cobraman

iTrader: (1)

I am going to be selling my current Civic Type-R shortly and have decided to replace it with either a standard WRX or WRX Prodrive. However, I have to do a few calculations first and need some help as I am not so clued up on the WRX Prodrive which appeals to me and I hope some of you can help me out.

Before we start, this is the car I am currently looking at purchasing (or something very similar)...
Subaru : PRODRIVE WRX SUBARU IMPREZA

Now I understand the standard WRX is only very slightly faster than my CTR (0-60 in 5.8 compared to the CTR's 6.4) and has a combined fuel economy exactly the same as the CTR as quoted at 31mpg.

Now I am thinking if I am upgrading the CTR, I would like something a little faster and I don't mind taking a small hit in the fuel econony/running costs to get it.

So the main question is, is what kind of performance figures does the WRX Prodrive put out (0-60) and what is the quoted fuel economy figure for the Prodrive version (mpg)? I would love an STi but having been a passenger in one it is way too raw and expensive to run so the WRX Prodrive seems the perfect fit between the WRX and STi.

Thanks for any forthcoming help.

999wrx

iTrader: (1)

In my opinion mate I would buy as fast a car as possible, you will get the WRX and probably get used to the power within a couple of weeks then crave more and more power! I've had my WRX import less than 3 weeks and already want something quicker! Get an STI, you know it makes sense! Paul

cobraman

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Paul.

I am totally with you on that. I initially was thinking of getting a WRX but then realised it is just a little quicker than my current CTR and so therefore, I was thinking WRX Prodrive as it is quicker than the WRX but not so manic and unliveable as the STi.

The WRX Prodrive seems the perfect compromise for me as I don't want to go STi but want a little more than the standard WRX (if that makes sense).

999wrx

iTrader: (1)

I know what you mean and each to their own, were all different at the end of the day! I've always been like that tho, get something, get bored n then want more! lol. Good luck with whatever you get, either way your getting a scoob! As an after thought you could get something similar to mine, 95 imort WRX, about 260BHP as standard, 0-60 in about 5 - 5.5secs n only cost me 3K, would have lots left for wheels, brakes etc!

chiefs

I had a standard 04 WRX and now have a 03 WRX PPP. If it's compromise you're after then I don't think you can beat these cars, sure they're heavier than the classic, but being newer you'd hope for less maintenance.
I drive mine to work daily, 30 miles each way. When driving very sensibly I've had 29-30 MPG, so that's something like 330 miles to a tank. As the PPP adds a great deal of torque the car can be driven without excess revs. It has been suggested that fuel economy doesn't suffer on regular driving with the PPP fitted as the car is breathing better it is more efficient. Plus you should be using super unleaded.

I'll be picky here as I've had mine for about 3 months now;

Things to consider when buying; you'll probably want to upgrade the springs as a minimum (I've got Prodrive springs which again are a great compromise).
Good tyres are at least £100 per corner so check them out for even wear when buying. The car will not drive at it's best unless all 4 tyres are in good condition, inflated correctly and the geometry has been setup.

If you find one with any whiteline parts / anti roll bars etc this will be a great bonus as the cars come out of the factory with understeer dialled in. They don't actually understeer as bad as most make out, it's mainly caused by mid corner power. However an upgraded Anti roll bar and drop links will help loads.
They don't come with boost / oil temp / oil pressure gauges so these would be helpful (on my list to do).

If it's done 50k, make sure the cambelt has been done, quotes for installation don't include any ancillary tensioners.

Let me know if there's anything else I can try to answer.

Nice link http://www.prodrive.com/up/03MY%20WRX%20PPP.pdf

Cheers,

cobraman

iTrader: (1)

Chiefs - thanks so much for your reply, that was extremely helpful.

I normally get around 250miles to a £45 tank in the CTR (normal road driving) and around 330miles to a £45 tank (motorway driving) so those figures you have given have made me feel a whole lot better. I had heard that PPP helps with fuel consumption as you don't have to rev the car as much as well and that really makes sense when you think about it. I normally get around 23-24mpg on normal road driving and around 34-35mpg on sensible motorway runs.

I think the WRX PPP is the car for me then.

Just one other question. How much does it take to fill a tank of the WRX? The CTR is normally filled at £48 (normal unleaded). Is the WRX a much bigger tank and how much does it cost to fill (unleaded and super-unleaded)?

graeme jones

hi matey i went from a fiesta st to a bmw 320 convert to a wrxo3 if financially i could have gone for th sti i would have but 12months ago a 55plate was £15,500 so shows how the market has gone i saw a 06 with 28000miles hawkeye for 11800quid! i paid 9800 for mine 12 months ago and is probably worth 7k now if im lucky.
If you are set against an sti you could pick up a standard wrx 03-05 plate for reasonable money £6000-7500 and spend £1300 on stage one mods take you to about 275 bhp which is simlar performance to a type uk sti so something to think about also look ito insurance it maybe cheaper to get an sti than mod a wrx depending on what company you are with.
Im in a similar dilema i want more power do i save up around 3k and chop mine in for an sti or look to go stage one and even stage two turbo replacement and keep the wrx which has been reliable and in excellent condition.i fill mine for abou 45-48quid with v-power super unleaded i get no less han 26mpg and no more than 31mpg my driving style doesnt change much with occasional spirited drived but nothing aggressive just working throught the gears smoothly

cobraman

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input Graeme.

I am planning on getting a WRX PPP which offers similar performance to the STi but is a little more comfortable and better on fuel consumption as you don't have to rev it as hard as the STi (as I am meant to believe).

Those fuel figures are actually better than I am getting from my CTR at the moment so I am presuming the WRX Prodrive is going to be just a little worse than my current CTR.

graeme jones

the ctr i so high reving suprised to see the fuel is even as good as that my fiance brother has a new ctr which is very nice inside but not convinced on the exterior.i was expecting worse from the scoob than 26-31mpg as the bmw 320 could only manage 22-25mpg!!!! regardless of driving style!!!!!!!!!!!!

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

The WRX Prodrives very rarely make the quoted 265BHP, if you're after buying an older car (3 years+) would you not be better going for a WRX that's had a custom remap?

Mine's nearly 290BHP and the fuel consumption is no worse than when the car was standard.

cobraman

iTrader: (1)

Now I am intrigued.

So how much for a custom remap, where from and how reliable is it (in terms of not messing up the engine)?

cobraman

iTrader: (1)

Why has my thread been moved to Wheels, Tyres & Brakes?

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

AndyForrestPerformance

PowerStation

Scooby Clinic | The UK's Largest Independent Subaru Specialists | 01246 590 807 - Chesterfield S42 6QX

BRDevelopments

www.jollygreenmonster.co.uk

Loads more too, can't speak for everybody but mine's never misssed a beat since remapping, totally different class in terms of acceleration and torque as well.

Because one of the Mods is an idiot maybe..

dunx

iTrader: (3)

The WRX is a superb package, as stated a lightly modded one will be a match for an STI.

As an STI owner I have to say that for a base car to start modding, the up-rated suspension, brakes, gearbox and engine all make it a better performance package.

As stated the WRX with Whiteline bits, and a custom re-map will see a very nice car, and decent fuel consumption. (But I did 250 miles in mine yesterday and managed 28.5 mpg, at 400 bhp.)

Later on the brakes can be up-graded to STI spec. another superb up-grade, imho.

HTH

dunx

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Go for it, you'll love your WRX. I have had 2 WRX PPP cars, both 2.0 UK cars. The first (03) went very well, felt lively and was great fun. My second was a big disappointment, performance wise. It lacked the first cars responsiveness. I put it down to needing running in. As the miles piled on it only improved slightly. Subaru stated it was within performance perameters.A fortnight ago I had the car decatted and remapped. The difference is huge. Far quicker and more responsive that my first WRX. I have also upgraded the brakes with DBA discs, DS 2500 pads, DOT 5.1 and braided hoses. Next month I'm fitting Whiteline anti roll bar and alloy droplinks, followed by a geometry setup.The car is a daily driver, I have 3 kids. Although an STI would have been nice, I found the ride too hard and I wanted subtle looks. The decat/ remap will really transform a WRX. Best of luck. Bob

BlueBugEye

iTrader: (12)

As mentioned earlier I'd get a std WRX and get a stage 1 from one of the tuners as you could get switchable maps etc. The map will also be better than the prodrive generic map and should drive better. Give JGM a call see what he recommends in terms of exhaust/filters for best gains.
I've got the Powerstation stage 1 with additional fuel pump and 3 port boost solenoid. This is iro £2000 all in and makes the car far more driveable, 275.1BHP with Torque to match (see my garage for dyno chart). If you're buying a car out or nearly out of warranty go for the best std wrx you can get for your budget and then get the stage 1 package on top of it.

abc

We have a WRX PPP MY05 and for us it's the perfect compromise.

Not certain I'd be getting PPP if I wanted an ECU upgrade now the car's out of warranty but for what it's worth, on a recent climbing trip to Scotland, with one passenger and loaded with (heavy) climbing and camping gear, we got 34 mpg at normal motorway speeds. Best I've had was 37 driving sensibly (!) on A roads and dual carriageways. As someone else pointed out, Prodrive springs are worth fitting for the extra overall tautness and quicker steering they give. Geometry and droplinks are well worth doing too.