[soontoown]

What up all,
New to the site.
I am planning on buying a WRX in May when I pay off my current loan on my Banshee. Anyways, I don't have the loot to pick up a new STi, 26,000 is about all I can spend, and was wondering how much it would cost and what mods it would take to up the WRX to the STi level. See at this point I know your wondering why I don't just buy an STi if I want to mod a WRX to its level. But the thing is that modding the WRX will be over time and not all at once like buying the STi.

 

[chawklit]

Welcome to financing.

 

[soontoown]

For $26,000 of courseI plan on financing. I'm a 21 year old full time collage student working two jobs just to pay for school, my bills, and get enough for a decent down payment. SO 26,000 is way more than too much to spend but since the WRX is worth every penny I can afford it

 

[sr20det]

If you pay 26 your paying to much. you can get a MY03 for closer to 24 maybe less depending on where you get it. I know this isn't a classified thread, but I'm selling my 2002 model, all options but the wing, for a good deal. Matter of fact, I have a vishnu stage 0 kit still in box never installed, which is good for 40 to 45 HP.

 

[91TB78]

soontoown,
To be honest with you. If you are a full-time college student working your way through school with 2 jobs...just keep the current car or buy a cheap Honda Civic/Accord/Integra to drive (not mod). Drive it until it falls apart/when you get out of school. I'm not saying anything against financing a WRX, but you will buy one them realize that modding is really expensive (especially when the tranny goes and you want to install an MRT dogset).

One thing to realize is there will always be faster and better cars as time goes on. Next year's WRX or even STi will be surpassed by something else..a newer Sti..etc.

Just my .02.

If you do get a WRX anyways...don't spend $26K

 

[jbhebert]

These are all estimates, but here is what you would need to get a WRX anywhere close to an STi:

Brembo brakes: $3-4k
Limitted slip front: $1-1.5k
STi Suspention: $2-3k
Engine work: $1-2k

So, for $7-10.5k, you'll have a car that can keep up with an STi. However, you still don't have the STi 6 speed ($10k), or the stronger STi engine block ($???). To "convert" a WRX into an STi, you're probably looking at $25k. Which makes $30-32k for a real STi a bargain.

The WRX is a great car to tune, but if you're looking to turn it into an STi, you're much better off starting with the STi. It's a far more robust platform to mod, and great to drive stock.

J.B.
WRXtra.com

 

[chawklit]

Modding an WRX up to STi standards is not worth the extra money/time. MC>MU.
If I were you I'd just buy a used Honda, something reliable enough to where I could drive it till I got out of school and was able to afford the STi.

 

[91TB78]

Yup..buy a used, reliable car...wait until you get out of school.....this is what I am doing. I had my eye on a Type-R in 2000, a WRX in 2001..but wanted to wait until I got out of school first.

 

[soontoown]

Buying an STi?

I am already driving a old car to get me through school. I have a 91 Z24 that on it last legs. Its got 167000 miles on it and I'm sure will only make it through winter. Anyways getting a new car is my only option to replace the one I have. I'm not going to go through the nonsense of buying sombody elses problem again in another used car.
It sounds like it will take alot to bring a WRX up to STi standards but its the only option I have. I won't be able to afford the payments on a STi but I can still have a quick car in the WRX even if it won't be AS fast as the STi. I think I'll still be happy :wink:

 

[chawklit]

there are plenty of good used cars; especially dealer certified ones.

 

[91TB78]

This is true..not too mention you have a Z24 Cavalier...that is part of the problem of it being on its last legs.

If you don't want used, maybe look for less expensive. Here's my take:

I would go with a MazdaSpeed Protege. That car is sweet..turbo charged and easily modified to make it really quick. Sport Compact Car even went so far to say that it out-handled the previous Type-R..the fwd car standard.

Another option would be the Dodge SRT-4. Again, easily modifiable, fast, etc. Both of these cars are $20,000 or less and would be fun to modify. I think the WRX to modify is a really good car, but its not worth adding the money to it if the tranny won't last...and to replace with a dogbox would cost you $3000+

MazdaSpeed Protege would be my take. Change the exhaust pieces, put a FMIC on it, a boost controller (since its only running a low 6psi boost). You would have one FAST car.