys thats the kind of info I wanted to know, was just wondering if to spend the extra on a weekend toy. so I need to find a nice low millage bug eye , not abused.

John57

I tried a MY2001(I think) bugeye WRX PPP before having my MY2005 WRX PPP'd .... I don't know exact figures but my 2005 model feels noticeably quicker than the 2001 car I tried. The dealer said the PPP'd 2001 model was 240ps as opposed to my cars 265ps.

I should add, however, that I have only one months experience of scoobies so others will know considerably more than me but this is what I was told - power wise - for the two cars and, as I say, the MY05 did definitely feel quicker. The difference may also of course just be down to the individual cars I tried/have....

ru'

MY05 WRX is different in a number of areas compared to the MY03 though!

EVOLUTION

i dont dislike the bugeye looks, but, on looks alone i would take the 03 over the bugeye.

i have an MY05, i went for a bugeye STI drove the two back to back and for me, the 05 WRX PPP took it, nicer to drive, smoother delivery of the power and IMO, it looks better, look at mine in the galley section, its the white 05.

but, having said that, i use mine on a daily basis, so the STI and the WRX are not a like for like comparison, come to think of it, that info was of no use to you, buy the blob eye lol


John

Ben WRX Bug-Eye

The early PPP fitted to many 2001/2 models upped power to 240bhp as said above. The PPP was subsequently redeveloped to provide 265bhp as on the 03 onwards WRX's. However, if you PPP'd a 2001/2 car from 2003 onwards it should have had the later upgrades and be producing 265bhp.

Fit a decent performance exhaust and get it EcuTek'd (basically what the later PPP is combined with the Prodrive exhaust system) and a 2001 model car will be virtually identical in performance to a 2003 with the same mods. They are essentially the same car bar the revised front end.