New RS or 2nd hand WRX

I'm about to get a car soon and narrowed it down to a brand new RS or a 02/03 WRX. Because I'm going to be totally poor after the purchase, I can't afford to have the car to be of high maintenance since it will a daily driver and only car. I would get a WRX at the drop of a hat, but I'm very worried about how abused it is. Is there anything in particular I should look out for when test driving? The break-in period is also very important, so is the only way I can find out if it's been abused during this period is when the engine dies earlier than it's supposed to? Also what's the standard mileage on such a WRX.

Or should I just give up the worrying and go with the RS?? Is the peformance that much worse than a WRX? obviously acceleration wise, but what about handling?

You talk about being poor after you purchase the car....don't forget it's cheaper to insure the RS.

The RS's performance isn't bad at all, they're actually pretty quick for a N/A car.

Insurance is not an issue. I've gotten some quotes, since i'm only getting third party, fire and theft, it's the exact same price for both cars. The company is specifically designed for young drivers of high powered cars, so they calculate your premium as the same risk of crashing as anyone else. So the only thing they change is the excess for if you're really young. Then the actual premium just depends on how much the car is worth.

So the bottom line comes down to, if i get an RS, after a yr or so once i've gotten used to it, will i be kicking myself i didn't get the WRX?? Or is that gonna happen whatever car i get cos there's always gonna be a better one? hahaha

That's going to happen anyway because you'll want the STi... :) I know I do...

But seriously, I think you'll be happier with the WRX. It handles better than the RS and is obviously faster in a straight line. Down the road, like when you reach the latter half of the car's life, the WRX will be more expensive to maintain, but hopefully you can use the WRX to get a higher-paying job by then. I would expect up to 50K miles on an '02, about 25K on an '03.

I would recommend an '03, though, if you have a choice. The (admittedly minor) bugs in the '02 had been for the most part worked out by the '03 model.

There is no way to tell if a person has mistreated their engine during the break-in period except to ask them. If they seem like a relatively reputable person (or an old person), then it's probably OK. Even if they beat on it when it was young, though, you should still get a lot of miles out of it; and when it dies you can trade up for an STi. :)

Also, as with any used manual transmission vehicle, just start a clutch fund when you get the car. I don't trust anybody who drives a sporty car to take care of the clutch (with all that fun, why would you?). Put in five bucks a month or something and by the time it goes away you can afford a brand new excellent-quality replacement.

Also, as with any used manual transmission vehicle, just start a clutch fund when you get the car. I don't trust anybody who drives a sporty car to take care of the clutch (with all that fun, why would you?). Put in five bucks a month or something and by the time it goes away you can afford a brand new excellent-quality replacement.


Shit...when I had my '96 Sunfire GT, I had 136,000 miles on it, and still with the stock clutch. NO I didn't baby it. I drove that car everyday about 62 miles a day. In traffic, and road trips. It wasn't even starting to slip or feel loose.

Not to brag :rolleyes: but I drive a manual damn good, peeps compliment me on how smooth my shifts are. I'll probly always get manual trans on my cars. It how I started out. I love the full control that u get over ur engine, plus you don't have to worry bout tranny maintenence as much.

I've had to start a new tire fund. Cause my stock tire on my RS are growing thin.

Thanks sabrekhan for the tips. I think i'm leaning much more towards the 03 WRX now.

One more question: what type of maintenance costs are you talking about? And how long is it till the "latter half of its life". You're talking at least 3/4 yrs right? Cos I'm hoping this car will last me closer to 10 yrs than 5...or am i just dreaming?

I say a Wrx over the Rs

It's a Subaru, so it should have a relatively long lifespan. I'd say 10 years is not asking too much. You may have to replace a turbo and one or two other major parts before 10 years, but I'd say that's a reasonable goal for a car that you'll undoubtedly be hammering on daily.

Hahhahaha, very true. Thanx for all the help guys

I'm about to get a car soon and narrowed it down to a brand new RS or a 02/03 WRX. Because I'm going to be totally poor after the purchase, I can't afford to have the car to be of high maintenance since it will a daily driver and only car. I would get a WRX at the drop of a hat, but I'm very worried about how abused it is. Is there anything in particular I should look out for when test driving? The break-in period is also very important, so is the only way I can find out if it's been abused during this period is when the engine dies earlier than it's supposed to? Also what's the standard mileage on such a WRX.

Or should I just give up the worrying and go with the RS?? Is the peformance that much worse than a WRX? obviously acceleration wise, but what about handling?


get a new wrx. dealers, if you know how to neg. will give them out at 250-400 over invoice, especially now at year end. you interest rate on a used vehicle will be higher than a new model. you might even be able depending on how much down get the 1.9 % interest like I got. If you have shaky credit maybe with a co-signer with a higer than 720 beacon credit score you could get into a new wrx for a reasonalbe monthly, cal the dealer and ask this. Used cars of this caliber can be shaky depending on mods that were done to them by original owner and driving habits. If you elect to go used, check out for oil blow by on gaskets, color of oil residue on oil and transmission fluid dipsticks, the less brown colored the better. Also see any real receipts for service and maintenace. Also feel out clutch engagement and hear engine through all gears. Look at tire wear to determine if car has proper allignement, if you see tire wear uneven you got a 50/50 that the car was hit and has frame damage. good luck!