GREGGYG

iTrader: (2)

I am thinking of returning to Subaru ownership, and have owned in the past 2 WRX PPP's, one blobeye and one bugeye, also 3 STi's, one UK blobeye standard, one UK bugeye PPP, and one JDM!

After going through all the various guises of Scoob ownership, and most of the sensible mods with all my previous Scoobs, I will soon be looking to buy something like an 05 WRX PPP, which I feel would be most suitable for me now. I know they have inverted struts, an aluminium lateral link and various other changes, I would like to hear from people who have owned both the 05 model and the 03/04 older models (without the inverted struts and the big Momo steering wheel), telling me how much better the 05 drives and handles, and any other improvements in the the car's dynamics, i.e, the way it drives.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

mikepaul

Yes.

Handling is much better, night and day IMHO

Steering more direct and resists understeer.

richs2891

Interior is better - red brake calipers !

53

iTrader: (41)

If I were buying a WRX now I would go for the MY05 WRX SL onward, I love my Leather seats I test drove the MY05 whilst I owned a MY03. TBH its the asthetics that would make me buy the later model rather than night and day performance handling comparisons, because its simply not true. The handling is lighter in the MY05, much down to the smaller steering wheel which in the MY03 is massive. The inverted strutts wouldn't make me buy a MY05 over the MY03 as the MY03 is every bit as good especially with a few inexpensive whiteline parts and a decent geo session. I would do this on a MY05 aswell anyway. The strutts on my MY06 STi are getting ripped off the first time they fail (which they will in the MY05 WRX too) in favour of some KW3's. You could do this on either the MY03/05 WRX aswell.

I actually prefered the cloth in the MY03 but the centre console is better/ more modern in the MY05.

The red brakes look good and will match up with an upgrade to a nice set of front red AP's/Brembos.

Performance wise if you can stretch to a Hawkeye the 2.5 engine is a much better stating point for modification. The 2ltr WRX needs much more money thrown at it to get it near what can be achieved with very little money from the 2.5 WRX.

Good luck, if you have money to spend there are loads of bargains to be had at the moment.

scoobydog

I've just gone from a 2004 WRX with Prodrive springs to a 2007 WRX with Prodrive springs and 18 inch alloys and whilst the handling is more direct, I wouldn't say the difference in handling between my old one and the new one is massive (some of the difference will no doubt be the 18 inch alloys and lower profile tyres - both had full geometry setup done by the same place). However the one change which made a big improvement on the 2004 car was fitting Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres which were superb. The new one has P Zero Rosso which are still scrubbing in but also seem excellent.

However originally when I first had the 2004 car it was on standard springs and I didn't particularly like the handling whereas a 2006 demonstrator I tried earlier in the year which was on standard springs had really good handling. (The 2007 came with Prodrive springs already on it so I can't compare that one to the standard 2004 car).

In summary I'd say that the standard 05 to 07 car is better than the standard 03 to 04 car, but the difference between the same cars with a few modifications isn't that big at all.

All IMHO of course.

Hope this helps.

what would scooby do

I had an 04 WRX SL - just check to see if the car tax band is the same as I think it was a lot higher from 2005 on..

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

I went from a 03 Blob with PPP to a 55 wih PPP. The later car feels far stiffer at the rear. My old one had 50k when I part ex changed it. New one has 12k now and is a lot quieter and has a less aggressive power delivery. Maybe its just not yet run in. Feels more grown up with a better interior. Bob